"Miss Jem are you ready?" Harry walks into the room. "Jemima Tomlinson!" He yells, seeing the little girl still in bed.

"Papa stop screaming." She whines.

"You, miss are very late." He glares disapprovingly.

"What's the matter, babe, why are you yelling?" A half naked Louis walks in with tousled hair.

"Daddy!!" Jemima squeals running out of bed to hug her father.

"Hi monkey, you're getting late."

"I know, I'll quickly get dressed." She sprints away.

"Jemima wait for papa. I'm coming to help."

"Papa I'm a big girl. I don't need your help." She shouts irritably. Harry looks torn between going in and respecting her wishes. Louis laughs and wraps his arms around his husband's waist kissing his shoulder.

"She'll be fine, love, she's four." Harry nods, defeated and leans back into Louis.

"She's growing up too fast." He sighs sadly.

"I know." Louis laughs wetly. "Seems like yesterday when we were in the hospital with Gem and she slapped me." He grins manically.

"You seem to be very happy for someone who got slapped." Harry looks at him over his shoulder. He hums in agreement.

"I honestly thought she'd always hate me. And I can't not be happy, I got the greatest gift of my life that day."

"Sap." Harry giggles gently butting his head. "Honestly I thought she was gonna murder you when you proposed," he blushes, "and she was supposed to like you. You guys were getting along." Louis plays with Harry's ring.

"I never thought she'd agree to surrogate for us. At least not when I was 17." Harry snorts.

"You weren't thinking about my sister being a surrogate for our future baby at 17, Lou."

"You don't know that Harold. Why do you think I was in such a hurry to propose. We hadn't even ever lived together. What if we weren't compatible housemates?"

"Shut up, you knew from the get go. And we were pretty much living together in the last year of high school." Harry rolls his eyes fondly.

"Daddy, Papa, I'm ready." Jemima comes into the room completely dressed. They're both impressed until Louis notices her mismatched socks and snorts. "What?" They both ask.

"She gets that from her Daddy I suppose." Louis laughs almost proudly pointing to her feet. Harry laughs lightly and Jemima pouts.

"What is it?" She huffs.

"Your socks baby, they're mismatched." Harry says gently pulling away from his husband and kneeling in front of his daughter.

"But they look pretty papa." She looks at him with big eyes. Harry sighs fondly and makes to correct her but Louis stops him with a hand on his shoulder. He squats down next to Harry and places his hand on his knee.

"Yes love, it looks, very pretty. It's Jemima style, yeah? Come on now, let's quickly have breakfast, so we can make it to school in time."

She grins at him, "I love you daddy," she says softly and then she promptly hugs him. Louis feels a lump in his throat and happy tears in his eyes.

"I love you too Jemima." He holds her tightly. And oh, Harry thinks, Louis never uses her full name, except for when she's in trouble. Harry smiles when he realises that Louis' never meant it more than he does now. She then throws herself into Harry's arms nearly making him topple.

"I love you as well papa. Just as much as daddy." She mumbles.

"I love you too, princess. Just as much as daddy." And if Louis tears up a little no one needs to know, except Harry totally does. After a quick breakfast, Louis pulls on some sweatpants and a shirt and drops Jemima at the bus stop.

"God I love my baby girl." Louis sighs when he gets home making Harry give him a dopey smile. "One thing I still don't understand. When she said as much as me, did she mean she loved you as much as she loved me or as much as I love you?" He asks seriously.

"Of course the former, Louis."

"It was the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed." Harry smiles softly, snuggling up to him making him let out a surprised sound.

"I love you."

"I love you more." Louis mumbles into Harry's neck and pulls him closer in his arms making him smile even more. "I can't believe we've been together for almost 12 years and married for 5. Almost 6. I can't believe I'm nearly 29."

"Oldie." He laughs poking him.

"Shut up... You're turning 29 two months after me you ass."

"Yeah yeah whatever. I love your old ass."

Louis has a shit eating grin on his face. "Marry me." He says fondly. Harry laughs and kisses him lovingly.

"Been there, done that." He tries to sound like it's a painstaking task but his fond, contended smile says otherwise. "Come on now, we can finally have breakfast."

"Didn't we already? With Jem?"

"You call juice and toast, breakfast? What happened to my pancake loving husband?"

Louis grins. "I'm your husband." Harry laughs.

"Have been for almost 6 years. Come on now, the pancakes won't make themselves." Harry drags him to the kitchen.

"Hey, Haz. Sit, I'll make them. You've had a long week at the bakery." He kisses his eyelids. Harry smiles gratefully and sits on the counter. "Baby don't you think you should take a day off?"

"Did you take a day off while preparing for the Curious Incident musical?"

"That's different Harry." Louis gathers all ingredients, mixing them. "I was one man in charge of 20 children. You've got professionals working for you. And I'm on a week long break now, aren't I? When was the last time you took a day off?" He greases the pan and puts the batter in.

"I like it at the bakery Lou. It's not just a job to me, it's my life."

"Baby I know. But you do need a break. Just take today off. I can call Zayn, he's free and I'm sure he'd love to go over and check things were going smoothly."

