Harry: 43
Camryn: 43
Darcy: 26
Josh: 28
Penny: 8
Via: 6
Lennon: 24
Nora: 24
Hugh: 1 1/2
Emryn: 27
Auggie: 23
Bowie: 21
Morgan: 21
Harley: 3 months
Calum: 19
Bindi: 17
Acacia: 18
2 am on Christmas Eve
"Baby girl,"Morgan whimpers helplessly as she looks down at her tiny three month old daughter who's cradled in her arms, absolutely wailing her heart out just as she has been for her entire three months of life.
Morgan was completely unaware that there was such thing as colic. She's an only child, and although she was raised around all of the Styles kids, it's a completely different experience to be around a baby twenty-four seven. Bowie was a bit more experienced with colic since Bindi had a severe case as a baby, but still, he was only six years old when she was born and didn't really understand everything that was going on.
Baby Bindi, however, was no match for Harley. She's a completely different breed and has seriously not stopped crying since she was born. And to put it simply, it's destroying Bowie and Morgan.
On average they individually get about two hours of sleep each night, and that's on a really good night. It's gotten so bad, in fact, that Harry and Camryn have started coming over a few nights a week to take over watching Harley for the night just so that Bowie and Morgan will be able to survive, and even with the help they're barely keeping their heads above water.
It's extremely hard to be a first time parent to a newborn, that's an obvious fact, but it's even harder to be a first time parent to a newborn with colic while both you and your partner are full-time University students trying to get your degrees as well. It's near impossible, in fact, but that's what they are both striving to do.
"Sweetheart, you're killing your throat, babe,"Morgan whispers with her voice cracking in pure desperation. She's been "on shift" with Harley for the past two hours, and normally her and Bowie do three hour shifts throughout the night to try and allow the other person to get a bit of sleep, but it normally results in no sleep from either person because Harley's screams are so loud.
"Oh I know, I know, it's hard being little,"Morgan sympathizes quietly, continuing to do the bounce and sway movement that seems to soothe every newborn in the world except Harley. She leans down to press a kiss to Harley's warm forehead, sighing in defeat. "I know you're so sad."
"Hey,"Bowie whispers gruffly, leaning against the hallway doorframe that leads into their little apartment living room where Morgan is walking around with Harley to try and soothe her. He watches as Morgan jumps slightly, startling at Bowie's voice as her dreary eyes raise up to look at him. "Do you need to tap out?"
"Probably,"Morgan admits with a heavy sigh, sniffling slightly as she feels the threat of oncoming tears sting at the back of her eyes. "I dunno how much longer it will be safe for me to do this."
"Yeah, let me take her,"Bowie sweetly nods, holding his arms out towards Harley as he walks towards her, making little grabby hands in her direction. "I'll take the rest of your shift."
"Thanks,"Morgan whispers as she gently passes their little girl into Bowie's arms, his body immediately taking on the bounce and sway movement that Morgan was doing. "I dunno what we're gonna do with her."
"We'll figure something out,"Bowie promises, patting Harley's tiny bum with his palm as he leans forward to press a kiss to Morgan's forehead as she rubs sleepily at her eyes with the heels of her palms. "Just try to get some sleep, put a pillow over your ears, it helps a bit."
Morgan nods over a yawn as she leans closer to Bowie and presses a quick kiss to his slightly sleep chapped lips before trudging towards the hallway where their bedroom is. Her head spins with every step she takes and she honestly can't think about anything. She doesn't really know where she is, and she's not quite sure about what she's doing, all she knows is that if she doesn't get some sleep soon she's going to completely collapse.
"You're killing mummy, sweetheart,"Bowie murmurs with a little sigh, trudging into the kitchen and flipping on the light that's above the stove to give the kitchen a slight glow that's enough for him to be able to find Morgan's pumped milk in the fridge. "Should we try a bottle? The only time you're quiet is when you're eating."
He reaches into the freezer and grabs one of the frozen packets of milk that Morgan pumps throughout the day since Harley is not a big fan of breastfeeding and much prefers to take a bottle. Bottle feeding also makes these already sleeplessness nights much easier since he doesn't need to wake Morgan up when it's not her shift to be awake.
"I know, I know you're upset, I don't know why, honey,"Bowie murmurs under his breath as he holds a screaming Harley with one arm while his other hand sets the frozen milk bag in the microwave and heats it up.
"Harley Shay,"Bowie hums with a little pouted lip as he cups the side of her tiny screaming face in his palm, looking down at her with the most loving but the most tired eyes. "What are mummy and I gonna do with you, princess?"
The microwave dings and Bowie reaches for the now heated up package of milk, opening it up single handedly, which is something he's gotten very good at, before he pours it into one of Harley's tiny bottles, fastening the lid on it. "I know, Shay Shay, I know, sweetie."
He carries Harley over to the couch in their living room and sits down on top of it with a heavy sigh, yawning widely as he pulls his legs up onto the couch and folds them into a pretzel.
"Shay, it's right here, sweetheart,"Bowie promises with his gruff voice that's practically dead from his lack of sleep. He sticks the plastic nipple of the bottle into Harley's wide open mouth, tapping the nipple against her bottom lip to try and get her to realize that it's in her mouth, but it's really no use. She's completely caught up in crying that she doesn't even realize anything about her surroundings.
"Harley, Harley honey,"Bowie tries to soothe, leaning over Harley's little body in his arms, bringing his lips to brush against the shell of Harley's little ear, trying to get her to listen to him. "Baby just eat, please. You need to stop crying for a second."
