Charlie. (Larry Stylinson)

Entity.

Richmond Rehabilitation Center.
[uncaged and free]

[Week Six]. Charlie nervously awaited the moment he would receive his certificate of completion, but it was an exciting moment all in the same; and it felt like a step onto a much more straight and narrow path. Maybe, to others, being in rehab wasn't something to be proud of or something to gloat about; however, for Charlie, it was a significant accomplishment. He would always remind him of how he was triumphant against one of his biggest downfalls. As each person walked onto the small stage to receive their reward, Charlie clapped; every face now familiar to him. They were people he had opened up to, people he connected with, people that never judged, but helped and listened. They were now taking the same path as him, one full of happiness and stability. In the beginning, Charlie didn't see it, walking through those doors. In the beginning, he didn't realize the benefits of just talking to someone. His mind was always trapped within the pages of his late-father's journal, allowing the world around him to past. Maybe it was time to transition from that as well. "Charles Styles!" Applauds erupted.

Charlie walked onto the small platform, happily took the certificate within his hands, and then stood at the podium. "I would like to say, thank you. Not only to Ms. Smith and anyone else that has carved me a clearer vision, but to my father as well. When I found out I was being emitted here, I wanted to run away...from him. I wanted to make him feel what I had felt at the time - given up on. Six weeks later and I've realized that he had never given up on me at all. He had never thrown me into the hands of others because he didn't have an inkling of what to do. He did it because he knew exactly what he needed to do; and as I stand here, happier than I was six weeks ago, I am more than thankful for his decision." Louis stood in the back, eyes teary; and it wasn't long before Charlie spotted him; his smile and heart bigger in size. "To the rest of you that I've gotten to know, whether personally or through small conversation, I wish you nothing but the best."

"You're in desperate need of a haircut," Louis playfully stated, pulling Charlie into a hug once they were out of the building.

"You're one to talk, dad," Charlie mumbled against the fabric of his shirt, causing Louis to laugh.

Charlie and Louis sat in the grass near Harry's tombstone, more flowers and a picnic basket. And it was a celebration of life, a celebration of Harry and the beautiful man that he was, inside and out. They laughed because of the good memories, never once feeling empty and dull because of the revelation that all was fine and would continue to be that way from there on out. "You made life look so easy, love," Louis softly spoke, placing a rose against the stone. "How it should be."

May 11, 1998.
[Flashback]

"How are you feeling, babe?" Harry zoomed the camera in on Louis, as the blue-eyed boy lied in the hospital bed, a weary look in his eyes, but a small smile on his lips. It had been a long, complex and exhausting nine months; but it led them to that moment and they had never been more than ready to bring Charlie into their world.

"I feel calm, for some strange reason," Louis spoke into the camera. "The contractions hurt, but not as badly as I thought it would." Louis more so thought about what the infant would look like, would he cry or not, the moment he would first open his eyes, the moment Louis would be able to hold him, and the moment Harry would be able to hold him. That would be Louis' favorite part, the one he would treasure years from now.

"You've got a lot of pushing to do, babe. It's going to be tense," Harry teased. Louis laughed a little, flicking his wrist in a dismissive manner.

"Not exactly the mood I was going for, Harry."

And when all was said and done and Harry held Charlie for the first time, Louis not only cried of course, but allowed the moment to be carved into his heart. "You've got your daddy's nose," Harry mumbled to Charlie, gently swaying side to side, cradling the infant in his arms. "And his smile, but those are my dimples . . . Can't wait to bring you home and love you and take care of you and see how you grow into a handsome, young man. And I'll even let you take a look at my recipe book. You're going to be an eater, hm? I can tell." Harry looked at Louis for a brief moment, smiling wider when he saw his husband already looking at him. It was a look of endearment and adoration; a look of longing and love. Harry returned his attention to the infant, nearly taken aback when he saw Charlie's eyes now open. They were green; and, within the reflection of the irises, was the new sensation of a loving home.

_
Author's Note: One chapter (and an epilogue) left! :)