Authors Note: Hey, everyone!! I have absolutely no control so here is the first Chapter of the sequel to Styles & Co. Enjoy. :) xx

My hands glide over the last of the business files that have demanded some attention. Harry would be proud, I settled three deals and have a meeting tomorrow to finalise one last deal he had been trying to get his hands on.
"Look who came to see you," Anastasia's voice chimes through Harry's office as she steps in, a familiar bright-eyed little girl bouncing in her arms.

I stand from the leather chair and make my way closer to Anastasia, "Hey there, sweetie." I coo, taking the small girl into my arms immediately, her light rosy lips puckering before she drowsily yawns, "awe, is someone sleepy?" I chuckle, bouncing her slightly as she gets comfortable, her light green eyes gradually closing, "aww, honey," I giggle, my eyes gazing towards Anastasia, "I've done all that I can, I'm not as good as what Harry was, sorry, I'm entirely slacking, but I'm exhausted." I sigh, feeling the need to apologise for my lack of skills.

I can not run this business at the same speed Harry did, I'm not him—I'm far from his level of expertise.

He did a marvellous job with everything, I have no idea how he did, he deserves more credit than he has received.

Anastasia gives me a modest smile, "you have done great so far," she assures me, but I don't really take it too seriously, she's far too sweet to say anything else. "Niall is due back in a minute, tell him what to do to help, it's what Harry would do." She beams, her eyes taking a peek towards Harry's desk that is somewhat organised, "I'll take these," she takes a pile of folders from the desk and wanders out.

To be honest, she should be the one to take over the reigns, her and Niall. I feel as though I'm completely incompetent and sending this business into a major downfall.

I lean back in Harry's leather seat, my hand drawing petite circles on the little girl's back as she nestles into me, a few charming baby sounds escaping her tiny lips before all I hear is her delicate breathing. I grin to myself, in complete awe as she sleeps on me.

Such a perfect little angel that fills my heart with content.

My eyes flicker to the desk that is a bit of a mayhem, it is quite clear I have not managed to master Harry's transcendent work ethic of keeping a desk clean and not compiled of over forty different files.

Niall and Anastasia step in and Niall places the plate of lemon and lime wedges I requested on Harry's desk, "of all the things Harry has made me do, never have I gotten lemon and lime wedges." He snickers as Anastasia glances over at me from the filing cabinet with curious eyes. 'Please don't ask, please don't ask.'

I shrug, licking my lips as I stare at the juicy wedges cut to perfection. "I really just wanted them," To be honest, I haven't wanted to even think about food all day, but the second lemon and limes slipped into my mind, they were most definitely a need. "Anastasia, will you take her?" I ask before I thoughtfully hand Anastasia the beautiful sleeping girl in my arms as my attention goes towards Niall.

"Is there anything else? I have those files ready," Niall challenges as I lean back in Harry's chair with a lime between my teeth, putting me at ease as my craving settles.

"Mmm, you guys can leave when you're ready, it's like seven and tell the others to leave too," I respond and Niall and Anastasia share a glance between the two of them. "Did I say the wrong thing?" I curiously inquire, taking another slice of lemon between my fingers.

"We are meant to stay with you," Niall responds and Anastasia immediately interjects,

"What he means is," she glares at him before flicking her eyes towards me with a smile, "is that we don't leave until you do. When Harry was in charge we waited on him."

"You guys don't have to wait," I shrug, "go home and get some sleep. You guys have been tiring yourselves out the last two weeks." I flash them a smile,

"I'll wait, Anastasia, you go," Niall mutters, his hands moving to the files on the desk as Anastasia steps out with the little bundle of joy wrapped in her arms.

"Niall, you can leave, you know?" I assure him that he doesn't have to stay, that he can go home and get some well-deserved sleep. Somehow, these two have managed to keep the business afloat without bothering me whatsoever, undividedly taking things into their own hands.

Niall gives me a nod and a kind smile, "I know, but I'm not leaving until you do."

"Suit yourself," I chuckle, his stubbornness reminding me of Harry's, Harry always used to be the last one to leave his building, the majority of the time.

The only times he left before others were when he would make plans with me. "That meeting at ten, can you handle it and I just sit in and pretend I know what I'm doing? Because I honestly have no damn clue." I sigh, glancing towards Niall for some help.

I feel as though I was kind of just thrown into this world that never stops, it's go-go-go all the time, and I just can't keep up.

I am not Harry, I am barely me at the moment.

I can't shake the feeling that I am failing and running the company into the ground. Every time I open a file I feel overwhelmed and anxious that I won't make the correct decision or say the correct thing to a client. Niall and Anastasia have scripted me on what to say for the most part, but I can't shake the feeling of failing. I can't fail this business.

Niall nods, giving me a smile, something he has done the entire time I have been in the office,"Yeah, that's fine."

I gently nudge a file towards Niall. "I've finished the report you requested and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind taking a look at it."

He takes the file into his hand his eyes promptly looking down at it as he opens it for a brief moment, "That's good to hear. I'd be happy to look through the work you've done. I'm sure it's fine."

