Chapter Text
Niall watched the black screen in front of him with an unbreakable concentration. He was laser-focused, making the doctor a bit nervous as he swirled the cold gel across Louis' exposed abdomen and moved the wand back and forth. He had no idea what he was watching for, but as far as he was concerned, if he couldn't see it, it wasn't there.
It being the baby Louis was so sure was growing inside of him. After he'd confessed to Niall, in tears no less, he'd kept a hand across his tummy as they drove to the hybrid hospital. Niall was very careful while placing his threats as they signed in. He wanted to keep it a secret, which meant Harry and Zayn couldn't know. It was crucial that it stayed sealed.
"Okay," The doctor pointed to the screen and Niall squinted harder. "That right there is your baby."
"Fuck." Niall whispered, just as Louis burst into tears.
"Should I be doing this?" The doctor asked. He looked nervous, and a bit uncomfortable with Louis' outburst. "Maybe Harry ought to know?"
"No," Niall's voice was sharp. Louis had never heard him so serious before. "Confidentiality. Can't tell anyone. Now, explain this," He gestured to the screen.
Sighing, the doctor pointed to the screen again. "This, Louis, again, is your baby. I'd estimate that you're about eight weeks along. When was your last heat?"
Louis looked over at Niall, expecting an answer. When all he got was a blank stare, he shrugged. "Harry know. But I do not." He answered sheepishly. He didn't make eye contact with the doctor. He was afraid of getting chastised for not being a responsible hybrid.
"Well, I'd say it was about eight weeks ago. Hybrids can really only get pregnant while in heat." The doctor informed them. "Any other time, it's uncommon. Heats are the body's way of telling you that you're ready for pregnancy. And don't worry about now knowing when you're last heat was. They're very unpredictable and time-consuming. It makes sense that you weren't looking at a calendar."
"Can we have a picture?" Niall asked suddenly. "Of the ultrasound, I mean."
"Sure." The doctor, whose name tag read Dr. Nolan, answered. He began messing around, and a few seconds later, a strip of pictures were printed out. He handed them to Niall. "Now, Louis, I'm going to give you a list of foods that are excellent for the baby, as well as vitamins you need to take and a few exercise pamphlets."
"Obviously we'll need to make follow up appointments." Niall said to the doctor. "And again, confidentiality. No one can know about this but us three."
"Mr. Horan, I don't think that I need to remind you that Mr. Styles and Mr. Malik own this place." Dr. Nolan began.
"And I don't think I need to remind you that if you tell them, I will sue you. If they find out, which is completely illegal as they have no right to view medical files, I will sue you." Niall threatened. He looked so serious.
"When I can tell Harry?" Louis asked quietly, shirt still up, belly still covered in gel. He looked scared.
"I don't - " Niall had no idea what to say. "I don't know. As soon as we figure this all out."
Louis' eyes grew watery once more and his lower lip quivered. "Harry do not want baby." He said, voice scratchy and thick. "But I-I-I does. Already love baby so much."
"I know you do." Niall comforted. He was one hundred percent sure that while Harry may be hesitant to accept the pregnancy, he was going to love the baby with his whole heart. Harry was not a cold-hearted monster. It would take some time, but he would embrace it.
"WIll have to give baby away?" Tears were starting to spill, and it broke Niall's heart.
Niall shook his head firmly and wrapped Louis up in a hug. "Never. This baby is yours and Harry's. All you can do is love him or her."
Louis sniffled and wiped his nose on the back of his hand. The doctor, who was waiting for their exchange to finish, handed him a tissue. He accepted gratefully and wiped his whole face down.
"Now," Dr. Nolan said, sitting down on a chair. He addressed Louis. "Louis, pregnancy is different for everyone, but I'll tell you some things to expect so you don't freak out, okay? You're going to get sick, maybe a little, maybe a lot. But you will throw up at least once during the course of this pregnancy. You'll be very emotional, as there will be an influx of hormones coursing through your body. You'll gain weight, hopefully a healthy amount, and your sleeping patterns will change drastically. You'll find yourself tired after walking down the hallway, or even standing up from sitting."
"So," Louis asked when the doctor paused. "I-I will sleep all the time?"
