Songbird [H.S]

TWENTY

Quick note before this chapter: There is a brief mention of Marley getting high while pregnant, I made a note on this before but this is just a reminder that Marley might do things that are not medically advised during pregnancy. At this time, certain medical advise did not exist and doctors didn't know as much about health risks to babies. Please don't attack her for it, she's a teenager and she's very inexperienced so she will make mistakes..

Since Harry had been off from college for the summer, the couple's life had fallen into a comfortably domestic routine. Even though they hadn't officially been dating for long, the way their relationship fell into this soft and affectionate way of living was nothing but natural for them. They'd been best friends for months prior but the longer they allowed themselves to express their love for each other, the pair began to realise the usual friendship boundaries had become blurred a long time before they started dating. 

Marley would wake up snuggled against Harry's warm body, usually as a result of him spending the night at hers. She was always awake before him and often let him sleep in for as long as possible before gently waking him with soft kisses on his cheek so he wouldn't be late for work. Every morning, Harry would run his fingers across her growing stomach, mumbling a little 'good morning' with his gravelly morning voice. He always kissed her softly on the lips, humming contently to himself as he felt comfort in the way her fingers tangled themselves in the curls at the nape of his neck as he moved down her body to lift her shirt and expose her small bump. He would lay his head lightly on her stomach, talking to the baby a while before the couple got ready for work together.

Everything they did was together, the only time they were apart was when they were working. Even then, Harry would spend his break at the record store so they could eat lunch together - bringing Marley her favourite banana milkshake which she'd been wanting a lot more often now she was pregnant.

After work, Harry would pick Marley up and they'd spend the rest of the evening together. Sometimes they'd go out for dinner, or see a film at the drive through. Other times they would be too tired and laze around her bedroom - Harry would smoke, maybe have a few drinks and Marley would sleep or listen to music. Occasionally Zayn would come round, bringing some weed with him and they would all get high. Smoking weed on a summer's evening was Marley's favourite way to watch the sun set, especially when Harry peppered lazy kisses all over her neck and chest. No matter what they did, they were having fun, which was all that mattered.

Although, everything changed two weeks into the summer holidays.

Josephine's health had started to decline and Harry wasn't taking it well. At first, he tried to ignore the fact his grandmother was growing weaker as each day passed but as she relied on Harry for more help, he had to face reality.

The couple's routine changed and Marley would go over to Harry's house after work and sit with Josephine while Harry spent the evening taking care of his grandma and making the most of his time with her. The older woman was very fond of Marley and loved to talk to her about the baby and give her little pieces of advice for when she went into labour. She would tell Marley about her own experience giving birth as well as funny stories of Anne, Niall and Harry as babies (much to Harry's embarrassment). Apparently, Harry only slept when he had a dummy in his mouth and a second clutched in his hand - if he dropped one, he would wake up. Anne would watch over him to make sure he stayed asleep, ignoring how tired she was to make sure her son got enough rest. Marley was grateful for Josephine's advice and Harry loved hearing about his Mum as a child.

Nobody mentioned the elephant in the room. They just pretended everything was normal.

During the day, Harry was stressed. He had cut down on his hours at work so he could be with his grandma but he still made an effort to spend time with Marley. He was essentially looking after two people (even though Marley insisted he didn't need to fuss over her). At night, Marley would stroke his hair as he cried - tears staining her pyjama shirt as he let out everything he'd been holding back while with his grandma. She listened to him vent about his feelings. He was scared. He'd always had Josephine around when he needed her and soon he'd be left without her - all Marley could do was show him she was there to comfort him. It was safe to say, Harry was struggling.