"I'd also appreciate it if you could give me any feedback for future reports."

"Certainly, I'll be sure to let you know what I think. But, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself."

I give him a shrug, not having too much confidence in myself at the moment.

This is not my calling, I was not born to prowl my way to the top of Styles' Towers, I wasn't meant to be reading files and making executive decisions, I wasn't made for talking clients into letting me handle their assets when I barely know how to do my own. To be honest, Harry handles all our stuff, he is the one in charge of finances and everything else, not for any reason that he is more experienced.

I stand from the leather seat and offer Niall a grin, "I am heading out, I guess I will see you at seven when I get in?" I challenge, unsure of whether or not seven works for him, I know he has meetings that I am not fully aware of, Anastasia keeps track of all the meetings in the building, I can barely keep up with my own. Niall has his own set of work he has to do under Harry's orders.

"I'll see you then, I'll walk you out." He places the files down on the desk, instantly ready to escort me out. I don't object, I instead politely nod as I grab my handbag and jacket.

I step out of Harry's office and close the door behind me, "You have a key to his office, right?" I ask as I lock the door. Niall chuckles quietly before nodding. "Sorry, I just like to make sure," I inform him before we walk towards the elevator.

We step out into the lobby, Niall being generous enough to take my mind away from the business world and talk to me as a friend instead of a colleague. My heels echo against the marble flooring as we walk side by side towards the exit doors coated with a gold trim.

We step out into the cool weather of the end June and my chauffeur instantly opens the door for me, greeting me with his usual smile and greeting, "Ms. Elise."

"Thank you," I smile before I turn to Niall, "And thank you for walking me out, so when are you and Anastasia going to make things official?" I wink, giving him a playful nudge as he bites his lips and his cheeks blush.

"I don't know," he shrugs, "eventually, until then we are busy with work,"

"I can fix that,"

"That isn't what I meant. I just.. I don't know."

"Mhm, well, I won't bust your chops, I have to go. I'll see you in the morning." I politely dismiss our small conversation, remembering that I am late and really need to get going.

I slide into the car and get comfortable, finally getting the opportunity to take off my heels and breathe for a few moments.

There is a particular feeling of being in this car and having Harry's driver at my service. I always find it easier to relax for a few moments in here, it could be because it still smells like Harry's scent and cologne or it could be because the seats are comfortable and I can close my eyes peacefully without having to worry about business, the stock market, and whatever the hell else. I let out a heavy breath as I wiggle my toes around that have been cramped in my heels since five this morning. I really need to find more comfortable heels, these ones are not cutting it.

"Hard day, Ms Elise?" My driver challenges as he begins to pull out into the quiet road,

"I am exhausted, I don't know how Harry managed all this." I gesture all around me, not really apprehending what I am indicating to, everything around me is just better managed with Harry.

"He's a man of many talents, Ms.Elise. I still don't know how he did it. There's cold water on the side for you, are we going to the same place?"

"Yes, just a tad late tonight,"

"Do you need to eat, Ms. Elise?" He offers and I shake my head, I don't want to eat, I just want to get to where I am going. "Well, if you change your mind, there are these snake things Harry likes upfront with me, Harry used to be terrible with late nights and not having time to eat so I formed a habit of always keeping snacks." He sweetly informs me, bringing a smile to my face.

It doesn't surprise me that Harry would snack on the way home or on his way to wherever he was going. There used to be some nights I would stop by on purpose when he was working late, just to take him some food to make sure he'd eat. He would get his head so caught up in work that he would forget he needed to take a break. There have been countless nights we have been in his office at eleven eating takeout together and keeping each other company while he tries to finish off last minute work.

I rest back and press my hand to rest over my stomach comfortably, my mind falling into a flashback.

|| Flashback. ||
Day fourteen. 

I struggle to keep my eyes open as I discover myself sitting in the chair that has been my only comfort the last two weeks. It's about the only thing that hasn't managed to give up on me and leave, nobody seems to understand why I continue to stay day and night with him, to them, he's just another lost soul that isn't coming back, but to me, he is my other half. He's the one that holds me when I'm down and holds me when I am satisfied, he is the one that can cause me the most pain but also the most pleasure; Harry is the one who challenges me and pushes me. He is the one I can't live without, he is my everything, he is my happiest thoughts, my deepest love, my heart, and my soul.

I've had music playing softly most the day; I decided to play a few songs that I know he appreciates or used to enjoy. At one point, he did appreciate music and the playing of instruments, I still have no idea why he stopped playing his guitar and piano. He quit before we started dating, but every now and again I would catch him strumming a few strings and humming a few chords. Just like every now and again, now, I still overhear him humming around the house.

As I sit here and listen to the song play, I can hear him humming in the back of my mind; I can see him smiling at me from across our living room and shaking his head at me. He hates when I purposely play music to catch him off guard, I do it when I want to hear him hum, it puts me at ease and gives me a nostalgic feeling. Every time I close my eyes I witness his sweet smile and grey eyes staring at me, I see our memories, and the saddest part is, I don't see our future.

