What a feeling to be right here beside you now
Holding you in my arms
‘What A Feeling’ – One Direction

Are you certain? Are you 100% positive?

“Yes, Dad. I’m pregnant.” Bella said, her heart beating nervously as she talked to her shocked father on the phone. He didn’t have Skype, otherwise she would have used that to tell him. And she couldn’t wait until she got back home to break the news to him. A phone call was the best option. Truthfully, she had been more anxious telling her father than her mother. Marriage was one thing. But becoming a mother was a completely different thing entirely.

How many weeks are you?

“Almost eight.”

Eight?! Her father raised his voice. Bella’s eyes threatened to tear up. She didn’t want her father to be angry but that’s what he sounded like.

“I’m sorry, Dad, for not telling you earlier. I wanted to be sure…”

How does Harry feel about all this?

“He’s very accepting. He’s happy. He actually can’t wait to be a dad.” Bella said.

As I thought. I’m more worried about you. Bells, you just turned 20. Are you ready to be a mother? Have another human being look up to you and say the word “Mummy”?

Bella kept quiet for a moment. She imagined a high-pitched voice calling out to her, shouting “Mummy!” Am I ready for that? Without even realising it, Bella placed her hand on her stomach. She looked down and remembered there was a baby growing inside her. A tiny child that was hers. And Harry’s as well.

“It’s…a lot to take in. I freaked out when I first found out. But…Dad, this baby, I love it already. I want to give birth to it.”

Her stomach was still flat and she still hadn’t felt any of the baby’s movements. But what she could feel was the emotional connection she had to the baby. Bella didn’t care what sex it was. Either way, she wanted the baby to have Harry’s green eyes and his curly brown hair. An angelic child with the cutest chubby cheeks. Her father’s voice made her snap out of her thoughts.

My little girl sounds all grown-up.

Bella smiled and sat down on the end of the bed.

“I know this is a shock for you, Dad.”

Yes. I’m going to be a grandfather at 49. I never expected that.

“I didn’t either.” Bella said.

Did you and Harry ever… take into account, you know, the alternative? David asked.

“No, we didn’t even discuss it. I don’t want to kill my child and neither does Harry.” Bella answered sternly, her hand on her stomach protectively. She knew no-one could hurt her child, not now, but she couldn’t help but touch her abdomen. It had been empty for twenty years but there was a little human in there now. An abortion was something she had never considered. Her baby deserved to be born. It didn’t matter if Bella was 20 or 30. My child will have a life. She said in her head.

Well…it seems like you’ve made up your mind up, darling.

“I have, Dad.”

My daughter…a mother already… And Harry, a father…I think you guys will make very good parents. Her father said.

“Thanks, Dad. But we will need help. I don’t know the first thing about being a mother. Do you…support me?” Bella asked hesitantly. She had Harry’s family love. She had her mother’s love and support. But I want my father’s too.

Of course I do, Bells. Amanda and I will be here for you and Harry.

Bella looked up at the ceiling and grinned, hoping her happiness would come through in her voice.

“Oh, thank you, Dad!”

I’m happy for you, sweetie. You sound happy.

“I am. Things are moving fast but that’s the way it’s happened, I guess.” Bella said.

Am I the last person you’ve told? He asked.

“I just told Mum. Ash and Grandma don’t know. Harry’s family knows and so do the One Direction boys. That’s it.” Bella answered. Following Louis’ call, Harry had called Liam and Niall separately and told them. They reacted like Louis, shocked at first but then, were happy and congratulated them. They were overjoyed when Bella said they would both be uncles to the baby. Zayn didn’t know because the boys didn’t keep in contact with him very often. It was really only Louis who talked to him but it wasn’t Louis’ news to tell Zayn. Harry would tell him soon enough but not yet. Enough people knew already.

Have you had an ultrasound yet? Her father asked.

“Yes, I just came back from my first one. We got a sonogram picture.” Bella said with a smile.

I remember when I first saw you in a sonogram picture. You were so small and I was so happy. She could hear her father’s smile in his voice. The smile never faded from her face. She had her father’s support in her pregnancy and that was the best thing.

“That’s how I feel, Dad. Harry and I are going to print out copies so you’ll get one when I come home.”

Sounds good, darling. Thank you for telling me.

“I couldn’t not tell you. I’ll see you when I get home. I’ll text you when I land back in Sydney.”

Alright, Bells. Bye.

“Bye, Dad.”


It was great to have her father’s love and support. Apart from Harry’s acceptance, it was her parents’ backing she wanted the most. Both her mother and father were happy for her and because they were happy, she was.

