ALWAYS

I stepped into the shower and sighed. The feeling of the hot water made me relax. It washed away all of the stress that had been created upon Enola's family's arrival. As I ran my hands through my hair, soaking it completely, I decided that I wasn't going to wash it. After Darcy went to bed, if I could talk her into it, I was going to take a bath with Enola. She would always wash my hair when we took a bath together. I loved the feeling of her fingers in my hair, messaging my scalp in the most loving of ways. I smiled as I thought back to the last time we took a bath together. It didn't end the way I was hoping but I knew that she still loved me because of the things that took place. I grabbed my soap that Enola loved so much from the shelf. She loved it because of the way it smelled. She said it mixed with my body chemistry in a way that made her swoon every time she got close to me.

I took my time scrubbing my body clean in the shower. I needed time to relax and get my mind focused. If I rushed, I felt like I would be tense and not able to handle Enola's family. I needed to be as zen as possible so Enola would be at ease. If Enola and I were tense Darcy would be as well. The weekend needed to go smoothly. I hated it but I felt like I had to prove to Enola's family that I was the rock of my family, that I was a man that my girls could depend on. I knew that I was. Enola knew that I was. Everyone whoe knew us well, knew that I was trying my hardest to be the best provider for my family. I sighed heavily as I tensed. I took my time once again to concentrate on relaxing every muscle in my body. I could do this. I could show Enola's family that I was the loving, caring, strong father and partner.



