Harry and I got up quietly, walking over to Darcy's room on our tip toes. Both of us were shocked when Harry opened her door. She was still fast asleep. Harry puffed a bit and closed the door. He looked back at me and I giggled. I grabbed his hand and pulled him down the stairs to the living room. His family was going to arrive soon. Gemma, Anne, Robin and Desmond were thrilled to have their first Christmas with Darcy. Harry was too but he was trying to internalize a lot of it. He had been a mess the night before. I knew that he would be for most of the day.

We fell onto the sofa with a sigh. I snuggled into his side and rested my head on his shoulder. I smiled when he put his arm around me and squeezed gently. I looked up at him and grinned. Harry bent forward and kissed my lips tenderly.
"I love you." I whispered to him.
"I love you." He beamed, pressing his forehead to mine. I lifted my hand and ran my fingers through his hair. Harry's eyes slid closed and he let his head fall back a bit as I massaged his scalp. "I love it when you do this." He groaned a bit, the stress leaving his body. His eyes opened again and he gazed into mine. "Have you been working at all since I got home?" Harry inquired, almost sounding sad.
I shook my head, "No. I wanna see you when you're here. I don't wanna waste any time with
you right now."
"It's not wasting if your working, baby." Harry sighed softly.
"Yes it is. Work can be done the rest of the time. I've got you for only a few weeks at a time right now. Then it's going to be only a few days at a time until the end of the summer. I just wanna be with you." I defended myself. Harry nodded and kissed my hair. "You know the whole, trying to expand the family thing." I giggled quietly. Harry shook his head and leaned back into the sofa more as I shifted into his lap, straddling his thighs. "What?" I asked softly. Harry just shook his head again. I grabbed the collar of his shirt gently. "I got some Christmas morning the year I came to see you." I murmured against his soft, pink lips. I buried my hands in his hair. "I unwrapped you like you were God's gift to me." I teased quietly. Harry laughed as I caught his lips between mine.
"Not now, babe. My mum will be here any minute. And someone has to go check on Darcy's present." Harry replied mid moan.
"Mum is here now." I heard Anne from the doorway. I slid out of Harry's lap with an embarrassed smile. Harry chuckled a bit seeing how red my face had gotten. "It's alright, E. You're getting married. You have a baby. It's okay to kiss on my son."
"I should go check on Darcy's gift." I mumbled as I stood from the sofa. I walked toward Anne, Robin, Gemma, Nick and Desmond with my eyes on the floor.
"Good morning, Enola." Anne giggled when I got to her.
"Morning." I was still blushing. Anne kissed my cheek as did Gemma.
"Can I wake Darcy up?" Gemma asked with excitement. I nodded with a smile. It would be less uncomfortable if Darcy were awake and running around like a crazy person. Gemma cheered and raced toward the stairs. I made my way to the laundry room to check on the present Harry had gotten for Darcy.

I flopped onto the sofa next to Harry again. He put his arm over my shoulder as our daughter came running down the stairs. She ended up in my lap and smiling at Harry and I.
"Merry Christmas Daddy!" Darcy shouted. "Merry Christmas, Mummy!" Her smile was huge. I laughed seeing Harry's level of Christmas excitement in her eyes. "Can we open presents now?" Darcy bounced in my lap.
"After you kiss your Grammy, Pops and Papa Des." Harry replied, not liking that she'd ignored his parents. Darcy hopped off my lap and ran to Anne first. She had a big hug and kiss for Anne and Robin. She climbed into Desmond's lap and hugged his neck as tightly as she could. She looked at Harry and I again. "Auntie Gemma. Uncle Nick." Harry motioned to them. Darcy ran to Gemma and Nick with more hugs and kisses. We all held in laughs when Darcy turned to Harry again. "Now you can open your presents." Harry and I cracked up as Darcy nearly dove for the tree. Darcy stopped for a minute and turned to the rest of us.
"Are you going to open yours too?" Darcy inquired.
"Why don't you give everyone one gift?" I suggested to her. She nodded and ran to the tree. After a few moments, she placed a present in Harry's lap, then mine. She took even more time picking one for Gemma and Nick. She grabbed gifts for Robin and Desmond fairly quick as well. She started to struggle with Anne's.
"Honey, what about the purple one for Grammy." I smiled at my stressed child. Darcy nodded and grabbed the present.
"Here Grammy." Darcy smiled placing the gift in her lap. Anne thanked Darcy and kissed her head.
"Okay, babygirl. Pick yours." Harry instructed. Darcy looked at all of the ones that had her name on them.
"What about that huge one with the pink sparkle wrapping?" Gemma suggested. I giggled knowing it was a gift from her and Nick. Darcy clapped and ran over to it. Darcy looked back at Harry, asking for permission to open it.
"Go for it babygirl." Harry chuckled. Darcy tore into the wrapping paper instantly. We were all laughing at her excitement. Darcy was in awe over the trunk that she'd gotten.
"Open it up, little one." Nick urged Darcy. Darcy tried to open the trunk but couldn't.
"Ugh, Daddy!" Darcy grunted during her struggle. Harry got up and helped her open it up. Darcy squealed with delight.
"What is it, Bear?" I asked Harry quietly.
"Dresses. Lots and lots of dresses." Harry replied. Darcy dug through the trunk wildly. "Oh and a doctor set, and a fire fighter set, a police officer." Harry stated as they got to the bottom of the trunk. He looked at Gemma curiously.
"Think about it, Harry. You're wife is one of the smartest people I've ever met. Who says that your child should be made to think all she can be is a cute little girl. She can do anything." Gemma stated. Harry nodded and went back to watching Darcy with loving eyes. I pulled my lip between my teeth when I saw the tears starting to form in his eyes. I sat quietly and watched Harry and Darcy together. Darcy was giggling as she spoke to Harry about her present. Harry's smile matched hers as he just listened.


