Dour et Doux

Chapter 13

The next year and a half was a whirlwind. The two of you adjusted to married life for awhile. The hatred from nasty "fans" slowly subsided to just a nasty letter or comment. There were a few squabbles here and there, but Harry never allowed it to last. He always made the two of you work it out before sleeping. He released an album and began touring in that time frame. You went with him a lot, but some trips you preferred to stay at home and take a moment away from the screaming fans and hectic life. Harry accepted it and always encouraged you to take the time you needed. You always met back up with him after a few days, missing his presence and loving to watch him perform. One of your favorite, and coincidentally one of your least favorite, things was that at the end of every show you went to, he dragged you out on the stage and told everyone just how much he loved you and just how beautiful he found you. It was always slightly embarrassing, but the public declaration of his private love was so meaningful to you in a world full of women constantly knocking at his door. He ended his tour in Asia and you were waiting impatiently for him at the London home when he got back. You had been planning for his arrival for weeks. About three months ago, you'd discovered you had a little surprise to tell him. You had gone back and forth about how to tell him. You were dying to tell him, wanting him to be involved in every aspect, but felt it would be best to wait until he got home. He called and told you he was on his way to the house and you stood at the window, anxiously waiting for him. Harry's car pulled in and he hopped out of the car. He came up the steps and you tore the door open and jumped into his arms. He laughed and hugged you tight. "Hello, love. Missed you." You showered his face and kisses and ran your fingers through his much longer hair. "Mmmm I love you Harry, missed you so much." He carried you in the house and set you down. "I can tell." You grinned excitedly and dragged him into the living room. You set him down in front of the box you had carefully wrapped. He looked at you confused. "What's this?" You practically squealed in excitement and nudged it towards him. "Just open it." He smirked and unwrapped it slowly. As he unwrapped the tissue and read the note on the top, his jaw dropped and his eyes filled with tears. He looked up at you and held the note up with shaking hands. "Is- Is this real?" You grinned and nodded. "Yes it is." He lunged towards you and kissed you. "You've got to be fucking kidding me. How long have you known? When?" You laughed and kissed him back. "It's all real. In five short months, you're going to be a dad."

Harry yelped and jumped to his feet. His smile was shining brighter than ever before. "I'm going to be a fucking dad." You laughed and watched him happily. You knew he was going to be excited, but his reaction was over the moon. He immediately began rambling about everything that needed to be done and prepared for. You listened quietly and patiently as he rambled. His usual quiet demeanor always went on hyperdrive and his words all blended together. After a couple minutes, his eyes snapped to yours. "Boy or girl?" You smiled and shrugged. "Don't know yet, didn't want to find out until you could be there." He smiled and knelt down in front of you. He leaned in and kissed your stomach gently. You were barely starting to show, but it was enough that you'd been worried he might notice earlier. The next few weeks were filled with visits and announcements to friends and family. Harry doted on you constantly and the two of you spent hours discussing his tour and how work was going to look after the baby. You talked names and gender and decorating the baby's room. The time finally came for your next appointment. Harry went with you held your hand as the nurse began the ultrasound. The sound of the heartbeat sent him into a flurry of emotions. He laughed, cried, and showered you with kisses. You laughed and kissed him back. The nurse smiled softly at the both of you and asked softly "would you like to know the sex of the baby?" Harry looked at you with pleading eyes and you nodded. "Yes please." She searched a little more and then hovered when she found it. "Well Mr. and Mrs. Styles, it looks like you're going to be the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl." Tears sprang to your eyes as you stared at the little picture on the screen. Harry wrapped his arms around you and kissed your forehead. "I can't believe it. Our little girl." You smiled and looked up at him. "Our little girl." The nurse printed out pictures for you to take home and you walked back out to the car. The drive home Harry gushed about your daughter and how beautiful she was going to be. He insisted that she look just like you, no matter how much you wanted her to be a little replica of him. He went on to dream about her future and all that she would do. Your favorite thing was that he didn't list just dreams he had for her, but traits he longed for her to have. He wanted her to be kind and patient, gentle and sincere. He wanted her to enjoy fine arts and literature. He hoped she had your zeal for life and your sense of adventure. He pulled in and turned to face you. "I hope you know how much I love you and how much I already love our little girl. I would go to the ends of the earth to make the two of you happy. I cannot wait for this part of us." You smiled and brought his to your lips, kissing gently. "I know H. I love you too." Over the next few months, you continued to grow and Harry continued to be an absolute gem, even with every mood swing. He was writing more than ever and you loved it. Each night, the two of you would lay in bed and he would rest his head on your chest. He would then proceed to read everything he wrote down that day that he liked. Before bed each night, he told you and the baby just how loved you were and how lucky he was to have you both. As your due date approached, nightly back and foot massages were included into your ritual. He never ceased to amaze you with how patient and loving he was. Two weeks before your due date and you had been feeling poorly the past few days. You woke up feeling worse than before and nothing was relieving any of your discomfort. You crawled out of bed and went to find Harry. You heard him in the kitchen, but before you could get there, you felt a sharp pang in your side. It would've brought you to your knees had you not had the couch to cling to. You called out to Harry and he rushed in. His face was panicked and when he saw you, he turned a ghostly shade of white. "Harry, something's gone wrong."