I walked into the living room, fully dressed and ready for whatever Enola's parents and siblings threw my way. Enola smirked a bit when she looked at me. I didn't have my blue paisley shirt buttoned very much, my tattoos were showing. Darcy looked up at me and rolled her eyes. I turned to Enola, shocked at my daughter's reaction. Enola laughed.
"What's your problem, Darcy?" I asked her with a playful attitude.
"I hate that shirt." She replied turning her attention to the video game that her cousin's were playing.
I chuckled, "Well, Mummy loves this shirt."
Darcy shrugged, "I like the white one."
"I'll wear the white one tomorrow. Today, Mummy's favorite." I replied with a laugh as I sat down in the chair nearest the television. The room grew extremely quiet and almost tense, as we all watched the kids play their games. Darcy glanced back at me then at Enola for a moment. Darcy smiled at me then stood from the floor. She sauntered over to Enola then took her mother's hand. Darcy grunted and pulled Enola's hand, making her stand. Darcy basically dragged Enola over to my chair. Darcy then pushed her mother into my lap. She then took my right hand and put my arm around Enola's waist. Then, my strange little girl took my left hand and set it on her mother's thigh. I stared at her like she was the most amazing person in the world. What was my child doing? Darcy grabbed Enola's left hand then walked around the chair, placing Enola's arm over my shoulders. Darcy stepped back then smiled widely. She returned to sitting on the floor between Connor and Ronan.
"Darcy?" Lynne caught her attention immediately. "Why did you do that, sweetie?" Lynne inquired when Darcy's eyes focused on her.
"Mummy is upset. Daddy makes Mummy feel better. If Mummy sits with Daddy, Mummy won't be upset anymore." Darcy replied forwardly. Everyone in the room, except Enola and I, wore shocked expressions. "Mummy and Daddy always snuggle. Before they were kissing, they would snuggle. Mummy and Daddy like to snuggle." Darcy added with a smile. Enola and I both blushed a bit as we watched our daughter with loving eyes.
Karina set her gaze on Enola and I, "She's a very observant and intuitive child." I nodded with a wide grin. My daughter's notice of everyone elses feelings made me proud. She was an empathetic and loving girl.
"That's what happens when your parents are hippies." Keifer grumbled. I rolled my eyes in an unnoticeable way. I tried to contain a giggle as Gianna smacked her step son.
Lynne shook her head, "I don't think it's because they are hippies, honey." Keifer glared at her as to tell her to stop talking. It made me angry. I gripped Enola's thigh. She looked at me with worried eyes. I nodded toward Keifer subtly then glared. Enola nodded, knowing what I was upset about. If you loved someone, even if you didn't like a situation, you wouldn't be a jerk like that. I knew that sometimes I slipped and said something stupid but I always apologized, knowing I was wrong. I hated that it looked as though Keifer had no intention of apologizing to his wife.
"So, are there any plans for the day?" Enola asked her family, to get the attention off our relationship.
Gianna nodded quickly, "I was hoping to take the kids to the aquarium. Darcy's never been there before and I think she'd like it."
Darcy snapped her head around, "I have too."
Gianna shook her head, "No you haven't. We just talked about going last time I visited."
"NO. I went. My Grammy and Pops took me." Darcy said with an attitude.
"Darcy." I spoke in the deep, firm tone that she hated. "Nice." I added once she looked at me.
"Grammy and Pops took me." Darcy spoke in a sweeter tone to Gianna. Enola's parents appeared upset by the news.
"Anne and Robin asked to take her for a weekend. They took her to the aquarium and a park. She loves the aquarium though." Enola said trying to make the room less tense.
"Well, the boys don't like it and if Darcy has already been there, then there isn't a point in going." Kelly grunted at Enola. I sighed heavily and turned my face away from the group.
"Kelly." Karina sounded annoyed with her husband.
"No. We'll go. The boys need to do something other than sit in front of a television all day. It's an educational trip. We're going." Lochlan informed his rude sons.
"I wanna see the fish. Maybe they have sharks!" Quinn, Kelly and Karina's youngest son, shouted with excitement. Kelly seemed irritated with his son.
"They do! I saw one when Grammy and I went with Pops. They're really big!" Darcy informed him with excitement.
"I'd like to go if they have sharks." Theo, Keifer and Lynne's youngest son, stated as well.
"Ronan, what do you think, honey?" Karina asked her eight year old.
He shrugged, "I like sharks."
"I don't want to go." Conner spoke with an attitude that I didn't like at all.
"Connor, everyone else does. We're doing things as a family." Lynne sighed heavily, agitated with her ten year old's sour attitude.
"Dad doesn't. Uncle Kelly doesn't. Why do I have to?" Connor snapped at his mother. I gripped Enola's thigh again. She gently stroked my hair to calm me down. I disliked back talk. I never got away with it and I never let Darcy get away with it either.
"Conner James, cut it out. You're going. You can pout all you want but you're going." Lochlan's voice boomed at the boy. I frowned, that was too loud. I felt for the kid when I noticed he looked like he was about to cry. I gazed up at Enola and wondered how she turned into the woman she did. Bitter, angry brothers. An overly aggressive dad. A judgemental mother. As I thought about her sisters-in-law, I wondered how they ended up with Keifer and Kelly. Karina seemed very loving and open, as did Lynne. They both seemed to be laid back and kind, a bit like Enola. They were humble in comparison to the men they married. It was odd.Then I started to wonder how Enola ended up with me. She was much more intelligent and free spirited than I was when we met. She had a thirst for knowledge and beauty. She felt she had a purpose in this life where I was a living it day by day kind of guy. She changed me though. I no longer lived day to day and I felt I had a purpose in my life.
"Harry." Karina's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up at her concerned face then up at Enola. Enola stroked my hair gently again as Karina asked, "Are you alright? YOu look very angry. And you're staring at Lynne and I."
I nodded and blushed a bit, "Yeah. Yes. I'm okay. I was just thinking. Zoned out." Lynne stared at me like she didn't believe a word I had said. I chuckled quietly then gazed up and Enola's flawless, beautiful face. I lifted my hand to brush her cheek with my thumb gently. I wanted to set Enola on her bum and smack Keifer when he scoffed at my small sign of affection. "Let me up, baby." I murmured to Enola. She looked at me curiously. "Have to wee." I said even quieter. She frowned a bit but slid off my lap anyway. I quickly stood from the chair then ran out of the living room.

