Archive of Our Own

Louis would like to file a formal complaint against the sun, specifically for being five months pregnant in the middle of summer during an active heat advisory. It felt as if Mother Nature was personally targeting him. 

Normally, he loved summer. He loved the long days, the warmth of the sun on his skin, and the ability to spend hours at the beach with a good book and nowhere else he needed to be. In hindsight, he cursed himself for not thinking this through before getting pregnant. 

Not that the pregnancy was exactly planned. 

It had happened after spending his heat with Tyler, his sort-of ex. They had a friends-with-benefits more of a relationship than an actual romantic one. The alpha never even took him out on a proper date. Half the time, Tyler barely remembered to feed him or even care for him after his heat. It was as if any alpha instincts in him vanished the second Louis stopped smelling sweet and desperate. 

For a while, Louis grieved that his pup would have to grow up without a dad. The guilt ate at him more than he liked to admit. But between family and friends, the love already surrounding his baby made him know that his little one would never lack any care or love. 

Tyler’s loss. 

The first trimester had been hell. Louis had been constantly nauseous and had hardly any appetite. On top of that, he’d developed a slight bit of touch deprivation. Aldana, his alpha best friend, helped however much she could, but it still wasn’t the same. She wasn’t his alpha, and his inner omega knew that. 

Cheesy as it sounded, Louis believed in soulmates. He believed his alpha existed out there somewhere. They just hadn’t found each other just yet. He wasn’t losing hope. 

Until then, he was content with it being just him and his pup. 

His plan for the day had been perfect. Stay inside, keep the thermostat at a cool 68 degrees, and do a little (a lot) of online shopping while his favorite show plays in the background. It was the Saturday of his dreams. 

Unfortunately, life does not care about a pregnant omega's carefully thought-out plans. 

Koda, his precious little German Shepherd, was completely out of dog food. And Louis could never let his girl go hungry. A look in the pantry and fridge only made things worse. He was low on everything. His favorite snacks, fruits, and vegetables, all the essentials needed to feed both himself and the precious little bundle of joy currently using his bladder as a trampoline. 

With a dramatic sigh and the resignation of an omega wronged by the universe, Louis left the safety of his perfectly cooled sanctuary. He stepped out into the scalding ninety-degree heat. Even blasting the air conditioning in his car barely helped. 

Still, he drove to the one place that, for reasons he will never understand, everyone and their grandmother decided to visit on a Saturday. 

Costco. 

☼  

Louis had made it to Costco in no time. His relief lasted all of three seconds, though. 

The parking lot was completely packed. He groaned and drove around slowly, trying to find a spot. It felt like he had been circling for hours, but really it had only been about five minutes. Finally, he spotted a car pulling out. He turned on his blinker and waited as patiently as he could as the driver pulled out. Just as he was about to pull in, an inconsiderate ass swopped right in from the opposite direction and stole the spot right from under him. 

He cursed under his breath, glaring at the back of the car. For a brief moment, he considered saying something, but quickly decided against it. He had no idea what kind of crazy that driver could pull, and the last thing he needed was a confrontation in the middle of a Costco parking lot while five months pregnant and overheating. For now, he chose to be the bigger person and drove off to find another spot. 

He may or may not have flipped the driver as he passed, but that remained between him and his car air freshener. 

A minute later, he found an even better space, much closer to the entrance. He parked with a sigh of relief, grateful he would not have to walk too far. His feet had already started swelling. 

The plan was to be in and out. Just a quick trip and making sure to hit all the free sample tables. Free food was free food. And on a teacher’s salary, he wasn’t going to pass that up. 

However,the moment he walked inside, Louis knew that the goal was already doomed. To say it was crowded would have been an understatement. The entrance felt like the barricade at a concert, bodies packed together and moving so slowly because people argued when it was found they were using someone else’s membership. 

“Excuse me,” Louis said as he finally made it past the entrance. He squeezed himself and his cart past another. “Sorry,” he added a second later. 

Honestly, if someone had handed him a dollar every time he apologized, he could probably afford the expensive stroller sitting in his online cart. 

Being on the shorter side had its advantages, though. Louis slipped through gaps between people and carts with surprising efficiency, one hand resting over his stomach as he carefully made his way around the chaos. 

Eventually, he reached the back of the store where the towering shelves of dog food were stacked. He scanned the rows until he found the brand he always bought for Koda. 

Now, he would  shout it from any rooftop that he was a fully independent omega that needed no alpha. Truly, he was. But as he reached for the forty-pound bag of dog food and attempted to lift it, he briefly reconsidered that stance. The bag barely budged. He frowned, and, not one to give up, he gripped the plastic more tightly and tugged it toward him with greater determination. He managed to drag it a few inches, but lifting it was another story entirely. 

He was convinced it had gotten heavier since he last bought it. There was simply no other explanation. 

Not one to give up, he adjusted his grip and tried again, bracing himself before attempting to hoist the bag, being mindful not to hurt his growing pup inside. 

“Excuse me. Do you need help with that?”

Louis was so focused on trying to lift the dog food that he had completely forgotten that other people existed. The sudden sound of the deep voice startled him, and he jumped slightly before looking up. 

Standing beside him was a tall, very tall alpha. He had short brown hair, bright green eyes, tattoos covering both his arms, and a mustache that would outdo Ron Swanson. He was wearing what looked like a mechanic’s uniform, the name Harry stitched neatly over the pocket. 

He decided he was not above accepting help from a handsome alpha.  

“Yes,” he let out a sigh of relief. “Please.”

Harry nodded, and Louis stepped aside to let the alpha get in front of where the bag lay. It was unfair how easily Harry lifted the heavy bag, as if it weighed absolutely nothing. 

Louis cradled his small bump. “I could usually lift it myself.”

“It’s okay,” Harry said easily. “A friend of mine is pregnant too, and she has some difficulty with things like this.”

Louis blinked, then placed a hand on his hip while the other was still on his bump. 

“Who said I was pregnant?”

Harry’s eyes widened as he placed the bag in Louis’ cart. He looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“I…” His eyes went toward Louis’ stomach, then jerked away again. “Oh, my god. Sorry. Sorry, that was incredibly inappropriate.”

Louis raised his brow. 

Harry only spiraled further. “I just assumed because…well, not–not assumed. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with not being pregnant. Or-or being pregnant. Both are great options.” Harry ran a hand through his hair, looking flustered. 

Louis bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing. The poor alpha continued on his ramble. 

“You also look great,” Harry added desperately. “Not that pregnant people don’t normally look great. They do. My friend looks great. Not that I’m attracted to her or anything. You also look great. In a uh normal way.”

“In a normal way?” Louis tilted his head. 

Harry looked moments away from passing out. “No, no, beautiful. I meant beautiful.”

Louis felt warmth creep up his cheeks that he was going to blame on the heat. He decided that Harry had suffered enough. “For the record,” he smoothed a hand over the curve of his stomach, “I am pregnant.”

“Thank God.” Harry’s shoulder relaxed.

Louis was finally able to let out the giggle he had been holding in, which in turn caused Harry to start laughing as well. “Thank you for the help, Harry,” Louis said in between giggles. 

Harry’s face turned to one of confusion. “Have we met before?” 

“Your name tag,” Louis pointed toward the stitched name on his uniform. 

The alpha glanced down, letting out a groan. “Right. Right. Sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Forgot I was in my uniform.” 

“A mechanic, right? Unless you are on your way to a Halloween party in the middle of July.”

Harry laughed. “Yes, a mechanic. If you ask my mom, it’s the best one in all of Michigan.” 

“Mothers know best,” Louis giggled. 

“They sure do,” Harry agreed, smiling. “I’m sure you and your alpha are excited for your little one.”

Five months ago, a comment like that would have shattered him. Now it mostly just stung. He just hoped Harry wasn’t one of those judgey people who looked down on him for being an unbonded pregnant omega. It was something he had to deal with daily, unfortunately. Yet no one batted an eye at the alpha who knocked up the omega. A backward society they lived in. 

“No alpha. Just me and this little guy,” Louis rubbed his hand up and down his bump. 

There was something that shifted in Harry’s expression. “My grandma was a single omega, and she did a hell of a good job with my dad.”

Louis let out a breath of relief. He was in no mood to have to sit here and defend himself. He would have, but he really wanted whatever sample was over the other aisle. 

“Thank you, Harry,” he smiled. “And thank you for helping me with that bag,” he pointed to the dog food sitting in his cart. “I swear they make these bags heavier and heavier.”

“It’s no problem, really,” Harry dismissed. “I already had to get some for my dog,” he pointed to another bag of food for small breeds. 

“What kind of dog do you have?” Louis asked. One thing about him is that he loved animals. If he could, he would have a whole zoo. Dogs, cats, rabbits, tigers, you name it.

 But for now, Koda was enough for him. 

“He’s a chihuahua,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, scrolled, then turned it around. “Nemo.” 

“Aww, like the fish,” Louis cooed as he looked at the tiny one-eyed dog lying on top of what he believed was Harry’s chest. 

“Exactly,” Harry laughed as he put his phone away. “He doesn’t like most people, but he loves me.”

“That’s the same with my Koda,” Louis beamed. “She’s a big giant baby who loves to cuddle.” 

“Maybe they could hang out,” Harry suggested. “Do you go to the dog park on Lake Orion Drive?” 

Louis stilled. Was Harry asking him out? In the middle of Costco? No, he couldn’t be. Harry was just offering to have their dogs meet, nothing else. What the hell would an alpha like him want to do with an omega that was pregnant with another alpha’s pup? His omega practically whined a yes. 

“Sometimes we do,” Louis answered carefully. “Although with this heat, we haven’t gone much.” He sighed. “Zero out of ten, do not recommend being pregnant in the summer.”

Harry laughed, shaking his head. “I have to hand it to you, omegas. You are a lot tougher than us alphas.” 

“We are the best, aren’t we?” 

Harry raised a brow. “That confident, huh?”

“Just factual,” Louis corrected with a small shrug.

“Documented evidence and everything?” Harry crossed his arms, bare biceps flexing slightly. 

Louis’ eyes flicked down for half a second, biting his lip.

Damn. He sure was fit. 

“Years and years of careful research.” Louis replied, dragging his eyes back up.“Peer reviewed and everything.”

“I’d love to see those studies.”

“Eh, you wouldn’t understand them,” Louis shot back. “Too advanced.”

Harry placed a hand over his chest. “You wound me.”

“You’ll survive,” Louis said easily. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” 

Louis gestured vaguely at him. “Still gathering data.”

“You’re brutal,” Harry laughed. 

“And yet you’re still here.” 

Harry smiled, his eyes lingering just long enough to make Louis’ stomach flip. “You’re kind of hard to walk away from.” 

Louis felt the heat rise to his cheeks instantly. To avoid making a complete fool of himself, he suddenly became very interested in a display of dog treats that absolutely did not need much of his attention. 

“Even though I don’t even know your name,” Harry added.

“Louis,” he replied as he looked back at Harry. “Louis Tomlinson,” he held out his hand. 

“Harry Styles,” Harry brought his much larger hand up and placed it over Louis’. The moment their hands touched, Louis felt his wolf waking up. It was truly nothing like he had ever felt before. It had him screaming for the alpha to claim him. Which, okay, that was not going to happen in Costco of all places. Besides, he wasn't looking to date right now. He needed to focus on his baby, then later, maybe 5 years from now, he would start dating. It was a solid plan. 

The way Harry was looking at him, his green eyes changing, was making him rethink it. Would Harry actually want to date him? 

His omega was screaming, yes, you idiot. 

Realizing they had been shaking hands for a lot longer than needed, Louis was just about to let go when something bumped into his backside. “What the hell?” he yelled as he fell forward into a strong chest, his arms wrapping around his bump, and another pair of arms wrapped around him. 

“For God’s sake, he’s pregnant,” Harry said to whoever must have bumped him. Louis turned his head to see an older omega, her expression filled with irritation as she attempted to maneuver her cart past them. 

“Then move your omega out of my way,” she snapped, turning her cart another way. 

Louis was just about to speak up, but Harry beat him to it. He could feel the anger in the alpha’s chest. 

“Are you out of your mind? You could have hurt him,” he shouted, not loud but loud enough for the omega and those nearby to hear. “A little decency wouldn’t kill you.” 

The omega didn’t seem to care and kept on walking, simply flipping him off as she disappeared into the crowd. 

Harry muttered something under his breath, then looked down at Louis, whose heart was still beating fast from the sudden impact. 

“Are you okay?” Harry asked. 

It took Louis a minute as he and his omega were comfortable being in Harry’s arms. He knew he needed to respond and step out, but he just needed another minute. Harry didn’t seem to mind the closeness and most likely realized that Louis needed a minute as well. 

Louis took a few deep breaths, and he was sure Harry was letting out some pheromones to calm him. A whiskey and ginger scent was surrounding him. He knew his own scent of jasmine and lavender was not pleasant right now. The alpha didn’t seem to mind, though. 

Reluctantly, Louis did have to step back as if he didn’t know what was going to happen. His omega hated it, but he had to, and whined at the loss. 

“Louis,” Harry said carefully. “Are you hurt?” 

He opened his eyes. He didn't realize he had closed and looked up at Harry. “No–no, I’m okay,” he breathed out, rubbing his bump to soothe not only himself but his pup as well. 

“Is your pup okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” Harry asked. 

Louis shook his head. “Harry, we are okay,” he said, giving a small smile. It was sweet how worried Harry was when they had quite literally just met. He really was okay, just a little shaken. People were in a rush, he understood that. But a little “excuse me” wouldn't have hurt the lady. 

As much as he would have loved to stay in this little corner warped in Harry, he really needed to get the rest of his shopping done and get back to his nest. 

“I should probably find the rest of the things on my list,” he grabbed onto his cart. “Thank you again for all your help, Harry.” He turned about to walk away. 

“Wait!” Harry stopped him. 

Louis turned to see him fumbling, trying to get something out of his pocket. “Here,” he held out a slightly worn card. Louis reached out and took the card from him. Their fingers brushed for the briefest moment, and the contact sent a shiver up the omega’s spine. 

“My number’s on there,” Harry rubbed the back of his neck. “In case you want to get our dogs together, or you know you have car trouble or…” he trailed off, a faint small smile tugging at his lips. “Anything.”

Louis looked down at the card in his hand. Styles Automotive was at the top, and right there on the bottom was Harry’s number, just like he said. 

Anything. 

The word replayed in Louis’ head. He didn’t let himself think too much about it. His fingers curled around the card, holding on to it just a second longer, then he looked back up at Harry, who was staring at him with his nervous green eyes. 

“Careful,” Louis teased, “That sounds like a very open-ended offer.” 

“Maybe it is,” Harry shrugged. 

Louis bit the bottom of his lip, shaking his head, hoping it would steady him and his omega. “Yeah,” he muttered, his breath more to himself than anyone else. 

Damn Costco. 

☼

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Louis grumbled under his breath. 

He had been so close to finishing his shopping. Just one more thing, and he would be free. Out of this overcrowded, overheated nightmare and back into his perfectly cooled home, and more importantly, his nest. 

But of course, Costco had it out for him. Because, naturally, the one thing he still needed, the garlic powder, was sitting on the highest possible shelf. He tilted his head back, squinting up at it like he had some type of telekinetic powers. 

His feet ached, his lower back was starting to give, and even after trying every single sample the store was handing out, he was still starving. Maybe he could ask Aldana to come over and convince her to rub his feet and bring over some of those delicious arepas she makes. He would have to bribe her with cookies, though. Cookies that he was now craving. He could possibly grab one from the food court, though no matter how badly he wanted a hot dog, he did take a glance, and it looked like a nightmare. 

He could stop by that fancy bakery he loved on the way home. They had the most delicious white-chocolate macadamia-nut cookie. His stomach fluttered softly, a tiny movement that made his entire expression melt. 

“Okay, okay,” he spoke, resting a hand over his bump. “Fancy bakery it is.”

Another small movement from his pup made Louis smile before he looked back up at the current situation he was in. 

He wished Harry were there. 

“We don’t even know him,” he whispered to himself. “We don’t need an alpha.” He glanced around the aisle, and it was just him. “We can do this.”

His eyes dropped to the lower pallet beneath the shelves. There was just enough space to step up if he balanced carefully. Not exactly ideal, but manageable. 

Carefully, he placed one foot on it to test his weight. It held securely enough for him to step on.

“Okay,” he whispered to himself, bracing one hand against the shelf as he stretched upward. “Come on…” 

He reached as far as he could, fingers brushing the edge of the container, but not quite enough to grab it. He tried again, stretching higher, his body straining with the effort, but still nothing. 

After a few attempts, his arm started to shake slightly, his balance wavering just enough to make him uneasy. “Shit,” he muttered, dropping his arm and closing his eyes for a second as he took a breath. 

He was not going to cry. Nope. Absolutely not. He was a strong, independent, hormonal omega. Big girls don’t cry or whatever Fergie was singing about. 

“Need some help?”

Louis’ head snapped up. For half a second, he hoped it was Harry. Turning around, he was met with an alpha with blonde hair, brown eyes, and dressed as if he were about to go to the country club. His presence immediately felt…off. There was just something about this alpha he did not trust. 

“I’m okay, thank you,” Louis dismissed and turned back to the task at hand. He could still feel the alpha's presence just watching him. He tried his best to ignore him, but he was just there.

“You know I could give you a little boost,” the alpha said. Louis turned his head because he sounded closer than before, and sure enough, he was right there, not so obviously staring at his ass. 

“Again, no thank you,” He tried to stretch his arm once more and failed to reach the garlic powder. 

Sighing, he was just going to have to get it another time. 

Turning his head again. “If you could take a step back, please,” he tried to be as polite as possible. 

“Oh, sure, anything for a hot ass like yourself,” the alpha said. 

Louis rolled his eyes, and thankfully, the ass stepped back to give him enough room to step down. Once he was off the pallet, he fixed his outfit and looked up to see the creep looking at him. The guy apparently didn’t know how to take a damn hint. 