Suddenly, Bella lurched over, clutching her stomach as her other hand covered her mouth. She didn’t feel good. She rushed across the hall and into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Bella fell to her knees in front of the toilet and let out the nausea. Morning sickness was something she didn’t find pleasant at all. She hated being sick. But it was a natural part of pregnancy and Bella had to deal with it.

“Bella?” Harry asked from the other side of the door, followed by two loud knocks. Bella wiped her mouth with toilet paper and closed the lid, standing up and flushing the toilet.

“I’m fine.” She called back. The door opened and Harry walked in just as Bella sat on the toilet, her hand clamped against her warm forehead. It felt good to get the vomit out but she still felt a little queasy. Harry came over to kneel down in front of her, placing his hand over one of hers. He reached up his other arm and rested his palm against her cheek.

“I’m fine, Harry, seriously.”

“You feel warm. Are you sure you’re OK?”

“I’m pregnant, Harry. I get sick and it’s natural.” Bella said, lowering her hand from her forehead. She licked her lips and looked around the bathroom, sighing. She loved the way Harry treated her, how he came to her aid whenever she needed it or not. He was such a sweetheart and it was adorable. Harry leaned up to kiss her but Bella turned her head away. She saw the look of rejection on his face and shook her head, smiling.

“You don’t want to kiss me after I’ve thrown up.”

She stood up and let go of Harry’s hand, washing her mouth out, giving it a minty smell. Even the smell of nausea made her feel even more sick so she wanted to get rid of it as soon as she had vomited. Bella looked at her reflection in the mirror, watching Harry come up and stand behind her. He placed his hands on her upper arms and kissed the back of her head.

“How are you even more beautiful ever since you fell pregnant?” He asked with a smirk. Bella blushed and smiled at him, not turning around to face him. You won’t think I’m beautiful when I’ve got a huge stomach. She thought. Bella looked down and realised that in a few months’ time, she wouldn’t see her feet.

0*0

It was New Year’s Eve. They were alone in the house. It was nice and quiet. Rain pattered on the windows so neither of them wanted to go out. The fireworks over the Thames and Big Ben would be televised and Harry had a big television so that’s the best they could get. But Bella didn’t really care. It wasn’t the fireworks that mattered to her. It was spending the last day of 2015 with her fiancé, who she loved with every bit of her heart.

“An hour to go.” Harry stated, leaning against the kitchen counter, eating a banana. Bella had no explanation of why he was eating a banana at 11pm. She touched the cross pendant of her necklace and smiled. An hour away from 2016. The New Year had already started back home in Australia. Her parents had called her at 3pm (her time, as that was when it was midnight in Sydney) and wished both her and Harry a Happy New Year. It was going to be a big one for Bella. She had to organise an engagement party, plan a wedding and get ready for motherhood plus have a baby shower, as per Anne, Gemma, Jo and Lou’s requests. She was both nervous and excited for 2016. Bella felt lucky that she had two adoring families who supported her and loved her. What more could someone want?

Bella lifted herself up onto the kitchen counter, crossing her ankles over as her legs dangled over the edge. She’d kill for a glass of champagne but she had abstained from alcohol as soon as she found out she was pregnant. She didn’t want to risk anything that would possibly endanger her baby’s development. Everything Bella did was for her child’s benefit. She wanted him or her to have a good start to life, like any mother wanted for their child.

Because neither Harry nor Bella had gone out since the day of the ultrasound, fans were pretty certain they were expecting. Neither of them had confirmed the pregnancy but the public didn’t need the confirmation. Bella knew there were some reactions from fans that were very negative but Harry told her to avoid them. He said they knew nothing about their lives and if they were his true fans, they would be happy for both of them. She kept herself healthy, eating well and taking her prenatal vitamins every day just like the instructions on the bottle said. It suddenly occurred to Bella that she and Harry hadn’t had that proper conversation of what they were going to do now that they were expecting a baby. It was ages away before he or she would be born but Bella liked to be organised.

“Uh, Harry?”

“Yes, love?” He said, chewing his banana. Her hands rested underneath her thighs, sandwiched between them and the counter.

“We…haven’t really talked about what we’re going to do when this baby is born. Where we’re going to live, how we’re going to look after it, how my pregnancy might be revealed to the public. All that, you know.”

Bella didn’t want people to find out she was pregnant for certain when she would walk around with a baby bump. She would rather be the one who let people know herself than let the paparazzi take pictures of her and put them on the Internet and in magazines. Harry finished his banana and chucked the yellow skin in the bin, wiping the corners of his mouth.