"Zayn can't bake." He stresses.

"Harry, love, don't make me force you." He flips the pancake. "You're taking a day off, willingly or unwillingly."

"But Lou-"

"Harry, it's final." He flips it again. Once done he puts it on a plate and pushes it towards Harry. "Eat Harold." He starts making another. Harry huffs and drizzles maple syrup over the pancake. He takes a bite and moans softly.

"I'm so glad you learned how to make pancakes."

"Shut up, I've always made the best pancakes."

"Uh huh.. I still remember the pancake day incident." He snorts, forking pancake into his mouth.

"That was the first time ever. You have admitted I make better pancakes than you." He accuses childishly.

"Okay okay fine agreed. You make the best pancakes ever."

After breakfast Louis tucks Harry in, much to his outraged protests. "Harry, go to sleep or we're not having sex for a week." And huffs and mumbles about it not being fair. After overcoming his initial fear of sex, Harry turned out to be an extremely horny and kinky person. Louis would often tease him that he only married him for his dick to which Harry would always point out that they only had sex after Louis proposed. When Harry wakes up he finds a note taped to his forehead, falling over his eyes. He pulls it off and reads it quickly.

If you're reading this then you're awake and I'm probably not home. I went to pick Jemima... I'll be back soon, and yes I know, no ice cream, she's got a mild cold. I love you.

Harry smiles softly at that. Just then he hears a squeal and a laugh followed by hushing, making him smile even wider. He throws off his covers and runs downstairs.

"Papa!!!" Jemima squeals running to hug her father. Harry lifts her up and spins her around.

"See bug, I told you to be quiet. Now you've gone and woken papa." Louis sighs.

"Nah it's okay Lou. I had just woken up when you guys came back. Thanks for picking her up even though it was my turn."

"Harry Edward Styles- Tomlinson! I will spank you. This is my daughter as well, I'm not doing you a favor by picking her up." Harry blushes knowing Louis could mean than quite literally and Jemima giggles.

"Papa you know people at school are very mean." She suddenly pouts.

"Why, darling, what happened?" He puts her down on the couch and kneels before her. Louis frowns curiously and sits beside his daughter.

"They made fun of my socks and my teacher told me to wear ones with same colors from tomorrow. I told them that my daddy said it was my style and that it was pretty but they laughed at me." She sniffles.

Louis coos softly and pulls her into his lap. She hides her face in his chest. "Baby, why didn't you tell daddy at school. I would've talked to your teacher. That's not very nice. Your style is amazing and if you want you will wear your socks mismatched."

"I'm sorry daddy, I thought you'd scold me."

"Why would I love?"

"I thought that maybe you lied about liking my style. That's what Mason said."

"I think I'll have to talk to Mason's parents." Louis growls. "I promise, darling, I love your style okay? Don't let Mason or anyone else tell you any different."

"I'll run your bath yeah?" Harry says softly, not wanting to intrude.

"Yes please papa." She mumbles snuggling into Louis' arms. Harry smiles and leaves to get the bath done. Louis lifts her and takes her into the bathroom.

"Daddy? Papa?" Jemima enters the living room after getting dressed finding Harry cuddled with Louis.

"Feel good love?" Harry asks her softly beckoning her towards them. She climbs on Harry's lap and rests her head on his shoulder.

"My two babies." Louis chuckles.

"Silly daddy. Papa is too big to be your baby."

"Naw that's not true. He's my baby. I buy him things like I do for you, don't I?" Harry blushes and Jemima giggles.

"Papa what's your favorite gift from daddy?" He smiles at the innocent little girl and plays with his wedding ring. Louis smiles knowingly and kisses his head.

"Me too, love, me too." He murmurs happily. Jemima looks confused. "Papa says it's his ring." Louis explains.

"Daddy what's a divorce?" She than asks shocking both of them.

"Why do you ask sweetie?"

"Emily's parents are getting one. Is it fun? Can we get one too?"

"No baby. A divorce isn't fun or anything. When two people who are married don't love each other anymore, they get a divorce, which means, they get separated. So no, papa and I won't be getting a divorce, because I love your papa very much."

"A little too much, if I do say so myself." They all turn to the source of the sound.

"Niall!!" Harry yells setting Jemima on Louis' lap and running to envelop him in a warm hug.

"Hello Neil." Louis pretends to be disgusted but can't help smile fondly. Jemima pulls away from Louis and jumps into Niall's arms.

"Uncle Niall."

"Hi Tommo Jr. How are you?"

"I'm good. I missed you."

"And us? Did you miss us?" Liam pipes up.

"Uncle Liam!" Jem kicks out excitedly, narrowly missing Niall's crotch "And Uncle Zayn!! Oh my god... You're all here." Harry hugs the both of them wordlessly.

Louis finally gets up from the couch and crushes Niall into a hug. "Missed you mate," doing the same for Zayn and Liam.

"Not that I mind, but how are you all here?" Harry asks taking Jemima into his arms.

"Why? Can't we visit, our little Tomlinson here." Niall pinches her cheek.

"I'm not little." She huffs.

