Harry Styles-Wilson: Hockey Husband [Sequel to Harry Who?] (Completed)

“There’s no water inside this swimming pool,” Ellie commented and stared into the empty pool.

“‘Ever Since New York’?” Harry mused as his wife quoted one of his songs, but she kept staring.

“Why are empty swimming pools so sad?” Ellie asked suddenly.

“We’ll refill it when we come back in the spring,” he reassured her with a quick kiss on the cheek and returned to packing.

“I know, but…” she continued to stare at the dehydrated pool. “It’s just going to sit there, unfilled, all winter. What if a frog jumps in it and can’t get out?” Ellie asked with concern.

“Have you ever seen a frog jump in our swimming pool before?” Harry laughed, but continued packing up the few things left. “They’ll put a cover on it when after it’s been resealed. Then, it’ll just look like we’ve put the cover on the pool for the night, and you won’t even know it’s empty.”

“And the frogs can’t get in,” Ellie nodded, feeling content with this explanation.

“Except this frog,” Harry surprised her with a hug from behind, causing Ellie to giggle.

“My frog prince,” she laughed as she realized what he meant. “Well, I’d hate for you to fall in the empty pool, too.”

“We’ll be far away in London, so no swimming pool for frogs or frog princes to get stuck in.” He reassured her, and looked around the room. “I think we’re done.”

Ellie looked around the empty room and started to cry. “Oh Harry, it’s so empty.”

He rushed to her side to comfort her. “It’s not empty, see?” He led her to a couch and sat them both down on it. “All the furniture is still here.”

“Yes, but all the stuff that makes it ours -everything that gives it life- is gone.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll bring it all back in the spring. Until then, the house is just sleeping.” Harry rubbed her back and wondered how much longer her mercurial emotions were going to last -for the next three months of her pregnancy? He hoped not.


After visiting Ellie’s family in Ottawa for a week, they took another long flight across the Atlantic to London, first, before heading up to Harry’s hometown to spend Christmas with his mom and sister. They arrived after dark, so as not to draw attention, and kept Ellie bundled up to hide the baby-bump in case someone should catch a glimpse of them (though, at seven months, it was getting harder to hide it).

“Oh, look at you!” Anne gushed at Ellie when she removed her layers of scarves and jackets. Anne pulled her daughter in law into a hug. “And look at you, pumpkin!” She said to the baby. “We can’t wait to meet you, dear - but take your time, no rush!”

“No, I’d be happy if he hurried up a bit. You sure the due date is in February, and not January? Or, even right now, maybe?” Ellie joked exasperatedly. “Is it really going to get bigger?” She looked down at the ever-growing baby bump. “I look like a whale.”

“No you don’t, luv.” Harry wrapped his arm around her side and kissed her cheek.

“I know exactly how you feel, honey. In fact, I have something to show you.” Anne’s face lit up as she remembered something. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay…” Gemma laughed as Anne rushed upstairs to look for whatever it was. “Anyway, would you like something to eat?”

“Yes, we’re starving,” Ellie answered, and followed Gemma to the kitchen while Harry brought their suitcases upstairs.

“So, by ‘we’ you meant you and the baby?” Gemma laughed.

“Of course,” Ellie smirked and grabbed a Christmas cookie. “He’s always hungry, since he’s growing so fast and moves around all the time. I’m so ready to be done with this!”
“So, some people say they love being pregnant, and it’s so magical and what not; I’m guessing you’re not one of those people?” Gemma asked and watched Ellie grab another cookie.

Ellie emphatically shook her head ‘no’ as she finished eating. “Fuck no. The morning sickness, feet swelling, weight gain, food cravings, always having to pee, not being able to play hockey,” Ellie paused dramatically after the last point for emphasis. “Yeah, no thanks. I mean, of course it’s magical and all, but I certainly wouldn’t say that I like it. It’s all about the end goal, really.”

“Right, Gemma agreed. “Speaking of the ‘end goal’, I noticed you refer to it as a ‘he’, but Harry’s always called it a ‘she’...so you guys don’t know yet?”

“No, it’s something we both wanted to wait to find out, I think.”

“I recall that it was your idea,” Harry interjected as he emerged in the kitchen. “But, I’d do whatever you wanted, princess.” He wrapped Ellie in a hug and kissed her on the forehead.

“You would? Do you want to have the baby for me?” Ellie joked.

“I would if I could,” he smiled. “But instead, I’m right here with you the whole way.”

“I found it!” Anne gleefully announced as she entered the kitchen. She held out a picture for the three to look at. “Christmas, 1993 - 25 years ago.”

“Look, there’s me!” Gemma excitedly pointed herself out. “Back when I was an only child,” she added mock teasingly.

Ellie and Harry looked over the image of his parents and sister posed in front of the Christmas tree, his mom seven months pregnant with him.

