when we were eighteen - book one ✔️

Epilogue

HARRY // DECEMBER 2017
ELEVEN MONTHS LATER

Harry woke up to the sound of giggles through the baby monitor. He immediately got up, and saw that it was just past eight. And it was his baby's first birthday. Olivia was one, and Harry couldn't believe how quickly it went by.

He pushed on slippers, looking over at his sleeping boyfriend who was snoring quite loudly. Harry smiled, and couldn't help but thinking about how gorgeous he was. He heard Olivia make more noise, so he went into her nursery. Olivia was trying to pull herself up, but kept slipping and falling. She had mastered pulling herself up on everything else but her crib.

"Good morning, babydoll," Harry cooed, gathering his daughter's attention.

Olivia's head snapped over and she cried out in happiness at the sight of her father. Her white blonde hair was sticking up in knotted curls and her wide green eyes were bright. Her chubby hands reached up and she whined, "Dada!"

Harry pulled her and kissed her on the cheek. Her little arms wrapped his neck and she wiggled into him, seeking comfort. He closed his eyes, pressed his nose into her curls, and whispered to her, "Happy Birthday, Olivia. You're one today. You might not understand how huge that is, but it's huge."

Harry could smell her diaper, so he placed her on the changing table. He quickly cleaned her up, smiling at her baby babble. After sanitizing his hands with the hand sanitizer, he asked the baby, "Do you wanna wake up, Papa?"

"Pap!" Olivia exclaimed in agreement, so Harry picked her up and brought her into the bedroom.

Harry placed Olivia on the bed and she did all the work. She crawled over and grasped Louis around the neck. Her little hands pawed at his face until Louis grumbled. She squealed when he made a noise, which made him smile.

Louis opened his eyes and gathered Olivia in his arms, squeezing her to him. She giggled as Louis peppered kisses along her face. Harry crawled in beside Louis, watching them fondly.

"I hear today is someone's first birthday. Happy birthday, my nugget," Louis said to his daughter.

"Can you believe she's one?" Harry murmured, watching Louis's fingers run down Olivia's cheek.

"No, I can't. I don't want her to grow up, this is a big milestone and don't feel ready for it," Louis said, lifting Olivia up in the air and making her burst out in giggles.

"Yeah, I'm not ready either."

"Pap," Olivia whined. Louis lowered her and cradled her into his chest, sitting up against the headboard.

"I think this nugget is hungry, Haz," Louis said, looking over at Harry.

Harry nodded, leaned in and pressed a kiss to his boyfriend's mouth. Louis kissed him back, but Olivia's fist reached up and pushed them apart. She always wanted sole attention on herself.

"I love you," Harry said, tipping up Louis's chin so he was looking at him.

"I love you too," Louis said, eyes bright and gleaming.

Harry walked into the living room, confused when he saw Zayn asleep on the couch. Zayn and Liam had quickly become good friends with Harry and Louis and their group. Zayn's coffee shop, The Busy Bean, was basically their Central Perk.

Harry bumped Zayn's shoulder, causing him to stir. When Zayn opened his eyes, Harry asked, "Hey, mate. I don't know mind you being here, but what's up?"

Zayn sighed, pushing himself up. He had his hands in his hands and said, "Liam and I had a fight last night. I called Louis late last night, you and the baby were already in bed, and he let me crash on the couch."