slipping through my fingers (h.s)

vocal rest.

You found Harry huddled up on the sofa, swamped in blankets, a solemn expression on his face as his eyes were beginning to flutter closed. His green pools of light widened as you entered the room, a cup of soup in hand, and he began to smile slightly, although the corner of his lips were still downturned. He hadn't been happy at all when the Doctor had told him he needed to go on vocal rest- in fact, he had actually become rather annoyed, particularly when you had forced him to sit downstairs and stuck an old rom-com in the DVD player for him to watch. He licked his lips slightly as he surveyed what was in your hands, holding out his hands as though in prayer.

"I made you your favourite, Mr Styles," You chuckled, swiping his brown locks which were falling into his eyes from his forehead, before planting your lips there. "Carrot soup, just the way you like it,"

"T-t-thank you," He tried to mutter, as you pressed your index finger to his lips.

"Hey, no talking, Mister," You scolded playfully. "Doctor's orders,"

He sighed, before blowing on the spoon and putting it in his mouth slowly, staring deep into your eyes as he did.

"You like it?" You smiled, and he nodded in response. You heard a scurry of muffled giggles in the room next-door. "I think you might have some visitors, too,"

You had told the girls to be careful with him, because he wasn't feeling too well, and needed to rest his voice before his next show. But naturally, as six and four year olds, they weren't very good at listening, and were dying to see Harry. They nearly knocked you over and trampled on top of you as you opened the door, rushing towards the centre of the living room to see him.

"Remember girls, Daddy's throat still isn't feeling well!" You warned them again, but there was no chance that they were listening, Harry beginning to scoop both of them into his arms. "Careful!"

"Daddy, I missed you, I missed you, I missed you," Lottie giggled, ruffling his hair with her tiny hand. Harry smiled back at her, pulling her closer to pepper a kiss to her cheek. Tilly seemed much more concerned about her Dad, and was surveying the situation around her, taking note of the bandage that had been taped to his hand where an IV full of vitamins had been a couple of hours before, and feeling the warmth of his chest with her fingers. She looked up at him again, her eyes beginning to turn glossy.

"You okay baby?" Harry mouthed, trying to avoid forming the words with his throat.

"Daddy," She sniffed, pressing her cheek up to his. "You look poorly, Daddy,"

"I'm fine, baby," Harry whispered hoarsely, swiping a tear that had dribbled down her cheek away.

"Daddy's voice is just tired, from where he has been singing, dolly," You smiled at her, as her tiny frame shook slightly. "He'll be better soon,"

"I don't want Daddy to be poorly," She began to cry, as Harry pulled her into his chest. Harry kissed her forehead, before pressing his lips to her ear.

"I love you," He breathed sharply, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, as you watched the slow rise and fall of his chest, Tilly beginning to become relaxed by the repetitive movement of his hand stroking the side of her cheek, the same way that he always did when she was tiny.

When Harry hadn't been looking, Lottie had snuck up behind him.

"Boo!" She giggled, as Harry gasped slightly and put his hands up in mock horror. "I got you, Daddy!"

Harry pressed his lips together before nodding and sticking his tongue out at her.

"You got me, baby," he mouthed, laughing slightly.

"I can talk for you, Daddy," She cackled, running out of the room to fetch Anne from the kitchen, who had been staying over in one of the spare bedrooms to help you watch the girls when Harry wasn't feeling up to it. "Nanny, Harry wants a cup of tea!"

"Harry!" You and Anne both cackled, as Anne rushed into the living room with an energetic Lottie tugging at her arm, looking smug with herself for using her Daddy's proper name. Harry stared at her in disbelief, mouth wide open, lips twisted upwards in a smile.

"Who taught you that, Lottie Anne!" You gasped.

"That's Daddy's real name," She giggled, as she walked back over to Harry and pressed her lips to his nose. "Harry,"

"I'm Daddy to you!" He mouthed.

"Harry!" She giggled, jumping up and down on top of his thighs. "Harry!"

"You know she's going to call you that for ages now, don't you?" Anne chuckled, but Harry couldn't argue, as he wrestled Lottie towards him and attacked her with a round of tickles.

"Daddy!" She flailed around in his arms, bursting into a roar of laughter. "Daddy! Stop!"

"Mmmmhmm," he concluded after he had finally tired her out, finally setting her down beside him, Tilly now fast asleep in his other arm. You watched all three of them for a while, as Harry and Lottie's green eyes finally drooped closed. You never quite understood how you had been so blessed.