Parallel Universes 2

3

Louis couldn't even comprehend what happened. One second he was standing in Harry's studio trying to stop Niall from touching the painting. Next, he was sucked forward and everything started spinning so incredibly fast. Next, he saw a second Niall.

Louis puked all over the living room rug. Both Niall screamed.
"What happened?"

"What are you two doing here?"

Louis felt drunk. He was pale and sweaty and he was pretty sure he was gonna pass out in a second.
"Niall. Please..."

"What?" Both Niall's said simultaneously and Louis started to sway.

He felt two hands holding him and helping him to lie down on the couch before he blacked out.

In the meantime, Harry just stared at the painting. His brain wasn't working. Then he finally got a coherent thought and picked up the phone and called Niall. As soon as he answered he almost screamed.
"Is he there? Louis? Is he there?"

"Yes." Niall answered.

"Oh, thank God." Harry said and let out a dry sob. " Let me talk to him."

"Ehm, sure. Wait a sec." Niall hesitated.

"Louis, come on buddy. Wake up!" Harry heard both sets of Niall say and he panicked.

"Niall's! Is he okay?" He shouted.

"Hazza?" Louis said. He sounded weak.

"Hi baby, I've never been happier to hear your voice. Are you okay?" Harry stressed.

"Yeah. That was a horrific experience. I think I fainted but I'm okay." Louis replied.

"I'm coming to get you. I just have to talk to your family about taking the kids." Harry said.

"Yeah, okay." Louis agreed. It wasn't like he had any options. He was stuck in Harry's universe. What if he couldn't get back? As he hung up the phone he started to panic but then he listened in to the conversation Niall and Niall had.

"It's spooky! You look just like me, just ten years older!" Harry's Niall said.

"Watch it! I still look young and pretty." Louis' Niall snorted.

"Guys! We have bigger issues right now." Louis screeched.

"Right. Nice to finally meet you two in person and wow! You're really fucking pregnant! So strange." Harry's Niall said and stared at Louis' stomach.

Louis put a hand on his tummy protectively and snorted.
"So what?"

"I'm sorry. I've never seen a pregnant man before." Harry's Niall shrugged.

"What did Harry say?" Louis' Niall interrupted.

"He's coming to get us as soon as possible." Louis informed him.

"Great." His Niall smiled.

"Are you guys hungry?" Harry's Niall asked.

"Always." Louis' Niall grinned.

In the meantime, Harry called Jay and explained what had happened. She got worried and promised to take care of the kids. She got in the car immediately to drive over.

Harry checked on the kids. They were eating breakfast in front of the TV. He headed to the bedroom to pack a bag for Louis and threw in some stuff for Niall as well.

Jay arrived and the kids came running. They sat down in the living room.
"Ehm, Dad and I have to go on a trip so you'll stay with grandma for a couple of weeks." Harry tried to explain.

"Where are you going?" Tristan asked.

"To visit my family and I wish we could take you with us but that's not possible." Harry answered.

"Why not?" Tancred asked.

"Uhm... I... Eh..." Harry stuttered.

"Your dads need some time for each other before the new baby arrives and I would love it if you came and lived with grandma for a while. We're going to have much fun!"

Darcy looked around the room.
"Where's dad?"

"Oh, he had to leave quickly to... set up a surprise for me but he wants you all to know how much he loves you and how much he will miss you and we will call every day!" Harry answered.

"He left without saying goodbye?" Darcy asked, looking upset.

"I'm sorry, sweetie." Harry answered, close to tears. This was awful!

"I'm sure Dad will call soon. Let's go pack your bags!" Jay smiled.

Tristan and Tancred got up and ran to their room. Darcy hesitated but she walked out of the living room as well. Jay turned to Harry.
"How did this happen? Bring my son back safely!"

"I don't know. I thought I was the only one who could travel through my paintings. I'm so sorry, Jay. I'll get him." Harry answered shamefully.

"I know you will." Jay said and squeezed his hand briefly before she got up to help the kids pack.

He picked up the phone and called Niall so he could talk to Louis and explain what they had told the kids before he walked to their rooms so Louis could talk to them. He didn't do a much better job explaining why he had to leave so suddenly but at least they got to talk to him.

When they hung up Harry gave Jay the phone so she could keep in contact with them when he left. Hopefully, they could get back right away but it would be at least two weeks for the kids.

As soon as they left he hurried to the attic. He grabbed both suitcases and took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and touched the painting of Niall. When the familiar feeling of being sucked into the painting didn't occur he opened his eyes again. He was still in the attic. He tried again without a result. It then dawned on him that the painting was used. Louis and Niall had already traveled through it. It wouldn't work a second time.

It could take weeks before he had another dream. Months! He started to work himself up into a panic attack and took a couple of calming breaths through his nose. It would be okay. Even if it took a month that would only be four days at Louis' end. But what about the kids? He couldn't stay here and let the kids live with Jay. He had no idea what to tell them though. He had already lied to them about going on a vacation. Louis was already gone. Darcy was old enough to see through the lie. She might even think they were getting a divorce or something. He had no idea how to handle this.

He called Jay for advice. She convinced him to wait a day or two and hoped that he would have one of those dreams during that time. She promised to call Louis and inform him about the situation. Harry hung up. Now he just had to go to sleep.