Harry: 22
Camryn: 21
Camryn's bump:
Darcy: 4
Lennon: 2 1/2
August: 19 months
5 months Prior
"Harry, can I talk to you about something?"Camryn whispers into the darkness of their bedroom.
"Hmmm?"Harry groggily hums wrapping his arm tighter around Camryn's middle and snuggling her growing bump tighter to his stomach.
"Can I talk to you about something?"Camryn repeats gently kissing Harry's forehead.
"What time is it?"Harry asks, his voice low and raspy.
"3 in the morning,"Camryn mumbles into his curly brown hair.
"Baby, you need to sleep,"Harry murmurs, "why are you awake?"
"I want to have a home birth,"Camryn blurts out causing Harry's eyes to snap open and look at her.
"Huh? Babe, what?"Harry asks confused looking up sleep.
"Oh no, do you not think it's a good idea?"Camryn frets, hormonal tears beginning to well up behind her eyes.
"What? No, baby,"Harry rushes to bring his hands to cradle her face, "I don't think it's a bad idea, I was just groggy and confused."
Camryn's lips begin to tremble as her tears fall onto Harry's hands.
"Hey, hey, baby come here,"Harry coos sitting up in the bed with his back against the headboard and pulling Camryn's body to lay on top of his, "I'm sorry, lovey. I wasn't trying to be mean. I was just groggy."
"It's okay, I'm sorry it's just hormones,"Camryn cries into Harry's chest, burying her face, "I've been really emotional all day."
"It's okay, baby. Don't apologize,"Harry smirks pressing his cheek into her hair, "talk to me, love. You want to have a home birth?"
"Yeah,"Camryn sniffles, "I've just been thinking too much tonight. I've been thinking about all of my labors. I don't know."
"Okay,"Harry whispers grinning, "tell me all of your late night thoughts."
"Okay, well I haven't been able to sleep and I was just thinking back to all the labors I've had and I think it would be best to have a home birth with this one,"Camryn explains wiping her tears with her fingers. "Lennon's birth was great, I just really don't like being in the hospital. I loved Darcy's birth because of it being at home. There was just a lot of comfort of being in my own house. Like even with Auggie, even though that was like kinda traumatic, I still liked being in our house,"Camryn drags her finger up and down Harry's bare chest, tracing the butterfly tattoo on his chest.
"Alright hun, I'm fine with whatever you want,"Harry kisses the side of Camryn's mouth, "I'm just here to help, but I want you to do whatever you feel most comfortable with."
"I really think it's a good idea,"Camryn looks up at Harry, her blue eyes meeting his green ones.
"Alright babe, let's do it. We'll call Jay tomorrow and talk to her about it,"Harry gives an encouraging smile down at Camryn.
Camryn nods her head and puckers her lips up to Harry, "I love you, baby. Thank you for supporting me."
"Always,"Harry murmurs nuzzling his nose to Camryn's forehead, "I love you more."
February 6- Day one of Labor
10:00 AM 2 Centimeters Dilated
Lennon crawls around on the playroom floor pushing around a toy car, "zoommm! Zoom!"
Camryn chuckles lightly with a hand rested lazily on top of her protruding stomach as she leans against the wall, sitting on the floor next to Darcy. Harry crawls across the floor bringing the toy car in his hand to Lennon's. "Crash!" Harry exclaims.
"Oh no daddy!"Lennon giggles as Harry flies his car through the air eventually crashing it to the floor again with a "boom" coming out of his mouth.
Darcy cuddles closer to Camryn with a baby doll in her arms, "mummy I have a baby just like you!"
Camryn nods her head smiling at Darcy, "what's your baby's name?"
Darcy thinks for a moment puckering her lips and furrowing her eyebrows, "Bowie."
Camryn laughs causing the baby in her stomach to move a bit, "your baby is named Bowie too? Won't they get confused when we're calling after them?"
Darcy looks at Camryn considering her words for a second, "you're right. You better change your baby's name."
Harry and Camryn look at each other and burst out laughing. Harry comes up from behind Darcy and grabs onto her, causing her to squeal. "You're silly little miss."
Auggie runs over to Darcy and Harry, throwing himself on them causing Harry to fall backwards as the three of them lay giggling on the floor. Lennon decides to join in with all of them on the floor tickling each other and giggling. Camryn begins to laugh watching them flail around on the floor and then whimpers as another contraction starts.
Her hands go to each side of her stomach as she rubs up and down trying to breathe through the contraction and not make too much noise. Harry notices, leaning his head up a bit from the ground with Lennon tickling his stomach, "you okay, love?"
Camryn nods her head with his eyes closed exhaling a breath, "yeah they're not too bad yet."
Darcy notices Camryn's change in demeanor and crawls over to her putting her hands by Camryn's on Camryn's stomach.
"Is that your baby brother,"Camryn takes a deep breath as the contraction ends, "I think your baby brother is coming."
