The Bank of Second Chances | Zarry

Chapter 15: Got It

The house felt different now. Every corner, every shadow, and every whisper seemed to carry the weight of the news they had just received. Harry and Zayn sat in the living room, the silence between them noticeable. Arlo was still napping, blissfully unaware of the seismic shift that had just occurred in their world.

Harry stared at the floor, his mind a swirling tempest of emotions. Relief, anxiety, joy, and a deep, gnawing fear all battled for dominance. He had always known that if they went through with the test the possibility that Zayn could be Arlo's biological father would happen, but he was not mentally prepared for the actual results but the confirmation had brought a new reality crashing down on him.

He had been Arlo's only parent for the first year of his life, navigating sleepless nights, first smiles, and the overwhelming joy of watching his son grow. Now, he had to come to terms with sharing those precious moments in a way he hadn't anticipated. Harry's heart ached with a sense of loss, mingled with the joy of knowing that Arlo would have Zayn as his father.

He glanced at Zayn, who was staring blankly ahead, lost in his own thoughts. Harry could see the turmoil etched in his features, the lines of worry on his forehead, the way his hands clenched and unclenched. Zayn was overwhelmed, and Harry could feel the distance growing between them.

Zayn's POV

Zayn's mind was a chaotic storm of emotions. He had always felt a deep connection to Arlo, a bond that transcended logic and explanation. Now, knowing that Arlo was his biological son, the weight of that reality pressed down on him. He was filled with a mix of overwhelming joy and crushing fear.

He thought about his family, his mother, and how he would break the news to them. Trisha had always been supportive, but this was different. This was monumental. Zayn could already hear the questions, the surprise, the inevitable concerns. And then there was Michael, his best friend, who had always been by his side. In all honesty, this was all Michael's doing because it was his idea to go to the clinic that day, and now look at me. I wonder how he will react. How could I explain the complexity of the situation when I can't make sense of it myself?

Zayn's chest tightened with the thought of all the changes that lay ahead. He loved Harry deeply, but this new dynamic terrified him. Their relationship was still relatively new, just eight months in, and now they were navigating uncharted territory.

The idea of being a father, of sharing parental responsibilities, of integrating their lives even more closely, was daunting. He looked at Harry, seeing the pain and uncertainty in his eyes.

Zayn wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but he felt paralyzed by his own fears. He hadn't even noticed how much Harry was struggling with the news, so consumed by his own thoughts.

Harry's POV

Harry watched Zayn, feeling a pang of sorrow at the distance he sensed between them. He knew Zayn was struggling, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being overshadowed. He had been Arlo's world, and Arlo had been his. Now, he had to learn to share that world in a way he hadn't before.

The early days with Arlo had been hard. The sleepless nights, the constant worry, the overwhelming love that came with every new milestone-they had all been his alone. He had yearned for a partner during those times, and now that he had one, the reality of sharing those responsibilities was more complex than he had imagined.

Harry felt a sense of loss for the exclusivity he had with Arlo, a fear that his role in his son's life would somehow be diminished. He knew it was irrational, but the emotions were real. He loved Zayn and wanted to build a life with him, but the adjustment was proving to be more difficult than he had anticipated.