The Night I Met Harry

I felt myself awaken in a panic as I flew upright from the pillows, my hands reaching for Harry subconsciously. I was hugged into him and comforted as I leveled my breathing.

Harry:
“Hey. It was just a dream. I’m here, you’re okay.”

I closed my eyes as I tried forgetting the terror of what had taken place in my unconsciousness. It was definitely a sign I’d been giving my uncertainty a little too much thought.
I refused to let go as I attempted to drown out my feelings. I felt his voice calm me over the darkness of the room. Our fingers intertwined slowly.

Harry:
“Better?”

I nodded my head against his chest to keep him from worrying. He kissed my cheek before laying back and pulling me with him.



--

Winter:
"Nervous?"

I rang the doorbell as I listened to it sound throughout my parent’s large home from the outside.

Harry:
"Yeah actually… A little. Is your dad here?"

I grinned as he tripped over his words.

Winter:
"No, he's never here. Traveling job, you know..."

He took that in momentarily but I wasn't sure if it helped.

Winter:
"She's really nice you'll feel silly once you meet her."

The door was opened and I'd released his hand to greet her. I was pulled into her arms and hugged eternally, her fingers trickling through my hair.

Linda:
"You're always so pretty. I've missed you."

She looked at him over my shoulder as I felt her withdraw from me to give attention to him.

Winter:
"Mom, this is Harry. Harry this is my mom Linda."

She motioned him forward as I watched him obey. He was squeezed in her arms just as I was and possibly longer.

Linda:
"He's so handsome, Winter. Where'd you find him."

I felt a tickle in my throat causing me to cough at the thought of her question.

Linda:
"Alright, inside. It's freezing."

She pulled him by the hand as he looked back at me in awe.

Winter:

I told you

I'd mouthed to him as she led us toward the living room.

Linda:
"Lisa here will make us some tea. Let’s catch up."

Harry's POV:

It was unbelievable how much she looked like her mom. Everything from her hair to the small indication of freckles on her face. I sat in thought as I watched them embrace each other in conversation. It was amazing to see how happy she was to bring me here. I'd never been in any form of relationship in my life that I'd taken this seriously and I wonder briefly if I'd changed in the process. I use to be the guy that'd sleep with anyone I felt remotely attracted to and now there was only one person who gave me those feelings. Some people were worth changing for.

Linda:
"Harry dear, what's your last name if I may ask."

I grinned at how graceful and polite she was, as though she'd known me this whole time.

Harry:
"No, sure. It's Styles."

I could hear their laughter again.

Linda:
"I think Winter Styles is lovely."

She nudged her mom in embarrassment adorably.

Winter:
"Stop mom, you'll freak him out."

It actually didn't bother me at all with the thought of being tied to her forever. I wondered if I'd ever given her that impression.

Linda:
"Winter, go see where Lisa is with the tea while I talk to Harry."

She looked over at me as if awaiting my disapproval. I nodded to reassure her before she'd gotten up and left the room. I obeyed her mom as she patted the seat beside her.

Linda:
"Would you mind too terribly if I picked your brain for a moment? Not too much of a drill, I promise."

Harry:
"Not at all, go on."

She looked away for a moment before finding the words.

Linda:
"How is she? She doesn't like to talk about it much but her asthma gets pretty bad when she's stressed or overwhelmed... and it worries me."

I felt pain in her attendance at admitting that. A feeling of wanting to suppress that was filled through my veins.

Harry:
"I noticed it a lot but she's better. I've been doing everything to keep her happy."

Her eye contact held me. Light green eyes displayed like looking into Winter's.

Linda:
"Do you love her?"

Harry:
"I do.”

I hadn't needed a moment to think about it. In fact...she was the only thing in my life that I'd been sure of.

Linda:
"She's a family girl. Do you want children?"

Harry:
"When she wants to give them to me."

I could tell she'd expect a different answer by her surprise. She went on with her quiz as if pleased with the quality of my answers.

Linda:
"Have you seen her drawings? She'd never let me see but I've witnessed some."

They entered my memory at her query.

Harry:
"They're amazing, she's actually shown all of them to me."

She looked at me seriously for a moment before continuing.

Linda:
"That's a good sign. She doesn't show anyone."

I inhaled that for a moment. Maybe I'd meant more to her than I gave myself credit for.

Linda:
"Keep Scott away from her."

Her tone was serious and to the point.

Linda:
" Now... I'd known him well and he was a nice guy...but I've never seen her look at him like she’s done you in your short time here."

I felt clarity at her words, a mere confirmation to what I'd already knew.

Linda:
"...she doesn't like to hurt people, you know. It'll just eat at her conscious."

Harry:
"He's not a problem anymore."

Her face expressed displayed her confusion.

Linda:
"How can you know?"

Harry:
"I took care of it."

--

Winter's POV

I helped Lisa carry the tray as we entered to a quiet room; and if I knew my mom at all I knew that was never a good thing.

Winter:
"So...what are you guys talking about?"

My mom and Harry sat closer than I'd left them which heightened my suspicion. I waited quietly for one of them to respond as I sipped my tea after sitting the tray on the table.

Linda:
"I was telling Harry here how I want at least two grandchildren."

I watched then laugh in unison as I sat on the outside across from them. I pretended I didn't hear that while I enjoyed the view.

Linda:
"How's work, Winter?"

She faced Harry before I could answer.

Linda:
"I've told her that she'd never have to work a day in her life but she's stubborn."

Winter:
"Hey, I am not."

Harry:
"Just a little.”

I’d witness him admit it quiet and humorlessly. Laughter filled the large room again as I watched them make fun of me in awe.

Winter:
"Work is fine. My boss has me doing managerial accounting now."

Linda:
"She loves numbers."

Winter:
"You're tea's getting cold."

They began to drink at my words.

Linda:
"You have to stop by again soon, maybe in one of the first few days in the new year?”

I looked at Harry for an answer and he'd nodded subtly as he drank his tea.

Harry:
"Of course."
I accepted that mentally as my mind shifted to another level of curiousness.

Winter:
"... Mom where's dad?"

She'd tensed at the question, tucking her hair nervously behind her ear as I always did.

Linda:
"He'll be here the next time you visit."

I didn't question it further in front of Harry but I knew something was wrong. They continued they're talk as I spaced out, losing myself in the teacup. I turned toward the window to see snow had subtly continued to fall.

Notes

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