“The names’ Sean,” the alpha, Sean said. “What’s an omega like you doing here all by themselves?” 

Was this guy serious right now? As if he wasn’t already annoyed. “Omegas like me are actually perfectly capable of being out on our own.” Grabbing the handles of his cart, he turned to walk. 

“Just saying,” Sean continued. “If you were my omega, I’d never let you out of my sight.” 

“Good thing I’m not your omega,” Louis said, with disgust on his face. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said, and made to walk away again. This time, Sean went in front of Louis’ cart, stopping him. 

“You could be,” Sean said. “Seems as though you aren’t bonded,” he nodded his head toward Louis’ bare neck. “We could fix that. Go out to my car, take care of that real quick.”

“You seriously think you had a shot with that? Please,” Louis let out a disbelieving laugh and turned his cart to try and get away. Except Sean kept getting in front of it. “Would you please move?” he was so over this guy and ready to ram the cart right into him. 

“Do you really want your pup to grow up a bastard?” 

That was it. Anger flared so hot it felt like it could burn the entire store down. People could say whatever the hell they wanted about him. He had heard worse and had lived through worse. 

But the second, it involved his pup? That was the line no one wanted to cross.  

“Listen,” Louis started, “You don’t get to utter a single damn thing about my child. Ever.” His grip on the cart tightened. “You call yourself an alpha?” he continued, a bitter laugh slipping out. “My pup is going to be half the alpha you’ll ever be, and that’s still more than you deserve.”

Sean opened his mouth, but Louis didn’t let him speak. 

“And let’s get one thing straight,” he added, tilting his head slightly. “A piece of shit alpha like you doesn’t deserve someone like me.” 

Sean scoffed, a smug smile creeping its way to his face. “Looks like you are an omega who needs to be tamed.”

Screw this guy. 

Just as he was about to ram the guy with his cart….

“Omega! There you are.”

That deep, calming voice that he didn’t think he would hear again cut through everything. 

Louis’ head snapped up. Harry. He was jogging toward them, eyes already locked on Louis. Relief hit him instantly, loosening every tight muscle in his body. His shoulders dropped, his omega settling at the sight of the alpha. 

“Alpha,” Louis whispered, which surprised him, as it seemed to just fall naturally from his lips. Before he could second-guess it, he stepped toward Harry and wrapped his arms around the alpha’s middle, pressing in closer like it was the most natural thing in the world. 

Harry didn’t seem to mind one bit as he brought his arm around Louis’ back. Louis could smell that Harry was angry. His scent was slightly bitter. “What’s going on?” Harry asked, his gaze going to Sean. 

“No issues here,” Sean shrugged. “You probably shouldn’t let your omega out of your sight, though.”

Louis rolled his eyes, but he felt Harry’s hold tighten. 

“Watch how you talk,” Harry replied with anger in his voice. “You don’t get to speak about him or any omega for that matter like that.”

Sean snorted. “A real alpha would know how to take care of their omega. Something must be wrong with him if you haven’t even—”

He didn’t get to finish. 

Harry carefully slipped out of Louis' embrace and walked to Sean. They were face-to-face. He had a few inches on Sean, and he used it to his advantage, standing tall and unmoving.

Louis watched as Sean’s cocky expression turned to one of pure fear as Harry came closer. 

“I suggest you shut your mouth,” Harry spat out. “And take your pathetic ass out of here before you have to make a call to your dentist.”

Sean hesitated, jaw tightening.“Whatever,” he mumbled. “Not worth it,” and finally walked off.  

“Knothead,” Harry grumbled under his breath, then turned to Louis, his entire demeanor shifting in an instant. 

Louis let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and looked up at him. “I had it under control,” he teased. 

“Trust me,” Harry said, a soft, knowing smile making its way through. “I know.” He shrugged. “I just figured you probably didn’t want to get arrested for punching an alpha in the middle of Costco.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” he shrugged. 

Harry let out a low chuckle, but the sound faded quickly. His expression shifted to one of concern. 

“I’m sorry,” he said, a little more serious now. “For calling you my omega like that. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“It’s okay,” Louis quickly said. He didn’t want to admit it felt amazing to be called that by Harry. “Thank you,” his hand drifted to his bump. “From both of us.” 

Harry smiled, shoulders relaxing. 

For a moment, neither of them moved.  Louis had come here with one goal. Get in, get out. But now, standing here, he found himself…lingering. Not quite ready to walk away. He should repay Harry somehow. Maybe a cookie. Everyone liked cookies. 

“I should probably get going,” Harry said first, breaking the moment. “I’ve got to get back to the shop.”

Right. So no cookies for Harry. “Yeah, no, sorry, I didn’t mean to hold you up,” Louis shook his head. 

“You didn’t,” Harry reassured, but still didn’t walk away. He looked like he was contemplating something. “I still have some time. I could, uh, you know, walk you to your car. You know, in case that alpha comes back.”

Louis bit the bottom of his lip. They did have to keep up the charade. “I’d love that.” 

They smiled at each other, and Harry was about to go walk to grab the cart that he left at the end of the aisle when a thought came to Louis’ head. 

“Wait, Harry!” he stopped him. “Could you grab that garlic powder for me, please?” he shyly asked. 

“Anything for you.”

Louis was so utterly screwed, and he blames it all on Costco. 

☼

“No, no, Robby is going to adopt Baby Jane Doe,” Louis insisted as he folded another tiny onesie. 

Harry snorted from the other side of the screen, taking a bite of his sandwich. “He could hardly care for himself. How is he supposed to raise a whole child with inevitable abandonment issues?” 

It had been a week since Costco. A week had passed since Harry walked him to checkout, even stood in the chaotic line at the food court buying him a hot dog and a giant chocolate chip cookie, loaded his groceries into the car without being asked, and smiled at Louis like he actually wanted to see him again. 

Louis had tried not to text him immediately. But after a day and a half of complaining to Aldana, she finally bullied him into reaching out, not before conducting a thorough Google search first, obviously. He was pregnant, not stupid. 

There wasn’t much to find on Harry Styles. No arrest records. No angry Reddit threads warning others to stay away from him. Nothing but an Instagram account full of cars, motorcycles, and the occasional selfie that Louis definitely did not screenshot and save. 

One picture in particular had nearly sent him into a cardiac arrest, though. A blonde omega stood beside Harry in a matching mechanic uniform, both of them smiling ear to ear while holding up some tools. 

Naturally, Louis spiraled. Not because he was jealous or that his inner omega wanted to harm the innocent blonde omega. Nope. Just for research purposes. 

After an embarrassingly deep dive, they discovered the omega was Sabrina, mated to Harry’s brother. Completely harmless, and from the looks of it, she seemed really fun. Louis and his omega relaxed after that. 

Once Aldana officially approved the alpha, Louis finally texted him. Harry replied almost a second later as if he was just waiting for Louis. He refused to think about that possibility. 

Harry ended up calling him that same night because it was easier while he was working on a car. Louis spent most of the conversation nodding along while Harry enthusiastically explained car parts he absolutely did not understand. Still, hearing Harry ramble excitedly about something he loved had done dangerous things to Louis’ heart. 

Since then, they had fallen into an easy routine. Facetime during nights and texts throughout the day, of random things like, meals, traffic, half-finished projects, dogs, and even selfies. Even while teaching summer school, Louis somehow found time for Harry. It all came naturally, like they had known each other for years instead of barely over a week. 

“She’s going to need a lot of therapy,” Louis folded another little onesie. “Maybe she and Robby could go together. Cute little father-daughter bonding activity.”

Harry laughed on the other side of the screen. He was sprawled across his couch, still wearing grease-stained work clothes despite Louis repeatedly telling him he was disgusting. 

He normally never stayed awake this late anymore, but Harry had worked late, and Louis had stubbornly refused to go to bed before talking to him. 

“Do you think when doctors hook up, they are thinking about the other person’s organs?” 

Louis snorted so hard he nearly dropped the pair of socks he was holding. Another thing he learned about Harry was that he said the most random things. Whatever was on the tip of his tongue, he had to blurt out. It always made Louis laugh so hard. Yesterday, he even spat out the lemonade he was drinking. 

“Possibly,” he giggled. “Let me ask my doctor at my next appointment. I’ll make sure to report back.”

“She might fire you as a patient,” Harry grinned. 

“She loves me too much to do that.” Louis placed the laundry aside and decided to finish the rest tomorrow. He got up from the couch, walked into the kitchen to refill his water bottle, then made his way upstairs. 

“How’s the little guy doing anyway?” 

Louis sighed as he climbed into his nest, making a little bit of an adjustment when a blanket was out of place. Finally comfortable, he adjusted the phone, his hand drifting to his bump.“You know him, a big troublemaker,” he giggled, but then it turned into a pout. “Still hasn’t kicked, though. I think he hates me.”

“I read that first pregnancies can take up to twenty-five weeks sometimes,” Harry replied, as if it was completely normal for a single alpha to search up.

Louis stared at him for a second. It was becoming annoyingly difficult not to fall a bit in love with him. “And why are you reading pregnancy articles?” 

Harry’s green eyes widened, and he dragged a hand through his hair. “I um…well…”

Louis giggled. “It’s sweet, Harry,” he smiled, biting at the bottom of his lip. “Thank you.”

“You’re a menace.” Harry huffed and adjusted himself on the couch. Nemo climbed onto his chest and made himself comfortable. The tiny one-eyed chihuahua let out a sigh as he curled into a ball. 

“Hi, Nemo,” Louis waved. 

“He tried attacking earlier,” Harry muttered while raising a hand to pet him. Nemo didn’t like that and snapped at his finger. “Dude, you are the one lying on me.”

“Be nice,” Louis scolded. “He’s just a sleepy baby who had a long day.” Before he could stop, his body betrayed him, and a yawn decided to escape him. 

Harry caught it immediately. “Someone else’s tired.” 

“I’m fine,” Louis argued weakly right as another yawn came about. “Okay, maybe a little.” He glanced at the time and grimaced. It was nearly midnight. 

“Grandma’s up past her bedtime,” Harry teased. 

Louis flipped him off. “Says the one pushing 40.”

“I’m 34,” Harry said flatly. 

“That's basically ancient. Let me go order you a cane right now,” Louis giggled. “Perhaps one with tennis balls on the bottom?”

“Get me a blue one,” Harry winked. 

“Blue, huh?” 

Harry shrugged. “I like blue.”

“Sure you do.”

Harry’s smile turned suspiciously smug after that. 

Louis decided not to think too much about the reason for the color choice. Harry was just teasing, that's all. Nothing else. At least that’s what he keeps telling himself. His omega, on the other hand, did not seem interested in being reasonable. 

Because really, Harry was kind of the perfect alpha. 

Funny, even when his jokes were bad, they somehow ended up still making Louis laugh. Smart, protective, emotionally open, loved animals, would actually watch or listen to whatever movie, show, podcast, or song Louis recommended, asked not only how Louis was doing but also asked about his baby. He had even sent Louis links to some cute things to add to his registry. Harry was the whole package. 

“Okay, you need sleep.” Harry interrupted his train of thought. 

Louis opened his mouth to argue, but another yawn betrayed him yet again. 

“See? Sleep now.” 

“Bossy,” Louis muttered sleepily. The truth was, sleep sounded amazing right now. It sounded even better if Harry were there beside him. And okay, yeah, he really needed to sleep. 

“Fine,” he sighed, pulling the sleeves of his hoodie over his hands. “You win, old man.”

“Respect your elders, kitten.”

“I am not a kitten,” Louis pouted, crossing his arms over his bump. 

Harry held up a hand. “Could’ve fooled me.” 

“Don’t be mean. I’m fragile.” 

“Could never be mean to such a fragile, cute kitten,” Harry placed a hand over his chest. 

Louis blushed at that, and it was unfair how easily Harry affected him. “If I’m a cute kitten, what does that make you? A giant ogre?”

“Just call me Shrek,” Harry smiled. 

“We need to watch Shrek!” Louis squealed in excitement. “Oh, and ugh, what’s that one where there’s a bunny and a fox and the fox is sorta cocky. Shit, Harry, help me out here.”

“How the hell am I supposed to know?”

“Ugh, come on, Harry, you know the one with the song and the lamb that tried taking out the predators,” Louis tried explaining. 

“Oh, you mean Zootopia?”

“Yes!” Louis snapped his fingers. “Aldana refuses to watch it with me because she has some personal vendetta with Shakira.”

Harry gasped. “Now what did Shakira ever do to her?”

Louis sighed. “It’s too painful for her to talk about it, apparently.”

“I’ll watch any movie with you. Just give me a date and time,” Harry smiled. 

Louis narrowed his eyes at him. “Will you also bring the snacks? Because you know I’m eating for two, right?”

“You sure it’s not twins?” 

Louis shrugged. “Who knows. Maybe this is one of those Lifetime movies where, surprise, it’s triplets, and one turns out to be evil.”

Harry blinked. “What kind of Lifetime movies are you watching?”

“Almost all of them.” Louis reached for another blanket from the corner of his nest and wrapped it around himself.

“You know you could also turn your thermostat up a bit,” Harry suggested, knowing that Louis kept his thermostat at 68 degrees and refused to change it no matter how cold he felt. 

“Why would I do that when I have all these blankets?” Another yawn escaped him, and he rubbed tiredly at one eye with the sleeve hanging over his hand. 

“See a cute kitten,” Harry smiled at him.  

Louis rolled his eyes and cuddled deeper into his nest, secretly loving every second of the attention. The pile of blankets and pillows shifted beside him when Koda made her way into the room. The German Shepherd let out a sigh as she settled into her usual corner of the nest. Another wave of sleepiness hit him, and he felt his eyes go heavy, his body warm and relaxed under the blankets. 

“You should get some sleep, Louis,” Harry murmured gently, letting out a yawn of his own. 

“But I want to keep talking with you,” Louis pouted. He turned onto his side, wrapping himself around his pregnancy pillow while staring at Harry through the screen. 

Harry’s expression softened so much it almost hurt to look at. “We’ll talk tomorrow,” he promised. But he kept staring at Louis afterward. Louis’ stomach flipped at the way the alpha was looking at him. 

“Don’t look at me like that,” he mumbled while biting lightly at his bottom lip. 

Harry tilted his head slightly. “Look at you, how?”

Louis got flustered and muttered shyly. “I don’t know. Like…like that.” 

Harry smiled, showing off his teeth. “Can’t help it.”

Louis felt his entire body heat up. “Harry,” he whined, hiding half his face behind the sleeve of his hoodie. 

“You’re just really pretty,” Harry admitted. “Especially right now.”

Louis groaned and buried his face into the pillow. “Koda, he’s flirting with me again.” Koda lifted her head at her name but settled right back down. Completely useless.

Harry laughed under his breath. “Sue me.”

“I’ll see you in court,” Louis giggled, snuggling deeper.

“First, you need your beauty sleep,” Harry raised a brow. 

“Thought you said I was already pretty.” 

Harry’s eyes dropped to Louis’ bump. “Little guy, can you tell your mom he is drop-dead gorgeous but still needs sleep?” 

Louis smiled softly. “Goodnight, Harry.”

“Goodnight, Louis.” Harry smiled. “And goodnight, little guy. Be nice to your mom and don’t press on his bladder, okay?”

Louis giggled, shaking his head, and the call ended a second later. He threw his phone somewhere in a pile of blankets and snuggled up in his pregnancy pillow. Koda moved closer and lay her head on the pillow. Leaning over, he kissed her on the nose, which earned him a little lick on his own. He giggled as it tickled. “I’m screwed, aren’t I?” he sighed happily, petting Koda’s head. “Louis Styles has a cute ring to it, right?” 

Koda, in response, licked the tip of his nose again, and he felt little flutters in his stomach. His pup must still be awake. He caressed his bump. “Harry could teach you all about cars. How does that sound?” 

Picturing a life with Harry was just so easy. The white picket fence, yard filled with toys, and four pups just running about, Nemo and Koda running together while Harry worked on a car, with Louis standing by, attempting to help him. It was wishful thinking, but something he craved. Although he would have to teach Harry how to cook, as he was an absolute disaster in the kitchen after all the meals he had attempted to cook during their FaceTime calls. He smiled at a memory of Harry trying to make spaghetti and actually burning the noodles. How does one burn the noodles? Louis had no idea. 

Two weeks. It’s literally only been two weeks, and Louis was so gone for Harry. His inner omega whined whenever he knew he was talking to the alpha. Even his unborn pup seemed to like the alpha. 

But would Harry want that life with him? Would he want to raise Louis’ pup knowing he isn’t biologically his? These were the questions that made him want to bang his hand on the wall. Because if he weren’t pregnant, he would be all in. No questions asked. But his little pup came first. He had four months left before he was here.

For now, he would live in this little bubble that he and Harry have created. 

“It’ll all work out.” 

Louis sure as hell hoped. 

☼

Louis loved teaching. The pay wasn’t great, the hours were exhausting, and seventh graders were basically tiny feral creatures held together by hormones and bad decision-making, but they loved it anyway. Most people thought middle schoolers were nightmares. Louis thought they were just loud little humans trying to figure themselves out. 

Some days they drove him absolutely insane, but then there were those other days he understood them better than most adults did. 

When his boss asked if he wanted to teach summer school this year, the answer was an easy yes. It kept him busy, gave him extra money for the baby, and was now a nice distraction from spending every waking second thinking about a certain mechanic with green eyes. 

Well, mostly. 

Louis sat at his desk, grading creative writing essays while the classroom AC fought for its life against the July heat outside. A knock sounded against the classroom door. He looked up and completely forgot what he was doing. 

Harry stood in the doorway, looking handsome as ever in his work uniform, hair slightly messy and sweaty from the heat. 

His omega perked up instantly at the sight of the alpha. “Harry,” he smiled, pushing himself up from his chair. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to see my two favorite people,” Harry smiled. 

