Chapter 36:

My eyes flutter open as they do every morning, taking in the unfamiliar room I am now staying in. it's strange to think that over a week ago I had my own house and was working to support myself and Mills, now I have hardly any personal possessions, no home, and have to work twice as hard to support myself and Mills, and Harry of course.

I glance around the room not wanting to move from my warm and comfortable position beneath the plump duvet covers. My limbs extend and stretch waking me up fully from my slumber; a large breath is inhaled as I turn to glance at my alarm clock.

Shit.

I've overslept by two hours! I was meant to drop Millie off at school this morning! My stomach drops and my eyes begin to tear as I think of how much she must hate me right now. With my mind in panic mode I scramble out of bed and quickly get changed before thudding down the stairs.

"Oh my gosh I'm so late!" I rush around the kitchen grabbing my keys from the counter top. Harry sitting calmly on a stool whilst he munches on some cereal, his prominent jaw moving up and down as he chews. how can he be so calm?!

"It's okay, I dropped Mills off this morning whilst you were asleep." He informs me, "I hope you don't mind." he glances at me through his eyelashes, his perfect jaw still chewing as he waits for my reaction. I can't help but smile as my fingers run through my hair in relief, I chuckle to myself not really knowing how to respond. "Well now that you're up and dressed do you mind if I take you out for breakfast?" he asks curiously, I can tell he doesn't want to push me into anything but I don't mind.

I don't care anymore. I love Harry. I want to be with him and I'm not going to ignore my feelings, because lately it has become overwhelming, I need Harry and he needs me.

"Sure." I give him a small smile and make my way outside the house to his car, him following closely behind me.

The car ride wasn't awkward at all, we had a nice conversation about what to get Mills for christmas considering the time was nearing; all in all we both came up with some good suggestions until we finally make it to the small café.

Harry parks the car and quickly makes his way around the bonnet to gentlemanly open my door. I smile at his caring gesture and walk beside him into the café, taking a seat inside.

"So what would you like?" he asks, handing me the small menu.

"What about you? Are you not getting anything?" I quiz curiously, I hate being the only one eating, it makes me feel really awkward.

"No, I had some cereal before." his hoarse morning voice reminds me.

"Harry I can't eat on my own, it makes me feel really fat." I sigh and look down at the table, my hands mindlessly fiddling with each other.

They are suddenly embraced by Harry's warm touch as his large hands clasp mine tightly, "You could never be fat," he returns softly, his eyes never leaving mine. "But if it makes you feel better ill have a banana." he adds making me chuckle.

"Pancakes please." I grin largely at him as he gets up and places my, well our, orders.

I glances around the café taking in all of the cultural differences this building has in comparison to the city of London; it is a typical Italian café that smells of coffee beans as soon as you walk through the door, it has round tables with chairs and a corner booth for a larger number of people.

The overall space is small but cute, a nice secluded place to eat breakfast. My eyes scan over to the large glass window the shows multiple fans with flashing cameras focused on Harry as their screams are partially silenced by the thick glass.

Some of their eyes flicker to me and gave me a friendly wave making me return the gesture. They must 'ship' us, whatever that means. I smile at them and wave again, only to be startled by a clash of crockery on the dark wooden table. "They seem to like you." Harry grins as he places my steaming pancakes in front of me, the maple syrup dripping effortlessly and making my mouth water.

"I never really know what they think, one minute they hate me, the next they like me. I like it when they're like this though." I shrug and take a bite from my delicious pancakes. I notice Harry's eyes glued to the plate making me chuckle - I can tell he thinks they looked mouthwatering too. This being known, I decide to tease him anyway...

I bring my fork, filled with pancakes and maple syrup, up to my mouth, slowly taking in the entire bite and savouring the taste. It's so sweet and inviting, bursting with flavour; I smile as I chew, creating groaning noises just to tease Harry further.

He clears his throat and tears his gaze away from me, I have clearly gotten to him. I scoop up another piece and guide it towards his face, waiting for him to lift his head and see it. "Harry," I smile, calling him so he will notice the fork directly on line with his mouth.

His head lifts and beautiful green orbs focused on the fork, but he reluctantly shakes his head. "No, it's yours. I've eaten, that's not fair on you." he try's to argue, not changing my mind in the slightest. I playfully roll my eyes and use my other hand to pinch his arm. "Oww-"

I swiftly thrust the fork into his open mouth, leaving him no choice but to take the bite, which he does. Success.

"You didn't have to pinch me." he whines childishly at my actions, only making me giggle in return.

"I had no other choice. I'll get another fork." I stand up and stroll over to the counter, taking another fork from the condiments table and strolling back over to where Harry is sat. "Thank you for this."

