She's Not Afraid

"I'm All In"

"Look, just because we're sitting this out and waiting for him to make his next move," Liam said, as they all sat in the kitchen together, "Doesn't meant that we have to be unprepared."

"Right," Louis said, looking at Sofia, "James was right. You have more then enough potential and raw talent – you can put up one hell of a fight, Sof."

"Okay..." Sofia said, unsure of what they were getting at.

"I want you back in training. Gun, hand to hand, everything," Liam said, "I want to know that whatever gets thrown at you, you can handle it..."

"Okay," Sofia agreed, looking over at Niall, "Do you mind?"

"No," Niall said, shaking his head, "But honestly, I think you should do your fight training with Zayn..."

"What?" Sofia snapped

"Try not to sound so happy," Zayn quipped

"Look, Sof," Niall said, "Guns I'm good at, getting you to think while your fighting – I'm good at that. But, Zayn is the strongest and the toughest and he won't go easy on you. And that's what you need right now..."

"Unless your scared," Zayn said, looking up at her and raising an eyebrow.

"You think I'm scared of you?" Sofia growled, "I've been beating you up since I was like 6..."

"Then it shouldn't be a problem that I'm the one training you," Zayn said, shrugging.

"You always turn into a dick," Sofia said, glaring at him.

"Well, it's not like William Sikes is a piece of pie, Sofia. He's a dick. I'm the closest thing..." Zayn said, "Besides, I trained with your dad – so I can go old school on you."

"He's right," Harry said quietly, surprising everyone, "I don't like it, but he's right. This fight is gonna be brought to you, Sofia. And we can't hide you from it, so we have to prepare you to the best of our ability. And that means Zayn..." Sofia sighed, but she nodded her head in agreement.

"I'll get you up at 6," Zayn said

"If you try and get me up any earlier then 9," Sofia growled, "You won't have to worry about training me, because I will shoot right in the face." Zayn chuckled, but nodded his head in agreement. Sofia yawned, looking at her tea, before looking at Harry.

"I'm going to go make sure Birdie is asleep, I'll meet you up there?" Sofia asked

"Yeah, I'll be up in a bit," Harry said, as Sofia got up and emptied her cup out, before saying goodnight and exiting the kitchen. The five boys sat in silence for a bit.

"So, what's the plan for her?" Niall asked, causing all the boys to look up at him.

"What do you mean?" Liam asked

"I mean, what's the plan?" Niall asked, "Because right now we're working with a ticking time bomb..."

"He's right..." Louis said

"I want everyone to watch her. She's feeling the pressure right now – coming from all sides. And herself. And she's either going to relieve the pressure – or she's going to pop. So, just be on the look out..." Liam said, shaking his head

"You think she'll do something stupid?" Zayn asked

"I think she had anxiety and drug issues not to long ago – and she is trying to keep it together and not disappoint anyone. And I think that can weight on a person," Liam said, looking at Harry who was looking at the
table.

"You alright, Haz?" Louis asked, Harry looked up at them.

"I'm worried. I'm worried about her," Harry said, shrugging, "She's been really strong about this entire situation and I guess I'm just waiting for the bottom to fall out..."

"It might not fall out," Liam said

"I guess I was just hoping we could get married and start our life with Birdie without any complications," Harry said, "And now it looks like it won't be that easy..."

"Harry, this changes a lot..." Zayn said, "But it doesn't change how Sofia feels about you, or that little girl. She loves you, she would do anything for you..."

"And that's what scares me," Harry said, "She would do anything for us..."

"She agreed to do this our way," Niall said

"And what if our way doesn't work?" Harry asked, "What then? Do we really think Sofia will just sit around?"

"We haven't gotten there yet, Haz," Liam said

"Let's take this one day at a time," Louis said, "Don't create problems that haven't happened yet..."

"You're right," Harry said, "It's just, this morning when I woke up I had a clear picture of where my life would be over the next few months, and tonight when I go to bed, I don't know if that picture is safe anymore..."