Louis’ heart did an embarrassing little flip. Not waiting a second longer, he waddled over and wrapped his arms around Harry’s middle. Harry hugged him right back, one large hand rubbing slowly up and down Louis’ back. Sure, they had been talking every day, but they hadn’t seen each other in person since the day they met. He had really missed the alpha’s touch and scent. 

Whiskey and ginger wrapped all around him, nearly melting him into Harry completely. He could have stayed there forever. 

But then another scent hit him. One that was of delicious grease. Louis pulled back, eyes going toward the plain brown bag hanging from Harry’s hand. Whatever was inside, he needed it right then and there. “Is that for me?” 

“Nope.” Harry looked far too pleased with himself with that answer. “Nothing for you.”

Louis gasped. “Excuse you? In my classroom, we follow rules.” 

Harry gave a wink, walked further into the room as if he owned the place, and dropped into one of the student desks near the front row, placing the bag directly on top. The bag was taunting him.

“Well, you see, Ms. Tomlinson,” Harry interlocked his fingers and placed them on the desk. “I’m new here and think I might need one-on-one tutoring.” 

Louis placed one hand on his hips and the other against his bump. “Okay, Billy Madison. Rule number one. Sharing is caring, especially when your teacher is twenty-two weeks pregnant.”

“A solid rule,” Harry nodded thoughtfully. “I think I’ll like it here.” At last, he slid the bag toward Louis who snatched it right up and went back to his desk. Inside sat a burger wrapped in greasy paper alongside a container of tater tots. His favorite. The smell alone nearly made him emotional. 

“Since you said you’ve never had JJ’s burgers, figured today we could change that.”

Louis dug right in, taking a massive bite, not caring that he was making a mess. This burger was hands down the best he had ever had. Perfectly greasy, the right amount of cheese. He could write sonnets on it. 

“I think I’m in love,” he mumbled between bites. 

When he looked up, Harry was watching him with an expression Louis couldn’t quite place. Clearing his throat, Harry smiled. “Told you it’s the best.”

Louis nodded and took a sip of water, only to accidentally let out a small burp afterward. He slapped a hand over his mouth, giggling. “Excuse me.”

Harry laughed. “Little guy seems to approve, too.”

“He normally wants sugar,” Louis caressed his bump with his clean hand. “Guess you changed his mind.” Suddenly, he stilled and let out a gasp, eyes widening. 

Harry jumped up out of the small desk and was beside him instantly. “What? What happened?” Panic flashed all across his face. “Do we need a hospital? Did your water break?”

Louis barely heard him. Because there it was again. A tiny kick pressed against his palm, stronger this time. It was undoubtedly real, not the faint little flutters he had spent weeks overanalyzing at three in the morning. That was his son in there letting him know he was there. 

The breath caught painfully in his throat as tears filled his eyes. He had heard the heartbeat before, the rapid little rhythm during appointments that always left him emotional for days afterward. He had ultrasound pictures hung up on his fridge and framed all around that he stared at whenever the fear and loneliness crept in too loudly. 

But this was something else entirely. His baby was really in there. Alive beneath his hands, reaching out. 

A broken sound escaped him before he could stop it, one hand trembling where it rested over his bump. 

Beside him, Harry crouched down, one hand rubbing carefully along his back. Concern flooded his features, and Louis could feel calming pheromones wrapping around him, whiskey and ginger settling his racing heart little by little. 

“He–he kicked.” 

The words came out shaky, barely above a whisper, but Harry understood. 

Every ounce of panic vanished from his face, replaced by something softer. 

“He kicked,” Harry repeated, smiling proudly. 

Louis nodded, tears still clinging to his lashes as another tiny movement pressed against his palm. Without even thinking, he grabbed Harry’s hand and guided it against his bump. “Right there,” he whispered. They didn’t have to wait long. Another kick landed directly beneath Harry’s hand. He watched the exact moment it hit Harry. His green eyes widened and his mouth parted slightly as he stared down at Louis’ stomach. 

“Well,” Harry breathed, “hello there, little guy.” 

The tenderness in his tone nearly destroyed Louis on the spot. His chest painfully full, his emotions so overwhelming he didn’t know what to do with them. He had only just met Harry, yet the alpha was looking at him and his unborn baby like they already mattered to him. 

Louis giggled wetly through the tears. “I think he likes you.”

Harry looked back up at him then, and Louis’ breath caught all over again. His hand never left Louis’ stomach. Instead, his thumb moved slowly back and forth across the fabric of his shirt. 

The entire classroom seemed to disappear around them until it was just this small space they had somehow created together. Louis could smell his own scent turning sweeter by the second, and judging by the way Harry’s eyes darkened slightly, the alpha noticed too. 

Slowly and carefully, they leaned toward each other like they were afraid one wrong move would shatter the moment completely.  Louis’ eyes dropped to Harry’s mouth. He wanted this. Wanted Harry. 

Harry’s gaze flicked down to Louis’ lips for half a second before lifting again, silently asking. Their foreheads brushed together, both of them breathing the same shaky air. Louis could feel Harry’s fingers sliding carefully against his cheek now, rough fingertips impossibly gentle against his skin. 

“Can I kiss you?” Harry whispered. 

Louis nodded before he could overthink it. 

Finally, Harry connected their lips. Slow and soft at first, but the second Louis melted into him with a quiet purr, he deepened the kiss just enough to make Louis’ knees feel weak. 

Warm lips moved against his with impossible tenderness, and Louis could taste the faint remnants of peppermint and coffee on Harry’s mouth. The feel of Harry’s mustache wasn’t itchy, but felt soft and comforting, rubbing against his skin. One of Harry’s hands stayed cupped against his cheek while the other remained spread protectively over his bump, thumb still brushing against him like he couldn’t stop touching. 

It was all nearly overwhelming. No one had ever kissed him like this before. It wasn’t needy or rushed. Harry kissed him like he was trying to savor him. 

Louis made a whimpering sound against Harry’s lips, fingers curling into the front of his work shirt. The rough fabric beneath his hands as he leaned closer, wanting impossibly more while also wanting the moment to last forever. 

Harry tilted his head slightly, kissing him deeper this time, still gentle but with enough feeling behind it to make Louis feel warm and dizzy. His omega purred happily inside him, completely gone for the alpha touching him. 

When they finally pulled back, it wasn’t far. Their lips still brushed with every shaky breath they took, foreheads pressed together while they tried to catch their breath. Harry’s hand remained against his cheek, thumb slowly stroking beneath his eye. Louis felt completely dazed, and Harry looked just as wrecked. 

Green eyes searched his face while the softest smile tugged at the alpha’s  now swollen lips. Louis could feel himself smiling back. Here in Harry’s arms is where he wanted to be. All the overthinking and pros-and-cons list be damned. He wanted Harry. 

Louis leaned back in because he wanted more, when of course the universe decided it wanted to be a cockblocker. 

“Ay mija, I’ve come to break you out!”

The loud voice shattered the moment instantly. Harry straightened up, stepping in front of Louis on instinct as a low growl rumbled from deep in his chest. It wasn’t loud, but it was enough to make the entire room feel heavy.

Aldana stopped in the doorway, blinking once and looking at the two of them. Unbothered by the growl, she smiled knowingly and crossed her arms. “Hola, Harry.”

Louis' eyes went wide. “Oh my god,” he muttered and jumped out of his chair, quickly moving around Harry. He planted himself between the two alphas, one hand pressing against Harry’s chest. 

Aldana would never hurt him. Hell, she wouldn’t even hurt a damn fly. But Harry’s wolf was clearly awake now, protective instincts still running high after the kiss, and Louis knew better than to let two alphas posture at each other while pheromones were flying around the room. 

“Aldi,” Louis warned. 

Under his palm, Harry’s heart was pounding hard. The alpha still stood tense behind him, protective instincts refusing to settle completely. 

Aldana raised a single brow, eyes flicking between the two of them knowingly. “Y qué está pasando aquí?” she asked innocently, then not so subtly sniffed the air. “Espero que no estés  chupando chimbo.” (What’s happening here? I hope you are not sucking dick.)

Louis nearly choked. “Aldi!” Heat exploded across his face while he silently thanked every life decision that had led him to minor in Spanish in college. Because if Harry understood what she had just said, he was fully prepared to throw himself out of the classroom window. 

“Solamente estamos besando, pendeja,” Louis corrected, mortified. (We were only kissing fucker.)

Aldana’s entire face lit up. “Ay, look at you go,” she laughed before switching to English. “Relax, alpha. I’m not here to steal your omega.” 

Louis' entire brain short-circuited. Your omega. The words hit hard, his inner omega practically rolled over happily inside him. Judging by the way Harry relaxed behind him, the alpha seemed just as affected by it. The tension leaving Harry’s body, the faint growl disappeared, and his eyes settled back to green. 

Harry cleared his throat awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry about that.”

Aldana waved him off. “No, no,” she grinned. “I get it. Alpha instincts and all that.” She walked closer, holding out her hand. “Pleasure to finally meet you, Harry.” Harry, in turn, shook the other alpha’s hand. 

“You must be Aldana,” he smiled.

“Unless Louis here has another Colombian best friend.” Aldana and Harry laughed. 

“Only thing I didn't know was that he spoke Spanish.”

Louis blushed. 

“Ay si si,” Aldana clapped her hands excitedly. “Anyway, mija i came to take you out, but you seem to be in good hands.” 

“Salí antes que yo te pego,” Louis shooed the alpha away. (Go away before I hit you.)

Aldana said goodbye, but not without annoyingly reminding Louis that he was in his classroom, and then left the two alone. 

“I didn’t know you spoke Spanish,” Harry said when the door closed. 

“Si,” Louis smiled. 

Harry groaned and stepped closer again. 

Louis barely had time to laugh before Harry’s hands slid to his waist and lifted him carefully onto the desk. Papers shifted under him while Harry settled between his knees, one hand resting against the curve of Louis’ stomach. 

The late-afternoon sun spilled through the classroom windows, painting everything around them gold.

“You can’t just do that,” Harry murmured while leaning closer, nose brushing against Louis’.

“Do what?” Louis teased innocently. 

Harry raised a brow and squeezed the omega’s waist. Louis giggled, fingers curling into the front of Harry’s shirt while he kissed him again. Their tongues clashed  against each other, and both of their scents mixed  so well. 

Louis melted into it, sighing against Harry’s lips while the alpha rubbed lazy circles against his hip. 

Neither of them was in a rush to pull away. 

Harry rested his forehead against Louis’ and smiled as the latter  chased after one more kiss. 

Louis was completely gone for the alpha. 

☼

Louis has always hated the doctors. Ever since he was a young pup, he’d thrown dramatic fits before every appointment, begging his mom not to make him go. Everything always smelled too sterile, and the sharp needles made his skin crawl. 

Even now, as a 25-year-old, he still hated them. 

But he had learned very quickly that none of that mattered anymore. Not when it came to his own pup. 

“Baby’s growing perfectly,” Dr. Razoky smiled as she moved the probe gently across Louis’ stomach. “Actually measuring a little ahead, which is great.”

Louis looked up at the screen, his entire face softening at the sight of his baby. His pup shifted lazily on the monitor. It still amazed Louis every single time that a whole little person was growing inside him. A tiny life with little fingers and tiny feet and a heartbeat, Louis already loved more than his own. 

“Heartbeat is strong,” Dr. Razoky continued. “And look at this.” She pointed toward the screen. “He’s flipping us off.”

Louis squinted for a second, then spotted it. Sure enough, a little finger was raised near the baby’s face that was clearly the middle one.

“That’s definitely my child,” he giggled. 

Dr. Razoky laughed along. “Already full of personality.”

Louis couldn’t stop smiling as he stared at the screen a little longer. He already had a growing collection of ultrasound pictures at home, but somehow every appointment still felt magical like falling in love all over again. 

“Alright,” Dr. Razoky smiled while shutting off the machine. “I’m finished here. I’ll print your pictures. Any questions before I do?”

Louis bit his bottom lip. “Um, well, there is one.” He hesitated asking, but he just needed to know. 

Dr. Razoky nodded, waiting patiently. 

“Hypothetically, if I met an alpha and he’s not the baby’s biological dad, and we say I don’t know, decided to get intimate, would that…… uh….. be okay? You know, is it safe for the baby?”

Dr. Razoky smiled. “Sex is perfectly okay during pregnancy. And just because it wouldn’t be with the biological father, you would still be okay. Your inner omega will be okay just as long as the alpha is gentle and takes care of you properly.”

Louis nodded in understanding.

“So you’ve met someone?” she raised a brow. 

Louis felt his cheeks heat up. “His name’s Harry. I’m still not sure exactly what we are just yet, but I think it’s headed in the right direction. He’s really sweet to us,” he smiled. 

Dr. Razoky nodded. “I’m really happy for you, Louis. If and when the time comes, you can even bring him in, and we can discuss things further if you need.”

“I will, thank you,” Louis sighed in relief. 

After Louis had no more questions, Dr. Razoky stepped out. He slowly sat up with a groan, rubbing at his lower back. Pregnancy was beautiful right up until one had to physically endure all the aches and pains it came with. He got dressed, collected his ultrasound pictures, scheduled his next appointment, and finally stepped back outside into the blazing heat. 

It was Friday, which meant no summer school classes today. The kids had a short break,  and while Louis appreciated the time off, it also meant he had nothing planned. Aldana was working, and basically everyone else in his life as well. 

He checked the time on his phone. A small smile spread across his face. Harry would still be at the shop. Sure, he was working, but maybe Louis could surprise him with lunch or something. 

Honestly, he just wanted to see him. A week had passed since their first kiss, and ever since then, they couldn’t get enough of each other. Harry would stop by his classroom during lunch, and they would talk, laugh, and make out a little. Of course, he learned to lock his door. 

He just saw the alpha yesterday, but he already missed Harry’s arm around him. 

“Do you wanna go see Harry?” Louis asked softly, rubbing a hand over his bump as he walked toward his car. 

Almost instantly, he felt a kick beneath his palm. He gasped. “Well, okay then. Guess that’s a yes.”

Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of Styles Automotive. 

The shop itself was actually kind of cute. Well…as cute as an auto shop could be. It wasn’t nearly as chaotic or as dirty as he expected. Then again, maybe he was kind of biased. 

He stepped out, grabbing his bag and the box of cookies before making his way toward the open garage. The smell of oil, gasoline, metal, and whatever else they used for cars hit him immediately. He tried his hardest not to gag. 

“Oh my God,” he covered his nose. “How do people survive this?”

He pulled his phone out, intending to call Harry and ask where exactly he was hiding, when a voice startled him. 

“Can I help you?”

Louis jumped and turned around. Standing a few feet away was a blonde omega wearing the same white-and-navy work uniform Harry wore, except this one had "Sabrina" stitched over the pocket. 

She was even prettier in person. 

Sabrina raised an eyebrow, and Louis realized he’d been staring way too long. 

“Sorry, sorry, I was just looking for Harry,” he smiled. 

Something clicked across Sabrina’s face; her eyes widened. “Oh shit,” she gasped. “You’re Louis!”

Louis couldn’t even respond before Sabrina smacked her own forehead. “Obviously, you’re Louis. Harry talks about you literally all the time.”

Louis’ face turned red instantly. 

Then Sabrina looked him up and down, clutching his chest. “You’re even prettier than your pictures.” Her eyes dropped to his bump. “And look at you! You’re the cutest pregnant omega I’ve ever seen.”

She stepped forward and wrapped him in a hug before he could even process what was happening. Louis, not one to deny a hug, hugged her back. He was a sucker for them. 

“Thank you. I try,” he giggled. 

“I hope I look this good when my alpha knocks me up one day.” Sabrina sighed as she pulled away and crossed her arms. 

A horrified, deep-rumbling voice cut through the garage, causing both omegas to turn. 

“Please stop talking about my brother knocking you up.”

Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a prude,” she shot back. 

Harry ignored her completely and walked closer to Louis, his face softened. “Hi, Kitten,” the alpha smiled.

Louis’ omega melted at the nickname. The alpha wrapped his arms around him, pulling him against his chest. The second whiskey and ginger surrounded him, Louis physically relaxed.  “I thought you had your appointment today,” Harry murmured into his hair. 

“I did,” Louis smiled against his chest. “We decided to come surprise you afterward.”

“We?” he teased, then crouched down in front of Louis’ bump. 

Louis' heart nearly burst at the sight. Harry rested one large hand carefully against his stomach. “Hey there, little guy.”

“He flipped us off during the ultrasound,” he giggled, pulling out the printed pictures from his bag. 

Harry stood back up beside him and took the photos in hand. His entire face lit up the second he looked down on them.  “That’s definitely your baby,” he chuckled. “Already dramatic and over it.”

“Excuse you,” Louis gasped. 

“Exactly.”

Louis shoved him lightly while laughing. “No cookies for you then.”

“Let me see,” Sabrina squealed suddenly, appearing beside them. 

Harry groaned in annoyance while Sabrina snatched the pictures from his hands. “Look at him. He’s so tiny.” Her eyes turned to Louis. “You’re carrying him so well. I swear, pregnant omega either glows or looks homicidal. There’s no in between.”

Louis snorted. “Depends on the day, honestly.”

Sabrina giggled and looked back down at the pictures. “He’s precious.”

Harry crossed his arms. “Don’t you have to order that part for the Buick?”

“So you want me gone,” Sabrina raised a brow. 

Harry didn’t even deny it. 

She rolled her eyes and turned back toward Louis. “Get my number from this idiot and text me,” she ordered kindly. “I’m taking you shopping.”

“I love shopping,” Louis beamed. 

“And if he acts stupid,” she pointed at Harry. “You tell me immediately.”

“Traitor,” Harry mumbled. 

Sabrina ignored him, wrapping Louis in one more quick hug, and disappeared toward the office. 

Harry watched her go, then turned back to Louis with a sigh. “Sorry about her. You definitely don’t have to go shopping if you don’t want to. 

“What? No, I want to. I like her,” Louis pouted. 

