Chapter Text
May 18 dawned bright and warm. Harry had only briefly noted that it wasn't going to rain on them before he'd closed the bathroom door and slid to the floor, his silk pajama pants bunching up around his ankles when his bum hit the ground. He banged his head back.
Why the hell had they decided to spend the night before their wedding apart?
He’d not slept a wink without Louis in the bed, just stared at the ceiling getting more and more anxious for no discernable reason other than his entire wedding being the next day. And now, with the most important day of his life actually here , he was more nervous than he’d been in months. His hands shook as he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Hey, babe, how are you doing?” Louis said, his voice soft.
Harry loved him so much. He felt like he could breathe for the first time in twelve hours. “Not gonna lie, Lou. I’m shitting it here. Why did we decide to spend the night apart? I didn’t sleep at all.” He hiccupped. “How do you sound so calm?”
A rustling from Louis’ end of the line told Harry he was still in bed. Harry pictured him sitting up on the futon in Jay’s family room, sleep rumpled and cozy. “Oh, H. I’m sorry, baby. I thought you wanted to do the traditional thing? No one would have cared if we’d both stayed at home.” Louis’ gentle tone made him weak.
Harry sighed, trying to keep the whine out of his own voice. “No. I wanted to be old-fashioned; it sounded romantic. It’s my own fault. Oh, Lou.” His voice wavered. “We’ve come this far. It’s okay, but I slept in my old bedroom, not our room downstairs and it was awful. I couldn't get comfortable without you.”
“We’ve never been traditional, babe. It’s okay.” Louis sighed on the other end of the line. “Want me to come over now?” he whispered, and it felt like he was right there, on the other side of the door.
Harry knew he was being stupid. They were getting married in eight hours. He’d wanted this for the last six years. They’d be spending the rest of their lives together starting this afternoon. “I kind of do, if I’m honest. But I don’t want anyone to know. How stealth can you be? Can you come to the back door?” He felt the eye roll from Louis even though he couldn’t see it.
“H, honey. Your mom and Gemma are already awake, yes?”
He rolled his neck and pouted even though Lou couldn’t see him.
How could Louis be so logical on such an important day?
“Yes.” He smacked his own cheek. “They are.”
“Do you think they aren’t going to know that I’m creeping up to the back door, especially if they see Liam’s car in the street?” He could hear the fond in Lou’s voice. He was making fun of him. He’d known he’d regret not letting Louis take the car, considering the limo was going to be driving the bridal party out to Grimshaw’s.
He continued to pout even though Louis couldn’t see him. “Be discreet,” he said. “I know you can do it.”
A pause. “Always, my love. I’ll be there in half an hour.” And then he was gone.
Harry slid the end call button and tried to keep breathing.
Twenty minutes later, Gemma called through the door to him. “H? Your husband is at the back door. Do you want me to let him in or should I shoo him back from whence he came?”
Harry scrambled up onto his feet, wiping at his eyes and brushing the dust off his bum. He hadn’t anticipated Louis being so fast. But of course, he would be. Splashing his face with cold water, Harry shook his curls out and opened the door, facing Gemma for the first time since she woke him up.
She stood with her hands on her hips, but her face was soft. “You know, all you needed to do was tell us you needed him, and one of us would have gone to get him. It wasn’t at all necessary to go to this extreme of having him ninja up to the back door with Liam as his getaway car.”
Harry dropped his chin to his chest. “I know. And I’m sorry. I really don’t know what’s come over me. After everything that’s happened this past year, marrying my best friend shouldn’t be the thing that throws me over the edge.”
Gemma considered this. “You know what? We can’t always control the things that throw us over the edge, but have you considered that this might not be nerves? I know you want to marry Louis. You can’t possibly be nervous about the marriage part. Maybe it’s excitement? Sometimes nerves and excitement can look and feel the same.”
The sound of Louis’ voice rose from down the stairs. “Hey, Anne,” he said. “Miss me much?” The sharp staccato of his laugh filled Harry with inexplicable joy.
