Harry's POV

"Good morning Emily, how are you today?"

"Hello Dr Jefferson, I'm ok thank you and I've got my fingers crossed that today is going to be a good day."

"Well, you are smiling and that always makes my day. How's your pain relief, is the amount enough for you at the moment?"

"Yes it seems as if it is. I mean I am not in any pain."

"Emily, just please let us know if you need more won't you."

"Yes of course."

"Now, I hear it's your birthday in two weeks isn't it?"

"How did you know that?"

"Ha! Doctors have a way of finding out these things."

"Oh right, yes of course my patient notes, ha ha!"

"So, I thought about what you might like and I've got an early birthday surprise for you."

"Oh you didn't have to do that, that's very kind and I love surprises. What is it?"

"It's someone very special who expressly asked if he could come and meet you."

"He? Who? Who is it?"

"Hi Emily, I'm Harry. It's such a pleasure to meet you. Dr Jefferson here has told me so much about you."

"Oh my God, Harry. How, when, you're really here to see me, seriously, the real Harry Styles."

It's the look in her eyes that touches me. The eyes are the window to a person's soul and hers have just lit up like a thousand Christmas trees at seeing me. Me. Harry. Just a boy from Cheshire who happens to sing songs in a band people seem to like. I will never comprehend how this one simple act from me can mean so much to someone. It is truly humbling. I am overwhelmed by it every single time but even more so when it is to meet brave individuals such as Emily.

When Robert mentioned her and dying in the same sentence there was no thought process that occurred in my mind, I absolutely had to meet her. She is just about to turn 14 years old. A talkative and sweet young lady who should have her whole life ahead of her. Instead, she has spent a large part of her life in and out of hospitals. She has fought more in her brief time on this planet than I will probably ever have to fight in my entire life.  She puts my life into perspective. All the hype is just that, hype. There is no fanfare here, there is no press. It is just me and her.

She sits up in her hospital bed and I settle in the chair beside her. Her hand is in mine as we talk for over an hour about courageous her, her precious family, her caring friends and the school she misses.

She asks all about me, my family and friends and where I went to school. We talk about the band and I share a few silly unknown stories just for her about me, the boys and our antics on tour and they make her giggle. We compare our likes and dislikes, our music and film tastes and what food we love. Given the choice a Big Mac or Whooper meal or Pizza Express or Pizza Hut, Costa or Starbucks, frozen yoghurt or ice-cream. She tells me her favourite 1D songs, quoting lyrics she adores and at her request I take her on a step by step visualisation of a typical concert day, admitting to the venues that are my favourites and why. She has never been to see a show and as much as I would love to grant that wish for her, she will not get the chance now. The finality of this part of our conversation aches an excruciating sadness in my chest.

I thank her for having a poster of me on her wall, the one that Robert recognised me from, and I coyly admit I am flattered. Her response is to smirk and point at my dimples that she expresses vivaciously that she loves. This makes me even coyer thus showing them off even more and she laughs hysterically pleading for me to stop making them so dimply! She asks if I would mind if she brushed my hair and put it up in a mun. I don't deny her the opportunity to create this memory and immediately reach for her brush resting on the table by her bedside and hand her my hair tie.

She is smart, funny and so effervescent and I could sit here all day chatting with her but she begins to tire. Our conversation has knocked the wind out of her sails. She squeezes my hand and tells me she is not scared. She is going to greatly miss everyone in her life but says she knows it will be much harder on them, the people she is leaving behind. I hug her tightly and have to ensure my resolve remains because if she can keep it together I sure as hell need to.

I say goodbye and this is always the hardest part because in this short time it is as though I know her and it is like saying a final goodbye to a close friend. The warmth that spreads across her face as I pull away from hugging her is the image of her that will stay with me forever.  Afterwards, I sit with her parents over a coffee. They are such endearing people, so strong that it is truly inspiring to me how anyone copes knowing they are about to lose anyone, let alone their child.

In that moment Lily fondly enters my thoughts.  As much as I continually prayed for her safe return to me, I will admit that during a few dark junctures apprehension reared its ugly head a couple of times with the frightening thought that she may not.

Her consultant telephoned late Wednesday afternoon when I was at the Jefferson's for lunch. Thomas, Billy and I were kicking the ball around in the garden and competing in a first to ten penalty shootout, much to the amusement of Nathalie and Olivia who we tried to persuade to join in but they preferred to sit and chat. Angela shouted for us all to go inside for drinks just as Robert was taking the call. Much to everyone's relief, the CT and MRI scans confirmed no fractures and the swelling of the brain tissue had reduced sufficiently that they were content she was healing nicely and could now breathe unaided. The specialist team reduced medication almost immediately and the waking-up waiting game began.

Before that call it had been my intention to try and secure a flight to LA as soon as possible. However in light of the news, and after a discussion with Robert and Angela, we agreed it could wait for a few days.  Also, over lunch I had broached the subject of visiting Emily and Robert thought it was an excellent idea but that it would take a couple of days to organise anyway.

Despite security continually moving them on, there have been a few persistent undercover press still lurking around the hospital meaning I haven't ventured anywhere near the place. The possibility of Lily waking though has spurred me on and instead I have occupied myself with sorting out my Stateside schedule.

Simply put, I love LA, it is my second home. But for the first time ever I am not looking forward to leaving the UK for obvious reasons. I half expected the next time I travelled to the States Lily would be with me. That is now not a reality and my mindset is tuned into the need to turn that negative frustration of having to leave her into positive energy. It is important to make the most of my time away and work my ass off to get everything wrapped up for the project to enable me to quickly return to her. Luckily Julian, Jamie and John were prepared to change their plans after I explained the situation. Those guys really are the dog's bollocks. I am really not worthy of their friendship.

Having been shut away at Summer Haze there has been no requirement for security personnel but in light of the press article and under pressure from my team, I decided it was time to re-evaluate. I touched base with my usual partner in crime, Dale.  He is also on an extended family-time break and I was hoping he could recommend someone.  Much to my annoyance but of course exceptional gratitude he insisted he join me immediately.  It is on the condition that once he has accompanied me to London to catch my flight I have cleared it with the Jefferson's that he and his family can stay at Summer Haze for a week and make use of the lovely property and beautiful area whilst I am away.

Thankfully, Lily woke up briefly yesterday but the news about Percy was too much for her to assimilate and now she is asleep again. Robert warned us all about the reactions of patients coming round after head injuries. He explained that confusion, angst and disorientation are often commonplace but usually ease as recovery increases.  When we caught up on the phone afterwards, the one positive aspect Angela described was that Lily appeared to recognise everyone. She even asked for me by name and that was quite frankly euphoric news to my ears because it had been playing fearfully with my emotions.

However, time is running out because I am due to fly to LA early tomorrow and I am desperately hoping she wakes again before then. If for some reason she doesn't, I will be torn about whether to cancel my flight and reschedule.

Robert appears and brings me back to earth by placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Harry, how can I ever thank you enough for visiting Emily. I haven't seen her this happy for, well forever." His tone towards me is warm. Despite our rocky start, he and I seem to have reached a level of mutual respect in our relationship and this step in the right direction is another relief. Family is so important to me that I do not wish to be at odds with the family of the girl I love.

"Please, no thanks is necessary Robert.  The pleasure is all mine. I am just sorry about the circumstances, Emily is such a bright and lovely girl."

He looks resignedly at me because this is what he faces every day. "Yes she is and Harry, talking of lovely girls, my daughter is awake and is asking for you."