The alpha’s hand slid slowly against Louis’ waist, fingers brushing softly along his side while his expression turned gentler. “Okay,” he nuzzled his face in the omega’s  neck and kissed over his scent gland. “I missed you,” he admitted. He pulled Louis closer against his body, as close as he could with the bump in the way.

“I missed you too,” Louis whispered back, shivering at the feel of Harry’s lips on his neck.

“You smell so good,” Harry kissed at the spot again, letting out a hum, almost a growl. “Shit,” he whispered, nosing at Louis’ gland. 

Louis let out a small whimper, his body heating up at the feel of Harry scenting him. It was something Harry had started doing to help relax his inner omega. It sent shivers down his spine, and he nearly always had to hold himself back from slicking up. 

They hadn’t done anything beyond making out and scenting. Louis had been throwing hints at Harry that he wanted more. And one of the symptoms that no one talks about when pregnant is how horny you could be. Not all the time, but enough to where he had to buy another knotting dildo to help him most nights. 

Harry had also scented a bunch of things for him to add to his nest: blankets, sweaters, and shirts. Louis was currently wearing one of Harry’s shirts. He had to tie it in a knot, turning it into a crop, and proudly showed off his bump. It was his favorite. 

They hadn’t exactly discussed what they were. Louis did see Harry as his alpha, but he didn’t know if the alpha saw him as his omega. 

“Since you’re here,” Harry murmured, removing his face from Louis’ neck and kissing him on his lips instead. 

Louis blinked in a little bit of a daze from the scenting and whimpering when Harry pulled away slightly, knowing exactly what Harry meant. “Ugh,” Louis pouted. 

He would much rather stay here and get scented, but he knew Harry wouldn’t let this go. “Fine,” he sighed, pulling out his keys from his bag and handing them to Harry. “You can check out my car and make sure it’s not secretly trying to kill me.”

Harry grinned and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “It’s my job to make sure you two are safe,” he replied, caressing his hand on Louis’ bump. “What kind of mechanic would I be otherwise?”

“Or,” Louis countered sweetly, batting his lashes, “you could keep kissing me instead.”

Harry visibly considered it, and Louis thought he had won. But then Harry kissed him once more and pulled away. “I’ll give you all the kisses you want after I check your car,” he promised. 

Damn mechanics. 

Louis continued pouting while Harry guided him outside toward the parking lot. What was supposed to be a “quick check” somehow turned into Harry fully changing Louis’ oil, topping off every fluid imaginable, checking tire pressure, replacing his windshield wipers, and changing something called a cabin air filter that he had no idea existed until that day. 

Apparently, Harry took caring for people’s cars very seriously. 

Louis mostly stayed nearby, watching him work while trying not to stare too hard at the way Harry’s forearms flexed every time he used a wrench. Or how sweaty and hot he got under the sun. He had always been attracted to alphas who used their hands, and Harry sure as hell knew how to. 

By the time they finally finished, the sun had started dipping lower in the sky while Louis sat perched on a stool eating the cookies he had brought. Harry ordered them pizza afterward, not because Louis asked but because, according to the alpha, “can’t let my two favorites go hungry.” 

Louis didn’t argue with that. Especially not when Harry absentmindedly rested a hand on his thigh while stealing bites from his plate between conversations. 

“You have to let me pay you for all the work you did on my car,” Louis insisted as he wiped pizza sauce from the corner of his mouth. “You spent your entire afternoon on it when you could have been working on your actual customers’ cars.”

Harry looked up from where he was sitting beside him on the garage stool and shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

“Harry.”

“Louis.”

The omega narrowed his eyes. Harry laughed and reached over to take the pepperonis from his plate. “It’s on the house,” he shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”

Louis huffed, crossing his arms over his bump. 

The teasing expression on Harry’s face changed, and he looked at Louis quietly. “Okay,” he said. “Then how about  you let me take you out tomorrow?” 

Louis’ blue eyes widened, not expecting that to come out of Harry’s mouth. As much as they had hung out, they hadn’t exactly gone on an official first date. He had come to the fact that the alpha wasn’t into them, but now he was being proven wrong. 

Harry rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Like an actual date.”

“A date?” he repeated, still in shock.  

Harry nodded, green eyes flicking nervously toward him. “Yeah,” he shrugged, suddenly looking too shy for such a large alpha. “A proper one.”

Louis thought his heart might burst, or it might have just been acid reflux, but either way, he was happy. If he could, he would have done cartwheels. Harry wanted to take him on a date. An actual real date. 

“Well,” he hummed, being coy, “when you ask so nicely…”

Harry chuckled and leaned over, kissing his pizza-stained mouth. 

They had a date.

☼

If you had told Harry a month ago that he would be searching for safe food for pregnant omegas, he would have called you, laughed in your face, and called you insane. 

But that is exactly what happened. And it was all thanks to Costco of all places and a stupid bet with Sabrina. 

No, not that kind of bet. 

Sabrina had bet that he couldn’t chug an entire gallon of milk in one go. Harry had to prove her wrong, but it turned out Sabrina was always right. That disaster had forced him to make the dreaded monthly Costco trip. So there he was, all miserable and sweaty, and decided that since he was there, he might as well stock up on Nemo’s food.

Then he saw Louis. 

At first, it was the sight itself that caught his attention. A pretty omega wrestling with a giant bag of dog food nearly half his size while muttering angrily under his breath. It was adorable watching Louis stubbornly try and try again, refusing to admit defeat against a forty-pound bag of kibble. Not wanting him to injure himself or innocent bystanders, he decided to offer his help. 

As he got closer, though, the air practically left his lungs. 

Jasmine and lavender hit him all at once, making his alpha slam awake inside his chest. Harry had spent years learning to control his instinct, but in one terrifying second, his alpha went feral. Every protective instinct latched onto Louis immediately. My Omega.  The thought had come so naturally that it scared him. 

Because Louis wasn’t just any omega, he was pregnant. Pregnant with another alpha’s pup. No matter how much he had wanted Louis, he respected that he most likely belonged to someone else. But finding out the alpha had fucked off? He was furious. How could an alpha abandon their own pup? Abandon Louis. 

Because Louis was everything. 

Ridiculously stubborn, funny, strong, patient, kind, and just the happiest omega despite all of the challenges life had thrown at him. He walked with head held high. He rose above it all, and Harry knew Louis was going to be the best goddamn mom to that pup. 

Pregnancy looked incredible on him. As cliché as it was, he really was glowing. Everything about him shone so bright. His eyes, hair, and smile. He was just breathtaking. 

When Louis texted him, he quite literally fell over in his chair. Sabrina thought he had lost his mind, and maybe he had. Louis made him feel like no one ever had before. His restless, borderline insufferable alpha calmed knowing Louis was right at his fingertips. 

Everything he saw, read, or ate reminded him of Louis, and he had to tell him right away. Finally, Sabrina had talked him into surprising Louis and visiting him. That is exactly what he did. Kissing Louis was everything and more, and now that he had a taste, he felt like an addict, one who is  addicted to the one and only Louis Tomlinson. 

“Okay, what about this?” 

Harry stepped into the living room, adjusting the collar of his black button-up, the top few buttons undone, paired with black jeans.  

He was getting ready for his first official date with Louis. He wanted to make a good impression. Wine and dine the omega as he deserved. Except there would be no wine and just the dining part. 

Sabrina had offered to help him with his outfit as he was not the best in that department, at least according to his friend. 

“No.” 

His blonde friend didn’t even look up from her phone as she shot down another outfit. Logan, his brother, who was sitting beside her, snorted, and Nemo, on his lap, barked. 

Harry threw his arms up. “This is the fifth outfit you’ve rejected. You go in there and find something then.” 

Sabrina sighed dramatically and finally looked up, locking her phone. “Alphas,” she huffed. 

She reached out and flicked Logan on the forehead as she walked by. “Ow!” he complained, rubbing the spot. “Omega, why?”

Sabrina ignored him, disappearing into Harry’s room before returning with a different set of clothes, shoving them into Harry’s chest. 

“Wear this. And trim your caterpillar,” she added, pointing at him. “And for the love of God, don’t forget deodorant.”

“It was one time,” Harry grumbled as he turned to change. 

“One too many!” 

He hated to admit, Sabrina knew what she was doing. A light blue button-down with thin striped sleeves rolled up just enough, paired with cream trousers he didn’t even remember owning. 

Stepping back out, the two heads turned toward him. 

“You’re ready,” Sabrina smiled. 

Harry flipped her off, kissed Nemo on the head, and told him to behave for his aunt and uncle, then grabbed his wallet and keys, ignoring the commentary about making sure to wrap it before, as he headed out. 

Louis’ place wasn’t too far, but just enough for Harry to calm his nerves. Dating wasn’t something he did often. He was more focused on trying to keep the business his dad left him running. The omega made him want to make the time. 

Pulling up in the driveway, he turned off his car. Sabrina had made it very clear that he was not allowed to text from the car like a knothead. So he listened, and he made his way up the path to the white front door. For a second, he just stood there, adjusting his grip on the stems and took in a deep breath, then finally he reached out and pressed the doorbell. 

The sound had barely finished echoing when a loud bark exploded from inside. Harry startled, taking a small step back as another bark followed, louder this time. 

Koda. 

He could hear movement on the other side of the door, footsteps, the soft shuffle of someone trying to manage an overly excited dog. Then Louis’ voice drifted through the door as he calmed the dog down. 

The door opened, and there was Louis, dressed in a fitted pink dress that hugged his body perfectly, his bump on full display. He was gorgeous. 

Harry’s brain short-circuited completely, and all he could do was stare like an idiot. 

“Sorry,” Louis said with a small giggle, glancing back over his shoulder. “Koda and the doorbell are mortal enemies.”

Shaking his head, he forced himself back into his body. “She’s trying to protect her mama,” a crooked smile pulled at his mouth.

“Always is,” Louis giggled. “Come in.”

Harry followed him in, and his eyes may have wandered to Louis’ ass just a bit. He couldn’t help it. It was just too good not to glance at. Plus, the way Louis swayed his hips made him suspect the omega wanted him to look. 

They stopped in the living room, and Louis turned, smiling. 

“You look beautiful,” Harry found himself blurting out. 

“Have I not always looked beautiful?” Louis raised a brow, but Harry could tell the compliment was getting to Louis as he bit his lip. He had picked up that Louis could be shy sometimes when it came to compliments, and that was one indication. 

He moved closer, placing one hand around Louis’ waist, smiling down at him.“You have looked beautiful since the day we met, but tonight you look extra beautiful." 

Louis' scent sweetened, and he leaned up, kissing Harry on the cheek. “You don’t look half bad yourself.” His hands made their way to Harry’s shirt, and his fingers glided on the fabric. Harry squeezed his waist a little, causing him to giggle. “I’m almost finished. Make yourself comfortable.”

With a kiss on the cheek, Louis walked off leaving Harry alone. He sighed happily, watching Louis go. Once he disappeared, Harry sat on the couch and looked around. The home was just so Louis. Filled with little trinkets, blankets that seemed to be in every corner, and a giant dog bed in the corner. It was cozy. 

He glanced down at the coffee table, and there were a couple of books, almost every single one a pregnancy book. There were notes tucked into almost every single one. And he noticed a brochure for a Lamaze class that Harry had found for him. 

He picked it up and was reading through it when he saw his life flash before his eyes. Harry knew Louis had a German shepherd. He had seen plenty of pictures and knew Koda was a big dog, but he didn’t expect her to be that big. She ran into the room and barked, staring at Harry. 

Harry screamed at the sudden appearance and jumped up onto the couch. He wasn’t afraid of dogs. He’s got Nemo, but he was a tiny little thing.

“Look, look, Koda, I’m innocent, I swear,” he said, holding his arms in surrender. “I’m just taking your mom out and bringing him right back.”

Koda didn’t seem to believe him and kept barking at him. Louis ran in a second later. “Koda!” he bent down to her level and petted her head. “That’s Harry. Remember? I told you about him. He’s Nemo’s dad.”

“Does she bite?” Harry asked as he gulped. 

“She doesn’t bite me.” Louis shrugged.

“Wonderful.”

Louis giggled and pushed himself up from the floor, groaning when his lower back protested. “Jesus Christ,” he said. 

Harry made a move to help him, but Koda beat him to it. The German Shepherd pressed herself against Louis’ legs carefully and nudged her head against his bump gently. 

“Thanks, baby,” Louis scratched behind her ears. 

Harry lowered himself down, making sure not to move too quickly. Koda watched him the entire time, big brown eyes throwing daggers. 

“Now, Koda, I raised you better than to be rude to our guests,” Louis crossed his arms. 

Koda responded with a huff. 

“Be nice, and you can have all the chicken nuggets your heart desires.”

That seemed to do the trick as Koda walked to Harry. She sniffed at him, then sat looking up. The alpha sat completely still. “Aren’t you a pretty girl?”

Koda tilted her head and stepped closer, resting her head directly on Harry’s knee. 

“See? Harmless.” Whether he was talking to Harry or Koda, Harry had no idea. Louis disappeared before he could ask. 

“I really like your mom,” he whispered while scratching behind Koda’s ears. “Like really, really like him.”

Koda stared at him silently.

“Maybe even love him.” 

One of Koda’s ears twitched up. 

“Too soon? Yeah. Probably.” 

Koda nudged her nose against his hand anyway.

Harry smiled, glancing toward where Louis had disappeared. “He’s just…” he shook his head, “he’s everything.” 

Koda leaned more of her weight against him.

“I know, trust me, I know,” his expression softened. “I promise I’m going to take care of him. Him and the little guy too,” he took a deep breath. “I won't let anyone hurt them. Including me.” 

Koda stared at him for another long second like she was debating whether or not to trust him. Harry would do whatever it took to prove his worth to this little family. He looked down as he felt something wet on his hand. Koda had given him a lick across his hand and wagged her tail. 

“And don’t worry,” Harry grinned. “I’ll bring Nemo next time. He’s tiny and shy, but I think you’d like him.”

Koda’s ears perked up at that. 

“Ready,” Louis called as he reentered the room, looking at the pair. “I see you two are getting along.” 

“We’ve come to a compromise,” Harry shrugged, getting up and walking over to him. 

Louis raised his brow at that but didn’t ask further questions. 

As they walked out, Harry turned and gave Koda a wink. In turn, she barked, giving her approval. 

☼

“I was in a rush. My alarm didn’t go off, and I didn’t want to be late to my own brother’s wedding.”

Louis snorted beside Harry. “You could have made time. All those poor people who had to smell you.” He giggled and dipped one of his fries into his vanilla ice cream. 

Harry watched him eat the diabolical combination, yet Louis claimed it was the best thing in the world. Anytime he took a bite, he did a happy wiggle, and it was the most Louis thing ever. A tiny smear of melted ice cream lingered at the corner of his mouth. Without thinking, Harry reached over and brushed his thumb gently against the corner of his lips, wiping it away, then licked it from his thumb. 

“You could have a bite if you want,” Louis giggled, ducking his head. 

Dinner had ended nearly an hour ago, but the second Louis subtly mentioned ice cream every five minutes, Harry had gotten the message loud and clear. 

Now they sat on the beach beneath, watching as the sun settled, the sound of nearby waves crashing while the cool summer air drifted around them. Harry had laid out an old blanket he kept in his trunk, insisting that Louis be comfortable. 

The entire night felt easy. Just laughter and teasing and stories spilling out naturally between them while they leaned closer and closer together. 

Harry couldn’t remember the last time a date felt this relaxed and carefree. There was no pressure, no awkward silences to fill, no pretending to be cooler or less emotional than he actually was. With Louis, everything just flowed. 

Louis sat curled beside him on the blanket with the lake tugging softly at his hair. At the same time, he continued stealing fries straight from Harry’s container despite insisting twenty minutes ago that he wasn’t hungry anymore. 

Harry would buy Louis fries for the rest of his life if he asked. Hell, probably even if he didn’t ask. 

A smile made its way to his face as he reached for another fry, only to realize Louis had gone quiet beside him. 

When he looked over, Louis was staring out toward the water, expression distant. His hand rested over his bump, fingers rubbing absent circles. 

“Penny for your thoughts?” 

“Pennies are extinct,” Louis huffed, giggling. 

“Quarter, then.” 

Louis stayed quiet for another second, then carefully sat up straighter and turned toward him. The shift in his expression made Harry’s stomach tighten. Louis looked nervous. 

“Harry,” he sighed. 

The way he said his name made Harry sit up, too. 

“Louis…”

Louis glanced down, grabbing a small handful of sand, then let it slowly slip through his fingers. Harry watched him struggle for the words and already hated whatever thoughts were making him look this worried. 

“You know I’m pregnant,” Louis started softly.

Harry tried for a smile. “And here I thought you just had a really big dinner.”

Normally, that joke would have gotten at least an eye roll. 

“Harry,” Louis swallowed, finally looking up at him with eyes already beginning to water. The sight alone shattered Harry. “I really like you,” he admitted. “And my omega…” He let out a shaky breath. “My omega already sees you as its alpha.”

Harry’s alpha surged forward at the words, his chest roaring to life so loudly it nearly drowned everything else out. Mine. Protect. Omega. 

Louis was his omega. 

Before Harry could even respond, Louis rushed ahead like he was scared of what would happen if he stopped talking. “But my pup comes first,” he whispered, tears gathering faster in his eyes. “Always. He’s non-negotiable, and I need you to understand that because I can’t…” His voice cracked hard enough that Harry physically felt it. “I can’t survive someone walking into our lives and then deciding we’re too much.”

Harry’s heart dropped, his inner alpha growling and wanting to take all of Louis’ pain away. 

Louis looked down at his bump, caressing his hand slowly over it. “I’m terrified I’m going to mess him up somehow,” he admitted. “That one day he’s going to resent me for growing up without a dad. Without an alpha there to teach him to be an alpha.”

Tears clung heavily to his lashes as he shook his head. “I’m proud of myself for being an independent omega,” he continued weakly. “I really am. But sometimes I sit awake at night wondering if that’s actually enough. If I’m enough to raise him properly.”

