When the Clock Strikes 12:00 // L.S.

Chapter Sixteen: One Hundred Words

Harry's POV

I had been awake for hours.

Last night the four of us had a small dinner of leftovers and watched a Hallmark Christmas movie but the real event was today. My sister and mom went all out for Christmas even dinner.

Food was not the reason I had been lying awake in Louis's arms for the past two hours though. No, me and my overwhelming amount of butterflies was thinking and overthinking the way I would present my Christmas present to him. I had wrapped it carefully last night while Louis and Gemma had a mad battle of Mario cart.

Both of them were brutal when playing and I had left them shouting at one another to go attend to Louis's gift.

I had used a light blue wrapping paper with little snowmen and snowflakes on it and tied a little gold bow on the top. It was a small present but it represented something considerably more. God, I hope he likes it and I hoped I didn't mess everything up.

"Hazza?" Louis mumbles and shifts under the covers.

"Hi Lou," I said turning over and pecking his cheek, "Good morning and merry Christmas eve!"

"Merry Christmas eve you to my Hazza," Louis said and rubs his eyes.

I lay there for a second, taking in Louis's sleepy eyes, and the small smile on his pink lips..."Oh my goodness!" I exclaimed quickly getting out of bed and making Louis jump. "I forgot Gem always makes the best chocolate pancakes the morning on Christmas eve!"

"Hazz," Louis whines, "Come back here." Reaching his arms out, wanting me to climb back in bed with him.

I ignore him, "Lou you don't want to miss these pancakes!" I say rushing to throw on a sweatshirt.

"They better be good," Louis grumbles falling out of bed and landing with a thump on the floor.

"Silly Lou," I giggle, picking him up and practically dragging him down the cold hallway where I can already smell the hot warm pancakes cooking.

"I wanted to cuddle you longer." Louis complains and I roll my eyes, "Trust me, you're going to want these pancakes more than me."

"Never."

Louis stands corrected however as he finishes off his third plate of pancakes and licks his lips in contentment. "Gemma you have a gift from the heavens." Louis praises looking happily over at my sister who rolls her eyes.

"Hey mom, better go make an extra casserole for tonight. Harry and Lou both eat like pigs."

"I resent that," I mumble with my mouth full.

"Honestly, you two are almost as bad as Niall." She mutters shaking her head. "How is Niall by the way? Still making a fool of himself in Time Square trying to copy street dancers?"

I nod, "That kid stopped growing mentally at the age of five I think."

"Swell, send Ashley my prayers then." She said and wiped her hands on a dishtowel, "I'm off to the airport to meet Tristain. See you dorks in a couple of hours."

"Bye Gemaaa," I call out to her in a sing-song voice that I know she hates.

"Bye Gemaaa, thanks for the breakfast." Louis chimes in and she flips us both off as the door swings closed.

"Well, I think it's just the two of us until this evening," I say. "My mom is out shopping for tonight's dinner and will lock herself in the kitchen until then. Gemma is getting Tristain from the airport and won't be back until at least after five. So, what do we want to do?"