His mother’s laugh was contagious from the kitchen, and he imagined her hugging Louis as she said, “Lou, darling, I’ll have you know I didn’t see the sense in the two of you being separated last night, but you can’t argue with my son sometimes.”
Harry rolled his eyes at Gemma. “If everyone thought this was a bad idea, why didn’t anyone say anything?”
Gemma shrugged. “You were pretty adamant, silly.” She grabbed his hand. “Now let’s go down and have a coffee with your intended before things get any more emotional. This is supposed to be a happy day.”
The two of them tromped down the stairs together. “Lou?” Harry called rounding the banister into the kitchen before throwing himself into Louis’ arms. He tucked himself into his fiancé’s neck and felt his arms close around his waist.
“Hey babe. You smell amazing.” Louis pulled him in tight.
“Oh shit.” Harry sniffled. “There go the first look pictures. You were supposed to see me for the first time today at my most beautiful.”
Louis scoffed. “You’ve never been more beautiful, H,” he assured him.
His mother laughed. “Didn’t do those in my day anyway,” she said, patting Harry’s back. “You can still have something of a first look after you’re dressed, honey.”
“No worries,” Gemma said from behind him. “Just snapped a few candids of your blotchy face.” She held up her phone and shook it.
Anne swatted her. “Don’t make fun, Gem.” She turned to the boys. “You two go into the living room and sit. I’ll bring coffee. Let’s just sit and relax for a few minutes before the day gets away from us.”
Sitting on the sofa, Harry sat with one leg tucked under the other and leaned into Louis’ side. “I’m sorry. I feel like a tit making you come over here. Your mother probably had a whole plan for this morning with all of you kids together. I know mine did.”
Louis shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Plans change. Maybe we should all go over there and just make this more of a family affair.”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Harry said, smacking his own forehead. “That’s what this should be.” He snuggled into Louis’ space again. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that?” he moaned.
“Harry, love, it’s fine. Everything is fine. You’re going to look amazing. And I’ll look amazing, too, as soon as I’m dressed.” He chuckled.
Harry pulled back and looked down. “Lou!” he exclaimed. “Oh my God. You’re not even dressed? Did you come over here in your pajamas?” He made a squawking noise even he didn’t recognize. “You can’t get married in pajamas!”
“Well, duh, babe.” Louis groaned. “You called me panicking. I wasn’t going to stop and put my suit on - you’re lucky I threw on joggers. I had Liam get me to you as fast as possible. Besides, you can’t either - let’s take everything over to Mom’s and we’ll all get dressed there.”
“Oh my god. Liam? Where is he?” Harry couldn’t believe how stupid he was being. “Mom!” he called. “Gemma! Liam is outside in the car, can you run and get him? Bring him in and give him coffee while he waits for us!”
“Already on it,” Gemma called from the hallway.
Louis laughed and pulled Harry to his chest again holding him and scratching his scalp until he relaxed. “Babe. We’re good. It’s all good.”
Harry sniffled again but he was already feeling better. “I’m an idiot. Really. I’m so sorry.”
Louis kissed the side of his head as he continued to massage his head. “Here’s what we’re going to do, babe. Gemma and Anne are going to get dressed. They are going to pack up their makeup and hair products, and then we are all going to go over to Chez Tomlinson where we are going to have brunch as a whole family. We’ll redirect the photographer and the limousines. And we will all leave from there to the venue. No more of this being separated – not on purpose anyway.”
Harry nodded but stayed with his nose against Louis’ chest allowing himself to be held and petted. “Mmmmm.”
A few minutes later, Liam tiptoed into the room. “You all okay? Are we having a case of cold feet?”
“No, man. Just a case of nerves. He didn't sleep well last night,” Louis whispered. “H, honey? You awake? Let’s go get married, what do you say?”