Harry wanted to interrupt so badly. Wanted to tell Louis right then and there that he was already going to be the best mom. That his pup was lucky beyond belief to have him. 

But he stopped himself because he knew Louis needed to let this out. Let out all the fears he had been holding back for who knows how long. 

“I know what people say about omega like me,” he whispered. “I hear it all the time. They’ll smile at my bump and tell me how cute I look until they notice my bare neck.” He laughed bitterly through the tears. “Then suddenly it’s different.”

Harry’s jaw clenched. 

“No good alpha wants someone who’s already pregnant,” Louis finished. The words made something ugly twist inside Harry’s chest. 

Louis sniffled and wiped angrily at his face before looking back up at him. “This past month has been the happiest I’ve been in a really long time,” he admitted. “You make me feel things I didn’t think I’d get to have for a while.” His hand rubbed carefully over his bump again. “I haven’t been this happy since I found out I was having him.”

Harry reached out and placed his hand on top of Louis’ over his stomach. 

“You kiss me like no other has before,” Louis smiled shakily through his tears. “You make us feel loved and that we really matter.” 

“But Harry,” Louis’ expression crumpled all over again. “You could have anyone,” he whispered. “Any omega you want. Someone easier. Someone without stretch marks and hormones and swollen feet and who has to pee every five minutes." His voice cracked completely. 

“Someone who isn’t already damaged goods.”

The second the words left Louis’ mouth, something inside Harry snapped. Not anger at Louis. Never at him. Anger at every single person who had ever made his beautiful omega feel like he was somehow worth less because another alpha had failed him. 

Harry moved his hand, cupping Louis’ face carefully and wiping away the tears falling down his cheeks. “Do not,” he whispered, eyes locked onto Louis.’ “Do not ever call yourself that again.”

Louis’ bottom lip trembled. 

“You are not damaged,“ Harry continued. “You know what I see when I look at you?” 

A tear slipped down Louis’ cheek as he shook his head. 

“I see the strongest omega I’ve ever met.” The hand on Louis’ bump moving gently. “You’re carrying an entire little life and have put him above yourself.” He huffed a laugh. “You started eating vegetables even though you complain about them every single day because you knew it was good for your pup,” Harry smiled weakly. “You rearranged your whole life for him already. Every decision you make is for the good of him.”

Louis started crying harder. Even with all the snot, he was still gorgeous. 

“I’ve known you for a month, but I already know you would do anything and everything for your pup.” He used his thumb to brush away some of the tears. “That little boy is going to grow up knowing exactly what love looks like because of you.”

Louis let out a shaky sob. 

“And you are not broken, omega,” Harry whispered, leaning forward, kissing the corner of Louis’ mouth. “You are an amazing omega,” he kissed him again. “You are my omega.”

Louis smiled slightly, biting his bottom lip and looking up at him with his lashes. 

“There is nothing easy about anyone else,” Harry murmured, his skin again. “Because they wouldn’t be you.” 

Louis’ breathing shook unevenly. Harry’s thumb rubbed slow circles to calm him. 

“I don’t care that another alpha was stupid enough to walk away,” he admitted. “I care that somehow I got lucky enough to find you two afterward.” He leaned their foreheads together, noses brushing against one another. Louis closed his eyes. 

“You and your little guy aren’t baggage to me,” Harry whispered against Louis’ lips. “And I know I’m not biologically his dad…” he smiled. “But if you let me, I would love him anyway. Just like I love his mom.”

Louis opened his eyes and leaned back slightly. “What?”

“I love you, Louis,” Harry smiled. “I know, I know it’s crazy, but I do. I can’t help how I feel. You don’t have to say it back. I’d wait forever to hear it, but just know I love you and this little guy.” He rubbed Louis’ bump.

In response, Louis surged forward and wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss. “I love you too, alpha.” 

They sat together for a long while watching the sunset slowly melt across the horizon, streaks of orange, pink, and gold reflecting off the water while the evening breeze carried the scent of salt and summer around them. 

Eventually, Louis decided he wanted to put his feet in the water, and Harry followed him down the shoreline without hesitation. Really, there was little Harry wouldn’t do for his omega. 

The sand shifted under their feet as they walked closer to the tide, Louis moving carefully with Harry’s hand steadied at his waist the entire time. The water rolled lazily against the shore, cool water brushing against their ankles while the last bit of sunlight flowed against Louis’ skin. 

Harry couldn’t take his eyes off him. 

Wind pushed through Louis’ hair, his cheeks flushed from laughing, his dress snuggled comfortably around the curve of his bump. Everything about him looked soft and warm against the backdrop of the darkening sky. 

Then the baby kicked. 

Louis instinctively brought a hand to his stomach, smiling while Harry’s attention dropped there too. His hand settled over Louis gently, as if touching the bump were still sacred every single time. 

The waves continued rolling around their feet, and Harry leaned closer, forehead resting against Louis’ temple while Louis melted into his side. 

It was simple in the best possible way.

Just the two of them standing barefoot in the water, not afraid of what the future held for them. 

☼

“Now breathe,” the Lamaze instructor encouraged. “Perfect. I’ll see everyone next week.”

“Still kind of crazy there’s an entire class dedicated to breathing,” Harry joked as he helped Louis up from the yoga mat. 

“You are the one who signed us up,” Louis reminded him with an eye roll. The second he stood fully, a groan had escaped when his lower back started aching from sitting too long. Harry was already there before Louis could complain, his hands pressing against the sore muscles. 

“Better?” Harry asked, kissing his cheek.

Louis melted at the attention. “Much.” 

Harry smiled proudly, then grabbed their bag while Louis waddled beside him toward the parking lot. 

It was September now, which meant Louis officially had only 10 more weeks until his little boy got an eviction notice. He was terrified but excited all at once. It also meant he and Harry had officially been together for two months. Two months of Harry proving every single day that he was a worthy alpha for Louis. 

After the night of their date, things between them had fallen together easily. Harry had spoiled him; if they didn’t go out, they stayed in, cuddled on the couch, with Koda and Nemo right by their side. Louis even convinced Harry to start watching a telenovela with him, Fire and Ice. 

At first, he grumbled about it and will deny liking it, but deep down, he’s even more into it than Louis. The alpha also proved that he really was all in when it came to Louis’ unborn pup.  He signed them up for Lamaze classes, had taken Louis to all his appointments, and had even graciously gone out in the middle of the night when Louis craved a chocolate croissant. He painted the nursery even when Louis kept changing his mind on the color, built the crib and dresser, and did it all with a smile on his face. 

And sex with Harry…well, that exceeded every fantasy Louis had ever had. Harry treated his body like it was some one-of-a-kind artwork. He was attentive and patient and was obsessed with making Louis feel good. The alpha refused to let Louis touch him until he made him come at least twice. And the fact that Harry was well-endowed shocked Louis every time. The first time they slept together, Louis spent a solid five minutes just staring at him, wondering how exactly any of that was supposed to fit. 

It did end up fitting, and it hit all the spots Louis could never get with his dildo or finger. He also learned quickly that Harry was completely obsessed with his ass, which worked out wonderfully considering pregnancy had only made Louis curvier.  

And the mustache did give him a burn. 

They were truly happy. And for the first time in a very long time, Louis wasn’t waiting for everything to fall apart. He had found his soulmate. 

The weather had finally started cooling down, which meant Louis no longer felt like he was moments away from heatstroke every time he walked outside. Summer school had finished, and he now had some time before the new school year started. Even though he will only be there for a short time before going on maternity leave, he was still excited. 

The farmers' market was still happening and only a street away from the Lamaze class, so they decided to walk through it before heading home. “Oh my God, Harry, look at this,” Louis squealed suddenly, holding up a tiny knitted baby hat with little bear ears. 

Harry looked over, smiling. “You don’t think he already owns enough hats?” he laughed while still reaching for his wallet anyway. 

Louis shrugged and grabbed two more. “He needs options.”

“Of course he does.” 

Harry bought all three without hesitation. Louis had given up on ever paying for anything when with Harry. The only time he ever did was when they went to the movies, and Harry had forgotten his wallet. He begged Louis to let him pay him back, but he refused. The next day, he got a Venmo notification from Harry Styles. Louis rolled his eyes and ended up buying Harry lunch with that money. 

They spent the next hour wandering from booth to booth while Louis sampled every single snack available. By the end of it, he was happily finishing off a cinnamon donut while Harry browsed through old vinyl records at one of the stands nearby. He didn’t like how the owner of the stand was standing too close to his alpha and was sending daggers her way. 

“That's your alpha?”

Louis jumped at the voice and turned to find two older omegas smiling at him. One had dark curly hair streaked with gray, while the other had bright white curls tucked under a scarf. 

“He is,” Louis politely smiled. 

The dark-haired omega’s expression softened. “He’s completely in love with you.”

“He keeps checking to make sure you’re still here,” the other omega laughed. “Can’t stop looking over.”

Louis blushed and glanced back, and sure enough, Harry was already staring at him. The second their eyes met, Harry made a funny face, causing Louis to giggle. “Trust me,” he bit his lip. “I feel the same way.”

“And you have the cutest bump,” the dark-haired omega cooed. 

Louis smiled shyly and caressed the top of his bump. “Thank you. My alpha and I can’t wait for him to get here.”

“Ay, how long have you two been together?” the white-haired omega asked kindly.

“Two months,” Louis answered proudly. 

That made both omegas pause and slowly look at each other before quietly switching to Spanish. 

“Ni tiene una marca en su cuello,” the dark, harried omega whispered. (He doesn’t even have a mark on his neck.)

“Ay,” the other scoffed. “Esta generación de omegas no saben cómo cerrar la piernas, no cero que el alfa sea el padre.” (This generation of omegas don’t even know how to close their legs, I don’t think the alpha is the father)

Louis’ smile dropped. He was so exhausted by people like this. People who saw an unbonded omega and just decided they knew everything about him. He crossed his arms carefully over his bump. 

“Bueno, creo que necesito menos prejuicios y mas apoyo,” he replied sharply in perfect Spanish. “Parece otra justificación de esta actitud.” (Well, I think I need less judgment and more support. That seems like a better justification of your energy than this.)

Both omegas looked stunned, but before either could respond, a familiar pair of arms wrapped around Louis from behind. “You ready to go, omega?” Harry murmured against his cheek, placing a kiss there.

Louis relaxed back against him. Harry’s hands settled protectively over his bump while the alpha subtly scented him, probably noticing his irritation. Turning carefully in Harry’s arms and pressed a kiss against his lips. “I love you,” he whispered. 

“I love you too.” Harry intertwined their fingers and guided Louis away from the judgmental omegas without another glance. 

“You know,” Harry bumped his shoulder gently against Louis’, “I really love it when you speak Spanish.”

Louis snorted. “You just think it’s hot when I roll my R’s.”

Harry shrugged unapologetically. They wandered through a few more booths, but after another twenty minutes, Louis’ feet ached, and his bladder decided it could no longer wait another second. Unfortunately, that meant the porta-potties. Louis stared at them with complete disgust. “You couldn’t have pushed up against any other organ,” he sighed and waddled off. 

By the time he made it back to the picnic tables, Harry had somehow acquired a giant pretzel and two lemonades. Louis’ face lit up, and he felt drool coming out. “You remembered the honey mustard this time,” he giggled while tearing off a piece and dipping it generously into the sauce. 

“I didn’t want to sleep on the couch again.”

“And now you won’t ever forget,” Louis kissed his cheek, accidentally leaving a streak of mustard. 

Harry chuckled and wiped the mustard from his cheek, licking it off his fingers. Louis hummed happily around another bite.

“What did those omegas say to you earlier?” 

Louis shrugged with one shoulder.  “The usual judgment,” he sighed, tearing off another pretzel. They complimented my bump, asked how long we’ve been together, then noticed my neck and made assumptions. 

A low growl rumbled from Harry’s chest. He moved closer, wrapping both arms tightly around Louis. His hands slid under the curve of Louis’ bump while he pulled him fully against his chest. 

“Idiots.” He muttered, nuzzling his face in Louis’ neck and placing a kiss on the spot that the alpha would someday mark. 

Louis shivered. They had already talked about bonding after the baby was born. Omegas couldn’t safely bond during pregnancy because it could put stress on the pup, so Louis had been trying very hard to stay patient about it. Still, every time Harry kissed that spot, Louis’ omega purred itself unconscious. 

“One day,” Harry whispered against his skin.

Louis melted a little further into him. 

‘I’m going to show the entire world you’re mine.” 

“Can you also tell that omega that was flirting with you to fuck off?” Louis hummed. 

Harry lifted his head, confused. “What omega?” 

“The one at the vinyl stand,” he pouted. “She kept twirling her hair and standing all close to you.”

Realization crossed Harry’s face, then he grinned. “Aww,” he teased while squeezing Louis’ waist. “Someone’s jealous.”

“Well, you smell like me,” Louis huffed defensively. “How did she not get the hint you already have an omega?” He pushed the pretzel plate away, his appetite disappearing completely as tears burned behind his eyes. “You’re gonna leave me for her, aren’t you?” he whispered brokenly, and tears finally spilled over. “I know I’m not attractive right now. I have stretch marks and swollen feet, and my boobs hurt all the time and–”

“Omega.” Harry turned him carefully in his arms and cupped Louis’ face between his hands. “Breathe for me, baby.” Louis tried to speak again, but another sob caught in his throat instead. “In through your nose,” he instructed while rubbing his thumbs under Louis’ eyes. “Come on. Nice and slow.”

Louis shakily obeyed. 

“And out through your mouth,” Harry whispered. “Good omega. Again.” He stayed calm through every shaky breath, grounding Louis carefully until the panic and hormones loosened their grip. 

Pregnancy had turned Louis into an emotional mess lately. He cried at commercials because Nemo sneezed weirdly once, and he even cried last week because Harry bought the wrong orange juice. Somehow, Harry handled every single breakdown with the utmost patience.

“There we go,” Harry murmured once Louis finally relaxed again. He pulled Louis against his chest, rubbing soothing circles against his back while scenting him. Whisky and ginger wrapped around Louis, keeping him safe. 

“How about we go home,” Harry suggested, kissing the top of his head, “and I draw you up a bath, you put on that giant shirt of mine you love so much, and we cuddle in your nest for the rest of the day and watch the new episodes of Fire and Ice?”

Louis sniffled weakly against his chest. “But you have work.”

“I can’t exactly fire myself,” he teased. 

That finally pulled a tiny giggle out of Louis. Harry smiled and pulled him closer, if that was even possible. 

“Besides,” he murmured while rubbing one hand slowly over Louis’ bump, “my omega and pup need me more.”

Harry kept true to his word. After a long bath where Louis nearly fell asleep twice, they finally made their way into the bedroom. Louis rebuilt his nest, adding another shirt that Harry had scented for him, while Koda and Nemo claimed their usual corners. 

Harry waited beside the bed until Louis gave him the okay. He climbed in and pulled Louis against him. Louis melted into his side with a happy sigh while Harry leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss against his bump. 

“You are going to come out all chunky, huh, little guy?” he murmured teasingly. 

Louis smacked the side of Harry’s head. “Be nice.”

Harry laughed and wrapped one arm tighter around Louis’ bump, pulling him closer. “What about Lincoln?” Harry guessed 

Louis turned his head. “Lincoln? As in Abraham Lincoln?”

“Uh…” 

“Veto.”

Harry scratched awkwardly at the back of his neck. “I was actually thinking about the car.”

Louis narrowed his eyes at him. “And where exactly do you think the car got its name from?”

Harry paused. “Okay, what about Sheldon?”

“Is he some theoretical physicist?”

Harry shrugged. “He could be.”

“Veto.”

Harry huffed and dropped back against the pillow. “Veto sounds like a good name.”

Louis reached over, grabbed his phone, opened his notes app, then shoved it directly into Harry’s hands. 

“This is the approved list.”

Harry snorted and started scrolling through the massive list of baby names Louis had apparently been collecting for who knows how long. Some had little stars beside them, while others had been crossed out with comments like "sounds like a mean attorney" and "absolutely not". The further he scrolled, the harder he laughed, until he landed on one particular name. 

“What about this one?” he pointed. 

Louis squealed, “I forgot about that one.”

Harry leaned down again. “What do you say, little guy, do you like it?”

“Shh, he’s sleeping,” Louis said as he ran his hand through Harry’s hair. “But he does.”  

☼

Harry was annoyed. Actually annoyed, was putting it lightly. He was hot despite the fact that it was October. His beer had gone warm ten minutes ago, and there was currently another alpha standing way too close for Harry’s liking. 

Granted that alpha was Aldana. But still, she was too close to his omega. 

“Dude,” Sabrina came up beside him, lightly punching his shoulder, “relax. You're stinking up the entire backyard with your alpha pheromones.” 

Harry growled quietly under his breath and took another sip of his beer, but regretted it once he remembered how warm it was. Disgusted, he shoved the bottle down onto the nearby table, harder than necessary. 

They were at Aldana’s house for Louis’ baby shower. Harry honestly wanted to enjoy it. Truly, he did. He loved seeing Louis happy and watching the omega open the tiniest clothes and giggle every time someone gifted something ridiculous. Harry loved seeing Louis and the pup spoiled. 

But something had felt off since the moment he woke up that morning. His skin felt too tight, his body warm, and every scent around him seemed unbearably strong. Every time another person touched Louis’ bump, something ugly and possessive twisted violently inside his chest. 

His alpha was agitated, and Harry hated it. The last thing he wanted was for Louis to think he didn’t want to be there. But he would love for everyone within a ten-foot radius away from his omega before he lost his mind completely. 

Thankfully, the shower was winding down. Guests filtered out of the backyard with leftover cupcakes and gift bags while Louis sat smiling sleepily in his chair, looking completely happy. The only ones left now were Aldana, Aldana’s omega Delia, and Sabrina. 

“Ay, Harry,” Aldana called loudly from across the yard. “Quit sulking and help me load the presents.”

