invisible string | zarry mpreg au

chapter 14

After a whirlwind of busy weeks, Harry found himself forced to slow down a bit as he entered weeks 23 and 24 of his pregnancy. His energy levels dropped significantly, leaving him feeling a little under the weather, uncertain if he'd caught a bug or if it was just part of the journey.

Fortunately, both he and his doctor were pleasantly surprised when his latest check-up revealed excellent blood sugar levels—an enormous relief. However, his blood work did show he had low iron levels, and his doctor advised him to start taking stronger iron supplements to keep things on track.

During this time, Harry began noticing something new—the baby's first hiccups. At first, they were delicate, almost endearing, just a faint flutter within him. But as the baby continued to grow, those little hiccups became more pronounced, making themselves known at the most inconvenient times, especially late at night when Harry was desperate to fall asleep. Yet, despite the occasional annoyance, he found himself smiling every time.

The baby's kicks also shifted from gentle prods to something more robust. By this stage, Zayn could even see them, and he always seemed to know just when to place his hand on Harry's belly, guessing with a playful excitement where the next kick might land. It became a game for him, one Harry found strangely comforting. These movements were no longer just faint taps—they were strong enough to be seen from the outside. Harry noticed most of the kicks tended to be on the left side of his belly. Luckily, she wasn't too active at night, allowing him a decent amount of sleep, but the hiccups were a different story—they were relentless.

His once barely noticeable stomach now curved outward, a gentle but unmistakable bump that grew more prominent with each passing week. It wasn't obvious under his loose clothing, but when he wore something fitted, there was no mistaking the subtle roundness that cradled his growing child. The bump sat low, about the size of a small melon, still delicate on his slim frame, but enough to catch attention when he placed his hand protectively over it.

Cravings were another constant companion during his pregnancy, and they seemed to intensify as he reached the 24-week mark. He'd always had a bit of a sweet tooth, but now it felt like his entire world revolved around ice cream, chocolate, and any sugary treat he could get his hands on. It was impossible to turn down, and he found himself indulging more often than not, even though a small part of him fretted about maintaining a balanced diet for his baby's sake. Still, despite his best efforts, his cravings often won the battle.

Fatigue was still a constant shadow hanging over him, and while he'd expected an energy boost in his second trimester, it never came. Instead, Harry found himself more tired than ever, knowing that the third trimester loomed ahead with the promise of even more exhaustion. He took afternoon naps whenever he could, though he tried to combat the fatigue with yoga and stretching sessions, which offered some relief but couldn't erase the bone-deep weariness that lingered.

After an exhausting day spent at the doctor's office, where they ran what felt like a million tests, Zayn took Harry back to his penthouse, insisting on cooking dinner. Harry was in a foul mood, soured by the long day. But Zayn, as always, seemed to know just what to do.

As he stood in Harry's kitchen, preparing a homemade ravioli dinner, Harry couldn't help but feel his spirits lift, even if just a little. The sight of Zayn moving effortlessly around his kitchen, the smell of fresh pasta filling the air, was a distraction Harry needed.

When they sat down to eat, the aroma of the freshly cooked ravioli mingled with the soft lighting in his kitchen, creating a bubble of comfort that soothed his nerves. Zayn's culinary skills were, to Harry's delight, unexpectedly impressive—the pasta was perfectly al dente, the sauce rich and flavorful. As Harry took another bite, he couldn't help but let out a small hum of appreciation.