The Bank of Second Chances | Zarry

Chapter 29: Hope

Hours seemed to blend into one another as Zayn and Harry waited for news about their baby girl. The sterile hospital room was cold and unwelcoming, filled with the constant hum of machines and the quiet shuffling of medical staff. Zayn kept a vigil at Harry's bedside, his hand never leaving Harry's, as they clung to each other for support. Harry was provided with pain meds from his surgery and a sedative to calm his nerves a bit after his outburst.

Anne, Gemma, Niall, and Michael arrived at the hospital shortly after the emergency, their faces etched with worry and concern. It was Michael who hugged Zayn tightly, whispering words of comfort in his ear, being the closest thing to a brother that Zayn ever had. He let Zayn know he would get a hold of his parents and that he doesn't need to worry about anything else but Harry and the baby. Anne and Niall took turns sitting with Harry, trying to keep his spirits up. The waiting was excruciating, each minute stretching out like an eternity. While Gemma did her best to watch over a very quiet and subdue Arlo. He heard a bit of Harry's outburst and it shook him up a bit.

Zayn asked to have a moment with Arlo, just to hug him and tell him he loves him, leaving out the Sunny part in the event something goes astray. He had missed out on the birth and foundational years of Arlo's life and he would hate to lose that with Sunny. Arlo clung to his Baba as if he was going to float away and that made Zayn tear up. Fatherhood brought something out of Zayn, and it honestly changed his life like no other.

Finally, a doctor entered the room, her expression somber but with a hint of a smile. "Mr. Styles, Mr. Malik," she began, looking between the two of them, "your daughter is stable. She's very small and will need to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit for some time, but she's a fighter." The relief that washed over Zayn was evident. He felt his knees nearly give out as he sank into a chair, tears streaming down his face. Harry sobbed with relief, clutching Zayn's hand even tighter."Can we see her?" Harry asked, his voice trembling.

The doctor nodded. "Of course. She's being monitored closely, but you can visit her."They were led to the NICU, the antiseptic smell and the quiet beeping of machines filling the air. As they approached the incubator where their tiny daughter lay, Zayn felt a surge of overwhelming love and protectiveness. She was so small, so fragile, but she was theirs. Harry placed a gentle hand on the incubator, tears flowing freely. "She's beautiful, Zayn. Our little Sunny."Zayn nodded, unable to speak as he looked at their daughter. "She's perfect," he finally managed, his voice choked with emotion.

They spent the next few hours by her side, talking to her, whispering words of love and encouragement. The fear and uncertainty were still there, but so was a fragile hope. Their daughter was a fighter, and they were by her side.

Back in Harry's room, they found a moment of respite. Zayn sat beside Harry, interlocking both of their hands, closing their eyes, and pressing their foreheads together. The events of the past hours finally catching up with them."She's so tiny Harry, we really have to be strong for her, Harry," Zayn said softly. "She needs us to be strong."Harry nodded, his eyes streaming with tears. "I know. And we will be. For her."As they sat together, drawing strength from each other, Zayn knew that their journey was far from over.

---

The door creaked open, and Zayn's parents entered quietly. Yaser and Trisha had arrived after Michael's call, their faces etched with concern and fatigue.

"Zayn, Harry," Yaser began his voice a deep voice filled with emotion. "Are you alright? Is she going to be okay? Please tell me she's going to be okay!" Once again it was overprotective Grandpa doing what he does best for his grandkids.

Trisha approached Harry, taking his hand gently. "How are you feeling, dear?" she asked, her eyes filled with maternal concern.

Harry managed a weak smile. "I'm hanging in there. Just worried about our little girl.""We all are," Trisha said softly. "But she's strong, like her parents."