“It’s months until our child is born, Bella.” Harry said.

“I know but we can’t put it off. I want to have a plan.”

Harry rested his hands on top of one another in front of his groin as he leaned back against the small cabinets underneath the skin, his long legs straight and hugged by his black skinny jeans. Even in a grey T-shirt with his hair up in a bun, he looked absolutely gorgeous. Bella felt relaxed in her own casual clothes, comprising of dark grey leggings and one of Harry’s T-shirts; it was a dark blue and because he had a bigger physique than her, it was loose-fitting on her and bared her left shoulder. It was shitty timing to talk about something so important an hour before the end of the year but Bella couldn’t put it off anymore, especially a subject of this magnitude.

“Alright, love. I’ll ask for your opinion first. What do you want to do?” Harry asked. Bella had actually thought about it so she had some sort of answer prepared.

“I kind of want to give birth in Australia but I won’t mind if it happens here. I want my child to know the heritages of both of their parents. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my job. I’m not sure if my boss will allow me to work when I’ve got a huge belly, especially at my age. But then…I might not have a job…”

“I’ll stop you there, Bella. I’ve got a suggestion. Why don’t you quit your job and move here to London permanently? I can’t stand you being pregnant and being so far away from me. I want to be with you all the way through your pregnancy.” Harry said. Move here? To London? But my family… Bella would miss them so much. The people who had looked after her for her whole life. Ashley would be alone, no big sister to talk with. She was more surprised than horrified at Harry’s suggestion.

“Well, we are getting married. We should be living under the same roof.” She said. Her fiancé’s face lit up like a Christmas tree, a beautiful white smile widening, his dimples showing. What was not to love? Whenever Harry smiled, Bella did too.

“So that’s a yes?”

“Of course. London has become a second home to me. You’re here and your family’s here.”

“But what about your family, love?”

“I’ve lived with them for twenty years. You are all my family too now.” Bella said. I am going to be Mrs. Styles so the Styles family is my family. I have loved ones here. Now since she had decided to move in with Harry permanently, it was pretty certain her baby would be born in London. Bella actually didn’t mind if her baby was born in Sydney or London. Either way, both cities would be homes for her child. She would be sad to leave Australia behind. It was the only home she had ever known but she had found one in London, in the depths of Harry’s heart and soul. She felt safe whenever she was with him. That’s what any woman wanted to feel with her significant other.

“So we’ll raise our baby here first, if you don’t mind.” Harry said.

“I don’t mind at all.” Bella replied, her hand automatically moving across her stomach. Her gaze went there too, her fingers pressed together on top of where her baby was growing. This will be your home, my child. We love you so much already. Bella whispered in her head to the child, hoping he or she could hear her. Harry’s hand appeared on hers in her line of vision, resting on top of the one that was placed on her abdomen. He pressed his palm against her stomach, her hand sandwiched in between. We’re going to be parents. It wasn’t the first time she had thought those words but each time, she couldn’t believe it. Because she was sitting on the counter, she was about a half-a-head taller than Harry so when he looked at her, he had to raise his eyes to hers.

“You mentioned something about letting the public know about this, us expecting?”

“Yeah. Like our engagement, I want us to be the people to tell everyone. I don’t fancy pictures of me walking around the streets with a baby bump plastered everywhere, from magazines to the Internet.” Bella said softly.

“I understand. How about we wait until the 12th week mark?”

I’ll be into my second trimester. That’s a good idea. Bella didn’t hesitate in agreeing with Harry. They wouldn’t announce it over Twitter this time. Harry himself would release a statement to clear up any theories or rumours. Bella was nervous for her pregnancy to become public knowledge but it would be worse if she kept it a secret for too long. She told herself she would get through anything with Harry by her side. Her hands rested on either side of his head when he leaned his head down and kissed her stomach, showing his love for the child she bore in her womb. And right then, Bella knew for sure that Harry would be the best father.

0*0

“3…2…1…” Harry whispered just as his kiss was on her lips. She held onto him, one arm around his neck and the other one wrapped around his torso. She sighed as her lips parted, welcoming his second kiss. 2015 ended and 2016 started. The clock ticked over midnight and the fireworks exploded on the TV screen, bursts of sparkle and colour around London, reflecting on the dark Thames.

“I love you.” Bella smiled when her mouth was free.

“I love you too.” Harry said, kissing her forehead. He went down onto his knees and pressed his hands on her stomach, his face incredibly close.

