On & Off Again || l.s

chapter six

one step forward and two steps back

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"Thank you so much, Harry. This is really a big help and I really can't thank you enough."

Harry shrugged his shoulders and gave the woman a small smile as he took the toddler from the woman's arms. Today he was watching his mother's friend's toddler. All the adults were going on a weekend vacation and trusted Harry to watch the toddler, as he'd done it before.

"It's no problem, really." Harry assured her and then smiled down at Jasper. "We're going to have a fun weekend." He promised her and then let her go through what was in the diaper bag, what Jasper did and didn't eat, his sleeping schedule, and other small tips to help him. Harry had watched Jasper before and he didn't seem to be too much of a problem so truthfully he didn't mind watching him all that much.

Once the adults were leaving and Anne was telling Harry the rules, she reminded him three times that Louis wasn't allowed over that entire weekend and that if he did come over, Harry would be in definite trouble.

"What if I need help with Jasper?" Harry asked her softly, genuinely curious as to what he was supposed to do if he needed help.

"You'll have Gemma, Harry." Anne said and then Harry gave her a look that told her Gemma probably wouldn't be home all weekend and Anne let out a small sigh, understanding that. "Fine... Louis can come over if you need help. But your father absolutely can't know. If Louis serves as a distraction from watching Jasper, he has to go, Harry. I'm serious. Also, all you'll be doing together is watching Jasper. Nothing else. I mean it, Harry."

"Okay, thank you so much." Harry smiled and then looked at Jasper again. "We'll be fine, Mum." Harry assured her and then looked at her again.

"Call us if you need anything or if there's an emergency and we'll come right home." Anne said and then said her goodbyes before she was off and Harry was left alone with Jasper and Gemma who was upstairs, but he doubted she would be staying for too long after their parents had left.

"Wanna watch tv?" Harry asked Jasper and then smiled when Jasper nodded his head. Harry walked into the living room and then sat Jasper on the couch before reaching for the remote, sitting next to Jasper. He settled on Nick Jr. and then glanced over at Jasper to see if he was okay with it and it seemed he was.

"Harry, I'm heading out." Gemma called not so surprisingly as she walked downstairs and then looked at Harry when she reached the living room, not even glancing at the toddler.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked softly and then opened Jasper's diaper bag to get out the toys his mother had left him with in case he grew bored within the next few minutes.

"A friend's house." Gemma explained simply and then glances at the toddler for only a few seconds before her eyes are on her brother again.

"Okay... I'm guessing you won't be coming home tonight then?" Harry asked as he looked at his sister who only shook her head and then proceeded to shrug her shoulders.

"Depending on how things go. Why don't you call Louis over?" She asked with a small smile and Harry only shrugged, telling her that most likely he would call Louis and have him come over and then Gemma made sure she had her phone and her wallet before heading outside to where her ride was parked in the driveway.

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There were three knocks on the door before Louis opened the front door and walked inside Harry's house, closing the door behind him, calling out Harry's name.