We MaDe It

28.

"Daddy!"

Harry had a dèjavu as his kids cheered clapping welcoming him home as he climbed out of the car. He gave each and every one of them a hug, Zayn acting like an overzealous bodyguard fending them off when he felt the kids were holding on to Harry too tight. Zayn did that with Alfie stuck on him like a koala.

As he entered the house Harry was drawn to an amazing smell coming from the kitchen, his mouth watered when he saw Mary serving his favourite meal.
Pepperoni and pesto chicken melt. Air fried. Zayn made it for him ended up turning into a meal for the whole family with homemade chips and side salad.

Laughter and chatter filled the dining table as the Styles brood ate celebrating Harry being home as well as end of school year. And start of summer holidays.

Harry took a bite into a juicy chicken breast then moaned appreciatively. "This is delicious." He said his mouth full.

"You like it?" Zayn asked. He wasn't eating. Alfie was sitting on his lap, feeding hisself with tiny hands.

"Do I like it? I love it. You certainly know a way into a man's heart."

"It's through his wallet. I know." Zayn quipped. "And you're welcomed. It's good to have you home, Haz."

"It's good to be home." Harry looked at every single face of his kids, from eldest Yazz to Elijah, Amelia, Maddy, Toni, lastly his gaze fell on youngest, Leo. It was impossible not to notice Mason there. As was Jackson. He leaned in closer to whisper in Zayn's ear. "Where are they?"

"Who they?" Zayn asked.

Harry moved his head back to look at him. "You know who."

In fairness Zayn had no idea who Harry was talking about at this point. It could've been Niall and Liam for all he knows. The two were having dinner at Louis's. He did ask Niall if that was because he was upset about earlier to which the latter denied. Zayn apologised to Niall nonetheless.

"I don't know who you're talking about, Haz."

Harry leaned in to whisper the names. "Mason and Jackson."

"I told you their plans for today, Haz. Remember?"

"What I remember is neither of them coming to me to tell me their plans." When Zayn then stared at him with big eyes Harry shook his head. "I know what you're doing, baby. It's not gonna work."

"What am I doing?" Zayn asked acting innocently like he wasn't giving his husband puppy eyes.

Harry stole a glance at their kids again to make sure they weren't looking at them. The younger ones were talking amongst themselves. Yazz and Elijah engaged in a discussion with Mary. He glanced back at Zayn.

"You're trying to soften me not to take it personally they came to you not me. That does not bother me don't worry. But it's nearly eight, Mason's curfew is seven on school nights. He knows that and he's not home. What is he playing at?" Harry said quietly for two of them to hear.

"I may have told them to be back by eight." Zayn said biting his lip.

"Of course you did." Harry stared at him. "You're making me to be the big bad wolf, you know that?"

"Technically it's not a school night if there no school tomorrow, Haz."

"Love how you're not denying I'm not a big bad wolf, baby."

"I've put a tracker on Mason's phone. Is that bad?"
Zayn whispered as they stared at each other's eyes.

Harry scrunched his nose in fond. "Very bad."