3:00 PM 2 Centimeters Dilated
"Feelin' anything,"Harry asks, his lips on Camryn's neck. She leans into his body, her back against his chest and the back of her head against his shoulder. His hands surround her bump and hold it up a bit, hoping to take some of the pressure off of her hips.
"Does exhaustion count?"Camryn jokes with a yawn escaping her mouth.
Harry chuckles, nuzzling his face into her neck as he continues to help her sway her hips, "I think that counts as something."
"Then yes,"Camryn smirks, raising a hand to put into his hair, "I am feeling something."
Darcy walks into the living room with a groggy Auggie who just woke up from his nap, following close behind her, "are you dancing?"
Harry chuckles a bit, "I guess we kinda are, lovely."
Darcy looks up at her parents quizzically, "why?"
"It helps mummy bring the baby down and it makes her tummy feel better,"Harry explains, leaning his chin on Camryn's shoulder.
"Why don't you go to the studio? I dance in the studio. Ms. Cambria can help you dance like she helps me,"Darcy innocently offers looking between Harry and Camryn.
Camryn laughs a bit and smiles at her daughter, "that's a good idea Miss Darcy Anne. Mummy and Daddy should go to your dance studio and learn how to dance. Your daddy is pretty horrendous at dancing."
"Hey now,"Harry whispers, tucking his lips in tighter to Camryn's neck and rubbing her belly.
Camryn smirks at him and turns her head down to kiss his temple.
Harry feels Camryn tense up in his arms as another pain wraps around her stomach. Her belly goes hard under his grip.
"Breathe through it baby,"Harry whispers into her ear as she rests her head back against his shoulder.
"Can you pull it up more,"Camryn requests through a clenched jaw trying to not make any noises that will scare the kids.
Harry repositions his hands under her bump and pulls it up slightly, "better?"
"Mmhm,"Camryn winces slightly, nuzzling her head into Harry's neck.
"He's coming, darling,"Harry encourages lightly.
"Daddy, can I dance with you too?"Darcy asks running up to Harry's legs.
"One second, munches,"Harry says continuing to pull up on Camryn's bump, "let me just help mummy until her tummy stops hurting and then I'll dance with you, okay?"
"Okay,"Darcy agrees, nodding her head and patiently waiting for Camryn to break away from Harry.
"Done,"Camryn exhales deeply as she turns her head away from Harry's neck, "now you owe little miss a dance."
"Come here, baby girl,"Harry smiles as he kneels down and holds out his arms for Darcy to run into. Harry picks her up and begins to slow dance with her, taking her small hand in his and twirling around a bit.
"Hey Darce, why do I always dance with you and mummy?"Harry asks as she giggles.
Darcy repeats what she has heard her father say for her whole life, "because every princess deserves to dance."
"Exactly,"Harry smirks as he kisses Darcy's cheek.
Auggie whines at Harry's leg, pulling on the cloth of his skinny jeans wanting to be picked up too.
"Come here little prince,"Camryn giggles opening up her arms, "do you want to dance too? You can dance with mummy."
Auggie toddles over to Camryn and she picks him up in her arms, setting him on top of her bump. "Little princes deserve to dance to,"Camryn coos into Auggie's ear as she carefully twirls around causing him to laugh.
Bowie jabs an elbow against Camryn's stomach causing her to gasp in pain and Auggie to look at her in confusion. "I think the little prince in mummy's tummy wants to dance too,"Camryn giggles, nuzzling her nose against Auggie's.
6:00 PM 3 Centimeters
"Oh there you are, bub,"Harry smiles as he opens the door of the master bedroom to see Lennon sitting on Camryn's lap giving her snuggles. He's been looking all over the house for Lennon for the past 10 minutes, "I've been looking for you, mate."
Harry walks over to Camryn who gives him a tired smile as she combs her fingers through Lennon's curls as his head rests on her shoulder. They gently sway side to side as Camryn hums to him.
"Sorry, baby,"Harry says reaching for Lennon, "he got away from me while I was making their dinner."
"It's okay,"Camryn assures Harry, "he's being such a good boy, huh bud? You're making me feel better."
Lennon nods his head against Camryn's shoulder and sticks his thumb in his mouth as he looks up at Harry.
"He's been giving me kisses and snuggles and being the sweetest little thing ever,"Camryn explains to Harry.
Harry smiles at the pair and sits down on the edge of the bed, "someone knows his mummy is hurting, huh?"
Camryn nods her head and kisses Lennon's curls, "I think so."
"Bubby, can you give mummy more kisses?"Harry asks Lennon. Lennon picks his head up from Camryn's shoulder and gives her a few quick pecks on the lips before hugging his arms around her neck tighter and snuggling his body closer to hers.
"He's not going to like when he has to leave you,"Harry whispers running a hand up and down Lennon's back, "always has been the biggest mumma's boy I know."
"I love it,"Camryn hums as she closes her eyes and buries her nose into Lennon's curls, breathing in his comforting scent.
"Can you give baby kisses?"Camryn asks Lennon. Lennon smiles as he leans his head down to peck at Camryn's stomach.
