Sorry for any mistakes, it's too late and too long for me to go through and edit, comment if you find any and I shall be sure to change them!

Enjoy!!

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"Just sit and listen. Please." Luke laughed, pointing to the old sofa in the garage.

"I will, I will. I'm just saying, if you guys really want to start filming, you're going to need a stylist." Louis looked to Ashton then back at Luke. "A good one."

Ashton gasped, putting his sticks down on one of the drums. "How dare you!" Louis giggled. "I'm a great stylist."

"Well," Louis looked over Ashton outfit, pulling a face at his tshirt. "Not if you picked out that shirt you're not."

"Actually," Luke leant forward towards Louis. "I gave him that shirt." Ashton chuckled to himself, looking at Louis' fake disgusted face.

"I can't believe you." Louis scowled. He turned to Calum and Michael who were stood away from the conversation, just watching. "See, this is why you need me." Louis pointed to Ashton and Luke, as if showing the others a reason.

"Right." Michael laughed. "But anyway, never mind a stylist, if we want to film, we need to actually be good." Calum nodded, also laughing. "Which means practicing."

"Right." Louis nodded once, walking to the sofa and took a seat, one leg over the other, hands joined, resting on his lap.

Luke shook his head, walking forward and began to set up the mic stand, whereas Ashton took his place behind the drums.

Louis had been spending the past two days in this garage. Both Megan and Jade had made Luke keep him out of the flat as much as he could to allow them to finish planning his birthday.

Luke didn't mind, Louis was his best friend. And ever since Louis had gone out with Harry, he had been acting like his old self. It was nice to have Louis back.

Now, it was the day before Louis' big 18th. Luke had brought him to the bands practice, to get him away from the two girls but so far, he was regretting it. They had been there for over an hour and not one song had been played. Calum made the mistake on mentioning the plans for the band. About how they were thinking about creating a YouTube channel and uploading videos every now and then showing their own stuff. That led to Louis getting a little over excited about the potential of his friends.

"You're going to be famous."

"I'll help film. I'm pretty good with a camera."

"Oh! Oh! I could be your guys stylist."

Which then, of course led them to the past conversation. But now Louis had actually stopped talking, the boys hurried to get ready, not wanting him to start again.

"Which song are we doing first?" Luke looked to Calum.

"Uhh, which needs the most work?" Calum looked around to the other boys, waiting for one of the to answer.

"Oh! I have one!" Louis called, "Long Way Home. It's my favourite and you haven't done that one in a while."

"Sounds good to me." Ashton nodded, looking to Luke for confirmation.

"Long Way Home, it is then." Luke looked down to his guitar, playing a few strings before checking that every one is ready. "We good to go?" When he got the replies he was looking for, he looked to Louis, who nodded.

Luke strummed at his guitar and began the song. "So we're taking the long way home."

They managed to play through the song smoothly, with no mistakes or interruptions as well as a few others. But by the time they had finished their fourth song, it was gone nine o'clock and none of the boys had eaten since lunch.

So after putting all of their equipment away, Louis made the suggestion of going out for some food as a way to celebrate his birthday earlier as he knew everyone will be spending the next couple of days with family.

"There's a new place in town? I went not too long ago with Megan and the food was so good I could have cried." Everyone looked to Luke confused. "Honestly, it's really good."

"You nearly cried?" Louis asked, ignoring everything else the boy had said.

"You'll understand if you get their chocolate waffle for desert." Luke clarified.

"I think it's time to go." Calum laughed, opening the garage door and walking out behind Michael to his car.

"I'll lead the way and you all follow?" Luke asked to which they all agreed. Louis began following Luke assuming he would be going in his car.

"Wait, Louis!" Louis turned, looking to Ashton who had called out his name. "Ride with me?"

"Uh," Louis looked to Luke who shrugged his shoulders at him. Louis looked back to Ashton smiling. "Sure," he changed his direction and started walking towards towards Ashthons car, climbing into the front passenger seat. Ashton fiddled with the radio whilst they waited for Luke to begin the journey. "I don't mean to be rude when I ask, but how come you wanted me to come with you?"

Ashton chuckled, finally settling on a station. "You don't sound rude, don't worry." Louis smiled, watching Ashton talk. "But I need to talk to you I guess. Well not really talk, but give you something?"

"Is everything okay?" Louis asked, confused about this whole situation.

Ashton laughed. "Yeah, yeah, everything is fine." He looked up over to the street, seeing Luke's car pull out of the driveway. He looked back to Louis. "I'll drop you home later and give it to you?"

Louis nodded. "Okay, sounds good." He was still very confused but decided to leave it at that for now.

It didn't take long for them to get there and order their food. Louis was very grateful for that as his stomach would not stop making strange rumbling noises. "It's like it's trying to tell the whole bloody resturant that it's hungry." The boys at the table laughed.

"It won't be long now." Luke assured. And he was right, the food turned up ten minutes after and each boy finally understood what Luke meant by nearly crying. "I told you so." Luke grinned to no one specific.

"I've now felt what heaven tastes like." Louis moaned, taking another mouthful of his spaghetti.

