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Surprises All Round
Paris October 14th 2023
Louis knew linking up their tours would cause a stir amongst their fans, well the fans who had been with them since they were teenagers; Faith In The Future & Love On Tour had been designed to give them a way to meet up, especially when Harry was so far along in his pregnancy. His husband was due to give birth any day, his anxiety had skyrocketed once they'd gone their separate ways to begin their tour dates. Once he'd arrived in Paris and discovered Harry had a night off and was already being flown to his side made the anxious feeling he carried around inside his belly like a pit lessen; he couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen (and he wasn't talking about his tour date).He'd also invited Liam, Zatn and Niall to the show; he had a feeling the fans would go crazy if they realised that the entire band were in one room together again. The one part of this entire thing was having to lie to their fans.
Looking at the clock he realised it was still early morning in Paris, his show wasn't until around 8pm that night; he was so lost in his thoughts he didn't hear the sound of the penthouse door opening and closing before he felt familiar arms around his waist, their little one nestled between them. Switching their positions he wrapped his arms around Harry's waist laying his hand against his husband's baby bump feeling their little one kicking her mummy. From the corner of his eye he saw Liam and Zayn watching them closely, something was going on in that department and he thought he knew what it was but he would wait for them to tell them when they were ready to.
"You're here." Louis said softly nuzzling his head into Harry's shoulder kissing the spot under his ear before looking into his husband's eyes to see how he was feeling. "How was the flight over? Where's Niall & Shawn?"
"We're here, we're safe." Harry promised his husband knowing how anxious Louis had been the further along he got in his pregnancy. "Niall & Shawn are settling in before heading up, they didn't want to overwhelm you." he reassured his husband trying to hide the grimace on his face looking behind him seeing Zayn raise his eyebrow. "I'm getting contractions."
"How long have you been having contractions Hazza?" Louis asked softly looking between his husband and his brother, it was hard to miss the raised eyebrow from Zayn. "I'll cancel the show if I have to, Harry so don't even try to hide it." he reassured his husband.
"I promise they just started. I ended up feeling sick the entire plane journey here, it wasn't until we got to the hotel that they started." Harry reassured his husband by keeping his head resting against Louis; shoulder letting out a low moan as the second contraction began in his belly.
"Hurts." he admitted quietly leaning into Louis.
"We got him to you as soon as we could." Liam explained looking toward Louis knowing how anxious his brother had been during the last few months of Harry's pregnancy leaning into Zayn feeling the nausea in his own belly churning. "We've got our own news but it can wait."
"You can tell him." Harry said, quietly breathing through the contraction he was currently going through. "You've been through just as much as we have." he said, softly once the contraction had ended and he was resting against Louis' shoulder.
Louis looked between his labouring husband and his best friends, brothers who he'd do anything for. Holding Harry's hips gently he began to rock them from side to side knowing it wouldn't be long before another contraction came. Their birth plan was out the window as Harry's midwife was in London. Tilting his head to one side he tried to guess what was going on but they'd hidden so much even from each other over the years to protect their marriages. Throughout the years they'd managed to at least show their fans a small part of their lives away from the live tours.
He was determined to show the fans that he saw them, that he'd always seen the support, the sea of pride flags every tour made him emotional; the hardest part of doing this job had always been having to be seen with anyone other than Harry. Thankfully the contract with Eleanor had ended after a very long ten years. His thoughts were broken by a feather light kiss against his forehead looking back toward his husband, even during labour Harry sensed when his thoughts had taken a turn. Squeezing Harry's hand gently he let him know that he was okay before turning back toward Liam and Zayn.
"We're pregnant, or rather I am." Liam said, softly rubbing his queasy belly gently. "Around two months so morning sickness is harsh." he explained watching his little brother closely as he brought his niece or nephew into the world.
"Congratulations." Louis said gently pushing his hand gently into the small of Harry's back trying to take away some of the pain. "We're going to have to push the show back or postpone it." he said softly knowing that their baby was coming today whether they were ready or not. "It's too late to try and fly our midwife in." he explained, turning toward Zayn. "Would you help him deliver?"
"Thank you." Liam said, softly trying to calm his belly as the nausea made an appearance. "I feel sick."
"I'd do anything for him Lou you know that." Zayn agreed, holding Liam close knowing if the roles were reversed Harry would do the same for Liam. "What do you need?" he asked his brother, pulling out a bottle of ginger ale and handing it to his husband.
Liam shook his head, taking a breath out. "If I eat anything I'll be sick." he said honestly sitting in the seat next to Louis and Harry's bed.