"Look," Liam said, "She's not happy with the plan. But she's agreed to stick with it. So, we train her, we keep an eye out. And we get her ready for the fight of her life..."

"Why do you say it like it's going to come down to her?" Harry snapped.

"Do you see it going any other way?" Liam asked, his eyebrows rose.

"If I can help it," Harry growled, "The fight will come down to me and
him..." Harry didn't say anything else, before he stood up, rinsing his cup out, and walking out of the kitchen.

"We have two people who are ready to do anything to protect each other..." Niall said, glancing up at Liam

"Yeah, they aren't going to make this easy, are they?" Liam asked

"Well, this is Harry and Sofia we're talking about," Zayn said, shrugging.

"In they're defense," Louis said, "This fight is real personal. And they're just trying to save what they helped build..."

"I know we said we would watch her," Liam said, his eyes furrowed in concern, "But let's keep an eye out on him too, huh? They are both looking to get themselves into trouble, and I'd like to keep them alive."

"Keep them alive," Niall said, deadpanned, "That's got to be the best plan we've ever had."

"Shut up," Liam snapped, causing Niall to smirk.


***


It had been a long day. Actually it had been beyond a long day, and Harry Styles was exhausted. It was physically exhausted, he was mentally exhausted, and he was emotionally exhausted. He didn't know what to expect when he entered his part of the home. He wasn't sure if Sofia would be asleep, or crying, or angry. He didn't know if she would want to talk about what had happened, or if she would shut him out. He didn't know what to expect, and after checking on Birdie out of habit and finding the little girl fast asleep with Bingley at the bottom of her bed, Harry was dreading what was behind his bedroom door. His heart went out to Sofia, she had probably had the worst day of them all, except for maybe Liam, and Harry didn't want to know how badly it affected her. He prepared himself for tears, or screaming, or the silent treatment, or for her to be pretending to be asleep. He had prepared himself for all of that. But that wasn't what he found, and what he found he wasn't prepared for at all.

"Seriously?" he asked her, closing the door behind him.

"Happy Birthday baby," Sofia said quietly, as she lay on top of their bed in tight black lingerie, with a present bow on top of her head, and a cupcake in her hand. She was grinning up at him, as he stood in the doorway shocked trying to take in every inch of her beautiful body.

"It's not even," Harry said, but Sofia interrupted, holding up her wrist.

"It's twelve oh five," Sofia said, as she sat up, making her way off the bed, "You've been 22 for five minutes."

"I guess I have," Harry said quietly, gulping loudly as she walked up to him.

"Make a wish," Sofia said, pulling a lighter out of the corset she was wearing, "Make it a good one."

"Babe, I can't even think straight," Harry said, staring at her. Sofia smiled cheekily, holding the cupcake out to him, and watched as he moved his lips perfectly to blow the candle out. Sofia giggled softly, turning from him and putting the candle down on the bedside table. When she turned back to him, he was still standing by the door.

"Lock that," Sofia said, "We have a four year old now, and I don't want her walking in..."

"Sof, we don't have to do this tonight," Harry said, turning to close the door, "It's been a long day, I know you're tired. Today was tough..."

"Yes," Sofia said, "It was tough. And it was reminder of a lot of things..."

"I know baby..."

"Let me finish," Sofia said, "It reminded me of how shitty of a dad my dad was, and how much my brother sacrificed to give me this life. It reminded me how not normal I am. And how I will probably always live in danger..."

"We can talk about it," Harry said, moving towards her.

"No, shhh," Sofia said, "Listen. It also reminded me of the most important thing..."

"What's that?"

"It reminded me how you changed my entire world," Sofia said, stepping up to him, and wrapping her arms around his waist, "You changed me, Harry. You made me want things I never believed I could have. You saved my life. You make me a better person. You are my better half, literally."

"I don't know about that," Harry said, before kissing her head.

"I do," Sofia said, "And it's been an awful day, so bad. But, I just want to be with you, right now. I don't want to think about today, or what happened or what was said. I just want to love you." Harry smiled, looking down at her.

