Harry's POV

I make my way through the que as I head over to our table. It's a shame this coffee shop, which is actually called 'Coffee Shop', is always so busy. It's only small and is run by a family of bout five, they serve the most amazing coffees and hot drinks. I honestly don't know what they do to get the taste so good. I glance to Niall as I approach him, I'm surprised I've managed to not spill any drink on me as I've had to wangle my way through people. I don't think we picked the best day to come here, seems like everyone wants coffee.

I place the two lattes down on the table as I sit opposite Niall. I admire how well he looks, it feels like I haven't seen him in such a long time. Well, it has been a long time, he's spent more time in Ireland and recently he's been travelling around America with Lucy.

"Thanks." He smiles as he leans backwards and makes himself comfortable. I nod in appreciation as I blow gently on my drink before taking a small sip. "So how are things?" Niall asks as he looks at me with a wary look.

It's hard for Niall being friends with Stephanie and I, I know by his question he's hinting at our situation. Many people want to know updates because Stephanie and I have always found a way back to each other. It's a constant battle trying to explain to others that those days are gone, Steph and myself have lost what we had. The truth hurts, especially when I think about it for too long, I try my best to avoid it. I think people are surprised we are still separated. Including myself.

"Not too bad, Steph is having Amelia on Friday nights." I inform him and his eyes light up. "We came to an agreement" I add and Niall nods.

"That's good Harry, it's good for Amelia too." Niall answers and I nod as I know he's right. "I know it must be hard for you." He adds.

"Well it is but I can't punish Stephanie forever. She walked out on us, I get that she struggled. Now she's better and fighting fit I guess there's nothing stopping her. She sees her regularly so the only change is a sleepover." I explain and Niall smiles.

"So she's still been visiting?" He asks hopeful and I nod. From the time Stephanie had decided to leave us, she made sure she saw Amelia as much as she could. It was a struggle at first because all I wanted was her to come home and to be a family, properly. But somehow I lost her love and with that, I lost myself too. It's only until recently I've got myself back up. It's not easy being a single father especially when your daughter always wants her Mother.

"She's really getting back to her old self. I thought that when she Skyped me a few days ago." Niall sips his latte and looks back at me. I know jealousy isn't something that I should be feeling, but the thought of Steph taking the time out to Skype Niall gets to me a little too much.
"It was good to hear from her after so long." He adds and his words somehow lighten my view on their 'lack' of communication. They must not speak very often.

"I guess the only hard thing is being around her, especially because we ended on such a strange note." I mumble, I promised myself that I wouldn't get into this but it almost feels I can't control it. Part of me falls vulnerable because Niall knows Steph pretty well, so automatically it makes it easier to gain advice.

"You've never got over her, have you?" He asks and I have to look away. "It's okay Harry." He adds and I quickly turn my attention on him.

"But it's not okay, I don't know what to do. I can't be selfish because of my own needs it's about Amelia too" I snap in frustration at myself. I've tried so hard to see other people, I've slipped up and had a couple of drunken mistakes when Amelia has been staying at my Mum's. But no one can make me feel like Stephanie used too. She gave me drive, excitement and almost changed me more than I had realised. Life was so shit before I met her, I was stuck in a bad place that only she knew how to get me out of. For someone to have such passion and hold over me, it means more than words can ever explain.

"Amelia wants you to be happy, Stephanie too!" Niall answers with enthusiasm. I nod as I again know he is right. But it's just not that easy as it sounds.

"But if things didn't work out it could completely head fuck us both, nevermind the impact it would have on Amelia." I feel my stomach slowly churn, it's sad to think that my daughter's parents couldn't make it work, we couldn't provide her the ideal family life. I always wanted to have a family that stuck together. I know first hand what it's like to have my parents living at separate places and having to spend the night at Dad's on a weekend. It was harder saying goodbye when our time was up, it was something I always struggled with.

"Do you worry Amelia will go off the rails like you did?" Niall asks as he watches my initial reaction. I run a hand through my hair as this question is the toughest one yet.

"I guess.." I sigh as I look at him after finishing my latte.

"Because your parents separation changed you?" Niall asks carefully and I feel my heart beginning to race as I hate thinking into this.

"Niall.." I breathe out heavily. "What if she feels the exact same way that I did? I can't let her throw her life away like I did." I feel my throat tightening as looking back is such a dark place.

