Harry sits patiently in front of his computer, listening to the all too familiar dial tone of Skype as he waits for his husband to finally answer his call. It was a weekly routine for the couple when Niall was out serving for his country, Harry having grown used to talking to his husband every Friday night at exactly six in the evening after seven years. Harry's heart still skips a beat when he sees his husband's face appear on the screen, his face breaking out into a bright grin. 

"Hello, Sailor." Harry says, winking at his husband which of course caused the older of the two to blush slightly. Seven years and Harry still made Niall feel like a lovesick teenager with a simple nickname. 

"And hello to you. How's your week been? How's our little one?" Niall asks, clearing his throat as he adjusts the hat on his head and Harry looks down at his rather large baby bump with a shrug. Harry was just shy of nine months pregnant with Niall and his first child, something they were both parts excited and terrified about. 

"It's been good, been really busy getting ready for this little guy's arrival... I still feel like I'm forgetting something..." Harry says, grimacing a little when the baby kicks rather harshly. 

"You're forgetting the name, H. You still haven't picked out a name." Niall reminds his husband and Harry's eyes widen for a second as he realizes just how right Niall was. 

"There's just too many to pick from... I'm really regretting not finding out if it was a boy or a girl." 

"Well that was your choice, H." Niall says and Harry rolls his eyes at that. 

"It just didn't feel right finding out without you there... I wanted us to find out at the same time." Harry says and Niall smiles sadly. It wasn't that he didn't want to be there, he would give absolutely anything to have been there... but he'd made a promise to serve his country and Harry supported that promise. 

"I know... but you still need to pick out a name." 

"I've been trying, but there's just... nothing seems right, you know? I want our baby's name to be perfect just like he or she will be... and everything that I've thought of... It doesn't fit." Harry says and Niall chuckles softly before shaking his head. 

"Well I sent a few suggestions in my most recent letter, you should be getting that any day now along with your Christmas present." 

"Why'd you send me a present? You're supposed to be coming home next week." Harry points out and Niall scratches the back of his head rather nervously. 

"I know... and I swear to you that I am doing everything I can in my power to be there... but there's a chance that I might be a little later than originally planned..." Niall says slowly and Harry quirks an eyebrow at that. 

"How much later?" Harry asks, used to this happening. 

"Just a few days this time, I swear." Niall is quick to reassure, recognizing the look on his husband's face. 

"It better be... This kid has been holding out for you, Horan. You're not allowed to miss this, you promised you wouldn't." Harry whispers, trying his hardest not to freak out but he could feel it bubbling up just under the surface. Harry had done a pretty good job of keeping calm this entire pregnancy on his own, but the idea of actually having the kid without Niall there was absolutely terrifying. 

"And I won't, I swear. I'll be home Christmas night." Niall says and Harry still doesn't feel any better. 

"If you're not, I want a divorce." Harry says, trying to make a joke of it but Niall could tell just how freaked out Harry really was. It wasn't like Harry was alone in this, he had the support of his family and Niall's... but it just wasn't the same. 

"Fair enough... I'm sorry babe, but I've gotta go... Lou needs to call his family." Niall says, smiling apologetically and Harry tries his best to return it. 

"Okay... I love you." 

"I love you too... And don't you dare have that baby until Christmas, Styles. Cause that's when I'll be coming home." Niall says, standing up from his chair and getting ready to end the call. 

"I wouldn't dream of it..." Harry manages to get out before Niall hangs up the call, leaving Harry in complete silence. 

---------

12/06/2017

To the love of my life, 

See, I told you I'd send out another letter before I made it back home. You didn't believe me, I know you didn't! I just wanted to tell you how much I love you, how much I miss you and how excited I am to start the next chapter of our lives in the weeks to come. I know things have been hard for you, doing all this on your own... but you've been so great and I admire you so much for it. I can't wait till I get to hold you in my arms again, to kiss you for the first time in months... I love you so much, H... and I love our baby, so I've decided to help you with the names... Below I've included a list of girl and boy names, hopefully it helps...

