Remember When ↠ l.p.

Happy Tears

"You lot made her cry!" Louis declares, glaring at everyone else. "Didn't they, ahhh poor Izzy." He pats my back and I push him away. I'm still crying a little, but trying desperately to stop.

"Sorry, I'm just overwhelmed to see everyone, I guess. It's all happy tears." I assure them as I grab a tissue from the box on coffee table and blow my nose loudly. All the while Louis has stayed by my side and kept glaring at everyone else. I fix him with one of my own. "You're trying to ignore the fact that you're just as much the cause of this as the rest of them, possibly more so since I didn't expect to see you at all. How did you even get here? What time did you arrive? Did you bring the baby?" A torrent of questions bubble to my mind. "When did everyone plan all this? Who was behind it?" I glance from face to face before stopping on Liam, who is shifting where he's sat with a grin on his face.

"It was all Liam's idea. He said that he wanted to repay you in some way and he knew that all of us being here and Cailyn having a good birthday would be a good place to start." Louis speaks up for Liam. I start tearing up again as I stare at Liam who's grin softens into a caring smile. He slowly opens his arms and I scoot over into them. I honestly think his hugs are the best in the world. I know everyone rages about Horan hugs, or they used to, but Payne hugs aren't painful in the least and, in my opinion, heal the soul. I sink into his chest and we're both so close I swear I feel our heartbeats sync together. 

I pull back to kneel in front of him and take his face into my hands. "Thank you. You don't have to feel like repaying me, I did it all freely and because I care about you two," I throw a smile over to Tessie to include her in the moment. "I don't need anything back other than seeing you both happy and healthy. But thank you," I reiterate "thank you so much!" I pull him into another hug.

"Awwwwwww!" Several people (my mother and Louis included) coo at the two of us. Cailyn and the other girls on the couch are looking around, a little confused by all that's going on around them. I roll my eyes and pull away from Liam to sit next to him awkwardly as I take in the room.

Mother is sitting extremely close to dad, his arm around her waist and her head on his shoulder as they watch what they would probably classify as the young people.

Harry is slowly untangling himself from the little girls, trying to avoid their notice. It's obvious to everyone on the couch, but they let him think he's almost escaped before one will readjust and sit on him with more of her body. Cailyn has never met him officially, I think that Louis had her with him when he called or FaceTimed Harry a few times, but she's given herself the very personal task of sitting almost on top of his face.

Louis is still sitting by the coffee table, looking forlornly at Liam and I with the occasional glance over to Harry with a smirk forming instantly on his face. Which reminds me...

"Hey, I want answers! How did all of you get here, especially you two who must have caught a very early flight to get here on time! And where is your child?" I cross my arms and frown at Louis. Harry spits out a little laugh at the look on Louis's face.

"Look, we just came as a favor to Liam. It's not any big deal that we're here. We left yesterday and got a hotel so we wouldn't be very jet-lagged or have to leave at some ungodly hour of the morning. And my offspring is both here and is currently sleeping in one of the girls' old cribs or something that Liam found in your clutter room."

"I wish you wouldn't call it that." I continue to frown at him. "Well go off and get your 'offspring' because I want you to." He glowers at me but offers no resistance, getting up and leaving the room without a second glance. I turn to Harry. "Thank you both for coming out here, it truly does mean a lot to me. And I'm sure Cailyn and Tessie are glad to see it." I wink at them and the other girls. "They even have their own unique way of showing it! It's called the 'never-letting-you-go-or-escaping technic isn't it girls?"

"Yes!! The never-letting-go-or-escape technic!" They nod vigorously in agreement before collapsing in giggles all over Harry's body and incredibly long legs. Dad chuckles along with them. Liam reaches over and squeezes my hand.

"You're really happy, I mean I didn't mean to make you cry or anything..." he says quietly, so that no one else really hears what he's said.

"I am, I really am. It's the best surprise I've ever had I think." I squeeze his hand back. "And," I say at a louder volume "I'm sure Cailyn is having one of the best birthdays ever, that's what she said earlier at least, right?"

"Yup! The best birthday ever! Like ever ever," she climbs off of Harry's chest (where she's migrated down to) to run over and hug Liam around the neck, the only place that her arms can fully wrap around. "Thank you so so much!!"