"Is that even the right way to say what you just did?" Michael asked, overthinking the sentence.

"I don't know. The food must be clouding my brain." Louis laughed, so yeah, everyone could agree on the food being good.

During desert, the boys got the waiter to stick a candle in Louis' chocolate waffle and the remaining people in the resturant joined in with singing happy birthday. The four boys even chipped in to pay for Louis meal. "Early birthday present." Calum explained. And after persuading Luke to let Ashton drive him home, saying that he would be able to see Megan when he pops by in the morning to give him he present , Luke agreed.

The two boys- Ashton and Louis- were now sat in Ashton's car, the radio off, parked outside of Louis' block of flats. "Thank you, for driving me back and for putting money in for my meal. None of you had to do that."

"It's okay." Ashton assured.

"I know it was for my birthday but you really didn't have to, especially because the boys already gave me presents." Louis looked down to the bags from Michael and Calum, he had promised them that he wouldn't open them until tomorrow.

"Oh! That reminds me!" Ashton reached bound his seat, pulling back a gift bag and a light pink box. He placed the box on his lap before handing Louis the bag, "this is from me."

Louis took the bag, "thank you-"

"Don't say I didn't have to," Ashton laughed. "I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to and I did." Louis laughed, looking down at the bag before looking back up to Ashton. "And this," he picked up the box and handed it over. "Is from Harry. There is a note under the bow which he said to open in the morning."

Louis looked over the box. "I'm seeing him tomorrow, couldn't he have just given it to me then?" Louis looked to Ashton, who shrugged in response.

"He didn't really say much. Other than to give it to you and tell you about the note." Ashton chuckled.

"Well, thank you, I guess." Louis laughed.

The two said their good byes, and Ashton wished Louis a happy birthday for the day coming, before driving away and leaving Louis to enter the flats building. Once he let himself in, he followed the girls instructions and went straight to his room. He knew they were in the kitchen by the chatter emitting the room.

He placed the bags on the floor of his room and placed the box on his desk before going to the bathroom to take of his makeup and get ready for bed. When he was change and ready, Louis climbed into bed, his phone in hand.

-- Harry --

A box and a note ey?

(Delivered 23:43)

-- Harry --

You got it?

(Received 23:45)

-- Harry --

I have indeed. It's sat on my desk waiting for tomorrow. However, the mystery is killing me and I am very tempted to open it.

(Delivered 23:47)

Louis yawned, looking to the light pink box sitting on his desk, trying to stop his brain from picking out all of the possible things it could be. His attention switched back to his phone when it's ping echoed through his room again.

-- Harry --

It's not quite your birthday yet Lou ;)

(Received 23:51)

-- Harry --

But in nine minutes??

(Delivered 23:51)

-- Harry --

Okay, I'll make a deal with you.

(Received 23:52)

-- Harry --

Shoot it at me.

(Delivered 23:54)

-- Harry --

At midnight you can open the note, but you have to wait to open the box.

(Received 23:56)

Louis grinned, typing out his reply.

-- Harry --

That's a deal I will take.

(Delivered 23:57)

-- Harry --

Happy birthday baby XX

(Received 00:00)

Louis' stomach erupted in butterflies, it always had done when Harry called him that. Louis placed his phone on top of his pillow, pulled back his duvet and stood up from his bed. He sat down at his desk, pulling the bow up to slip the not out from underneath it. Louis unfolded the paper, making note in his mind to tell Harry how much he appreciated the pink coloured paper and pen. He then began reading the familiar handwriting.

Lou,

I will never get over the fact that you are older than me. However I would like to remind you that it is only by a few months. But I'm going to push that to the side for now because it's your birthday!!!

I want to thank you. For the second chance that I know I don't deserve but you are willing to give me. Because without it I wouldn't be able to show you what love you are really worth, I am very aware that I didn't give it to you before. I make a promise to you now, to love you as much as humanly possible, no matter how cliché or cheesy it sounds. I have made a promise to myself, to not let you slip through my fingers again and to you, to not give you a reason to slip.

Thank you for being the happiest of people. With everything you have been through in the eighteen years of living, I could never be half of the person you are today. Today you are eighteen and you should be extremely proud of yourself and the beauty that you are.

I know you are most likely dying to open the box, I know how curious you are when it comes down to things like this. However, I'm afraid you still have a few hours to go. Open it when you get back from being out with the girls. I hope you enjoy your special day, I can't wait to see you later.

Happy birthday baby XX

- H

Louis smiled and blinked past the tears, placing the note back on top of the box and reaching for his phone.

-- Harry --

Thank you, even though you made me nearly cry on my birthday.

(Delivered 00:11)

-- Harry --

I assure you that was not my aim. However, I'm going to take that in a good way and assume you liked it.

(Received 00:13)

-- Harry --

It was in a good way but that's besides the point.

(Delivered 00:14)

-- Harry --

Goodnight Lou, sweet dreams X

(Received 00:14)

-- Harry --

Goodnight Harry xxx

(Delivered 00:15)

Louis locked his phone and picked up his charger from his floor. He put his phone on charge and placed it on the desk, right next to his present and then he climbed into bed for the second time last night. Reaching over, he switched off his lamp and closed his eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.