Harry watched his big brother carefully knowing exactly how Liam was feeling, the first few months of pregnancy had been full of intense nausea. "Smaller meals when you feel like eating it should help ease the nausea, saltines help when you can't stomach anything." he said softly clutching Louis' t-shirt as another contraction built in his belly. His green eyes met his husband's ocean blue ones. "Keep rocking my hips there's another one coming." he whispered softly laying his head back against his husband's shoulder.
"I've got you." Louis said softly into Harry's ear continuing to rock them from side to side watching his husband ride out another contraction. "Through your nose and out through your mouth." He coached Harry through the contraction. "Do you want to get into something more comfortable?"
"Mm don't really care that I'll be on show either." Harry said softly breathing through the contraction letting out a loud moan.
"He's going to be in a lot more pain than this Li. Are you sure you want to stay?" Louis asked his brother not wanting to scare off his pregnant best friend.
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away." Liam said, softly. "Your nephew or niece is making me feel sick but I wouldn't be anywhere else."
"Alright, if you need to throw up the bathroom is just through the door." Louis said, quietly grabbing one of his oversized sweaters. He was so used to wearing Harry's clothes he automatically packed his husband’s clothes to wear now. Without thinking about their brothers in the room he carefully got Harry out of his travelling clothes gently helping him into the sweater leaving his bottom half bare.
"Feels good." Harry whispered, closing his eyes as he felt the contraction ease off for the time being. "We don't have any of the baby clothes with us." he said frantically. "Or a cot."
"Calm down baby. I brought some of the baby clothes from home, and I asked your Mum to ship in the cot. It'll be here soon. Along with her." Louis reassured his husband seeing the tension ease out of his husband's body. "Everything will be okay I promise."
Harry nodded keeping his head against his husband's shoulder feeling a lot happier now he wasn't confined in his trousers, his belly was aching as he felt their little one starting to move lower in his belly. "He’s getting ready to come, I can feel him shifting." he whispered, softly looking toward his brother. "You need to check me to see how dilated I am."
"It's a boy?" Zayn asked, making his way to Harry's side crouching down behind his brother gently lifting up the oversized sweater so he could check Harry's cervix to see how far along labour was. And more importantly how much longer it would be before his nephew arrived. Placing his hand near Harry's entrance he pushed slowly, hating that he was causing his brother more pain as he heard the hiss.
"I'm sorry H." he whispered softly, looking up at his brother smiling slightly. "You're dilated to 5cms and your waters are close to breaking."
"Someone is eager to come out and see us." Harry said, softly leaning into his husband as another contraction started to build in the bottom of his belly. "What time do you have to be on stage?" he asked his husband looking into the ocean eyes he'd fallen in love with all those years ago.
"Not until much later on tonight. I'm not going anywhere baby, even if that means I'm late on stage." Louis said, softly pushing his knuckles into the base of his husband's back to try and help ease the pain."Though I have a feeling we won't need to worry about it, your belly is lower."
"The baby is eager to meet us." Harry said, quietly moaning into his husband's shoulder as he rode out the contraction. "This is a big one." he admitted, quietly just as eager to meet their baby as he or she was to come out.
"Our boy is going to be here before we know it." Louis said, softly running his hands through Harry's messy hair, his eyes locked with the green eyes that had stolen his heart when he was just 18 years old. He saw the minute there was a change as Harry's face changed. "What happened?"
"Water just broke, means that they'll get closer together and stronger. "This is a big one." he managed to get out leaning into the bed as he felt his husband's hand against his back again. "Z can you call my Mum."
"I'm on it." Zayn said, softly pulling out his phone dialling Anne knowing how much Harry wanted his Mum with him as he gave birth. "What about your sisters Lou?"
"They weren't able to make it this time, we aren't going to have enough time for them to arrive, Anne travelled with me knowing Harry was coming with you." Louis said, softly.
Harry pushed his head into his arms breathing through the intense labour knowing that it wouldn't be long before they met their little one. "This is a strong one and they're getting closer together." he admitted quietly to his husband.
"I've got you." Louis said, softly continuing to rub his husband's back hoping it was taking away some of the pain. "How far away is Anne?" he asked his brother, looking toward Zayn.
"She'll be here any minute." Zayn said, softly setting his phone onto the bedside table. "Let me see how dilated you are."
Harry nodded his head letting his brother know it was okay. Preparing himself for the intrusion he leaned into his husband resting his cheek against the soft skin on his palm. Their matching wrist tattoos joined together as Louis became his anchor. The minute he felt Zayn pushing into him he whimpered.
"I tried to be as gentle as I could H I'm sorry." Zayn said, softly checking Harry's cervix smiling brightly as he discovered his nephew would be arriving soon. "You're dilating quicker than we expected, you're already 8 1/2 cm already." he revealed, turning from his brother as the door opened revealing Harry's mum.
