I'm okay now. I'm home.

Ben has not said anything since Harry has let them in. I was too shocked to open the door again. I'm too shocked now to break the bitter silence. Ben though, Ben knows we did something. He keeps giving me this look, a look I could really do with out.

Louis just smirks, his eyes gleaming with amusement...Bastard.

"So..." Harry mumbles, "How's it going?" His hands slide down to my knees trying to calm me down...It's not really working.

Ben snickers, "I don't know Harold. Why don't you tell us how it's going?"

"Ben, calm down babe," Louis reasons reaching for his hand. "As you can see Ben's a bit upset."

"What else is new," I mutter not meaning for anyone to actually hear me. But I know they did. I know Ben did when he raises his eyebrow at me annoyed and his glare intensifies. "Sorry. Why are you upset Ben?"

"It's been a week you assholes," he sneers, as Louis is doing his best to keep him at his side. "Why the fuck would you leave and not tell us where or leave us with a fucking number to get in touch with you!?"

Harry sighs behind me, "We needed space." His arm travels back up and wraps around my waist to bring me closer to him. "Relax Ben. All is fine. Presley is fine and happy. Right baby?" I nod immediately. "See? My baby's okay, please don't ruin this for us, yeah?"

He rolls his eyes and I have to fight the urge to say something about it. It was my carelessness that upset him. My being inconsiderate and all.

"You are such a dick," he glowers his anger mis-directed.

"Ben--"

"Oh shut up Presley. You're a dick too."

"Hey, Mathews don't fucking call her that." Oh Harry, always trying to be a protecter. Too bad this time I do deserve the name calling. "Don't disrespect my wi-- girlfriend."

Ben narrows his eyes before he laughs, and I flinch at the mean tone. Ben has never sounded like that. I've heard him angry but never cruel.

"Like there will ever be a time you call Presley your wife," and, well. Damn. "You two will forever be playing this childish, back and forth game."

I lick my lips and hope Harry's feelings haven't been too hurt. At least not as hurt as mine are. I angle my body and cup Harry's cheek in my hand, he's upset and gloomy. Ben is doing what Harry asked him not to and as insignificant as Ben thinks this week has been...his want to ruin it makes my hand twitch with the need to connect it against a part of his body.

Louis' clears his throat awkwardly, "He didn't mean that he's just upset."

I look at him carefully,"Why do you always change your mind about us, Ben?" I ask instead. I look at Ben with my head tilted. "What is it that always has you so angry?"

Ben remains silent for a few seconds. He gapes at me and then snorts, "Why do you always change your mind about you two? One day you guys are fine and dandy and the next you guys are done and acting stupid because Harry was a little bitch who took the easy way out, or you get into one of your moods and Harry can't handle it."

"Ben--"

"Don't act like you don't feel the same Louis," Ben snaps at his boyfriend.

Louis looks down and sighs, "Fine, sometimes I think you two are really never going to work out but-- I don't know. I see these moments you two have and it makes me think it'll actually work." I smile softly at Louis, his words giving me hope.

It comes crashing straight down when Ben says, "The bad out numbers the good," Ben mutters after. "Don't get mad at me for being honest with you."

"I'm not," I respond after taking in their confessions. They have every right to think this way. I have absolutely fucked up every time Harry and I get together. I'm not fair to them, I'm not a good friend all the time. "Thank you."

"What?" Ben mumbles.

I shrug, "Thanks for the honesty."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." I lick my lips and look at Harry quickly knowing what I have to do. Harry grins softly at me and nudges his nose against my cheek.

"It's okay, Presley," Ben sighs exasperated. "I'm too tired to fight about this with you anymore."
I look back at him and my heart hurts because I know he's going to be so angry with me. "I'm sorry," I repeat.

He rolls his eyes, "I know."

"No you don't," I sigh, "I'm sorry about everything, really I am, but I'm even more sorry that you're going to hate me."

"What are you talking about?" He mumbles.

Harry wraps his arm tighter around me to remind me he's still here. "Harry and I--" I try my best to exhale my nerve, "Harry's not my boyfriend anymore..."