After that it falls silent as we both tuck in to the pancakes, Harry had an idea to put pieces of his banana with it; which surprising tastes amazing, so basically we have banana pancakes with maple syrup. Yum! "I've missed this." His voice whispers softly, only audible to me.

My eyes flutter, peering up at him through my eyelashes, "me too." I whisper, both of us referring to our time together.

"Do you still love me?" he asks carefully and quietly.

"Harry," I sigh exasperatedly. His face automatically sinks and he slumps in his chair, making it creak slightly. He clearly doesn't think that my tone of voice is positive, so his eyes flit down to his hands, not really caring about my response, "I never stopped." I finish.

He glances up at me in disbelief not expecting me to utter those words, but it's true, I never stopped loving Harry, it's impossible. He always seems to find a way back into my heart, his cheeky smirk that I can't resist and his crystal green eyes that speak to me without words.

It is then that I realise a small tear in the corner of his eye, the once white has now turned to a lightly bloodshot red as he wells up. "I thought I'd lost you." his breathing hitches, although still composing himself again.

"You're not getting rid of me that easily." I chuckle making him laugh and a stray tear escapes, in an instant his hands reach over the table to grab mine, clasping them tightly and allowing his thumb to rub circles over the back of my hand comfortingly. "But don't you ever do something like that to me again, understood?"

I don't think I could handle another heartbreak, spending endless nights not being able to sleep, or not being able to get that picture of him and another woman out of my head. It was torture for me. And I couldn't bare it happening again.

"Completely understood! I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you if that's what it takes Faith. I love you so much." he rushes, another tear falling before I wipe it away with my thumb.

"I love you Harry. More than anything." I whisper. Our hands fall and we continue to eat the pancakes, talking casually like we used to. Like nothing had ever happen, and in all honestly, I prefer it this way. We can wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

We hop back into Harry's car and drive home considering I don't have to be in work for another four hours. "So what do you want to do?" he asks as I sit myself down onto the couch after we arrive, Harry trailing behind only to plonk down next to me and rest his legs over my lap. My eyebrows raise playfully making a small chuckle release from his mouth, his legs slowly moving from mine and sitting properly on the couch. "Come here." he whispers, his warm hand grasping my icy one and pulling me over so I am straddling him.

I slowly tear my hands from his and rest them on his chest lightly, his toned abs underneath his thin clothing is enticing, making me inhale a large intake of breath and bite my lip; the need for him is increasing, as his eyes observe my every action intently, wondering what thoughts are running through my mind.

I give in to my emotions and allow my eyes to flick up to his, green orbs pouring into mine as they convey nothing but complete lust. With my bottom lip still between my teeth seductively, I lower my head to Harry's, my long wavy brown hair forming a curtain around us as our lips finally meet. This moment is in incredible. His warm moist lips crash into mine with urgency, the kiss instantly heated as the overall desire that had been building up between us over the time we've been apart making us both crave each other.

Harry moves his lips to my jawline, biting the skin teasingly as my crotch begins to grind erotically against his, moans escaping from the both of us as we are completely consumed by the moment.

Wet kisses are currently being peppered down my neck and to my collarbone, louder moans escaping my lips. Harry has me in a trance of euphoria, every nerve ending is tingling as he works his way across my chest.

I lower my hand to his crotch and start to palm him through his jeans successfully, my name occasionally escaping his lips in a whisper. His back arches effortlessly, my craving to feel his soft skin beneath mine and hearing his husky and inviting voice moan my name, is all I wish to pursue. My hand begins to move harder and faster, his moans increasing as he nears his high, "F-faith." his voice whispers my name perfectly, fading quietly at the end.

My phone breaks the heated atmosphere in the room as my ringtone plays loudly. My actions slow down as I sigh defeatedly, slightly disappointed I couldn't finish pleasuring Harry, he lets out a quiet breath, his staggered breathing trying to calm itself as he starts to catch his breath.

I hop off him and walk towards the table in the centre of the room, picking my phone up and pressing the answer button. "Hello?" I ask monotone into the speaker.

"Hello is this Miss Williams, Millie's adoptive mother?" a dominating voice questions me, my body tensing and my attention immediately taken by the voice as I put my phone on speaker for Harry to hear.

"Yes, I am Millie's adoptive mother, is something wrong? Is she okay?" I question frantically, Harry sitting closer to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders comfortingly. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he listens intently to the mans voice.

"She had a small accident at school during playtime and had to be taken to the emergency room." he informs the both of us, my heart beat increasing and my palms beginning to sweat.

Harry stands abruptly, grabbing his keys, "What hospital is she in?" He asks immediately, whilst I grab my phone and we run out the door.

