Symphonies in E Minor

Aaliyah having her and Harry's first child

If looks could kill, Harry would have been a murderer and been on his way to prison already.

He stands outside his own bedchamber, with eyes so rage filled, it's a wonder that the place hasn't burned to the ground already.

The midwife sticks her head out. "Mr. Styles? I ask you again–"

Harry doesn't seem to care that several servants are watching him, or that the healer is a woman and Harry is very much a man of respect. He gets in her face and seethes, "She's my wife."

"Aye, she is."

Harry should also feel bad considering the midwife is here from Scotland, a trusted friend of Aaliyah's mother and thus should be treated with even more respect, but he can't bring himself to care.

"Let me through. Now."

"I canna let you do that. She is in distress and needs peace."

"And I don't plan on being anything but soothing to her. Let me through."

The midwife tries one more time. "Please, sir, I–"

"No." Harry looks past her shoulder and pushes hard on the door, stepping inside. "I've had enough now. It's been hours."

Several people in the room turn to look at him. Some nurses preparing warm water look irritatedly at him, Aaliyah's mother who's holding her hand looks relieved, and Aaliyah herself – his beautiful, perfect wife – takes a glance at him and then closes her eyes, her head falling against the pillow.

Danika moves aside when she sees Harry coming. "She's doing well," she whispers, a hand on his shoulder. "Baby's just really taking their time."

Harry nods, sitting in Danika's spot. He reaches for Aaliyah's hand, and the motion makes her eyes flutter open.

"Hi," Harry whispers, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Hi. How are you doing?"

Aaliyah's eyes are glassy. "Good." She's shivering, her bottom lip trembling,

"Are you cold?" He fixes the blankets around her, fluffing the pillow behind her head and back. "Why are you cold, hm?"

"Ma said," Aaliyah whispers, "that it's normal."

"Okay. That's good. Hey, she said you're doing really well."

He takes the wet cloth from Danika, freshens it with more water, and gently runs it down the side of Aaliyah's neck, and then up her jaw.

Aaliyah closes her eyes. "Harry."

"Yes, darling?"

"I hate this feeling. It's no good to feel this way." Her face pinches suddenly, her hand squeezing the life out of his as she turns her head and cries into her pillow. Her body is tense for several long seconds, Harry frozen and unsure what to do. He looks over helplessly at her mother, who only shakes her head.

"It's been every 6 minutes," her mother says. "Baby will be here soon."

Aaliyah's hands are trembling when she releases her grip. She opens her eyes and stares up at the ceiling, catching her breath.

Harry wipes her tears away with the cloth, and then kisses her forehead again. "You hear that? Our baby is going to be here soon. Aren't you excited?" He kisses her once more. "I am so excited, I can hardly breathe, Aaliyah."

Aaliyah blinks dazedly. "Harry."

"Yes?"

"If you ever get me with child again, I'll kill you."

Harry nods. "I will never get you with child again if you don't want it, Aaliyah."

"I will kill you," she repeats softly.