Somebody's Child

~ T W E N T Y - S I X ~

                                      ~Part 2~
*3 years later*

I took Phoenix's hand as we walked down the dark hallway of the hospital to the ICU like we did every other day. She held in her hand a bouquet of roses to place in Harry's room.

After the c-section incident Harry slipped into a coma and has been in the hospital ever since. The doctors suggested that I pull the plug after the first year but I refused because I know Harry is going to wake up one day.

I brought Phoenix to see her father everyday so when he wakes up she won't be questioning who he is. She loves to paint his nails and do his makeup while she is here. She reads him stories and makes up her own to tell him.

She was as sweet and gentle as Harry. She had Harry's brown curly hair and she was born with Heterochromia, which means she has 2 different colour eyes. She got an ocean blue eye from me and a bright green eye from Harry. She has dimples when she smiled and I saw a lot of Harry in her.

Today our little angel was celebrating her 3rd birthday. I can't believe she was already 3. Anne and the girls have helped a lot with her while Harry was in his coma and they were a blessing in disguise. Anne mostly taught her how to brush her hair and her teeth, she taught her how to count to 10 and her ABCs.

It was a rainy day in the city of Vancouver and me and Phoenix decided to stop by while we were out so Harry could help celebrate her birthday. She brought along a little cupcake for him to have when he woke up and the nurse placed it in the freezer with the others she had brought over the years.

I started to sing happy birthday to her as she held Harry's hand. "Dad. Why is daddy sleeping so much?" She asked me. I have told her why Harry has been in the hospital multiple times but being a child of only 3 years old, it's hard to remember things.

"Phoenix love, I've told you already that daddy is in a coma. He went into a coma after you were born and has been- ever since." My heart immediately sank as I grieved for Harry. I wanted him back, I want my Hazza back.

"Dad okay? Crying?" She asked and I looked at her. I didn't realize I was crying until she told me. "I am alright love. I just miss daddy." I said. "Why don't we open your gifts now love?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yay! Pwesent!" She said sitting on Harry's lap. I gave her the presents and she loved them all. At the moment she was really obsessed with Spider-Man and Batman so I got her some toys based on those.

"DADDY look! Spida-man" she said turning to look at Harry. He didn't move. His eyes were closed tightly, his mouth filled with ventilator tubes and IV's in his arm.

"One day you will be able to show him all of your cool toys love." I said holding her hand. "Pwomise?" She asked and my heart shattered as I held back more tears. I couldn't do anything or say anything except nod.

We spent the whole day there until visiting hours were over. We both said a little prayer for Harry and then we would go back to the house. This evening Anne had planned a special surprise for Phoenix's birthday. The girls took her to her room to get ready while I talked to Anne.

"Louis love, are are you dealing with everything?" She asked and I forced a smile. "I'm okay-" I said looking down. "Love, now tell me how you really feel." She said and I broke down crying. She came over to hug me and I sobbed into her shoulder.

"W-why isn't h-he waking up-up?" I asked, still crying. She rubbed my back to try to soothe me as she shushed me. "It's okay love. He will wake up soon. I know it's been 3 years but you have been doing an amazing job on your own with her. Extraordinary." She said.

"I-it kills me e-every time we g-go and she asks w-why daddy is s-sleeping." I say crying harder. She rubbed my back faster and held me until I finally calmed myself down 10 minutes later. She smiled as she cupped my cheeks.

"Harry is lucky to have you Louis. You show so much love to him-" we were interrupted by a mini spider man running into the room shouting "PEW PEW". I wiped my tears quickly and laughed as I watched her. She ran around the room singing spider man and pretending to catch bad guys in webs.

"I will watch her while you go get ready for dinner. Our reservation is in 90 minutes love." Anne said as she picked up Phoenix. I nodded slowly as I made my way upstairs to the bathroom and started the shower. I sat stripped and waited until it was nice and warm before stepping in.

As soon as I got in, my tears fell once again. "Please Harry. Please wake up. I need you love. We need you. I can't do this by myself anymore. She deserves to have 2 parents" I cried as my forehead pressed up against the wall. I slowly started washing my body, knowing this was her birthday and I didn't want to pay any less attention to her or make her think I love Harry more. I love them both equally.

Once I was finished in the shower, I got out and dried off. I immediately went to the closet and picked out a nice outfit for the birthday dinner and got dressed quickly before blow-dying my hair to make it fluffy.

Once I was all ready I went downstairs and they were just starting to pack up everyone in the car. Anne put her hand on my shoulder and smiled at me. Letting me know that everything would be alright. God I loved her so much. She was like my own mum figure, except no one could ever replace my real mum.

We got into the car and drove off down the mountain and into Vancouver city. It wasn't really that far from the house and the place itself was pretty fancy and elegant. We waited for our reservation to be called and we were led to the back of the restaurant where there was a party room with inflatables and it was all decorated in Spider-Man decorations.

I smiled at Anne as Phoenix went right ahead onto the spider-man bouncy house. Lucky, Olive and Genevieve were a year older than phoenix so they showed her how to jump. It was the most adorable thing to watch.

I took out my phone and photographed some of them jumping together so Harry could see it when he woke up. I didn't want him missing anything. I videotaped her first steps, her first words, her first solid food, everything. I didn't want him to this his missed it all because he was already going to be upset with himself.

I sat in the corner most of the time looking at my phone, hoping the hospital would call and tell me Harry was awake. For 3 years, this is all I've done. I just want my baby awake and home. I shook my head as I felt the tears come rushing down my face.

"Dad- cake?" Phoenix asked me. I smiled as I looked at her. "You want cake now love?" I asked and she nodded excitedly. I sat her up on my lap and she gave me a Spider-Man party hat to put on. I smiled as she wiped my tears and I put it on.

Everyone started singing happy birthday to Phoenix when they brought out the coolest spider-man cake I've ever seen. It was 2 tiers, with webs designed around it with spiders. At the top was a spider-man mask toy that lit up.

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, dear Phoenix,
Happy birthday to you

"Make a wish princess" I said. She closed her eyes and made her wish before opening them and blowing out her candles. We all cheered and she smiled as Gemma cut the cake. She was given her cake and I smiled as she ate it, making a mess everywhere.

"What did you wish for love?" I asked, hoping she would tell me. "Daddy stop sleeping." She said and Anne looked at me, probably making sure I was okay. "That's a great wish love." I said clearing my throat so I wouldn't cry.

My phone started buzzing and I saw it was the hospital's number. I handed Phoenix to Anne and picked up the call

'Hello?'

'Yes, this is him'

'W-what-"