"You're so nice, buddy,"Harry coos gently tickling Lennon's sides making him giggle and squirm in Camryn's lap.
9:00 PM 3 Centimeters
"Did you get her down?"Camryn asks from the couch as Harry walks down the stairs.
Harry shakes his head, sighing and rubbing his tired eyes, "she refused to go down. She said she wanted to stay up with you, but I told her it was too late. She's in her bed crying."
"Go get her,"Camryn replies rubbing her hands up and down her stomach.
"What?"Harry asks furrowing his brows together, "baby, it's way past her bedtime."
"Go get her,"Camryn repeats, "please. I need my baby girl."
Harry looks at Camryn and realizes he's not going to win this battle. He sighs and nods as he begins to walk up the stairs again. A minute later he returns to the living room holding a tired Darcy in his arms who's laying her head on his shoulder and sniffling slightly, the remnant of tears on her cheeks.
"Hi, my baby girl,"Camryn smiles reaching her hands out for her.
"Hi mummy,"Darcy responds, "I get to stay up past my bedtime?"
"You do baby,"Camryn whispers as Harry lays Darcy on Camryn's chest. Her little bum sits on Camryn's lap and her tiny stomach rests against Camryn's protruding one. Her arms go around Camryn's neck as Camryn's arms go around her back and begin to rub up and down. Darcy lays her ear on Camryn's chest, comforted by the sound of her mummy's heartbeat. "I need some cuddles from my Darcy. They make me feel all better."
Camryn rocks side to side with Darcy, nuzzling her nose into Darcy's curls and instantly comforted by the familiar smell. Harry sits down next to them, putting his arm around Camryn and his cheek on top of her head as she continues to rock side to side with Darcy.
"I love you, mummy,"Darcy whispers, peaking up at Camryn but keeping her cheek on Camryn's bare chest exposed by her tank top.
"I love you more, Darcy loo,"Camryn says kissing Darcy's forehead repeatedly, "forever and ever. You know you're the most special little girl ever, right?"
"Why?"Darcy quietly inquiries.
Camryn looks up at Harry and smiles, "because you made me a mummy. You'll always have that special place in my heart."
"Always?"Darcy asks sleepily.
"Always and then some,"Camryn says pecking Darcy's lips.
Darcy yawns a bit and smacks her lips tiredly looking between her mum and dad, "Daddy, will you sing?"
"Of course,"Harry nods and then thinks about what song to start with. He smirks to himself as he starts to hum My Girl quietly.
Camryn gasps quietly and looks up at him, tears brimming her eyes. He use to sing this every night when Darcy was a newborn and Camryn was breastfeeding her. It got them through lots of long nights of tears and no sleep and begging a newborn to close her eyes. Nights of anxiety about new teeth that were breaking their baby girl's gums, and sometimes just nights of them sitting admiring their baby girl in the darkness of their bedroom. And of course, she can't forget that it was the first song Harry sang to Darcy after she was born, their first moment as just the three of them after Jay and the boys had left. Just two little 17 year olds laying in a bed with a 5 pound curly headed blue eyed baby who depended on them. The most exhilarating and terrifying moment of their life clothed with Harry's voice singing lightly.
"Do you remember this song, Darce?"Camryn whispers, tucking her lips into Darcy's hair.
"A little,"Darcy murmurs, her eyes beginning to close as she raises a hand to place over Camryn's heart.
Harry looks at his two girl lovingly and makes a mental note to sing this to them more. Over the years, life got in the way and two (soon to be three) little boys entered their lives, and he eventually stopped singing it to them every night.
Harry is shook out of his thoughts by a sharp inhale from Camryn. Her face is pinched up in a grimace, her head lolling side to side on her neck as she tries to breathe deeply through the contraction. Her hand rhythmically runs up and down Darcy's back as Darcy, seemingly unfazed, continues to drift off to sleep.
Harry presses his lips to Camryn's temple and then lowers his mouth to her lips, "good job, baby. It's almost done, I promise."
11 PM 3 Centimeters
"Do you think you can get some sleep, baby,"Harry asks, his body spooning Camryn's on their bed while his hand runs up and down her back, across her shoulders, and down her arms, really anywhere he can reach. She decided an hour ago that she was going to try and get some sleep, but with the contractions coming every 5 minutes, she hasn't been very successful.
"I don't know,"Camryn mumbles shrugging her shoulders slightly, "I don't think so. They're too close together to really be able to fall asleep."
Harry sighs with a nod flipping over to his back and staring at the ceiling as Camryn hauls her big stomach to do the same, reaching for his hand.
"What would help make the time go by faster?"Harry asks turning his head slightly to look at Camryn.
"Maybe a bath?"Camryn suggests.
Harry nods and pops up into a seated position on the bed, beginning to climb off it, "I'll go run you one."
"Will you come in with me?"Camryn asks beginning to take off the black sports bra she was wearing and throwing it on the ground.
Harry's eyes wander to her chest, blushing, and then looks back at her face to see her smirking. He gives a fake exhausted sigh and jokingly rolls his eyes, "only if you insist."
