The Adventures of Harry and Grace Part II

Safe

"Congratulations! He is a beautiful baby, and a gorgeous addition to a stunning family." Dr. Hill smiles. "The nurse will be in soon to have you sign discharge papers, and you will be good to go home!"

"Thank you, Dr. Hill, for all you've done." Harry's gratitude is sincere, reaching across the bed, grasping the woman's hand in a steady and firm grip.

"Thank you!" Grace pipes in, wanting to be part of the conversation.

"You're welcome. See you next week." Dr. Hill waves before exiting the room.

Ethan was born three days previously; the c-section went as planned without complications, and you and the baby are healthy. Harry has been all smiles since he arrived, holding Ethan every chance he can get, soaking in that fresh newborn love.

"Hey Grace? Wanna hold the baby with Nan?" Harry asks his daughter.

"Yes please!!" Her eyes are as radiant as a Christmas tree being lit for the first time. Bouncing over to the small sofa in the corner, she tucks herself next to Anne. "I need a pillow." She is giddy as she reaches down and pulls the cushion on her lap, patting it with her hands. Her excitement is wafting off her like the screams on a roller coaster. Grace is ready for the baby.

"Alright Bug, he is asleep so try not to wiggle." Harry reminds her as he walks towards his daughter, holding his son wrapped in his arms like a baby burrito.

"I know! I know! I hold still. Promise." Grace reassures, holding her arms out and in ready position that she has been practicing on Bob for the past couple of weeks.

"Alright Stud, be nice to your sister. No crying." Harry teases the infant, placing him softly in his older sister's arms.

"Do you have him?" Harry asks, quirking his right eyebrow up in question.

"Yep! Little Eff is safe with me, Daddy." Grace grins down at her baby brother, her smile further brightens the already sunny room.

"You know Gracie Bug, you have a big responsibility now." Harry begins, kneeling down in front of his two children. "It's your job to protect our little Stud from all sorts of things. Like Poppy because you know that she will be excited to meet him, and she isn't sure what a baby is."

"And keeping him safe from falling or rolling off of things." You add.

"And protecting him from all that healthy food your daddy makes you eat." Anne grins when Harry shoots her a small glare. "What? Someone's got to give him sugar."

"And from strangers?" Grace asks, bringing up a topic that has been discussed around the house lately.

"Yes. We have to keep him nice and safe from everything." You reply with a smile.

Anne helps Grace adjust her body so she is comfortable as Harry turns around to help get you changed. Anne helped you blow dry your hair this morning, making you feel like a whole new woman after sitting in a hospital for days. Harry pulls out a navy t-shirt dress that is splattered with pink flowers. The dress fits loosely, making you feel comfortable but put together.

"There we go! We will just get you in the wheelchair out to the car." The nurse says, taking the discharge papers back into her possession. "Mr. Styles, did you park close or will you need to pull the car around?

"I will go and grab the car if that's okay?" Harry looks back at Anne who looks as if she has died and gone to heaven while she buckles her new grandbaby into his car seat. "Will you be okay with the kids?" He asks her.

"I can handle it, I think." Anne winks at her son. "I did have two children myself if you have forgotten. Gracie, can you help me pick up your toys please?"

"Alright darling? Easy, take your time." Harry holds your hand as he walks you towards the wheelchair, helping you steady your body as you sit down.

"Thanks, love." You say to your husband. "Anne, I can take the bags if that's helpful." Anne hands you the small bag you packed for yourself, as well as the one you packed for Ethan.

"I'll go pull up the car." Kissing your forehead, Harry leaves the room, walking swiftly towards the parking lot.

Anne holds the car seat on her left arm, Grace's hand on the other side. The nurse helps to wheel you down the hall and into the elevator. The doors open to the lobby and the family wheels through, turning the corner to the automatic double doors.

"What da heck!" Grace exclaims as the flashes from 50 cameras light up the entrance, taking the whole family by surprise.

"Here we go! Okay Bug! Hold Nan's hand tight, and just go straight for the car, okay?" You instruct.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Styles. I had no idea." The nurse apologizes.

"It's okay; it's part of our life. Oh look, I see Harry." You say, watching your husband jog through the press and into the entrance.

"I'll take the baby. Can you take Grace please?" Harry asks his mum, who looks sad but knows the drill.

"Yes! Let's go to the car." Anne says, pasting a nervous smile on her face.

The nurse begins to wheel you towards the car as Harry and Anne walk swiftly in the same direction. The shouts are loud and the flashes are bright. Harry opens the side door to the Range Rover, clicking Ethan's car seat into the base. Anne buckles in Grace and moves to the opposite side to sit by Ethan. Opening the passenger door, Harry helps you stand from the wheelchair and into the car. Waving at the photographers, Harry closes his door and puts the car in drive, pulling out of the entrance and on their way home from the hospital.

"Someone must have called the paps." Harry says under his breath. "Everyone okay?" Harry asks, looking in the rearview mirror to Grace and Anne.

"Daddy. Why they not have manners?" Grace asks bluntly, her eyebrows furrowed and frustrated.

"What do you mean, Bug?" Harry asks, clarifying before he answers her question.

"If they say please, I let them take my picture. But they didn't!" Grace throws her arms in the air as if her solution is obvious.

"You know, Bug?" Harry chuckles. "Next time we see them maybe you can ask them why they don't use their nice words." Reaching across the car, he holds your hand in his, rubbing his thumb in circles.

"They better stay away from my Eff!" Grace says loudly. "I keep you safe. Okay, Eff?" She whispers to the sleeping infant next to her.

"You know how daddy's job is to sing on stage, love?" You ask your five-year-old daughter.

"Mmhmm! All my favorite songs!" Grace is proud of her father, and it shows on her face.

"Sometimes people want daddy's picture because that's their job." You explain.

"But it not my job. I don't like it." Grace is quiet as she looks down at her hands. "It was scary and loud."

"It's okay to feel scared, Gracie, when this happens. Okay?" Harry adds. "Sometimes Daddy feels nervous, but I promise, you and Ethan will never get hurt. Mum and I will always do our best to get you out of the situation as fast as possible. We will take care of you, okay?

"Okay." Grace says quietly, looking out the window. "Even if you are scared?

"Yes! You and Ethan are safe, always." Harry reassures his daughter.

Grace reaches over from her car seat, allowing the newborn to wrap his five little fingers around her chunky one. He's holding on tightly as if she is his only protection in this world.

"I love you butterfly much, Eff. I keep you safe. Okay?" A small whimper escapes from Ethan's lips as he takes a deep breath in, enjoying his nap. "Aww!! Eff just talked to me!" Her heart has melted into a puddle the size of the ocean.

"Wait until he starts to laugh. It's the best." Anne says to Grace as they continue home. Moving on from the photographers, acknowledging they are around, but don't control their lives. The conversation shifts to stories of Grace as a baby, creating a happy mood for bringing Ethan home at last.