PIPER’S P.O.V.


“I can’t believe I had that much shit in my tiny dorm room,” I admit, shocked by the accumulation of my things on the airport runway.

A group of men in neon vests are loading my bags and boxes onto the large jet, and I’m starting to wonder if it will all fit. We had to pack it in three different SUV’s, and I don’t know how the hell I’m going to unpack it all.

I’m sure Harry will help, but I already feel bad enough that he pretty much packed it all in the first place.

I turn to face him and drape my arms over his shoulders as he pulls me closer, “Did I ever say thank you for doing all this?”

Harry smirks and gently pecks the tip of my nose, “Only a thousand times. I’m happy to help, love.”

I grin despondently and briefly nudge my head against his shoulder, “I’m sorry if I’ve been overly emotional lately-“

“God, Piper. Stop apologizing for mourning your brother. Seriously, I could never be upset with you for something totally natural,” he strokes my hair, holding me against his chest as my eyes well up in tears.

“I know,” I choke out, stumbling over the words I want to say, “I just hate that- I wish I could- I just want to be normal again.”

Harry shushes me sweetly and holds my arms to capture my entire attention, “Piper, you are normal. And you’ll be back to your usual, happier self soon enough. Don’t rush it; just keep telling me how you feel. That’s so important. I’m here for you, okay? Always.”

I nod simply, but he continues, “There’s no right way to deal with loss. Everyone’s different, and I can’t help you unless you tell me what you’re thinking and feeling. And I really want to help you. No matter where I am, if you feel like giving me an update, you call and I’ll be there. Understand?”

I smile sheepishly and nod again, “I understand.”

He kisses my forehead and reaches for my hand as we walk closer to the jet. When we climb the stairs, Harry guides me in front of him and I hold the railings, clutching my purse at my side. I’m pretty sure that today is the windiest day Florida has ever seen. My hair is simply everywhere.

When I walk through the cabin door, Liam and Riley are occupying two of the seats up front, their bags sat in front of them. They are huddled close together, speaking in hushed voices, so Harry and I take the seats behind them. Harry takes my purse and places it under the seats in front of us, removing a book from his bag before doing the same.

We sit down and Harry’s hand instinctively rests on my knee. I lace my fingers with his, resting my head on his shoulder. His long hair is tickling my cheek, but it’s comforting and he smells good.

“Harry,” I whisper into his neck, “I have an update.”

He hums, and I can feel his grin widen.

“I just want you to know that I’m happy that I’m moving in with you, I’m excited about this baby, and I love you with all my heart,” I rest my lips against his neck, savoring his scent, and the feeling of being so close.

He turns slightly so that we are face to face, and cups my face with his large palm, “Thank you for the update. I’m glad it’s a good day,” he leans forward and kisses me in eager for a moment before pulling away, “Also, I love you too.”

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m actually moving to England. I can’t even let myself be sad, because there isn’t much I’ll miss about Florida.


..........

HARRY’S P.O.V.


The flight passes quickly, but maybe I’m just used to it. Piper sleeps most of the time, and I finish my newest baby book.

I keep reading these things, hoping that they’ll better prepare me for being a father to a newborn, but really it’s only terrifying me more. Things were different with Andrea. I didn’t see much of her until she was a toddler, and even now, I don’t know all the in’s and out’s of daily care.

Like, I can feed her, bathe her, and put her to bed, but if I had her everyday, I don’t know what I’d feed her or how I’d continually keep her entertained.

And all of that is just the easy stuff, from what I’ve read. There’s something called swaddling, and stuff like colic. What if our child never stops crying? That’s terrifying! I swear, we’d go mental. I haven’t even started to think about things like where the baby’s room will be, and what all we need to buy, because there’s enough to worry about whether it will even be healthy! There’s something crazy like 1 in 46 babies that are born with a birth defect. That’s not a slim enough chance.

In all, I just want this baby to be healthy, and for Piper to be healthy. I’m worried that her ongoing stress is going to put them both at risk, so I’m going to spend the next nine months ensuring that she is mentally stable, even at the risk of my own sanity.

When we get off the plane, it’s freezing. Piper has my long coat on, since her winter clothes are packed somewhere in a box. So, I just try not to be obvious about my shivering.

There are only two SUV’s on the runway, and I laugh at the thought of trying to pack all of Piper’s things into those cars. Besides the fact that one is for Liam and Riley.

Liam and I woke up after our night of drunken heart-to-hearts to realize that Piper had a lot more shit than we had previously thought. So, we ended up hiring someone to pack and clean, while we slept and ate, and while I may have puked. I won’t tell her, though, because I don’t want her to know I drank. Or think that I didn’t want to help her.

“Hey,” I approach the driver’s window of the first car, “We’re going to need about three more cars for boxes and luggage. Is there any way you can get some more drivers out here?”

“Sure, Mr. Styles. Would you like to stay here until they arrive?” the driver asks, reaching for his phone.

“Nah,” I shake my head, turning around just as Piper approaches, “We’ll just get through customs and have it all brought to my flat.”

The man nods curtly as Piper slips an arm around my waist, “I’m seriously embarrassed.”

I put my arm over her shoulders and chuckle, “It’s fine. They’ll bring it all by today; we just need to get to customs and head home. I’m exhausted.”