Camryn giggles and begins to tear off her sweatpants as Harry walks into the bathroom and turns on the water. Camryn walks into the bathroom to see Harry stripping. Once the water is ready and steaming hot, just how Camryn likes it, Harry takes her hands and gently helps her step in. She sighs in ecstasy as the warm water immediately soothes her aching muscles.
"Good?"Harry asks slipping in behind her and hissing at how hot the water is.
"So so good,"Camryn replies with a smile, her eyes still closed as she runs a hand over her bump.
Harry grins as he takes her body and positions it on top of his, angled ever so slightly so that she's laying on the side of her belly, her cheek just below his neck. He presses gentle kisses on the top of her head as he cups water in his hands and pours it down Camryn's back.
"That feels so good, baby,"Camryn murmurs against his chest, "keep doing it, please."
Harry smirks, glad that he can be of some help to ease her pain, "I love you so much, love bug. I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, baby,"Camryn mumbles, "you're the best husband, did you know that?"
"Oh am I?"Harry chuckles, his lips against her head, "thank you, baby."
"Are you excited,"Camryn asks, her cheek still smushed against Harry's bare chest with her hands on his hips, their legs intertwined.
"I am,"Harry whispers, kneading the skin of her shoulders, "so excited. I can't believe we're gonna have 4 kids. Who would've thought?"
"We always wanted 2,"Camryn replies, resting her chin on Harry's chest and looking up at him, "when we were little."
Harry presses a kiss to the tip of Camryn's nose, "we did, but how can you stop when they're just so cute?"
Camryn giggles and then sucks in a breath as her body tightens with a contraction, "oh, the water helps so much."
Harry grins and presses a long kiss to her forehead as she breathes through her contraction.
"It's crazy,"Harry whispers as Camryn's breath slows at the end of the contraction, "I can feel your belly contract against mine."
Camryn laughs, "really? That's so weird." She hisses in a breath as the baby does what feels like a summersault in her stomach, "give me you're hand." Harry places his hand in Camryn's and she places it on top of her belly just in time for Harry to feel the baby kick against it.
"That never stops being amazing,"Harry kisses Camryn, "four babies later and it doesn't loose it's magic."
"You know what does lose the magic?"Camryn replies.
"What?"Harry asks kissing the corner of her lips.
"Labor,"Camryn jokes.
"Did it ever have any magic?"Harry jokingly questions, "I don't think 17 year old Camryn in her 20th hour of labor with Darcy would say it had magic."
"Touché,"Camryn winks.
February 7- Day Two of Labor
1:40 AM 4 Centmeters
"Mmmm,"Camryn winces, repositioning herself onto her hands and knees, shoving her face into her pillow. The contractions have consistently been getting worse for the past hour. She's trying to be as quiet as possible, to not wake up Harry. He hasn't gotten much sleep in the past couple of weeks between concerts, the kids waking up, and Camryn tossing and turning. One of them deserves to get rest, Camryn reasons, and it sure isn't looking like it's gonna be her.
Camryn shoves her face into the pillow tighter, cringing as a loud whimper escapes her mouth, praying that it didn't wake Harry.
Her prayer goes unanswered, however because Harry stirs in his sleep humming in concern, "baby?"
"Love, go back to sleep. I'm okay, please go back to bed,"Camryn whispers reaching a hand over to rub back a long curly lock of brown hair that had fallen over his forehead during his sleep.
"Are you okay?"Harry mumbles keeping his eyes closed, exhaustion preventing them from opening.
"Yeah bubba, I'm okay,"Camryn smirks rubbing his cheek, "go back to sleep, please baby." Camryn is using the same persuasive tactics to get Harry to fall asleep that she uses on their children.
Harry groans quietly as he tries to open his eyes. When he's finally successful in doing so he looks at Camryn in confusion seeing the position she's in. "Why are you on your hands and knees? Are you hurting?"
"No, baby,"Camryn smiles at Harry's concerned tone, "I'm not hurting. I'm okay." It's a complete lie, and selfishly she's hoping that Harry will notice that and stay awake to help her. Even having him half awake right now gives her so much comfort.
"Okay,"Harry hums shoving his cheek further into his pillow as he falls asleep again almost instantly.
Camryn grins shaking her head as she lets her forehead fall tiredly against the pillow again.
3:15 AM 4 Centimeters
"Harry,"Camryn whimpers as a particularly painful contraction grips her stomach, "baby, Harry."
"Huh?"Harry groggily asks looking up at Camryn as soon as he registers the pain in her voice.
"Baby, can you help me,"Camryn begs rocking back and forth on her hands and knees as the contraction surges on, "Harry, I'm hurting." She continues to shove her face into the pillow letting high pitched whimpers escape her mouth freely now that Harry's awake. Harry snaps out of his sleepy daze at the sound of Camryn's pained noises.
"Oh, love,"Harry coos with concern rushing to kneel next to her placing a hand on her back, "are they getting worse?"