“You look much better at this stage than I did,” Anne said to Ellie. “Though, back then we had the ugliest maternity clothes,” Anne laughed.

“I love that you and dad are wearing matching jumpers,” Harry pointed out.

“Do you? Because, well, I was going to give you these tomorrow, but I got us all matching Christmas jumpers!” Anne smiled, and left to get their presents. “I’d hoped we could recreate that picture with you guys.” She explained when she returned and handed them their presents.

“This is so cute!” Gemma explained, the first to get her’s open.

“Does it fit?” Anne asked, and Gemma slipped it on over her head. The sweater was red, with a green, decorated, Christmas tree on the front.

“Perfectly, and it looks lovely, mum, thanks,” Gemma kissed her as Harry and Ellie got theirs on.

“It’s a little tight across the middle,” Ellie laughed, and Harry helped her pull the shirt down over the baby bump.

“Still looks good, though - the tree isn’t all stretched out or anything,” Harry commented. “Actually, I think it looks better this way,” he smiled to himself.

“You all look so nice in your matching jumpers!” Anne grinned, and grabbed her camera. “Now, let’s all get in front of the tree and we’ll take a group picture.”

“Hopefully you can get the timer to work this time, mum,” Gemma teased, “or we’ll have to ask the neighbor to take the picture again.”

“I got it, don’t worry,” Anne ressured, and rushed to join them in front of the tree. “Everyone smile!” After the camera flashed, she checked to see how the picture turned out. “Let’s do one more, okay? And Ellie, can you turn a little bit? You can hardly tell you’re even pregnant from that angle.”

“Really?” Ellie could hardly believe that, since she felt it was obvious from any angle, but turned a bit to the left.

“Much better, dear; okay let’s try this again. Smile!” Anne came back to pose with them, standing next to Gemma, with Harry and Ellie on the other side of the tree.

“Let’s see how this looks.” Gemma checked the camera with Anne, and Harry and Ellie joined in too, curious to see how it had turned out.

“That’s perfect,” Anne cooed, and thought she might get emotional again.

“Can you send that picture to me?” Harry asked, and Anne nodded. “We’re heading up to bed now, we’ve had a long day of traveling.”

“Same here - it’s nearly my bedtime anyway,” Anne replied and yawned.

As Harry and Ellie changed into their pajamas, Harry’s phone buzzed with the picture. He paused, halfway undressed, and looked at the picture pensively for a long while - so long that Ellie came over to look at it too.

“Harry!” She nearly shrieked. He had uploaded the image on Instagram, ready to post, with a caption drafted: ‘All dressed up like a Christmas tree...This year, I’ve got something extra special under the tree (though I’m more likely to get it for my birthday). Merry Christmas from the Styles-Wilson family!’

Ellie stared in shock. She didn’t want to admit it, but it was clever the way the Christmas tree on the sweater lined up over the baby, so it was ‘under’ the tree. “Do you really want to go public with it now?”

Harry shrugged. “Why not? You now I’ve been dying to tell the whole world ever since we first found out. By now, we know it’s actually, you know, happening.”

“Maybe not, it could still...never mind.” Ellie shook her head and tried to think of another reason not to do it, but her mind was coming up blank. “You’re shirtless, I can’t think straight.” She shook her head and wondered if he’d done that on purpose.

Harry laughed, and slipped on a shirt. “They’re going to find out anyway, and it’s getting harder to hide,” Harry smirked and gave her tummy a light nudge. “Besides, it’s Christmas, and the fans will love it.”

“Right, the fans,” Ellie sighed and sat down on the bed. Sometimes his fans felt like an extended part of their family - they had to be taken into account whenever they did something, and kept up to date on all the details or they’d get antsy. She looked over the picture again, and couldn’t help but admit it was a really nice family photo, and the perfect way to break the news. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Harry grinned.

“As long as it’s okay with Jeff, your PR team, whomever…” Ellie sighed.

“I texted Jeff, he thinks it’s brilliant and said the fans will love it. Especially with the second album coming out soon, this is the kind of press we need.”

Ellie slightly grimaced at the mention of the press. Why did their baby have to make the news? Because people care, she reminded herself. “Okay, let’s do it!”

With that, Harry hit ‘post’, and the image went viral within minutes.

Notes

I’ve had half of this chapter written for so long, then I got stuck! Then I got the Christmas idea, and it took off from there.

Also, I’m reusing a chapter title from ‘Harry Who?’, if you noticed ; )

Side note, I’m maybe, possibly, starting a Niall fanfic soon, so if you’re interested, keep an eye out for that.

I also started a beta reading blog on tumblr, with some writing tips and other things, if anyone’s interested (and I beta read, if anyone’s looking for one!): https://betareaderlibrarian.tumblr.com/

Thank you for reading, commenting, and voting!! : D

(and sorry for the long wait between chapters!)