Pretend (Harry Styles) - Book 3

Chapter 67: "Always."

-Ava's POV-

I feel faint, the flashes blinding me as I keep a firm grip on the hand holding mine.

"Let us through.. Can you step back mate?" Harry's voice is strained as he tries to remain calm. "Seriously, just give us some space alright?"

One hand is pressed to the small of my back as he pushes us through the small crowd outside the venue.

"Are you daft? He said back off!" Ed raises his voice, clearing a path ahead of us.

"You alright?.. Ava, you alright?" Harry's voice catches my attention as another flash goes off.

I nod, trying to focus on my breathing as someone grabs my arm.

"Don't fucking tough her!" Harry snaps, pulling me towards him. "You have any bloody respect at all?! She's in labor for christ's sake!"

His arm moves protectively around me as a few members of security finally make it to us, shielding us from the crowd as we head towards Harry's car.

The back door is pulled open and I'm helped inside before Harry slides in next to me. Ed jumps into the drivers seat, yelling at security to get the paps away from the front of the car.

I feel a small sense of relief as the car starts to move, Harry's hand giving mine a squeeze.

"Love, you alright?"

I nod again, my eyes shooting to look out the window. "How far are we from the hospital?"

"Ava." Harry grips my chin gently, turning my head so I'm looking at him. "Are you alright?"

"I.. I'm only at thirty six weeks."

He sucks his lips into his mouth, nodding as he looks over my face. "It's fine. Little early is all. She'll be fine... She'll be fine."

I try to look away from him but he doesn't let me. "Av.. Look at me."

Our eyes lock and he gives me a small smile, "Don't upset yourself over that.. Bout to have our baby love. Bout to meet our little girl."

I swallow, my throat feeling overly dry as a kiss is pressed to the side of my head.

"How far away are we?" I ask, trying to read any street signs we pass.

"Be there before you know it. Look at me Ava."

My eyes once again meet Harry's intense gaze as he pushes a strand of hair out of my face. "We haven't even decided on a name have we?"

"A name? What?" I shake my head.

"Yeah. A name. Which ones do you fancy?"

"I don't..." I close my eyes a few times. "I don't know Harry. I can't think about that right now, I'm..."

"Got a whole list in my journal." He cuts me off. "Just jotted one down whenever I thought of it. Have marked quite a few out, but there's some good ones left I think."

"You what?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"Baby girl names. You have any favorites?" His eyes stayed locked on mine.

"I.. I don't know Harry. I..."

"Quite like Harriet."

"Harriet?" I cringe, causing Harry to chuckle.

"Has a nice ring to it."

"We are not naming our baby Harriet."

"Think it's worth considering."