"You made it." Harry said, quietly unable to move from his position resting against Louis' arm. "He just dropped into position." he said, softly rubbing the side of his sore belly. "They're not stopping anymore."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else baby." Anne said, softly making her way to her baby boy's side as he entered the last stages of labour, the hotel brought the cot from another room and I have the baby clothes you wanted for the first few days here. I know once the show is over tonight you'll be leaving with Lou."
"That was the plan, I've been hiding my pregnancy from the fans because it's all we've known we are meant to do. But I'm done hiding." Harry said, quietly letting out a low groan as he rode out another contraction losing his eyes as he breathed through the pain focused on listening to his body. "They're getting closer and closer together."
"Then we stop hiding things." Liam said, softly moving to Harry's side taking hold of the hand that wasn't clutching Louis'. "We have played by rules that don't matter because our fans see through the lies completely. They've been by our side since we were teenagers."
"Liam makes a good point." Harry heard a new voice looking up seeing his Irish brother and his husband. "All this time we've played by their rules instead of being happy, instead of letting the fans know being forced to hide behind stupid relationships that aren't facts." he whispered joining his brothers to witness the birth of their nephew.
"Mm wouldn't have it any other way." Harry said, softly once the contractions had eased a little. "They saw pictures of me getting onto the tour bus, the only time Lou doesn't stop for pictures with fans is when I'm with him." he said, quietly happy that all of his family were here though their sisters weren't he knew Gemma, Lottie, Daisy & Phoebe would be there the minute they got home. "Aunties are going to get a shock." he managed to get out.
"What is it Haz?" Louis asked sensing the sudden change in his husband.
"There's so much pressure." Harry admitted, quietly grunting as he felt their little boy's head right at his entrance. "I need to push." he managed to get out watching as Zayn jumped into action getting behind him. "Z please say I can push."
"His head is right there H you can push." Zayn reassured his brother. "When you get the next contraction I need you to push into your bottom for me."
Harry rested his head against his husband's arm once more, finding comfort in his support system. They'd been through so much together as a band, between finding their soulmates and then a year later being forced into hiding. Taking a deep breath he leaned into the bedding once more bearing into his bottom starting to push their little boy into the world. He felt like he was being split in two as the intense contractions came on top of each other. He focused on listening to his body, listening to Zayn coaching him through the birthing process as his husband kept him calm and his brothers made sure he made sure he had a hand to squeeze since Louis' free hand was underneath his head.
Blocking out the small amount of chatter that was going on around him, he focused on his breathing, his husband and Zayn's words letting his body do what it needed to in order to bring their little boy into the world. Hissing through his teeth he felt the burning sensation begin as the baby's head reached the ring of fire; letting out a loud moan he pushed hard feeling their little boy's head start to emerge from his entrance. Looking toward his mum he smiled, slightly seeing the look of pride on her face making him even more emotional than he already was.
"He's crowning Harry, I need you to give me big pushes and his head will be out." Zayn said, softly amazed by the strength his brother had. "Then we can focus on freeing his body."
"M'tired." Harry whispered, softly looking into Louis' eyes.
"You've done so well darling not much longer now and he'll be with us. You can do it." Louis said, softly running his hand through Harry's sticky curls. "I love you so much my sweet sun."
"Love you too." Harry said, quietly screwing up his face as another contraction hit, mustering up all of his energy pushing hard into his bottom feeling the moment his baby boy's head became free. "Is he okay?" he asked, quietly.
"He's perfect Harry, head of curls just like his mummy." Zayn said, softly checking the baby's head to see if the umbilical cord wasn't twisted. "The cord isn't restricting anything, the next few pushes will free the baby's shoulders and legs. You've got this."
Feeling Louis' lips against his forehead he took a few deep breaths gaining the strength from his husband and Liam who was currently giving him support. Closing his eyes he rested for a few minutes until the intense pain overwhelmed him pushing harder than before. He felt Zayn gently guiding their little boy out with each push.
"You did it H he's here." Liam said, softly looking at his brother in awe.
"Welcome to the world little one." Zayn, whispered, softly holding the newborn baby boy as Louis got his husband settled. Thankfully he'd managed to get some towels down before Harry had moved position. "He was born at 12pm exactly." he announced cleaning the baby.
