The Night I Met Harry

I'd waken up with my eyes still closed feeling a slightly warmer atmosphere. I hadn't remembered turning up the heat but so long as I was comfortable it hardly mattered. I stirred for a bit before opening my eyes and removing myself from the covering. I'd walked to the bathroom sleepily as I rubbed my eyes. The water was splashed over my face before dabbing it dry with a towel. I fingered through my hair idly to loosen the waves when I'd come to a halt from the large diamond ring around the marriedal finger of my left hand. I stare down at it for a moment just to make sure what I was seeing was there. My heart began to beat rather quickly as I processed the new information. I held the edge of the sink while my eyes searched for my inhaler. I gasped as I stare down again at it in disbelief, turning to leave the bathroom quickly to find him. How had he even gotten in here? I looked around the room before heading to the kitchen to see him cooking there. His attention was on whatever he'd been chopping to put in the pan before I entered. I stood in the large doorway looking at him for the answers. He hadn’t yet realized my presence.

Winter:
"Harry what-"

The words became tangled in my brain on the way out. I knew I was seconds away from hyperventilating. The last I’d saw him, I’d thought him the worst. I still wasn’t sure if I’d changed my mind about that.

Winter:
“How did you-
Why is-“

His lips landed to mine dominantly in interruption. His tongue eased between my lips several times before he'd stopped slowly to get on both knees. He kissed my stomach openly and repeatedly as my hands found his curls automatically. He was gorgeous as he looked up at me with his chin nestled to my navel. The tears fell in puddles from my eyes when he began his sentence with my full name. I couldn't take it.

I took his face in my hands to passionately embrace him, interrupting his words as he did mine.

His cheeks were damped as well telling me the intimacy of the situation. I pulled him up to wrap my arms around his neck. He was warm…and I silently bathed in the scent of him. I remained on my tippy toes to accommodate the space. I hadn’t yet said anything but the reason for that was debatable. He looked down and away as I let go.

Harry:
"I’ve been planning to do that in a different way for awhile now…but things started happening. And I felt you slipping away…I just- I started to panic.”

I wish he hadn’t reminded me because the adrenaline was beginning to fade and replace with chill in my veins at the thought. I hadn't seen him in all of three days and that was a really long time for us. He was dressed so adorably and I was so happy to see the curls, and the dimples, and everything that made him Harry… but it didn’t make everything okay. I’d been receptive only to let him know this wasn’t a rejection…but I knew I needed time. He walked forward slowly, wiping his hand on the kitchen towel that hang over his shoulder.


He pushed my tears away gently with his thumb.


Harry:
"Hey. Don't cry. It makes me sad."

They continued despite his efforts and I could feel the hormones swaying around me.

Harry:
“Winter.”

I began to back away, continuing until my body was restricted by the wall.

Harry:
“…Was that not a yes?”

The green of his eyes grew darker as he narrowed them at me. It was like I’d been inflicting pain with the distance I’d created between us.

I urged him to come forward until I was trapped between he and the wall. I didn’t make eye contact, but rather stared at the bottoms on his shirt.

Winter:
“I just need time.”

Harry:
“I can’t wait anymore. It’s been driving me crazy.”

He tone was angry and unapologetic.

Winter:
“Dammit, Harry. What do you think this has been doing to me? …I never thought you’d make me hate you like that.”

I could tell I was hurting his feelings as he remained silent. It honestly was never my intent but I needed him to know that this stained me to. It was different being alone now. I’d only ached for him.

My face tilted up to study him but he’d only seemed blank now. He hadn't even look back. I forced him to from the lining of his jaw.

Harry:
“Do you?”
My eyebrows expressed my confusion.

Harry:
“Hate me.”

I shook my head as we pierced each other’s eyes. I didn’t know what we were becoming but it depended on me now. I wanted us to leave this subject so we could get back on a talking basis. That would be a start because right now it was hard to think of us romantically as we were.

Winter:
“…I think my stomach’s an actual bump now... You want to feel?”

He reached under my shirt just then and I’d hovered my hand atop his for guidance. Our eyes still held and I could tell he appreciated the moment.

Winter:
“It’s not noticeable in most of my tops yet but it will be soo-“

Harry:
“I want you back at the beach house.”

I looked downward to watch his hand move back and forth for comfort.”

Harry:
“It’s still your vacation and there’s a lot I wanted us to do…”

His trailed his fingertips of his right hand through my hair and I’d closed my eyes as I’d begun to lose the battle.

Harry:
"Don't leave okay."

I'd already made arrangements for it, to leave just a few days from this one. We were in a much different place then and now seemed like a different entirely. I’d nodded slowly to answer him almost as if convincing myself.

Winter:
"No more secrets.”

Harry:
“None. I promise.”

Winter:
“Is there anything else I should know?”
He thought for awhile as he scanned over his thoughts.

Harry:
“You’re mom knew I wanted to propose. She has for awhile…help me pick the ring, actually.”

I looked it over, playing with the rim with the thumb of the same hand. It’d shown at every glimpse and I could tell me hadn’t budgeted himself. It was beautiful.

Winter:
“It’s lovely, Harry.”

Notes

Posting a longer chapter later this week. Probably Saturday morning. Thanks for reading.