Sage

39

I hope ur drinking your waters and eating fruits and veggies bc if not then i will cry >:(

enjoy!!! love you all, chiccy nuggies - mom.

The sound of Harry's throaty morning voice is what pulls me out of my slumber. The air in the apartment is warm along with the murmur of the lively city below us.

We lie tangled in his cool sheets, like every morning. The only difference is that instead of waking up alone, Harry is still in bed with me. My head rests on the inside of his arm and his chest is against my back, allowing me to feel each slow breath he takes as his hand rubs my bare belly in gentle movements. His body is snug against mine as I take in the scent of his cologne and shampoo. A faint mix that's become his signature smell, and it has me sinking back into slumber until his chest rumbles with more complaints.

"Come on," He mumbles sleepily, his warm breath against my neck. It takes me a split second to realize what he's trying to do.

He's trying to feel the baby kick.

I'm suddenly wide awake, my eyes flinging open only to screw back shut at the violent glare of the sunlight. My brows stitch together as I slowly peer them back open, looking down to my stomach where he'd lifted the sweater to run his palm along the curve. My entire body bursts into dancing fireworks at his touch. This is the first time he's touched my stomach since I've been pregnant.

"Come on little baby, kick kick kick. Harry's gonna give you a flick flick flick," He sings to the tune of Hush little baby, flicking the side of my stomach softly.

My sinuses tingle with emotion and I swallow it all down, telling myself that I'm being dramatic and the pregnancy hormones are what's got me choked up.

I close my eyes shut and feel Harry rub at my belly some more, only for his body to completely stiffen and his breathing to stop when I wrap my hand around his wrist.

"Ellie, shit. I'm sorry, I-"

"Shh," I silence him, sniffing and clearing my throat as I move his hand lower and closer to the middle, where I know the baby rests.

Harry is quiet as I place my hand over his and position myself so he could feel them. I knew the baby was awake, as I felt their little kicks just thirty minutes ago when the sun was still hidden. We sit still for a few moments, enough time for Harry to relax against me and swallow.

The room is suddenly too hot and my body begins to ache at his proximity, everything in me wants to push him away but I don't want to. I want him to experience this the way I've been thi-

The baby suddenly kicks against Harry's palm, making both of us tense and hold our breaths in anticipation. For a second, I don't know if he felt it or not. His body is stilled as if his life depended on it. When he finally spoke, his voice came out in a shocked whisper.

"Holy shit,"

I can feel the baby kicking again toward the center of my stomach, so I pull Harry's hand there and push down just in time for him to feel another one, and a gasping laugh escapes his lips.

"Hi, you little shit. Harry's been trying to get you to come out all morning," He teases, drumming his fingers along the skin to elicit another kick.

"Harry?" I wonder.

"Yeah...it's my name."

I hum in response, not wanting to push him. If he wanted his baby to know him as Harry then that was his decision. It didn't mean I felt a little weird because of it. I remember the deal he tried to make those months ago- where he'd take care of the baby and me financially but didn't want to actually be in their lives. Is that still what he wants?