Boy: 

Flynn

Joshua 

William 

Malcolm 

Saylor ;)

Girl: 

Claire 

Zoey

Eva 

Ella 

MaKayla

I hope you enjoyed the present I sent you as well. I saw it in a gift shop just off the coast of Italy... it made me think of you. And there's a little something for the baby as well... Anyways, I'll be home for Christmas, Darling. 

With all the love in the world, 

Your Sailor xx 

--------------------------

"Just hold out a little longer, baby... Daddy's gonna be home soon..." Harry whispers, looking up at the clock in their front living room for what already felt like the millionth time that day. It was Christmas morning and Harry was two days past his due date, the little baby inside of him literally holding out for his father to come home. Harry was giddy inside, the clock ticking away to the moment that Niall would walk through that front door and fill the small town home with the life it had been missing. Harry grimaces as a sharp pain goes across his stomach, rubbing at the raised bump just as his mother walks into the room. She'd been staying with Harry this past week to keep him company and to help around until Niall got back.

"Everything alright?" She asks, catching sight of her son's expression.

"Yeah... just some aggressive kicking going on is all." Harry says, giving a half smile to his mother as he continues to rub at his baby bump. Anne gives her son a look though, knowing better than to just believe him when he said everything was fine. She gets ready to say something about it, but there's a knock on the door before she gets the chance. Harry moves as fast as he can off the couch, wanting to be the one to reach the door before his mother for the sole reason that it might be Niall trying to surprise him. Niall never walked right into the house when he returned home from duty, he always knocked on the door so that Harry could open it up with a bright grin like he always would.

But when Harry opened the door, it wasn't Niall standing on the front door step. It was two other officers, both wearing their uniforms and somber expressions on their faces. They didn't have the chance to announce to Harry why they were there before Harry fell to his knees, a dry sob hitting him.

Niall wouldn't be home for Christmas. Niall was never coming home.

-----------------

I'll be home for Christmas, Darling

------------------

Harry had their baby Christmas night, a beautiful baby boy that he named Saylor James after his sailor who would never return home from sea.

-----------------

"Is the camera on?" Niall asks, looking at the camera curiously as he adjust the guitar in his lap. Harry sits on the living room sofa, alone as the baby sleeps upstairs. This was the first time Harry had watched this... having been unable to bring himself to do so until now. His heart breaks at the view of his sailor, the bright smile flashing for a moment.

"How the hell am I supposed to know if it's on or not?" Louis asks, letting out a huff as he adjusts the camera.

"You're the one recording it, Tomlimson!" Niall yells back, glaring at his friend and Harry wants to laugh but that's something he hadn't done in weeks.

"Okay, okay... It's on. Refrain from swearing, Irish. Your husband won't appreciate it when your kid starts swearing like a sailor." Louis teases off camera, earning an eye roll from Niall before he clears his throat. Harry's got tears rolling down his cheeks, his breathing labored and he almost turns off the video because it's too much.

"Hello family, I hope all is well... I can't wait to see you in a few days, but until then I thought I would make a little video for the years to come when I'm away for Christmas as I am most of the time. So... without further ado..." Niall trails off, clearing his throat again before he starts to play the opening melody to one of Harry's favorite Christmas songs. Harry lets out a choked sob, but he can't look away.

"I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love, even more than I usually do.
And although I know it's a long road back I promise you, I'll be home for Christmas. You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe and presents by the tree." Niall sings, strumming the guitar softly as he does so. Harry's practically in hysterics, missing every part of Niall more than anything in that very moment.

"Christmas eve will find me. Where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams. I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me. Please have some snow and mistletoe and presents by the tree." Niall's smiling as he plays and Harry couldn't be more grateful for this video, it was the last thing he had of Niall... And it was something he would always have.

"Christmas eve will find me, where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas. If only in my dreams. If only in my dreams." Niall finishes, Louis breaking out in applause as he does so. Harry's still crying, wishing more than anything that Niall was there watching this tape with him.

"I love you guys and I'll be home for Christmas." Niall says before Louis ends the video.

--------------------

With all the love in the world,

Your Sailor xx

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So... That's my Christmas one shot.

I might write more of these, do a one shot book or something cause I actually really enjoyed writing this... I guess we'll see lol.

Connie xx