Muted Model

Epilogue

Three years later -

"Baby, where are Andrew's rain boots?" Harry asks as he peaks his head into the nursery.

Glancing up at him from the changing table, where I'm changing Reece's dirty nappy and clothes. Smiling at Harry saying; "His boots should be in the mud room with the rest."

Harry nods; "Thanks baby, don't be to much longer, okay?"

"Almost done here, we'll be down in a couple of minutes." Harry and I blow each other kisses before he heads to the mud room to find our oldest son's rain boots.

Harry and I have three boys; Andrew Edward who is just over 2 years old (I became pregnant with him the first time Harry and I ever had sex) and then there are our 1 year old twins, Reece William and Regan James. I am also seven months pregnant with our last baby; our fourth son, Michael Robin.

We've agreed four babies is plenty; we were happy with our four boys. We're heading to Anne and Robin's for a family gathering with them and us along with Gemma, her husband Richard and their six month old daughter Sophia. My family is also attending this gathering and I'm thankful that both of our families can come together and have a great time together.

Liam and Niall are also attending with their sons, Carter and Archer, brothers they adopted a year ago who are 4 years and 3 years old. Picking Reece from the changing table and placing him on my hip as I waddle over to Regan, who is sitting on the floor playing with building blocks.

"Come on Reg, time to nan and mimi," I say, gaining his attention instantly. He loves Anne and mum; he calls Anne nan and mum mimi.

"Na! Mi!" he and Reece holler as Regan stands to grab my hand.

Waddling to the stairs, taking them one at a time since I can't pick Regan up due to my belly and already holding Reece. Once we've navigated the six steps, we enter the mud room in order to place their rain boots and jackets on them before placing mine on.

"Da! An!" Reece and Regan holler as they notice Harry and Andrew.Reece struggles in my hold, since he wants Harry; so I squat down to place him on his feet in order for him and Regan both to run to their daddy and brother. Waddling over to the four of them to peck Harry on the lips when he stands to his full height with one twin on each arm.

Pulling away from my handsome husband, yes we married ten months ago when the twins were two months old to slip my black Vans with a white star on each shoe along with my black fleece lined jacket. Harry holds both of the boys as I slip their shoes and coats on them; a lot easier this way. Exiting the house with Harry holding the twins, Andrew holding my hand as I carry the two diaper bags; one for the twins and one for Andrew as I lock the door behind the five of us.

Opening the passenger door behind the driver's seat for Harry so he can place the boys in their car seats as I waddle around to the other side to place Andrew in his. Having all three boys buckled in their car seats, Harry and I climb in with Harry driving.

Arriving at Anne's home ten minutes later, we unbuckle the three boys and take them along with their diaper bags from the car and make our way to the backyard where we know Anne, Robin, Gemma and her family along with mum, Dan and the girls are already. Just waiting for Niall and Liam to arrive with their babies.

The five of us entering the backyard, everyone that is here already is off in little groups of two or three talking; Robin, Richard and Dan are at the grill cooking while mum and Anne are and my sisters are talking with Gemma, who's holding Sophia.

"Hi mum," Harry greets Anne as we walk up to her and mum.

Taking Reece from Harry despite his non-verbal protests, so he and his mum could hug properly. Turning away from him and Anne with a smile to hug mum, who was smiling brightly too. Pulling away, Reece lies his head on my shoulder as he fists my shirt in one of his little hands as Andrew tugs at my hand to gain my attention.

"Pay wif Ernie?" he asks looking toward my little brother.

Nodding at him with a smile; "Sure baby, go ahead." Releasing his hand, he runs over to his uncle and they play on the sandbox that Robin installed a year ago for him and his future grandbabies, Robin's words not mine.

Fixing my hold on Reece but that doesn't last long when Lottie makes her way over to me, plucking my son from my hold with a smirk as she does the same to Harry with Regan. Lottie walks back over to our sisters before all of them except Gemma take them to the sandbox to play with Andrew, Ernie and Doris. Placing my hands on my belly as Michael kicked the hell out of me from the inside. Jumping slightly as Harry slides his hands around my huge belly from behind; Michael always seems to know when his daddy has his hands upon my belly and he instantly calms. All of our babies did this when Harry had his hands on my belly and the sound of his voice would also make them go nuts inside my belly.

Turning my head slightly to peck his cheek with a smile, earning a dimpled smile in return.

"You should sit down baby, I know this pregnancy has been rough on you," Harry whispers, trying not to alarm anyone who might hear.

Nodding lightly, allowing him to guide me to a comfortable lawn chair where he sits down first and pulls me onto his lap with a smirk. He keeps his hands on my belly, where he's gently rubbing as I settle myself comfortably in his hold with a soft smile and sigh of contentment.

Halfway through dinner, where I'm sitting on Harry's lap at his instance with one of his hands resting on my belly when I have a contraction and I know he felt it too since his hand stilled.

"Baby, how long has this been happening?" he asks softly in my ear, not allowing others to hear.

"Just started," I reply equally as quietly; he hums in response as the contraction stops.

Ten minutes later another contraction starts; I had looked at my watch when the first contraction started. We should head to the hospital soon but I'm not ready since Michael is going to be about six weeks early.

"Baby, we should go to the hospital," Harry whispers into my ear again as he rubs both of his hands on my belly through the contractions.

Nodding knowing full well that he is correct; standing slowly after the contraction ends; gaining everyone's attention but the younger children.

"Everything alright, Lou?" mum asks as I let out a deep breath as Harry stands as well.

"Yeah, we need to head to the hospital," I reply.

Harry wraps his arm around my waist, gently leading me to the gate to the driveway. "Mum, do you think that you could watch the kids please?"

"Of course love, leave the car seats and we'll take them back to your house so they're comfortable when bedtime arrives."

Smiling weakly at her; "Thanks Anne."

She nods as her and mum follow us to the driveway to take the car seats from us to place them in her and Robin's car; "Anytime darling."

Five long hours later, our youngest son Michael Robin Styles was born at 12:02 a.m. on August 29, 2020. Michael weighs 6 pounds 1 ounce and is 20 inches long.