If I could fly (BOOK 2)

I do

Harry woke before the light.

Not because of noise. Not even fully because of nerves. Just because something in him knew today was different.

The room was still, wrapped in that quiet that only exists before a big moment. Harry lay there for a second, staring at the ceiling, one hand pressed flat to his chest like he was checking that his heart was still doing what it was meant to do.

Today.

He sat up slowly and rubbed his face, already feeling that familiar tightness in his throat.

Before anything else, he padded quietly down the hall to Darcy's room.

She was awake in her crib, sitting up crookedly, hair sticking out in every direction like she'd already been busy thinking. When she saw him, her whole face lit up.

"Morning, bug," he whispered.

She kicked her feet and babbled back.

Harry leaned over the crib and rested his forehead gently against hers. "Big day today," he murmured. "For all of us."

Darcy grabbed his finger with surprising strength.

"I know," he said softly, smiling through the emotion. "I'm not going anywhere."

By the time the boys started knocking, the nerves had settled into something steadier-still intense, but grounded.

Louis walked in first, already adjusting his suit. "Right. No crying until she gets to you."

Niall followed, somehow eating again. "Too late for me. I cried earlier."

Liam clapped Harry on the shoulder. "You good?"

Harry nodded. "I think so."

Zayn lingered by the door and met Harry's eyes. "I've seen her," he said quietly. "She's beautiful. That's all you need to know."

Harry swallowed hard. "Yeah?"

Louis grinned. "Mate. You're done for."

⸻

Across the house, Y/N sat in front of the mirror while Anne and Gemma moved around her gently.

The room was warm, filled with quiet laughter and the soft rustle of fabric. Darcy sat on the bed beside her in her own little white dress, sparkles catching the light, black shoes kicking happily. Her hair was barely long enough for tiny pigtails, each tied with a bow.

"You look unreal," Gemma said softly.

Anne reached for Y/N's hand. "You're exactly where you're meant to be."

Y/N blinked as tears welled. "I didn't think my life could ever look like this."

Anne smiled. "Sometimes the best things come after the hardest parts."

Darcy babbled loudly, as if agreeing.

⸻

When the music shifted, Harry's breath caught.

And then she appeared.

Y/N stepped into view, Darcy in Harrys dad's arms, light hitting her dress just right, calm and glowing and real in a way that knocked the air out of his lungs.

Harry didn't even try to hold it together.

Tears spilled immediately, his chest hitching as he covered his mouth with his hand. The closer she got, the harder it became to breathe.

When she reached him, Darcy close to them, Harry was openly crying.

"You look-" he started, then laughed weakly through tears. "I can't even-"

Y/N smiled softly. "Hi."

That was it. He lost it completely.

The officiant waited until the emotion settled just enough before speaking.

"Do you take Harry," they asked gently, "to be your lawfully wedded husband-to love him, stand beside him, and choose him every day, in joy and in hardship?"

Y/N didn't hesitate.

"I do," she said, voice steady, full.

Harry let out a shaky breath.

The officiant turned to him. "And do you take Y/N to be your lawfully wedded wife-to love her, protect her, and build a life with her, always?"

Harry nodded hard, tears streaming. "I do. I absolutely do."

Soft laughter rippled through the room.
When it was time for their vows, Harry went first, hands trembling as he held hers.

"I promise you," he said, voice breaking but sure, "that no matter how loud my life gets-no matter where my career goes-you and Darcy will always come first. You are my home. My family. My everything."

Y/N wiped her tears and smiled at him.

"When I met you," she said softly, "I didn't know if I could handle this life. But once I found you-once we built this together-I realized I couldn't imagine living without it. You gave me love, a family, and a future. And I will always have you in my corner."

Harry was sobbing now, shoulders shaking.

When the officiant finally smiled and said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife," the room erupted.
Harry kissed her like he'd been waiting his whole life to do it.

Darcy clapped enthusiastically.

And for the first time, standing there as a family, everything felt complete.