Thanks for the reviews! Enjoy!
The soft cries of the young girl were muffled as Harry took her from her cot and held her against his bare chest. Lucy sobbed for a few seconds but soon settled with her father's help and soothing heart beat. Harry smiled, sitting back into the window seat as he cradled his daughter. He planted soft kisses into her golden hair, rocking slightly with her as she slowly started to fall asleep again.
It was the dead of night. Outside of the window behind him, he could hear an owl hooting, but it was still so late that no other birds graced the night with their song. Harry felt his eyes closing as his child's did, but fought to stay awake, it wouldn't do to let Nikki or Tom find him like this in the morning, not when Tom was unaware of his paternity.
From the doorway, Harry was unaware that he was being watched. Nikki leant with one shoulder against the door frame, smiling sadly at the scene in front of her. She too, had been woken by Lucy's cries, but Harry had immediately adopted his duty without question. Judging by the smile on his face, he was enjoying being a proper father. Nikki took a deep breath and left them, crawling back into bed with the man that would never match up. She wondered if Harry knew just how much he had given up when he left for America. Something told her that he did.
Harry's restless sleep was disturbed in the morning by the sounds of Tom leaving for work. He would have liked a chance to spend some time with Nikki, but she would be leaving shortly for the Lyell centre. At least he would be able to spend the day with Lucy.
When he heard the front door close, he pulled back the covers and dragged his sweatpants back on, clambering out of the back room and into the kitchen where Nikki was microwaving Lucy's porridge.
"Morning" He grinned. She laughed at him, commenting on his messed up hair and the confused, sleepless expression on his face. He leant back against the counter as Nikki pulled the green plastic bowl from the microwave and set it in front of their daughter, who proceeded to tip it upside down. It was Harry's turn to laugh now. He grabbed another bowl from the cupboard and started making more whilst Nikki cleared the mess Lucy had made. Nikki rolled her eyes, smiling, as she met Harry's. He grinned at her, stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her.
"I didn't really get a proper hello last night" He said quietly into her ear as he kissed her cheek. He felt Nikki move closer to him and rest her head on his shoulder, watching their baby.
"Hello" She whispered.
Harry chuckled, keeping an arm around her shoulders as they shifted back to lean again on the counters.
"It's good to have you back, Harry" Nikki admitted. Harry squeezed her shoulder and smiled.
"It's good to be back." He sighed before turning to face her. "Tom still doesn't know, does he?"
Nikki shook her head softly. "I don't know how to bring it up. I know I should have just been straight with him from the start... but I just couldn't and now look at the mess I'm in."
"Don't worry about it" He smiled sadly. "I won't say anything, and I'll be out of your way as soon as possible, I promise."
Nikki looked up at him, meeting the regret in his eyes. "Harry you're welcome to stay as long as you need to, I don't want you to go..."
They remained silent, still in the embrace as they considered their situations. Harry could only stare at their little girl as he comprehended what his life would be like from now on. He'd get to see her, get to be a father (assuming Nikki eventually told Tom), but they'd never be a family. Maybe if he had been straight with Nikki all along, told her how he felt, told her what he wanted. He closed his eyes tightly as he felt them beginning to well with threatening tears. He should have come back from New York as soon as he found out they were expecting, no matter what he'd signed up for. There were more important things in life. As he looked at his child, happily poking her fingers into her porridge, and Nikki, staring at the floor in deep thought, eye decorated with a healing scar, he sighed. Life was never supposed to be easy for them.
Snapping out of the whirling depression of his deepest thoughts, Harry looked at the clock. 09.05.
"Aren't you meant to be at work?" He asked suddenly. Nikki looked at him blankly, shaking her head, until she realised.
"Oh, no, Leo gave me the day off. I just... I just thought it would be easier if Tom thought I was still going to be at work rather than here with you."
Harry raised his eyebrows, secretly impressed with her cunning and rebellion. Nikki bit her lip guiltily. He could feel his heart pick up speed, he loved it when she bit her lip, something about it made him want her more than usual. He stared deeply into her eyes, recognising the reciprocated wants and desires that littered them.
With his left hand, Harry brushed a lock of hair behind Nikki's ear and dragged his fingers down to the back of her neck where he rested them. Unconsciously, his eyes shifted their gaze to Nikki's lips, taking in the soft red he'd only kissed a few times, but dreamed of kissing for eternity. Was that small scar there before? His good sense leaving him behind, he leaned toward her slightly, heart racing as he saw her do the same.
They jumped back as Lucy laughed, and sighed in unison as they noticed the porridge bowl that had apparently been used as a mask. Harry grabbed some kitchen towel and wetted it slightly, gently wiping Lucy's face. He couldn't help but chuckle as she gurgled at him, proud of her destructive work. When she was cleaned up, he lifted her from the high chair and settled her on his hip while Nikki set the dishwasher on and led them into the living room, where she proceeded to put a Disney film on that captivated Lucy's attention.
Harry and Nikki chatted idly for hours, watching Lucy playing with her toys or staring at the TV screen. Nikki didn't bother to change the DVD, she just played it again when it finished. It seemed that Cinderella was one of their princess's favourites. They spoke about work, about Leo and Janet, about Harry's time in New York. He couldn't help but notice a difference in Nikki as they spoke, it was as if she was a caged animal, doctoring her words to ensure that she'd be safe. Harry took a chance and broached the topic she was clearly trying to avoid.
"What's Tom like, then?" He smiled. She looked up at him with pleading eyes. When he remained silent, waiting for an answer, she sighed and looked away.
"He's great" She said quietly. "He's a bit jealous"
Harry grinned, squeezing her hand gently, "I can't say I didn't notice his expression when we met last night."
One side of Nikki's mouth curved upwards in a half smile. "He's great, he really is, and he's fabulous with Lucy."
"But?" Harry prompted. He knew her far too well, and knew she was hiding something. They were both scared of her answer. She shook her head gently.
"No buts, he's honestly great."
Nikki lifted her eyes bravely to meet Harry's. They were full of concern, and it overwhelmed her to the point that she had to look away again.
"Do you love him?" He asked quietly.
"Yes" Nikki responded.
They paused for a few moments, watching Lucy as she tried to put her Barbie's clothing on the significantly larger teddy bear that sat in front of her.
"Was he ok about me staying?" Harry watched Nikki intently, ready to notice any discrepancy between her expression and her words.
Nikki shrugged. "I didn't give him a choice." She began. "But to be honest he wasn't that pleased. Like I said, he gets jealous easily, so I don't really see many people alone anymore. That's why I lied about working today..."
Nikki trailed off awkwardly, but laughed as she was dragged into Harry's chest by his outstretched arm. She shifted herself to get comfortable against him, and had to relocate as Lucy held her arms out, not willing to miss out on a cuddle. The three of them sat in front of Cinderella for some time. Lucy was in between them with her head on Nikki's lap, Nikki curled around her to rest against Harry. The two girls gradually closed their eyes. Harry looked at the perfect little family that he should have been a part of, sighing sadly, as the tiredness overcame him too.
After a couple of hours, the door opened and Tom stepped into the living room.