Harry winced as he was helped to his feet seeing the cover over the mattress, the last thing he needed to do was explain to the hotel why there was a mess in the bed. Though when they returned to the main entrance with a baby he figured that would be explained. A few moments later he felt the placenta leave his body feeling completely empty. Easing himself onto the mass of towels covering the mattress he watched Louis cut the baby's cord before he was handed their little boy. The minute he felt the weight of their baby being placed on his chest he felt the tears falling freely looking at their little boy. They'd done it, somehow they'd managed to keep his pregnancy a secret. Now they were going to shock the world.
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Twenty minutes after Harry had given birth he watched their baby boy as he ate, the one thing he hadn't expected to be able to do was be able to breast feed. With Louis now sitting behind him he rested his head against his husband's chest knowing that they had yet to announce the baby's name. He knew by the stares he was getting from his former bandmates and best friends they were desperate to find out. Looking up at his husband he smiled, softly knowing that they had chosen their baby's name a long time ago, even before he was pregnant. Checking the time he knew that Louis needed to do his soundcheck in the next few hours, despite just giving birth he wanted to be there.
Running his hand through their baby boy's curls as he ate he knew that their lives were going to be all that more secret from their fans. They'd never been seen travelling at the airport unless one of them needed to be seen. Resting his eyes for a moment he took a breath out knowing that he wanted their fans to know; the fact that their fans were currently preparing for Louis' performance he knew it would be the perfect time to tell them. Even if they had to be creative they'd hidden too much from them already.
"What's going on in your head?" Louis asked, running his hand over his thigh. "You can tell me."
"I'm coming with you to the venue, I'll not push myself but I don't want to be here with you there. I'll have Li Zayn and Niall there as well." Harry said, softly.
"If that's what you want then we can arrange for you all to be backstage, but there will be a couch backstage for you." Louis said, softly looking between his husband, his mother-in-law and his best friends. "You look like you're desperate to ask something." he chuckled looking at Niall.
"What's the baby's name?" Niall blurted out blushing as he covered his mouth. "That wasn't meant to come out that way."
"S'alright just wanted him to get settled before we revealed his name." Harry told his Irish brother looking up at his husband. "That's what I want, I never feel settled without you with me." he whispered, softly. "You can tell them."
"You sure darling?" Louis asked looking toward his brothers and his husband seeing the small nod wrapping his arm around Harry watching their baby boy eating. "He's got a big appetite."
"Just like his daddy." Harry chuckled, leaning up to kiss his husband. "Don't tease them."
"Oh alright." Louis said, softly looking toward his brothers once more. "We'd like to introduce you officially to Freddie Robin Styles." he announced proudly. "We've had his name chosen for a few years now."
"Welcome to the family Freddie." Niall said, softly looking toward his best friend and newborn nephew. "If you're heading to the soundcheck with Lou then we go as a unit."
"I think that's a good idea." Harry said, softly. "As long as we're in the eyesight of Lou when the show starts." he whispered looking down at Freddie. "Our fans have always been there, even now when they're getting hate online."
"We'll let them know darling I promise." Louis said, softly running his hand through Harry's curls. "They've already taken on "I Love Him ". I knew the minute I brought that song back that they would cotton on." watching his husband with their newborn baby made his heart swell with pride.
"We've changed lyrics for years, it's been the only way that we can let them know." Harry whispered, feeling Freddie let go gently laying him against his shoulder rubbing his back gently. "I think you should add an extra line to We Made It." he suggested shifting his position to try and get comfortable. "Or you could slip an extra speech in there."
"No one is going to stop you from letting the fans know about him." Liam said, quietly keeping watch over his brother. "They can try and block it but they can't stop it if they don't know about it." he suggested rubbing his queasy belly. "I feel sick."
"I'll make sure you've got a bathroom close by." Louis said, softly watching his best friend struggling, glancing at the clock. "We can get to the venue before management if we head out there now."
Harry smiled, softly leaning his head against his husband's chest, as tired as he was there wasn't a single thing that could keep him away from the concert. Sliding his legs around he slowly stood up wincing at the ache in his belly as his insides got used to Freddie being on the outside. For the first time in years he didn't care what he was wearing as long as he was comfortable. Rocking Freddie gently in his arms he watched Louis grab another set of his sweats. It was no wonder their fans didn't let them down, they weren't subtle about things anymore especially when it came to wearing each other's clothes. The next few hours were going to knock down every wall their former management had built and he couldn't wait to see their reaction.
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Accor Arena
For the first time in his career Louis wished more than anything they could cancel, all he wanted to do was make sure his new family was safe; from the corner of his eye he could see Michael and Issac going through everything they needed in order to go through the soundcheck, biting his lip he pulled himself away from his thoughts wrapping his arms softly around his husband feeling the nerves disappear as he felt Harry's head resting against his chest, their newborn baby boy sleeping peacefully in his mummy's arms.