Dr. Nolan shrugged. "Not necessarily. You may sleep for ten hours one night, wake up, and nap all day, or you may only sleep for four hours and not nap at all. Every pregnancy is different. Sleep when you need to, okay? That's my medical advice to you. You need to rest well for the baby."
At the mention of the baby, Louis rubbed a hand across his flat stomach. He'd seen pregnant people on the street before, and had always wanted to touch their bellies. He couldn't wait until people wanted to touch his.
"Now, eating right and exercise." Dr. Nolan stood and walked over to a cabinet. He rifled through it and produced some pamphlets. "These pamphlets here will tell you all about what's safe to eat and what's not safe to eat. Obviously, eat fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy. I caution you to eat minimal amounts of certain seafoods, as well as red meats. Drink plenty of water, stay away from caffeine and alcohol as well."
"I don't drink." Louis told him, the words slipping easily from his tongue. He didn't stutter once!
"Don't start now, then." Dr. Nolan joked. He handed Louis the pamphlets and began covering more things about the pregnancy do's and don't's. Niall was floored at how much stuff there was to learn, and avoid, and not do. He really just thought that pregnancy was a simple matter.
When they were done, Dr. Nolan handed Louis a prescription for some great prenatal vitamins, as well as a list of other vitamins he should consider taking, and scheduled him again in four weeks. He watched Niall carefully, still wary of the abrasive boy, but nodded his head when Niall bid him goodbye.
When Niall had Louis buckled up in the front seat of his car, he turned to his hybrid friend. His pregnant hybrid friend. Blowing out a deep breath, he began to speak. "Louis, now, this has to stay a secret between us, okay?"
Louis was preoccupied, rubbing circles on his flat stomach. He nodded absentmindedly, too giggly to respond.
"Louis," Niall couldn't stress it enough that Louis had to keep his pregnancy a secret. It wasn't the right time to tell Harry, with the tour and all. He could already see the mess it would make. For starters, he's sure that Harry would cancel his sold-out tour, which would cost them tons.
Louis finally looked over at Niall. He was radiant, and it broke Niall's heart a bit. "Okay." Louis nodded. "Baby is secret. I-I won't tell Harry."
"I'm really sorry, Louis." He apologized, starting the car. His stomach rumbled in time with the engine. "Let's go get something to eat. We can talk more about it, okay? Where do you want to go?"
Louis mulled it over. Nothing really sounded good to him. "Wherever Niall want is fine."
"Chinese food?" Niall suggested, glancing at Louis, who was again rubbing circles on his stomach. "Louis, you can't be doing that around Harry. He's not stupid, he'll catch on."
Louis dropped his hand to his lap immediately. "Sorry." He apologized. "Not remember. Just want to touch."
With a small smile, Niall replied, "Just wait until you're belly gets bigger."
Louis gasped. "It get bigger?" He asked in wonderment. His eyes were wide and his mouth was open.
"It sure does. You'll look like you've stuffed a balloon up your shirt." Niall informed him. "It'll be cute, because you're so small. Like a little round belly."
Louis looked over at Niall, noticing his friend's change of tone. His ears twitched. "Niall okay?" He asked.
"Hm?" Niall asked, glancing over. Then, he registered what Louis had asked. "Oh, yes. I'm fine, Louis. Just thinking of Zayn."
Louis studied Niall. Talking about the baby had really changed Niall's demeanor, and Louis was gifted, always knowing when something bothered someone, no matter how they tried to hide it. For some reason, he felt bad. He felt that he was the one to make Niall sad.
"Do y-you want to have baby with Zayn?" He asked, fingers now tapping a rhythm against his belly.
Niall shrugged. He pulled into the parking lot of the best Chinese restaurant around, and parked the car. "I mean," He turned in his seat and faced Louis. "Not right now, but I'd like to have a kid or two with him sometime. He's pretty busy. It's just not a good time."
"What do Zayn say?" Louis inquired. He tried to remember that there are two sides of every story, and though Niall was his best friend, Zayn had also helped him a great deal. He had to remember that.
Niall exhaled and shrugged again. "He doesn't know that I've been thinking about it."
-
Louis nibbled on his fortune cookie and stared at Niall. Ever since he admitted that he had been thinking of having children with Zayn, Niall had been quiet and closed off. Louis didn't like it, not a single bit. He wanted happy Niall back.
