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Louis Is Going to Be a Dad! Expecting Baby with Briana Jungwirth

Louis Tomlinson's life is headed in a new direction: He's going to be a dad.

The hearthrob is expecting a baby with Los Angeles-based stylist Briana Jungwirth.

"Louis is happy and very excited about becoming a dad and he thinks Briana will be an amazing mother. It was a surprise at first, but he and Briana are very, very close friends and this has brought them even closer," a mutual friend of the two tells PEOPLE.

The British boy band member and Jungwirth, both 23, met through mutual friends earlier this year after his Eleanor Calder in March and were spotted on a number of dates in May.

Tomlinson has vowed to be at Jungwirth's side and to be a "hands-on dad" when the baby arrives early next year, according to the friend.

He has even been looking for L.A. properties near Jungwirth, and has flown across the world to be by her side for every ultrasound so far.

Says the friend: "Louis and Briana care about each other very much and have spent a lot of time together privately over the last few months.

"They are both really happy and although they aren't in a relationship, their friendship is extremely strong and they are both really excited about the baby. It's early days and Briana and the baby's health are the most important things right now."

Adds the pal, "Briana is a really lovely girl; she's absolutely not interested in Louis' fame. She's very private and most of the time they spend together is out of the public eye, just hanging out with their friends."

In fact, Jungwirth had never even been to a One Direction concert until recently.

The couple's moms and stepdads are delighted and met for the first time in L.A. over the July 4 holiday weekend, when Tomlinson's mom Johanna and stepfather Dan flew in for the occasion.

The families "really hit it off when they met," says the friend. "They are all excited and totally supportive."

For Johanna, it will be her first grandchild. She gave birth to twins Ernest andDoris in February 2014 — meaning Tomlinson has had plenty of practice with diapers!

Johanna, a mom of seven, has grown close to Jungwirth over the past few months, the friend says.

"Johanna is a midwife, so she's been able to give advice and has been a great source of support for Briana."

-People.com