“Are you sure this is okay?” I asked again. I looked at myself in the mirror in his car. We had driven back to Holmes Chapel a few days ago. He hadn’t mentioned that we would be staying the week when he asked me to come, but I was over it now.
I was feeling insecure about the outfit I had picked out. I fidgeted with my hair in the mirror.

“You look breathtaking.”

“Are you sure it’s not too fancy?”

“No. It’s perfect. Stop worrying. Everyone is going to love you just as much as I do.”

He kissed me. I flipped the mirror away. I couldn’t look at myself any longer. I spritzed some perfume on and grabbed my purse.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

He came around to open my door and grabbed my hand. We walked up the steps to his home. I took a deep breath as he knocked on the door. I heard footsteps.

My heart was racing as the door opened.

“Harry! Oh, I’m so glad to see you!” his mother exclaimed and pulled him into a hug. She pulled away and surveyed his outfit, her hands on his shoulders. “You look great!”

“Hi mom. I’ve missed you. This is Darcy,” he said, cutting right to the chase. I held out my hand.

“Hello Mrs. Milward. How are you?” She bypassed my hand and hugged me. I hugged her back.

“So you’re the girl that Harry’s been telling me about. You are beautiful! Please, call me Anne,” she said. I glared at him over her shoulder and he just shrugged. “It’s so nice to meet you, dear.”

“Please! Come in come in. Robin? Harry and Darcy are here!” she yelled into the house. As I stepped in, a savory aroma assaulted my nose. It smelled heavenly. A girl that looked older than Harry appeared in a doorway.

“Hi. You must be Darcy. I’m Gemma,” she said and pulled me into a hug. I was beginning to understand why Harry hugged people all the time.

“It’s so good to meet you.”

A man came up behind her.

“I’m Robin. It’s very nice to meet the girl that Harry talks about all the time,” he said. He hugged me, as expected.

“It’s so nice to meet you, too.”

“Alright guys, dinner is ready,” said Anne as she poked her head around a corner. Harry grabbed my hand and smiled down at me. I took another deep breath as we walked into the dining room.

We sat at a beautiful table.

“You’re table is gorgeous,” I said. Anne smiled in appreciation.

“Thank you, dear.”

We dished our own plates and pretty soon, the sound of silverware on the plates filled the air.

“So Darcy, do you work?” Robin asked me.

“Yes, I work at the bar at Opium most nights. It’s a very well-paying job. I also get to pick my own hours, so while the boys are home I don’t usually work much. When they are away it’s the only thing that I do,” I said. Anne smiled.

“Do you have any hobbies?” I chuckled at the twenty questions.

“Yes, I dance, or used to dance. I broke my foot when I was eighteen and just haven’t had the time to pick it back up. I also used to play the violin and cello. I also love to read.”

“That’s very interesting. What types of dance did you do?” Robin asked. I saw Harry roll his eyes out of the corner of my eye.

“I did ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, a bit of modern, everything really.”

“Guys, can we lay off the twenty questions here?” said Harry. I laughed and resumed eating.

“It’s not a big deal, really. I don’t mind.”

His family continued to “grill” me, as he liked to say, but I honestly didn’t mind their questions. I was as eager to get to know them as they were me. When the meal was finished we all stood to move into the living room.

“Do you need help clearing the table?” I asked.

“Oh no dear. Go join the others. I’ll take care of this mess!” Anne told me. I nodded and walked into the living room. I sat on the couch next to Harry who immediately put his arm around my shoulders. It had become an unconscious gesture.

“Work has been crazy, but it’s so surreal. I still can’t believe that this is my life,” he was saying to Robin.

“I’m so proud of you and everything you have accomplished,” he said to Harry. He hugged me closer and looked down at me and smiled.

“Hi.”

“Hello.”

“Are you having a good time?”

“Yes. Your family is so lovely,” I said to him. “Thank you for letting me stay in your home,” I said, addressing Robin.

“It’s no problem, dear. We’re pleased that you could come.”

