Uneasy Hearts Weigh the Most {Niam}

Twelve-

[there is no reason this wasn't updated sooner, other than the fact that i just suck. sorry 'bout that. hopefully this chapter at least somewhat makes up for it? idk but there's lots of cute flashbacks so. um. yes.]

"Brothers get first dibs!"

"Easy, Lou," Harry murmured as he shifted his son into his brother's arms. Louis had a two-year-old, but even he would have to admit that he wasn't the most cautious of them. Still, the way that he held the newborn almost perfectly was natural. "Seriously, be careful."

"I haven't broken Liam yet, have I?" Louis questioned rhetorically as he stared at his nephew's soft, scrunched up face. In his opinion, all babies looked basically the same, but he saved that thought for Harry's sake. He settled for a simple, "Wow."

Esther came up from behind him, resting a cautious hand on her husband's shoulder, as to not frighten him. She had learned her lesson from their own child.

"Zayn, Harry," she spoke to both of them, who were rather fidgety at this point. Esther, being an experienced mother at this point, had a special soft spot for babies, and could understand their worry. She hadn't wanted anyone to touch Liam when he was first born, either. "Congradulations, you guys. He's beautiful."

Harry beamed like he had birthed Niall himself. "He is, isn't he?"

Before anyone could say anymore, a toddler padded into the room, stopping by the archway to survey the scene. Liam was definitely old enough to recognize everyone in front of him - mommy, daddy, Uncle Harry, and Uncle Zayn.

But what was daddy holding?

"Liam," Esther cooed to him, motioning him closer. He takes a couple, cautious steps into the room, and looks up at Louis, staring at the bundle in his arms. He was holding a seemingly crumpled baby blanket, quite similar to the one that Liam has, hand-made by his grandma. He's holding it rather carefully, however, and Liam can't place why. Why was he being so cautious with a blanket? "We have a surprise for you."

Louis knelt down in front of his son, and Liam's eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't just a blanket, it was a baby. A real baby.

"Liam," Louis spoke so softly, and Liam had to strain to hear him. "This is your new baby cousin, Niall."

Liam cocked his head in complete, utter confusion. "Cousin...?"

"Yeah, love," Esther leaned down as well, pushing a stray strand of hair out of her son's face. She made a mental note to take him out for a haircut later on. "Your cousin. This is Zayn and Harry's new little boy."

Liam turned around two look at the two, who were both smiling softly. He looked them up and down, and let out a puff of breath, "Neither of you are ladies, though."

Louis snickered, and Esther bit her lip. "Li..."

Liam ignored his mother, and turned to his father. He reached out a little hand, and gently touched the baby's face, narrowly missing poking him in the eye. He took note of just how soft the younger boy's face felt. He was rather warm, as well.

"Can I hold him?"  he asked, looking at his dad with soft brown eyes. Louis bit his lip, looking uncertain. "Please, daddy? Please?"

Louis didn't want to say no, but Liam was so young. He had confidence that he wouldn't drop him or anything, but knowing Harry, he could safely say that his brother wouldn't feel the same about the matter. He'd ask, but he never knew when Harry could just freak out on him for no reason - well, his anxiety was a reason, but not a good enough one, in Lou's opinion.