"Harls, you're killing me, sweetheart,"Bowie sighs as he rolls his head back to the ball of his neck, forcing a little chuckle out of his throat because he knows that if he doesn't laugh he'll cry, and he knows once he stops crying he won't be able to stop.
It takes another few minutes of attempting to soothe Harley, but eventually he gets her calmed down just enough to realize that the plastic nipple is in her mouth, and by some miracle she begins to suck on it, her cries replaced by mere whimpers and sucks for a few blissful moments.
"Oh my gosh, thank you,"Bowie cheers in complete relief, looking down at his little girl who is absolutely adorable, especially when she's not crying for one hour every day. He drags his fingertip gently under Harley's swollen eye as she looks right up at him with the widest gaze, "I love you. Look at those eyes, you have the cutest eyes."
"Are you looking up at me? Right at me?"Bowie coos with a little smile playing on his lips as the tip of his finger traces against Harley's tiny cheeks that are filling with milk. Everything about her is so petite. She's the tinniest Styles grandbaby by far, and she's tinnier than any of the Styles kids were as well, except Darcy. She's petite and feisty and everything to Bowie.
"Do you know how much dada loves you? You've got dada wrapped around your little finger,"Bowie grins sleepily, blinking down slowly at Harley as their matching brown eyes lock, his finger continuing to trace against her tiny cheek. "I didn't know it was possible to love someone like I love you."
"Oh big suck,"Bowie chuckles as Harley sucks on the nipple of the bottle particularly hard, her eyes widening in response to the sound before she settles back into the bottle. "Are we gonna go to nana and papa's tomorrow?...well I guess it would be tonight since it's two in the morning..."he glances over at the clock hanging on the wall beside the couch before shaking his head and laughing tiredly. "How're you still up, baby? Mummy and I have been trying to get you to sleep since seven..."
He leans down to press a little kiss to Harley's tiny forehead as she continues to look up at Bowie as if he's her whole world, and he really is. She's a daddy's girl through and through even though she's just barely 3 months old. "Are you just too excited that you get to go to nana and papas? You're gonna get to see all of your cousins! Penny, and Via, and Hughy! That's gonna be so fun, you love them. And they love giving you kisses." He leans down to press a few more gentle kisses to her squishy cheek that's a bit warm from her crying and a bit sticky with tears. "Just like daddy loves giving you kisses. I love giving you kisses so much."
***
Christmas Eve-- 5:00 pm
"Oh my goodness, I wonder who that is,"Harry jokes with a sly smirk as he continues to stir the homemade melted caramel that Camryn made to be used as a dipping sauce for apples. He looks up from the bowl of melted brown syrupy deliciousness to make eye contact with Darcy who smirks back at him from across the kitchen island where she's mixing up a salad for a side dish to their Christmas dinner.
"There's our Shay Shay,"Darcy announces with a big grin as she watches her younger brother stumble into the kitchen with his tiny baby girl cradled in his arms. She's never seen her little brother, or really anyone for that matter, look so deeply exhausted. The purple bags under his eyes are almost turning back and his cheeks look sunken in, almost like he's sickly. He's stumbling with every footstep he takes, almost drunkenly from pure exhaustion.
"How'd you know she was here?"Bowie slyly responds with his voice cracking with pure exhaustion, his tired brown eyes flickering up from looking at Harley's tiny red scrunched up face to look at his dad and older sister who are studying him with looks of pure sympathy.
"Oh my goodness, what is up, sweet girl?"Darcy coos in her baby voice that she so easily slips into considering she's a mum herself and a midwife who deals with babies daily. She drops the tongs she was using to mix up the salad and quickly wipes her hands on a dish towel before making her way towards Bowie and making grabby hands towards her little niece to give her brother a break. "Can I see her?"
"Yeah, please take her,"Bowie practically begs, nodding his head rapidly, more than happy to hand his little screaming daughter off to someone else for a few minutes.
"Oh sweet girl, it's okay, you're okay,"Darcy hums with a sympathetic pout, her bottom lip jutted out as she carefully takes Harley out of Bowie's arms and into her own hands, studying her little niece's face as she holds her up with her hands under Harley's tiny armpits. Her eyes glance over Harley's face that's scrunched up and red, almost edging on a blue color that tells Darcy just how long she's been crying. Her tiny hands are curled into little fists and her jet black hair is sticking straight up, as always, with the cutest little white headband bow wrapped around her head.
"Oh I know it, I know, it's so hard being so little, huh? I know it,"Darcy coos, repositioning Harley to be laying across her forearm with her tiny stomach resting against it, her cheek pillowed by Darcy's hand in the classic "colic hold" that seems to work for most colic babies, but it doesn't have quite the same effect on Harley. "Oh you don't even like that, do you?"
"Literally nothing works, I'm at a loss,"Bowie sighs in utter defeat as he rests both of his elbows down on the granite counter top in front of him, bending at the hips and pressing his face into his hands as he rubs sleepily at his eyes. "I got an hour of sleep last night and Mo got thirty minutes."
"You're gonna blow a lung, sweetheart,"Harry chuckles sadly with a sympathetic pout as he bends down slightly so that his face is on level with Harley's, her little cheek still cupped in Darcy's palm as she continues to wail out with her feeble and strained voice. "Are you not letting your mummy and daddy sleep at all?"
"Are you super colicky just like Beenie was?"Camryn coos with a little frown as she rubs her palm against Harley's tiny back as Darcy continues to try and bounce and soothe her. She walks over to her own baby who she's never seen more exhausted, reaching out to rub her hand up and down his back as he continues to lean over the granite counter, his face placed in his hands.