-----

"-ppy birthday to you, happy birthday to Louis, happy birthday to you!" Louis groaned, pulling his pillow from beneath him and placing it over his head.

"Shhh!" He hushed the voices who had interrupted his slumber.

"Ah, ah, ah, I don't think so." The pillow was pulled from his hands and Louis opened his eyes to see Megan holding it. He sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes with the backs of his hands before really paying attention to what was going on.

"Happy birthday, brother." Louis looked to the doorway, seeing Jade stood with a large cake in her hands, a whole lot of candles lit and stuck into it.

He grinned, letting his body fall back on to the bed, his eyes closing for just a second as he whispered, "it's my birthday."

"Indeed it is," Megan chuckled, throwing the pillow back at the sleepy boy. "Now get your ass up before you ruin our well planned schedule."

Louis heard his bedroom door shut and decided then, that it was time for him to get out of bed and start getting ready. As he stood, Louis looked at the wrapped box sat on his desk and groaned. He really wanted to know what was inside but wasn't going to disobey Harrys wishes, so to stop himself from being tempted, Louis picked up the present and bent down, sliding it underneath his bed. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.

He walked to the bathroom and jumped straight into the shower. He washed his body and hair as fast and he could, knowing the girls down the hall would be getting impatient if he took too long. Once he was out, he slipped on a pair of shorts and a plain black tshirt he had stolen from Luke, just for him to wear until he knew what sort of thing the girls wanted him to wear. He ran his hands through his hair a couple of times before opening his bedroom door and walking down the hallway and into the front room.

As soon as the boy entered the room he couldn't stop smiling. Balloons of all different colours scattered the ceiling, each balloon that was floating had a picture of Louis at all different ages tied to them. Banners were taped to the walls and confetti was thrown all around the floor creating a colourful mess. And in the centre of the room, on top of the coffee table were Louis' presents. All of which were surrounding the cake which he could now see more clearly. Eighteen candles were placed around the bottom of the beautiful Cinderella castle cake.

"You like it?" Louis looked to Jade who was stood in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Of course I do." Louis laughed, looking to some of the old photographs. "Where did you even get all of these? I haven't ever seen half of them." Louis looked back to his sister.

"I took them from the photo album of you, mum has." Louis really wasn't sure of what to say.

"She kept all of those?" He asked.

"Of course she did Louis. You are her little boy. I know she didn't treat you in the best of ways, the things she said to you were the sort of things she should have been teaching you not to say to others. But she does love you. Always has done." Louis looked back to a photograph not really paying attention to the image but more to what Jade was saying. "I'm not in anyway sticking up for her, I promise. If it ever came down to it, I will always be on your side. But I just want you to know, even if it doesn't change anything, that she does ask after you."

Louis looked to her, "you told her about me?"

"That I see you? Yeah. She phoned me after the day I met up with you and Harry for the first time and she asked me why I sounded so happy. It just slipped, I couldn't help it. I had just seen my baby brother for the first time in years, I couldn't keep that quiet."

"And how did she take it?" He asked nervously.

"She cried. She couldn't really believe it. I told her about how you were going to college, how much of a wonderful person you had turned out to be. I told her about the boyfriend, about Harry and how you could just see that the two of you were meant for each other. And that was when she began to cry. She might not have admitted it to you when you were there, but she loved you. Really, she does." Jade looked over her brothers body language.

"It's a shame she did nothing about it. It's been too long Jade. If she wanted to, she would have found me."

"You and I both know it's not that simple. You tried and so did I. I don't know how Harry had done it, but out of everyone, he's the only one that had succeeded and got anything other than a name and a city. Mum tried. I was there when she went down to the police station the day after you left. She went to file a missing persons report but because you left willingly and you were over the age of sixteen, they couldn't do anything about it. She was on the edge of breaking many times. I blamed her for you leaving and the worst part about it?" Jade walked forward, standing so that she was stood right in front of Louis. "She was helpless in the whole situation. Because she had no one else to blame but herself. She completely changed once you left. She overloaded herself with work. She remarried and I saw more of Dan, her husband, than I did of my own mother. She didn't like being home. She refused to take down your pictures from the walls but every time she saw them, I could see her face fall. Sometimes, she would sit at night, holding the photo album of your baby pictures and she would cry. Refuse to sleep until she wore herself out from crying."

Louis shook his head. "If you're trying to persuade me to forgive her after what she did-"

Jade cut him off, "I would never do that. Like I said, I'm on your side Lou. She was more than wrong and I will never forgive her for the things she said to you. But I just wanted to make sure you knew. Just so that you have it, even if you're not going to do anything with it. It's not fair on you to not know what went on when you left. But I promise you, I haven't said any of this for her, or for a way to make you feel or do anything different. I just feel like it's something you need to know and I needed to share."

Louis took sometime to think before looking back up to his sister. "Thank you." He walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her body. "I can't. I can't do anything with it. At least not right now. But who knows, in a few years or even months I might change my mind and use it. I might feel the need to talk to her, but right now, right now I'm not ready. I'm not ready to face her and forgive her."