Little [Harry Styles]

[24]

28th June 2015

***

Twenty-two days sounded like nothing, less than a month, just over three weeks. And yet, the three weeks without Harry had felt like a lifetime. 

He'd kept his promise and every day he'd video call the two of us and we'd speak about our days, Harry's naturally being a bit more adventurous than mine, and talk about whatever the conversation fell to before saying our goodbyes and going about our lives. 

Isabella had been even more unsettled than usual, almost as if she knew he wasn't here and that something wasn't quite right. Unlike the first time he'd gone on tour she recognised him now and every time his face appeared on my phone or laptop screen her face would break into a smile.

Today, however, the twenty-two days were up. Despite the looming reality of the North American tour beginning in twelve days, I wanted to focus on having him here with the two of us while I could. 

"Are you ready to see Daddy, Baby?" I grinned, pulling Isabella's top that was covered in eggs and banana and replacing it with a clean one. 

"Mama?" I smiled as her voice went up at the end of the word, posing it as a question.

"No, Dada. Dada's coming home." 

She looked around the room in search of Harry and I laughed as I watched her, before her eyes settled upon the picture frame that sat on the bedside table of her and Harry and her fingers pointed.

"Dada."

"Yes! That's right Isabella!" I nodded enthusiastically at her, "That's Dada, you're so smart!"

I lifted her up and hugged her body close to my own as she laughed from excitement at the action. I positioned her on my hip and continued bouncing her around on my hip as she continued to laugh and giggle. Hearing her laugh was one of my favourite things, the look of pure joy on her face making my heart soar with love for her. 

The day seemed to drag by even slower than the past twenty-one days, if that was even possible, and it seemed like every time I looked at the clock barely five minutes had passed since the last time I had checked the time. 

Harry's flight wouldn't be landing into Heathrow until 6pm that night due to some promotional things that needed to be done in Helsinki. The hours slowly crept by with far too many checks of my phone and the Peppa Pig theme tune seeming to be on a constant replay in my head. My head quickly turned to where my phone lay on the coffee table when it buzzed signalling I had a text message.

Harry x 
Flights delayed, there's a storm coming in and they're not sure how long we'll be x

My heart sank as my eyes scanned over the text message, replying for him not to worry and that we couldn't wait to see him when he finally did arrive. As much as I wanted him home as soon as possible, I also didn't want him home in a body bag thanks to unsafe flying conditions. I sighed before pressing play on another episode of Peppa Pig to keep Isabella entertained and positioning the two of us on the sofa in hopes of her falling asleep. 

I didn't even feel myself falling asleep until I woke up almost two hours later with a stiff neck and a baby that was definitely not going to sleep through the night. Somehow though, with the help of a two-hour nap, we made it through to dinnertime and I was stood at the hob mixing a spaghetti sauce for dinner when I heard the key turn in the lock, my head shooting up to look at the door.

I was met with Harry opening the front door, dragging both of his suitcases into the hallway as he closed the door behind me. He lifted his head to meet my gaze and his face broke into a smug grin.