The Bank of Second Chances | Zarry

Chapter 9: I Find Myself in a Shit Position

Wednesday afternoon Harry's phone rang, disrupting the comforting routine of the day. The call was from the courthouse, and Harry's heart sank as he listened to the clerk on the other end. One of his clients needed emergency counsel for a hearing that afternoon. His mind raced through his options. Niall and Gemma were both at work, and his mother was out on a girl's trip and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Desperation crept in, mingling with the guilt he always felt for not having signed Arlo up for childcare or hiring a nanny.

With little time to find a sitter, Harry's fingers hovered over his phone before dialing the number he had come to know so well. He knew Zayn's schedule by heart; it was Wednesday, meaning Zayn was almost done with his classes for the day. Harry took a deep breath, bracing himself for the guilt that followed asking such a significant favor.

"Hey, babe," Harry began, his voice laced with anxiety. "I hate to ask this, but I have an emergency at work. My client needs me for a hearing, and I have no one to watch Arlo."

Zayn's immediate response was filled with concern and understanding. "Of course, Harry. I can take care of Arlo. No problem at all."

Despite Zayn's reassuring words, Harry couldn't help but ramble on. "I know this completely wrecks your afternoon. I can call my mom, but—"

"Harry, it's fine. I want to help. I'll be there in twenty minutes," Zayn interjected gently.

Unbeknownst to Harry, Zayn had a big exam the next morning. He chose not to mention it, not wanting to add to Harry's stress. To Zayn, this felt right. They were becoming a family, and the family supported each other no matter what.

***

When Zayn arrived, Harry was already dressed for court, Arlo perched on his hip. The baby's eyes lit up at the sight of Zayn, reaching out with a joyful squeal. Harry handed Arlo over, his gratitude evident.

"Thank you so much, Zayn. I really owe you one," Harry said, his voice thick with sincerity.

Zayn smiled. "Go do what you need to do. We've got this."

As Harry rushed out the door, Zayn turned his attention to Arlo, who was tugging at his shirt. "Hey, little man. Ready to have some fun?"

The afternoon was a whirlwind of activities. Zayn took Arlo to the park, where they played on the swings and slides. He pushed Arlo in the swing, the baby's laughter echoing through the air, filling Zayn with a profound sense of happiness. They fed ducks at the pond and shared a snack under the shade of a tree.

Back at Harry's house, they built a fort out of pillows and blankets in the living room. Arlo clapped his hands, delighted with their creation, crawling in and out of the fort with boundless energy. Zayn cherished these moments, feeling a deeper bond forming with the little boy.

Just as Zayn thought things were going smoothly, Arlo started to fuss. Zayn noticed a familiar, unpleasant smell. He lifted Arlo and found the back of his pants damp. "Uh-oh," he muttered. "We've got a situation here."

Carrying Arlo carefully, Zayn headed to the bathroom. He laid Arlo down on the changing mat, and as he opened the diaper, he was hit with the full reality of a major blowout. Arlo began to cry, his face turning red.

"Okay, buddy, let's get you cleaned up," Zayn said, trying to stay calm. He remembered how Harry handled bath time but realized he didn't know where anything was kept. With Arlo crying and squirming, Zayn did his best to navigate the unfamiliar terrain.

He filled the bathtub with warm water and used some of Harry's soap, hoping it would be gentle enough for Arlo's skin. The baby continued to scream, his tiny fists waving in the air. Zayn kept talking to him in soothing tones, carefully washing him and trying to make the best of the chaotic situation.