Who Says |.l.t.|

~Chapter 31~

Louis’ POV

It was really obvious how nervous Lexi was about meeting the boys- nothing Harry and I could say was calming her down.

Personally I believe part of this paranoia is because of exhaustion, as she hasn’t had a proper night’s sleep in so long, plus the labour exhaustion, probably isn’t the best combination. But she’s determined to stay up and meet the boys, as they’re all going to be Eddie’s godfathers.

“Oh, that’s them!” Lottie yelled, running from her spot on the couch right next to the window to answer the door.  I frowned- they were all here at exactly the same time?

“Louis!” Liam and Zayn called out, as Lottie hid herself behind the door slightly. I grinned, and Harry and I practically galloped our way towards them. We stood there, hugging, just the four of us, until a muffled wail came from the lounge. Zayn instantly pulled away, an awed smile creeping over his face.

“Is that him?” He asked in hushed tones. I nodded, my smile now so wide my cheeks were sore.

I led the way into the lounge, where Lexi was now cradling him to her chest, trying to soothe him.

“Louis, he won’t be quiet, why wont he- Oh,” She interrupted herself, as she saw me and the lads. They waved shyly at her, and she blushed a little, waving back.

“Sorry, I thought- never mind.” She changed her mind, grinning sheepishly as I came and took Eddie from her arms. “He was asleep a minute ago,” She said, her voice sounding exasperated, “But then something set him off, I don’t know what.”

I smiled at my baby boy, kissing him on the forehead, before carefully handing him to Harry. “He’ll be alright, besides, with these guys around, he’s not going to want to-“

“He’s asleep guys.” Harry whispered, causing me to stop talking dead in my tracks. Lexi and I turned to look at him, our eyes wide. “How on earth did you manage that?” Lexi asked, her face astonished.

Harry shrugged, his smile hinting at a smirk. “I sang.” He merely said, carefully handing my son over to Liam. I shook my head. “You realize we’re never gonna let you not babysit him now, right?’ I joked, as Lexi stood up and put her arms around me in a side hug.

Harry chuckled, watching protectively as Liam ever so carefully handed the Eddie to Zayn, who looked petrified that he might drop him any second. But I trusted him.

Just then the door slammed, and two little voices screamed out, “LOUIS!”

As they burst through to the lounge, Eddie promptly opened his eyes and burst into a wail. Lexi looked at the twins with an unimpressed face, as Felicity followed them through with Jo, both of them sporting equally unimpressed expressions. “Oh you two eejits, mum just told you not to do that!” Felicity said, glancing up at me and smiling.

“Sorry.” The Phoebe and Daisy said in unison, hanging their heads.

Zayn carefully handed Eddie back to Lexi, who had removed her arms from around my waist to receive him. “Thanks.” She said, smiling sweetly at him, as Hannah called from the other room. “Louis! Your mobile is ringing!”

I kissed Lexi on the temple, leaving her in the lounge with everyone as I hurried to answer my phone.

It was Niall.

“Hey Louis!” He practically yelled. I grinned- he was so hyper. “Hiya Nialler, you landed then?” I asked.

“Yeah buddy! Just bout half hour away now from ye!” He said, as the phone started to crackle slightly. “Shit mate, going through a tunnel, catch ya later!”

He hung up before I could say another word, and as I put my iPhone back into my pocket, I felt it happening again.

I gripped the table, so tight my knuckles were white, and grunted quite loudly. Hannah turned, her eyes wide when she saw me slowly disappearing in front of her. “Oh dear me.” She said, falling back against the sideboard, losing her balance a little.

I was entirely confused- I’d just done this, less than 24 hours ago- surely it wasn’t possible for me to travel again?

Lexi’s POV.

“Lexi!” Mum called from the kitchen, her voice sounding panicky. My stomach gave a horrible jolt as a horrid thought crossed my mind. I quickly gave Eddie to Jo, and grabbed Harry’s hand, dragging him to the kitchen with me.

“Mum? What’s happened? He’s not back?” I asked, my voice going slightly high pitched at the end. She was leaning against the kitchen side board, as if she was unsteady, or unable to hold herself upright.

“He’s gone again. It was just- so weird. I’m sorry,” she added, shaking herself a little as Harry helped her upright again, “It was just incredibly- oh, I don’t know. But dinner is ready, when’s Niall going to be here?” she asked.

“Probably in about half an hour. Would you like me to set out the plates?” Harry asked, smiling politely in a friendly way. “Oh yes please Harry, I’d be ever so grateful.” Mum smiled back, catching my eye.

I moved towards her, and spoke in a hushed tone.

“I thought dad was back.”

She shuddered, her hand shaking slightly as she spooned up the bolognaise sauce into a bowl.

“Oh no, darling, no. Thank goodness.” She added, a little laugh of relief escaping her.

Soon, we were all sat around the table, with Eddie fast asleep in the corner in his little basket crib, enjoying the meal, with nobody querying where Louis had gone, as everyone now knew.

The doorbell rang, just as mum dished up seconds for those that wanted it, and I got up to get it.

A blonde boy with an adorable crooked-teeth smile was there, and ingulfed me in a hug. “Oh!” I was startled, but hugged back, assuming it was Niall.

“You must be Lexi!” He exclaimed, extending his hand and shaking mine. “I’m Niall.” He grinned again, and I couldn’t help but take a liking to him. I smiled back, and invited him in, and soon he was eating alongside everyone else.

Louis didn’t return until pudding, and was looking rather shell shocked this time. I knew I had to get him alone some point soon, or I might explode with curiosity as to where he had gone.

He seemed equally eager to talk to me though, as he pulled me into the downstairs toilet after pudding, when everyone else was helping wash up.