Harry didn’t want to move, but he rolled his neck. “I’m sorry I’m so much work. I’m okay,” he said, pulling out of Louis’ arms. He looked up. “Thanks, Liam for bringing him over.” He looked beyond Liam at his mother and sister nervously hovering behind in the doorway and he took a deep breath. “Mom? Gemma? Can you both grab your stuff? We’re all going to head over to Jay’s house and get ready as a group. A family. Should have done that from the beginning. Not sure why I thought being separated was a good idea.”
Anne clapped her hands. “That’s a brilliant idea. Gemma? Let’s get our stuff.” She turned to Liam. “Can you fit all of us in your car, dear?”
With an affirmative from Liam, the two women sprinted upstairs.
“Hazza?” Louis said, putting a finger under Harry’s chin and making him make eye contact. “What do you need from your room?”
“Oh.” Harry shivered. “Right. I need my stuff too,” he said. “C’mon, Lou. Come and help me. I have most of it pulled together but I need to make sure I don’t forget anything.”
Liam sighed. “Don’t mind me, I’ll just sit here and wait,” he huffed, and threw himself into the nearest armchair.
Breakfast at the Tomlinson house was in full swing by the time they got there. Jay met them at the door with hugs, pointing them to the dining room where coffee and danishes were spread out, the littles running around, clearly having had too much sugar already. The twins and both older girls were all half-dressed, and the whole place smelled like a mixture of cinnamon, coffee, and hair spray. Harry thought it smelled like heaven.
Anne and Gemma had both dressed at home, but not having done makeup or hair immediately, joined the fray. Jay pulled Harry into her arms as he stepped into the hallway. “Harry, honey, I’ve left my bedroom empty. I want you to take a coffee and some breakfast and go up there anytime you need quiet or peace. If you want to stay in the chaos, that’s fine, too. But that space is designated just for you until we’re ready to leave.”
Harry sniffed into her embrace, balancing the garment bag with his suit over his arm. “Thank you, Jay. I’m so grateful for you all. I can’t wait to be a part of this family.”
“Oh love,” she said, patting his cheek. “You’ve been a part of this family for seven years. We’re just making it official.”
After waving greetings to everyone, Harry slowly made his way upstairs and into Jay’s and Mark’s room. She’d obviously tidied up and made the bed with him in mind - she’d even left the dresser clear for him to place his toiletry kit. He plunked everything down and took a breath, rolling his neck to relax.
A few minutes later, he’d zipped up the side of his trousers, loving the way they felt on his thighs. He was just slipping on the flowing blouse, when the door opened.
“You feeling better?” Louis said, sliding into the room and closing the door, leaning back against it.
“Lou!” Harry squawked. “The first look pictures!”
“Oh babe, I’m sorry. I honestly thought we’d foregone those.” He covered his eyes. “I just wanted to be sure you were okay.”
Harry stepped close, pulling Louis’ arm off his face and around his waist. “This is so much better,” he said. “I don’t feel as jumpy knowing the whole family is together. And I don’t really care about the first look pictures. Don’t need to be sorry.”
“I’m so glad.” Lou rubbed up and down his back. “Now back up and let me really look at you.”
Harry nuzzled into his neck. “I love you.”
***
At eleven o’clock the photographer showed up and there were no remnants of anxiety, tears or stress. Everyone was dressed and ready to pose for pictures, and the adults all sipped on mimosas. Instead of first look pictures, they got a few candids of Harry and Louis in casual poses in the kitchen and backyard.
As they stepped back into the kitchen from the deck, Louis pulled on Harry’s hand to hold him back. “Babe,” he said, gently. “I saw you eat a danish when we first got here, but I’ve also seen you drink a couple of those dangerous mimosas Gemma made. I’d love to see you eat a banana and a piece of toast, so you actually remember the ceremony this afternoon. We’re not eating until five o’clock.”
Harry giggled, covering his mouth and glancing to be sure no one was looking. He leaned in and kissed Louis. “I love it when you take care of me.”
Louis smirked. “I trust you’re feeling better than you were this morning, then. Those mimosas help? Who knew all you needed was a little champagne.”