~~

It turns out the guy on the phone was the teaching assistant in Millie's class, after he'd given us the hospital name we kindly thanked him and went straight there, not wasting another minute.

We finally arrived and ran straight up to the reception desk, asking where Millie was, a lovely nurse directed us to her room and left us to ourselves after that.

Apparently Mills had fallen off the monkey bars and hit her head during the fall, she was brought into hospital straight away and the doctors said she has a bad concussion so they want to keep her overnight. But me being me, I can't leave her, so both me and Harry have decided to stay the night tonight with her.

We walk into room number 194 to find Mills unconscious with a fluid drip inserted into the back of her tiny hand.

My hand runs through my hair immediately in frustration and I let out a jagged breath. "She's okay baby." Harry's voice softly speaks into my ear, and his hand firmly placed on my waist gave me a reassuring squeeze, which does make me feel better.

I give a small nod and bite my tongue, I don't really want to cry again, it just breaks my heart seeing her so helpless and vulnerable, knowing that there is nothing that I can do to help. Her small eyes remain closed as we make our way over to her small still frame.

"Hey baby," I whisper getting no response. "I know you're going to be okay," I continue, sniffling as tears start to build up, "but I really miss you. I need one of my Millie hugs." I chuckle to myself sadly.

"I love you Millie Moo." Harry whispers and places a soft kiss to her forehead, moving strands of stray hair with his large thumb lovingly. "I'm here for you baby girl." he says into her head making me smile at the sweet gesture. All we have to do now is wait for her to wake up.

~~

---{Harry's POV}---

I've been sat with Millie all day and had no response from her. Faith had to go to work at 2pm which was two hours ago, she text's me every now and then when she has a break, just checking up on Millie's progress. I hate the fact I can't give her any good news but I know Millie is going to be fine, she's a fighter and a tough little girl. This is just a bad incident.

I rang the lads about half an hour ago informing them on the situation. Louis and Eleanor are both in France for a break, Zayn and Perrie are currently in Bradford visiting Zayn's family so they can't make it; although Liam and Niall are both in London and said they would call by for a little bit to see her.

I'm broken from my trance as a soft tickle runs down my left arm. I glance up to find Millie's hand faintly running across my forearm.

I sit up abruptly in my seat and take her small hand in mine tightly, she is still in a sleepy daze and her head is probably throbbing, but she's finally awake. "Hey baby girl." I smile widely at her in contentment.

Her eyes glance around the room in confusion and I take this as my moment to sit on the hospital bed, pulling her small frame so she is cuddled into my chest as she sits on my lap. "Harry..." her voice straining groggily after her not speaking most of the day.

"Shhh," I hush comfortingly, "You're okay baby girl, you just bumped your head." I tell her, she nuzzles her face into my chest and I calmly rock her back and forth. "Louis and Zayn are sorry they can't come but Liam and Niall will be here soon." My lips meet her forehead in a sweet kiss.

"Where's Faith? I miss Faith." She calls desperately, making my heart clench. I know that over the past nine months I have gotten to know these girls really well and I have grown to love them, but Millie and Faith have a connection that I could never understand, and so when Faith isn't here it breaks me inside to know how broken Millie feels without her - she is the only family Mills has left.

"She is in work baby but she is worried about you, I get texts every hour asking how you are. Shall we call her together?" I ask holding her tightly in my arms and pulling out my phone.

"Yeah, I miss her." Millie's small voice mumbles below me as my chin rests on the top of her head. I dial the number into my phone and listen to the mind numbingly boring ringing tone as we wait for Faith to answer.

"Harry? Is she okay? What's happened?" Faith panics into the phone, not even greeting me first.

"Hello to you too." I chuckle into the phone, my vibrating chest making Mills giggle too.

"Oh my gosh was that her laugh? Was that Millie's laugh?" she pleads hopefully for an answer.

"I miss you Faith!" Millie groggily cheers into the microphone, a sigh of happiness being heard from the other end.

"I miss you too baby." she sniffles in return, "gosh, you're going to get so much ice cream when you get home!" Faith chuckles. "Promise me you will never do something like this again." Faith scolds gently.

"I promise." her small voice replies into the phone.

"Okay good. Well, when I finish work I am going to drive to Harry's to pick up some spare clothes for us, so I will see you at half seven, okay?"

"Okay Faith, I love you." Millie smiles even though Faith is unable to see her tiny grin.

"Good girl, I love you too!" Faith replies sweetly, making me furrow my eyebrows. I clear my throat purposefully to make my presence known, virtually seeing her roll her eyes at my actions, "you too Harry." she adds making me smile cheekily.