Camryn nods, her face scrunched up in pain, with a high pitched, "ow" leaving her mouth.
"Baby, why didn't you wake me up sooner?"Harry frowns continuing to rubs Camryn's back.
Camryn lifts her head slightly from the pillow, "I wanted you to get some sleep. You've been so tired."
"Darling no,"Harry lowly whispers, sleep still sticking to his voice, "I want to help you."
Camryn looks at Harry as the contraction finishes and exhales heavily.
"Do you think it's time?"Harry asks, his hand continuing to work its way up and down her back.
"I hope so, I don't know. They're still 8 minutes apart though, so it's no use calling Jay yet."
Harry nods his head and opens up his arms, "come here, baby. You look overwhelmed."
Camryn straightens up to hug Harry, both of them still on their knees, "I'm sorry I woke you, I just couldn't go through them alone anymore."
Harry makes shushing noises as he feels Camryn's shoulders begin to shake with tears, "Cami, stop apologizing. I'm glad you woke me up. I'm not tired, I promise."
Camryn nods her head with her face shoved into Harry's chest, wetting it with overwhelmed, exhausted, and fearful tears.
7:25 AM 4 Centimeters
Harry walks into the bedroom with August attached to his hip, who has just woken up. He finds Camryn laying down on the bed on her side, silently crying with her face in her hands.
"Cami,"Harry coos walking over to her and kneeling down by her side of the bed with August's cheek resting on his shoulder, curiously looking at his mum.
"M-M-M-M-Mumma,"Auggie mumbles reaching out for Camryn.
"Hi baby boy,"Camryn sniffles reaching her arms out for Harry to lay August next to her on the bed, "did you sleep good?"
August nods his head, curling his body into Camryn's and resting his hand on her chest, feeling it rise and fall shakily as she tries to calm down.
"Have they gotten worse?"Harry inquires taking in the scene in front of him.
Camryn shakes her head, her sobs starting again as she looks up at him miserably, "they've gotten better. I haven't had one in 15 minutes."
Harry's heart drops as he looks at the frustration set in all of Camryn's features, he really thought this was the real deal. She had been having consistent contractions coming in 8 minute intervals for almost 6 hours.
"Honey, it's okay, they'll start up again,"Harry promises brushing Camryn's hair back from her forehead.
Camryn meets Harry's gaze as she rests her chin on Auggie's blonde wavy hair, "he's never gonna come, Harry."
"Oh sweetheart, he will, I promise. He has to come,"Harry lowly whispers before his lips meet hers quickly.
The eerie silence of the room is met by the sound of little footsteps causing Harry and Camryn to look towards the door.
"Hi mummy, hi daddy,"Darcy greets walking through the door, clutching her teddy.
"Hi, baby girl,"Harry and Camryn greet in unison.
Darcy runs into Harry's open arms and plants a kiss on his puckered lips, "good morning, sweet pea. Did you sleep good?"
"Yes,"Darcy mumbles latching her arms around his neck.
"Can you give mummy kisses,"Harry whispers into Darcy's ear.
Darcy pulls away from Harry and nods knowingly. She walks over to Camryn and kisses her cheek, "Are you okay mummy?"
"I am baby, thank you,"Camryn sniffles looking up at Darcy, "mummy's just tired, but I'm okay. Thank you for the kisses, they always make me feel better." Darcy smiles as she decides to give Camryn another kiss on her lips and then rest her cheek on Camryn's forehead.
1:25 PM 4 Centimeters
"Harry, I don't know what to do,"Camryn pouts with her lips wavering, overwhelmed and tired tears threatening to fall.
Harry sighs, taking Camryn, who's kneeling on the bed into his arms and squeezing her tight, pressing kisses to the top of her head, "baby, I know. I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do either. I don't know what will help."
"I just need him to come,"Camryn cries, "he's not coming and I'm just so tired. I can't do this!"
"Buggy, you can do this,"Harry assures her running a hand down her trembling back, "do you want to go to the hospital and get an epidural? You've been at this for 2 days, love. You're so tired, maybe we should go in."
"No,"Camryn stubbornly sobs, "I don't want to go to the hospital. I want him to be born right here!" She breaks her head away from Harry's chest so she can look up at him and sob out, "I want to be able to be in our own bed and be with you and I want to just be at home, Harry."
Camryn falls into his chest sobbing again in desperation. It's not so much that she's in pain, it's just that she's so tired and has been in labor for 2 days now and the end is nowhere in sight. It's the most discouraging thing she's ever gone through and she's never felt more overwhelmed.
Harry gently shushes her, rocking their bodies side to side as Camryn continues to sob. He knows how to fix pretty much everything about Camryn's emotions. He knows when she's anxious and how to calm her panic attacks. He knows where she likes to be kissed and how she likes to be held when she's sad. He knows that both of their love languages are touch, so he doesn't let more than 2 minutes go by where he's not touching her in some way. But this, this he doesn't know how to fix. Because no matter how badly he wants to force the baby to come so Camryn can be done with labor, he can't do that.
