when we were eighteen - book one ✔️

Chapter Seventeen

HARRY // JANUARY 2017

{ A/N: this chapter will show some foreshadowing to my new Ziam fanfic, that will be starting up very soon ;) }

It was nearly the end of January. Jay and all the kids had returned to San Diego until May when the girl's school year ends. Louis started his new job and Harry was home all day with a now almost two month old Olivia. Harry had been feeling really good recently. His anxiety medicine was fully adjusted. For the first time in forever, Harry felt at ease and safe.

It was a Friday morning, Louis had just left for work and Harry was contemplating what he was going to do with his time. He decided inviting out his sister or Niall and Jade for lunch would be fun, he hadn't seen much of them recently.

He grabbed his phone and texted to Gemma, "Hey sis, want to get some lunch with me and Olivia today? We miss you xx"

Winnie jumped up onto the bed and curled up tightly next to her owner. Harry scratched her behind the ears, causing the room to fill with loud motor-like purrs.

There was a text back from his sister, "Sure bro! Let's meet at the Busy Bean cafe by my work in at eleven okay? I have an hour lunch today love you!"

"See you at eleven, love you too!" Harry replied.

When 10:45 a.m. rolled around, Harry was heading out the door with Olivia and her stroller. He had to use his Maps for directions, but he found it. He hadn't really gone many places in Doncaster, this place was completely new to Harry.

It was a quaint little place on the corner of a busy street. The yellow rim and hand-painted sign gave it a very humble appearance.

As Harry parked, he got a call from Louis. He answered, putting him on speakerphone, "Hi, love."

"Hello, what are you doing?" Louis asked and it sounded like his mouth was stuffed with food.

"Olivia and I are meeting Gemma at a cafe. It's called The Busy Bean. What are you doing? How are the gremlin students today?" Harry asked, turning off the car engine. The kids had been a little rough of Louis in the beginning, but have settled since.

"The principal, Liam, heads over there everyday at lunch. Heard its good. And I'm eating the salad and sandwich you packed me, which is delicious. And they're better today, probably since it's Friday."

"I'm glad, love. I can't wait to spend two job-free days with you. I miss you like crazy when you're gone, so does Olivia."

"How is she? How are you? I miss you both a lot, more than words, when I'm at work."

"She's good, I think she's sleeping." Harry answered and he saw Gemma was waiting for him at the entrance. "Love, Gem's here. I'll see you tonight. I love you."

"Have a good lunch. See you tonight, love you."

Harry got out of the car and set up the stroller before placing the sleeping baby in. Once Olivia was strapped in and her bags was in the small storage space, Harry wheeled her over to the building.

"Hey, bro," Gemma said, smiling at her baby brother. She gave him a hug before bending slightly at the waist to kiss Olivia's chubby cheek. "She's so big. God, she's beautiful."

"She really is," Harry agreed with a smile.

Gemma opened the door and they waited in the short line. There was a man at the register and three girls working to prepare coffee and meals.

"What do you want? It's on me," Gemma said.

"You sure?" asked Harry, but once Gemma insisted, he gave her his order, "Medium green tea and a kale and cranberry salad."