Chapter Thirty Eight

A week later, he and Louis bundle themselves in his car and hit the road early in the morning. They're both still buzzing after spending several nights playing the O2, though he knows soon enough the adrenaline will fade and the true extent of his tiredness will hit them both.

Louis had insisted on going out last night to celebrate the end of their London shows which had all gone as incredible as the first - even when Liam had drenched Zayn under a full bucket of ice cold water right on main stage as revenge for drawing all over his brand new white shirt. They'd only made it back home, or rather Louis had claimed it would simply be much easier to both go back to his as it was closer and then they needn't take two separate vehicles. There was a lot of failed logic in his claims, considering that they were both multi millionaires but he wasn't going to turn down an extra night with Louis in his bed. Not that he'd spent a night away from him since they'd gotten back together.

That's how they found themselves at 8:30am the following morning making their way through London traffic to head north two days earlier than everyone else. All of their families had gone home after the second night of performing but when Anne had made the suggestion to spend some time with her and Gemma, who were both back in Holmes Chapel, he couldn't say no. Asking Louis to join him had been a simple task, especially when the promise of a traditional Styles family dinner was on the cards.

He'd originally planned to stay both nights with his family, but when Louis had said Lottie would be flying over to France for two weeks and he wouldn't see her again for at least a month he'd offered for Louis to go straight up to Doncaster to spend the time with his own family. Louis had laughed at him and they'd settled on spending the first night with his family, then driving to Doncaster the next to spend the second night with Louis' family. It would likely make them more tired than they already where, knowing from past experience from doing exactly this but neither of them were willing to not spend valuable time with their families when they would have such little opportunity in the coming months.

He wasn't sure how it would feel slotting back in with the Tomlinson – Deakin family, after so long away, despite catching up with them a few times now, going to Louis' actual family home was a whole different story.

"Hey." Louis said taking one hand off the wheel and reaching out for his hand, "I think we're both a bit nervous about this but we know our families love each other. We're literally psyching ourselves up for no reason."

"You're not wrong."