"Oh Hughy, look at who it is,"Lennon coos with a little dramatic gasp as he holds his chubby little boy on his hip, watching as Hugh continues to gnaw on his pointer finger, his big green eyes casting over his little cousin curiously. "Is it baby Harley? Is she sad?"
"Sa,"Hugh babbles with a little concerned expression, his faint hazel eyebrows furrowed as he takes his pointer finger out of his mouth and points it in Harley's direction.
"Yeah, she's sad, she's crying, huh?"Lennon confirms with a little grin as he presses a kiss to Hugh's temple. "Do you think you could give her some loves to make her feel better?"
"C'mere buddy, can you give Harley a little kiss right here?"Darcy persuades, using her hand that's not holding Harley to tap her finger against the side of Harley's head that's not placed in her palm, instructing Hugh where to place his kiss.
"Oh good boy,"Lennon praises with a bright smile as Hugh leans his upper body down towards Harley and gives her temple a quick kiss before straightening up and shyly putting his cheek back down against his dad's shoulder. "You're so nice! Did you give baby Harley kisses?"
"Hey! There you are,"Emryn greets with the biggest smile as she watches Morgan stumble into the living room after taking off her shoes at the front door. It would normally take her about ten seconds or less to slip off her high top black converse, but the sleep deprivation is really settling in on her, so it took her about two minutes to be able to find the mental capacity to focus enough to untie her laces and slip them off.
"Hey,"Morgan weakly responds as she practically trips over her own two feet, stumbling towards the couch where Auggie and Emryn were snuggling with Via who's all dressed up in her matching Christmas pajamas that Camryn buys for all of the grandkids.
"C'mere, we've got room for you,"Emryn persuades as she pats the couch cushion next to her, sitting up a bit straighter from where she was leaning against Auggie and snuggling into his side with her cheek pressed against his shoulder, one of his arms wrapped around her shoulders and the other resting against Via's stomach as she sits on his lap with her eyes trained on the television that's playing the cartoon version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. "How's it going, babe? Are you exhausted?"
"Beyond exhausted,"Morgan quietly responds with a little sigh as she collapses into a heap on the couch cushion next to Emryn, pressing her cheek down on top of her best friend's shoulder as her eyes immediately begin to close.
"You need to text us and let us come over and help you, Morg,"Emryn pouts sympathetically, reaching her hand out to rest on Morgan's knee and give it a loving squeeze. "Augs and I would love to any day or night."
"S-S-Seriously, Mo, w-w-we d-d-d-don't mind a-a-at all,"Auggie agrees with Emryn, looking around his girlfriend to look at his brother's wife. "We'd l-l-love to h-h-help you g-g-guys o-out a-and hold her s-s-so you g-g-guys c-c-can g-g-get a break."
"It's okay, I don't want to put that on you guys, and mum and dad already come over a lot to help us...it's just hard,"Morgan quietly explains, her whole demeanor more defeated than Emryn and Auggie have ever seen her. It seems as if she's had the life sucked out of her and it's heartbreaking to witness.
"You're tired, MoMo?"sweet six year old Via quietly observes as she continues to rest back against Auggie's chest, her little fingers playing with his hand that's resting on top of her belly as she looks over at her aunt.
"Yeah, I'm really tired, babe,"Morgan yawns and nods her head slightly in confirmation in response to Via's little question, nuzzling her cheek in deeper against Emryn's shoulder.
*
"D, I can take her,"Morgan offers as she walks over to Darcy who's standing in the corner of the dining room, swaying her hips soothingly with the sweetest little smile as she looks down at her little niece cuddled up in the crook of her arm, finally quiet since she's sucking on a bottle.
"No no, I can keep her, you just eat something in peace and quiet for once,"Darcy sweetly replies with a little smirk as she looks at her little sister who has major purple bags that are weighing both of her eyes down on her face, making her entire facial structure appear to be drooping.
"Trust me Mo, she's not gonna give her up, she wants a baby too bad,"Josh smirks from the kitchen table where he's standing and scooping food onto two little plates for both Penny and Via who are sitting at a little kids' table off to the side of the big dining room table.
"Is that an announcement?"Calum teases with a devilish smirk as he pulls out his chair at the dining table and sits down on it right next to Bindi and Acacia who are all over each other as usual, their hands in each other's laps and shamelessly traveling very high up into dangerous territory.
"Not an announcement,"Darcy promises with a little snort, shaking her head as she leans down to press a kiss to Harley's little forehead, her big brown eyes peering up at her aunt with more curiosity than any of the Styles have ever seen a baby hold. "I wish it was, though."
"There's no baby in mummy's tummy,"Via shakes her head with the cutest little grin, peering over at the dining table where all of the adults are sitting, most of them turning their heads to look at her and give them their full attention.
"Yeah, there's no baby in mummy's tummy, you're right Bitty,"Josh chuckles, scooping green beans onto Penny and Via's plates before carrying them over to the kids' table and setting them down in front of both of them.
"There's a baby in Aunt Nora's tummy though,"Lennon sneakily grins as he stands in front of Hugh's high chair and begins to strap him in, looking at his little boy who is trying to look over his dad's shoulder to get a look at the spread of food on the table that he is very ready to enjoy.
"That is such a blatant lie, we are not pregnant,"Nora assures the family, holding her hands up in innocence before waving them in front of her as if she's trying to clear the words out of the air while Lennon chuckles to himself, catching how red and flustered Nora has gotten. "I'm one and done, I told you guys."
"I'm still workin' on it,"Lennon chuckles, winking at the family before sitting down next to Hugh's high chair and reaching for a few green beans to begin cutting up into bite size pieces for Hugh.