Harry exhaled through his nose before forcing himself to move. He spent the next few minutes carrying gift bags and boxes out to his car while trying his hardest not to snap at Aldana, everything she touched, Loui’s shoulder, or the blanket over his legs. It was irrational. Harry knew that, but that didn’t stop his alpha from wanting to bare his teeth anyway. 

Once the last present was loaded, Harry headed back toward the yard, only for Aldana to stop him near the patio. “Harry.” 

He stopped, and Aldana held up one hand carefully. “I know you’re angry with me.” 

Harry crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “You didn’t need your paws all over my omega like that.”

Aldana blinked but sighed. 

“Louis is mine,” Harry’s jaw tightened as he felt a growl making its way out. 

“I know he is,” Aldana replied calmly. “And Delia is my omega. I promise I’m not trying to steal yours.”

Harry huffed but didn’t answer. Aldana studied him for another second when her expression changed. “When was your last rut?” she asked. 

“You can’t ask me that,” he spat out. “That’s private.”

Aldana lifted both hands in surrender. “I’m not trying to offend you.”

“Then don’t ask private questions.”

“Harry,”  she interrupted. “You have every symptom of pre-rut.”

The words hit him like a bucket of ice water had been poured all over him. He froze, and suddenly everything clicked into place. The overheating, the possessiveness, the aggression, and the way Louis’ scent had been driving him absolutely insane lately. “Oh, fuck,” Harry cursed, dragging both hands down his face. With work, Louis, and preparing for the baby, the date had slipped right past him. 

“I have to get out of here,” Harry said frantically. 

“Take Louis now and go home,” Aldana instructed. 

“You have to take him,” Harry said. “I need to go back to my house. I–I can’t be with Louis during this.”

“What? Are you crazy? You have an omega that would want to help you through it,” Aldana said. 

Harry shook his head. “He’s pregnant, I can’t hurt him or the baby.”

“What’s going on?”

Harry looked up to see that Louis had waddled out from the backyard. “Harry, you are sweating,” Louis said as he walked to him. “Were you two doing push-ups or something?” he giggled. 

“Harry’s in pre-rut,” Aldana crossed her arms. 

Louis snapped back at Harry. “Alpha, we have to get you out of here.” He grabbed Harry’s arm, pulling him toward the car. “Aldi, you’ll watch the dogs, right?”

Aldana nodded and walked to the backyard. 

Harry shook his head. “Louis, I…” He cut himself off with a strained growl, jaw tightening as his alpha clawed against the words. Every part of his being screamed not to say it. Not to leave his omega. “I can’t spend my rut with you.”

The sparkle in Louis’ blue eyes vanished so quickly it made Harry feel physically sick. Harry hated himself for it. But the thought of losing control around his pregnant omega terrified the hell out of him. Yes, they had been having sex regularly. Harry knew Louis’ body inside and out. Knew exactly how to touch him, how to edge him, and how to make him feel safe. 

But a rut was different. 

Harry hadn’t spent a rut with an omega in a while, but he knew he could be aggressive and might lose a bit of self-control, which would have been fine if only Louis weren’t pregnant. He just couldn’t take that risk. 

“Do you not find me attractive anymore?” Louis’ voice cracked. “Do I smell bad? Oh God, you are going to spend it with another omega, aren’t you?”

“Omega, no.” Harry pulled him into his arms, holding him tightly against his chest. “You are so fucking beautiful,” he whispered, pressing a kiss against the top of Louis’ head. “And your scent…” Harry groaned, eyes falling shut. “God, your scent drives me absolutely insane.”

Louis sniffled against him. 

Harry forced himself to stay still despite every part of his being screaming at him to stop fighting this. His alpha was clawing under his skin, furious with him for even considering leaving his omega during a rut.  “I’m serious, Louis,” Harry admitted. “Right now, my alpha is screaming at me to shut up, throw you over my shoulder, and take you home.”

Louis looked up at him, his eyes still teary. “Then why the hell don’t you?” he burst out as he pulled himself from Harry’s arms. 

Harry smiled because Louis just looked adorable. His face was all scrunched up, hair pulled back with a clip to keep it out of his way, and a purple-and-white dress that showed off his 8-month bump so perfectly. He grabbed Louis’ hands before the omega could pull away any further. “I could hurt you,” Harry tried to say gently. “Or the baby.”

But saying those words agitated his inner alpha, and it felt like he was being stabbed.  

“I can’t let anything happen to either of you,” Harry desperately tried to get Louis to understand. “Please, omega.”

Louis stared at him for a long moment, breathing unevenly and shaking his head. “You are not going to hurt us!” He stepped closer again, gently bringing both hands up to cup Harry’s face, forcing the alpha to look directly at him. 

“Harry,” he had on his serious face, and again Louis just wanted to kiss those pouty lips, “do you really think I would let anyone near my pup if I thought they were dangerous?”

Harry shook his head. 

“You’ve spent months taking care of us,” he smiled. “You go above and beyond to keep us safe and well-loved.” Louis let out a soft breath. “And I trust you with everything. With me and the little guy who just decided my bladder was a punching bag.”

Harry laughed breathlessly, and his inner alpha was relaxing a bit as Louis really was the only one who could. 

“You’re not some monster,” Louis bit his bottom lip. “You’re my alpha.” Then quieter that he almost missed it. “My soulmate.”

“Soulmate, huh?” Harry leaned forward until their foreheads rested together, eyes falling shut as he breathed in Louis deeply. Jasmine and lavender wrapped around him, soothing the raw, terrified feeling inside him. 

“Unfortunately, the universe decided we belonged together, so you are stuck with me,” Louis giggled and brushed his fingers through Harry’s hair. “But seriously, Harry, we can do this. I am going to help you. And if it gets too much,” he shrugged. “We stop.”

Harry’s hand tightened around Louis’ waist. 

“But I’ll be damned if I let you go through this alone. So go get the leftover cookies and let's go home so you can fuck me.”

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “You make it really hard to think straight, omega.”

Louis smiled and leaned up to kiss him. “Good,” he whispered against Harry’s lips. 

“Take me home, alpha.”

☼

Louis’ scent hit Harry the second they stepped into the bedroom. Jasmine and lavender clung to every blanket, hoodie, and pillows piled into the carefully built nest. The entire room smelled like his warm, flower of an omega. 

One day, he was going to build a place for Louis that belonged to both of them. Somewhere big enough for Louis’ insane collection of blankets. Somewhere with enough bedrooms for however many pups Louis would inevitably convince him to have. And a huge backyard for Koda and Nemo, even though both traitorous dogs clearly loved Louis more. 

Honestly, Harry doesn’t blame them. It was nearly impossible not to love the omega. 

“Where do you want me, Alpha?” Louis asked as they moved farther into the room. 

Harry nearly fucking lost it at the sight of him. 

Louis was still wearing the purple-and-white dress from the shower, the fabric stretched snugly over the curve of his bump. His cheeks were slightly flushed, his lips bitten red, and his shiny blue eyes were wide and needy as they lifted toward Harry. 

Beautiful wasn’t a strong enough word anymore. Harry stepped closer, wrapping both hands around Louis’ waist and nuzzling his face against Louis’ neck where his scent was strongest, breathing him in deeply until his head spun. His alpha growled in his chest; he was close to going under. Dragging a tongue over Louis’ gland, the omega whimpered in his arms. 

The scent of slick flooded the room. “Jesus Christ,” Harry muttered. 

Carefully, he guided Louis backward toward the bed where the nest had already been arranged perfectly by his omega. Thick blankets layered beneath soft pillows, with hoodies and shirts placed meticulously around. 

Harry stopped beside it. “Can I?” he asked, gesturing toward the center of the nest. 

Louis smiled shyly and nodded.

Harry climbed in first, then helped Louis settle into his lap, one protective hand supporting the bump. The second Louis straddled him, Harry’s hand slid under his dress, palms spreading across his hip before drifting lower. 

Their mouths met slowly. Louis sighed into the kiss, fingers curling weakly into Harry’s shoulder while Harry swallowed every sound he made. Harry’s grip tightened possessively against Louis’ ass, squeezing hard enough to make the omega gasp into his mouth. 

“The prettiest ass in the entire fucking universe,” Harry murmured against his lips. 

A breathy giggle escaped Louis. “Good enough to eat?” he teased. 

Harry let out a low growl at that, his eyes darkening further as he toyed with the hem of Louis’ panties. “You have no idea what you do to me.” Carefully, he adjusted Louis higher in his lap so the bump stayed comfortable between them. “Cover your ears, little guy,” he said, placing a kiss on the top of the bump. Looking back up at Louis, sitting beautifully, he spread one large hand possessively over the bump. “Mine,” he growled, dragging his lips against Louis’ jaw again. “My omega.”

Louis whimpered at the words, thighs trembling against Harry’s hips. 

Harry pushed the dress higher and higher until he finally pulled it off completely, leaving Louis in nothing but his panties. Harry lay him down slowly, making sure he stayed supported before lowering himself behind Louis. “Fuck,” Harry growled, hands squeezing the soft flesh of Louis’ cheek. His skin burned hot under his palms. 

He stripped quickly, then settled back into place, shoving the panties aside with trembling fingers. Slick coated the omega’s thighs, glistening and inviting. Harry’s mouth watered. He needed a taste. 

Louis let out a strangled whimper the second Harry spread him open. “Please, Alpha.” 

Harry smirked against the inside of his thick thigh, sucking a dark mark into his tanned skin. Then he dragged one long stripe of his tongue through the slick. The taste made him feral. 

Sweet, floral flooded Harry’s senses as he growled deeply against him, tongue pushing inside greedily. Louis cried out above him, body arching helplessly into the blankets. 

Harry held his thighs open harder and licked deeper, savoring every desperate sound Louis made. His cock was painfully hard, leaking against his stomach as he fucked his tongue into the omega. 

Above him, Louis writhed desperately against the bed, trying to grind against the blankets for friction for his small cock, but the heavy bump made it clumsy and frustrating. 

Harry finally pulled back just enough to breathe, admiring the wetness and marks from his facial hair. Louis whimpered at the loss. 

When Harry looked up, Louis froze in place. Harry’s eyes had gone completely black, and one hand wrapped tightly around his large cock while he stared at Louis. 

“Alpha,” Louis moaned weakly before crawling toward him through the blankets. His smaller hand wrapped around Harry’s length, stroking once. 

Harry grunted at the contact, tangling a hand into Louis’ hair and tugging him closer. “You want to suck your alpha’s cock, omega?” Harry asked roughly. 

Louis looked up through his lashes and nodded, tongue already darting out and licking the tip. 

A deep growl made its way out from Harry’s throat and tightened his grip in Louis’ hair, a silent warning not to tease. Louis only moaned around him in response, blue eyes peeking up through his lashes while he moved his tongue exactly the way he knew drove Harry insane. Slow where Harry needed, and deeper when the alpha’s breathing started breaking apart. 

Harry stared down at him with darkened eyes, jaw clenched tight, while his control slipped further and further away. Every sound Louis made pushed him closer to the edge. “Omega,” he groaned roughly, guiding him deeper. “Fuck.”

Louis hummed happily around him before pulling away just enough to press kisses lower, worshipping every inch of the alpha. Just because he was pregnant didn’t mean he still couldn’t suck a cock. He kissed down and licked and sucked on every inch of the heavy cock. Whiskey and ginger surrounded his entire being. 

Harry’s entire body tensed at the feeling, hips jerking helplessly while the low growls vibrated through his chest. It didn’t take long before he completely broke apart with the way Louis’ mouth expertly worked him over. 

With a rough groan, he spilled and painted Louis’ entire face. Louis smiled, looking entirely too pleased with himself afterward. 

Harry looked down at his omega. Louis was flushed from head to toe, lips swollen, bump on full display while he sat back on his knees catching his breath. It was the hottest thing ever. He brushed his thumb along Louis’ cheek, then leaned down, kissing him hard enough to steal another whine from him. 

Pulling away, he swiped a finger at some of the come and then brought it to Louis’ mouth. Louis, being the good omega he was, took the finger, sucked it dry, and continued until not a trace was left.

Harry needed more. 

Wordlessly, the alpha shifted Louis around and positioned him toward the edge of the bed, bending him over and growling when faced with the omega’s delicious ass. The alpha licked his lips and dropped lower, completely entranced by the scent of Louis’ slick. His mouth traveled along Louis’ thighs and hips, kissing and biting hard enough to leave marks everywhere.

Spit and slick dripped down Louis’ thighs as Harry had his way with the omega. Making sure there wasn’t a single spot on the omega that wasn’t marked, except where he desperately wanted to. But that time will come. For now, he had this. 

Louis whimpered high at the feel of his alpha marking him and claiming his body. He arched as Harry moved lower to where Louis’ small cock hung. He rubbed his thumb on it. “Little clit,” he groaned, then took it in his mouth. 

“Oh fuck alpha,” he cried out and nearly collapsed at the overwhelming feeling. In no time, Harry was hard again and fisted his cock. He needed to be inside his omega. He eeded to knot him and fill him up. 

With one last lick at the omega’s cock he leaned back up. “So pretty for me,” Harry murmured roughly as he guided his cock to Louis’ entrance. “My omega.” 

“Alpha,” Louis whined desperately. “I need…” he gasped, not being able to say anything else. 

Harry pushed inside with one buck of his hips, groaning at the feel of Louis’ wall tightening around him. He pulled Louis closer and dropped his forehead against Louis’ shoulder with a rough curse. “Mine,” he growled shakily, pulling back slightly only to thrust deep again. 

Louis cried out, feeling so incredibly full as Harry fucked into him, claiming him all over. He shivered at the way Harry’s voice got deeper and deeper with each thrust. The room filled with broken breaths, quiet moans, and the sounds of skin against skin while Harry lost himself completely in the omega. 

Harry kissed along Louis’ neck hungrily, tongue dragging against flushed skin while his teeth grazed lightly over the mating gland there. The urge to bite down hit him hard; it physically hurt. His alpha wanted it desperately. Wanted to make Louis theirs forever. 

But even when half gone, Harry still held onto enough control not to. Instead, he soothed the spot with softer kisses while holding Louis impossibly close against him. He kept one hand spread over the curve of his bump and the other on his hip as he kept fucking him. 

“Pup,” Harry growled more emotionally this time, fingers spreading protectively over Louis’ stomach. “My pup.”

Louis melted at that, reaching back blindly for Harry. “Yours,” he breathed out, “We’re yours, Alpha.”

Harry let out a rough growl against Louis’ neck, the sound vibrating through both of them. His control was slipping more with every second, instincts pushing hard under his skin, demanding closeness and to keep Louis tucked under him forever.  

He shifted Louis onto his side, wrapping himself around him while his thrusts turned slower and rougher all at once. 

Louis whimpered and brought his hands up to his nipples, which had always been sensitive, but with the pregnancy, the sensitivity increased tenfold. He pulled at the hard buds as Harry gripped at his hip and fucked into him hard. 

Noticing Louis playing with his nipples, Harry grunted and pushed Louis’ hands away. “Mine,” he shifted Louis so that he had access to his chest and attached his lips to the omega’s hard nipples.

The minute Harry’s mouth attached to the hardened bud, Louis cried out in pleasure, his fingers tangling into Harry’s hair and gripping hard, 

“So good,” Louis moaned brokenly. “Yes, alpha.”

Harry groaned around the bud and pulled at it with his teeth. Little drops of milk came out as he sucked harder. Louis cried out in pleasure, clenching around him. “Fuck, alpha–alpha, yes, oh fuck, yes.”

The alpha kept fucking into him. “So wet for me. So fucking wet,” he growled. 

“I’m gonna–” Louis shook his head and cried out, not being able to take all of the pleasure from Harry sucking at his nipples and fucking into him. He clenched around the alpha, coming hard all over his thighs. His legs shook as Harry popped off his nipple. 

“Knot me, Alpha.”

Harry thrust in once more and growled as he felt his knot pop inside the omega. 

“Love you, alpha,” Louis whispered, feeling so full with his alpha’s knot in him. 

Harry turned his head and kissed him deeply. “Love you, Omega.” He rubbed his nose against Louis’ cheek and scented him to help him sleep for a while. He didn’t know when the next round would be, and he needed his omega well-rested.

“My omega,” he murmured against Louis’ skin, placing soft kisses along his neck. “My pup,” he caressed slowly over the bump. 

Louis smiled tiredly, eyes heavy with exhaustion and happiness. “Yours,” he whispered. “All yours.” 

Harry stayed awake long after Louis drifted off, watching the omega sleep peacefully in his nest. His hair was a mess, and his body was covered in come and bruises. It was a glorious sight. 

Once his knot softened, Harry carefully unwrapped himself from Louis and focused on taking care of him. Warm washcloths, fresh water, and snacks pulled from the drawer Louis kept hidden beside his bed. His alpha needed to care for Louis. Feed, clean, and keep him full at all times. 

Louis whined a little while Harry cleaned him up, then reached for the water. Harry pressed it into his hands. “There you go, omega,” he murmured while brushing his hair back from his forehead. “Need to eat something too.”

Louis blinked sleepily at him and accepted the Oreo Harry offered. The omega was too adorable, curled up in his nest, eating cookies, half-asleep. 

Another wave hit him soon after. “Oh, fuck,” Harry groaned, dropping his forehead against Louis’ shoulder as his cock hardened. 

“Another round?” Louis looked up lazily, still chewing.

Harry only nodded tightly and carefully shifted Louis into his lap and slid his cock easily into his slicked hole. It was still so tight, and he held Louis close, not wanting to move him. The alpha buried his face against Louis’ neck, making sure the omega smelled of him while his cock was kept warm by the omega. 

“You look so pretty sitting on my cock,” Harry murmured roughly against his skin. “Keeping my cock warm, huh?”

Louis giggled around the last bit of his cookie, crumbs catching at the corner of his mouth while he adjusted himself comfortably in Harry’s lap. “Feels so good, alpha,” he whispered, nuzzling his face in Harry’s neck. 

