A Girl Worth Fighting For

Chapter 2

Liam’s POV

The boys and I had unpacked and were finally settled into Harry’s mum’s house. We hadn’t seen Harry since we first arrived, which was nearly two hours ago, so I decided to go into the nursery to search for him. I was startled to find Jennifer with Emma in her arms.

“Uhm, hi.” I said awkwardly. She turned around quickly, obviously as startled as I was. But then she smiled up at me.

“Hi.” She turned her head back to Emma who was giggling in her arms.

“She’s adorable, isn’t she?” I smiled down at the little girl.

“She’s perfect.” She whispered. And Emma stared with her big green eyes up at the two of us.

“Do you know where Harry is by any chance?” I asked hopeful.

“He went out. I’m not sure where though.” She stated nervously. “Liam, is Harry alright?” She looked up at me with concern. I shook my head.

“He’s horrible. He’s barely home anymore. We barely see him. He spends most of his nights out. Either at old places he used to go with Ava or at the bar. He barely even holds Emma.” Her eyes began to fill with tears as she listened to me. “We watch Emma most of the time. But you know, we aren’t the most suitable parental figures and then again, we aren’t the parents at all. He needs to realize his responsibilities. He needs to move on.” She nodded her head in approval. “We thought coming home, would maybe help.”

“I want to help.” She whispered. “But I don’t know how.” I gripped her shoulder and stared down at her and little Emma in her lap.

“Just be there for him. And help him learn to care for Emma.” I said quietly. “I’m going to go out and find him.”

“Alright, be safe.” She whispered to me as I exited the room.

Harry’s POV

“Another round.” I said to the man who seemed all too familiar. I sat there, on the same stool that I had been sitting on for hours. No matter how many times I came to these places, how many drinks I had, how many times I cried, she never came back and the pain was always there. The constant memory of her always there, always haunting me. The loneliness. The anger. I missed her. And I couldn’t move on. I was stuck in the same, unbearable place. And I was scared that I would be stuck like this forever.

“Harry, what are you doing here?” I heard the familiar voice from behind me. I didn’t bother turning around. “Harry. You need to go home.” Liam took a seat on the bar stool next to me. I continued to ignore him. “Listen to me! You need to wake up. You gotta stop this Harry. Coming to these bars at all hours, staying out until god knows when. You need to man up and take care of Emma. Harry, you’re all she has left and she’s all you have left.”

“I know.” My eyes began to fill with tears. “It’s just, Ava…I miss her so much Liam.” I cried. He took me into a hug.

“You’ll always miss her. But Harry, now Emma needs you. And you need her. You barely even see Emma. And you’re missing out on the most important moments of her life.” He looked at me and then smiled. “She always so happy and always giggling. Just being around her makes you feel happy. And that’s what you need.” He looked at me and smiled. “It’s time to move on, mate.” I nodded.

“I’ll meet you back at my mum’s house. I’m going to go see Ava.” He nodded and gave me another hug. And I left the bar and began to drive in the slight snow. 

I eventually arrived at the cemetery. I drove down the familiar path and came to a stop. I hopped out of the car and walked down the row. Until I eventually stopped in front of the familiar tombstone. I fell to my knees and stared at the words. Ava Collins. Gone, but Never Forgotten. With tears rolling down my face, I looked up at the sky and smiled.

“I miss you. And I don’t know what I’m doing without you. I don’t know how to raise a baby. Or deal with the pain of losing you. Especially not at the same time.” I reached into my pocket and felt the ring in between my fingers. “I love you. I wanted to be with you forever. And I was about to start forever, but then you…you told me you were dying.” Small tears began falling from my cheeks. “I haven’t been trying hard enough, I know. But I’m going to, starting today. I’m going to raise our daughter right. I promise you.” I stood up and wiped the tears from my face. I reached in his pocket once more, and put the ring on the top of the tombstone. “I love you Ava Collins. And I always will. Forever.” And I walked away slowly to my car. To try to become the father I was meant to be.

Liam’s POV

I walked back into the nursery expecting Ava to be sitting there, but she was gone and there was just little Emma sound asleep in her crib. I quietly closed the door and made my way down the hall until I was in front of Jennifer’s bedroom. I hesitated for a moment, decided not to, and then walked down the stairs, too nervous and afraid. But as I walked downstairs, I saw her. Through the back door window, I could see her small figure standing out in the snow. As if she could hear me, she turned around and looked back through the glass at me. Her eyes met mine, and she smiled innocently. And that’s the moment I learned, that she was utterly pure.

Well here's chapter 2! Sorry it took so long, I've been pretty busy this year. Freshman year sucks to sum it up. But anyways, I hope you guys like this chapter, and tell me what you think about Jen! Hopefully you guys like her. Well comment and vote! I love hearing from you guys! Bye, love you all.