Not So Simple

Chapter Eighteen

Month 9

By the time August comes to an end and September is starting, Louis still hasn't gone into labor. He doesn't know whether or not his daughter is trying to grow up that last little bit, or if he's just late, but...he hates this. He hates the waiting and the not knowing when he could go into labor. He and Harry are constantly on edge, waiting for it to happen. Louis hasn't even been having Braxton Hicks contractions anymore, only kicks and obviously when the babies move. Louis's terrified that they won't ever come out, except he calls Dr. Loren once August ends. She says that it's perfectly normal to be a few days late; especially with men, because they aren't so common. Louis can only mutter an agreement and hang up, heart pounding in his chest.

"Hey," Harry murmurs, "What'd she say, beautiful?"

Louis isn't even sure when Harry came up behind him, but Louis rests his head on his shoulder and lets out a breath. He tries to sag his shoulders and actually relax, but of course it's not that easy. Nothing is 'that easy' anymore, it seems.

"She said it's normal to be a few days late, 'specially with men," Louis answers, taking Harry's hand in his own and holding it. He hesitates before saying what he wants to next. "I'm so done with this, Harry. I'm so done with being pregnant and waiting and...I want them to be here already; in my arms, safe and sound. No more being pregnant and not knowing what's going to happen."

"You know you don't have to worry about that, Lou. I already agreed that we aren't having more kids after this...even if you do look fantastic like this."

Louis turns around so he's facing Harry. He doubts he looks 'fantastic', definitely not like this. He's put on an obscene amount of weight, his walk has turned into an awkward waddle type thing, he has bags under his eyes that probably won't ever go away. Not to mention the stretch marks on his stomach...

"What do you mean?" Louis carefully asks.

Harry sighs, but it sounds fond and affectionate. He brings the hand that Louis isn't holding up to Louis's face, stroking his careworn features. During normal circumstances, Louis probably would've swatted Harry's hand away and told him he was a twat. Right now, though, Louis allows his eyes to flutter shut and for a small smile to form on his lips.

"I meant exactly what I said," Harry starts. "You're glowing, Louis, and it's...it's probably weird to think, but I like seeing you like this. I like seeing you pregnant with my babies, makes me feel like you're mine, you know? Like no one else can have you except for me."

Louis ignores the way his heart starts pounding at those words. He's also not gonna miss how wild his hormones are and how he constantly wants to pounce on Harry. Isn't that how he acts without the hormones, though?

"You know I'm yours anyway," Louis says quietly.

He opens his eyes to look at Harry and sees that he's glimpsing down at the ring on Louis's finger. Louis's heart just beats even faster at that, because he honestly loves Harry too much for his own good.

"Want me to run you a bath, love?" Harry asks, unknowingly bringing Louis out of his daze.

"Yes, please...you know you're going to have to help me in and out, though, right?"

Harry chuckles, taking Louis's hand and leading him towards the bathroom. "Of course, love."

***

Louis goes into labor that night, ironically.

He's snogging Harry goodnight, like always, and he just...he feels it. He feels the way his stomach clenches and the way there's suddenly a sharp pain shooting through him. He swallows a gasp and holds on tightly to Harry's shirt. "Haz," he mumbles, his breathing becoming short and rapid.