ALWAYS

It was late, later than I had expected to be finishing. It was nearly six pm and I knew that Darcy had to be freaking out. I was a bit taken back when Louis called and said everyone was still at Harry's house. I assumed that Darcy made him keep his promise to do fun things.
I was met at the door by Niall. He was smiling and happy, but, when was he not. He gave me a quick hug then led me to the living room. I was in a bit of shock when I saw Darcy and Harry cuddled up on the sofa fast asleep. I smiled to myself after getting over the shock. She never cuddled like that with anyone but me. I felt a twinge in my heart. I liked being her only one but at the same time, I was happy to see her letting someone else close to her. I stood above the sofa for just a moment admiring their sleeping faces. He looked so peaceful and she did as well. His arm were wrapped around her firmly but left her room to shift and breathe. She rested her cheek against his partially exposed chest. She seemed completely at peace in his arms. I smiled more as I thought of all the times Harry and I had fallen asleep the same way.
"They're so cute we didn't want to wake them yet." Brynn smiled up at me. I just nodded and took a step back from the sofa.
"They drug us all over the universe today. She was really tired." Sophia stated motioning to Harry and Darcy's sleeping bodies.
"Yeah, Harry was the only one that could get her to lie down and sleep. But he must've been exhausted too." Liam chuckled as we watched them sleep.
"We'll leave it to you to wake them up." Louis smiled genuinely. He knew how easy it was for me to wake Harry and my daughter.
I chuckled, "I'll leave them for a bit longer. Niall, Lou, can we step into the other room please?" The boys agreed. Louis and Niall both stood quietly as to not wake Harry and Darcy. "You know what? Everyone in the kitchen." I giggled. Brynn, Sophia and Liam all jumped up from their seats.
"So, what did you guys take Darcy to do today?" I asked casually.
They all exchanged looks before Niall answered, "We went to lunch at a small cafe. Then we went to a craft store because Darcy wanted to make something for you. We came home and Harry and Darcy got all crafty. Then we watched Harry and Darcy run around the back yard like a couple of fools."
"I took pictures!" Brynn shouted excitedly only to have Sophia shush her quickly. Brynn smiled sheepishly then took her phone from her pocket. I leaned over to Brynn as she tried to show me all of the pictures she took. I smiled when I saw the photographs of Harry and Darcy holding their arms out, pretending they were airplanes. I giggled when I was shown the picture of Harry holding Darcy in the air, her smile suggested she was laughing. "They had so much fun together. It's amazing how good with her he is. They have this natural flow that's just so adorable." Brynn gushed happily. " I think it's just because he's a giant child himself most of the time." I tucked my hair behind my ear as I laughed. It was true; Harry could be the biggest, silliest child on the planet when he felt inclined. It made me uncomfortable to think of Darcy and Harry being so attached already.
"I had so much fun just watching them play." Sophia smiled trying to make me less anxious. I smiled back at her to make her feel like her attempt to comfort me had worked.
I checked my watch with a sigh, "I think I am going to go wake them up. I want her to go to sleep tonight." I kissed Sophia's cheek before I walked out of the room.
I sat down on the floor next to the sofa. I smiled seeing how peaceful Harry seemed. The night before and earlier in the day he was so very upset. I knew that I had crashed into his life again without warning, with a child at my side and he had every right to be upset. His right to be upset didn't change the fact that I didn't like seeing sadness in his eyes. After five years I still felt terrible for all of the pain I had caused him. I still loved him with all of my heart, but I wished that I'd have done things a bit differently. I brushed a strand of Harry's hair away from his face as I thought back. My frown went deeper as I thought of the times that Niall and Louis had informed me of Harry's well being.


My phone rang, waking me from a dead sleep. I looked at the clock. It was three in the afternoon. I had been napping a lot. Being pregnant took a lot of energy. I picked up my phone and stared at the screen with sad eyes. Niall.
I sighed and answered politely, "Hello, Niall."
"Hey E. I know that you were sleeping but I need help." Niall sounded genuinely worried. I sat up with a bit of effort in the bed, urging him to tell me what was wrong. "It's Harry. I know that you don't need the stress and all but I don't know what to do. He's being...I'm worried about him. He's not eating. He can't sleep. If we're not on stage or doing an interview all he does is lay around. He cries a lot too. What do I do?" Niall inquired. I bit my lip and tried to breathe steadily. I caressed my stomach to ease my own tension.
"Honey, he's heartbroken. There's nothing you can do except be there for him. Let him talk to you and don't judge him for the things he says. He can't help what he's feeling." I was trying so hard to hold myself together.
"How are you doing? Being heartbroken yourself?" Niall asked gently.
I shrugged, "I guess I'm doing okay. I don't really have time to think about it." I lied. Harry was all I thought about. I would lie in bed all night wishing he were there to make me feel better. "Between the divorce proceedings, working on my art and growing a life, I don't have much me time to sit and sulk." I stated adding to the lie.
"You do know that Louis and I are here for you if you need anything. Even if it's just to talk. And if you want, Harry will be there for you too." Niall spoke softly.
"Ni, this baby may not be his. There's a good chance that she is my soon to be ex-husband's. I don't want him in this. Not if I'm not sure. I've done enough damage to an amazing man's life. Just...this is between you and Louis and myself."