"You didn't throw your life away Harry. If your parents hadn't seperated and caused you to go off the rails, you would never have met Stephanie again. Okay maybe a small place in life you'd meet again but it could have been too late?" Niall says as he finishes his latte. I've never looked at it in the way he is explaining. I know he's trying to help and in a way he is succeeding, but I just can't think there's a positive if we cause Amelia to go down the path that I did.

"But even though I had Stephanie and we had good times, it took me enough shit to get there. I Don't want Amelia having to deal with anything like I did." I snap as I hate the image of Amelia fighting or getting hurt. I can't stand the thought of her trying to cause trouble or letting it enter her life.

"Well Amelia may not handle things like you, girls don't always react the same as guys. She may not think it's her fault or to punish herself, she may accept it and understand. And there will be times where she will encounter drama and perhaps fights, but as long as you teach her the right way to deal with those situations, you'll have nothing to worry about." Niall smiles friendly as I know he's believed every single word that he's said today. Although I know I'll forever worry, I know he's right many ways.

"Do you think Stephanie looks back to the past?" I ask as I divert us away from Amelia. Niall looks a little shocked at my question and nods as he shifts his postion.

"I think Stephanie knows she made a mistake leaving you two. If she's still the same girl that I knew, she will still be in love with you." Niall looks away as I shake my head, I don't want to think about what could have been. It screws my head up everytime.

"Well she did leave and I can't turn back time to give her another chance." I sigh as I stand up and put my jacket on. Niall starts to do the same. "Those days are long gone." I add.

"They don't have to be." Niall says as we leave the coffee shop. I pull my collar up as we head to my car. "What would you do if Steph met someone else?" He asks as I unlock the car and get in.

"I.." I stop as I try to think of the answer. "I don't know." I snap as I start the engine. "Nothing I can do" I sigh as I pull away and Niall falls silent.

---

Stephanie's POV

I open the door and sigh a relief that work is over, it's not the best job of being a waitress. I know it's boring but it's the only job I could get when I moved here with Harry. I only worked here for a few months before having Amelia and my complications stopped me from working. Luckily my boss took me back once I could get back on my feet and work a couple of hours at a time. I'm now working twenty four hours a week, I'm hoping to get more shifts.

It was only supposed to be a temporary job, I wanted to study and get a decent career but I obviously couldn't. Until now, I'm applying for an evening course to try and become something better. Well that's as soon as I decide what I want to do.

"Stephanie.." I jump at his voice and glance over as Harry's car stops next to me. I get a sudden flashback of him picking me up when he was staying at our house in Manchester. I was still quite wary of him then, so unsure to how my feelings would develop.

"What's going on?" I ask as I open the car door and he tells me to get in. "Where's Amelia?" I ask as I close the door behind me.

"She's with my Mum." He answers.

"In Manchester?" I ask and he nods. "What?" I ask as I can't believe my daughter is so far away. I was supposed to see her tonight, I asked Harry and now he does this to me.

"She's staying there tonight, you're still having her tomorrow. I just need to sort some things out with you." He adds as he pulls away and concentrates on the road. I try my best to not watch him, his beauty is still captivating.

"What do we have to sort out?" I ask as I look away. My heart starts to nervously pound heavily as I wait for his words.

"Amelia, routines, us." He looks at me as I glance to him. Us? There is no us. I don't dare to say it out loud as I don't want him to confirm my words.

"Okay.." is all I can say as he pulls into a casual restaurant.

"We may as well talk over some food." He says as he parks the car and we both get out. I look at him as I close the car door, my stomach suddenly does somersaults as we haven't been alone like this at a restaurant for years.

"I can't stay long Harry, I have to get back." I say as he opens the door and allows me to walk inside. "I'm really strict for time." I add, he nods as he directs me to an empty table. "Harry?!" I snap as I feel he isn't taking me seriously. He looks at me in shock as he pulls my seat out and gestures for me to sit down.

"I heard Stephanie." He says as he walks opposite me and takes a seat. "I just think somewhere like this is more appropriate to arrange things." He adds as he hands me a menu. I'm not hungry, I did have an appetite before he had picked me up, but my nerves have completely distracted myself from any source of food. "Are you okay here?" He asks as he peers over his menu and I let out a soft laugh.

"It's a bit late to ask now, isn't it?" I smirk but he keeps a serious face. I suddenly look away, I'm not sure how well this is going to go.

Notes

So, Harry and Stephanie are alone and he wants to talk..
Good or Bad?
Let me know what you think :)
Thank you to everyone who is reading, I really appreciate it!

xx