My body is stiff from the extensive flight and the awful sleep; all I seem to crave is a Venti latte to get me through the next hour. I’m astonished at how much I miss the things I once took for granted, like a casual stroll through an airport terminal. Now, that’s a joke. The safety precautions have made my flying experience less enjoyable but its only one of the many adjustments I’ve gladly given up for Harry. We’re escorted by security to collect our bags safely once we board off the plane and make our way through a less congested exit.

I’ve grown so dull to the large framed men constantly orbiting us that it completely catches me off guard to see a welcomed girl in our midst. She’s charming with blonde and lavender hair, not to mention a smirk that I’m all too familiar with. Settling in Harry’s arms as though it were a place she had been often and known all too well, I would’ve been overwhelmed with jealousy had I not quickly captured the keen resemblance. The moment she casts her eyes on me I realize the importance of her acceptance, and I’m paralyzed in terror.

“So this is the one?” Her accent is even thicker and more sculpted than Harry’s. “The one to tame and withstand the pain in the ass that is my brother. . . I’m Gemma, it’s great to finally meet you Jude.”

My hand extends although I’m unsure if a handshake is the appropriate reaction as opposed to a friendly hug or an exaggerate smile. Like two timid school girls becoming friends for the first time we are seconds away from contact, that is until Harry decides to crush us together in a smothering group hug. Gemma grunts but smiles and I can’t help but chuckle hesitantly. After we stow our bags in the trunk, I insist on taking the back seat while Harry assumes the driver’s.

It doesn’t take long before my tension wears down when I realize how laid back she is. The siblings play catch up and I hear the smartass comments being tossed around, further proving their undoubtable genes. Gemma asks me the casual getting-to-know-you questions, ones I’m sure she already knows the answers to but chooses to hear from my mouth. It’s the middle of the afternoon and there’s nothing but country roads and houses distracting me from proper conversation. This is Holmes Chapel, yet another jewel to the crown of England.

We pull up to a rather large house with a vast green lawn. Many stones and bushes decorate the landscape but the first thing I picture is running across that grassy bed with my bare feet. This is different from any other apartment or house I’ve been in thus far, not to mention the sensation of dwelling with my boyfriend’s family for a few days.

“We’re home!” Harry shouts lazily as he removes the car key and hands it over to his sister.

“Well your room is exactly how you left it but mum set up the guest room incase Jude wanted the option . . . and if I were you, Jude, I’d take the guest. There’s some foul odors comin’ from under this boy’s door . . . very questionable.”

“Pay no attention to her, love, see she doesn’t know what a real man smells like.”

“I know what a real man smells like, that’s why I referred to you as a boy.”

Before I could roll my eyes at the playful banter, the front door swings open and out comes a gleeful brunette woman with more joy in her eyes than she can contain. Her embrace is so powerful it reminds me of my mother and it isn’t even my turn yet. Once Harry turns to hug his stepfather, I feel her eyes soak in my image. Admiring me from head to toe, her smile draws me in and I too am wrapped in her motherly arms.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you darlin’, I’ve heard nothin’ but great things about you.”

Everything feels right. Being a part of this family, in this home and away from all the stardom, it’s exactly what I need to feel that final connection with Harry and culminate the puzzle of our relationship. I hope to no longer look at us as an exercise but as a finished masterpiece, because in the real world of normal relationships this is the ultimate assurance of our serious commitment.

I begin to unpack my things in the guest room after the delightful tour of the house. There’s something about having a mother under the same roof that cancels out the idea of sleeping in the same bedroom with Harry . . . not that that would stop him. Soon we’re dinning together and talking for hours on end. I’m falling more and more in love with them and I can only hope they’ll be in my life indefinitely.

---

Laying in a strange bed past midnight with my body still wired and showing no signs of shutting down, this eerie feeling is something uncommon to me. Be it the time change or the stillness of the room . . . definitely the stillness. Sleeping in a room without Harry in sight is making me restless, as though I were waiting for him to come at any second. We should both be enjoying this momentary separation, the chance to catch up on well-deserved and uninterrupted rest, still no matter how hard I try my eyes wide awake.

I’ve already glanced over the four corners of the room, expecting to find something I haven’t seen before, but it’s still too quiet. I yearn to hear the soft humming sound of Harry breathing or moving within the sheets next to me . . . stillness. Nothing tempts me. No book nor laptop, not even my cell phone could lure me away from the urge I have to burst into his room. Goodness, this is only the first night! It is in that precise moment that I hear the door knob turn.

“Jude?” Harry whispers. “Are you asleep?”

“Barely,” I murmur back and sit up.

Harry closes the door behind him walking in with a light shirt and his plaid boxers. “I can’t sleep, and you know how I love to sleep.” He smiles lazily.

“Good, then keep me company.”

