Forced Family Fun

eighteen

The rest of the week passed smoothly. Liam started yet another game on Thursday, so Louis once again attended only this time he brought Zayn along with them. Though Liam didn't score in this game he still played amazing, and even little Zayn was smiling by the end of everything. Unfortunately, though, the two families wouldn't be able to hang out that weekend. Harry had planned to take his boys up to visit their maternal grandparents, and Louis had decided the same should be done with his own mother seeing as they haven't visited in awhile.

With Louis, the man decided to leave immediately after work on Friday. He packed his and Zayn's bag the night before as well as put them in the trunk; the only thing left to do was fill up on gas. Now Louis knows Doncaster isn't a long drive, however, when you have a two and half year old in the back then, well, ninety minutes can feel like an eternity which is exactly why he made sure to be prepared. From games to treats, Louis had everything packed to make sure this drive went as smooth as possible. And for once in his life everything went right.

Zayn slept throughout the first half of the drive which Louis couldn't help but feel blessed by, and when he woke up he was content with playing with his stuffed animals. Before the boy could even think to get fussy Louis was pulling into his mother's house with a relax filled sigh.

"Zayn, look where we are," Louis coos as he opens up the back door only for the little boy to give him a blank stare. "We're at nannie's house," Louis coos as he removes the boy just in time to hear the front door of the home open.

"There's my favorite boy," Louis hears his mother speak as he turns to face her.

The older woman immediately begins to approach the two with open arms, and of course Louis goes to hug her as well, however, he's left baffled when his mother simply grabs Zayn.

"My little baby boy," Jay coos as she kisses the little boy's chubby cheek. "Oh, you're so handsome, now I know what your daddy's been hiding you."

And of course Louis chuckles at his mother as he fondly rolls his eyes while placing a small kiss to her cheek.

"I know, m'sorry, mum," Louis mumbles with a chuckle. "Glad to know you love my son more than me, though."

"Oh, hush, he's my special little grandbaby. He gets priority in nannie kisses."

Once again Louis chuckles at his mother but nonetheless says nothing in return. Instead he just reaches into the car to grab ahold of the nappy bag as well as his and Zayn's joint bag filled with clothes. From there the three make their way into the home where immediately Louis greets his mum's husband - and his step father - before making his way upstairs to set down his bags. Once that was settled Louis made his way back downstairs where he instantly breaks into a smile as he watches his mother try and bribe Zayn into speaking with cookies.

"Mum, my son's smart. He knows those are raisins and not chocolate chips," Louis jokes as he lifts up the toddler who's sticking his tongue out at the cookie.

"Well I'm sorry that the chocolate ones aren't finished yet," Jay huffs as she boops Zayn's nose with a bit of flour. "Now your sisters are coming over later for dinner, and Daisy's bringing over her new boyfriend. Please try to be civil."

"Oh, c'mon mum. I have been nothing but a gentleman to each and every one of their boyfriends. I just need to give them a bit of big brother shit first," Louis laughs as he takes one of the raisin cookies for himself.

Jay smiles fondly at her eldest as she shakes her head before the two of them are turning down to face the little boy who was shaking his head at the raisin cookie in his father's hand.

"Have you brainwashed him into hating raisins?!"

+

With Harry the drive went just about the same seeing as forty minute drive is easy for a family consisting of a fifteen year old and an eleven year old. Nonetheless, though, throughout the whole time they were driving Harry couldn't help but feel nervous. Of course he's visited his past wife's family since she died all those years ago, but it doesn't make it any easier to do. Obviously Harry couldn't prevent the breast cancer or make the chemo medicine work, but it still just makes him feel guilty each time he goes to visit them and know that he didn't protect their daughter enough.