Looking toward his brothers he knew they could tell that he didn't want to leave, even though he knew Niall, Liam and Zayn would be with Harry, he didn't want to leave his new family. Closing his eyes softly he felt a small kiss against his lips looking down smiling slightly as green eyes met his ocean ones. He knew Harry was safe, they were about to tell their fans that they had a family together. He didn't like the idea of being away from Harry even if he trusted his brothers. He knew Harry could see the turmoil going through his mind. His thoughts were broken by his husband's voice.
"We're safe baby I promise you." Harry said, softly seeing the turmoil his husband was going through.
"I know but that doesn't mean the thoughts won't go away." Louis said, softly seeing his brothers make their way to Harry's side. "I trust you it's just ... I don't know how to explain it." he said, honestly.
"Freddie is only a few hours old, we completely understand." Liam said, softly resting against Zayn as he saw his husband nod his head in agreement. "Soundcheck one song and then we can leave the band to figure out the rest with old footage of you singing."
"Never thought of that." Louis said, honestly feeling the feather light kiss against his forehead not hearing Michael, Steve & Issac come backstage. ""The fans know bringing Back To You back into the setlist means something already." he admitted knowing that they'd all checked their X feeds. Thinking about his mum and sister he knew they'd be amazing with his little one. Without realising it, he felt tears in his eyes and a heavy weight in his arms. Looking down he smiled softly seeing his sleeping baby boy.
"Your mum and Fiz would have been right here." Harry said, softly knowing exactly where his husband's mind had gone. As much as his mum had taken on that role in Louis' life; he knew there were times when missing Jay overwhelmed him. This side of the grief was never shown to the fans, even though every year without fail they made sure to remind fans not to tag the family in posts when anniversaries arrived. "He's been listening to your music since we found out I was pregnant, he's asleep. Why don't you try soundchecking with him in your arms. That's what mic stands are for."
"When we have a girl we can honour them with their names." Louis whispered, not taking his eyes off Freddie noticing the rest of his band for the first time, feeling Harry’s finger tip wiping away the tears. “Can we do that?” he asked, looking toward Steve, Michael & Issac. “If we alter the sound of everything?”
"We can do it. Which song do you want to soundcheck?" Steve asked, he had known the minute they'd been told Harry was having a baby that Louis would have issues leaving his family. "What about when show time comes instead of announcing the birth just bring them onstage?"
"Back To You would be a good one to soundcheck." Louis said, softly looking from Steve to his husband. "What do you think Haz? Are you okay with coming onstage?" he asked knowing that this was a huge step forward for them. "We don't have to listen to anyone anymore."
"I think that can be arranged." Harry said, softly seeing the tension leave his husband's body. "We've always followed the rules despite the lyric changes we've never just done what we want. We can ask them to help us keep our privacy." he suggested watching their newborn son sleeping peacefully. "I can feed him before you go onstage, perhaps just before 7."
"I like the way you think." Louis said, softly looking toward the stage as he heard a noise. "Let's get out there and we can see how he handles the noise, if he's anything like me he'll sleep through it." he chuckled standing up holding Freddie close.
I know you say you know me, know me well
But these days I don't even know myself, no
I always thought I'd be with someone else
I thought I would own the way I felt, yeah
I call you but you never even answer
I tell myself I'm done with wicked games
But then I get so numb with all the laughter
That I forget about the pain
Whoa, you stress me out, you kill me
You drag me down, you fuck me up
We're on the ground, we're screaming
I don't know how to make it stop
I love him, I hate it, and I can't take it
But I keep on coming back to you
Harry felt the tears in his eyes as he listened to his husband sing his second single for the first time since its release, he knew the fans were going to have a meltdown when they first heard these lyric changes, only their Directioners would understand them completely. Though that would never stop them from trying to make sure their fans were let into their lives together in the only way they knew how much their support was seen, not just their musical support but the support they had continued to give them for 15 years now. Watching his husband sing the new version of one of his most successful songs (despite Simon not letting it be on an album) whilst holding their newborn made him emotional. Seeing Louis smile at him, he knew they were going to be the talking point of X again but for the first time he couldn't find it in him to care.
I know my friends they give me bad advice
Like move on, get you out my mind
But don't you think I haven't even tried?
