Settle Down With Me -Larry AU-

-four-

“Haz!”

“Lou?”

“The dog’s pooping on the carpet again!”

“Pick her u-put her outside, Lou! Hurr-!”

“Ew! That’s gross, oh my gosh I think I’m gonna puke! Don’t touch that Em!”

“Oh my God…”

+++++++

            It was three years after the wedding, Liam and Niall had adopted two children. A six month old baby boy named Evan and a now four year old girl named Emily. Liam and Niall were off on vacation and had left Evan, Emily, Daisy, and their newest puppy Jazz with Harry and Louis. Harry and Louis had moved into an apartment closer to their university together. Liam and Niall were going to be on vacation for two more days and Louis and Harry were counting down the seconds. The kids were nice, really they were, but Louis and Harry really were not ready for children. Snow had hidden herself pretty much all week, and only came out when Harry fed her. The dog has pooped on the carpet more times than it’s pooped outside.

            So yeah, they were counting down the seconds.

            The kids had just fallen asleep at 9:15 pm and Harry and Louis were already exhausted. The puppy slept in a crate with pads so the boys did not need to wake up every hour, but got up every three to change the pad and let her out. Daisy slept on the rug in their room. Louis was already in bed when Harry crawled into bed, slipping under the covers and wrapping his arms around Louis’ waist. Louis wiggled back to press his back against Harry’s chest and Harry kissed his head.

            “Goodnight, Boo.” Harry whispered.

            “G’night Haz…” Louis responded groggily.

+++++++

“C’mon Em! We’re going to be late for your daddies!” Harry called to the young girl who was patting at Snow’s back.

“Buh-Bye Snowwwwieeee!” Emily sang, before sprinting towards Louis and grabbing his hand.

“Alright sweetheart, let’s go get your daddies!” Louis said cheerily.

“Dahies!” Even though she was able to pronounce ‘Daddies’’ she still said what she first called them.

“Yup! We’re gonna get lunch too!” Harry grinned.

+++++++

After a 45 minute drive to the airport to pick up Liam and Niall, they were all piled in the car on their way to Nando’s for lunch at 12:37. Liam and Niall were very happy to see their little ones, each still holding the kids hands. They were informing everyone about their trip to Peru and how nice it was to get away for a little bit but they did miss everyone terribly.

“We missed you Dahies! ‘van cried a lot cause Hazzy and Lou-Lou don’t know ‘ow to cuddle ‘im like you!” Emily grinned sweetly, sticking her tongue out at Harry’s cry of “Hey!”.

“Well, baby we’re back now, don’t worry!” Liam smiled. She nodded and went back to coloring.

They pulled into the parking lot, parked the car and sat in a both. They ate their lunches with few tantrums from Evan, and soon returned home.

+++++++

            Two days later Harry was making tea and he got the phone call.  Louis had been out shopping for groceries for the past 45 minutes. Harry wasn’t worrying at all; he knows how long it generally takes for shopping. Harry quickly grabbed his phone and seeing it was Louis’ number he answered.

“Hello, love! Are you on your way home?”

“Hello, I’m sorry, is this Harry Styles?”

Harry’s heart sunk to his stomach as he heard an unfamiliar woman’s voice and sirens in the background.

“Yes. Why? Is Louis alright?” Harry anxiously asked.

“Sir, there was a shooting at the grocery store. Many people were wounded some were killed. Your friend here happens to be one of the wounded. We’re not sure how bad but we’re on the way to the hospital now.”

“Oh, oh God. Wh-What hospital?” Harry croaked as his body became numb and his eyes went damp. The woman told him the hospital and he quickly hung up, grabbed his coat and keys, and ran outside to his car. He drove to the hospital, and the whole drive he was sobbing. A drive that usually takes someone of his distance 30 minutes only took him 15.

Harry jumped from his car, wiping his face with his sleeve and raced into the hospital. He dashed over to the front desk and frantically asked where Louis Tomlinson was.

“They’re X-Raying him right now, sir. He was conscious when they brought him in. For his condition he looked alright, I will be sure to give you any updates we get on him.” The lady said, and Harry nodded his head. As he walked to the lobby and sat in the highly uncomfortable chairs, a hiccup escaped him as thoughts ambushed his head.

Why? When will I see him? How ong does this take? Oh, gosh. What if I don’t eber see him again?

A sob broke free of his lips at the last thought and he quickly buried his head in his hands. He gasped though, and pulled his phone out quickly dialing a number he knew by heart.

“Hello, H! How are you?” Jay answered the phone.

“Jay..” Harry took a shaky breath before explaining the situation. “I-I haven’t e-ev-even seen him ye-ye-yet! Th-th-they just called me and b-br-briefly told m-m-m-me what happened a-and that h-he was h-hu-hurt. I-I-I came as fast as I could and they were X-raying him, oh Jay!” Harry’s body shook with his sobs and he tried to contain them but couldn’t. “I-I don’t know what to do! P-Please come!” Harry told Louis’ mother where the hospital was and she said she’d be there in an hour or so.

An hour and a half later, Jay showed up and ran into Harry’s arms, both of them now sobbing.

Two hours after Jay had arrived a nurse came out and told the front desk lady something. The lady nodded and stood from her chair, walking over to the pair.

“Hi there. We’ve gotten some news. He is doing okay. He’s awake and they took him into surgery a little while ago. They removed the bullet from his shoulder and the bullet in his leg. They said that you all should be able to come in to see him now.” She smiled.

Harry and Jay both thanked her before running to Louis’ room.  After finding it, Jay threw open the door and stopped at the sight of her baby boy.

“Oh, Louis!” She gasped and his head turned to the door. He weakly grinned and lifted a hand.

“Mummy…” his voice cracked on the word and tears quickly filled all three of their eyes. Louis had gauze wrapped around his shoulder that they could see from under his gown, he had scratches all over his face, and he was very sweaty.

“My baby, my poor baby!” Jay wailed, rushing over to her son. She hugged him tight and kissed his head repeatedly. “I’m so sorry, my love! Oh my god, so grateful you’re okay, my baby…” she whimpered.

Louis had buried his head into her neck and shoulder and was crying silently. Harry hesitantly took two steps forward and a sniffle escaped him. Both their heads snapped to him and his face crumpled.

“Lou…” Harry whispered, voice breaking. Jay removed herself from the bed, and then the room to give the two some privacy for a moment. “I-I was so scared, love. All they told me was there’d been a shooting and some people died and you were wounded and…oh God I was so scared!” Harry cried, throwing his arms around Louis. Louis wrapped his arms around Harry and buried his head in his chest.

“I’m okay now, Haz. We’re all okay, I’m right here, baby.” He whispered, kissing anywhere he could reach.