Falling Stars [h.s]

Chapter 16

Aurora

I adjusted Layla's dress and her recently new necklace one last time then ran my hands over her brown locks. "Mommy, where are we going?" She smiled sweetly at me as her hazel eyes searched mined. I continued to question whether this was a good idea or not. It was too late to back out. I didn't want to bail on Harry again. I promised him.

I took her hand, walking over to her bed. I sat down on the bed and placed her on my lap, "Do you remember how you said you wanted to see daddy one day?" She nodded eagerly, "We're going to see him today."

Her eyes gleamed with excitement, "Really?

"Yes. First we are going to get ice cream then we're going to go ride a horse" She jumped out of my lap and cheered around. I watched her, my smile reaching my eyes. The door to the bedroom opened. Odyssey came into the room.

"Aunty, I'm going to see daddy today!"

"That's great baby, be nice okay?"

"Okay"

"Layla, go put on your shoes and wait for me downstairs."

She responded before leaving the room, "Okay mommy" Odyssey closed the door before taking a seat next to me, "You're really doing this"

"I am. It's time Layla got to know her father. It'll be good for her."

"I understand. You go do what you have to my love. Just know that if he does anything to hurt you or Layla I will hunt him down."

"Thank you for understanding Odyssey, I love you so much."

"I love you too, now go before you're late, don't keep him waiting."

•

Layla and I sat inside the ice cream parlor, waiting for Harry. Almost thirty minutes had passed. Layla was getting impatient so I bought her ice cream. She sat across from me happily licking her cone. I pursed my lips as I looked through the window praying he would just show up any minute now. I didn't want to disappoint Layla. I already told her she would be meeting her father today. Maybe I should've held off on telling her until he was actually here. How was I to know he was going to bail on us. Again.

I swirled around the spoon in the ice cream sundae I recently lost appetite for. "Mommy, is daddy coming?" I looked over to my daughter, hoping she doesn't notice the sorrow look on my face.

"He's going to be a little late" She nodded and continued to eat her ice cream. An hour passed by and he was yet to show up. Layla had finished her ice cream, she busied herself by reading the menu. I should have known this was going to happen. Who was I kidding to think he had actually changed. Maybe taking Zayn's advice wasn't the best idea. Odyssey knew what was right for me, but I chose to ignore her. Once again. Harry didn't want anything to do with me or Layla. That was made pretty clear the day left me and chose not to come back even after knowing about Layla's existence. He already has a family.

"Mommy are we going to ride a horse?"

"Not today baby. Let's go home." Layla pouted and crossed her arms over her chest, "But mommy I want to see daddy and ride a horse!"

I stood up from the seat, taking her hand to leave the building "Not today Layla"

She refused to get in the car. "Layla please." She shook her head as she continued to pout. I picked her up placing her in the seat and buckling her up before getting in the car and driving back home. I looked through the mirror to see what Layla was up to. I furrowed my eyebrows as I saw tears rolling down her cheeks. I quickly pulled the car over, turning around to the back seat. "Baby what's wrong?"

"Why didn't daddy come? I want to see him."

I reached over to wipe away her tears, "Don't cry Layla. He was just busy okay? We can see him another time."

"He doesn't love me." The gasp of breath left my mouth as a sharp pain overtook in my chest. I unbuckled my seatbelt, quickly getting out the car and getting in the back seat. I took my daughter into my arms, holding her tightly as her cries got louder. "Daddy does love you Layla. Don't say that please." I placed my head on top of hers, my own tears making their way down on my face.

By the time we got home Layla had seemed to calm down. Although she continued to cry quietly. I parked in the garage. I got out the car, helping Layla out as well. As soon as we got inside she ran to Odyssey who was sitting on the couch going through files.

"Hello Layla Alaska, did you have a good time with your dad?" Layla shook her head no, "Daddy doesn't love me." and once again she was crying. Odyssey looked over to me with a look of confusion. I turned away from her, staring up at the ceiling to blink away my tears. I ran my hands over my face, wiping my face, before walking up to the two.

"Of course he does."

"He didn't want to see me." She left the living room and ran up the stairs.

Odyssey turned to me, "Harry didn't show up?"

I continued to wipe my eyes even though the sobs escaped my lips, "Please. Please don't say I told you so, please" She scotted closer to me, wrapping her arms around me, "I'm so sorry Aurora. It's going to be okay."

"I should have listen to you. If I had just listened to you Layla wouldn't be feeling like this. How could I be so stupid Odyssey."

"You are not stupid Aurora. It is his loss. Harry Styles is missing out on getting to know two of the most amazing girls I know. If he can't see just how much of a delight it is to have you and Layla apart of his life then he doesn't deserve either one of you."

"I can't believe I did this to Layla. What am I going to do?"

"Everything is going to be okay my love."

It wasn't. Nothing was ever going to be okay. Layla will continue to believe Harry doesn't love or want her. All because of me and my stupid decisions.