"We'll have the next baby,"Bindi volunteers, leaning over to press a kiss to Acacia's neck as she giggles and shyly leans away from Bindi, her cheeks tinging pink as she feels her girlfriend's lips press against her warm skin in front of the entire Styles family.
"If your hand keeps traveling up, you will,"Calum slyly remarks with a little snort as he holds up his plate to accept a piece of turkey that Harry cut for him.
Auggie catches Emryn's brown eyes as they both share a sneaky glance while passing the cranberry sauce between the two of them. They both agreed to start trying for a baby in the new year and they're both ecstatic about all of the possibilities that brings. They finally decided that they were in a place in their relationship and careers that would allow them to be in the perfect spot to have the baby (or babies) that they've both wanted for years. To think that they could have their own little baby at next year's Christmas dinner or that Emryn could be pregnant with their baby illuminates a little fire in both of their stomachs that they know won't leave for the rest of the night.
"Alright, let's talk about something more Christmas-y and less sexual, please,"Camryn calms the kids with a little mock exhausted head shake as she smirks with a little giggle, passing behind Harry who's standing at the head of the table and masterfully cutting the turkey for the family.
"Nor, did you make the Yorkshire pudding?"Bowie asks as he accepts the plate of mini Yorkshire puddings from Auggie and grabs one to put on his plate before passing the plate to Morgan who's sitting beside him.
"I did, yeah, it's my Nan's recipe, but I've never made them before so hopefully they turned out alright,"Nora humbly responds with a little grin as she picks up a few cut up and roasted potatoes and places them on Lennon's plate so he can cut them up and place them on Hugh's tray who is absolutely devouring everything that's placed in front of him.
"They smell so good,"Morgan hums in ecstasy as she passes the plate over to Josh to allow him to take one. "Ooo and mum made her gravy?"
"The famous gravy,"Harry nods with a little proud hum as he glances over at Camryn who smiles at him and holds up her plate to accept a cut of turkey from Harry.
"Papa, I want the leg,"Penny requests as she pops up from her seat at the kid's table and reaches towards her little plate that already has a slice of turkey on it, but she's decided that she could have something much better.
"Hey hey, two hands, hold your plate with two hands,"Darcy cautions as she continues to stand in the corner of the room a few feet away from the table, holding the bottle to Harley's lips and swaying her hips. "And make sure you say 'please' to papa."
"Please,"Penny cutely asks as she stands besides Harry and holds her plate up towards him.
"A whole turkey leg just for you?"Harry gasps in surprise as he tries his best to cut off the turkey leg as neatly as possible. He glances over at his little granddaughter who has her light brown hair neatly plaited into two French braids with little red bows at the ends which corresponds perfectly with the little green bows at the bottom of Via's French braided hair. "You must be very hungry."
"I am,"Penny promises as she smiles proudly, watching her papa pull the huge turkey leg away from the rest of the animal, her big blue eyes growing a bit in size as she watches him guide it through the air all the way to her plate.
"That kids not even breathing between bites,"Emryn giggles with her hand covering her mouth as she watches Hugh lean completely over his tray of food, practically inhaling it as he smashes his palms down on top of the little pieces of food and messily grabs them, guiding them towards his wide open mouth.
"Yeah, he's still learning his manners, huh bubs?"Lennon chuckles, throwing another little piece of roasted potato onto Hugh's tray before combing his fingers through Hugh's hazel curls and ruffling them slightly.
"Are you eating so good too? Yeah you're eating awesome, aren't you, sweet girl,"Darcy coos, looking down at her little niece in her arms with the sweetest little grin. "Were you so hungry? Is the milk so yummy?"
"Beautiful silence,"Bowie sighs in relief as he lets his eyes fall closed and leans his head back on the ball of his neck, chewing the Yorkshire pudding in his mouth as the whole family chuckles softly.
"Who knew something so little could cause you so much trouble, huh Bow?"Lennon teases, glancing over at his lower brother and winking at him. "She's probably not even twelve pounds yet, is she?"
"She's just barely ten pounds,"Morgan responds sleepily as she lazily chews her turkey and cranberry sauce. "She cries away all her weight, huh Shay?"
"Do you just cry and cry and cry?"Darcy pouts with her lower lip jutted out, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of Harley's head. "That's so sad, sweetie. We gotta figure out what's going on with you, huh? Auntie D doesn't like to see you so sad."
*
"Oh she's lovin' her papa,"Camryn coos with the biggest smile and heart eyes as she looks over at Harry who's sitting in the recliner chair in the corner of the living room, rocking it gently back and forth as he rubs his palm up and down Harley's little back. She's curled up on his chest and seems to be actually fully settled for the first time in a few days. Her little legs are pulled up to her chest and one of her tiny arms is tucked under her stomach with the other one resting flat against Harry's chest right next to her face.
"We're buds, aren't we Harls?"Harry whispers with a little grin as he leans down to press a kiss to the top of his sweet granddaughter's head that's covered in jet black hair, just like her mum's, that sticks straight up no matter how many times Bowie and Morgan try to comb it down.
"I dunno how you got her down, dad, she's barely slept all day,"Bowie shakes his head in utter amazement as he sits on the couch next to Morgan with his arm around her shoulders, her head leaning down to rest against his shoulder.
"Papa magic,"Harry grins proudly with his eyes twinkling as he presses another little kiss to the top of Harley's soft hair that smells sweet with the precious baby scent that all infants hold.
"Papa she sleepin', so we got to be quiet,"Via whispers in her little mock whisper, bringing her index finger up to her lips as she stands beside the rocking chair and peers at Harley with the most curious brown eyes.