You got me cornered and my hands are tied
You got me so addicted to the drama
I tell myself I'm done with wicked games
But then I get so numb with all the laughter
That I forget about the pain
Whoa, you stress me out, you kill me
You drag me down, you fuck me up
We're on the ground, we're screaming
I don't know how to make it stop
I love him, I hate it, and I can't take it
But I keep on coming back to you (back to you)
Oh, no, no, I just keep on coming back to you (back to you)
Oh, no, no, I just keep on coming back to you
And I guess you'll never know
All the bullshit that you put me through
And I guess you'll never know, know
Yeah, so you can cut me up and kiss me harder
You can be the pill to ease the pain
'Cause I know I'm addicted to your drama
Baby, here we go again
Whoa, you stress me out, you kill me
You drag me down, you fuck me up
We're on the ground, we're screaming
I don't know how to make it stop
I love him, I hate it, and I can't take it
But I keep on coming back to you (back to you)
Oh, no, no, I just keep on coming back to you (back to you)
Oh, no, no, I just keep on coming back to you
Back to you
I just keep on coming back to YOU
Louis had seen the tears in Harry's eyes when he heard the changes they had made to the song, these were the original lyrics, the ones he wanted to release to the world when the song was first released all those years ago. Turning toward Issac he saw the small nod letting him know he was free to go, they could use previous footage of him singing to go through the rest of the soundcheck. Making his way toward his husband's side he gently lay their still sleeping baby into his mummy's arms, if their little one could stay asleep during this song then this was the song he would bring him out on. Trailing his hand gently down Harry's side he felt just how swollen his chest was.
Tilting his head to one side he looked into Harry's green eyes seeing just how uncomfortable he was, that made his decision to only do one song himself final. Wrapping his arm around his husband he led them away from the front of the stage looking behind him as he watched their brothers follow behind them. Once they were safely backstage he gently pulled Harry into the seat next to him seeing the relief on his face.
"Why didn't you tell me you were in pain? We could have stopped." Louis asked his husband helping him out of his shirt seeing the relief on Harry's face as Freddie latched on to feed.
"I was too busy hearing you change the words of Back To You back to their original lyrics." Harry admitted quietly feeling his cheeks heat up. "I know you've been doing it on stage for a while now our fans have reposted it at every chance they can get. But they don't know they're the original lyrics."
"We're going to be breaking a lot of rules today, but I wouldn't change our decision. Back then we were just kids, we thought they had our best interests at heart." Louis whispered resting his hand against his husband's cheek looking toward Liam and Zayn. "Might as well make it all of us if you're wanting to." he suggested feeling Harry lean into his touch. "No one stopped us changing lyrics back then, now we have our own labels."
"I wouldn't mind being officially known as Liam Malik." Liam admitted quietly rubbing his nauseous belly. "Especially with this one on the way." he added looking up at his husband showing him that he had his wedding ring back on. "We're adults. I can talk to Dad to see if he can find anything to make sure there are no consequences."
"Then that's what we'll do." Zayn reassured his husband looking between him and his brothers coming to a realisation. "I'm the one who left, but you didn't break up." he said, quietly his brain running a million miles an hour holding Liam close. "You didn't call it a break, you called it a hiatus as it stands technically you're still together."
"Well shit." Louis realised that Zayn was right. "Simon likely expected us to split right then and there but we'd already talked before he forced you out. That's our loophole to speak out." he finished barely a whisper as he looked at his newborn baby boy eating. "Just like me in the food department."
"And he thought he had every basis covered." Niall said, softly seeing just how hopeful this news had made them. He hated having to keep everything inside, they all did. Even now they had to sneak around just to support Louis as they had for the last 7 years. "Do they really think we aren't in contact?"
Harry watched the conversation going on around him, completely in awe that his brothers would go to such lengths just to make sure they were able to explain everything to their fans. His stupid hormones were all over the place as he felt tears in his eyes. Ever since he was 16 years old all he had wanted was to be able to tell the world that he had found his soulmate, he watched the fans even to this day supporting them despite the non believers always giving them a hard time.
He was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't realised that all eyes were on him, likely waiting for him to say something. Biting his lip to stop the tears, he felt Louis' fingers slowly wiping away the tears that had already fallen. Glancing down at Freddie he smiled softly resting him against his shoulder rubbing his back gently. Once he'd managed to regain some of his composure he looked between his husband and brothers giving a small nod.
"Zayn's right, we called it a hiatus, we never officially broke up, there was always a time we were going to get back together." Harry said, quietly hearing the small burp coming from Freddie as he tried to find the right words. "We all know that at the end it was because we were exhausted, what if we created our own label and did just that?" he suggested softly, closing his eyes for a minute. "All I want is for us to be able to have some semblance of being able to tell our fans the truth without losing our privacy.
"I created a label template in 2018, I never got the chance to fully set it up." Louis said, quietly knowing that Harry knew of it. "If we link together there then no one will figure anything out until we are ready."
