The Night I Met Harry

Harry's POV

I thought under the hum of the engine, pierced with the constant rhythm of tire meeting road.

It was alarming how much I missed her in a days time with her visit with her mom. I'd been on my way there to get her from just across town. The weather was warmer today though nothing as our vacation time. She'd be going back to work tomorrow and I wasn't sure if I were okay with it now that she was further along. Her birthday was soon as well, so maybe I'd have to speed things up and shorten my month away to just a few days...but that would mean I'd have to leave tomorrow. And I knew she would hate that.

The thought was caught short as I pulled into the driveway after passing the front gates and parking parallel to the lawn. I'd gotten out of the car after grabbing the drink I'd made her from the cup holder and looking to her mom, Linda, in the doorway of the place. I made my way up with a smile. God, it was amazing how much she looked like her. Dark wavy hair and glowy skin the same.

Linda:
"Hey Harry, "

She'd said, inviting me in and hugging me tightly. I was taller than the both of them, so it was kind of like hugging Winter. She pulled me by the arm as if distancing us from wherever she was at the moment so she wouldn't overhear. I watched her in patience.

Linda:
"How are you? Is everything okay with the two of you?"

Harry:
"It's been great...she just didn't like when I told her about the going away part."

Linda:
"...Yea, I figured that. I can see that she's really attached to you. I know it'll be great in the end but are you sure about leaving her when she's in this emotional stage right now? She'll cry herself to sleep, Harry."

I felt a soreness in my heart at the thought of it. Guilt swam in the pit of my stomach as I shifted on my feet against the floor.

Harry:
"I've been rushing them already...but I was thinking..."

I held her eye contact and proceeded in shifting my voice to a lower notch.

Harry:
"If I go tomorrow to finalize everything, this will all be over with by her birthday."

She smiled as if relieved in a way. They had the same smile and round of the nose, but I tried ignoring that fact to focus on the direction of the conversation.

Linda:
"That's only a few days...definitely the better plan. That's great Harry. But she won't like that it's tomorrow."

I cringed a little at that factor and thought absently on how it'd be to explain it.

Harry:
"...Can you keep her here..with you."

Linda:
"It's done, okay. Don't worry yourself, I've got her."

I looked around for a moment, for the first time realizing how quiet it was in this spacious place.

Harry:
"Where is she by the way?"

Linda:
"Down the hall in her room. I guess she was feeling creative you know...she never let's me in. Just like old times."

She smiled motioning me in that direction as she headed for the long stairs that spiraled high upwardly.

Linda:
"If you need anything, just call."

Harry:
"Thank you, Mrs. Rylie."

Linda:
"Linda. Call me Linda, Harry."

And she was gone. I honestly loved her just as much as Winter now being that I was never really that close with my mom considering her problems. I took a deep breath, loathing the conversation and her reaction that would soon take place.

I stopped the movements of my feet when I reached her door. I'd been here enough during our time together to point it out from the rest by now. I let the air past my lungs smoothly a few times before tapping my knuckles repeatedly to the wood.

Winter:
"Go away, Mom. I'm not finished yet."

Nothing could help the smile on my face in that moment.

Harry:
"It's just me, babe. Open."

It was swung inwardly a short time later accompanied with a smile and her arms clung around my neck affectionately. Her scent was amazing and her skin was smooth against me. The only thing that had kept me sane in doing so was the beautifully green eyes I'd meet thereafter.

Harry:
"I missed you."

Winter:
"Me too...what's that."

She motioned to the drink in my hand now.

Harry:
"I made it for you. Its all the vitamins you'll need in a day...you know I hate when you forget to take them."

Winter:
"That was only once."

She replied with a frown before sipping in curiosity.

Winter:
"Mmm, fruity."

She sipped again generously as she turned toward the other half of the room. I closed the door behind me as I stare down at all the paper she'd run through with different variations of pencils throughout today. I never got bored seeing her work and it still amazed me that such things came from her brain to those small hands.

She smiled to mirror my reaction to them. I should be use to it by now, but I don't think I'll ever be.

Harry:
"I've uh..."

I started hestitantly.

Harry:
"Made one for you for every day this week..."

I looked away to the floor before continuing.

Winter's POV:

I felt a shift in his demeanor but chose not to freak out just yet. Though I learned that after that whatever he'd been about to share with me, I probably would disagree with.

Harry:
"Winter, I'm leaving tomorrow."

My eyes looked away from him immediately in answer. I sat the cup on the table beside me, grabbing a slate of chalk and getting my fingers dirty between it.

Harry:
"But I'll be back. I'll just be three days okay."

Winter:
"Okay."

Harry:
"Come on, we'll grab you something to eat now. We can talk about it."

Winter:
"I'm not hungry."

He stood there as if waiting for me even though I'd just responded with rejection.

Winter:
"You should go...I think I'll just stay here if that's okay."

I went back to what I was doing. Brushing the black against the paper just barely.

He walked over beside me and I could feel his eyes though I hadn't been looking.

Harry:
"Come here."

I was buried into him tightly. My arms were restricted to my sides as I took generous breaths of his scent.

Winter:
"Three days, huh?"

I tried on not crying but it'd failed me miserably.

Harry:
"Just three."

He pulled me back to study my face between his ears and gently kiss the tears away.

Winter:
"As long as you don't miss my birthday, okay."

Ugh. I hated this. I wanted to pout and tell him to stay with me...but I didn't. Somewhere between his words I remembered my age and that one day soon I'd be someone's mother. Well, that was still something I was coping with.


Harry:
"Never."

He kissed me slowly. His warm tongue could be felt against mine in repetition as he held me there.

Harry:
"You're so spoiled, you know that."

I nodded slowly, looking down. Of course I knew that...but it was his fault.

Harry:
"Stay here with your mom for me. I'll see you soon."

I still didn't know what it was he was doing but I guess I'd have to live with that for now. For now, I wouldn't stress it...I had no choice at this point.

I nodded again as he kissed me once more.

Harry:
"And please...don't cry, okay? I love you."

Notes