"You sure?" Harry said, "Because as much as I appreciate the gesture..." he poked the present bow on top of her head, "I would understand if the last thing you are in the mood for is this...."

"You're wrong," Sofia said, "This is exactly what I'm in the mood for. Besides, everyone deserves some birthday sex." She didn't let him respond, as she leaned up, kissing him deeply, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into her. He gripped her waist, and pulled her into him too, so that they were almost melted together.

Harry didn't loosen the kiss or his grip on her, as he pushed her backwards, and lowered her onto the bed. He could hear her heart pounding, and it was making his blood rush. He allowed his lips to depart from hers as he kissed her cheek, before kissing her neck, and making his way down to her collarbone. He let his lips linger there, feeling her fingers running through his hair.

"I love you," he said, his lips making her skin vibrate as he spoke, "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Sofia said, quietly, "Which is why I want to give you my first gift..." She pushed him off her, and climbed off the bed.

"Is your first gift blue balls?" Harry mumbled, trying to grab her, but she was too fast.

"No," Sofia said, laughing, as she opened the bottom drawer of their dresser. Harry watched her carefully as she bent down, and felt himself suddenly feel constricted. He bit his lips trying not to moan, as he watched her perfect ass, and as she stood and turned back to him, he looked down at the floor – almost embarrassed that she had caught him staring.

"Oh please," she hissed, "I bought this so you would look at me, don't pretend..." Harry looked up at her grinning. Sofia handed him the gift, and Harry was surprised by the weight and how flimsy it was. He looked up at her, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Open it," Sofia said. Harry ripped open the paper, and his mouth formed an O shape as he realized that he was looking at a bridal magazine. He looked up at her his eyebrows furrowed.

"Um, thank you?" he said, unsure of what to say.

"There's a marked page," Sofia said, grinning. Harry looked back at the magazine, and found the mark page, flipping it open. He was staring at
a man in a tuxedo.

"Sorry, I still don't get it," Harry said.

"I've ordered the tuxedos," Sofia said, "There's another page." Harry flipped to the next page, and found himself staring at mint green strapless dresses. He looked up at Sofia.

"And those are the bridal party dresses," Sofia said, "Everything will be in next week for fittings."

"Are you serious?" Harry asked, not able to contain his grin.

"Yup," Sofia said, matching his grin, "I've been planning behind your back. Want to know the best part?"

"Yeah," Harry said, nodding.

Sofia was suddenly straddling him, her knees on either side of his legs; he gripped them on instinct, pulling her closer to him. She bent her head down, so her lips were near his ears.

"I found and bought my wedding dress," Sofia whispered, causing shivers to go up his spine. The dress was the most important part – Sofia paying for a dress was her way of telling him that she was all in and that the wedding was going to happen. He turned his head so that he was looking at her, her blue eyes shining brightly with joy.

"You found your dress?" Harry asked

"Yes, and I can't wait to wear it," Sofia said, "So, we should probably pick a date – and make it soon." She bit her lip, trying to contain her smile as she watched his reaction. Harry's eyes widened and lit up as he realized what she was saying. And then he couldn't take it anymore, grabbing her head; he pulled her down so that his lips were crashing on to hers. Using his hands, he flipped her so that her body was under his, as their tongues played against each other. While on top of her, he used his hands to pull down her tiny panties that weren't covering much anyway. He felt her hands reach up and unsnap his jeans, and soon they were being pushed off his hips. Harry pulled himself off her, so that he could get he jeans off completely, as Sofia was ripping off her top, and moving underneath the sheets. Harry got under the blankets too, before removing and throwing his shirt onto the floor, and soon he was climbing back on top of her.

"So you liked the gift?" Sofia asked quietly, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

"I loved it," Harry said, before he dipped down and captured her lips once again with his, "And I love you," he mumbled against her lips, and holding her tightly against him when he felt her smile widely, before he kissed her again.