I leaned my head on Harry’s shoulder. I was tired but didn’t want to be rude. Anne came in a moment later with a pie in each hand.

“Please help yourself. We have a pumpkin and a pecan here,” she said setting them on the table.

“Do you want a piece?” Harry asked me. I shook my head. I didn’t think I could eat another bite.

As the evening wore on my eyelids felt heavier and heavier. I hadn’t realized I dozed off until I heard whispers above my head and arms under my knees and shoulders. I wrapped my arms around Harry and turned my face into his chest.

“Goodnight love. It’s so good to have you home,” Anne whispered to Harry.

“Goodnight mom. I’m glad to be back.”

“We are so proud of you. You’ve come a long way. Be careful now,” Robin whispered.

“This picture is just too cute to pass up,” Anne said. I heard a click and assumed she had taken a picture. Harry carried me down the hall and laid me gently on the bed.

“Goodnight, Darcy. I love you,” he whispered in my ear then lay down beside me. I snuggled closer into his side, not worrying about my dress.

----

I woke with a start. I wasn’t sure what had woken me, but I stretched and sat up. Harry was still asleep beside me, still in his clothes from last night as well. He opened his eyes.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” he asked and pulled me back down.

“Wonderfully. I’m so sorry I fell asleep on you guys last night. I was exhausted.”

“Don’t worry about it. My mom and Robin weren’t offended at all. They thought it was cute, actually.”

I blushed at the comment. I heard movement from out in the kitchen but didn’t move to get up.

“What time is it?”

“9:30. We don’t have to move yet. My mother will come in and wake us up.” He hugged me tighter to him. I lay my head on his chest, content to savor the silence and his presence. There was a faint knock at the door and Anne peeked her head in.

“Good morning you two. I’m glad to see you are awake. Breakfast will be ready shortly if you want to get up.” She smiled and closed the door.

“She is so precious!”

Harry laughed.

“I love her, too.”

I sat up again and climbed off the bed. I was still in outfit from last night. I wondered how I had slept so peacefully.

“Babe? Would you help me get our stuff from your car?” He nodded and got up.

We went outside and unloaded our luggage. I had only one medium-ish suitcase with me. I had packed only the essentials.

I showered and changed then headed to the kitchen. I sat at the table as I watched Anne cook. She turned around and smiled when she saw me.

“Can I get you something to drink? We have coffee, tea, orange juice, water, milk..” she trailed off, waiting for my answer.

“Could I get a glass of orange juice? That sounds amazing right now!” I said. She laughed.

“Of course, dear.” She filled and handed me the glass. I took a sip.

“Did you make this?” She nodded. “It’s amazing!”

“What’s amazing?” Harry asked. He smelled like Bleu de Chanel, his favourite aftershave.

“This orange juice, and you smell good,” I said and handed him the glass. He took a sip and handed it back.

“Thank you. That is really good.”

We were soon joined by Gemma and Robin, and the five of us sat down for breakfast.

----

I pulled my sunglasses from my purse as we headed out. Harry was taking me shopping, again.

“I don’t want you to spend any more money on me,” I told him as we climbed into his car.

“But I like spending on you. You deserve it.” He pecked my lips. I felt bad about him spending his money on me. I had expensive tastes that he willingly bought for me.

He took me to a high-end mall, as usual. He grabbed my hand and we browsed through the stores.

“Oh my goodness. I love this,” I said to myself as I examined a Michael Kors bag. I glanced at the price and set it back down. There was no way I was going to let him spend that much money on me. I continued through the store just browsing through their selection. I spotted Harry across the store as he spotted me. He met me at the entrance and we moved on.

A few hours passed until Harry was ready to go. He had insisted that he buy me at least one thing.

“You can buy me a Starbucks,” I joked when he brought it up.

“I’m serious. Which store did you like the most?”

I sighed. He wasn’t going to let this go. I thought about his question for a moment and pulled him back to the Jimmy Choo and allowed him to purchase a handbag for me. He looked pleased as my eyes lit up when he handed it to me.

“Let’s go before you start going crazy,” I teased. He nodded and we headed back to his house.