I returned to the living room to see Enola putting Darcy in her coat and shoes. Darcy beamed at me when her eyes met mine.
"Daddy! Daddy! Put your coat on!" She shouted at me with a cheerful tone and joyous eyes. I chuckled, folding my arms over my chest and leaning against the doorjamb. Darcy looked upset when I didn't do as she commanded.
"You are coming with us, Harry." Lochlan stated with his commanding, fatherly voice.
I gave a single nod, "Yes, sir." Lochlan appeared to be in a more joyful mood. Darcy ran to my side once Enola had finished bundling her up. She grabbed my hand and tugged gently. She was trying to get me to the coat rack near the front door.
"How do we want to travel? There are quite a few of us." Karina asked.
Ronan bounced to mine and Darcy's sides, "I wanna go with Darcy!"
"Okay. Darcy can ride with us." Kelly smiled at his son. Darcy shook her head quickly and held my hand tighter. "You don't want to come with us, Darc?" Kelly asked my now hiding child.
Darcy shook her head again, "No. I wanna stay with Daddy." I frowned a little and knelt in front of Darcy.
"Babygirl, I am going to end up in the same place as you. It's okay to go with Uncle Kelly and Ronan. You don't have to stay with Mummy and Daddy." I spoke softly, to ease her upset face.
"No. I wanna stay with you." Darcy insisted, her bottom lip quivering.
I frowned more, "Darcy, what's wrong? Why are you going to cry?"
"I wanna stay with you. If I stay with you, I get to see you longer." Darcy whimpered. I looked up at Enola with a breaking heart. She was frowning as well. I felt my heart was going to implode. My four year old knew that the visit of her family marked the fact that I was going to be leaving for tour again soon. She shouldn't know that. It shouldn't heavy her heart.
"Okay, baby. You don't have to go with Uncle Kelly. You can stay with me and Mummy. You don't have to do anything you don't want to." I assured her softly as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I stood, picking Darcy up. I turned to Enola with saddened eyes. She kissed my cheek gently then smoothed Darcy's hair.
Kelly gazed down at Ronan, "Would you like to go with Auntie, Harry and Darcy? Would you want to do that?" Ronan nodded quickly. Kelly's eyes met mine, "Is that alright with you?" I just nodded and smiled weakly and I held my daughter tightly. "Okay, Ro, you can go with Auntie and Darcy." Ronan ran to my side and took my hand. It was strange and it made me slightly nervous. Enola smiled a bit then walked out of the room.
"I don't have a car seat his size. I don't think he could fit in Darcy's spare." I stated quietly.
Karina smiled warmly as she touched my arm, "It's alright. I'll give you the one from our car." I returned the gesture. Enola returned with my coat. She laid it over my shoulders.
"I don't want that one." I spoke softly as to not sound like a diva.
Enola huffed, "It's the only one you have, Harry."
I shook my head, "It is not. I have that tan one with the fur. I was going to wear that one." Enola huffed and rolled her eyes at me. "What? What is wrong with the tan coat?" I asked quickly.
"That thing is older than dirt." Enola replied sourly.
I shrugged, "So what?"
"Harry, you had that thing before I met you. It's got holes and it falling apart." Enola grunted at me.
"I know. I will wear it until it completely falls apart. Just because we have a lot of money doesn't mean that we need to get new shit all the time." I grumbled.
Enola sighed, "That's not what I am saying Harry. That coat is just too old and torn up."
"You've got no problem with the torn shirt I wear all the time." I replied with an attitude.
"You don't wear that outside of the house though." She grunted. I stared at her blankly. She groaned irritably, "Fine. I'll get the damn tan coat." I smiled brightly and thanked her. Enola rolled her eyes at me as she took the black jacket from my shoulders. I turned my attention to her parents and siblings to see that they looked amused.
I blushed, "Sorry."
"Do you make a habit of annoying my sister like that all the time?" Keifer asked rudely.
I shook my head, "Nope. I just don't see the point in wasting things that are still perfectly usable." Keifer lifted his eyebrow at me but didn't say a word.
"I think that's lovely. Proves that fame doesn't make you stuck up." Lynne used a much kinder tone than her husband. Enola returned with my tan coat. Lynne laughed loudly as did Karina and her father. "You are not wearing that coat out in public." Lynne chuckled.
"What? Why not?" I asked quickly.
"Enola is right. That coat is way too torn to be used any longer." Gianna stated laughing as well. I rolled my eyes and walked away from the family.