"I think that sounds like a perfect idea." Harry agreed knowing that they were going to blow up the internet especially amongst their fans. "We already have songs that didn't get released." he thought out loud seeing the nod of agreement. "And whilst we work together we can continue to travel together. Unless we choose to let them know then we can keep some of it quiet for now. I'm officially on a break." he announced resting against his husband knowing that soon he would be in his element on stage again.
"Agreed." Louis said, softly holding his husband close. He knew how much Liam had been wanting the band to reform. "If we want the fans to know we have to do it through burner pages." he said quietly running his hand through Freddie's soft hair.
"Let's do it." Liam said happily hearing a noise from the stage knowing that the band were packing up for a while. "We're going to need to get our things." he said, quietly leaning against Zayn.
"We can get someone to collect them." Zayn said, softly knowing how much his husband had wanted this. "We are family no one is going to try and take us away from each other again." he promised holding Liam close to him checking the time. "Not long to go now."
Louis smiled softly checking the time, so much had happened in such a short space of time he'd forgotten that there was already a queue of fans lining up outside as usual. Their fans had never let them down, never once asked for anything they'd simply seen the truth behind the masks. Tonight was for them, to finally open up and let their fans into everything. For the first time in 8 years they were planning a comeback that would shock the world.
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Accor Arena 9:20pm
Minutes before showtime he was back to being anxious, he could hear the fans chanting his name, singing No Control as they usually did before shows. Taking a deep breath, he tried to push away the nerves, glancing toward Harry he knew that he was close to a full blown anxiety attack. Before he could say anything he felt Harry's free hand in his giving him something to focus on, with his husband's and his newborn son in his line of sight he felt his heart rate getting slower and his breathing started to return to normal. He'd seen Harry go through anxiety attacks before and had been the one to help, it was a very different experience going through it himself.
As the cheering from the fans grew louder, Harry continued to give him something to focus on keeping Freddie in his eyesight until he was ready. Feeling all eyes on him, he felt his cheeks heating up, never having shown anyone but his husband his vulnerable side. With his heart back to normal he smiled softly, letting Harry know he was okay, They were together, they were going to be joining forces again and he couldn't be any happier than he was in this moment. He had his brothers by his side once more.
"Let's do this." Louis said softly.
"Are you okay now?" Harry asked, his voice filled with concern. The last big anxiety attack his husband had had was after his mum and sister passed away.
"Mm I promise I am." Louis reassured his husband looking toward Steve. "My speech is set just before Bigger Than Me Harry can bring Freddie out and then we can explain everything." he said quietly looking between his band and Harry. "Is that okay with you?"
"I think that's the perfect idea baby, the fans have a strong bond with the song already." Harry agreed. "They're going to riot if you don't go out there. Always late." he chuckled.
"I love you." Louis whispered before getting into the zone.
"Love you too." Harry said softly moving closer to the stage so he could be seen by Louis until it was time to go onstage.
Louis held back just a little until the band were in place, the cheers from the fans getting louder as they realised the show was about to start. Taking his mic from a member of the crew he bounced out on stage blown away by the cheers. For 13 years they had been by his side and this was the moment that he tried to give them a piece of their privacy because they fought for them on a daily basis. Singing The Greatest had always been for the fans, the live show was the perfect setting. This song was his thank you back to the fans. He was so lost in the atmosphere any nerves he had before the show started to fall away. By the end of the song he knew that life on the road with his family was going to be an adventure.
Hearing the fans singing every word back to him never failed to make him proud. Every time he released an album or a single by the time the live shows came around they always knew the words off by heart. This had been the case ever since the band. Midway through Kill My Mind he always got emotional seeing the fan projects, he still remembered the San Sairo fan project during their DVD taping in Milan. Ever since then their fans had been determined to bring a piece of them to every show. Glancing to his left he saw Harry getting ready to bring Freddie onstage. Looking back out to their fans he let them finish the song trying to get his emotions under control. As Steve and Issac let the song fade out the lights changed allowing him to be seen by their fans without needing to turn on the lights.
"Listen, last time we were in Paris I think we played to roughly around 2 and a half thousand people and look at this. I owe it all to you so thank you thank you thank you. Every time I feel nervous backstage I come out to you guys cheering me on and every single time my nerves disappear. Before we get to the next song I have a little announcement, actually when I say little it's huge." Louis revealed looking toward his husband again. "Now." he mouthed seeing the nod from his husband. From his position onstage he could see every single fan was listening to him, he was going to break the world in a few minutes. "I want to introduce you to two people who are extremely special to me, one of them you've known a long time.” he finished before seeing Harry walk on stage with their newborn. He had been worried the cheers from the fans would wake their little one up but it seemed he had stunned them. Once Harry was by his side he set the mic back in its stand holding his arms out for Freddie. "I'd like to finally introduce you to Harry Tomlinson and this little peanut is our son Freddie, not even a day old and already being introduced to our fans.