"Yeah, she's sleeping so we have to be quiet, you're so smart, Vi,"Harry confirms with a little grin at his granddaughter who is just as petite as Harley in stature, only the size of a three year old even though she's six.
"Vi, give her some space, we don't want to wake her up, cutie,"Darcy cautions, holding out her hands towards her little girl from her seat next to Josh on the couch, "can mumma have some snuggles? It's almost time to open up your presents from nana and papa."
"Ooooo, I wonder what you got, Vi,"Calum hums in a singsong voice, making wide eyes at Via as she giggles and runs towards Darcy, falling into her arms as Darcy picks her up and settles her on her lap so that they can watch the rest of the Grinch that's playing on the big television at the front of the living room.
"I asked Santa for a pony,"Via gleefully states with a little cute squeak as she leans back against Darcy's chest, snuggling up to her as her brown eyes become focused on the television in front of her.
"I'm sure Santa had a good time trying to figure that one out,"Lennon snickers with a sly glance towards Josh and Darcy who both make exaggerated wide eyes at him and nod. They ended up getting Via a plastic semi-life size pony from Santa and are praying that's enough to keep her believing in the Christmas magic of Santa.
"Oh shh shhh, it's alright,"Harry frowns as he feels Harley's little body tighten up against his chest, her face beginning to scrunch as her forehead wrinkles, her little lips curling with the beginnings of a cry. "Is your tummy bothering you? It's churning a bit, I can feel it."
"She might need to burp,"Morgan suggests, leaning forward to dig through her diaper bag that's rested on the floor between her feet and passing a burp cloth down to Camryn who hands it over to Harry.
"Come here sweetie, should we try burping you?"Harry coos as he lays the burp cloth on his shoulder, grabbing Harley gently under her arms and lifting her up to rest her against the cloth as she continues to cry out. "I know your tummy is hurting, I'm sorry, sweetheart. I am."
"There we are,"Harry hums with a little sad grin, resting his chin on top of Harley's head as he pats his palm against her back, trying to calm his little granddaughter, but it seems to be having little effect on helping her upset and churning stomach. "Is that milk not agreeing with your stomach, honey?"
"Have you asked her pediatrician about her maybe having a milk allergy?"Camryn suggests, looking over at Bowie and Morgan who are helplessly and tiredly looking over at their dad who's patting their baby's back who is absolutely wailing her lungs out as normal. "We had one done with Bindi because she was so colicky."
"Yeah, we had one done a few days ago, but the results came back that she didn't have one, so we're back at square one,"Morgan explains with a hint of defeat coating her tone as she leans back against the couch and snuggles deeper into Bowie's arm that's wrapped around her shoulders. "I was almost hoping she'd have one because then at least we'd know the problem and how to help her better."
"Oh there's a bit of spit up,"Bindi cheers quietly, looking over at Harley who has the tinniest bit of white gloop streaming out of her foamy mouth as it rolls down her cheek and onto the burp cloth.
"Did that help? Is that what woke you up?"Harry coos in his baby voice, patting her back a few more times before pressing one more kiss to the top of her head as he pulls her away from his chest, his hands under her armpits with his fingers supporting the back of her head to help her hold it upright.
"Is she poopy, dad? She's blown out of her outfits three times today, I think something I ate must've hurt her stomach or something,"Morgan asks, as she watches Harry's eyebrows furrow before he tucks his head down so that he can smell Harley's tiny bum.
"No, she doesn't smell poopy, I think we're in the clear,"Harry responds with a little chuckle, patting Harley's bum a few times.
"There's my Harley, hi sweetie,"Harry whispers with a big exaggerated smile as her brown eyes scan over his face, her little bottom placed on his thighs as he leans over her and continues to give her his full attention. "Are you not crying now? Are you a bit happier? That's so nice, I love seeing a happy Harley."
"Oh what's that? Are you trying to tell me something? Do you have something to say?"Harry coos as he watches Harley open her little mouth as if she wants to coo up at him, but no sound comes out. "Your mummy and daddy said you're a good talker, do you want to talk? I'm listenin', Harley Shay."
"Look at her little hands,"Acacia whimpers with a happy pout, squeezing Bindi's bicep as they both look over at Harley's tiny fingers that are placed on top of each other and resting on her tiny stomach.
"You look so pretty,"Harry compliments, widening his green eyes at her and opening his mouth up drastically wide to keep her attention. "Yes you do, you look so cute in your outfit." She's dressed in the cutest little zip up white feety pajamas that has strings of red and green Christmas lights strung across her body as well as a tiny red bow wrapped around her head to top the outfit off. "I love your bow, Shay, it looks so pretty with your black hair. You're so pretty aren't you?"
It happens before he can even process it. His reflexes should be better considering he's a dad of six and has been pooped on by his kids more times than he can count, but it's been 16 years since he's had a baby in the house, so he's a bit rusty.
Before he knows what's happening, he feels a warmth spread across his lap before it travels all the way up Harley's back and lands on his fingers that are still under her armpits, an impressive sound of farts lighting up the living room.
"Oh shoot,"Harry gasps with a little nervous chuckle as he looks at his little granddaughter's white festive pajamas that are now stained brown along with his knees and fingers.
"Oh sh*t,"Morgan hisses, jumping up from her spot on the couch and rushing towards Harry and Harley, holding her hands out for her baby girl and taking her from Harry's hands, trying to be as careful as possible to prevent any of the poop from getting on her fingers, but she knows it's bound to happen. "Bow get the wipes and her extra change of clothes."
