Wrong Number (Larry Stylinson)

forty five

Merry bounced Phoenix on her hip while she cooked dinner. Phoenix watched and stared at the food in interest. she smiled and placed him in his high chair.

"You wanna learn how to cook too?"

As if he knew what his mother was saying, Phoenix lightly picked up his hand and put it back down on the table, smiling.

She had finished dinner and turned off the oven and stove, picking Phoenix back up. Zayn walked into the apartment after work. "I'm home, babe!"

He went into the kitchen and kissed Merry on the cheek. "Hello, love. Sorry I'm a bit late."

"It's fine. Where were you though?"

He smiled and picked up Phoenix from her arms. "How's my baby boy? And I was getting tattoos."

Merry stopped. "You did what? Zayn we talked about this."

He shrugged. "Well, when you made me swear not to get another one, I crossed my fingers..."

"Zayn. Don't try to be funny. I'm serious."

He sighed. "Merry, it isn't that big of a deal, I swear. I just got your name on my shoulder and a phoenix on my back."

"But you promised! You know I don't like tattoos."

"Please, you think it's hot."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't like the fact that you're damaging your skin even more than before! Like, what about then you get old and wrinkly, huh? Imagine that!"

"Mer, you don't get to tell me what to do with my body."

"And you don't get to break a promise!"

"Stop yelling at me!"

"Stop lying to me!"

Zayn rolled his eyes, holding Phoenix close because he started to whine. "Don't worry, Phoenix. Mama is just really angry at Daddy for being a grown man and doing what he wants. I think Mama is on her-"

"Zayn, really? I dare you to finish that sentence..."

"period."

"I'm giving you three seconds to run."

Zayn flipped her off almost playfully and left the room with Phoenix.

She started serving the food into plates angrily. "Ignorant bastard. I had a baby a few weeks ago, that's impossible," she mumbled.

She jumped as the door opened again and Louis stormed into the kitchen, clutching on to her tightly. "Merry!"

Merry stood there with wide eyes, staring down at him. He was shaking with sobs. She wrapped her arms around him slowly. "Louis...Louis, baby, what's wrong?"

"Harry...He yelled at me! And look!" He held his wrist up and Merry gasped, looking at it.

"Lou, honey, it's all bruised! Do you want me to kill him for you?"

"No, wait! I hit him first, but he was trying to put me in the corner because I told him to fuck off."

Merry rolled her eyes. "Louis. Everything's gonna be fine. I take it that's the first real fight you've had?" Louis hiccuped and nodded. "Well, that's nothing."

"Yeah, but I'm just scared to go back. I don't wanna be punished! And I feel terrible because I was sort of pressuring him to have sex with me when he was busy and then threw a fit afterwards. He's gonna hate me!"

Merry laughed. "There is no way on Earth that Harry could hate you. He loves you so much. He might be angry, but he would never hate you. Do you see the way he looks at you? Like you're the only thing in this damned world that matters?"

Louis wiped a tear away. "Really?"

"Of course. He won't hate you. I promise."

Then the door opened again. Louis whimpered as Harry stepped into the kitchen, looking quite irritated. "Louis, come here."

Louis put his most innocent and sorry face on, walking over to his daddy. "Yes, Daddy?"

Harry grabbed him and hugged him tightly, but still aware of his tummy. "Please don't ever do that again! Babe, I was so worried that you weren't gonna come back, and..." Harry glanced down at Louis' wrist and gasped. "Baby, did I do that? I'm so sorry!"

Mer smiled and left the two alone in the kitchen.

"Daddy, I'm sorry for being a bad boy!" Louis hugged Harry tightly and Harry kissed the top of his head.

"Baby, it's alright. I forgive you. I just don't want to see that behavior again, are we clear?"

Louis nodded, yawning. "Can we go back home?"

Harry shook his head. "So you can sleep? Nope. You aren't sleeping until you eat something."

"Well, can I get chips, soda, and a milkshake?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "That seems very unhealthy, Lou. But for my baby, anything."

"I love you more." Louis inhaled Harry's scent and smiled in content. "You mean everything to me."