He was so focused on his family he didn't hear the first round of cheering, looking from his sleeping newborn to the sea of fans he couldn't keep the smile off his face as the entire arena of fans accepted their news wholeheartedly. It was at this moment he realised just how lucky they were. With happy tears in his eyes he prepared for the next song, a song that had started off as needing them to see between the lines and now, it was the song that they looked for on the setlist the most. This next song is Bigger Than Me.
When somebody told me I would change
I used to hide behind a smile
When somebody told me I would change
I was afraid, I don't know why
'Cause so does the world outside, I've realised
I didn't read the signs
Walkin' different lines
I know I took a left
Tryna make it right
All of these voices, all of these choices
I don't hear them anymore
Hear them anymore
When somebody told me I would change
I used to hide behind a smile
When somebody told me I would change
I was afraid, I don't know why
'Cause so does the world outside, I've realised
And it's bigger than me
It's bigger than me
I've woken up from my sleep
It's bigger than me
It's bigger than me
So come on, call me "liar"
"Never." Louis heard the fans chanting back at him. Louis looked out to the crowd, the weight of his son in his arms as the fans sang their hearts out; just like during the soundcheck of Back To You. With happy tears in his eyes he knew that they were doing the right thing. Bringing the band back would only strengthen their bond, for the first time since 2016 he felt like they could give their fans something they would never be expecting.
Yeah, you're so quick to judge
'Cause, yeah, I mighta changed
But everybody does
All of those voices, all of those choices
I don't hear them anymore
Hear them anymore
When somebody told me I would change
I used to hide behind a smile
When somebody told me I would change
I was afraid, I don't know why
'Cause so does the world outside, I've realised
And it's bigger than me
It's bigger than me
I've woken up from my sleep
It's bigger than me
It's bigger than me
Do you ever ask why? It's not black and white
How you sleep at night when you're just like me
Ooh, 'cause I feel alive
Now I realise that the world outside
Is bigger than me
It's bigger than me
I've woken up from my sleep
It's bigger than me
It's bigger than me
As the song came to an end, for the first time in his career his sole focus wasn't on the fans in front of him but his family, the cheers from their fans bounced off the arena as they took in every small intimate moment that they hadn't been allowed to see before. Now that their fans knew their secret he knew they would go even further to protect them, he had been feeling their protection in these spaces for years now, but this time he could feel their unconditional support even without looking at them.
Lost in their own little bubble it wasn't until he heard Issac cough that he pulled his eyes away from Freddie nodding his head toward his friend letting them know that he had heard them. Taking a deep breath he gently handed Freddie back to his mummy, kissing Harry's forehead gently. "Get Ben to sneak the guys on my tour bus and come back for us. We've given them enough of a shock for one day." he said quietly leaning in to kiss his husband fully on the lips as their fans kept cheering.
Watching Harry leave the stage, Louis focused on completing the show, it was definitely one of the longest shows of his career. 22 songs had sounded like a good idea at the time of planning, however he had been expecting to have their son make a surprise arrival. His heart soared with pride as he thought about his son. By the time he reached Silver Tongues he was ready to be back with his family. His barricade runs had always been a talking point especially when he let fans hold him up, however he trusted his fans completely. Why wouldn't he let them hold him up, sharing in a moment of being close to him they'd earned it. Climbing the stairs back to the stage he heard the cannons go off officially ending the show.
"I love you all goodnight." Louis said softly before rushing off stage.
Tour Bus
It was only when they were all safely on his tour bus driving out of Paris that he realised just how much information they'd given their fans, however he couldn't find it in him to care. Looking around him, he saw Zayn and Liam beside them on the couch and Niall & Shawn playing on their guitars in one of the kitchenette areas. He couldn't keep the smile off his face, the adrenaline from the show was leaving him and he realised just how tired he was. With Freddie cuddled into his mummy he wrapped his arms around his family protectively.
"Looks like they made it. Look how far they've come my baby." he sang to Harry seeing the bright smile on his face.
"Always Lou." Harry sang back.
With his family surrounding him and his son sleeping on his mummy's chest Louis started to fall asleep, but not until he knew for certain that Harry was asleep first. As they travelled to Amsterdam he knew that life on the road was going to get hectic. But that's where he thrived. He had his family back together and they were going to take the world by storm. With Harry's head on his chest and his breathing evened out he felt his eyes flutter closed as he fell asleep. Life was good.