Nothing has changed, everyone has been telling me that it is time, but I refuse to give in so easily.

How can I give up on someone who wouldn't give up on me? How do I give up on the person who makes the sun rise in my world and makes the stars shine? How do I give up on the only love I have known?

Giving up on him is like losing the light at the end of the tunnel and ending up stuck with nothing but the darkness of a never-ending shaft. I don't think I have it in me to be sucked into an iniquitous hole that doesn't have a way out; I don't have it in me to lose the only person that has made me feel what love is, the only person who has seen me at my worst and still stayed. If everyone had it their way, I'd be staring at flower arrangements and putting him to rest, but I can't.

It is selfish, but I can't.

He's my heart and soul, without him, it's like losing my best friend, it's like losing part of me that I will never get back. Losing him is like having a thorn but no rose; it's a thorn digging into the flesh of my skin and not having a life at the end of the stem.

One Sunday morning, we were lying in bed between the comfort of the covers, rain was descending effortlessly outside, jostling the roof of the house and bouncing off, creating a symphony so calming. We were in between tangling ourselves together, sloppy, slow kisses, and random conversations, we were the definition of 'two kids in love,' there wasn't anything that could break us apart that morning, not even his phone going off because of work, I was the subject of his full attention, there was nothing more important than him tangled with me keeping me warm.

He told me, "Waking up with you is the best start to my day, you're the first thing I see when I wake up, and the last I see when I fall asleep, and not to sound cliche, but I wouldn't have it any other fucking way. You're my constant reality, No matter what happens, I know you'll be beside me, and even if the sun doesn't rise in the morning, I know you'll be there, and that is all I need."

Right now, I need the sun to rouse and for him to wake up because even though I am here beside him, I require more, I need him.

It's strange how we can know so much without knowing anything at all, and if I had my time again, I would relive our lives the way it is. I would relive the fights, the yelling, and the screaming, I would relive the early morning cuddles and late night talks. I would relive the sound of his shoes catching the flooring as he attempts to unostentatiously shuffle his way into the house at ungodly hours. If I could relive every moment with him, I would, our worst, and our best, everything. I'd relive the first time he told me he loved me, every little thing.

I sigh to myself and reach over to grab my phone, beginning to have enough of music playing through the room. So many songs have played through the walls' of the room, many different artists putting me at ease. I've always enjoyed listening to music, but right now I am asking for a miracle to be performed from the music, I am requesting for the lyrics to reach deep down in his soul and bring him back to me. I could use a love song to bring him back to me, a soundtrack that could take me back in time to a more beautiful time.

I feel his hand twitch but I disregard it as my tiredness taking an incredible toll on me, I close my eyes and fall asleep.

My eyes gradually open as I feel a softness grazing over the knuckles of my hand. I blink owlishly as my vision becomes clear, for a moment I think I'm dreaming when I see his eyes staring at me and I go to close my eyes again but I'm abruptly stopped by the sound of his voice.

A sound I haven't heard in so damn long. "Elle," he horsley mumbles, licking his lips as his thumb rubs over my knuckles benevolently.

I stare at him for a moment before his eyes close and I take it as being apart of my imagination. I sigh and rub my weary eyes before I glance at Harry peacefully still sleeping or whatever it is he is doing... Just lying there, cold, and lifeless. Without thinking, I hum along to the song still playing, 'From the Ground up, - By Dan + Shay.'

Me and you baby, walk in the footsteps. Build our own family. One day at a time. Ten little toes, a painted pink room. Our beautiful baby looks just like you. And we'll build this love from the ground up. Now, 'til forever it's all of me, all of you. Just take my hand. And I'll be the man your dad hoped that I'd be. And we'll build this love from the ground up. For worse or for better. And I will be all you need. Beside you, I'll stand through the good and the bad. We'll give all that we have. And we'll build this love from the ground up.

I reach over to my phone, ready to pause the music and have some peace and quiet. I feel my hand very lightly become gripped but I ignore it and pause the song,

"No," Harry's voice rasps through the room, "Keep playing," he gradually speaks, words actually leaving his dry lips that have been soundless the last two weeks.

My heart stops and sinks in my chest as I stare at him in awe.

Is this happening? Is he talking? Or am I dreaming?

"You look like you've seen a ghost," he nonchalantly mumbles, his grey eyes staring up at me with a little bit of brightness to him.

I breathe out, unable to find my own damn words as his voice continues to ring through my ears. "You're... you're.." I trail off.

Oh, how I have missed his voice. "You're here," I whisper, his thumb gliding over my knuckles and he does his best to give me a miniature smile. "I-uh- I have to go get a nurse, stay awake for me? Okay?" I whisper, standing up and parting ways with his hand before I step out and find a nurse.

I stand against the wall, observing as he is assessed and the nurses make sure that I wasn't imagining what I wanted to happen.

I press my hand to my stomach that is home to more than the butterflies currently fluttering inside it.

'Daddy's here with us, he's not going anywhere, sweet one.'

|| End of Flashback. ||