"Love you babe!" I teasingly reply.

"Are you two back together?" an Irish voice interjects as Niall and Liam waltz into the room. The question is fairly awkward considering we haven't discussed that yet, but Faith happily saves the day, her answer making goosebumps appear on my skin.

"Hopefully yeah, but we'll have to talk about that later. Take care of Mills for me. I love you all."

"I will, love you too." I finish, hanging up the call and focusing all of my attention on our two new visitors. "Thanks for coming guys." I smile, hugging Millie closer to my chest.

"It's alright mate, how is our little princess?" Niall asks perching himself on the side of the bed.

"I'm okay, but my head still hurts though." she mumbles from my lap, her tiny hand reaching up and delicately rubbing her forehead as she gently rests against me.

"Aww sweetie," Liam coos as he lightly kisses her forehead, "Harry and Faith will take good care of you." his hand caressing her hair soothingly whilst she cuddles closer to me, smiling gratefully at Liam.

"So what happened Mills?" Niall quiz's.

"I fell from the monkey bars." she speaks sadly, her fingers playing with each other and her eyes focusing on them as she replies, almost scared of our reaction.

I notice her on edge attitude and hug her closer in reassurance, I mean she's only five and she was just playing, that's what kids do. "It's okay sweetie, accidents happen. But now you know never to go on them again without an adult with you just incase." she looks up at me and smiles, clearly relieved at my reaction, he small head nods in agreement and her tiny arms wrap themselves around me in a cute hug.

She is precious to me. So frail and fragile that if I squeeze too hard she could brake. Like a piece of vintage china that you have to hold with both hands just incase you drop it, but that's the difference between Mills and a piece of vintage china - I would never drop her, I would always be there to catch her. She means more to me than anything, and if she were to fall and shatter, I don't know what I'd do.

"Oh, Harry, us three have an interview tomorrow about the new album." Liam informs me as he perches himself on the armchair beside Millie's hospital bed, where I was previously asleep not moments ago.

"What time?" I ask, it's no surprise to us now that we do interviews separately, it makes everything easier actually because our schedules aren't as packed if we split the interviews up. Although, it is hilarious when all of us are together.

"It's at 11am, Paul said he'll pick us up and we'll head down there together so get ready for half ten." He reply as he high-fives Millie.

"Okay. What about Zayn and Louis?" I ask curiously, knowing they won't be back for a few days.

"We are off for the next few days and when they get back we start promoting the album and the new single." Niall says, casually glancing at Mills and pulling a funny face making a small cute giggle erupt from her lips.

"Alright." I conclude, placing Millie on the bed and standing up next to Liam. We all glance down at her as our conversation continues.

"So how is everything back home?" Liam asks, he looks up at me. I know he is referring to the fact that Mills and Faith have moved in; everyone was in complete shock when we told them, but soon got used to it. They constantly ask us how we are, showing they care. Which is all I could even ask for.

I pat his shoulder grateful that he asked, "fine thanks man, Faith and Mills have both settled in." he is happy with my response, knowing that I can't say too much because Millie is in the room.

"Good to hear. Well I have to go, I'm meeting someone for drinks and a catch up. I'll see you lads tomorrow." Liam smiled and stood from his seat, giving both me and Niall a hug.

"I'll come with you actually. I'm gonna get home." Niall adds as he gives me a hug. Both of the lads turning to Millie and simultaneously kissing her cheeks making her burst with laughter, a tiny blush appearing in her cheeks.

"Bye Mills!" they cheer together.

"Be careful on the monkey bars next time!" Liam speaks as they head for the pine wood door. His hand clasping around the handle as they begin to walk out.

"Yeah, wear a helmet." Niall chuckles also as he closes the door behind the both of them. I laugh at their childish behaviour and perch myself on the edge of Millie's bed, her small hand in mine.

"How is your head baby girl?" I ask her, my other hand gently grazing the swollen bump that has risen on the top of her head, the swelling and redness making it look angry and sore.

She winces at my feathery touch, clearly in pain. "It was okay until you touched it." she giggles cheekily.

"Hey, cheeky!" I tickle her sides, listening to the beautiful sound of her innocent giggles erupt from her mouth, as my long fingers wriggle at her sides; she squirms occasionally, her own hands trying their hardest to pry away my grip but she is unsuccessful.

I look at her in awe as I observe her actions intently. She really is beautiful. A lot like Faith. And I know that they aren't related at all but they both have the same traits, they are cute and giggly and have the most incredible features I have ever seen in my life. And I love them both. I would do anything for them.

Millie is my baby girl and I love her as if she were my own.

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- Pianogirl56