***


Harry's eyes opened when he heard their bedroom door creak open. Lazily he lifted his head above Sofia's sleeping body to see Birdie poking her head through. When she saw that Harry was awake, she smiled widely.

"Happy Birthday!" she cried, running over to the bed. Harry easily caught her as she jumped in his arms, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks kiddo," he said, looking over at Sofia who was blinking tiredly before looking up at the two of them.

"Can we give it to him now?" Birdie asked Sofia, who was still trying to wake herself up.

"Sure," Sofia said softly, sitting up in the bed, "Is it still in your room?"

Birdie nodded excitedly from her place on Harry's lap.

"Go get it," Sofia said, Birdie turned to Harry.

"Close your eyes," she demanded.

"I have to close my eyes?" Harry asked

"Yes!" Birdie said, and after a few seconds of pretending to peek, Birdie was satisfied that Harry had closed his eyes, and she scrambled off the bed. Sofia laid her head on Harry's shoulder, kissing it gently as she watched him cover his eyes, smiling at how he was willing indulge in the child's demands. Birdie soon came in the room, running excitedly, before climbing back up on the bed. She placed the gift on the bed.

"Okay! Open!" Birdie yelled excited, Harry removed his hands from his face, looking at the bed. Sofia watched as his expression went from shocked, to confused, to happiness.

"What is that?" Harry asked, staring at the small fur ball that was now walking around their bed.

"That's the cat I always said we wouldn't get," Sofia said, as she watched Harry scoop the kitten up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"He's so cute!" Harry said, as he pet the black and white kitten, which began to purr, "He looks just like the one –"

"From when you were little," Sofia said, "I know."

"I can't believe you got me a cat," Harry said, his smile wide.

"It was all Birdie," Sofia said, as she winked at the child, who was now on top of Harry's legs petting the kitten with him.

"It's a girl!" Birdie said

"Really?" Harry asked, as he placed the kitten in Birdie's lap. Sofia watched the two of them with the kitten, and laughed as Bingleys head popped up from the ground, watching the kitten.

"I figured you let me keep my dog," Sofia said

"And Birdie," Harry said, sticking his tongue at the child who giggled.

"And Birdie," Sofia agreed, pulling the child into her arms and laughing, "I figured the least I could do was give you a cat..."

"Thanks babe," Harry said, leaning over to kiss her.

"Hey!" Birdie argued, "It was my idea!"

"Thank you too, babe," Harry said, kissing the top of her head.

"What are you going to name her?" Birdie said, picking the kitten up, a little too fast.

"Careful," Sofia said softly, "She's a baby."

"I don't know, do you ladies have any ideas?" Harry asked

"Actually, I do," Sofia said, looking at Harry with a smile

"Okay, what?" Harry asked

"Well, we have Bingley... so I was thinking the cat could be called Darcy..." Sofia said hopefully, before biting her lip.

"You want me to name my kitten after one of the most loved male fictional characters?" Harry asked, his eyebrows raised

"I think it'd be cute!" Sofia insisted

"It's the girliest book in the world of literature!" Harry argued

"I don't know about that," Sofia said, rolling her eyes.

"I like Darcy," Birdie said, looking up at Harry with her big blue eyes.

"That's two against one," Sofia said, smiling big

"Oh, is that how it's going to be from now on?" Harry asked, before turning to Birdie, "Why don't you go and take DARCY into the living room, we'll be outside, and Sofia will make us breakfast..."

"I will?" Sofia asked

"Well, it is my birthday and you did just name my cat..." Harry said, as Birdie grabbed the cat, and climbed off the bed.

"Come Bingley!" she called, running out of the room, and Harry and Sofia watched as the dog followed her. Harry turned to Sofia, a small smile on his face.

"A cat?" he asked

"I thought it was a good way of showing I'm all in," Sofia said, shrugging.

"The wedding plans, a kitten," Harry said, shaking his head, "Next thing your gonna tell me that we should start looking for our own place..."

"We probably should," Sofia said, catching Harry off guard.