"Niall," He decided to change the subject. "You can help buy baby clothes!"
The idea of helping with the baby seemed to draw Niall out, and he smiled. "Really?" He asked. "We can't do it yet, though. Harry would get suspicious and he'd definitely find out."
With slumped shoulders, Louis agreed. Niall was right. They couldn't do anything yet, because Harry would find out and it would be a disaster. "I know." He sighed. With a hand cradling his belly, he looked around the near-empty restaurant. He wondered if Harry would like this place. "Harry can't find out about baby yet, Louis know."
"Hey," Niall reached across the table. His voice was soothing. "Everything will be fine."
Louis trusted Niall. "I have question." He mumbled, suddenly embarrassed for what he was going to ask. "Maybe I get help with talking?"
Niall frowned. "What do you mean?"
He was so nervous. He knew Niall would never judge him, but he hated that he had to ask. It made him feel so small. He grabbed his balled up napkin and began tearing it up, just so he had something to focus on.
"Louis," Niall sat up straighter. "You can tell me." He could tell, just by Louis' sudden shyness, that it was serious.
"Maybe want..." Louis began, keeping his gaze towards the table. "To learn to talk better. Not sound like baby."
"Oh." It dawned on Niall. "What you heard Harry telling Zayn."
Louis gave a sad nod, and Niall hated the look on his face. He'd seen that face on his friend more times than he wished. More often than not, it was Harry who put that look on his face, but this time, Harry didn't actively seek to do it. He was overheard in a moment of secret with Zayn, and though he wanted to, Niall couldn't blame Harry for what he said. It's not like he said it, knowing Louis was listening.
"Don't wanna be stupid." Louis mumbled, finally meeting Niall's eyes. His bright blue eyes were shining with unshed tears.
"You're not stupid," Niall was fierce in his response. It was important that Louis didn't think of himself like that. "You are brave, okay? Your childhood left you without love, an education, and a home. Your parents are to blame. Louis, you are smart. Do you understand?"
A couple tears had slipped out, but Louis nodded. He really did believe what Niall was telling him.
"Now," Niall sat back and grabbed his wallet. He pulled out a few bills, paying and leaving a tip. "Let's go."
Louis slid out of the booth obediently, asking, "What we doing now?"
"We, my friend," Niall grinned, grabbing his hand. "Are going to treat ourselves."
-
Louis walked slowly into his and Harry's house. His legs were freshly waxed, from his ankles to the tops of his thighs. In fact, he was completely hairless, except for eyebrows, eyelashes, and the top of his head. He was wearing tight jeggings, as Niall said they made his bottom very prominent, a striped shirt, and new TOMS on his feet. His eyebrows were shaped and his skin was smooth from the full body wrap he'd gotten.
Niall's idea of them treating themselves was shopping and a spa day. Louis had never been to a spa, but he found it very relaxing, and wanted to go back as soon as they left. He didn't know what Niall had done, but his hair looked shorter and brighter when he came out.
He closed the door behind him, listening to the lock click. Harry had always told him that it was safer to lock the door, and he wanted to be safe at all times. He kept his shoes on and walked a bit further into the house, peeking into the living room. It was empty. He was wondering where Harry was when he heard him.
"Baby?" Harry's voice sounded muffled and distant, like it was coming from upstairs. He wandered back over to the bottom of the stairs and waited. A few moments later, Harry appeared at the top, having changed out of his work suit and exchanged it for sweats and a short sleeved shirt.
"Hi," Louis let his hand flop in a semblance of a wave. The conversation he overheard hours earlier came flooding back into his mind.
"Hey, baby." Harry grinned, walking down the stairs. With every step he took, Louis' heart beat a little faster than before. But this time, it wasn't from love. It was from nerves. What if Harry says those mean things again?
"Hi." He repeated, allowing Harry to envelope him. He should feel good and safe in Harry's arms, he did feel good and safe in Harry's arms, but he also felt nervous. He couldn't look at Harry the same way now that he knew how Harry really felt about him.
"You look radiant." Harry praised, holding Louis at arms length. He studied his boy from top to bottom.
"Thanks." Louis had no idea what radiant meant, but with the smile on Harry's face, it must be a compliment.