“And orange juice. Don't forget the orange juice, Lou.”
“Okay, love. I won’t. But banana and toast, okay? Please? For me?” He pushed him through the slider into the kitchen.
“Limo is here!” Doris rushed into the kitchen yelling at the top of her voice but not failing to swish her dress while she ran. “Limo is here! Lou! Harry! The limo is here!”
Louis clapped his hands together before he leaned down, caught her around the waist and lifted her in the air. “That is so exciting! Dorrie, thank you so much for telling us.”
The photographer quietly continued to shoot candids and Harry had to wipe a tear because he knew the one of Louis and his youngest sister squealing about the limo was going to be a family favorite.
He squeezed past them – giving Dorrie a little pat on the back as he did – over to the kitchen and dropped the half glass of mimosa into the sink before grabbing a banana. There was surely going to be more alcohol this afternoon and he knew Louis was right, he needed to pace himself. At the moment, though, he couldn’t comprehend how he’d felt anything other than joyful this morning.
Niall had offered to be the contact person for the family at the venue, so he’d gone on ahead to Grimshaw’s. Just before two o’clock, Harry and Louis piled into the limo with the littles. Liam followed behind, driving the family SUV with everyone else stuffed into every available seat.
Harry shifted in his seat, poking Dorrie’s toe with his. “Are you excited to be a flower girl, my lovely?”
She nodded her head as she gripped the bouquet in her hand. The rest of the flowers were in back of the SUV, but Dorrie had refused to let go of hers. Harry looked over her head and caught Louis’ eyes on him. He pursed his lips and blew a kiss.
The wheels crunched on the gravel road as they pulled off the city street into the driveway for Grimshaw’s. The parking lot for the restaurant looked half full from Harry’s angle, but the one for the event barn only had a few. The limo pulled up right in front.
Harry watched as Lou took a deep breath. “Well, babe? You ready for this?”
He nodded. “I know I wasn’t meant to be here yet in the original plan, but I’m glad we are arriving together. Do you want to go in?” He tilted his head. “I think I could be okay on my own for a few minutes, if you want some time to collect your thoughts.”
Louis shook his head. “I don’t want to leave your side for a second. Why don’t we greet our guests together as they arrive.” He gazed down at Dorrie and Ernest, both doing their best to keep still. “What do you say, my friends? Should we all go out there and greet people as they arrive?”
They all hopped out of the car and gathered with the rest of the family. Jay popped her trunk open and handed out all the flowers to the girls and Harry. “They are so perfect,” he whispered as he took the bouquet of yellow tulips.
As their guests began to arrive, Harry stood in the sunshine with the love of his life at his side and greeted them all one by one. There was Dr. Carlson and his wife, Sarah. Dr. Burke and her spouse. Several of Harry’s favorite students and a few members of the community he’d befriended. Louis’ boss Tom came up from New York with their new best friend Jonathan Groff.
Harry knew it was a bit unorthodox to do things this way, and even though he’d never have suggested this during the planning, it felt right to greet everyone celebrating with them - to do it their way, not dictated by tradition.
“Well this is quite out of the box,” Lewis said, skipping up the few steps to the doors of the event center with Patty Warfield behind him. He held out his hand to shake Louis’. “Congratulations. Wait.” He stood back and appraised the two of them. “Are you already married?”
Harry laughed, giving Patty a quick hug. “No. We just decided it didn’t feel right to be separated even if it was just for a few hours.” He shrugged and shooed them both into the building.
The sun shone down amidst fluffy white clouds as the last of the guests were ushered inside. Harry stood next to Lou and straightened his boutonniere. “You look very dashing, Mr. Tomlinson. I wonder if you’d like to marry me today,” he said.
“I think I would quite like that, yes.” Louis took Harry’s hand. “Well, how do you want to do this next part? Want to walk down together? Do you still want your mom to walk you down?”
The event coordinator strode out to meet them. “Your guests seem to all be in place. The family is ready and waiting. I know you had a bit of a change of plans this morning. Louis, are you still planning on being at the front near the minister?”
