6 chapters to go...I'm getting scared
Everyone had been desperate to meet Juniper, or, as we'd taken to calling her, our little Juni. However, Harry and I had decided to wait for a little while, focusing on her health, ensuring that she'd be able to come home with us as soon as possible.
I was also still in the hospital, after some complications with the after birth. It wasn't anything awfully serious, but my doctors had wanted to keep me in for observation.
It was now Christmas Eve, and it was looking like we weren't going to be able to spend our first Christmas as a family in our new home, which was something I wasn't coping very well with.
My dad, however, had visited nearly every day, and had been staying in the guest room at our home, making sure everything was okay on that front.
Unfortunately, Harry's parents had to travel back to Guernsey, but not before lots of quality time with Juni, and finding out about our very quiet, and secretive engagement.
It was late, on Christmas Eve, and Harry and I were squished together on my hospital bed. There wasn't enough room for both of us, and we both knew that, but it felt comforting to have him so close, and I hated not sharing a bed with him.
"Happy Christmas," he whispered, squeezing my hand gently, murmuring pretty words into my ear.
"It's not even Christmas, yet," I laugh softly.
He shows me his phone, and sure enough all I see are zeros.
"Yeah, it is."
I swallowed a surprised gasp, but allowed a little bit of laughter to escape from my lips. "In that case, happy Christmas."
Nothing more is said after that, but I soon drift off into a peaceful sleep, comforted by Harry's warmth next to me.
When I wake, I feel very well rested. However, the warmth that was snuggled next to me isn't there any more.
My hand automatically reaches out as my eyes begin to adjust to the light that is now streaming in through the window, but the bed is cold, indicating it's been empty for a while.
Now my eyes do open, quicker this time, and I'm met with a surprise.
There is a small Christmas tree propped up in the corner, and underneath are wrapped presents. There are some Christmassy lights hung up from the ceiling.
But that doesn't include the best surprise, which is Harry stood in the corner, holding Juniper securely in his arms, her cot just to the side of my own bed.
And what's more, she has no wires, or tubes attached to her anymore.
"Harry?" I ask, the confusion evident in my voice. "What —"
"Turns out I'm a real charmer," he starts, grinning. "I managed to convince the nurses on the ward to let me decorate for Christmas. I just — I desperately wanted us to have a special Christmas this year, especially since Juni's here, now," he explained, slowly walking over to me with our daughter.
She's asleep, but she still looks so, incredibly perfect.
"Harry...wow," is all I manage to choke out, blinking rapidly to rid the fast approaching tears. "Thank you...thank you, thank you," is all I'm able to say. "The presents —"
"Ah," he responds, clocking what my question was going to be. "Well — if you're up to it, we have some visitors who'd like to say happy Christmas, amongst other things."
My mind piques with interest. "Who?"
He grins sheepishly. "The guys. Their girlfriends. Sarah, and — Sam," he finishes, and I can tell it's still a little hard for him to feel comfortable with Sam, but he's trying, and he's definitely improved.
