*Harry’s POV*

My breath caught in my throat. Did I hear her right? Was she really going to maybe take me back?

“Harry?” Shelly whispered, the worry evident in her tone.

“Sorry. Yes, we can take it slow. That’s what I said, right?”

“Right. But remember, it’s only for the baby’s sake. I’m still upset with you. Don’t think I’m all happy with you again.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t think you’d be happy with me that fast. When can I see you?”

There was a silence on the other line. I could tell she was thinking. Hopefully I hadn’t made her want to change her mind. God, I’m so needy!

“Want to have lunch tomorrow?” she finally asked after a few seconds of silence.

“Sure,” I replied, a large smile splitting my face open.

“See you at 12 then,” she said and then she hung up. I didn’t need any other explanation. She wanted to go to the bistro a block down from her flat. I couldn’t help but smile. I was going to see Shelly!

…

-The Next Day-

*Shelly’s POV*

The little bistro down the street from my flat is packed with the lunchtime rush. I’m sitting in the back corner of the restaurant at the table Harry and I always sat at back when we were dating. There were so many good memories at this tiny metal table that it hurt, but this was the only table Harry knew I would sit at. I sat nervously, my heart pounding and my palms sweating. It had been 6 months, I had changed. I wasn’t the skinny little toy I used to be. I was bloated and swollen and I just looked a mess. Hopefully Harry won’t think I was ugly. Wait, why do I even care? We’re just trying to get back together, for the baby, not for personal reasons. I took a deep, reassuring breath and sat up in a confident position, trying to hide my nerves. I glanced down at my watch; 11:59 am, then glanced towards the glass doors. It was just then that I saw Harry’s mop of brunette curls making its way through the line of people at the counter. It was just like Harry to be exactly one minute early. I couldn’t help but smile a little. Even though he had royally pissed me off and ruined my life, I had missed him in the 6 months we didn’t speak.

He surfaced from the crowd, his beautiful face lit up with a dazzling, toothy grin. My heart fluttered in my chest. It was always his smile that got me every time. I stood up so that he would see me and waved.

*Harry’s POV*

I emerged from the crowd at the counter and I glanced toward our usual table, and sure enough, there stood Shelly, wearing a tight sweater and a skirt, her belly poking out farther than I’d ever seen it before. My heart skipped a beat as the reality that I was actually having a baby this time sunk in. My head swam with the mixed emotions, but I hid them with a smile as I walked up to Shelly.

“Hello, love,” I said cheerfully, leaning down and kissing her lightly on the cheek.

*Shelly’s POV*

My cheek tingled where his lips brushed it. I was stunned, I suppose because he’s forgotten beauty took me by surprise. He raised his eyebrow in a questioning glance.

“Sorry, it’s just been so long,” I explain with a small smile.

He chuckled. “You’ve gained a child in your womb and I’m not shocked into silence. I must have the star effect on everyone,” he said with a wink.

“Harry, we’re not here to flirt. I just want to discuss what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it.”

His smile dimmed down to a smirk, the disappointment evident in his face. I felt terrible but I did tell him we were going to take it slow. I motioned to the table and we sat down in the chairs opposite each other, an awkward silence surrounding us.

“Do you want to eat or do you just want to talk?” I asked.

“Let’s talk. I’m not that hungry,” he replied. Because I hurt his feelings.

“We need to figure how we’re going to make you a part of mine and the baby’s life.”

“Why do you keep calling it ‘the baby’? You ought to know what it is, right?”

“Oh, right. It’s a girl. I’ve been thinking about naming her Rose. Or Marianne. I haven’t decided yet.”

“We can decide together.”

“We have to figure out how to make you a part of our lives first.”

“Right. Well, what do you want to do? Do you want me to move in? Or would you like me to move into your building?”

I paused. I hadn’t even thought about this much. I just knew we needed to figure something out.

“Uh…you moving in the building will work for now, until I’ve forgiven you I suppose. We don’t want our daughter growing up with her parents in 2 separate flats.”

“Is that flat next door still vacant?”

“Yeah, I think. You should talk to the landlord soon today, though, because they gave a tour a few days ago.”

“Ok, so it’s settled then. I’ll talk to the landlord today and hopefully be moved in by the end of the weekend.”

“Good. Want to eat now?”

Harry nodded, but then looked at me, a weird look in his green eyes, then smiled.

“I’m so unbelievably happy we’re trying to fix things. I’ve missed you,” he murmured, leaning across the table and getting up close and personal. I turned my head just in time for him to kiss my cheek again.

“Harry, please. Just stop. I’m not ready to be completely back to the way things were. We’re taking it slow, like pressing replay.” I said, a tear rolling down my cheek.

He sat back in his cheek, a frown furrowing his pretty face.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured before getting up and leaving the bistro, leaving me alone.

I wiped away the tear, but soon more followed. I’m such an asshole and a bitch! Harry just wants things back to normal. He doesn’t understand that he really hurt me. He doesn’t understand that it’s going to take time for the hole in my heart to heal.

Notes

I love you guys, I really do. Thanks for sticking with my story! <3