Harry pulled on Louis’ elbow. “Lou, listen. Why don’t you have your parents walk you down the aisle? Then you’ll be up there, and I’ll still walk down with Mom and Gemma.”
“Oh that’s good, babe,” Lou said, turning to the event planner. “Can we do that?”
She smiled. “You can do whatever you want. It’s your wedding, but we do need to get this show on the road if we are going to keep to the schedule.” She tapped on her watch and spun back around. “Okay, family? Gather around, we’ve got a slight change.”
Ten minutes later, procession music playing, Lottie and Fizzy were escorted down the aisle by Liam and Niall, followed by Daisy and Phoebe, both with big smiles on their faces. Then Louis and both his parents. Ernie wasn’t convinced but he noticed the little boy’s apprehension, Harry crouched down to his level.
“Ern. what if you walk down with Dorrie?” He turned to look at the little girl. “Dor, do you mind if Ernie walks with you?”
She tilted her head as if to consider it before she nodded and held out her hand to her brother and silently turned to make their way toward Louis at the front of the hall.
“That was lovely, darling. You do have a way with those kids.” His mother put her hand on his arm. “Are you ready? All those butterflies from this morning gone?”
He pulled her into a hug. “They weren’t butterflies, mom. I don’t think I was really nervous. I think I just missed him. I don’t know why I insisted it had to be that way. But I’m glad we changed it.”
The event planner tapped his shoulder, and leaned in quietly. “Harry? It’s time.”
At that moment, everything else ceased to exist as his mother took his arm and spun him to face the aisle. From the far end of the room, Louis leaned forward and peered at him, flashing a thumbs up as the music changed to an instrumental version of Perfect by Ed Sheeran.
As he took his first step onto the white aisle runner, the music flowed over him, bringing him back to the first time he danced with Lou to this song in the high school gym. He gazed at the love of his life through the tears in his eyes, blind to anyone else in the room.
Lou smiled through his own tears as he shook his head with so much fondness from the front of the room. Harry laughed and ducked his head into his mother’s shoulder, almost tripping. “I love him so much, Mom,” he said. “I’m so happy.”
“I know honey,” she said, patting his arm. “I know.”
When they reached Lou, he held out his hands and pulled Harry into a quick hug and pecked his lips. “You okay?” he whispered.
“I’m great.” Harry squeezed him. “I love you.”
The minister cleared her throat and everyone laughed.
Harry turned around and kissed his mother. “Love you, Mom. Thank you.”
“I love you, too, honey,” she said, and then leaned beyond him to hug and kiss Louis as well. “And I love you , Lou.” Smiling over Louis’ shoulder at the seated Tomlinson family, she blew Jay a kiss and then retreated to her empty seat on the other side of the aisle.
“Well,” the minister said. “It’s lovely to have you all here.” She gestured to the crowd. “To celebrate the love of Harry and Louis.” She smiled at them and lowered her voice. “How’s your day been so far?”
They giggled and held onto each other, both nodding. “Good,” said Harry. “Really good.”
She smiled. “Excellent. Sounds like a great way to start the first day of your lives together. Though I know you’ve already shared a lot as a couple.”
Standing there in front of all their friends and family, Harry felt almost out of his body. He was so glad Louis held his hand because he thought he might float away if he let go. And it wasn’t because of the alcohol he’d drunk earlier. It was this moment. This man that he loved more than anything. Their families being tied together through them. Their future in this town. He squeezed Louis hand, hoping he was feeling the same.
The minister might have been talking, but he didn’t hear anything until she said, “Are there rings?”
Ernie stood forward, stumbling a bit before Liam caught his arm and gave him a little prod to stand next to Louis. He held up the little pillow.
“Ernie. You did so good, brother. Thank you,” Louis said, bending down and giving the boy a small kiss on the forehead. He took both rings and handed one to Harry.
The minister grinned. “And I understand you have some vows you’d like to share?”