There faces crumble in confusion, "You're joking," Louis murmurs looking between Harry and the lack of space between us. "Then what is he besides a knob to you?"

"Harry's my husband," I feel Harry's arms tighten slightly around me.

Ben laughs abruptly, "What a stupid joke," he blubbers while holding onto his stomach.

Louis doesn't say anything. He only stares at us in concentration. He reaches over to pat Ben's knee, "They're not joking," he mumbles after what feels like an eternity. "Ben, they're serious." He all but chokes.

My heart stops when I see Ben sober up immediately. He leans over and snatches my hand from Harry's gasping at the rings that are now mine. "... My fuck," he swallows. "Why?" He whispers looking up with the saddest eyes I've ever seen on him. Fuck.

I pull my hand back not knowing what to say. My throat is dry and I feel a lifetime of guilt running through my veins. "It wasn't to hurt you," I feel like I have to voice that because I'm afraid they don't already know that.

"What were you trying to prove?"

"Nothing," Harry says behind me. "That's why we did it. We were tired of having to prove something." He pushes me off gently from his lap and moves to stand in front of me sensing where this was going. HE squares his shoulders at Ben. "Everything is going to be fine now, Ben. I get it, we've fucked up a lot but it got us here. I won't apologize for that and I sure as hell won't let you make Presley feel bad about it anymore."

It feels like hours have passed before Ben speaks and when he does I swear I hear him wrong.

"Okay," he sighs.

"What?" I let out a breath and wonder what he's doing. "Ben--"

He shakes his head and holds his hand up to keep me quiet, "I'm so over the drama, Presley. I'm so tired," my heart sinks with every word. Harry brings me close to him trying to keep me warm with Ben's cold words.

"Ben--"

"You're my best friend," he mumbles interrupting me, "Harry walked away once and I saw what that did to you. If you ever did that to me I'd be the same, so, I'm not going to leave you. My words won't fall flat, Presley. I love you and you loved me when I didn't have anything," as soon as I see Ben wipe under his lashes my heart cracks. Louis wraps an arm around him, looking down at him tenderly. "Piece by piece, fuck, that's what it's going to be, okay? Just give me a few days to stop being sad that I missed it."

I nod, "Back then I didn't have anything either but you. You restored me piece by piece, Ben, and now you have Louis. You have something now too."

"I guess everything's going to change now huh?" He sniffles. Louis' kisses his head.

"Everything already changed," I remind him softly. "My mom said it's okay, though, that we're going to be alright."

Ben chuckles remembering the song my mom used to sing to us over the phone, "Our kind of people had a bed for the night and it's okay."

****

"Did you know Caleb always thought we'd elope?"

"Really?" I nod playing with Harry's hair. His head is on my chest as he lays his body over mine as we stare up above.

"He said that he wouldn't be surprised if I came home one day with a ring on my finger and a marriage certificate in my suit case." He said I was too simple for any type of wedding. Even a small one. He knew that I didn't need any of that. That he was sure all I'd ever need was Harry.

Caleb was so smart. He could've helped so many.

"Looks like he was right baby." Harry cuddles closer and sighs content. "We'll have a wedding soon enough, my love. A small one or a big one. Whatever you want. Anything you want."

"Just you." I tell him.

He looks up at me and smiles, "Yeah?"

I nod smiling back. Harry puckers his lips asking for a kiss, I meet him half way. He look away after and starts to play with my fingers. "Do you like being married love? I love it so much."

"Do you now?" I chuckle.

"Oh yes," he kisses my hand and pulls my arms tighter around himself. "Can't believe I waited so long to be honest. I love making love to you as my wife a whole lot more. It just makes me want to ravish you in so many ways that only your husband should."

"Oh my God, Harry, you're such a hazard to me," I mumble with red cheeks and excitement cursing through me.

"As long as I'm the only one, baby."

And i think it was always meant to be that way.

Notes

Babies, there are only four chapters left. Oh. My. God.
Ily. Xx