Maybe we can (L.S.)

61

"And Lou, he was laughing so hard I swear I was scared he would start crying! But the photos turned out great and, you won't believe it but, after the parents saw the photos at the end of the day, his mum asked me to do a private shoot with his sister!" Harry rambled excitedly, explaining how his day went.

"That's amazing, Haz! I knew you would do great. You instantly connected with the kids and you have so much patience with them. I can't wait to see the finished work at the school" Louis smiled fondly, holding the phone with his shoulder as he helped a sleepy Doris put her pajamas on.

"Mhm... I enjoyed it. And luckily Sam seemed content in the carrier. Poor boy didn't even complain until he pooped and needed a diaper change" Harry spoke to the phone beside him as he played with Sam and Emma on the floor, wiggling aç rattle ball to make Sam look up.

"Hahaha. I bet" Louis laughed. "And your leg? Were you okay standing all morning with Sam on?" He asked, zipping Ernest's pajamas and patting the boys bum as he strutted away.

"A bit sore... But it's fine. No blisters for now. Ups! Shh... It's okay, bunny... Shh... Don't cry..." Harry replied.

"Harry? Everything okay?" Louis asked hearing the baby's cries.

"Yeah... I've got you. Shh... I got to go, Lou, his arm slipped and banged his head on a toy. See you tomorrow" Harry shushed, trying to soothe the crying baby.

"Okay, Haz. Good night... Call me if you need anything" Louis sighed, slumping in his own bed after a long day.

Weeks and weeks went by and they seemed to have fallen into a routine where the day they didn't meet was a rarity and the one they didn't talk or, at least, text just didn't exist.

Sam continued his twice a week appointments with Louis on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Harry had noticed some improovement in how he was using his hands and holding his head up since they started using the molded seat at home.

Emma loved daycare and had quickly grown attached at the hip with Mikey when she realised they shared their passion for dinosaurs. She had taken it upon herself to make sure the jumpy, shy boy was never left behind whatever they were doing.

Harry quickly became the school, ECAC and Emma's daycare to go photographer for social media and events, as well of having some private requests from the families, so he had been working on shoots quite steadily.

And Louis... Well, Louis loved his new job but he couldn't deny he had a favourite patient and family to attend. Lately he had spent more time at Harry's than at home and his mum and sisters hadn't had the decency to try and act as if they hadn't noticed, deciding that teasing him for it was far more entretaining.

Today was December 1st and Louis was getting anxious. He had tried to call Harry twice but he hadn't picked up. He had sent him a text to wish Sam a happy 1st birthday two hours ago but he hadn't replied either. He thought he might have had a busy day so he decided he would go to his place and see if he could help with anything.

Twenty minutes later, Louis had parked his car near the house and was struggling to get an enormous, half unwrapped package out of the trunk when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Shit!" He jumped, startled.

"Sorry. Need any help with that?" Liam apologised, already moving to hold the package from the opposite end.

"Yeah... Thanks Liam. I don't know how I managed to get it in" He laughed.

"I haven't just helped you with a dead body, have I?" Liam laughed.

"Nah... Not today. It's just a present for Sammy's birthday" Louis winked and shook his head.

"It's today? Harry didn't say anything when he asked me to watch him and Emma this morning" Liam frowned.

"Oh... I- I'll go check on him" Louis bit his lip and waved at Liam when he reached Harry's door with the package.

"Yeah... I'll better go back to the kids. I was just taking the trash out" Liam nodded.

Louis knocked and waited for a few minutes, not hearing anything.

He knocked again. No reply.

"Harry! It's me, Louis! I've got a present for Sammy!" He shouted at the door.

Another minute passed before the door opened. He could only see Harry's back as he was already moving away into the house.

"Haz... What's wrong?" Louis pleaded, closing the door behind him and following him to his bedroom where he was already taking his leg off and curling on the bed.

Harry looked up at Louis and let out a muffled sob, his eyes red and bitten lips.

"Oh, love. Sh... Come here. Shh" Louis soothed, climbing to the middle of the bed where Harry was and rocking him gently.

"I-it's. It's been a-a year. S-since Gem d-died" Harry cried, holding onto Louis shirt for dear life.

"Oh, Haz... I'm so sorry... I should have known... Why didn't you tell me, love? I would have been here" Louis kissed his curls and hugged him closer.

"S-she was such a good mum... She s-shouldn't have died! She should be here with his f-family, Lou! Why?!" Harry screamed, hitting Louis chest with every word before collapsing on his lap.

"Shh... I know... I bet she was the best mum if she was any similar to you... She entrusted them to you, Haz... And you know what?... I bet she's looking over you all and you are making her proud each and every day" Louis soothed, holding Harry's offending hand firmly as he nuzzled his nose up and down his neck to calm him.

Harry ended up falling asleep as Louis held him, not daring to move unless it was to run his fingers through Harry's curls.

Half an hour later, Harry started stirring. Once he was awake he sluggishly pulled away from Louis and looked up at him.

"Hey, love" Louis smiled lightly.

"Can you help me finish the cake?" Harry asked, wipping his tears with his sleeve.

"Yeah... But don't trust me to much. You don't want me to poison anyone" Louis chuckled and rolled out of the bed, reaching for Harry's prosthetic leg and helping him with it.

"No. Better not" Harry's lips curled slightly up.

"C'mon. There's a cake to finish and presents to give" Louis smiled, brushed away a stray tear with his thumb and closed the distance between them to peck his lips with an innocent kiss.