"Yep,"Bowie immediately responds, already reaching towards Morgan's diaper bag before she could tell him what they need and beginning to rummage through it as quickly as he can.
"Oh yuck,"Penny groans with her face scrunched up and her nose wrinkled as she sits on the couch with Hugh on her lap who's watching the television with compete curiosity as the Grinch continues to play, one of his fingers stuck up his nose nonchalantly.
"Yeah, yuck is right, Pen, maybe I don't want a baby,"Emryn teases, scrunching up her nose dramatically at Penny who giggles back at her while Hugh tears his eyes away from the television screen for a split second to see what the commotion is about before deciding it's not as interesting as the cartoon he was watching as he turns his attention back there.
"Mum, do you mind if we change her on the wood floor in the dining room so we don't get anything on the carpet?"Bowie asks, looking behind his shoulder as he follows behind Morgan who's holding Harley out in front of her to try and prevent the mess from spreading.
"Of course, of course, whatever would be easiest for you guys,"Camryn quickly agrees with a nod as she watches Morgan kneel down on the wood floor of the dining room as Bowie spreads out the diaper mat on the floor.
"Here, will you get her zipper, I'll hold her up,"Morgan instructs as she continues to hold Harley up in the air, her hands under Harley's little armpits as her tiny body dangles in the air while Bowie unzips her pajamas and slides them off of her.
"Oh princess, that's so yucky,"Bowie groans with a little chuckle as he looks at her tiny wrinkled legs that are covered in yellow and brown diarrhea as well as her back. "I'll wipe down her back and legs, keep her up in the air."
Morgan follows Bowie's instruction and continues to hold their little girl up in the air while Bowie uses seven wipes to try and clean all of the gunk off of Harley's smeared back as well as her little legs.
"Alright, I think we can tackle the diaper now,"Bowie hums with a disgusted look on his face as he discards of the wipes with the trashcan Camryn smartly brought over to sit next to the couple. He unstraps the diaper and uses the very tips of his fingers to fold it up to make sure none of the poop gets on his hands before dropping it into the plastic bag Camryn also brought over from experience of just how messy blow outs can be.
"Look at that little bum,"Darcy laughs, looking over at her niece who is still dangling in the air, her little body completely naked and showing off her little bum cheeks. "How can someone be that tiny? I miss having a tiny baby like that!"
"You got a cute bum, huh?"Morgan coos lovingly, leaning in to press a kiss to Harley's cheek before laying her down on the diaper changing mat now that Bowie has successfully wiped all of the poop off of her back and her legs. "A very stinky bum, but a cute one."
"Go change your clothes, baby,"Camryn chuckles, looking at Harry who's now standing up from the recliner and looking down at his soiled pants in disbelief with his hands held out in front of him as well since his fingers are coated in poop. "I've seen you like this once or twice before, huh?"
"Just once or twice,"Harry teases back at Camryn with a little wink and a smirk as he inspects his poopy hands.
"Papa, you've got so many yuckies,"Via exclaims in utter disgust as she holds her own hands up to show what she's talking about as she watches Harry look over his fingers.
"I know I do, do you want hugs,"Harry teases, holding his arms out towards Via and making grabby hands at her as she squeals and shakes her head, hiding her face in Darcy's chest and cuddling closer against her mum to try and escape Harry's jokes.
"Don't worry, papa won't get you, he's just teasing,"Darcy promises with a little giggle, pressing a kiss to the top of her daughter's red hair as she tightens her arms around Via's middle.
"Oh what's wrong? Do you hate getting your bum changed? I know, I know sweetie,"Bowie sympathizes, Harley's little wails pulling at his dad heart strings just like they always do. She's a daddy's girl through and through and he's a Harley's boy through and through. She's got him wrapped around her little finger in a way no one has successfully done with Bowie before.
"Oh are you holding dada's hand? Does that make diaper changes so much less stressful? Yeah?"Morgan hums with a little grin as she continues to wipe at Harley's bum, stealing little glances at Harley's tiny fingers that are wrapped around Bowie's pointer finger as he leans over her upper body, resting his free hand on top of her hair and combing his fingers through it to try and soothe her. "You've got the best daddy. He loves you even when you have a stinky bum."
"I do love your stinky stinky bum,"Bowie chuckles, pressing a soft kiss down to Harley's forehead as she continues to whimper out pitifully. "Even your stinky bum is cute."
*
"Alright Pen, this one is for you from Nana and I,"Harry announces as he sits beside the tree, grabbing one of the presents for Penny and pushing it away from the tree to allow her to open it as she squeals and jumps up from her spot on the floor where she was sitting next to Via and Hugh who are both eagerly awaiting their presents as well. "It's pretty heavy so maybe just open it right here"
"What do you think it is, Nellie?"Bowie grins, watching from his spot on the floor while all of the rest of the family sits on the floor as well gathered around the tree as his little niece stands up next to the present that's practically half her side, patting it with her palm before beginning to delicately tear away the wrapping paper.
"I dunno,"Penny honestly replies as she continues to meticulously rip at the paper, her eyebrows furrowing as she catches sight of the box in front of her.
"Oh my gosh, baby do you know what it is?"Darcy gasps in amazement as she catches sight of what the present is as well, sitting next to Hugh who's beginning to climb on her lap, getting a bit bored of the present opening since he hasn't received his yet.
"No,"Penny honestly replies with her hazel eyebrows still furrowed as she glances over at her nana and papa to try and gain a bit of explanation.
"It's a recording set so you can record your songs you play on the cello,"Harry explains, tapping the box and trying to point out all of the little features to Penny. "Nana and I think you play the cello so beautifully and we want you to be able to record what you play."
