Delicate

Chapter 91

HARRY STYLES
March 2023

As I wake up to find that I'm alone in bed, it takes me a moment to remember that I'm not in some hotel room, needing to check my tour schedule just to recall where I am. Instead, I'm in the bedroom I share with Haven in our Hollywood Hills home and the view of the Valley from our bed is so familiar that I could cry as I rub my eyes and roll over onto my chest.

With eyes closed again, I can hear the birds chirping outside, I can feel just the slightest bit of warmth from the sun shining through the glass balcony doors, and I can make out the muffled sound of Haven and the kids talking down the hall. The last one makes me smile before the door cracks open and I hear the attempt my children are making to whisper.

"Is he awake, Mummy?" Lily asks. My smile grows.

"Hm...I don't think so," Haven speaks in a normal tone once she sees the look on my face. "Maybe try jumping on him. Maybe smack him in the head."

I laugh, keeping my eyes shut even as I feel the bed dip on the other side, and I wait until I feel a little hand on my face to quickly lift my head. Lily screams out a giggle and falls over on the mattress while Jack jumps right onto my back now that he knows it's safe to do so. My laugh goes silent as Lily keeps giggling with flushed cheeks.

"You scared me, Daddy!"

"Did I?" I laugh and carefully roll over onto my back while bringing Jack to the side so he doesn't fall off the bed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

"I'm going to go on a run if you could just watch them now that you're awake," Haven cuts in without much of an expression on her face. Under different circumstances, she'd be smiling and would probably even join us on the bed. "I won't be long."

"'Course, take your time," I rest my head back on my pillow and watch her eyes flash over the scene of the kids cuddling into me. She nods and leaves the room in her all-black workout ensemble without another word.

I'm still staring at the spot she was just standing in until Lily moves her face in front of mine, tilting her head at me. My soft smile returns as I inspect every single square inch of her, trying to figure out what's different about her appearance this time. She looks so much older even though I know it's only been a couple of months since we've seen each other.

"Have you two had breakfast?" I ask, clearing my hoarse throat.

"Mhm," Lily pushes the tip of my nose up, then plugs my nostrils until I laugh and turn my head away from her.

"Alright, well I need to get up and brush my teeth now," my voice is strained as I sit up and let Jack fall off my chest to lie down next to his sister on the bed.

Just as I anticipated, their little feet thump on the hardwood floor as they follow me across the room to the ensuite. I smile to myself as I wet my toothbrush and slather the minty paste across the bristles, making eye contact with them in the mirror as they look up at me. They can just barely see over the marble vanity if they tilt their heads back, but they're at eye level with it if they stare forward.

"So, guess what today is?" I follow them back into the bedroom now that I'm finished with my very quick morning routine, too lazy to get dressed yet.

"What?" Jack asks.

"Today is the Grammys," I sigh as I fall back onto the bed and watch them climb up in their matching green leggings and thin long-sleeve shirts. "And As It Was is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance. And my album is nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. That's pretty cool, right?"