Sage

52

Ellie.

I lulled in between consciousness and conscienceless as I felt the whisper-like pecks of Harry's lips against my bare neck. My skin was warm from the rising sun that peeked through the window, and the morning traffic noise was distinct enough to tell me that it was closer to six in the morning. Far too early for me to be awake.

Harry lay behind me as he usually did, his arm lazily thrown over my belly as he stirred awake, groaning and murmuring about how cold it was.

I was too tired to respond, only offering a grunt in return as I began to fall back asleep.

I felt him mumble a good morning against my ear before drumming his fingers against my belly, "Good morning, baby sweets," He said raspily.

He kissed me against my temple before climbing out of bed, cursing the cold tile beneath his bare feet between yawns. I moaned in contentment at the vast space I now had to stretch my stiffening limbs.

I could hear the sink water turn on, and seconds later, a toothbrush scrubbing against his teeth. I knew he had to get back to work today, and I wasn't looking forward to it. Being alone in this condo was never fun, but it especially wasn't when little things like making the bed turned into gruesome chores.

My birthday was tomorrow as well, and I doubt he knew. Jenny and Niall tried to reach out to me to make plans, but I honestly couldn't find the energy to partake in anything. Especially since my family back home has been on my mind more often than I'd like.

I don't know if the emotions brewed from the pregnancy hormones or not, but since my birthday had been approaching, all I could think about was the childhood birthdays that my father threw for me. All of my cousins would come over so we could stuff our faces with stale grocery store cupcakes while our uncles and parents watched and nursed diet cokes. The memories were ones that I didn't care to think about until recently, and I've been trying to keep distracted from them. Harry had done a great job of being that distraction, but he was returning to work now.

I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep until Harry opened the bathroom door. Fog trailed behind him, and steam radiated from his half-naked body as he scrubbed a toothbrush against his teeth. I wince as I sit up, adjusting to my back's stiff muscles.

"How'd you sleep?" Harry lets the toothbrush dangle in his mouth as he begins to grab clothes from the floor. I watch his back muscles flex when he bends over, and the towel almost threatens to fall from his lower hips.

"I slept fine, Magic Mike." I joke hoarsely, raising my brows as I take in the water droplets that raced down his toned torso. I've never seen him work out, but I don't doubt he makes time at work in the large Gym they offer in the basement. "How'd you sleep?" I add, tossing my feet over the side of the bed while rolling a kink out of my aching shoulder. I slide my feet into my slippers that seem conveniently placed, though I don't recall putting them there.

"Perfect...until I had to wake up," He says while tossing the clothes into the hamper. I want to ask him why he didn't have Ashley do it as he always did but decided against it when he spoke again. "I've got to head down to the radio station today, then to the office for some contract shit,"

"So you'll be gone all day?" I wonder with furrowed brows.

"You say that like it's a bad thing. I thought you'd want a break from me," Harry laughs with a mouth full of toothpaste. He makes his way to the bathroom, where I hear him turn on the faucet to spit.

"It just gets boring around here," I tell half of the truth with a shrug and a yawn, though he can't see me.

"You get to spend the day with baby sweets. She'll keep you company, yeah?"