"You and Niall left today," Harry said, a small frown on his face. "What did you two do?"
"Went to lunch," Louis answered. "Then shopping."
Harry nodded approvingly, eyeing Louis' new outfit once more. "I like what you picked out." He complimented. "You have very good taste."
"Thanks."
"So," Harry threaded their fingers together and began to walk them to the living room. "What do you want to do? I have the whole weekend off, and it's all yours."
Shrugging, Louis sat on the sofa. "Do not care."
Harry sat beside him and kicked his feet up onto the coffee table. "We could go out on my yacht. I'm an excellent boat captain." He grinned. "Or, we could fly to the Bahamas, or we could just stay in."
"What are the...Bahamas?" Louis questioned, trying not to struggle with the name. It was the last thing he needed. It would only give Harry more ammo.
"It's a country. It's a very popular vacation spot." He pulled out his phone and looked it up on the search engine. He pulled up a few pictures, knowing that Louis liked visual representation, and handed the phone to his lover.
As he studied the pictures of white sandy beaches and clear blue water, surrounding what looked to be lavish little islands, Louis chewed on his lip. He would love to go, but they would end up swimming; it was inevitable. What if Harry somehow saw the baby bump that wasn't there? What if he somehow found out and left him alone on a tropical island?
"Well?" Harry prompted, and his grin was too big and his eyes were too sparkly, and Louis couldn't break his heart.
"Want to go." He ended up saying quietly, handing Harry his phone back. It was funny, really, because he couldn't break Harry's heart, but from past experience, it was so easy for Harry to break his.
-
Harry packed their bags, giving Louis the task of gathering up all of the phone chargers and holding the passports, and by five that evening, they were loading the suitcases up into the hired car and sliding in across the leather seats. As they drove to the private airport, Harry's hand was a solid weight on his thigh, and he could practically feel the excitement thrumming through Harry's veins.
He wished he could be excited.
He brought his thumb up to his mouth and began nibbling. It was a bad habit he'd picked up at the doctors office, just hours earlier, and he couldn't stop. He felt so out of control that it sort of grounded him. It was the only thing keeping him from blurting out the news to Harry.
"What do you want to do first?" Harry's voice broke into his thoughts, pulling him back to reality. "When we get to the resort, I mean."
He shrugged. He had no idea what to even expect, let alone suggest what they did first. He would leave it up to Harry. He was just along for the ride.
"Well," Harry drew the word out, and a line creased in between his brows. Louis wanted to smooth it away, but he didn't. "We'll get there pretty late, around nine or ten, I think, if my calculations are right, so we could just eat and then sleep. I don't know if we'll have jet lag, but we'll want to rest. We can ask the concierge for suggestions, or we could ask the locals."
"Won't the locals know more?" Louis asked, a small sliver of pride bubbling up on his insides. He hadn't stuttered or paused or anything. His sentence came out smoothly.
Harry beamed at him, and answered his question with a grin. "They sure will." The hand he had around Louis' knee squeezed, his fingers flexing against Louis' thigh. "We can ask at the restaurant. The resort I booked has a great one. I think you'll really love it."
Louis nodded and said nothing. He resumed looking out the window, watching the sky darken into purple. Cars whizzed by them, all heading to different destinations. He wondered if anyone else was feeling what he was feeling.
-
The plane ride seemed to last all but ten minutes. Before he knew it, Harry was leading him from the private plane and into another waiting car. The warm tropical air made his face flush and he was warmed in an instant. It was a completely different climate than what he was used to. He sort of liked it.
"I don't know about you," Harry said, holding his hand. "But I'm starving. We should have eaten before we left. Not that I mind. I love our little impromptu trip. I love you."
"I love you." Louis repeated, honestly. He felt his love for Harry deep in his soul. He would be lost without Harry, and he wouldn't know what to do without him. It was the God's honest truth, and though he was terrified of what was growing inside of him and what it might mean for their relationship, he would be completely and utterly lost with Harry.
Harry lifted his hand and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it. In the dark car, with nothing but the dim moonlight to illuminate Harry's face, he looked positively stunning. Despite the lack of light, his green eyes were sparkling, and Louis found himself wishing that their child would have green eyes and dimples.