"Of course not. My apologies, princess Tomlinson." Niall bows. They all laugh and settle down. Zayn rests against Liam causing a lot of raised eyebrows.

"Uh, we're back together?" Zayn shrugs sheepishly.

"What happened to that girl, what was her name?" Louis snaps his fingers trying to recall the name. "Cheryl, yes."

"She wasn't Zayn." Liam says simply and pulls Zayn close.

"When did this happen?"

"Two months ago." Niall says.

"You knew?" Harry exclaims, outraged.

"Chill, mate. I just found out. They were eating each other's faces when I reached Liam's place." They fall back into easy conversation talking about their different jobs, happily.

"Hey Harry." Niall says suddenly. Harry hums an acknowledgment.

"How- how's Gemma?"

Harry frowns. "She's okay? Why?"

"Err, there's something I need to tell you." He breathes deeply.

"Okay?"

"I'm, I'm kind of, seeing Gemma?"

"What?" Harry almost shrieks jerking Jemima out of her sleep.

"I told you to let Gemma handle it." Louis groans, slapping his forehead. "Now you've really gone and done it."

"Louis Tomlinson!!! You knew?" Harry pulls away.

"Baby-"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Love, he just told me this morning. He told me that he would be coming over to talk to you about it."

"This is not okay, Horan. My sister is off limits. I told you that at the farewell, at graduation, at our wedding, when Jem was born, what part of off limits do you not understand?"

"Harry, honey, just listen to him yeah?"

"I can't believe you're taking his side!! Would you be okay with him dating Lottie?" Harry gets up furiously and goes to their bedroom. Liam diligently takes up the task of distracting Jemima.

"Lou-"

"It's okay Ni. Don't worry, I'll speak to him, it'll be okay."

"I, I promise I didn't manipulate her or anything-"

"Ni, I know what happened, it's okay, he'll understand. He's very protective of her. I'd be the same way if this was about Lottie." Louis pats his shoulder and goes to the bedroom door finding it locked. He knocks softly. "Baby, it's me." He says sweetly.

"Go away."

"Harry, please, don't do this, let me in, lovely." He pleads.

"No I don't wanna talk to you."

"Please, Hazza, let me explain, bub. There's a story behind this. Niall's your best friend, baby." The lock clicks and Louis smiles pushing the door open. Harry is indifferently swiping on his phone. "Put your phone away, Harry." Louis commands softly.

Conditioned to obey Louis in the bedroom, Harry dutifully puts it back into his pocket.

"I told Niall to stay away."

"It's Gemma who approached him, love. She just found out that her best friend had been having sex with her boyfriend behind her back."

"She could have come to me." Harry murmurs, hurt.

"Baby, would you have cuddled her and watched sappy movies with her while she cried for 12 hours without asking her what was wrong?" Harry shakes his head, no. "That's what Niall did. And then they just became friends. Niall made sure to not make a move on her. But last week, she just kissed him, out of the blue, while they were both completely sober. Niall was talking about his day. You told him to stay away from the girl he'd been crushing on for years and he did just that because he loves you but he wasn't going to push her away."

Harry nods. "I'm sorry I snapped at you." Louis shakes his head and kisses his forehead.

"Baby, I want you to go out and apologise to Niall and tell him you're okay with him and Gemma. Can you do that for me?" Harry nods. "Good. And don't worry, Niall will take good care of your sister."

After all was said and done, they all sat down sharing stories about Jemima.

"Your turn Haz, tell us about your favorite moment." Zayn urges him.

"Okay. So she was a little over a year old. Maybe a year and 5 months. Louis hadn't been around much that week," Louis shifts uncomfortably. "Hey, it's okay. I'm not blaming you, I know you were busy." He kisses his cheek and pats his thigh. "Anyhow, Jemima was always Daddy's princess so of course, after not seeing him for almost a week she was getting all hissy. On Saturday, Lou has half days right? So Jem and I were just practicing walking in the living room. She was finally walking with only one hand held. Lou entered while we were in the hallway and she squeals real loud and leaves my hand. Louis was literally frozen with his coat in his hand. She just kinda of stumbled over to him, right across the hallway. Even fell down twice but was up before either of us could make a move. And Louis-"

"No shut up now." Louis laughs holding a hand over his mouth. Harry pulls it off.

"Louis just held her real tight and cried for a solid ten minutes." They all burst into laughter.

"Gimme a break, I was seeing my baby girl after almost a week and she had taken her first steps right into my arms, I had the right to cry."

"Lou you big fucking softie." Niall laughs.

"Oi!! No swearing when my daughter is asleep in your lap."

And just like that, life went on for the Tomlinsons. One short year later, Zayn and Liam decided to get hitched and adopted a 6 year old boy, not having the time for an infant with their busy lives.

Niall and Gemma tied the knot 3 years after Zayn and Liam and had twins in the next year. Harry was finally off meds completely and done with therapy.

His bakery had taken off. Everyone wanted to start off their day with a treat from Sweet Nothings.

Louis had become a full time director and organiser for musicals at Broadway. They couldn't be happier. There were years of hardship and fights ahead. But right now, as Louis lay with his husband and daughter, he knew it was going to be worth it

~fin~