I wiped a tear from my face as I thought of the conversation. I touched Harry's cheek with tenderness. He shifted slightly and his eyes opened.
"Noli?" His voice was low and raspy.
"Hey. Time to wake up. I need to get Darcy home." I spoke softly as he looked at me intensely.
"You've been crying again." Harry murmured touching my cheek lightly with his finger tips.
I smiled weakly, "Sometimes it happens when I look at her long enough." I brushed some hair off of Darcy's face.
Harry gazed upon my sleeping child with wonder in his eyes, "She is amazing." He peered into my eyes lovingly, "She's so much like you." I smiled at him a little more.
"I really should take her home." I murmured when the air between Harry and I got thicker. Harry nodded and gently shook her. She groaned and whimpered.
"Come on, Darcy. Wake up. Mummy's back." Harry whispered in her ear. Darcy's eyes slowly opened and she looked around a bit confused. "Hey there cutie." Harry chuckled when her eyes set on his.
"Hi." She sighed rubbing her eyes.
"Look whose come back." Harry beamed pointing at me.
Darcy smiled at me as she laid her head on Harry's chest again, "Hi Mommy."
"Hi baby." I returned the smile stroking her hair gently. I gazed into her green eyes and fought back the tears that were filling my eyes again.
"We made something for you today." Darcy said wiggling off of Harry. He chuckled as he sat up. "Come on Harry. We have to get Mommy her present." Darcy was pulling on his hand to get him off the sofa. I giggled as Harry ran after her into a different room. I sat quietly while I waited for them to return. I looked back to see Niall and Louis standing in the doorway watching me. I groaned a bit and motioned for them to enter the room. Niall, Louis, Liam, Sophia and Brynn all entered the room again. They all took their seats wearing smiles. Darcy and Harry returned to the room holding a big sheet of paper each. Darcy handed hers to me. I giggled when I saw the amount of glitter on the paper. But it brought tears to my eyes seeing the big letters that were obviously written by Harry, spelling out, "I love you Mommy". I gently grazed my fingers against the flowers Harry had drawn and Darcy had covered in glitter.
"Thank you Darcy. I love you too." I kissed her cheek lightly.
"We made this one too!" Darcy took the other sheet from Harry. I giggled seeing the little stick figures wearing clothes. "This is our family." Darcy said excitedly. I chuckled seeing that Harry had labeled every person in the picture my child had drawn. Darcy felt the need to point out who was who anyway. My brothers, Kelly and Keifer and my parents were drawn beside Darcy and I. I smiled seeing Louis and Niall were placed with Kelly and Keifer. I was a bit taken back by the sight of Liam, Brynn and Sophia in the picture as well. "And Harry too." Darcy beamed pointing to the stick figure with curly, brown hair. Darcy had placed Harry next to us. In the picture he was holding Darcy's hand.
"This is beautiful my baby, thank you." I stated wrapping her tiny frame in a tight hug. She hugged me back just as tightly. "Can you say your goodbyes, Darcy? We need to go home. Papa is waiting for us." I said as she backed out of the hug.
"Do we have to?" Darcy whined. I just stared at her. "I like playing here. It's fun." Darcy giggled taking Harry's hand.
"I know honey, but we really need to get back to Papa. We need to take him to the airport so he can go home." I stated sadly.
Darcy frowned at me, "Can we come play tomorrow?" I felt a tug in my heart when she looked up at Harry with disappointed eyes.
"Maybe not tomorrow, baby girl. But another day for sure." Harry smiled brightly at her but it didn't take away her disappointment. Harry sat down on the floor beside me then pulled Darcy into his lap. "I'll tell you what. I'll give Mummy my phone number so if you need me, or want me you can call me, okay?" Harry asked her with a hopeful smile. Darcy agreed even though it wasn't what she wanted. I handed Harry my phone so he could program his number for Darcy. After Harry returned my phone to my hands, he gave me his.
"My number didn't change." I stated quickly.
Harry turned bright red and dropped his eyes, "I...um...I deleted it."
My eyes showed a bit of sadness, "Oh." I took the phone from his hands then typed my cell number into his phone. I set Harry's phone in his hand once again. My heart was racing even though we'd exchanged numbers before.
"There. Now, whenever you need me, you can call me, okay?" Harry asked my small child with a genuine grin. Darcy nodded and leaned into his chest. He hugged her tightly.


I carried Darcy into our house carefully. She was nearly asleep in my arms. After going to dinner with my dad and then bringing him to the airport, she was exhausted all over again. I set her bag down by the door then carried her into the kitchen. My jaw dropped when I saw the bouquet of lillies on my island. I saw the note left by my dad. "These were delivered today. No card. And the lad who brought them wouldn't tell me who they were from". I smiled seeing the lillies. They were beautiful. I gently touched the leaves, feeling how silky they were.
"DArcy, do you know who sent Mommy flowers?" I asked her when she smiled, gazing at the flowers as well.
She shook her head, "They're really pretty." I agreed with her by nodding. "Do they have to stay in here? Can we bring them in a different room?"
"What room?" I asked her.
"The living room." She beamed at me. I nodded and set her down. I picked up the vase full of lillies and carried them to the living room. DArcy followed close behind me. As soon as I set the vase down I turned to my now awake child.
"Alright, lets get ready for bed. It's bath time." I smiled at her. She clapped loudly and raced up the stairs to her bathroom. I laughed hearing her little feet on the floor. I looked back at the lillies again. I couldn't help but feel my heart warm even though I had no idea who sent them.

Notes