Harry’s arms tightened around him while Louis nuzzled into the side of his neck, breathing him in, then pressing a lingering kiss there. Then another. The omega sucked a mark into Harry’s skin, smiling when a low growl rumbled from the alpha’s chest. 

Large fingers dragged up and down Louis’ spine as he moved to the other side, scenting and marking every inch of his neck to ensure everyone knew Harry was his. 

They lay there for who knows how long when Harry started bucking his hips, and after only two thrusts, his knot popped again, filling the omega up with a growl. 

Harry’s rut lasted five days. 

Five long days of Harry wanting his hand on Louis every second possible. The alpha fucked and knotted him in nearly every corner of the house, except the nursery. That room stayed untouched because of obvious reasons. 

By the third day, Louis could barely think straight as he rode Harry’s cock and was crying out his name. His legs and thighs ached, close to cramping, but he was determined to make Harry come. 

Harry’s grip around his hips was tight, leaving new bruises as his mouth worked on Louis’ swollen chest, licking up the droplets of milk. 

When Louis’ legs started trembling from exhaustion, Harry, as always, noticed and took over, bucking his hips up into the omega. 

“So good alpha,” Louis breathed out. “Best alpha.”

The praise dragged out a deep growl from Harry as he licked up to the omega’s neck. Louis moaned out as he slicked up more than ever and coated the alpha’s cock as it was getting pushed deeper inside him, and his grip on his waist tightened.

“Please, please, Alpha,” Louis cried out as he dug his nails into Harry’s shoulder.

“Gonna take my knot?” Harry growled and moved his head up and licked at Louis’ lips. “Hm? Be a good girl and take all of it?” The alpha nudged his tongue inside the omega’s mouth, tasting himself from when he came down his throat earlier. His thrusts sped up, and his knot caught onto Louis’ rim, locking into place and tying them together. 

Louis’s eyes rolled back as he felt himself getting filled up. “Alpha,” he moaned as he shuddered through his own release, coating Harry. 

“Mine,” Harry growled as he splayed a hand over the curve of Louis’ bump. 

“Yours,” Louis leaned over and buried his face into the alpha’s neck, purring in content. 

On the last day of Harry’s rut, neither of them wanted more than a few inches of space between them. Especially Harry. The alpha was clingy when in rut, following Louis around and constantly touching him. A hand on his waist, fingers tangled with his face buried in his neck. 

Louis will admit he loved every single second of it. 

They had showered together, which started innocently enough. Harry was helping wash shampoo from Louis’ hair while the omega leaned happily against his chest under the hot water. But it hadn’t taken long before Harry’s cock woke up, and the need to fill his already pregnant omega up took over. 

Harry's strength still shocked Louis sometimes. Especially now with the extra pregnancy weight, yet Harry still managed to carefully lift him like Louis weighed nothing and fucked him against the shower wall and knotting him right then and there. 

Besides his obsession with Louis’ ass, Harry had come to be completely obsessed with Louis’ swollen chest. The alpha loved touching, kissing, and sucking at his nipples, making Louis’ entire body tremble. Whenever dribbles of milk appeared, Harry only grew more possessive and hungry, licking up every single drop of it. 

Louis came just from that most of the time. 

Harry was an alpha completely lost to his wolf, but even then, he never stopped making sure that Louis and the unborn pup were okay and cared for. His wolf somehow knew exactly how far to go, not too rough and not too soft. Just right. 

The alpha looked at him entirely. Drool literally coming out of his mouth. He devoured every part of Louis. Stretch marks that spread across his hips and stomach, the swollen chest, the rounded bump, every part of the omega was marked by the alpha, showing Louis over and over again just how beautiful he was and how much he craved him. 

By the end of it, tangled together in Louis’ nest with Harry wrapped tightly around him, Louis watched the alpha's eyes slowly fade from black back to those green eyes he loved so much. 

Harry looked exhausted and satisfied. 

“I love you, Omega,” Harry pressed sleepy kisses onto his lips and kept one hand over the bump. 

“I love you, too, Alpha,” Louis realized he had never felt safer or more loved in his entire life. 

It almost made him laugh now, thinking back to how determined Harry had been to spend his rut alone. 

As if Louis was going to let that happen. 

☼

It was a cold November afternoon when it happened. November 5th to be exact. Louis sat curled up in a chair inside Harry’s office, red pen in hand, while grading a stack of painfully written essays from his students. Every few minutes, he looked through the office window into the garage where Harry worked under the hood of a car, sleeves rolled up and hair a complete mess. 

Louis smiled to himself as he watched Harry. Who knew a mechanic could be so hot? One of these days, he was going to get Harry to break his rule of no fucking in the shop. As he was fantasizing about all the ways they could fuck around, he felt it. The pain tightened suddenly across his stomach so sharply that it nearly made him double over. His hand flew to the underside of his bump while he sucked on a slow breath. 

“Okay,” he whispered to himself. “Just braxton hicks. All good. It’s fine.” He waited for it to pass, and it eventually did, though it left an uncomfortable ache lingering behind. Louis tried going back to grading, but ten minutes later, another pain ripped through him harder this time. 

“Fuck,” he gasped. The pen slipped from his hand as he doubled forward in his chair. That definitely felt different. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet and made his way toward the office door as another wave of pressure tightened painfully through his lower stomach and back. 

“Harry,” he called out shakily. 

The alpha looked up from across the garage. One look at Louis’ face and Harry’s eyes widened in panic. “Shit,” Harry breathed, dropping the wrench in his hand. “Shit, shit.” He rushed over, grease-stained hands hovering nervously around Louis. 

“Is it happening?”

Louis glared at him through the pain. “No,” he snapped breathlessly. “I’m just standing here in crippling pain for fun.” 

Another contraction slammed into him before Harry could respond. Louis squeezed his eyes shut with a strangled groan, gripping the front of Harry’s shirt tightly. And then suddenly warmth flooded down his legs. Both of them froze and looked down. 

“Oh.”

“Holy shit!” 

“My water broke,” Louis whispered in disbelief. 

Harry shifted into full panic mode. “Okay. Okay, okay, okay.” He nodded aggressively. “We’re good. We’re prepared. We packed the hospital bags. I have to find the car keys. Fuck do Nemo and Koda have enough food?”

“Harry.”

“The route to the hospital only takes fifteen minutes unless traffic’s bad, but it’s a Sunday night, so maybe traffic won’t–”

“Harry!” 

Harry snapped back to him. “Right, right. Breathing is important.”

Louis couldn’t help giggling weakly despite another contraction building painfully in his stomach. 

Harry wrapped one arm securely around Louis’ back while grabbing his hand with the other. His scent flooded around Louis, trying desperately to calm both of them down. Louis barely made it one step before another contraction slammed into him. 

His knees nearly buckled under him. He doubled over, clutching his bump tightly while the pain ripped through him. 

“I can’t, Harry,” he groaned in pain.

“You can do this, Louis. We prepared for this. You have to do the breathing that–”

“No, you idiot, I can’t walk!” 

“Oh.”

Another contraction hit, and Louis looked seconds away from collapsing onto the garage floor. That was all it took for Harry to slide an arm under Louis’ legs and the other around his back and lift him straight into his arms. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath, adjusting his grip to support Louis securely against his chest. 

Louis wrapped one arm around Harry’s shoulders while glaring at him through the pain. 

“Any day now, alpha.”

Harry adjusted his grip and started moving faster. “Sorry, omega.”

“You’re lucky you’re hot,” Louis groaned as another contraction came about. 

Despite the panic currently consuming him, Harry laughed and leaned down to place a kiss on Louis’ cheek. “Glad you think so.”

Louis whimpered miserably and buried his face against Harry’s shoulder while Harry jogged across the lot. Every few seconds, Harry glanced down nervously to make sure Louis was still okay, scent pouring from him in frantic waves. 

“Breath for me, Omega," Harry whispered. “Come on, just in and out.”

Louis made an offended noise against his neck. “If you tell me to breathe one more time, I’m going to divorce you!”

“We’re not even married yet!” 

“And whose fault is that?”

Harry huffed out another panicked laugh while finally reaching the car. He carefully helped Louis into the passenger seat. “You okay?” 

Another contraction answered the question for him. Louis grabbed Harry’s wrist with a grip that probably cut off all blood circulation as a strangled moan ripped from his throat. “Do I fucking look okay?”

Harry paled and decided that getting Louis to the hospital as soon as possible was the best course of action. The drive to the hospital felt painfully fast and unbearably slow for them both. 

Louis spent most of it gripping Harry’s hand hard enough that he was pretty sure a few bones broke while contractions ripped through every few minutes. Harry, meanwhile, suffered through the pain as he drove like a man possessed. 

“Harry,” Louis gasped between breaths as another contraction started building. “If we die before I give birth, I swear to God–”

“I’m driving safely,” Harry argued while absolutely not driving as safely as he usually does. 

“You just ran a red light!”

Louis would have yelled again if another contraction hadn’t hit him hard enough to knock the air from his lungs. He cried out and curled forward as much as his massive bump allowed, one hand holding onto the dashboard while the other crushed Harry’s fingers. 

“We’re almost there, omega,” Harry promised while squeezing Louis’ hand. “You’re doing so good.”

They finally reached the hospital, and Harry carried Louis through the emergency entrance while barking at the poor receptionist. “He’s in labor!” 

Within minutes, Louis was settled into a hospital room wearing, according to him, one of the ugliest gowns while monitors tracked both his contractions and the baby’s heartbeat. Harry hadn’t let go of Louis’ hand once, not that he even had a choice. 

“You’re six centimeters,” the nurse smiled kindly after checking him. “Baby should be here soon.” 

Louis burst into tears, not because he was in pain (thank god for epidural), but because he was really doing this. He was going to be someone’s mom. And Harry was still right beside him, no matter how much Louis cursed at him. 

The nurse patted Louis’ knee sympathetically and left them alone again. The second the door shut, Harry turned to Louis. “I’m scared to ask, but I will anyway,” he smiled with a nervous smile, “but are you okay?”

Louis let out a watery laugh. “Yes, I’m okay.” The monitor suddenly spiked beside them, and both turned to see that he was having another contraction. 

“They gave you good stuff,” Harry snorted. 

Unfortunately, all good things came to an end. Less than twenty minutes later, the epidural started wearing off, and suddenly Louis felt everything all at once. He screamed in pain as the overwhelming need to push hit him hard. “Fuck!” he cried out, clutching at the hospital sheets with white knuckles. 

Harry had stepped out to grab more ice chips when another wave of pain slammed into him, making him cry out.

“Oh my fucking God,” he gasped, gripping the bedrails tightly. 

The door swung open at the same moment, and Harry walked back in holding a cup of ice chips, only to freeze at the sight of Louis doubled over in pain. 

“I need to push,” Louis cried again, squeezing his eyes shut as tears spilled down his face. “Harry, I need to push.”

Harry’s eyes widened in panic. The cup hit the floor with a loud crash, ice scattering everywhere as he rushed to Louis’ side. “I’m here,” he rubbed Louis’ back while pressing kisses against the omega’s sweaty head. He punched the nurse call button with his thumb. 

“He needs to push!’ Harry shouted toward the hallway. 

Within seconds, nurses flooded back into the room, along with Dr. Razoky, who looked significantly calmer than everyone else. “You’re doing great, Louis,” she said gently while scrubbing her hands at the sink.

One of the younger nurses, Sofia, moved quickly to check him, and her entire face lit up. “I see hair!” she blurted excitedly.

The entire room froze. 

Louis was about ready to launch himself off the bed despite the fact that he was currently trying to push a whole human out of his ass. 

“The baby’s hair!” Nurse Sofia squeaked, face turning bright red. 

Harry barked out a startled laugh while Louis smacked his shoulder weakly.  

“It’s her first day,” Dr. Razoky laughed while moving into position at the end of the bed. “Be nice.”

“I’m literally trying to push a whole human out of my ass!”

Another contraction ripped through him before anyone could respond. Louis cried out and gripped Harry’s hand tight while trying to push through the pain. His entire body trembled. 

“That’s it,” Dr. Razoky encouraged. “Good, now breathe and relax for me.”

Louis collapsed back against the pillows with a shaky breath, completely exhausted and looked absolutely wrecked, flushed cheeks, tear-stained skin, trembling lips, sweat making his hair damp. Yet somehow Harry still thought he had never looked more beautiful. 

Harry brushed the strands of hair away from Louis’ face and brought his knuckles to his lips. “You’re killing it, Omega." He grinned. “You’re so close.”

“I hate you,” Louis whimpered weakly. “I know technically you weren’t the one who knocked me up, but I do not care right now.

Harry chuckled despite the tears gathering in his own eyes. “I love you too.”

Another contraction slammed into him, and he needed to push again. “Oh fuck,” he cried out. 

“Push, Louis!” 

Louis screamed as he bore down, his entire body shaking violently. 

“That's it!” Nurse Sofia encouraged. “You’re doing so good!”

“One more push, Louis,” Dr. Razoky instructed. She glanced toward Harry. “Harry, do you want to look?”

Harry instinctively leaned slightly as curiosity took over. 

“The hell he is!” Louis shouted, shoving at Harry’s chest. “Eyes up here, Alpha!”

The entire room burst into laughter. Harry immediately kept his eyes on Louis, not wanting to anger him anymore. 

Dr. Razoky shook her head while trying not to laugh. “Okay, Louis. Big push for me,” she encouraged. “Come on.”

And Louis did. He pushed with everything he had left in him. The pain was overwhelming, but under it all, he had one single thought repeating over and over in his mind. 

My baby. 

He felt like he was going to pass out from exhaustion. Harry’s voice became distant somewhere beside him while tears streamed down Louis’ face. 

And then he heard it. The unmistakable little cry he had been waiting nine months to hear had filled the room, making everything stop. Louis froze, and Harry’s breath caught painfully. 

Dr. Razoky smiled as she lifted the crying baby carefully into view. “It’s a boy!”

Louis burst into tears. He barely even noticed the exhaustion or the pain anymore. His baby was here. 

“Harry, do you want to cut the cord?” Dr. Razoky asked. 

Harry looked over at Louis first, eyes wide as he didn’t really know if the omega would want him to. Louis had smiled tiredly and nodded.

The doctor guided his shaking hands carefully, showing him where to cut. Harry swallowed hard, trying not to pass out, but the second the cut was made, he stared down at the tiny baby in complete awe. 

“He’s so chunky.”

“Don’t fat shame my baby!” Louis scowled from the bed. 

Harry laughed through the tears still stuck in his throat. “You’ve cooked him up nicely.”

“Mmhmm.” Louis narrowed his eyes and cradled the pup in his arms. 

Nurse Sofia smiled at the family. “We have to take him for some tests.”

Louis pouted, kissing the top of his son’s head even though he was still covered in bodily fluids. He didn’t care. That was his baby. Placing one last kiss, he handed his son over to the nurse with a pout. 

Harry barely heard the nurse as his entire attention was locked on the tiny bundle across the room. The nurses moved around the newborn, checking him over while little cries filled the room. 

Rationally, Harry knew this was routine, and they were only helping. But every protective instinct inside him hated the distance. Hated the way the pup was crying, most likely for his mama.

“Hey,” Harry called out before he could stop himself. “What are you doing to him?” 

The baby let out another sharp cry, and Harry’s entire body tensed. “Can’t you hear he doesn’t like that?” his voice dipped deeper. “He’s cold. Cover him up!” 

The nurses paused, startled by the alpha's growl. 

“He needs his mom!” 

A nearby nurse blinked in surprise while Nurse Sofi stepped in before Harry could fully march across the room. “He’s okay, sir,” she reassured. “We’re just running a few tests.”

Harry still looked unconvinced as a low warning growl rumbled in his chest before he could stop. 

“Alpha,” Louis’ tired voice cut through the panic. 

Harry turned at the sound of his omega. Louis reached weakly for his hand, eyes filled with exhaustion. “He’s okay,” Louis whispered. 

The omega pulled Harry’s hand closer and turned his wrist, pressing a kiss there, scenting him to calm him down. 

The tension slowly eased from Harry’s shoulder. Louis smiled sleepily. “We can’t both growl at the nurses.” 

“They touched my pup.” 

Louis smiled tiredly and opened his mouth to say something, but Dr. Razoky interrupted, explaining that he needed to deliver the placenta.

“Shit, omega,” His eyes widened and turned back toward Louis. “I’m sorry.” Pressing a quick apologetic kiss to Louis’ lips and forehead, holding his hand again. 

“He’s okay,” Louis reassured with a small, tired smile. 

Still, neither of them took their eyes off the newborn for even a second. 

After delivering the placenta and finally getting cleaned up a little himself, Louis felt exhaustion settle deep into his bones. But the second his son was brought back to him, all of it disappeared. The nurse carefully laid the squirming baby into Louis’ arms, and the moment he touched his chest, the baby calmed almost immediately. Tiny cries turned into sleepy little noises while he curled closer to Louis’ warmth. 

Nurse Sofia smiled. “Eight pounds, ten ounces. A big boy.”

Louis shot her a deathly look. Harry quickly thanked her before Louis said anything that would make her question her decision to become a nurse. 

The room finally quieted once all the nurses stepped back, and it was just the three of them. Louis stared down at his son in complete awe. He was perfect. Dark lashes still damp against pink cheeks, thick dark hair sticking up everywhere, tiny wrinkled nose scrunching every few seconds. 

“He’s so cute,” Louis giggled tearfully, pressing a gentle kiss against the baby’s cheek. 

His son let out a sleepy sound in response.  

Harry sat beside him on the bed, one arm wrapping around Louis’ shoulders while the other reached out to brush softly against the baby’s tiny hand. “Look at his hair,” he whispered. “He’s already got more hair than most grown men.”

Louis giggled and leaned further into Harry’s side, carefully snuggling his baby closer against his chest. “Thank you,” he whispered. 

“I didn’t do anything,” he said, placing a kiss on Louis’ lips. “It was all you.” 