"Okay, baby. It's completely your choice,"Harry whispers and then quiets down when Camryn begins to speak again.
"Wh-what if I'm not strong enough. I don't think I am. I don't think I can do this. Harry, what if I'm not strong enough?" Camryn sobs as she looks at Harry, her whole body trembling from sobs and exhaustion.
"Camryn, stop that,"Harry whispers cupping her cheeks in his hands, "you are the strongest person I know. Cam, I would've already died at this point." Harry smirks at her and gets a slight sobbed giggle out of Camryn that makes his heart soar. "You are absolutely strong enough to do this. Your body was made to do this. You got this, okay?"
Camryn sniffles with a slight smile and a nod.
"What about I call my mum and have her come and pick up the kids so that we can be alone. Then I can focus my whole attention on you and not have to keep checking on the kids,"Harry offers quietly.
"Yeah,"Camryn nods, "that's a good idea."
1:45 PM 4 Centimeters
"Hey honey, how's everything going, hmmm?"Anne's cheery voice chimes through the phone.
"Hey mum, can you come and get the kids,"Harry rasps through the phone, his voice is tight as he tries to hold back tears.
"Of course, love. Are you okay? How is Camryn doing?"Anne asks putting on her shoes and rushing out of her house.
"Not good, mum. I don't know what to do,"Harry finally allows himself to stop holding back the tears.
"Oh baby, talk to me,"Anne frowns with concern turning on her car.
"I just, I don't know what to do,"Harry cries, "she's so tired mum. Like exhausted and she's convinced the baby is never coming. She's having contractions, but they're not progressing they're just staying the same. She had really bad contractions all last night and then they just stopped being as intense and haven't picked up again. She just had a breakdown and I just don't know what to do."
"Oh honey, I'm sure you are doing everything you can. All you can do is hold her hand and tell her that she's doing amazing. She doesn't need you to take the pain away from her, just be there with her,"Anne encourages.
"Yeah, it would all be okay if she wasn't so tired, but she literally can't keep her eyes open and I just don't know how she's going to go through the rest of labor like this,"Harry's voice hitches as he begins to cry more, extremely overwhelmed.
"Baby, don't worry about the rest of labor, just worry about right now. Maybe try to get her to sleep between contractions or at least lay down and rest,"Anne suggests.
"Okay, I'll try,"Harry nods sniffling, trying to gain control of himself, "thanks mum. For everything."
"Of course, love,"Anne smiles through the phone, "I'll be at your place in about 15 minutes."
Harry hangs up the phone and folds his arms on the kitchen counter, resting his forehead on his arms and allowing a few overwhelmed sobs to escape his mouth.
"Daddy?"Lennon's quiet voice asks. Harry jumps, startled. His sobs were too loud for him to hear Lennon quietly approach him. He looks down at Lennon and quickly tries to wipe away all of his tears and sniffles, "hey buddy. I thought you guys were watching a movie in the movie room?"
"Cry daddy?"Lennon asks completely disregarding Harry's question.
"Daddy's just tired, bud,"Harry grins lightly, "I'm okay. Don't worry." He reaches down to pick up Lennon and places him on the counter.
"You nap?"Lennon suggests looking at Harry with the most innocent green eyes.
Harry breaks into a smile chuckling softly, "I wish I could, buddy. I think that would make a lot of things better. I think mumma could use a nap too."
Lennon nods looking at Harry. Their matching green eyes find each other as Harry runs a hand through Lennon's curls, "you're a good boy, did you know that, Lennie?"
Lennon giggles proudly. Harry reaches into the cabinet and takes out a Heresy's Kiss and unwraps it.
"Here bubs,"he says dropping the chocolate into Lennon's mouth, "can you go back to watching the movie? I'm going to go check on mumma."
"Okay,"Lennon lisps with his mouth full of chocolate.
Harry kisses Lennon's chubby cheek as he places him on the ground and watches him run all the way to the movie room.
2:15 PM 4 Centimeters
"Is mum here,"Camryn whispers. She has taken to kneeling on the floor with her palms pressed against the carpet, rocking back and forth when a contraction comes.
Harry nods, for no reason because Camryn's eyes are closed but then says, "she is, love. She's going to take the kids."
Camryn nods her head as Harry tucks a loose strand of hair behind Camryn's ear.
"Can you ask her to come up here?"Camryn mumbles, "I need mum."
Harry nods knowingly at Camryn and then kisses her forehead gently. In her exhausted state, the one thing Camryn really needs is a mother's comfort.
Harry stands up and leaves the bedroom, being brought back into the real world with Auggie's high pitched squeals and Lennon's giggles. He walks down the stairs to find all three of his kids with their grandma. Lennon and Auggie are playing with trains on the floor and pretending to get in train crashes, while Darcy lazily snuggles on her grandmother's lap, her hand playing with Anne's thin gold necklace.
"Is she doing alright?"Anne asks, her chin on top of Darcy's head.