She nods, yawning as if on cue, “Yeah, bed sounds amazing.”

So, we walk to the small building at the private airport, passports in hand. The place is empty, aside from Liam and Riley. They speak to the woman at the counter first, answering her questions and signing claimant sheets.

Once they’re done, they say their goodbyes, promising dinner plans for tomorrow.

“I can help you guys now,” the woman is a bit cold, but I know that they’re supposed to be.

“What’s your name?” she directs to me as she looks at my passport, and I plainly state, “Harry Edward Styles.”

“How long will you be back home, Mr. Styles?”

“A while; I’m not sure.”

She nods and hands my passport back to me before turning to Piper.

“And your name?”

“Piper Marie Nielsen,” the woman nods and stares at the picture for a while and glancing back up.

“And why are you in Britain?”

“I’m here with my boyfriend to visit him and his family,” Piper swallows. We spoke about what she is supposed to say, and even though it is only a precaution, I could tell that she was nervous. I just don’t want to make it any more difficult to get a full visa.

“And how long are you staying, Ms. Nielsen?”

Piper breathes in, “A few months. It depends.”

The woman hums, “Interesting. Well, you can stay for six months without a visa, but if you plan on staying longer, I recommend applying for that soon.”

We both nod quickly, and Piper physically calms.

“Do you have anything to claim?” she inquires and Piper nods.

“I have many of my things with me due to the prolonged trip.”

“How much would you say your valuables are worth?”

Piper scoffs, “I wouldn’t even know. I suppose a good amount altogether.”

The woman nods as if she’s heard the same thing a million times, “And did you bring any alcohol or tobacco products with you?”

We both shake our heads, and she closes Piper’s passport, finally cracking a small smile, “You both have a great night and welcome to the United Kingdom.”

.........

We arrive at my flat at around seven in the evening, and I immediately notice my mum’s car out front.

“Oh brother,” I shake my head and Piper quickly shoots a look at me.

“What is it?”

“It looks like we have visitors,” I state, pointing at the white car parked on the street.

“Your mom, then?”

I nod slowly, waiting for her real reaction.

She doesn’t really give one, though. I know she’s extremely tired. Hell, I’m tired, and I’m not carrying a growing person inside of me.
She just shrugs, forcing a smile, “I’ll be happy to see her.”

When we open the door, it’s not only my mum sitting in the living room, but also Gemma, Karen, and Andrea.

“Supwise!” Andrea yells, and I kneel down, any prior disdain I had for them being here completely gone as she runs full-force into my outstretched arms.

“Andy! Surprise is right, sweetheart. I missed you so much,” I pull her into a tight hug, lifting her as I stand so that she can say hello to Piper.

Piper isn’t next to me anymore, though, instead receiving hugs from the other women excitedly.

“We missed you guys!” my mom squeals, pulling Piper into what I can imagine is already the third hug of the night.

“Mum, we just saw you at Christmas,” and my saying that is what kills the mood for everyone.

I don’t know what possessed me to say it, or bring that up at all, but it slipped out and I regret it so much.

“Isn’t a mother allowed to miss her son whom she never sees?” she continues, switching the vibes around again. She walks over and kisses my cheek, hugging me tightly along with Andy.

“Yes, you’re right,” I agree, “Sorry; we’re just a bit tired, and I don’t want Piper to feel imposed or anything.”

“No!” Gemma ensures, “We’ve already changed the sheets. They’re nice and warm waiting for you, Pipe.”

Piper smiles widely, tears forming in her eyes, “You guys are the best. I’m so glad I’m here-“

Her choked sobs cut her off, and I immediately surge forward to hold her, only my mum stops me as Gemma and Karen hug Piper together.

“You can’t be her only savior, baby,” my mum whispers, “You have to let us help.”

I grin to myself as Piper starts to laugh through her tears, “Thank you for letting me be crazy and emotional.”

We all laugh lightly, my mum walking over to her as well, “Love, two of us here have been through pregnancy; we’re going to get you through it with as much sanity as possible.”

“And one of us,” Gemma adds, “Has witnessed Ms. Anne here pregnant with dear Harry. You wanna talk about crazy...”

She trails off as mum smacks her playfully.

“Really, though, you guys go clean up and go to bed, and we’ll be here whenever you feel like getting up,” Mum shoos us toward the stairs, taking Andrea from my arms.

“Wait!” Andy protests, “I didn’t give Pipey hugs and kisses.”

I smirk as she wiggles out of her grandmother’s arms, running closer to us. Piper squats closer to the floor and welcomes my daughter warmly, “Can’t forget about you, now can we?”

Andy giggles and kisses Piper’s cheek, and all I can think about is how god-damn lucky I am to have so many incredible people in my life.

Notes

I'm really trying to stick to my update schedule, but I'm a day behind... bear with me please :/ xx I'm trying! haha. hope you don't hate it too much.. sort of transition chapters at the moment. love you all!

PS HALLOWEEN IS TOMORROW :D what are you all doing??? what are you dressing as?! :D i'm going to be a slutty teacher hahaha kind of last minute and not really planned but I am going to a full-on University party (after work) so it should be decent. but, yeah, let me know in the comments how you all are!!! xx