52.0

52.0
XAVIER

The Next Morning.

A groan echoed down the hall, followed by the sound of shuffling feet. I rubbed my face, dragging myself upright just as Harper stumbled into the living room. She was clutching her head, her eyes half-shut.

"Ugh... why is it so bright?"

"It's nine a.m.," I deadpanned, sipping my coffee. "That's why."

She squinted at me, then at the mug in my hand. "Got any for me?"

"You're lucky I didn't pour it on your head last night."

Her nose scrunches up, and she plopped down on the armchair. "What did I do?" She muttered.

I slammed my mug down on the table a little too hard. "You really don't remember?"

She blinked at me. "I remember being at the party with my friends..."

"Harper, you were drunk out of your mind, standing on a table while some guy had his hands all over you. I had to carry you out before you fell on your damn face."

She flinched, a hint of guilt in her eyes. "Oh."

"Oh?" I frowned. "That's all you've got to say?"

"What do you want me to say? I didn't ask you to come get me, Xavier. You didn't have to."

I stared at her. "Didn't have to? You think I was just gonna sit at home with your daughter while you got wasted and pretended you don't have responsibilities?"

Her head snapped up. "Do not throw her on me in every conversation!"

"Then stop acting like she doesn't exist." The words came out harsher, but I didn't take them back.

Her lips trembled, and she gripped the armrest like she needed something to hold onto. "I'm trying, okay?" she whispered. "I'm trying, and I'm failing. Is that what you want to hear?"

The fight drained right out of me.

I ran a hand down my face, exhaling slowly. "No. That's the last thing I want to hear."

For a moment, there was just silence. Then, from the bedroom, Nyla started fussing, her high-pitched cries piercing through the tension.

Harper swallowed hard. She whispered, almost to herself, "She's four months today, isn't she?"

"Yeah," I said softly. "She is."

Her face crumpled, guilt all over it, and she pushed herself up, wobbling a little as she headed back to the bedroom. I didn't stop her. I sat still, my coffee forgotten.

As Nyla's cries grew louder and restless, I followed Harper but I stayed by the doorway, watching as Harper walked into her room.

She froze at the crib, staring down at her daughter like she was seeing her for the first time. Then her hands trembled as she bent down and lifted her.

"Hey, baby..." Her voice cracked. "Shh, it's okay."

Nyla fussed louder, clearly not satisfied with being just held. Harper sat on the bed and she didn't seem to mind that I was watching as she tried to breastfeed Nyla. When Nyla didn't latch on, she whimpered.

Harper swayed awkwardly, but she looked lost. "I don't... I don't know what you want," she whispered, tears welling up. "God, I don't know what I'm doing."

Before I could step in, she pressed her face against Nyla's soft hair, and she began crying. "I'm sorry," she whispered to her daughter. "I'm so sorry. Mommy's a mess."

Nyla hiccupped one more time, but she quieted just a little, like she recognised her mother's voice. Then she latched on to her and Harper smiled.

I pushed off the doorway slowly and stepped inside. "See? She needs you. No one's asking you to be perfect. Just... be present. That's it."

Harper let out a shaky laugh. "My baby is four months today. Four months... four whole months. And I almost forgot."

\~~~

HARPER

I feel terrible. I can't look at Nyla and not see how bad I'd been to her yesterday. I sank into the rocking chair with my baby clutched to my chest. I pressed a kiss to her cheek, whispering things only she could hear. Apologies. Promises.

Nyla looked up at me and gave me a gummy smile. My heart melted into a puddle. I smiled right back at her. "Happy birthday, my love. Mommy loves you, okay?"

Beside me, Xavier said. "It's fine. I think she gets it now. She knows you love her. C'mon," he murmured. "Let's make today about her. Four months isn't nothing."

My brows lifted in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I already bought her gifts." I gestured toward the shopping bags. "Toys, clothes, a new stroller. Hell, I even got a cake. Don't ask me how I ended up in the bakery aisle at midnight."

I blinked. I was stunned, then I laughed. "You're kidding,"

"Yeah, well," he shrugged. "Someone's gotta make sure she's celebrated."

Hey readers, unfortunately this part of the story isn't exactly what I'd planned it to be. It's not as captivating as I expected and it feels boring to me. I want to know what you think about it.

Leave a suggestion at the end of this very short chapter and also feel free to say how you're feeling about it. If you think it's worth continuing... I don't know if I will continue writing about Harper but if my readers want it... I'd be motivated to do so.

Thank you all🫠