A/N: Chapter Playlist

"The Curse Of Curves" -Cute Is What We Aim For

"Young Blood" -The Naked And Famous

"Reunion" -M83

"Open Your Eyes" -Snow Patrol

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On the way down to the third floor, Harry asks me a series of questions regarding my gym experience. The answer is simple . . . none. I've only enjoyed walks or light jogs but not enough to make it a daily or weekly routine. I lack the motivation in that department but it doesn't mean I'm not open to change, especially when its so important to Harry.

I follow him like a lost chick. He's pointing at several machines and free weights, as if he were mapping out what places to go next.

"Is there anythin' specific you'd like to work on?" Harry asks while studying the area.

"I don't know . . . what are you doing today?"

"Chest and shoulders."

"I'll try that."

"Very well. Since this is your first time, we'll go mid-weight, but I assure you you'll be sore for days."

"I'm already sore," I blush and Harry sends me a sexy smirk, knowing very well what I'm hinting at.

We walk over to the free weights and he grabs a pair of dumb bells for me to hold. He directs me to a bench where I lay on my back and keep the dumb bells resting on my hips.

"You're going to do three sets of six to eight reps," Harry smiles at the fat question mark on my face as I scowl at his instructions. "Hold your elbows out to the side, don't let them go past your shoulders, and then raise them till the dumb bells touch. Nice and steady."

His hands guide me for a couple tries and then he watches me do a few on my own.

"Does the weight feel good or can you go heavier?"

"Maybe a tiny bit heavier."

"Right. Try these"

Harry brings me another pair and I finish my first set. He grabs two larger dumb bells and lays on the bench to my right. His face means no-nonsense as it reddens, breathing out every time he lifts his arms, veins rising within moments. After we're done, we move on to the next exercise with the dreadful looking barbell. Its even heavier than it looks.

Patiently, he coaches me through this excruciating round of inclined bench presses. It takes me a while to stabilize the bar as I lift it off my chest, often wobbling to one side or an end going higher than the other. On Harry's turn, my efforts are put to shame by his speed, strength and stamina. I even spot him on the last two reps, a gym term I wasn't familiar with.

Lifting weights never attracted me before Harry but there was something about it that made me feel powerful and desirable, I just might be prone to do it again. My arms feel like Jello and my chest is burning, this must be the culmination of my punishment I believe . . . not so. Instead of walking towards the exit, like I would have gladly done, Harry steps on to the treadmill. Please God, no.

I stay a few feet behind thinking this is just part of his routine, I'm done for today. But he turns around looking for me and lifts his index finger, signaling me to come over. I want to throw in the towel, I'm sore in my upper and lower body, yet I want to show him that I can be just as strong. With my head held high and a smile on my face, I endure a forty minute jog/walk while Harry runs the whole time through.

Now I'm about to pass out.

"You did so good! You're a natural," Harry winks and tosses a small towel over his shoulder as he gulps down the whole bottle of water.

I take small sips at a time, my chest is still heaving and I feel like I might have developed a mild case of asthma, but there's no sense in complaining. Harry steps over to a matted area and pats the space beside him. He starts a round of sit-ups but for every one I do he does two. Finally he tells me to stretch out my achy muscles while he finishes a set of push ups. Where does he get all this energy from?

We make it back to our floor and engage in yet another shower. I could take ten showers a day if they were all with Harry. This time its full of light conversation, like him announcing that we're going down to Venice beach.

"Are you kidding, Harry? Have you seen these bruises?" I point at the hickeys on my chest and the massive one on my thigh.

His eyes widen but he shows no pity, "No one's gonna notice."

"That's a flat lie."

"Okey, I'll let you give me one and we'll call it even," he gives me a frog-like smile.

I shake my head in mid-laugh as we dry off. Dressing in a black two piece, I throw my red polkadot dress over and retrieve sandals from my luggage bag. As I braid my hair to the side, I glance over at Harry who's already staring at me with a boyish grin and rosy cheeks.

"What?" I ask embarrassed.