I went to the closet, setting Darcy down next to me.
"Daddy, why don't you wear that grey one. The grey one is quite nice." My daughter stated pointing a coat that my mother had gotten me not too long ago, preparing me for the winter months. I smiled down at my little girl and nodded. I grabbed the coat from the hanger and slipped in on. As I buttoned it, Darcy smiled widely at me.
"Why are you smiling, babygirl?" I asked my daughter quietly.
"You look very handsome, Daddy." Darcy replied. I laughed and thanked her. "Maybe, since you look so nice, Mummy will want to have another baby." Darcy murmured.
I sighed, "Darcy, enough with the baby talk. Mummy and I don't want another baby right now." Darcy took my hand and I led her back toward the family.
"Why?" Darcy inquired.
"Because, Mummy and I don't want to have another baby right now." I repeated.
"But why?" Darcy seemed annoyed with me.
"Mummy and I are starting over in that way. Plus, I am learning how to be Daddy. I'd rather just spend my time with you." I answered honestly.
"But what if Mummy wants a baby? Mummies like babies." Darcy stated as we reentered the living room.
"Darcy." I warned her to stop asking questions when I noticed the way Enola's parents were looking at me.
"But Daddy! I want you and Mummy to have a baby!" Darcy whined loudly at me.
"That's fine but I'm telling you not right now." I sighed heavily. Darcy folded her arms over her chest and pouted. I looked at Enola, "That is your daughter." Enola just shrugged and went about getting her coat on.
"We all know that planned pregnancy isn't a thing in this house anyway. Accidents happen." Keifer chuckled. I glared at him. How dare he say that in front of my daughter.
"Accident is when you doing something naughty when you don't mean to." Darcy stated more for herself than anyone. Enola frowned deeply then looked at her brother with tears in her eyes. Darcy gazed up at me, "I was an accident." Tears filled my child's eyes. She was four. She wasn't supposed to feel the weight of her uncle's words.
I knelt in front of her and brushed her hair away from her face, "No, babygirl, you were not an accident." Keifer and Kelly scoffed. "You were a surprise."
"Surprise is when you get something wonderful." Darcy stated quietly.
I nodded, "Exactly. I may not have seen you coming and neither did Mummy but I love your Mummy soooo much that I never wanted to have babies with anyone but her. And here you are." Darcy smiled a bit. "I love you more than anything. You were no accident. The universe just knew that Mummy and I needed you before we did. Okay?" Darcy nodded and wrapped her arms around my neck. She hugged me tightly. I glared at Keifer as I held my daughter close. Keifer even looked saddened by the moment. I kissed my daughter's hair softly.

