Now that the war is over, Harry and Louis have to figure out how to raise their daughter in a peaceful world. But adjusting to a normal life may be proving more difficult that they imagined. Some scars don't heal with time.
Harry rolls over in bed, shifting uncomfortably against the mattress. He's hugging a pillow to his chest and the duvet is pulled up to his chin.
He blinks his eyes slowly, still groggy from sleep. Sure enough, the side of the bed his husband sleeps on is empty; sheets thrown back messily. Harry knows Louis has no intention of making the bed later either.
He frowns slightly at the pillow in his arms. He knows Louis placed it there so he'd have something to hold. Usually he sleeps snuggled to Louis's chest, arms wrapped around his waist and head resting in the crook of his neck. The pillow is Louis's way to compensate for that when he's not in bed.
Harry groans as he sits up, glancing at the clock. It's 7 in the morning. He's surprised he hasn't been woken up by his hyperactive two-year-old yet. He supposes Louis must be keeping her company.
He winces as he slowly rolls out of bed, ignoring the pain in his bum. It'll be worth it if their trying last night had worked.
He makes his way slowly to the bathroom, still a little sleepy, and opens the top drawer of his bathroom sink. He pulls out a pregnancy test and takes it with him to the toilet, where he relieves himself. He puts the cap on the test stick and sets it on the counter facedown to wait until it'll tell him if he's pregnant or not.
As he gets into the shower, letting the warm water run down his back like a waterfall, he thinks about the test on the counter. He wants another baby so bad, and he knows Louis does too. They've been trying for another kid for months, but so far, it hasn't worked.
What he wouldn't give to be pregnant again, to have Louis there with him, and to watch his belly grow with the life they created together. He wants to hold a baby in his arms, and he wants to see Darcy be a big sister.
By the time he gets out of the shower and towels himself dry, he's gotten his hopes up. He doesn't look at the test, though, as he heads into their small, walk-in closet.
He grabs some boxers and slips them on quickly. Then he grabs his favorite pair of baggy, ripped jeans, buttoning up the denim so the trousers rest snugly around his hips. Then he throws on a casual white t-shirt and a pale, seafoam green cardigan.
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Once he's dressed, he takes a deep breath, knowing he can't put off looking at the test any longer. So he walks slowly over to the counter, closing his eyes as he grabs the test and flips it around.
Not Pregnant
Harry releases the breath he'd been holding, disappointed. He can't help it as tears begin to collect in his eyes.
He just wants another baby, but this time around, it seems so hard to get that. He doesn't know what he and Louis are doing wrong. They weren't even trying when they had Darcy; why is it suddenly so hard for him to get pregnant?
He leans against the wall of the bathroom, sinking to the floor and letting the tears flow. He stays there for a few minutes, crying silently, curled against the wall.