Louis cleared his throat and Harry turned to face him. “H. Harry. My love. I have loved you since we were seventeen,” he said, with a grin. “I knew so very early in our relationship that I never wanted to let go of you. It took me too long to get my head out of my ass…” He turned to look at the minister. “Oops, sorry.”
She gestured for him to continue, with a roll of an eye.
He turned back to Harry. “Once I finally woke up, I vowed that I was never going to not have you by my side. Being separated during college was hard. But we never let it change who we were together. It was hard work. Traveling to see each other. Making sure we talked even if we were tired. Doing the work to keep our relationship a priority. And then this year. Being able to live together and wake up next to you every morning has been the culmination of a dream. Well, actually today is that culmination. Because I have dreamed of marrying you since that very first dance. Remember? At Homecoming?”
Harry nodded through his tears. “I remember.”
“And now here we are. I promise to be the best possible partner for you, for as long as I can. Always and forever.” He leaned in. “I can’t wait for the rest of our lives.” He slid a ring onto Harry’s finger on top of his silver engagement ring and then looked up at the minister expectantly, letting her know he was finished.
“Harry? Would you like to say something?”
Harry took a big breath, stealing his nerves. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to compete with that, but I’ll try.” The room tittered as he turned back to face Louis.
“Lou.” He took a breath, and Louis tenderly brushed a tear off his cheek. “I loved you before I even knew you,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Seriously. The crush I had on you from afar was ridiculous and I never actually thought I’d ever get to even talk to you, let alone date you. Let alone marry you.” Harry squeezed Louis’ hands. “You’ve been the best thing that ever happened to me. You’re my best friend. My confidante. My support system. My dragon slayer. You get me out of my head when I’m spiraling. You help me in ways you don’t even realize. I promise to do my best to be the same for you. Always and forever. And I can’t wait for the rest of our lives either.” He lowered his voice and leaned in so only Louis could hear. “Starting with tonight.” He slid Louis' ring onto his finger.
Louis laughed, sniffling a bit. “You dork.”
The minister smiled. Harry wasn’t sure if she’d heard that last bit, but it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t take it back even if she had.
“It is now my honor to pronounce you husbands. You may share a kiss,” she said with a wink. “Honored guests, it is my pleasure to introduce the Misters Tomlinson-Styles.”
Smiling at the introduction, Harry dove into his husband’s embrace. He had a vague idea that their guests were whooping and cheering for them, but he didn’t pay it much attention as he relished the first kiss with his husband.
Louis broke the kiss first. “Hon,” he whispered, pulling back before leaning into rest their foreheads together. “Babe. We’re married.”
“I know.” Harry swooned in his arms. “I love you,” he said.
“We’re supposed to walk back down the aisle now.” Lou gripped him around the waist as they laughed together. The opening notes of “You Should be Dancing” by the Bee Gees played over the loudspeaker. “C’mon.” He pulled his hand and started bopping down the aisle to the music. Harry laughed into Lou’s shoulder, and then looked back and beckoned to their friends and family. Liam lifted up Ernest and started to groove.
The whole venue was on their feet now, dancing badly with arms flailing to the disco song.
What you doing on your back?
Hey, hey, hey
What you doing on your back?
Hey
You should be dancing
Yeah
Dancing
Yeah
As they moved in a joyful parade to the reception venue, Harry leaned into Louis. “Shall we take a detour over to the shed behind the restaurant for a bit of light petting, my lovely husband?” He giggled.
There was nothing he loved more than revisiting that very first (not their first) kiss location.
Louis kissed him. “We need to wait until after dark for that, babe. But let’s do that before we leave here tonight. Let’s make it a tradition.” He smiled and kissed him again. “I love making out in the dark behind that shed.”
Harry felt drunk even though it had been hours since that last mimosa. “Okay, Mr. Tomlinson-Styles. I’m going to hold you to that,” he said, as they swooped into the reception hall, leading every single person in the world they cared about into a raucous celebration of their new lives as husbands.
Home at last.
/end