"What's going on?" he asked, he couldn't hide his concern.

"Nothing," Sofia said, shaking her head, "I just know what I want. And nothing is going to change that. This is what I want, and I will do anything to protect it." Harry smiled, before leaning down and kissing her gently.

"I don't like this whole 2 against one thing, I think we have to do something about that..." Harry said, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Do something about that, huh?" Sofia asked, raising her eyebrows at him, "Like what?" She giggled as Harry tackled her, covering her in kisses.

"I can think of a few things," he mumbled against her skin.

"Oh, can you two stop kissing?" Birdie cried from the doorway, "I'm hungry!"

"I'm hungry too," Harry mumbled into Sofia's neck, causing Sofia too laugh. She pushed him off her, kissing him quickly.

"Okay," she said, standing up and stretching look at Birdie who was still standing in the doorway, "Breakfast! I'm on it!"

"Do you even know how to cook?" Birdie asked, her voice unsure, causing Harry to laugh hard, throwing his head back and clapping.

"Why would you ask that?" Sofia asked, her face in a scowl

"Because you've never cooked before," Birdie said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, causing Harry to laugh harder.

"Stop laughing!" Sofia scolded him, which caused him to snort, "I can cook!"

"What?" Harry asked, "What can you cook?"

"I can cook ... stuff," Sofia said, though her voice wavered. Harry chuckled again, before turning to Birdie.

"Tell you what, you go get dressed and we'll go out for breakfast," Harry said

"Just the three of us?" Birdie asked, excited

"Just the three of us," Harry agreed, Birdie cheered before running out of the room again. Sofia turned to him, a scowl still on her face.

"I can cook!" Sofia insisted

"Okay baby," Harry said, "If you say so..."



***


Sofia was in the kitchen later that night, helping Danielle as she put Harry's dinner together. In the living room she could hear the shrieks from Birdie as Harry and Niall chased her, pretending to be tickle monsters.

"You might want to be careful," Emily said, walking into the kitchen, "Because I think Birdie is giving you tough competition for who Harry loves most in this house."

"Aren't they cute together?" Sofia asked, "You should have seen them at breakfast... she can't get enough of him."

"Who knew Harry Styles would be good with kids?" Emily said, sitting down.

"Me," Sofia said, smiling softly.

"You know who's surprised me with her," Louis said, walking into the
kitchen, wrapping his arm around Eleanor as he sat, "Zayn. He is a giant softie..." Emily giggled loudly.

"Don't let him hear you say that," she said, "But yeah, she brings out the soft side in him..."

"So look, Zayn said tomorrow morning, he'll start with you," Louis said, "And then, Niall will take over in the afternoon..."

"Sounds good," Sofia said, turning to Dani, "I'm sorry about leaving her with you..."

"Don't apologize," Danielle said, "I know you'd rather be here. Besides, we're family. And she's great with David."

"I know, but I don't want you to feel like I'm dropping my
responsibility off on you..." Sofia said

"I don't think that at all," Danielle said, "Besides, there will be plenty of us around tomorrow, she'll be fine."

"Harry and I can bring her by the ring in the afternoon," Louis suggested

"No!" Sofia barked, spinning towards him, catching him by surprise.

"What? Why?" Louis asked

"I don't want her seeing me in that mode," Sofia said, "The boxing ring is no place for a child..."

"Sofia... you had a great time as a child there, I was there, I remember.." Louis said, looking at her like she was crazy.

"I don't want her there, Louis," Sofia snapped, "I don't want her seeing any of that, or knowing any of that..."

"Sofia, she's going to figure it out one day," Louis said, "You can't just keep them separate... it'll drive you crazy."

"She finally has a semi normal life!" Sofia argued, her voice getting louder, "And I'm not going to ruin that..."

"What's going on?" Harry asked, walking in with Liam

"Did you say that you would bring Birdie to the ring tomorrow?" Sofia asked, her eyes furrowed in frustration.