"Nothin' . . .well that's not true," he comes to me after he pulls on his shirt, holding my face in the palm of his hand. "I'm just so happy with you."

His tender voice mixed with that accent melts my heart like butter. It's hard enough keeping a sturdy balance from today's work outs but the weakness triggered by his soft nurturing words is something I'd gladly endure.

"I'm unfathomably happy with you."

"Shall we go eat first?"

I nod and in minutes after gathering a beach bag, we are down at the ground floor walking towards his bright yellow car. He folds down the top and I'm already anxious for this beautiful cruise to the beach. Our morning has been so quiet and intimate, I wasn't prepared for what was to come. Harry drives out slowly to what looks like a swarm of bats with flashing bright eyes.

The paparazzi are lucky today. It takes Harry a while to carefully drive through them but they just won't move. They keep pointing and shooting at us, shouting our names and questions, though it all sounds like white noise. Finally we make it to the main streets and I can rest back in my seat. Harry reaches over for my hand to squeeze and make sure I'm alright. I simply smile.

This might be a crazy idea. Isn't Venice Beach supposed to be packed with people all the time, at least that's what I've heard. Harry parks, reaches behind his seat for a cream colored hat and adjusts the top of the car back on. I don't understand why he wore his skinny jeans but you just never know with this guy.

His hand tangles with mine as I slide my bag over the shoulder. He's texting someone, face concentrating hard on the lit screen, not paranoid by any means of being noticed. Then I think, its pretty early, loads of people have to be at school or working. Though, I underestimated the tourists.

"I want you to enjoy this day, really pretend like it's your birthday."

"Oh like the time I had to pretend I was your girlfriend . . . then that came true."

Harry smiles at me catching on my clever remark and shakes his index finger. We maze through the sidewalks till we take a back street to a house. I can smell the ocean breeze and know we're not too far from the beach. Entering a wooden gate, I follow Harry up the back porch and wait as he knocks on the door before opening. He allows me to walk in first but I don't see a soul in sight.

"Just walk straight down to the kitchen," Harry directs.

I hate the feeling that I'm breaking into someone's house but then I see the sunlight pierce through the front windows of the small complex and I'm drawn in by the view.

"SURPRISE!"

I jump inches off the ground and gasp as balloons are being tossed in the air. I didn't anticipate a group hiding by the wall as I almost zoomed passed them. I see Lou, Lux, Niall, Liam and Sophia. Not to mention Calvin and his family. There are other couples that I've never met before with their kids, making the celebration that much more unique.

Calvin's wife sets the counter for an open buffet and soon everyone's serving themselves. Harry appears barefoot and shirtless in his swim trunks minutes later, ready to hit the water. Two of the kids are running around while one hides behind Harry. I hear Lux shout Harry's name, excited from the commotion surrounding him, and she runs straight for him.

Harry's eyes widen as he scoops her up and tells the young boys to be careful with the smaller babies. I stare with hearts in my eyes, sitting in an armchair nearby, and observe the way he protects and tickles Lux. He thrives off her laugh. That might have been the best birthday present yet. Then Lou walks towards me with a homemade cake and lit candles while Harry's voice begins to sing.

I'm blushing till my cheeks turn hot and prepare to blow out the candles. Lou cuts the cake back on the counter and hands Harry a slice. He willingly comes and kneels by my chair, cutting the first piece to feed me. In turn I grab the plate from him and do the same. Like a loyal pup, Harry sits at my feet and rests his arm over my lap as we listen to Liam tell us a strange encounter between a fan and Sophia.

She blushes and smiles; truly a sweet girl. I wonder if we look as good as a couple as they do. Niall joins in, clapping and rubbing his hands together, asking who's ready to hit the water. Now seems like a great time as we gather some things and head out in a group.

One of the 6 year olds, Collin, follows us to the beach. He's the one who hid behind Harry earlier, and the calmer one if you ask me. He finds a pre-made hole and begins to dig deeper with his hands. I can't remember the last time I played in the sand so I cave into the urge. Removing my dress, I then sit with my legs to the side and help him deepen the ditch. Collin smiles at me and I laugh at his missing front tooth.

