the baby project | harry styles

Chapter 30 - Promises

Louis' POV

Three weeks have passed, and it literally feels like we've started living at the hospital. Cheryl still hasn't woken up, and all I could do for the past few weeks was feel sorry for Harry. He really didn't do anything to deserve all of this, and if I were him; I'd probably be the hugest mess in the history of messes. He's actually handling it really well, besides the occasional outbreak of sobs, but who could blame him. If he lost Cheryl, he'd be a single father, and no guy wants that to happen to him—ever.

Currently, Harry was sleeping peacefully in Cheryl's hospital room for the very first time. He hasn't been able to get much sleep—none of us have. After all, this hospital wasn't the most ideal.

However, I couldn't sleep so I decided to get up and walk around. The cafeteria wasn't open, which was sad because my stomach was growling with starvation, and what would be better than a snack at four in the morning?

I creeped around the empty, dim hallways quietly looking for something to do. I wanted to play a prank very badly on someone, but I decided that it wasn't exactly a good time to do so. I haven't done one of those in an eternity it seemed, and I was ready to get back at it, but this wasn't the right place.

So I was basically walking around with nothing to do to keep me occupied. I had absolutely no recollection of where I was either—wandering around a giant hospital in dim lighting wasn't one of the best ideas, but it was too late.

My stomach growled again as I strolled along the tiled flooring searching for the NICU; which I soon had discovered a directory of the whole building. I examined the spot of where I was, and suddenly I heard something from behind me. It sounded like a voice that I didn't recognize, and it was starting to creep me out. So I hastily found out how to get to the NICU, and started walking really fast. Either I was being paranoid or someone was following me. I kept taking glances behind me, but every single time I looked; no one was there.

Soon I came across the NICU where Harry's baby girl was, and I walked in trying to escape the creepy, dim hallway. I found the tub labeled "Styles" and smiled down at the tiny baby in front of me.

Harry hadn't decided on what to name her yet; mostly because he wanted to wait until Cheryl woke up. Secretly, I have been calling her Jade. I've always liked that name so I decided just to temporarily call her Jade.

Why Jade you ask? Because her eyes were a Jade kind of colour—much like Harry's. Except his were more of a forest/emerald-green colour. She was really adorable, with her little limbs and her fuzzy hair follicles. She looked a lot like Harry too, but she also had Cheryl's traits as well—and boy; she is a daddy's girl! She loves him with all her tiny heart already. Every time he leaves her to wait for Cheryl again she starts crying. There's no doubt in my mind that he was going to be an incredible father.

So after I spent a little time with Jade, I walked back to the ICU where I found Harry lacing up his white converse. Startled, he flinched and swore, "Fuck, you scared the shit out of me."

I chuckled and sat down on the hospital bed that belonged to Harry's. I slept on the couch, and I had no idea where the other mates slept. But anyway, "You couldn't sleep either?"

"I did for a while, but suddenly I woke up. And I tried to go back to sleep, but my brain just refused. So here I am," The younger lad sighed depressingly. "The cafe opens in a few minutes. Meet me down there, and then we'll go see my baby."

I shrugged, "I just saw her, but alright. I'm absolutely starving."

So with that, I walked out of the room.

Harry's POV

I got Louis to leave the room so that I could talk to Cheryl just for a moment. I gazed down at her beautiful face, starting to stroke it with my fingertips gently, the way I always did. Either I was paranoid or she actually looked a little different. She wasn't a sickly, pale shade of white anymore. She just looked like she was asleep. I remember a few weeks ago that she looked a little dead, but she appeared so much more lively.

"Cheryl," I whispered, my breath fanning onto her face the way she always liked it. She told me that it turned her on; which I thought was a bit strange, but it was what she liked, and I wasn't going to judge her. "You have to promise me something, okay?" I asked as if she was going to reply. But something weird happened after that. I could've swore that she nodded her head in the slightest way, and it made my heart skip a beat.

I waited a moment, thinking that she was going to open her eyes, but she didn't. She remained motionless in the hospital bed, and my heart returned to it's regular rhythm. "You have to promise me that you will wake up. You have to promise me, because if you don't wake up, I will never be myself again. You make me complete Cheryl. Around you I feel like nothing could be more perfect, and I can be myself. I don't have to hide my true self from you because I know that you won't judge me. You might laugh at me a little, but you will look passed it like you always do. Cheryl. I want you to wake up from this coma. I need you to wake up. Please."

I gazed down at her for a moment, holding back my tears with all my strength. It took a lot of mental strength to do that, honestly. I wasn't the type of person who knew how to handle this type of stuff, but what was I supposed to do? I had no choice, but to deal with it.

I just loved her so much. No one could ever realize just how much I loved her. I loved her imperfectness and her every little mistake. I loved her inside and out. I loved her in all the ways a person could ever love someone, and I've never felt this way about anyone ever before. This was a whole new set of emotions I was struggling with. I just loved her so much with all of my heart, all my soul, and all my mind.

"Promise me." I whispered again, bending down to her forehead to plant a long, warm kiss into her pores of paleness. I ran my fingers through her hair for a moment, just examining her body, and suddenly—again—I saw her head nod very slightly.

That slight nod gave me the confidence I needed to believe that she was going to do exactly as she promised. The little promises always made an impact on me. And that teeny, weeny promise was just what I needed to build up my hope that was once at an all time low.

"I love you."

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A/N: Hey guys! I hope you liked chapter 30. This was a really heartfelt chapter, and I added Louis' POV to illustrate how people around Harry are dealing with this. I always love writing Louis' POV because he has such a interesting opinion about everything. Anyways, thank you for reading! Please don't forget to vote and comment for me. I love you all so much! xo