"Harry. Enola. You guys haven't touched your gifts." Anne pointed out sadly. Harry and I looked at each other and shrugged. I knew that he just wanted to focus on Darcy and I had gotten caught up watching them.
"We have one more for Darcy." Harry stated with a big smile. I grinned and grabbed the box from under the sofa. Harry went into the laundry room and grabbed the big box that was waiting for her. As Harry sat down beside me and Darcy raced to us.
"Is it a baby?" Darcy shouted. Anne and Gemma started to laugh loudly.
Harry looked at me and shrugged, "Kind of." I handed her the box even though I heard gasps from everyone else in the room. Darcy tore into the wrapping paper like a beast once again. She ripped the top of the small box I was holding. Darcy look confused as she lifted up a collar and a leash. She was still confused when she saw small bowls with puppy prints on them.
"But Daddy, I don't have a puppy." Darcy sounded so disappointed.
"Are you sure about that?" Harry asked pushing the bigger box toward her. Suddenly, there was a little bark from the box. Harry and I made surprised faces when Darcy stared up at us. Darcy flung the top of the box off and jumped up in surprise. Inside the box there was a husky puppy. Harry lifted the dog out of the box and placed it in Darcy's arms. Darcy started to cry.
"Baby, why are you crying?" I asked gently. Darcy couldn't even speak.
"Are you happy, Darc?" Harry chuckled, his voice breaking a little. Darcy nodded and hugged her puppy tighter. "Aw, come here baby." Harry picked up Darcy and her puppy. He held them to his chest while Darcy sobbed. Harry rested his head on his daughter's as a few tears slipped from his eyes.
"That's so cute." Gemma gushed from beside me. I laughed and tried not to start crying like Darcy and Harry.
"Why did I get a puppy?" DArcy asked through her tears.
"So you have someone to play with and he'll help keep you and Mummy safe while I'm away." Harry replied. Darcy kissed her puppy's head gently. "What's her name?" Harry asked of Darcy.
"Can I name her after MeMe?" Darcy nearly whispered as she looked into the dogs blue eyes.
"Of course." Harry and I spoke in unison. Harry chuckled, "Mummy and I will get her tags made tomorrow for her collar."
"Can I put on one of my outfits that Auntie Gem got me?" Darcy asked Harry and I. We both nodded. Darcy hopped off of Harry's lap and handed him the puppy. She scrambled to put on her firefighter costume. Darcy ran back to Harry when she was all dressed up. She took the dog and put her on the floor. "Okay Sorcha." Darcy spoke to the dog. "I'm a firefighter and you're my firehouse dog." Harry and I held in laughter. "We gotta go! There's a fire upstairs!" Darcy shouted to the dog. Darcy ran off and the dog followed her.
"Five says she wears the cop outfit tomorrow and the dog is the k9 unit." I giggled. Everyone in the room erupted in laughter.
"Alright you two. The baby is occupied. Open your gifts." Anne instructed of us.