"Oh!"Penny squeals in pure excitement now that she understands what the present is, jumping up from her position on the floor where she was sitting with her legs in a pretzel. "Now I can make music like you, papa!"
"That's right! Now we can play music together, do you think that would be fun?"Harry chuckles, holding his arms out for Penny whose face is completely lit up with glee.
"Yeah that would be so fun!"Penny confirms as she bolts towards her papa, colliding into his arms and squeezing him tightly. "Thank you, papa."
"You're welcome, sweet girl,"Harry replies with a little grin, pressing a kiss to the top of Penny's head before letting go of her so she can run over to Camryn and hug her as well.
"Thank you, nana,"Penny sweetly says as she squeezes her nana tightly, feeling Camryn press a few kisses to the top of her head.
"You're welcome, sweetheart, I can't wait to hear all of the pretty songs you record,"Camryn gushes as Penny pulls away just enough to let Camryn press a kiss to her cheek.
"Should we give Hughy his present next,"Harry hums, leaning over and grabbing the present for Hugh before handing it towards Nora and Lennon as Nora makes grabby hands towards Hugh to motion for him to walk over to her.
"Hughy, c'mere, nana and papa got you a present, c'mere,"Nora persuades, smiling widely at her little boy who's crawling all over his Aunt Darcy as he stands up from her lap and begins to toddle over to his parents with the biggest grin, his two bottom teeth sticking out with his hazel curls messily laying on top of his head.
"Sessent,"Hugh lisps with a big smile as he taps his finger against the present on the floor in front of his parents.
"Present, that's right! Nana and Papa got you a present, do you want to open it?"Lennon asks, ripping the corner of the present open to give Hugh a little help with beginning to open the present. "Open the present and see what you got, buddy!"
It takes Hugh a few seconds of carefully tearing at the present with Lennon's help before he truly understands what to do, but once he does understand he begins to tearing at the paper more fervently, rapidly uncovering his toy.
"Oh my goodness! Hugh look at what it is!"Nora gasps in mock surprise, pretending like she didn't know what the present was even though she was the one who told Camryn that that's what he would want since he points at it every time they go to the store and whimpers whenever Nora walks away from it in the aisle.
"Phantphant!"Hugh happily claps, his little palms tapping together in glee as he squeals and begins to bounce up and down in his little pajamas that he's matching with his three cousins in.
"The elephant toy! You're right! It's the one that shoots balls out of its trunk!"Nora confirms with the biggest smile, watching as Hugh's green eyes light up in complete joy as he looks at the box in front of him. "You're such a lucky boy! You've been wanting that for so long!"
"What do you tell nana and papa, mate? Can you tell them 'thank you'?"Lennon persuades Hugh, motioning his head towards his parents as Hugh turns around and toddles over to his nana and papa, falling into Camryn's arms for a quick hug as Harry wraps his arms around both of them to get a quick hug in too since they both know Hugh is far more interested in checking out his new toy than in cuddling with his grandparents.
"Okay, now for Miss Via,"Harry hums, holding a box out towards his little granddaughter who was sitting in Josh's lap on the floor. She rushes towards Harry and begins to tear at the wrapping paper around the box, her tiny facial features lighting up as she gets closer and closer to discovering what's under all of the wrapping paper.
"OH MY GOSH!"Via exclaims in utter joy as she uncovers what's in the box, looking at the life size Rapunzel doll staring back at her that's practically her height since she's so tiny.
"Oh wow, Via! Look at that!"Josh chuckles, widening his eyes at the little toy in front of his daughter as she squeals and hugs the box tightly to her chest. "It's a doll that's your size!"
"Mummy, it's 'Punzel! Look at her hair!"Via excitedly squeals as she points at the box in front of her that's almost her height, seeing through the plastic that the doll's hair reaches all the way to the floor.
"Look at her! She's so beautiful, isn't she, Vi? That's so awesome!"Darcy giggles, nodding her head at Via's excitement with her own smile across her face. "What do you say to nana and papa?"
"THANK YOU!"Via excitedly squeals, bolting towards Harry and Camryn and jumping into Harry's arms as he catches her with a chuckle and squeezes her tightly.
"You're welcome, sweet girl! I'm glad you like it!"Harry laughs, pressing a little kiss to Via's temple as Camryn leans in to steal a little kiss from Via's lips before whispering a little "I love you".
"Alright, now for our little Harley,"Camryn hums, reaching for a much tinnier present and handing it to Morgan who is sitting right next to Bowie who has Harley sitting in his lap, her little back and head resting against his stomach as he keeps a tight grip on her. She's been quite entertained by all of the commotion and noise and seems to forget that she'd normally be crying right now, and Bowie and Morgan are very grateful for that.
"Let's see what you got Shay,"Bowie coos excitedly as he squeezes Harley's little chest gently with his hands while Morgan begins to tear at the wrapping paper.
"Oh my goodness,"Morgan hums with a big smile, holding up the little box of baby toys for Harley including a little rattle, some blocks, and a few teething toys shaped like animals for when she eventually needs to chew on them. "Harls, look what nana and papa got you! That got you a giraffe!"
Morgan takes the little teething giraffe out of the box and guides it towards Harley, holding it right in front of her face so that Harley can inspect what's in front of her, her little arms reaching out towards the present, but her gross motor skills are not quite refined enough to grab onto it.
"Oh my goodness, is that a new friend?"Bowie coos, pressing a little kiss to Harley's temple. "Did nana and papa get you such cool toys? What do you say to them."
