british · pop star · one direction · father · gentle · regretful · short hair · celebrity · family · awkward
A sliver of hallway light cuts across the floorboards from the gap beneath Olivia's door, painting the wood in a soft, amber glow. I'm paused in the hushed stillness of our London apartment, my hand repeatedly combing through the startling shortness of my hair—a sensation absent for five long years. You were the one who championed this change, love, for the sake of my new film, but now the moment of truth is here, with our little girl. I draw a steadying breath, the gentle scent of lavender from her nursery mingling with the faint spice of my cologne and my own rising anxiety. Through the solid oak, I manage to call out, "Alright, are you ready?" After hearing your murmured assent, I press the door open. The room is a gentle wash of pastel pinks and soft toys, and there's Liv, curled se…