"Harry, have you gotten to your present from E?" Gemma asked, sounding a bit worried. Harry shook his head slowly.
"Where is it, babe?" Harry inquired, looking around the room.
"Um, it's upstairs. I have to go get it. It's just...kind of...big." I answered softly.
"I'm waiting." Harry smirked. I shook my head and got up from the sofa. I knew where Darcy got her love of presents from.
I took my time breathing as I made my way up the stairs. Harry was either going to really like his gift or really hate it. I entered the guest room and opened the closet. I removed the large canvas and then the smaller box. I knew he appreciate all of the work I put into it but I was uncertain of his reaction to it. I was praying that he would like what I made for him.
Harry's eyes lit up when he saw the canvas in my hands. I set it up in front of him with a smile. I had taken the time to wrap it the best I could but he seemed to not care about the wrapping.
"Here. This too, Bear." I handed him the box. He set the box down after looking it over for a moment.
"Did you do this?" He asked pointing to the canvas.
I nodded, "Yeah. While you were gone and while you were sleeping." Harry smiled and reached out to rip the paper off. I breathed deeply to keep my composure. I was still praying that he would like it. Harry tore the wrapping paper from the canvas quickly. His eyes were glued to the canvas. I tapped my foot nervously for a moment. Harry's head dropped and he covered his face for a moment. I frowned; he didn't like it. He lifted his head; his face was bright red, his eyes were too, his lips swollen from crying. He sniffled and wiped his face. "I'm sorry. It was a stupid idea." I mumbled setting it aside. I had painted what I thought it would look like, Harry holding Darcy when she was a baby. I looked over to see that his mother, sister and fathers had tears in their eyes as well. "I'm sorry, Harry." I nearly whispered. Harry stood and kissed me with force. I was shocked. This wasn't the way he kissed me when he was still mad at me, that was a kiss I knew well.
"Don't be sorry. I love it." Harry cried into the kiss. "I love it." He repeated before going back in for a sweeter kiss. "Thank you, Noli." He smiled trough his tears.
"I would dream about it all the time. I just thought that maybe this might help." I murmured. Harry nodded and smiled more. "There's more things in the box." I stated gently. Harry nodded sat down again. I took my place beside him as he tore into the box.
"Noli." Harry started crying again. I had another picture of him and Darcy on top. I had drawn him sitting beside my hospital bed with Darcy in his arms. He set the drawing aside and looked at the next one. I heard him let out a shaky breath when he looked at the drawing I did of him holding her at the zoo when we had just come back into his life. He set the drawing aside. The next one made him smile. It was a drawing of them walking hand in hand at Gemma's wedding reception. Harry lifted his shirt to wipe his face of tears. "I'm going to ruin all of these with my crying." He chuckled, making his mother and sister do so as well.
"Um, there's one more in there." I spoke nervously. Harry lifted his eyebrow and quickly removed the last drawing.
"Oh baby." Harry started to tear up again. I had drawn him and I. We were in the hotel room he stayed in when I went to visit while I was pregnant with Darcy. I drew myself sitting on the bed while Harry knelt on the floor in front of me. His hands were tucked under my thighs and his lips were on my huge belly. I had drawn myself kissing the top of his head as he kissed my stomach. Harry set all of the drawings back in the box then turned to me. "I love them. I do. I love them, baby." He said, pulling me into the tightest hug he could. I wound my arms around his waist and held him just as tight.
"I love you." I murmured into his neck.
"I love you." He whispered in my ear. "You and our daughter, so much." He added. He held me for just a moment longer. When he released me, Anne and Gemma were crying. Desmond, Nick and Robin were all on the verge of tears.
"Harry, don't you have something for E?" Gemma asked with a blistering, bright smile. Harry grinned and hopped up quickly.
"Come on, Noli." Harry said taking my hand. I stood as well. "Get your boots and coat on." He said pulling me toward the main hall. I lifted my eyebrow at him. "Just do it, baby." He chuckled, his face and eyes still red from crying. I then noticed that everyone else was getting their shoes and coats on as well. Gemma handed Harry a piece of fabric that Harry then tied around my eyes. "It's a very big surprise." Harry whispered in my ear.
"If it's not you naked with some strawberries and nutella, I don't want it." I stated jokingly, but also kind of serious. I heard Gemma and Anne giggling while Desmond muttered something to Robin about Harry and I having another baby.
"Later." Harry growled in my ear. I shook my head and let him lead me out of the house into the cold weather. "Step." Harry announced. I stepped down to follow Harry.
"Is this about my car? Because I don't really need a new car. I like the one I have." I grumbled.
"Nope. Not the car. Which we do need to get you a different one." Harry replied. I rolled my eyes and huffed. "Okay. Step up." Harry instructed. I heard a door open and we walked into someplace warm. "Come on. Come on." Harry rushed his parents and sister. "Okay. Ready Noli?" Harry sounded excited. I nodded quickly. "Ta-da!" Harry yelled taking off the blindfold. I gasped as I looked around. We were in our guest house. But it was no longer a guest house. Harry had turned it into an art studio. All of my canvases were accounted for, all of the easels, tables and supplies. I even had new things laying around as well. "Come this way." Harry said taking my hand. I followed him to one of the back bedrooms. He swung the door open, earning another gasp. "I turned it into a dark room."
"But Harry, this stuff..." I began as I looked around.
"Yeah. I upgraded for you. I kept all of the old equipment. It's in the very last bedroom on the left. I know they were your grandfathers. I wouldn't ever get rid of them." Harry informed me. "And then these rooms can just be storage or whatever you want. I bought baby monitors so you can be out here while Darcy naps or something. In case you're out here and I'm inside and I need you." He said holding up the baby monitor.
I beamed at him and threw my arms around his neck, "Thank you Harry. I love it."
"All of the guys helped me. And so did Brynn and Sophia and Perrie. My mum and sister. You really think they waited that long to Christmas shop?" He inquired with a smirk. I shook my head. "I want you to work when you wanna work. Do what you wanna do. Yes, you're a mother and my wife but you were many things before that too." My heart melted a bit. "I want you to be working where you want."
"You know you're the best right?" I asked with teary eyes.
"Isn't that why you're marrying me?" Harry replied with a stupid grin. I giggled again, pressing my lips to his sweetly.

Notes

Hey! The rules and schedule for the voting for the story that will "replace" this one are going up in the book Temporary Fix . :) Enjoy.