Climbing on top of the bed till he reaches the headboard, Harry settles back and tangles his arm around me. I lean into his chest and smile at the comforting sound of his breathing, now everything is right in my world. His fingers gently comb through my hair, tending to every subtle knot along the way. Meanwhile my hand wanders back and forth across his tatted skin. I’m too tired to really say anything, and by his lack of words, I’m guessing he is too.

The lids begin to feel heavy and every few minutes or so our bodies continue sliding down. Before we’re completely flat on my bed, I reach over to turn off the light. Alas, sleep is upon us.

---

Sound travels through the house as well as scents. As though I’d been revived, the smell of breakfast taunts my mouth and provokes grumblings in my stomach. Harry stretches beside me and yawns before jabbing his hands around my waist to pull me close.

“Let’s stay in bed all day,” he mumbles.

“You must be mad. I’m starving and the aromas out there are too damn good.”

“Point made. We’ll eat . . . then come back to bed.”

“Harrrry.”

“It’s my vacation for fuck’s sake,” Harry responds with a grin as he lightly smacks the mattress at his sides.

“Only you can get away with saying that as cute as you did.”

“If you only knew the real reason why I came in here last night, you wouldn’t think me so ‘cute’ then,” Harry adds while adjusting his boxers as he stands.

“Is sex all men ever think about?!” I huff with hands at my hips in demand.

“Yeah, sort of. And no, I wasn’t here for that . . . but if you were- why, did you want to?” I shake my head the minute he veers that way. “Right. No. Quit puttin' words in my mouth,” Harry smirks.

“So why did you come in here last night? You never hesitate to make a move when you want sex,” I cross my arms in amusement. I rarely ever get to put Harry on the spot so I’m very curious to hear his response. Instead, he chuckles and shakes his head as though I have no idea who I’m toying with.

“First, I make love to you,” he points his finger at me briefly. “Sex is for strangers, and those days are far behind us. That doesn’t mean it’ll always be vanilla, but I’m sure you already knew that,” Harry explains while slowly walking closer. “Second, when I’m around you I don’t see what you’re wearin’. I appreciate it, for the sake of coverin’ yourself in front of others. But from the very first time I saw you completely naked, I haven’t stopped since. So with you, yes, sex is always on the mind . . . and third, despite the conclusions you were drawin’ in that beautiful head of yours, I wasn’t here for that. Believe what you will, but I was actually in need of some comfort. I said I couldn’t sleep and the only thing, person, which can relax me to the point of blissful sedation is lyin’ beside you. So, who’s the jerk now?”

Harry taps my nose with his finger as I try to swallow all the words thrown at me. I am the jerk. I lower my head in shame though my heart is raging in my chest with a pint of more love than it was capable of producing.

“How do you do that still? Make me swoon each time you speak like that.”

“Because I love you. And I will take you around town today, eventually, under one condition . . .” he pauses and slips his finger under my chin till our eyes meet. “We’ll go out there and enjoy breakfast; take your time. After, we’ll announce our plans and our need to get ready. Then I will take my time and make love to you, unless you want me walking around with a permanent hard-on all day.”

“No, I couldn’t have that,” I smile.

“Perfect. I’m going to freshen up, see you in a few minutes.”

Harry kisses my forehead and leaves. My head is floating slightly detached from my body as I happily anticipate breakfast and dessert. I don’t want to step out in my pajamas so I change into a casual striped romper, knowing full well that I’ll be out of it within an hour. That awaited hour. I brush my teeth, gather my hair into a ponytail and find my way towards the kitchen. Multiple smiles greet me and the only blond in the room points to the chair across from her.

“You take coffee?” Gemma asks.

“Yes please, I can’t survive without it.”

“Same holds true for me. I find myself enjoyin’ several cups throughout the day, although mum is against it.”

“I’m not against it, I just don’t see why you need so much when you’re so young.”

“I drink plenty of water, mum. It’s not like I’ll be dehydrated.”

“I reckon that, just accept that it’s my job to worry. So Jude, you and Harry make any plans today?”

“He’s going to show me around later.”

“Wonderful! It’s a lovely town, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it,” Anne says bright eyed.

“You’ll have to pencil me in for tomorrow. I want to show you some of our fancier spots, somethin’ Harold has no clue about.”

“No clue about what, Gem?”

“Refined corners. You are unlearned in that area.”

“She’s right, but then she’s a bit too hipster for my taste,” Harry agrees and takes a seat.

“So I’m not a hipster?” I ask out of spite.

“No, you’re classy. And even if you were, I’ve already ta-” Harry pauses.

“What’s that lil brother? Were you about to say somethin’ inappropriate in front of mum?” Gemma smirks.

