Tell Me a Lie

Epilogue-- THE END

"Shhhh," I rock James on my hip. "it's okay." The doorbell rings sending him into a new round of wailing. "Harry, will you please get that?" I hear the door open and footsteps march into the living room.

"Auntie Eleanor! Uncle Lou!" My daughter Darcy cries. 

"Hello Darcy, you've grown so big! You must be almost 5." Eleanor says as I walk into the living room. "And there's James!"

"Hello El, Hi Lou," I say, setting James on the ground and letting him toddle over towards Eleanor. She picks him up in her arms and cuddles him close. I lean down towards Louis' side to see the little boy standing behind him. "and hello Max." He smiles a little, looking exactly like a miniature version of Louis. 

"Do you want to see my toys, Max?" Darcy asks. Max nods, and they run off towards Darcy's room, Darcy's curls bouncing out behind her. 

"You can set your stuff down in the kitchen." I say leading the way. 

"Why don't you and I sit down to watch the football game? Manchester United all the way!" Harry says to Louis, and they run out of the kitchen, leaving Eleanor and I with the food.

"Liam called on our drive over. He says there's been a bit of a hold up, but the Horans and Maliks should be here any moment." She says, putting a pot on the stove and adding some butter. She sees me staring and adds, "I've brought some beans."

"I see." I say as the bell rings.

"Oh, Callie, you look amazing!" She says, noticing my large belly. I pat it.

"It's a boy." I tell her, smiling.

"What's the name?" She asks putting her hand against the bump.

"Harry wants to call him Harry Jr.," I say laughing, "but I like Alexander." The doorbell rings.

"I'll get it, Dear." Harry shouts. A few moments later I hear Zayn and Alyssa walk through the door, muttering something to each other. Alyssa walks into the kitchen and sets a baby carrier on the table.

"Where's Mia?" I ask waiting for Zayn to bring in the other twin.

"Zayn..." Liss grumbles.

"Yes Dear?" He replies from the other room where the TV is on full blast.

"You've forgotten Mia in the car!"

"No I didn't you brought her in!" He yells back.

"I brought in Madison! Go get your daughter!" Zayn runs out the door. A few seconds later the bell rings again.

"If that's Zayn, don't let him in." Alyssa says 

"It's the Horans." Harry answers. He opens the door.

"SADIE YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK SOMETHING COME HERE!" Morgan yells as the 5 year old tears through the kitchen and up the stairs. Morgan chases after her. Niall hunkers after her carrying diaper bags, baby toys, and their twin boys, Jack and Jarrod. He drops the bags and toys on the ground and slowly lowers down the babies. They do their best to crawl away, but Zayn with a baby carrier blocks their way. Morgan stomps down the stairs holding a squirming Sadie.

"Darcy and Max are playing in Darcy's room." I tell her, and she squirms out of Morgan's arms and books it straight down the hall. 

"She's a runner." I comment. Morgan nods, out of breath. She picks up one of the boys.

"How old are they now?" El asks picking up the other one and turning around to stir her beans.

"13 months. They were born 2 months after James." Morgan answers.

"What are the guys doing?" Morgan asks, covering her ears.

"There's a football game on." Answers Alyssa, picking up Madison.  She rocks the baby a bit. "I wonder where the Paynes are."

"Some sort of hold up." Answers Eleanor, taking the beans off the stove and pouring them into a bowl, all with one hand.

 "We should set the table so it's ready when they get here." Says Morgan. She puts the baby down.

"It's already set," I say, "I had Darcy help me earlier. The food is on and everything."

"Callie, you are a super-woman." Eleanor laughs, and goes to set her beans in the dining room. We assemble high chairs for the little ones and Alyssa sets down Madison and Mia, Morgan puts Jack and Jarrod in their seats, and I put James right next to where I'll be sitting. The doorbell rings. 

"Liam!" Harry says, opening the door. Liam and Danielle enter with their daughter Veronica and Liam is carrying a big paper bag.

"What's in it?" Niall asks.

"You'll see after lunch." Liam says, sitting down. Everyone comes to the table and we dig in, pausing to feed the little ones peas and apple sauce every few bites. James laughs and claps in delight, making everyone laugh. When lunch is finished, the babies are sleeping, the kids are playing, and the dishes are done, we make our way to the living room and Liam pulls out the paper bag.

"We came across a fan on the way," Liam says, "who made wedding diaries for each of us."

"Let's look at them!" Niall exclaims. I think back to the day Harry proposed, My 19th birthday. We got married a year later, and I'm 28 now. Liam pulls out the first book, and on the cover are the words 'Carry'. It's mine and Harry's wedding album.

8 years earliar, July 12

I stare at myself in the mirror. my beautiful self. My beautiful wedding dress. Today I'm getting married. Today, I'm going to become Mrs. Harry Styles. The door opens and in walks Paul.

"I remember the first time I laid eyes on you, Ms. Edwards." He says smiling because he knows he won't be able to call me that much longer. I smile. I remember it too. "You had just gotten off that plane, and I knew by the way Harry looked at you that there was something special," He smiles, "and I said to you, 'what brings you to London, Callie?' and you answered,"

"Just, an adventure." I interrupt.

"And I said, 'well with these boys, you'll sure get your wish." He says. The tears of happiness stream down my face. "I just have one question to ask you before you get married, Callie." He says, and I pull myself together and nod. "Did you get your adventure?" 

"I did, Paul. Thank you." I say, hugging him. 

"Break a leg kid." He says, and walks away. 'I sure did.' I think. 'I got my adventure.'