"Yeah," Harry nodded, "I thought it'd be fun for her. I told her we could beat up Niall..."

"I don't want her at the ring," Sofia said, her voice tense.

"Sofia, it's not like we're training her," Harry said, "I was going to bring her by for lunch and you could see her and then we could play. That place is like a giant playground when you're that age..."

"I don't want her there!" Sofia insisted

"Well, that's too bad," Harry said, "Because I already told her that we were going, and I'm not going back on my promise..."

"Harry, that place is full of violence and I will be in a totally different mode... I don't want her seeing me like that!" Sofia yelled

"Like what?" Liam said, "Like a strong, independent woman who can handle herself?"

"Sofia, I think you're over thinking this..." Danielle said gently, grabbing her shoulder.

"Sof," Harry said, "You wanted to bring her into our life. This is our life... you can't hide her from that..."

"She's a kid, Harry," Sofia said, "I want her to be a kid."

"I'm not giving her a job!" Harry snapped, "We're gonna play, and she's gonna see you, and we're gonna eat lunch. Are you questioning my abilities to make decisions when it comes to her?"

"Of course not!" Sofia snapped

"Then what's the issue?" Harry asked

"I just ... I want to give her something different then what I was raised on..." Sofia said, quietly.

"Babe," Harry said, stepping forward, "Me too. But she's excited, and it's not the same as when you went as a kid..." He grabbed her shoulders.

"Trust me, it'll be fine," Harry said

"She's seen violence enough," Sofia said

"I'm not taking her to knock down, drag out fight, Sof," Harry said, "I'm taking her to visit you..."

"Sofia, if you keep trying to keep these two parts of your life separate, you will drive yourself insane. It's possible for them to blend," Liam said.

"So you would take David?" Sofia asked

"Absolutely," Liam said, "I'm going to hide who I am from my kids..."

"Don't you want to give them the choice?" Sofia asked

"Yeah," Liam said, "Which is why David won't work a job until he's 18, and that's something that Dani and I decided, but that doesn't mean I'm going to hide him from it. Protect him, yes. Hide him, no."

"If she gets hurt or upset or anything," Sofia said, turning back to Harry, "I will kill you..." Harry smiled.

"You really think I'd let anything happen to her?" Harry asked

"No," Sofia said reluctantly.

"Uncle Niall DONTTTTT!" Birdie shrieked, running into the kitchen, with Niall right behind her. Birdie ran right into Harry's arms, who lifted her up easily. Harry kissed her cheek, as Birdie wrapped her arms around Harry's neck.

"Harry's bigger then you," Birdie said seriously, looking at Niall, "Now you can't tickle me..."

"She's got you there," Harry said, turning back to Sofia who was looking up at Birdie.

"What's wrong, Sofia?" Birdie asked, Sofia blinked a few times, looking up at the child who looked concerned.

"Nothing babe," Sofia said, shaking her feelings away, "Except for the fact that you need a bath..."

"Aw man," Birdie whined, "NOW?"

"Right now," Sofia said, holding her arms out. Birdie leaned away from her.

"Hey now," Harry said, seriously, "You can either go the easy way, and have a fun bath with lots of toys – or you can fight it and have a boring bath with no toys..." Birdie looked at him, crinkling her face in disgust at her two choices. Harry raised his eyebrows at her, waiting fro her to make her choice.

"Fine," Birdie whined, allowing Sofia to take her.

"Good girl," Harry said, watching as Sofia walked out of the kitchen.

"Wow," Niall said, looking up at Harry.

"What?" Harry asked

"Nothing, you're just such a dad," Niall said, causing everyone to laugh and Harry to smile.

"I thought Sofia might have been crazy," he said, leaning against the counter, "But I can't remember life before Birdie..."

"I remember what that's like," Danielle said, smiling at him, "I think you two are amazing with her..."

"Yeah, I just... there's something up with Sofia," Harry said, "And I don't know what it is, but... I'm a little worried. She's a little too calm about
everything."

"Calm before the storm," Louis quipped, "Excellent."