"She's okay,"Harry nods, sitting down heavily on the couch with a sigh, "calmed down a bit. She's requesting you, though."
"Me?"Anne asks a bit surprised.
"Yeah,"Harry nods, reaching a hand over to rub Darcy's back lightly, "I think she needs a mum right now. She's getting kind of fed up with everything."
Anne nods knowingly, "okay, sure sure. I'd love to see her. I'll go right up there." She leans her head down to whisper to Darcy, "Alright sweet thing, I have to go upstairs to be with mummy for a bit, you stay with daddy alright?"
Darcy nods and climbs from Anne's lap to Harry's, her little legs straddle Harry's waist as she comes chest to chest with him.
"Hi daddy,"she murmurs smiling at him.
"Hi baby girl,"Harry smiles back kissing her nose gently, "how's my favorite little girl doing?"
"Okay,"Darcy simply states with a shrug. "You tired, daddy?" She gently uses the tip of her pointer finger to trace the blue bags under Harry's eyes that are beginning to form.
Harry chuckles, "a bit babe, a bit."
Darcy pouts seeing the tired look on Harry's face, "are you sad daddy?"
"No, no, baby,"Harry insists shaking his head, "I'm not sad. I'm just tired. Not sad."
"Do you need snuggles,"Darcy asks innocently.
"I'd love snuggles, sweet pea,"Harry smiles. Darcy wraps her arms tighter around Harry's neck and lays her head on his shoulder.
"I love you, daddy,"Darcy kisses Harry's cheek lightly.
"I love you more,"Harry whispers nuzzling his nose into Darcy's cheek.
***
Anne taps lightly on Harry and Camryn's bedroom door, "Camryn?"
"You can come in,"Camryn sniffles quietly.
"Hi, sweetheart,"Anne coos walking towards Camryn. She is still on her hands and knees, rocking back and forth a bit, "how are we doing, hmm?"
"Mum, I'm so tired,"Camryn whines a bit as soon as Anne kneels in front of her.
"Oh, I know baby,"Anne murmurs placing a piece of Camryn's hair behind her ear, "you've been at this a while, hmm? You're doing so good."
"I don't know if I can do this, Anne,"Camryn whimpers, leaning forward to rest her forehead on Anne's shoulder.
"Oh baby girl,"Anne comforts wrapping her arms around Camryn's middle, "you can do this. You are so strong. Your baby boy is so excited to meet you."
Camryn takes a sharp inhale as another contraction grips her. "Oh mum,"she whines rocking herself forward, pressing against Anne.
"Good darling, breathe through this one,"Anne coaches gently into Camryn's ear.
"I'm so tired,"Camryn whimpers, burrowing her face into Anne's neck.
"I know, baby girl, you're doing so good,"Anne coos over Camryn's whimpers, "I'm so proud of you."
Camryn quiets down as the contraction lessens. She pulls away from Anne, looking her in the eye and wiping some tears off.
"I want him out,"Camryn cries, getting overwhelmed again.
"He's coming, love,"Anne gently whispers combing a hand down Camryn's hair, "I promise you he's coming."
Camryn nods tearfully with a yawn, "thank you for taking the kiddos."
"I'm happy to! I love having them at my place,"Anne smiles looking into Camryn's tired eyes.
"Besides you need to focus on this baby right now,"Anne says placing her hand gently on Camryn's bump. "How big is he feeling?"
"Ummm,"Camryn hums thinking, "he's definitely bigger than Darcy was, but that's not hard. He's definitely no Lennon though,"Camryn blows out an exasperated breath making Anne giggle. "I think he'll be pretty similar to Auggie's weight. Feels about the same."
"And the contractions?"Anne asks massaging Camryn's shoulders.
"They're painful, but not to the point where I can't handle it, ya know? Every one of them just reminds me how tired I am. So really it's not so much that I'm in pain, it's just I'm so tired."
Anne nods as Camryn sighs gratefully as Anne's hands move to Camryn's lower back, "yeah Harry said that you haven't slept much in the past week."
Camryn nods, closing her eyes, "Yeah, I only got about 2 hours last night. Poor Harry, I had to end up waking him up at like 2 this morning because I just couldn't go through them alone anymore."
Anne clicks her tongue and shakes her head, "oh don't you worry about Harry, he should be the one worrying about you right now." Anne leans in to kiss Camryn's cheek, "you have his mumma's permission to wake him up anytime you need help with contractions."
Camryn smiles at Anne, "thanks for helping mum, I really needed you."
7:00 PM 5 centimeters
"Hi lovely,"Jay greets as Harry opens the door, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Hi Jay, how are you,"Harry greets closing the door behind her.
"Oh quite well,"Jay responds. She looks at Harry and it jars her for a second. His long hair is tied back into a messy bun and his eyes are drooping. His skin is pale and his eyes look not only exhausted, but anxious and a bit sad, "and how are we doing over here?"
Harry blows out a breath and bugs out his eyes looking at Jay, "we've been having quite the rough go for the past couple of hours."
"Have things really picked up?"Jay asks following Harry through the hall.
