Sage

75

Harry.

Sage allows approximately sixteen minutes of Ellie's absence before he begins to quiver his lower lip, his faint brows furrowing into a frown as he gently kicks his little limbs and nearly flings himself out of my arm as I place the single serve coffee cup into place, readjusting him to keep him out of the way. I didn't want him to cry because I knew Ellie would rush her shower to come tend to him, and I needed her to take as long as she needed to clear her mind. Not to mention, I'm honestly tired of his demanding whines.

"Shh, shh," I absentmindedly rock him, my jaw stretching out in a yawn.

I push the lid on the coffee maker down and push the appropriate buttons, knowing I'll need the scalding, caffeinated beverage to get myself through the day if I'd be dealing with the pulsating headache coming along after two hours of sleep. My eyes stung with exhaustion especially now since the sun was beginning to rise and dress the kitchen in a bright golden hue that reflected off of the appliances and borderline blinded me.

While the machine brews, I grab the blender from the cabinet and head to the fridge where the mason jars of fresh fruit are kept along with almond milk for the smoothie I plan on making for Ellie. I know she likes them and I usually never have time to but it's the least I can do. She's a good fucking mom for everything she does with Sage because these few hours I've been alone with him have been exhausting. I don't know how she does it every day.

She's been cooped up in this house for over two months while I leave every day for work. Maybe I could take Sage with me to the studio so she can go out and shop or hang with her friends. It'll make work a little hectic but I don't have any meetings today, only tracks to produce and contracts to outline. I'll be stuck in the four walls of my office for the better part of the day, anyway.

I go to pour the black liquid into a plain coffee mug, trying to be as careful as possible but to no avail when Sage's little foot kicks into my wrist, causing me to waste the liquid on the counter top. I take a quick step back just in time for it to splash onto the floor, some of the droplets landing on the front of my foot and causing me to hiss in pain just as the doorbell rings.

"Shit," I mindlessly wipe my hand on the front of my chest, looking down at the mess then toward the front door, trying to figure out what to attend to first. When the doorbell rings again, being accompanied by a quick three knocks, I quickly set the mug down and begin down the hall, wondering who could be at the door at six thirty in the morning.

I step off to the side and peer through the wall length window directly next to the door, confusion falling over my face when I see the familiar woman grinning and twinkling her fingers in a little wave. My eyes drop down to her attire, which is the complete opposite of the blouses and dress pants I'm so used to seeing her in. Instead, an off washed crew neck hangs over her body and heavy denim jeans fare at her knees.

When I look back up at Mum's bare (and slightly pale) face, I see her smile suddenly slips into shock when she undoubtedly sees the plum purple ring around my left eye and the cut on my swollen lip. Another curse is mumbled under my breath as I unlock the door and open it.

"What the bloody hell happened to your face?" She marvels, her nose crinkling and eyes widening as she lifts an instinctive hand, only to shudder and draw it away when I flinch back.

"It's nothing, Mum. What are you doing here?" I query. I swore she was supposed to be in Venice with my Father seeing as their wedding anniversary is sometime this month.

"I was in town and wanted to stop by and check on my son, which clearly you needed. I mean seriously— what, have you squabbled with a bear?" She asks unsurely, her gaze lingering on my bruises for just a second longer before she looks away and to Sage as if not being able to stomach the sight any longer. "And hello to you, little Styles. Where's your mumma, hm?"