“And I love you as well, little one.” He whispered, resting his forehead against her stomach as Bella ran her fingers through his brown curls, which now fell freely past his shoulders. She loved how Harry was so sweet with their unborn child. He loved them already and couldn’t wait to meet him or her, just like Bella.

Both of their phones buzzed with texts from their families and friends. They each picked up their phones to look at their messages. Bella gasped when she realised she had ten texts, all send within a single minute.

From Mum: Happy New Year, darling! It will bring the challenges of motherhood but also love from having a child. See you soon x

From Dad: Happy 2016, Bells! It will be a hard 12 months ahead of you but I promise I will be there for you. Always :)

From Amanda: It’s a new year full of surprises, darl. I will be there for you, just like your father x

From Lottie: Happy New Year, babe! I hope to see you sometime in the future :D

From Louis: Looking forward to getting to know you as my little sister this year! Have a great celebration with Hazza, love you x

From Liam: Happy New Year, Bells! I hope to see you soon, love :) x

From Niall: 2016 has arrived, doll! It’s a miracle I’m not completely drunk yet :P So from my family and I in Ireland, Happy New Year! x

From Lou: Hey there, sweetie, Happy New Year! xx

From Gemma: Happy 2016, my future sister! See you tomorrow (or later on today!) x

From Anne: Happy New Year, Bella. It’ll be a good one :)

Bella took the time to reply to each text, sending back the same love to the people she called her family and friends. She sat down on the couch, leaving her phone (which she put on silent) on the coffee table. She didn’t want any more interruptions and settled down to watch the New Year fireworks, stunning over the city of London. It was raining but large crowds had braved it and were standing there, cheering as colours blew up in the night sky.

“When do you want to get married?”

Bella stared at him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, getting comfortable beside her.

“That came out of nowhere.” She laughed.

“We were talking about the future so…our wedding fits into that.” Harry responded. Bella looked back at the TV screen, the fireworks a retained memory in her mind. She was content with being engaged for now. Sometimes, she still had to look at the ring on her finger to make sure she was really engaged to Harry. The actual wedding was far from her mind but now since Harry had brought the topic up, she realised it was time to start thinking about it.

“To tell you the truth, I haven’t really thought about it.” Bella said.

“Neither have I. I was just wondering. Like, do you want to wait until after our baby is born or do you want to do it before you start showing?” Harry asked. She looked down at her stomach and bit her lip. Do I want to have a baby bump when I get married? It wouldn’t look attractive in a wedding dress. Maybe if it was a very small bump, it would hardly be noticeable. An image of herself in a beautiful white gown came into her head, a translucent veil clipped into her hair. Once again, she answered truthfully.

“I don’t really know. I mean, I don’t want to marry you when I can’t even see my feet.”

“True, true. So…?”

“I don’t want to get married too early because we have to organise everything. So either when I have a very small bump or after I’ve given birth.”

“And we still need to have an engagement party.”

“And you need to have a bachelor party.” Bella added, nudging him with her shoulder, a cheeky smile on her face.

“Who says I’m going to have one?”

“Oh, come on, Harry! Of course you’re going to have one. I want you to. If you don’t, the boys will drag you somewhere by your hair to celebrate.” Bella chuckled. She wanted Harry to go out and have fun with the lads. She could imagine Niall being the one who got the most drunk, because he was Irish and he loved beer. Harry brought some of his hair forward over his right shoulder, fixing the curls at the end. It was seriously long now, past his shoulders. Many people had told him to cut it but he never did. Bella thought it looked good on him but she did admit it needed a little trim. He looked at her with those green eyes she had fallen in love with.

“And what about you? Are you going to have a bachelorette party?”­

“I might. I’m up for it if my girlfriends want to take part.” Bella shrugged her shoulders. If I do have one, I want to do it before I look pregnant. To her, a bachelorette party sounded fun. Just a night to spend with her girls and have fun.

“Well, this year’s going to be full-on. But in a good way.” Harry said, kissing her head as the fireworks concluded on the television. Bella didn’t even realise she had fallen asleep in Harry’s arms until she woke up the next morning in bed, her handsome fiancé lying next to her.

Notes

The problem with listening to What A Feeling is when I start, I just can’t stop… :P

Cheesy chapter, I know, but I’m a complete sucker for it! There will be some “action” next chapter so you can look forward to that!

And a side note, doesn’t Harry look gorgeous in the picture above? I think I’ve fallen in love… XD

blankspace1 xx