Royalty's Paradise ||h.s|| (KD's short sequel)

one

Julia's POV

It's been 3 weeks. 

3 weeks. 

We've been on the run from what seemed to be all sides. I haven't slept in days and let alone eaten. We've had reinforcements come in, now putting everyone we love in critical danger. Tonight was no different as we waited for the last possible group of help to save us. 

"Mrs. Styles," I hear and snaps me back from looking out into the night. I look back to see a beautiful young lady giving me a worried look. "Are you alright?" she follows up. 

I give a small nod and a soft smile, "I'm fine, just thinking is all."

Laura, the nanny I hired a two years ago when Flora was born. A young, kind girl who I saved from the streets of Argentina and took her in, at this point she's more family than the nanny. 

She sits next to me and lowers her voice, "will we be leaving again soon?" 

"Yes," I can't even look at her as I keep making glances out the window. "Where's Flor?"

"She's with your mother." 

"Will you stay with them until the last group arrives?" 

She nods quickly, "yes, of course."

"I'll check on real quick, so I'll walk with you," I stand up as does she. We make our way out of my bedroom and we walked along the floor, our soft footsteps being the only noise we hear throughout the house. We walk into another room, displayed around baby photos of my daughter, Flor, and looking into her crib stood my mother. 

"Ay, mija. I just put Flor to sleep," [Oh sweetheart]my mother exclaims when she looks back at us. She had a big smile as she looked down at my daughter, who laid peacefully. 

"Thank you for putting her to sleep but we are leaving soon," I sighed. 

She looks back at me and gives me a sad smile, "well she'll at least be able to sleep for a little bit before another long night."

I look back down at my daughter and I feel a pain in my chest, "she doesn't deserve to be put into this situation." Glancing back at my mother and Laura, "neither of you do."

My mother looks at Laura, "can you give us a moment?" Laura doesn't hesitates as she hurries out the room. My mother gives me her undivided attention and gently grabs my hand, "mija, I know this is hard for you. But you also know why you're doing this."

I gave her a confused look, "do I?"

"Por que lo amas." [Because you love him].

I look down at my mothers hand wrapped around mine, " I would do anything for him, but now I'm not this young girl anymore." I look back up at her and look into my mother's soft beautiful face, "I'm a mother now."

She gives a long sigh, "Mira mija..." she begins. "I was not a good mother by any means with everything that was a result from how I was when you were younger. But I'm going to tell you this, you're a great mother and you have given up so much for Flor, and so has Harry. You must come to this realization, because everything you've already given your daughter you've done so much more than what I have done in your entire life."

"No digas eso," [Don't say that], I say. 

"No it's true and you know it's true. But I can also tell you one more thing you have more than I ever will have," she holds my hand tighter. "And that's the love you have with him." 

I feel a tear brim down my face, knowing this has been the most difficult moments of my life, but rethinking I've gone through, he's been there through it all. He was the safety I always needed. 

"It's just hard," is all I admit. 

"But you would do anything for him, no?"

I nod, more tears streaming down my face. 

"Then mija, don't put this weight on your shoulders. Celebrate everything you currently have, and this will all be over soon and we'll be a family soon."

"It's just..." I begin. 

Then suddenly we hear a small knock and both our heads direct towards the door. 

"Come in," my mother calls out. 

In steps in a familiar taller silhouette, making my heart flutter every single time just like seeing him for the first time. He peeks his head inside and our eyes meet, and he quickly steps into the room. 

"I'll be going," my mother says quietly. She squeezes my hand one more time and walks out of the room, walking past him. 

His eyes don't lose trance from me and he mumbles, "what's wrong?" 

I feel this lump preventing me from uttering a single word and my eyes just glance down towards the sleeping figure of our daughter. That's he needed to understand what was wrong with me. He comes up to me and embraces me in his arms, his scent surrounding me and warmth making me feel that familiar safety but I sob quietly into his chest.  

"I'm sorry," is all he manages to say. His voice cracking lightly, making this hard for him to even witness. 

I sob more as he squeezes me closer. 

I managed to look up at him, my face filled with tears and I choke out the words, "I love you."

He sighs and kisses the top of my head, "I do too. And I always will." 

***

Chapter one is complete.