Harry shakes his head and takes the plate that Anne hands him, not making any eye contact, but smiling nonetheless. I thought I knew Harry well but clearly Gemma knows him better, for it wasn’t till her comment that I realized what he was about to say and I blush. Robin, Harry’s step-dad, and Anne join us at the table once everyone has food staring them in the face.

“Are you goin’ to take her out for a spin, Harry?” Robin asks after his last bite.

“Yeah!”

“Okay, then I’ll warm her up for you.”

“No rush, we’ll maybe leave like in an hour or so?” Harry looks at me so nonchalant. What a great actor.

I crack a smile, at first thinking they were referring to me and not a car, however “warm her up for you” sounded pretty funny and creepy in that context. I thank Harry’s parents and excuse myself to go ‘get ready’, leaving my plate in the sink. Conversation continues behind me as I mentally separate my wardrobe for the day, unaware of the weather outside.

Sitting by the bay window of the guest room, I wait. Harry walks in minutes later and smiles coyly, locking the door at once. He takes step after step, pulling his shirt over his head, causing his hair to dishevel before smoothing it away from his face. His torso bows as his lime eyes entrance mine.

“If we were alone, I would gladly take you in front of the window. Actually I would take you either way, but for your convenience . . .” Harry begins to pull the curtain shut.

The room cools down and all vivid colors cease to exist except for the sharp lines of sunlight peering through the sides of the veiled window. His large hands find my arms and guide me to him. On my feet, I feel his body gather strength to lift me from below the waist and over to the bed. His shaggy hair falls around my neck like a scarf while his kisses remain short and scattered. A hand roams along my side and another grazes my front from the collar to the bottom seam.

All of a sudden Harry’s head pops up.

“How do I get this thing off?” he whispers with small desperation.

“Uh, the zipper is in the back.”

Realizing what his hands were searching for made the situation a tad comical. I sit up and turn my back towards Harry for him to undo me. Then I feel my garments loosen till they fall off. His fingers are soothing my shoulders and back while his other hand pulls the band out of my hair. Finally, his chest leans against me and his lips brush over my ear.

“Je t'aime de tout mon âme.”

I turn around and gaze into Harry’s darkened eyes. We fall upon the pillows in slow motion and so do our lips. Our eyes remain open no matter how passionate the kiss becomes. Hands are gripping, squeezing and bruising as our bodies collide. When Harry departs to remove the rest of my clothing, and his, our eyes immediately reconnect and I feel his pressure. Usually we dance around with foreplay but this time we’re going straight for the kill. The fact that I’m not as wet for him as he always gets me, makes this feel like a first time experience.

The push and the friction of our skins feels ten times more sensitive; I’m able to focus on every sensation of his vein, ribbed texture and width. Though I spoke too soon for after the fourth thrust he’s able to glide right through me with ease. In time after our bodies have rocked sufficiently, Harry’s head tucks in my neck, he groans and then props himself up on his hands. Shifting the weight to one side, he grabs my hip and controls my movements and there I feel ascension.

Our hips move together and my nails claw his back once I’m hit with the warm thrill. When I release my grip, Harry curls over me and shudders while his body remains stiff. He becomes heavier as he lays his head on my chest, giving me a chance to play with his damp hair. My phone starts to ring but there’s no way I’m getting it. Harry doesn’t even twitch, confident I will keep still.

Minutes seem like hours but we've been 'getting ready' long enough. Harry gradually peels himself off, meanwhile my phone continually beeps. Giving me one more kiss before stepping foot on the floor, he squeezes my thigh and winks.

“I’m gonna shower first and leave you to that,” he concludes.

Just when he’s about to walk around the bed, I speed crawl to the edge and smack his bum.

“Yee-ow!” Harry yelps and quickly slips into his boxers, laughing on the way out.

I reach in my purse to find two missed calls from Linda. She left no voicemail or any clue to why she called. I can only hope to fit in a short conversation till it’s my turn to shower. Wrapping myself in a towel I sit on the windowsill and expect her to pick up right away.

“Hi, Jude.”

“Sorry I missed your call, I was a little occupied,” I feel a giggle coming on but there’s dead silence on the other end. “How are you? You wouldn’t believe it but I’m in Harry’s home town, back in England.”

“That’s lovely, Jude,” she responds rather coldly. “Jude . . . I’m afraid.”

“Woah!” I didn’t expect this tone, and here I am trying to keep things light hearted. “What’s wrong? Why are you feeling like that?”

A huge exhale crashes into the receiver and then I hear a sniffle. “Jude, I’m pregnant.”

Silence and stillness.

“Billy?” I swallow hard.

No response.

Notes

A/N: Chapter Playlist

"Into The Wild" -Lewis Watson

"Fall" -Ed Sheeran

"Be Here Now" -Ray LaMontagne

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Thank you all for hanging in there. This chapeter is a little different but I hope equally pleasing.