"What's goin' on here? Collin are you tryin' to steal MY girlfriend?" Harry messes the little boy's hair.

"Nooooooo," he blushes and shakes his head.

"You are quite the stud, I'd be sure to lose," Harry sits with us and pats the edge of the hole.

Soon the rest of the kids have joined us with the proper beach toys to facilitate our construction. Harry is too involved now. Damien, one of the older kids, brings a pale of water to start shaping the parts to their castle while Lux and I work on a miniature one. I'm glancing at the tattooed big boy every chance I get, falling more in love with this picture, and trying hard not to think about tomorrow.

Niall comes back from the water and takes over for Harry. Before we can make it to the water, a woman and three younger girls approach both of them and ask for pictures. Surprisingly, the scene remains calm, still doesn't mean that people aren't staring.

"I'll race you to the water. Hur-ray!" Harry yells and I trail off behind him.

I run in and shriek, then run back out. Harry's already in with the water reaching his waist but I'm shaking my head. Why is California water so cold?

"Jude, get in here!" he shouts, surely glaring at me from behind his shades. "Don't make me come out and get you."

Shaking my head with a half-smile; I'd like to see him try. I take some steps back but Harry is reaching the shore sooner than I realize. Turning around to make a run for it, Harry swoops in that split second and lunges me over his shoulder. Patting my rear as we enter the freezing water, he then throws me off and the temperature hits me like a thousand needles. I'm literally freezing, teeth chattering and most likely my lips turning blue. Harry pouts and wraps his arms around me, rubbing my back like he does so well.

"See, now I have a great excuse to hug ya and keep ya warm."

"Cr-cruel Harry," I shiver.

"You have to move around or else you'll never get used to it. Come, swim with me further out."

He's right. After a few minutes of swimming and treading water, I start to feel better and adapt. I'm kind of glad that no one can bother us where we're at. We are finally alone.

"Thank you for my birthday party," Harry pulls me to him and I wrap my arms around his neck.

"I'm glad you liked it, baby. It was simple but I know how much that means to you."

"Yes. It was perfect. This whole day has been perfect."

"I have to agree with you. Although some parts far exceed others."

"Let me guess. . . before or after the gym?"

"I was talkin' bout my breakfast, of course," Harry gives me that absurd look again, like I'm crazy. "At least we all know where your head is."

I pinch his pec and he laughs. I know very well what his favorite part was, because it was mine too. Somehow, in the midst of this happy moment, his gaze changes tones.

"Can I ask you somethin'?"

I nod a tad worried.

"I normally wouldn't ask this, but I promise there's a reason behind it . . . how many partners have you slept with includin' me?"

Harry wraps my legs around his hips and keeps his hands on my lower back. I'm swallowing hard, thinking where this conversation might be headed and whisper two.

"How long ago?"

"About a year, why?"

"So you aren't on anythin' are you? I ask because I haven't been able to brush off the guilt from this mornin'. Jude, we can't be careless like that."

"I know. I'll look into it when I get back tomorrow," I felt ashamed now.

"Speaking of, not that I have a say in the matter, but I can imagine you're still goin' to the concert?"

"I don't know."

"In that case, I'd like to extend the invitation to come with me to Toronto. We'll be premiering the video tomorrow and appearing on MuchMusic. The flight leaves at noon, a bit earlier than yours. . . will you come with me?"

Notes

Hello friend,

Sorry this update took so long. Writer's block hit me hard this week. I actually had half the chapter right after I had posted the 37th one but I couldn't come around to finishing it. And if you know me by now, I can't post a chapter if I'm not satisfied with it. So with that being said, I hope this does satisfy some if not all of you :)

I've been going through a rough time so bear with me if the updates aren't as quick as I'd like them to be. I love you all and hope you stick around. Any comments on this chapter would surely help cheer me up, be it good or bad.

Free hugs here! xOxO :)

PS and I'm overjoyed by the 100+ subscribers. Thank you :)