"I never am." Louis responds with a smile.

~~~~

"Still just as small as I remember it." Louis exclaims as they drive past the sign welcoming them into Holmes Chapel.

"Hey." He turns his head towards him, not hiding the smile on his face as they drive into the familiar setting.

"Nothing wrong with small towns, it's the people you need to be wary of."

"You can walk to Doncaster."

"I'd feel threatened except it's you making the threat so I'm not all that worried."

"You're not helping you case here love."

Louis' been here more than enough times by now to still know the way to his mum's house. Arriving here and not being greeted by both Anne and Robin is still a weird feeling for him, he knows how much his mum misses him and though she'd never want to leave this place he knows it pains her somewhat to stay in the place she has so many memories of him.

Robin had been such a fixture in his life for so many years that losing him had been hard. It's not as though he has many memories of his own dad before he'd left when he was four but Robin had become every ounce of the father presence in his life that losing him had been incredibly hard. He saw enough of his real father each year but they still weren't close, not like the connection he'd had with Robin and coming back here only brought those emotions to the fore front of his mind.

As if sensing his moment of vulnerability Louis reaches across the console and traces his thumb over his thigh. The gesture reassuring and not overbearing. If anyone in his life knows how it feels to lose a parental figure it's Louis. He knows when they arrive at his family's home tomorrow that it will feel incomplete without Jay there to greet them and make him feel at home.

They're quiet the rest of the way to the house, now slightly on the outskirts and surrounded by the beautiful garden his mum tended too throughout the year.

Gemma wouldn't be arriving till later that night, having work commitments to finish back in London so it would just be the three of them for most of today.

Louis pulls the car into the driveway and cuts the engine, neither of them moving for a moment as they take in the house before them. It's changed a lot in the past four years since Louis had last been here, and the way he's studying the house before him portrays how much he's trying to pin point each change and new feature.

Anne's car is parked before the garage and she'd sent him a text only an hour ago so he's knows she's home.

They forgo grabbing their luggage for now, instead locking the car behind them and making their way to the front door. There's potted plants and flowers blooming in the ever-warming weather as summer approaches, the short pathway lit with vibrant colour. Ivy lines wind their way upon along wooden crates besides the front door and everything to him looks like it did when he'd last been here back in November, only this time everything is in full bloom.

The door is locked, and with his mum not coming to greet them by the door he lifts one of the fake, stone animals situated behind a pot by the door and grabs the key he knows always sits beneath it.

Picture frames and ornaments line the walls throughout the open living space directly inside the front door. The room lit in the late morning sun, fireplace dormant across the room. Dusty, his mum's cat lies on one of the armchairs, not bothering lifting his head to study the new intruders.

"Mum?" He calls out into the quiet house but there's no response. The faint murmur of the radio sounds from the kitchen, glancing back at Louis, who's taking in the living space, he starts towards the sound.

Walking into the clean kitchen he finally spots his mum through the open large glass doors which lead out into the spacious garden. She's sat at the outdoor table, sorting through a bundle of small potted plants. Once glance around the pristine garden proves that they're likely not a necessary addition but she'll find a space for them nonetheless.

"Mum." He says again and she whirls around to face them.

"Gosh H, warn a woman!" Anne jokingly replies placing a hand over her heart.

"We've been calling your name for the past few minutes!" He explains as she stands, walks right past him and engulfs a surprised Louis in an embrace. "Oh I see how it is." Though seeing how open in her affection for Louis his mum is he wouldn't change this for anything.

"You have no clue the both of you how happy I am that you're back together where you belong." Anne says to Louis once she pulls back.

"Yeah well, I've learnt over the past few years that living without your son is not something I ever want to experience again." Louis exclaims, smiling brightly at him over Anne's shoulder.

His mum finally turns to greet him properly, pulling him into her and placing a kiss to his temple.

"Don't even need to ask if either of you would like tea, let's head inside." Louis' responding grin to her remark makes him wonder how he ever imagine not spending the rest of his life with this man when only a few short months ago he'd thought that would be the very case.

The three of them pile into the kitchen, Anne refilling the kettle whilst Louis absentmindedly makes his way towards the mug cupboard and grabs three down. As they wait for the kettle to boil he watches as Louis steps around the kitchen, glancing over each of the framed photographs hanging along the walls and decorating the kitchen area.

"I cannot believe Harry lets you keep this up still." He remarks pausing in front of one particular photo which makes him groan in distaste.

"I don't let her keep it up at all, I don't have a choice in the matter."

The photo in question is of him in the Manchester audition lines for X – Factor all the way back in 2010. He looked dreadful in it with his cardigan and green shirt but his mum had always insisted on keeping the framed image on proud display in the kitchen. He'd been mocked endlessly over the years by Gemma and know that he thinks about it he remembers it's not the first time Louis has commented on it either. Thankfully he has full rights to tease Louis right back for his own clothing choice of that particular day ten years ago now.

"I miss those curls." Louis says shooting him a wink.

"As I recall Lou, you always said you liked my long hair best."

"Anne help me out here, the curls were adorable."

"You were always adorable H."

"You're both saps." He says playfully shoving away Louis' hands which reach to wrap around him. He gives up once Louis stands behind him and winds his arms over his chest and pulls him against his front. Not bothering to hide his eye roll as Anne grabs for her phone and snaps a photo of them right as Louis smacks a lingering kiss to his check.

"You love us though."

Meeting his mum's eyes as she smiles at their antics. "Maybe."

The two of them follow Anne through to the lounge, Louis winks towards him as they trail after her. He settles into the far side of one of the various sofas and Louis instinctively tucks himself into his side, tea cradled in his hands.

His mum only smirks at the both of them as she takes a seat in a nearby armchair Harry thinks she's had since he was little.

"I promised Gemma I wouldn't ask but what exactly has happened between you two over the past few months?"

"Harry hasn't told you?" Louis asks, confusion evident in his tone.

"Pieces of it, but not the whole story."

"Since when do you hide things from your mum?" Louis asks him tilting his head up to him.

"I wouldn't call it hiding as much as just not feeling up to sharing the whole thing. I've spread around parts of the past few months to a few different people so it's hard sometimes keeping track of who knows what." He vaguely explains.

"Who's other people?" His mum questions.

"Sarah, Mitch, Gems, Zayn the most out of the boys I guess, my therapist in LA too."

"You would have a therapist." Louis drawls.

He retorts by playfully tapping the back of his hand which is draped lazily over the back of the sofa against Louis' head. "I'll have you know that she's an amazing woman and she's done a lot for me."

"I have no doubt she's not an amazing woman, you don't place your trust in just anyone."

"Anyways, back to what you actually asked mum..."

They take their time explaining things. Perhaps to some laying out complex relationship events to one's mother would be a strange concept, but his mum is one of the most special people in his life, he would trust her with anything and he knows just how much Anne has always adored Louis. Telling her for both of them is a way for them to also realise what they've both gone through to get back in each other's lives. In an odd way it feels like validating what they have, as they both share their version of events, often cracking smiles as they remember certain things or face each other with desperate expressions recalling their weaker moments.

Anne listens to every word. Sits contently as her son and the light of his life sit mesmerized in each other.

It's what they need at this point in time. To take a step back from their hectic lives and reflect.

"I know we're unconventional," He finishes, unaware of how much time has passed, "And that others wouldn't have given this another chance and call me a sap all you want for this, but I've been thinking recently that all the crap we've had to deal with only makes me appreciate this all the more. We've both been through hell and we chose to come back to one another because living through the shit together will forever be better than living a life without the other."

"Definitely sappy," Louis says but there's a sheen in his eyes, "But true nonetheless."

"I hope one day you both realise how special what you two have is. Not many people could ever make it through what you two have done. I know the past few years have been impossibly tough on the both of you, and I warn you Louis darling there was a long time in there I never wanted you near my boy again, but seeing you together is like watching the both of you feel complete once more. But do my poor heart a favour this time," Anne says looking between them both with a fond expression, "Don't ever give up the fight for it this time."