The rest of the car ride was silent. Harry rubbed his thumb across Louis' knuckles until they reached the large and stunning beach hotel. They exited the car, leaving their luggage with the bellboy's and headed to the check-in. It was a breeze, and once Harry had the key card to their room, they went straight to the restaurant. When the smell of different foods hit him, Louis' belly growled.
"I heard that," Harry grinned down at him. "Don't worry, little love. I'll get you fed as quickly as I can."
True to his word, Harry was leading him to their private seats just a minute later, following the hostess. She led them to their private table and handed them menus with a bright smile. She left them moments later, leaving them alone with the promise of a waiter shortly.
Cracking open his menu, Louis glanced down. He could read better now, but still struggled with a lot of words. His eyes flickered automatically to the pictures, as they were always an easy way for him to order without making a fool of himself. He glanced up at Harry and blushed when his gaze was returned.
"You're beautiful." Harry complimented, closing his menu.
The grin that stretched across his face had a mind of its own, and all thoughts of the baby flew his mind. He was finally in the moment with Harry, which is where he wanted to be. He hoped it would last.
"Do you know what you want? Anything jumping out at you?" Harry asked, nodding his head to the open menu.
"Oh." Louis closed it and shook his head. "No. Don't know anythin'."
"Have what I'm having," Harry suggested. "I'm ordered the seafood platter. You'll love it, I promise. I know how much you love seafood."
Seafood did sound good, and it eased the burden of trying to read and decipher the confusing menu, so he nodded and closed his own menu. He handed it to Harry. A small weight was lifted from his shoulders.
Seconds after Harry had stacked their menus on the edge of the table, a waiter appeared, smiling and holding a notepad and pen. He greeted them, slid their menus under his arm, and took their drink orders, jotting them down before Harry ordered their main course. The waiter didn't falter at Harry's quick speaking, and left them with another big smile.
When they were alone, Harry reached across the table and slid Louis' hands into his own. They were big and warm and everything Louis loved. They made him feel safe and secure. Harry made him feel safe and secure.
"I love you." Harry said suddenly. "I always will. I don't want you to ever doubt that."
"I-I love you too." He grew nervous under Harry's serious stare. Did Harry somehow find out? In the few minutes that they'd been sitting, did Harry find out about the baby? Is that the cause of his impromptu love confession?
Taking a deep breath, Harry began speaking once more, and this time, he looked nervous. "Because I have something to tell you."
Fear prickled across Louis' skin, and he braced himself waiting for Harry to mention the baby, or tell him to pack up his things and go back to the bridge. He suddenly didn't want to look at Harry anymore.
"I have my tour dates." Harry announced, letting out a long breath.
"What?" Louis looked back up at him, surprised.
"Yeah," Harry looked guilty, and he began fiddling with the silverware on the table. "I spoke to Zayn about it earlier, and we finally decided. It's really early, baby. Insanely early, actually."
"When?" Louis had the overwhelming urge to coddle Harry. He sure looked like he needed it.
Again, Harry hesitated, guilt written all over his face. "Three weeks. We leave for the summer tour, and it expands into fall. It's only forty shows. Shorter than my last one."
"But..." Louis studied Harry's face, unable to do anything else. He'd heard things about Harry's last tour, and they weren't good things, either. He remembered Zayn telling Harry to take this tour easy. Rocks settled in his stomach. "Last tour...Zayn told m-me things."
The expression that crossed Harry's face next could only be described as defeated. He put his head in his hands and exhaled. "I know. it was long and crazy. I was young and stupid. Zayn will be with me, and you can even come. Baby, I'd love it if you came. I hate the idea of you home alone. And I'd miss you too much."
Louis was overwhelmed with the news, and with Harry asking him to tag along. He had no idea what to do or say, and all he could think about was the baby. He would definitely be bigger during Harry's tour, and he wouldn't be able to keep it a secret for very long. Harry wasn't stupid. He would figure it out and send Louis packing, never to return. He would carry on his life while Louis raised their baby under a bridge.
But what could he say? Harry looked so hopeful and earnest, and at the same time, scared and nervous. Louis couldn't abandon him, no matter what. And even though he knew the inevitability of his own abandonment, he found himself nodding.
"Will think about it." He said, voice quivering.
What on earth was he going to do?