"No, not really. The contractions have gotten a bit more intense but not a lot. She's just so done and getting in her head about it,"Harry explains.
"I can imagine,"Jay says, "I really thought you guys were going to call me last night and we were going to have a baby."
"I did too,"Harry agrees as they walk into the living room and find Camryn sitting on the couch in the same position Harry left her in to go and answer the door. She's sitting up straight against the couch with her legs folded and a blanket resting over her lap. Her big belly rests above the blanket while she closes her eyes and tries to get some rest in between contractions.
"Hi, darling,"Jay greets coming to sit next to Camryn and giving her a soft hug.
"Hi, Jay. Thank you for coming,"Camryn smiles.
"Of course, lovely,"Jay grabs Camryn's hands and rests their interlocked hands in Camryn's lap, "how are we feeling?"
"Okay,"Camryn lies, "I don't know, I just thought he'd be here by now."
Jay nods understandingly, "and how often are contractions?"
Camryn looks up at Harry because she doesn't know the answer, he's the one who times them. "About every 4 minutes,"Harry quickly responds sitting on the arm of the couch and massaging Camryn's shoulders.
"And are you feeling pretty similar to when I last checked you?"
"Yeah, I would just say they're a tad more intense. I just want to get checked again to see how much I've progressed."
"Alright, sounds lovely,"Jay agrees pulling some gloves out of her bag, "we can do it right here it you would like."
Camryn nods and uncovers her legs from the blanket across her lap, pulling down the sweats she was wearing. Jay gently starts her examination as Camryn grips Harry's hand for comfort.
Harry can't help but notice Jay's disappointed face that she tries to quickly hide from Camryn.
"What were you dilated to last night when I checked you, hun?"
"A three,"Camryn responds squeezing Harry's hand.
"Alright, babe. You're doing so good and working so hard. I'm so proud of you. You're dilated to a 5-" Jay watches Camryn's face immediately fall, she thought she was at least a 7. "Hey hey, sweetheart,"Jay coos comfortingly rubbing Camryn's knee as Harry caresses Camryn's face, "don't get discouraged, love. That's so good. You've moved up 2 whole centimeters."
"But,"Camryn chokes out through tears that have begun to fall, "I've been laboring for almost three days now! I should have had the baby by now."
"Sweetheart,"Jay coos, "sometimes babies just have a mind of their own. If anyone has proven that to be true its you and your babies. I mean just think about how long Darcy and Lennon took and then little mister Auggie just comes out in an hour! He'll come out when he wants to, don't you worry."
"Will you stay, Jay?"Camryn requests, needing a professional to be with her through the night, "if things don't happen tonight and we're just still laboring you can stay in the guest room and get some sleep."
"Of course,"Jay nods smiling at Harry and Camryn who both look extra relieved that she's going to be staying, "I will do whatever will help you two the most."
9:00 PM 5 centimeters
"What?"Camryn asks as she peaks an eye open to see Harry smiling and staring at her. She's on all fours on the floor, rocking her hips side to side as Harry sits in front of her and talks her through the contractions.
"Nothing,"Harry smirks, blushing a bit and taking his eyes from Camryn's face to the floor, "you're just beautiful."
Camryn blushes and beams up at Harry, "thank you, baby. Even when I'm 36 hours into labor?"
"Especially then,"Harry flirts as he leans to quickly peck Camryn's lips.
"I don't think he's ever gonna come,"Camryn half jokes half says convinced. A little part of her (that is growing with each passing moment) is beginning to think that this little boy is never going to make his entrance into the world.
"He'll come,"Harry promises, "don't worry, baby, he has to."
"What do you think he's going to look like?"Camryn asks as Harry tucks a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.
"I think he's going to look like you and Auggie,"Harry replies simply, grinning as Camryn's face lights up a bit at the talk of the baby, reminding her that this pain has a purpose.
"You think? I dunno, I have a feeling he has brown hair,"Camryn says.
"I think it's only fair that he looks like you after how much he's making you work for him,"Harry jokes, running the tips of his fingers across Camryn's cheek.
"Maybe so,"Camryn hums, "or maybe he's just showing us that he's already a little trickster and has a mind of his own."
"You're going to be able to use this as a guilt trip for him for the rest of your life,"Harry chuckles.
"You hear that, baby boy,"Camryn says down at her bump, running a hand down it, "you are never allowed to ever talk back to me because of what you're putting me through."
"I think it's only fair,"Harry agrees, putting his hand next to Camryn's on the bump just as the baby kicks, causing both of their faces to light up.
TO FOLLOW HARRY AND THE STYLES CHILDREN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL HEAD OVER TO MY OTHER STORY "Family Forever Teenage Years"!!!!
FOR HARRY AND CAMRYN'S INSTAGRAM POSTS HEAD OVER TO MY OTHER STORY "Family Forever Instagram"
This took me so freakin long to write😂 I hope you all enjoy!! Pt. 2 coming tomorrow!! Thank you for reading!! Mwah!