"Babygirl, go help Mummy clear the car for Ronan. We made a right mess in there yesterday." I chuckled pushing Darcy out the door after Enola. The boys ran out the door to follow Enola as well. They had been told to get in their seats so we could leave as soon as possible. Darcy huffed and nodded. She stalked out the door after her mother. I laughed as I watched her drag her feet. Keifer then tried to walk towards the door. I slammed the front door shut. I turned to Keifer, Kelly, Gianna, Lochlan, Lynne and Karina with mean eyes. They all looked startled.
"I don't give a damn if you don't like me. I don't give damn if you dislike my relationship with Enola. But I swear to the powers that be, if you EVER say anything like that in front of my child ever again, you will not be allowed back in this house. You will not be allowed to see her. I love my daughter. She is everything to me. DO NOT make her think otherwise. Enola and I made mistakes but our child is not one of them. Watch. Your. Mouth." I snapped at Enola's family. Keifer and Kelly glared at me. Lochlan looked at me with respect as did Gianna.
"Harry, I am so sorry." Lynne sighed, tears brimming in her eyes. I shook my head once and held my hand up.
"I'm not asking for an apology. I'm asking your husband to keep his opinions to himself in front of a child." Lynne looked taken back by my statement. I turned my face to Keifer and Kelly with cold eyes. "I truly don't care how you feel about me. I've gotten over opinions, well, most opinions. Do not attempt to hurt me by hurting my child or my partner. I won't tolerate it."
"Partner?" Karina giggled softly.
I wrinkled my nose, "Calling her my girlfriend seems weird because of our age and the fact we have a child. She's much more than a girlfriend but I am not privileged enough to call her my wife yet."
Gianna smirked, "You've always had a knack for describing your relationship with Enola in the most romantic of ways." I blushed a bit then turned to open the door. I was beaten to it by Darcy. She burst into the house yelling for me.
"Darcy, what is the matter?" I asked, seeing fear in her eyes.
"Mummy fell down! Mummy fell down!" Darcy shouted jumping up and down. I sighed heavily and raced out the door after my child. I walked over to the car to see Enola trying to get up from the pavement. I quickly went to her. I picked her up bridal style then set her in the front seat of the car. Enola smiled at me weakly before placing her hand on my chest.
"Are you alright?" I asked softly. Enola nodded slowly. "Are you sure? What happened?"
Enola laughed, "I just lost my balance is all. I was trying to get too many things at once and I stepped funny."
"Did you hit your head? Hurt anything?" I inquired, pushing her coat sleeves up, looking for abrasions. Enola shook her head slowly. I smoothed her hair away from her face. "Have you eaten today?" I inquired looking at her pale face. She shook her head. "Noli, you should eat. It's probably why you lost your balance."
"No. No. I'm fine." She sighed trying to get out of the car.
"Enola please? Just go get a banana and eat on the way." I pleaded. Enola sighed and nodded. "Get in the car. I'll go get you some fruit and then get the kids in the car."
"Harry, I can do it. I promise I am alright." Enola murmured stroking my face gently.
I shook my head, "Nope. Not taking the chance."
Enola grunted and pushed me away, "Don't baby me."
"I'm not. You fainted because you're not taking care of yourself. I'm doing what I am supposed to do as the as the man that loves you." I snapped back at her. I heard giggling from near by. Enola's family was watching the exchange.
Karina stepped forward, handing Enola a banana and a bottle of water, "Here you go, honey. We don't want Harry's head to pop off now do we."
Enola smirked, "Maybe not yet."
I groaned, "Enola."
"Oh calm down. We have a child. It's not like they don't know what we do." Enola murmured.
I rolled my eyes, "Yeah but it's not like we need to talk about it." I smirked and leaned closer, "And they don't know. They believed that you had just gotten up." Enola swatted my chest gently. I kissed her head lightly. "Get in. I'll get the kids settled." Enoal agreed then got out of the car carefully. She rounded the front of my Rover with me watching her carefully. Once she was in the front passenger seat, I turned to Darcy and Ronan, "Okay. In we go!"


I held Darcy tightly in my arms. She was loving the aquarium but didn't want me to set her down at all. Through the whole outing so far, I could see that Keifer was annoyed when Darcy and Enola would shy away from him. Enola was mad about what he had said in front of Darcy. I think Darcy noticed Enola's attitude and followed her lead. Also I believed that her feelings were still hurt by it even though she wasn't fully aware of what the words meant.
"Oooh Daddy! Look! Look!" Darcy pointed to a very bright blue fish.
"Oh wow!" I indulged my daughter. Enola chuckled quietly. I turned to her with a smile, "What?"
She rested her chin on my shoulder and put her arm around my back, "I know how much you hate places like this but you come here anyway and act excited to make her happy."
"That's what dads do, right? I mean, we have a ton of dads at our shows every night, only there to make their little girls happy." I explained quietly.
Enola smiled and kissed me softly, "The best daddies do, yes." I smiled back at her and leaned in for another kiss. Darcy cleared her throat.
"Where's my kiss?" My tenacious four year old asked with her hands on her hips. Enola and I laughed loudly then we both kissed her face. Darcy giggled and put an arm around Enola's neck. "Mummy?" Darcy murmured.
"What babygirl?" Enola smiled at her.
"Why is Uncle Keifer so mean to Daddy?" Darcy whispered. "Uncle Kelly too." Darcy stated after another moment.
Enola frowned and shrugged, "I don't know, honey."
Darcy looked at me with loving eyes, "I think you're the best Daddy in the world."
I smiled with a broken heart, "I think you're the best baby in the world." Darcy rested her head on my shoulder and went back to looking at the fish. Enola laid her head down as well, doing the same as our daughter. I kissed Darcy's forehead then Enola's hair.
"Hey Harry, we're going into the next room." Karina called out to me. I nodded and tried to move my girls into the next room of the aquarium.

Notes

Another because I miss the boys so much. I can't believe it's been a year since I've seen them in person. I'm so sad. I miss them so much.

AAAAND I'm trying something really different for me. I started an Instagram just for this site, well just for my writing really. It'll document my writing process on these stories and the ones I write that aren't 1D related. All of the things I use for research and all.
Here's my Instagram account. Follow me if you'd like.