Dr. Razoky smiled nearby while finishing up paperwork. “Have you decided on a name yet?” 

Louis looked down at the baby curled against his chest. “Emmett,” he whispered with a smile. 

The baby let out a tiny sigh in his sleep, little nose scrunching adorably. “See? He likes it?” 

“Hi, Emmett,” Harry whispered.

Emmett shifted at the sound of Harry’s voice, fingers curling against the blanket. Louis’ heart melted all over again. 

“Do you want to hold him?” 

Harry’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

Louis nodded and held out his arms. Harry slowly slid his arms under Emmett while Louis guided him into them. The second Emmett settled against Harry’s chest, he let out another sigh and tucked himself closer. “He’s so little.”

Louis watched them with tears gathering in his eyes again. Emmett looked impossibly tiny against Harry’s chest. It was adorable. “He likes you.”

“Well, I love him,” Harry whispered, pressing a gentle kiss against the top of Emmett’s head. “He’s perfect.” He looked up at Louis. “Just like his mom.”

“I did bake him for nine months,” Louis giggled, but then moaned out in pain and grabbed at his chest. He needed to feed Emmett. 

“You hungry, little guy?” Harry rocked Emmett in his arms. “Sorry, we don’t have any cookies.”

Louis rolled his eyes. “Give me my baby.” 

He settled back against the pillows as Harry handed Emmett back over. He tugged this gown down enough to nurse him. Emmett barely needed any guidance as he latched on quickly, his little hands curling against Louis’ chest. 

Harry swore he fell more in love with them both all over again. 

Louis smiled sleepily down at Emmett, brushing a thumb across his cheek. “Arrorró, mi niño,” he sang sofly under his breath. “Arrorró, mi sol. Arrorró, pedazo de mi corazón.” He rocked Emmett in his arms. 

Harry watched quietly from beside them, completely mesmerized. “What did you sing to him?”

“It’s a lullaby Aldi taught me,” he glanced up at him with tired eyes. “Her mom used to sing it to her when she was little.” Louis looked back down at Emmett, whose eyes were already starting to drift shut while nursing.

“Este niño lindo,” Louis continued, leaning down and placing a kiss on Emmett’s head, “se quiere dormir…” 

Emmett made a sleepy nose against him. “Y el pícaro sueño,” Louis sang more quietly now, “no quiere venir.” 

The room felt completely peaceful after that. Just Louis humming, Emmett nursing sleepily against his chest, and Harry sitting beside them, feeling so overwhelmed with love he didn’t know what to do with it all.

“You’re beautiful,” Harry whispered, smiling at the omega. 

Louis looked up at him, blushing. “I am sweaty and gross and desperately in need of a shower.”

“And you’re still the prettiest omega I’ve ever seen.

Louis rolled his eyes, “You’re so obsessed with me.” But Harry still caught the way he bit the bottom of his lip, trying to hide the smile threatening to break free. 

“I really am,” Harry grinned and pressed a kiss against Louis’ lips. 

The next two days in the hospital passed in a blur of nurses, sleepless nights, tiny cries, and Harry proudly showing every single person who walked into the room pictures of Emmett like he wasn’t right there. 

By the time they were finally discharged, Louis thought he’d never been more exhausted in his life. He’d also never been happier. 

When they finally got home, Koda was already waiting by the door, whining excitedly, while Nemo barked loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear. “Okay,” Louis warned as they stepped into the living room. “Be nice to your new brother.”

Koda sniffed the car seat while Nemo stood on his back legs, trying desperately to see the baby, his tail wagging so hard his little body shook. 

“I think they approve,” Louis giggled and picked Emmett out of the carrier. 

“You two better behave,” Harry crouched beside the dogs as they stared at Louis with the baby in his arms. 

Emmett let out a sleepy noise. Instantly, both dogs sat down at Louis’ feet beside the couch. Louis felt his chest ache painfully with love at the sight. 

Or it was time to feed, but either way, he felt full. 

Harry sat down beside him, wrapping his arms around Louis. 

“Welcome home, Emmett.”

☼

The shop smelled like motor oil, coffee, and the cinnamon candles Louis kept secretly bringing in because he'd be damned if he had to sit there and smell “car stuff” all day. 

Music echoed through the garage speakers while tools clanked in the background and air compressors hissed every few seconds. Sabrina was near the back lifts, aggressively fighting with the brakes on a Bronco while muttering enough curses that sailors would be shocked. 

Right in the middle of the chaos sat Emmett in his playpen, wearing tiny mechanic overalls that Harry nearly cried over when Louis bought them. And crouched beside him with a wrench in one hand was Harry, singing at the absolute top of his lungs. 

“Uptown girl,” Harry belted while tightening a bolt under the hood of a car. “She’s been living in her uptown world…”

Emmett squealed loudly and bounced excitedly against the side of the playpen, tiny hands clapping together. 

“Oh, you like this one?” Harry chuckled. “Excellent taste, little dude.” He grabbed the rag off his shoulder and used it as a microphone while walking around the garage. 

“And when she knows what she wants from her tiiiime…”

Sabrina looked up from the bronco with pure annoyance. “You’re literally flat.”

“Jealousy isn’t a good look!” Harry shouted back without missing a beat. 

Emmett giggled so hard he nearly toppled sideways, which only made Sabrina start laughing too.  

Harry spun around again, his hair falling into his face, while he pointed toward Emmett. “And when she wakes up and makes up her mind…”

That was when the shop door opened. Harry looked up, and almost like he was entranced, he forgot half the lyrics. 

Louis stood in the doorway holding two lemonades while wearing one of Harry’s old football jerseys that he cut into a crop top over biker shorts that should honestly be illegal, how they made his ass look. His hair was messy from the wind, cheeks pink from the outside, and Harry thought for a second the sun itself followed him into the garage. 

The alpha still felt punched in the chest every single time he looked at him. 

Emmett noticed Louis a second later and squealed happily, trying to push himself upright, but fell back onto his diapered butt because standing still wasn’t exactly his thing yet. 

At the same time, Koda and Nemo came barrelling through the garage after sensing Louis had arrived. Louis burst into giggles as the German Shepherd and one-eyed Chihuahua attached him with kisses. 

Harry grinned and pointed toward the omega while continuing the song. “That’s my uptown girl!”

Louis looked up and rolled his eyes. “Oh, God.”

Harry ignored him and kept singing while walking closer. “She’s been living in her uptown world…”

Louis shook his head. “You are ridiculous.”

“And yet,” Harry grinned while taking the lemonade from him and setting them aside, “you’re still my uptown girl.” 

Before Louis could answer, Harry grabbed his waist suddenly and spun him. Louis squealed loudly, dissolving into giggles. “Harry!”

Harry just kept singing while swaying them around the garage floor. “I bet she never had a backstreet guy…”

Louis laughed so hard he nearly snorted, arms wrapped around Harry’s neck to keep from falling when Harry dipped him. 

“I miss when you were single!” Sabrina shouted from across the garage. 

“Liar!” Harry shouted back, pulling Louis upright again. 

Emmett bounced excitedly in the playpen, watching them. Giggles escaped the small alpha every time Harry twirled Louis around again. 

Eventually, Louis gave in, smiling so hard his cheeks hurt while Harry continued singing directly to Louis. “And when she’s walking, she’s looking so fine…” Harry spun him once more before pulling him flush against his chest. Then quieter, just for Louis. 

“And when she’s talking, she’ll say that she’s mine.”

Louis giggled and leaned up on his toes, placing a kiss on his lips. “Stick to cars,” he whispered against his lips and untangled himself from Harry’s arms, walking toward Emmett. 

Harry smacked Louis’ ass lightly with the rag in his hand. 

Louis yelped and turned, flipping Harry off while Sabrna gagged loudly somewhere in the background. 

“There’s my favorite little alpha!” Louis cooed as he bent down and picked Emmett up, who was currently chewing thoughtfully on one sock.

Harry watched them both with a stupidly big smile. He couldn’t believe Emmett was already 11 months old. Somehow they blinked, and the eight-pound newborn who used to sleep curled against Harry’s chest was now nearly twenty-five pounds of chunky thighs, messy curls, and an endless amount of energy. Harry never realized babies could move that fast once they learned how to crawl.

Emmett was a good baby, mischievous like his mom, but overall a good baby. He slept through most of the night and ate everything put in front of him, although he definitely preferred his mom's milk over anything else. And honestly, Harry didn’t think he could fall more in love with Louis until he watched him become a mom. 

The way Louis always somehow knew what Emmett needed before he even cried. The way he held, sang to him, and looked at him with such adoration. Harry was hopelessly gone for both of them. 

A year together, and Harry was still in disbelief that this was his life now. A house filled with two dogs that tolerated him at best, baby toys in every corner, and an omega who kept them all in check and gave them all an equal amount of love every single day. 

Harry really could not wait for the day he would be able to place his bite on Louis. They decided to wait until Emmett turned one, wanting this time to be all about him. Some people judged them for it; others looked confused by Louis’ bare neck, but neither of them cared anymore. They were happy, and that was enough. 

“Such a mama’s boy,” Harry grinned while following them into the office. 

Louis settled into Harry’s chair with Emmett in his arms. The baby started tugging impatiently at Louis’ shirt. “Are you hungry?” Louis asked in the voice only used with Emmett. 

Emmett whined and tugged harder. 

“Okay, okay.” Louis giggled and pulled his shirt up, unclasping the nursing bra he practically lived in now. 

“He literally just ate,” Harry argued while leaning against the desk. “I just gave him strawberries.”

Louis shrugged while settling Emmett against his chest. “He’s a growing alpha.” He quirked his mouth. “And don’t act like you weren’t the same. I’ve seen your baby pictures.”

Harry groaned and threw his head back. 

After Emmett finished nursing and got a fresh diaper change, the three of them eventually made their way to a place both Harry and Louis still hated, despite the fact that it did bring them together. 

Costco. 

Thankfully, it wasn’t nearly as packed as it usually was, but it was still far too many people for Harry’s liking. Between giant carts, screaming children, and people who stopped directly in the middle of aisles for no reason, the entire place felt like a social experiment designed to test patience. 

“I think I do want that cookie,” Louis announced thoughtfully while playing with Emmett from where he sat in the cart seat. 

Emmett grabbed onto Louis’ fingers and shoved them toward his mouth.

Harry reached and grabbed a giant diaper box from the top shelf. “No hot dog?”

Louis shrugged innocently. “Well…maybe that too.”

Harry snorted and placed the box into the cart. 

Emmett started babbling loudly then, kicking his chunky little legs while making grabby hands towards Harry. 

“Dada.”

Harry froze, not believing what he just heard. Because surely Emmett hadn’t just said his first word and not in Costco of all places, and it was dada. He turned to Louis, who was also frozen in place, mouth open.  

The young alpa blinked up at them innocently from where he was sitting, big blue eyes wide as he looked toward Harry again. 

“Dada,” he repeated proudly and clapped his hands for himself. 

It was clear as day. He said dada. He called Harry, dada. The thing was, neither of them had ever actually talked about what Emmett would call Harry. He had just assumed that someday Louis would explain that Harry wasn't technically his father, and that Emmett would probably call him Harry. 

But apparently Emmett had decided on his own. 

“Dada,” Emmett repeated. 

“Louis I–”

“Are you kidding me?” Louis huffed, picking Emmett from his seat. 

Harry blinked, not really sure if Louis was about to yell at him or what he was feeling right now. 

“I carried you for nine months,” Louis poked Emmett’s yummy. “I have stretch marks, my nipples are all weird, and my ass is still sore.” He pointed accusingly toward Harry. “And yet, your first word is dada? After all I have done!”

Emmett burst into a fit of giggles around the fingers shocked in his mouth. 

Harry let out a deep breath. Louis wasn’t upset. Well…emotional was probably the better word for it. 

“This is betrayal,” Louis informed the baby seriously. “From both of you!”

An alpha pushing his cart nearby snorted loudly, trying not to laugh. 

Harry rubbed awkwardly at the back of his neck. “So…you are okay with this?” he asked carefully. 

Louis looked over while fixing Emmett’s curls, which were sticking up everywhere. “Okay with what?”

Harry shrugged helplessly. “You know, uh, him calling me dada.”

The second Louis realized what Harry actually meant, his entire expression softened. “Oh.” For a moment, he just stared at Harry like the answer should have been obvious. 

“Alpha,” Louis said gently, taking Harry’s hand and intertwining their fingers, “of course I’m okay with it.”

Harry’s shoulders loosened. 

“You are his dad.”

The words hit Harry so hard he actually stopped breathing for a second. Then Louis froze, and his face turned into one of worry.

“Unless you don’t want him calling you that?” 

Harry shook his head. “No. No, Omega, that’s not it all.” He let out a shaky laugh while looking down at Emmett. “I just…” He sighed. “I know biologically he isn’t mine,” he admitted. “But honestly, that’s never mattered to me.”

Emmett reached toward Harry again. “Dada,” he babbled. 

Harry smiled and bopped Emmett’s nose. “I love him like he is mine,” he let out a breath. “Because to me he is.”

“Oh, Alpha.”

Louis leaned over and kissed him right there between the diaper aisle and the bulk paper towels. Emmett squealed happily between them while random Costco shoppers pretended not to watch. 

“You are such an idiot sometimes,” Louis whispered against his lips. “My idiot, though.”

Harry chuckled, kissing Louis once more. But then Emmett smacked Harry directly in the face with terrifying accuracy. 

“Dada!” 

“Oh, so now he’s doing it to rub it in.”

“He is our son,” Harry smiled, wrapping one arm around Louis’ waist while Louis leaned against his side, Emmett babbling happily between them. 

“Our son,” Louis repeated, smiling at the two alphas. 

Harry leaned down and kissed him again without caring that they were standing in the middle of an aisle. Emmett squealed and smacked Harry in the face with tiny grabby hands. 

“Yeah, yeah,” Harry laughed breathlessly against Louis’ Lips. “You’re included too, little guy.”

The next day, however, Emmett apparently decided Louis had suffered enough emotionally. 

Louis was sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, folding clothes while Koda slept beside him and Nemo chewed proudly on one of Harry’s socks nearby. Emmett cawled across the carpet at alarming speed, determined to put everything in the house into his mouth. 

“Absolutely not,” Louis giggled while grabbing a rogue dog toy before Emmett could eat it. “Are we starving you or something?”

Emmett giggled and launched himself into Louis’ lap. Right then, Harry walked in from the kitchen, carrying a plate piled with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. 

“He can smell your cookies,” Harry grinned knowingly. “That kid has your sweet tooth.”

Louis made grabby hands toward the plate, and Harry handed one over. He took a giant bite with a pleased little hum while Emmett watched the cookie with curiosity. “Sorry, baby,” Louis kissed the top of Emmett’s curls. “No cookies for you just yet.”

Emmett looked devastated by this information. 

Harry settled beside them on the floor and started helping fold the mountain of baby clothes surrounding them. Or at least pretending to help. Mostly, he kept watching Louis and Emmett instead. 

Emmett suddenly grabbed onto Louis’ shirt with both hands and looked up at him with his wide blue eyes. 

“Mama.”

Louis froze mid-bit. 

Harry smiled and quickly stole the cookie from Louis’ hand before it was launched across the room in shock. 

“Emmett,” Louis gasped and covered the baby’s face in frantic kisses. 

“Mama!” Emmett repeated clapping. 

“Yes!” Louis sobbed. “I’m mama! Your mama!” 

Harry chuckled and wrapped an arm around Louis’ shoulders. “You good there, Omega?” he teased. 

Louis giggled while clutching Emmett tighter against his chest. “Shush.” He leaned against Harry’s shoulder. “He knows me.” 

“Mama Dada!” Emmett bounced in Louis’ lap and shouted. 

Both of them melted. 

“Our son,” Louis whispered, smiling so hard it almost hurt. 

Ever since he was a young pup, Louis knew he couldn’t wait for the day he became a mom. There was never really a question about it. While other kids played house for fun, Louis used to volunteer to babysit every chance he got. His younger siblings, neighborhood pups, cousins, and anyone who needed someone to watch their child for a few hours. He loved it. The sticky hands, endless questions, bedtime stories, and the feeling of being needed, and a safe space for a young pup.

Part of it was biology woven deeply into him as an omega, but there was something more than that, too. Something deeper that always pulled him toward motherhood. 

Becoming a teacher had felt natural because of it. Every classroom full of loud, chaotic children scratched at that part of his heart that ached to care for someone before he was ready to have a pup of his own. He loved shaping young minds, loved watching confidence bloom in shy pups, loved being the safe place some of them desperately needed. 

Then one day everything changed. 

Louis still remembered standing barefoot in his bathroom, staring down at the positive pregnancy test with shaking hands. He should have been terrified; a part of him was. An unexpected pregnancy, no mate, an alpha he didn’t love. Every practical thought told him to panic. 

But all Louis remembered feeling was overwhelming happiness at the thought of a baby growing inside him. 

His baby. 

Nothing else mattered after that. Louis had accepted that he would probably do it all alone. 

Until somehow the universe dropped him into the middle of Costco and sent him a tall, green-eyed alpha with a ridiculous mustache and the softest heart Louis had ever known. 

Harry had walked into his life so unexpectedly and never once hesitated about the pregnancy or the fear and baggage Louis carried. He had simply looked at Louis and chosen him. Chosen both of them. 

He loved Louis through every insecurity and every hormone-fueled breakdown. And now here they were. Their son was babbling happily between them while Harry smiled at him with tears gathering in his eyes. 

Emmett may not have shared the same blood as Harry, but he was theirs in every way that truly mattered. 

“Uh oh.”

Louis furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “What?”

He looked down at Emmett, who was now making a very specific face that he knew all too well. 

A face every parent learned to fear. 

And then they both smelled it. 

The room went silent for one long second. Louis stared at Emmett. Emmett started back with his toothless smile. 

Harry sighed and leaned his head against Louis.

“That’s our son.”

THE END