When We Fell In Love

Chapter 13: Christmas 1975 - Part 2

This would be the first Muggle Christmas for Zayn, and Louis was proud to show him his family at its best. Plus, he was extremely happy to celebrate his birthday with one of his best friends.

They were greeted at King's Cross by Louis' father, who pulled him into a long hug. His father's scent of tobacco and vanilla made Louis feel like a child again.

"Dad, this is Zayn." Zayn extended his hand in a polite and formal gesture.

"Nice to meet you, sir."

"Nice to meet you too! But please, don't call me sir , you're making me feel like Methuselah. Call me Mark."

"Yes, si— Mark."

The three of them headed to the car; they had almost four hours of travel ahead of them. Louis could not wait to blast the music and catch up on what he had missed from the Muggle world during those months away from everything.

Mark started updating Louis on the family: Phoebe and Daisy had grown even more, Fizzy had started Key Stage 1, and Lottie had moved up to Key Stage 2. Johannah was super busy with the girls but missed Louis a lot. Even Mark admitted he missed his son. Zayn listened attentively to the exchange between father and son, occasionally asking for clarifications on Muggle things that did not exist in the magical world.

After a couple of hours, a relaxed silence fell over the car. Zayn had dozed off in the back seat, Mark was focused on the road, and Louis was nodding his head to the music.

"And that was Golden Years by David Bowie for all our lovely listeners!" announced the radio host cheerfully, with a Christmas jingle playing in the background. "Now, by popular demand, just for you: Queen!" Louis loved Freddie Mercury and Queen.

Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.

Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see.

I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy...

Louis was completely captivated by the melody and the lyrics; he widened his eyes and, almost unconsciously, moved closer to the radio, turning up the volume. The silence in the car was filled with that song, those words. Mark glanced at him, a smile on his face, but said nothing until the long symphony ended and the radio host started talking again.

"Did you like it, son?" he asked, lowering the volume.

"It was... magical!" Mark burst out laughing.

"You definitely know more about magic than I do."

They arrived in Doncaster when the sky was already dotted with stars and the moon was starting to peek out. As soon as they entered the house, Louis was attacked by four little girls, who jumped on him and knocked him flat on his back.

"Hi, little rascals! Did you miss me?" he managed to say between hugs and kisses.

"Finally, you're here!" His mom appeared in the kitchen doorway, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed.

"Hi, Mom!" Louis quickly got up and rushed to hug her. "This is Zayn." His friend shook her hand.

"Thank you so much for the hospitality, Mrs. Tomlinson."

"Don't you dare call me that!" she laughed. "I'm Johannah, but you can call me Jo."

Zayn smiled, and Louis looked at him, trying to convey that he was truly welcome in his somewhat dull Muggle life.