Italics - Louis Tomlinson

"Why do I hear running?" Louis asked, a scowl on his tired face.

He was just about to rest, only for him to be disturbed by heaving pounding upstairs.

"Sydney stole my football and is not giving it back, papa!" the eleven-year-old Oliver shouted back, chasing a laughing Sydney around the house.

"Sydney, be a good sister and hand back his football. I need to rest for a while, love", Louis sighed at the tactics of his eight-year-old daughter.

Sydney Anne Styles was just like her father Harry, always playful and full of energy. While Oliver Jay Styles was calm like Louis, sassy too. They were both adopted seven years ago, after three years into marriage.

"But Oli doesn't play with me anymore! And he's always with that girl next door and she's not even pretty," Sydney stomped and pouted. "She's mean to me."

"You are the one who keeps annoying us when we both decide to play something!" Oliver complained.

"That's because you don't play with me anymore", Sydney whimpered, her bottom lip trembling.

"You are a kid, Syd. I can't play with you now. I'm a big guy now", Oliver frowned.

Harry's voice rang in the house making the two fighting kids look at the door at their father.

"Daddy!" Sydney squealed and ran to hug her father. "I missed you", her fight with her brother forgotten at the moment.

"Hi dad," Oliver hugged him tightly, smiling wide, as soon as Sydney let Harry go. "I didn't know you were coming today."

"Yeah, I didn't know as well", Louis spoke up as well when he saw his husband standing in the doorway with a still charming grin on his face.

, Harry said, walking over to Louis and kissing him gently.

It still brought butterflies in Louis' stomach like the first time. Nothing ever changed about it.

"Ew gross", Sydney scrunched up her nose but Oliver awed. He loved his parents' relationship absolutely.

, Harry grinned and ruffled his daughter's hair.

"Why was the game cancelled?" Louis asked next as they all made their way towards the living room.

Harry had gone to a football game in Australia. So, they had no idea he was going to surprise them like that. But Louis and the kids always loved it when Harry gave them small surprises once in a while. Today was no exception.

, Harry replied as Sydney settled in his lap while Oliver cuddled into Louis.

"Such a mess", Louis sighed resting his head on Harry's shoulder.

, Harry mumbled, placing a gentle kiss on Louis' forehead.

"There was a financial raid today. It was stressful", Louis hummed.

"Lemme stay like this for a while. I'm happy to have you here though. You'd be missing Oliver's football match this weekend", Louis smiled.

, Harry grinned at Oliver.

"Speaking of which, Sydney is not giving my football, daddy!" Oliver glared at his sister.

Harry looked at the little girl who was glaring back at her brother.

"He's always playing with it. He doesn't spend time for me anymore", Syndey whined.

", Harry spoke.

"But I'm not a kid! Papa, say something", Oliver shook Louis' shoulders.

"Well, I do think you're still a kid", Louis giggled.

"No, papa. Not you too", Oliver scowled.

, Harry held his son's hand a pulled him closer so that he was standing beside his sister.

Harry asked gently.

"I do, but-"

"Yeah," Oliver mumbled. "She's pretty as a princess too."

"And you are my brave brother. I'll protect you from all stupid girls too", Sydney beamed.

"See, now why weren't you playing with her? Do you not enjoy it?" Louis asked.

"It's not that. I just don't feel like playing those 'princess' games", Oliver said.

"Then we can play footie. Papa and daddy can join us too!" Sydney clapped her hands.

"Really? You would play footie with me? And you shouldn't complain that I didn't spend time with you", Oliver rose his eyebrows.

Sydney made a thinking face for a minute before answering, "If you agree to do our homework together. And not let our neighbour be mean to me."

"Alright," Oliver sighed. "But you shouldn't disturb us if we are doing something."

"Deal."

"Deal," Oliver smiled and pulled his sister into a much-needed hug. "I'm sorry for being mean to you. You know I love you, right?"

"I know. I love you too. And I'm not sorry", Sydney smiled cheekily.

"Now, where's the ball?" Oliver rolled his eyes but there was a fond smile on his lips.

"In your hamper", Sydney giggled making everyone laugh.

Louis sighed and snuggled into Harry as both the kids ran upstairs.

"And I love you."

Harry leaned down and pressed his lips to Louis'. It wasn't rushed; it was calm and passionate, like, both of them are trying to say something through the kiss because words are just never enough. They savoured the feeling of 'loved' and 'being in love'. Louis sighed contently making Harry smile into the kiss.

"You know, I get so emotional sometimes", Louis spoke as they pulled away.

Harry asked, cuddling his husband closer.

"When you kiss me like your life depends on it."

"That was so corny, Hazzy", Louis whined and nuzzled his face into the green-eyed man's neck, making him chuckle.

"That'd be nice."

Once Harry came into the picture, Nate realized that bullying Louis doesn't make matters better. Harry was concerned about Nate; they were friends when they were kids after all. So, he sat with Nate's father and tried to convince him that Nate would be better if he had his father's support. It took time. It wasn't easy. By the time, they were done with their graduation and University, Nate's relationship with his father nurtured. Harry and Nate became friends like before. It was very awkward at the beginning, for Louis and Nate. But they took it slow, bonded over time. They are family friends now.

, Harry chuckled.

"Sydney would never let it go."

Harry sighed with a content smile on his face, his beloved husband in his arms and two wonderful kids in his heart. He couldn't ask for a better life. True, it was not flowers and smiles every day, but the hard times were worth the happiness.

Because he had his one true love by his side always.