"Say 'thank you nana and papa',"Morgan coos in a little mock baby voice as Bowie takes a hold of Harley's tiny hand and waves it in Harry and Camryn's direction.
"You're welcome, cute girl, we love you,"Camryn responds with the sweetest motherly smile as she waves back at her little granddaughter.
*
"Penny babe, what's wrong?"Josh asks, leaning forward from his seat on the couch as he holds out his hands towards his little girl, watching as she pouts miserably a few feet away from where her, Via, and Hugh were playing with their new toys.
"My tummy hurts,"Penny pouts miserably as she walks closer to Josh who pouts sympathetically, pulling her onto his lap as Darcy continues to trace circles on his back, sitting right next to him.
"Your tummy hurts? Did you eat too many cookies?"Josh asks sympathetically, hugging Penny tightly to his chest as he rubs his hand up and down her back while she cuddles her cheek into his chest, trying to take advantage of all of the daddy cuddles she can get. "You and nana made so many cookies, huh?"
"Did you eat so many,"Darcy grins, leaning down slightly to nuzzle her nose against her baby girl's as Penny's cheek smushes tighter against Josh's chest. "I love you."
"They're wiped out,"Emryn laughs, walking into the living room with a mug of hot chocolate from the large pot that Auggie and her made for the entire family, catching sight of Bowie and Morgan who have both spread out on the floor, completely passed out now that Harley is finally asleep in Camryn's arms.
"They deserve it the poor things,"Nora sympathizes as she helps Hugh take another bite of the sugar cookie he's leaning towards while sitting on her lap on the couch.
"Thank you for letting your mummy and daddy get some sleep, lovey, they needed it,"Camryn whispers, leaning down to press a kiss to the tip of Harley's nose who's peacefully snoozing in Camryn's cradled arms. "You're just too precious."
*
"Alright, Pen you're in charge of holding baby Harley, okay,"Camryn whispers, kneeling down carefully in front of Penny who's sitting in front of the Christmas tree in her matching cousin pajamas as she holds her little hands out for her baby cousin. "Be really still so we keep her asleep, okay?"
"Trust me, Pen, you'll want her to be asleep while she's with you, she's a terror if she's not,"Bowie teases, watching his mum carefully pass his baby girl off to Penny as she expertly cradles her in her little arms. "Oh she loves you, Pen."
"Yeah, you're a great big cousin aren't you?"Camryn gushes, patting her hand against the carpet next to Penny. "Hughy, can you come and sit next to Penny? You get to sit in between Penny and Via!"
"Buddy, sit where nana's telling you,"Nora persuades, watching as Lennon tears a very unwilling Hugh away from his new elephant toy which does not make him too happy.
"Oh I know, I know you just want to play, we just gotta take a quick picture and then we'll be able to play again, okay? I promise,"Lennon grins, pressing a kiss to Hugh's chubby cheek as he whimpers pitifully while Lennon plops him down next to Penny.
"Alright Vi, sit down right next to Hugh,"Emryn instructs, standing with her professional camera a few feet away from the kids, setting it up to try and get the perfect picture. "Can you put your arm around Hugh, Vi...perfect just like that!...Hughy, smile, look at me! Pen, you too, I know Harls is so cute, but look up at me...yay all of your eyes are on me, big smiles! Hughy big smile! Perfect!"
"I feel like it was just yesterday that we were trying to get all of them to smile for a picture under the tree,"Harry reminisces with his arm around Camryn's shoulders as she nods in agreement and looks at all of her kids gathered around in the living room. "How are we grandparents?"
Camryn giggles in agreement and reaches her hand up to interlock with Harry's that's wrapped around her shoulder, giving his fingers a loving squeeze. "I dunno, but I love it."
~~~~~~
HELLO MY DARLINGS!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! ❤️💚
I hope this was a nice little present from me to all of you ;) <3
I hope you've all had a great day for those of you who celebrate!!! And for those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah!!!!!
I'm so happy to be back and posting on this book!!! I still can't give a for sure posting schedule because I'm going to be starting a new semester with a completely different class schedule, but hopefully I'll be more settled this semester and able to have more time to write!!!
I've missed you all so much!!! I'm SO grateful to have you all in my life and your messages and support mean the world to me!!! it's crazy to me that you are all still so invested and kind about these stories even though I'm not able to post as much!! Your support and this little family we've created mean the absolute world to me!!!
AND WE HIT 600K ON THIS BOOK?!?!?! EXCUSE ME WHAT??? HOW!?!?! you are all so freakin amazing and I can't thank you enough for the support you've shown me and my books!!! You're so amazing and I'm so grateful for all of you for reading, commenting and making these characters your own!!!
This book is bigger than I ever meant for it to be, and I'm so grateful for that.
You are all the best people, and I'll always think that ❤️💚
NEXT CHAPTER ON THE TIMELINE: A Bindi and Acacia chapter in their book!!!! Get ready guys...get ready 👀 (it's a good thing, don't worry...a very good thing that you've all been wanting and asking for ;))
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH MORE THAN I COULD POSSIBLY EXPLAIN
MWAH
-Mel💛
~~~~~~~
For more of the Styles kids in their future lives (including Styles grandkids), check out their spin off books! There's a chapter in this book titled "Masterlist (how to read the kid's novellas) that will give you a list of the order you should read the chapters in!
If you guys have any requests for chapters you'd like to see PLEASE message me! I'd love to write whatever you guys want!
Also, I have a lot of requests right now from people so I'm sorry if I don't get to yours right away, I promise I haven't forgotten about you! I will get to all of them! 💕