A Girl Worth Fighting For

Chapter 3

Harry’s POV

I awoke in Emma’s nursery the next morning. Her tiny head was peeking out from the crib and she was staring at me with her big green eyes. She was already 3 months old. It had gone by so fast. I remember it all so clearly. Holding Emma in my arms for the first time. Hearing Ava talk about how beautiful she was. Ava smiling and whispering her love for Emma. Our one moment as a family. I remember it all. So clearly. And now it had been 3 months. 3 months since Emma was born. 3 months since I lost Ava. 3 months since the best and worst day of my life.

I heard the door creak open, but I didn’t bother to turn around. I just kept my eyes on Emma as she wiggled around in her crib, giggling. And I couldn’t help but smile.

“She’s so cute, Harry.” I recognized her voice; it was Jen. I didn’t answer so she continued. “I was thinking we should go do something today. Like maybe the zoo, if you’d like.”

“Um, yeah sure. I think Emma would like that.” I looked at Emma, as she watched us silently. I picked her up out of the crib, and felt her small hand in mine. She giggled again. “You’d like that right Emma?” I whispered in my attempted baby voice. She just giggled even louder, sitting there in my arms. Looking into her eyes, I knew she was my new forever.

On our way to the zoo, the car was silent. Except for Emma’s little giggles every few minutes. She never stopped, she was happy literally all the time. And it was contagious. Being around her just made you happy. I sat there, listening to her laugh when I saw something from the corner of my eye. Liam’s eyes were on Jen. And he didn’t remove his gaze once throughout the whole car ride. And I felt my blood boil.

Liam’s POV

We spent the day walking through the zoo together. Luckily there weren’t many fans, since it was a Tuesday and everyone was either at school or work. There were only a few mothers and their small children. So no one really came up to us.

Harry was pushing Emma around in her stroller, while the rest of us followed. Harry finally seemed like he was trying. He was trying to actually be a father. And the thought of that made me smile. Emma deserved him, just like how Harry deserved her. After everything he had been through, he deserved to have her and her happiness in his life. They both deserved and needed each other.

I looked to my left and saw Jennifer walking behind Harry, quietly watching him and Emma. She seemed as though she had something to tell him; something she knew that the rest of did not.  She seemed to be hiding something.

She eventually noticed my staring and a small smile played on her lips. I quickly smiled back and turned my head the other way, my cheeks beginning to flush.

Jen’s POV

I caught him looking at me again, just like before in the car. But this time I decided to stare back. I flashed him a smile, and he returned one instantly. But then his cheeks began to heat up and he turned away, obviously out of embarrassment. He was so much more sensitive than most boys I knew. And I couldn’t help but love the difference. He was so much more complex than everyone. There was something about him. Something that made me want to learn more about him. I wanted to learn about all his hidden qualities. He intrigued me.

A few moments later I heard Harry calling my name, interrupting my thoughts of Liam. I looked towards him as he smiled weakly at me.

“I’m sorry about this, but Emma needs to be changed. And well there isn’t a changing station in the men’s room. Do you think you could, you know, help me out?” He looked at me hopeful. I chuckled.

“Don’t worry about it.” I picked Emma up into my arms. “Hello little cutie! You need to change that dirty diaper, don’t you?” I began in my baby voice, poking her little nose. She giggled. “Aunt Jenny is going to help you. Yes she is. Because she loves you. She loves you so much.” I began walking towards the restroom with Emma giggling uncontrollably in my arms.