Adopted by Harry Styles

twenty-two

When I woke up, Louis had been replaced with Danielle and the boys were asleep in the floor of my living room.

Dani looked down at me and kissed my head, resting her forehead against mine. She sniffled and I reached my thumb up so I could wipe her tears away.

"How are you taking it?" She asked me.

"I'm miserable, not going to lie," I spoke as I got up and went upstairs.

I went into Autumn's room and went and laid in bed next to her. She rolled over and her weak eyes stared at me.

"I'm tired, daddy," she mumbled quietly.

"Rest, sweetheart," I spoke sadly as I held her closer to me.

I rubbed her back and she relaxed into my embrace, finally getting comfortable. I heard her door open and I glanced over.

Louis walked in and motioned me to come downstairs with him. I shook my head and he sighed, getting in the bed on the other side of Autumn.

"Harry," he whispered quietly, "you need to know."

I know what he's talking about, but I can't process that she could be gone by the snap of my fingers.

"I know, Louis. But I don't want to know when she's going to die, that's not how life works," I whispered back.

"Mate, I'm trying to be a good friend. I need to tell you and if I don't I will feel awful about it because we all know. One day we will know the day she will go to heaven and you won't. You'll hate us for not telling you, Harry."

I sighed as I looked up at him, "Fine, Louis. Tell me."

"Autumn has 4 months to live."

//

"Is there a reason why I'm here at 7 in the morning?" Niall asked me as him, Liam, and Louis sat on my couch.

Danielle came in from the kitchen and gave them each a cup of tea and sat down in the chair.

"Okay, I've been up all night and have drank like five cups of coffee, but I have an idea," I spoke.

They each told me to continue and so I did, "Autumn had told me that she wants to see all the places she has never seen before. I'm taking her all over the world, but I'm going with or without you guys. Are you in?"

"Harry, are you sure you want to do this?" Louis asked me as I nodded.

"If it is what she wants, then it's happening."

He smiled and spoke, "When do we leave?"

I smiled as the other three agreed and I told them the plan that took me all night to figure out.

//

"Daddy?" Autumn spoke dead in the night as she shook my head with her cold hand.

"Hmm? Baby what's wrong?" Dani mumbled as I felt her body against the back of mine.

"Mommy I'm freezing, I need a daddy cuddle," she whined.

"How about a mommy cuddle? Daddy's sick baby girl and he needs rest before we leave," she lied.

Danielle knows I'm exhausted. I'm awake at night, scared to sleep. I'm up because I'm afraid that when I fall asleep, she'll die. And I won't be awake to say goodbye.

"Okay mommy," she spoke.

I felt Autumn's cold feet drag across my side as Dani lifted her up on my side. I sighed into the pillows as I heard there small breaths, indicating they were asleep.

I got up from bed and put my Nike's on, slipping on my sweatpants and a t-shirt. I went down to the garage and as I opened my car door, the garage door that connected to the kitchen had opened.

"Daddy?" I heard Autumn mumble as she rubbed her eye with one hand and held her blanket with another.

"Princess, go back to bed with mommy. I'll be back soon, then we leave," I spoke as I went and kissed her cheek, sending her back inside.

I got in the car once I saw her go back up the stairs and pulled out of my garage and down the driveway, pulling onto the road.

I drove around for a long while, just wanting the clear the words 'Autumn has 4 months to live' out of my head. Of course, that didn't happen.

We're leaving for Dubai in a few hours, so I made my way back to my house. When I got inside, both of my girls were awake and on the couch watching cartoons.

"Who's ready?" I spoke with a smile on my face, trying to seem happy.

"Me!" Autumn gushed as she dashed into my arms, finally getting her daddy cuddle.