The Night I Met Harry

Julia’s POV:
I withdrew the guilt for a second to begin walking quickly toward the stairs when the doorbell rattled the house. I hadn’t expected company this late but hopefully it was just someone with the wrong address. My heart caught in my throat when my eyes met the peephole and hesitation grew as I reached for the door.

Julie:
“You have to stop coming here.”

He entered at his own leisure, brushing by like this wasn’t all wrong.

Scott:
“Have you talked to her yet?”

It was nearly impossible to keep the feeling of shame from spreading across my chest and throughout my body. I held my arms close to myself for how much of a bad person I was for this. I loved Winter more than she knew…but after this I knew she’d hate me forever.

Julie:
“We’re going to the spa tomorrow…”

Scott:
“You don’t have to say anything to her, you know. I mean we both know that the other night was an accident and-“

Julie:
“Can you just- not bring it up again.”

I hold my head to somehow suppress the migraine that’s forming there. It doesn’t work but at least now I don’t have to look at him.

Scott:
“Stop beating yourself up. We were drunk-and she hates me anyways. I doubt if she’d even care.”

I sigh in disbelief. Where guys completely clueless?

Julie:
“…Not as much as she’s going to hate me.”

I head for the kitchen and withdraw a beverage that should get me buzzed from this state of mind. I take out a glass assuming he wants one as well and proceed in pouring generously. I can’t believe how things have turned. This started out with him just wanting to be closer to her…wanting to at least remain on speaking terms because Winter wasn’t someone you could simply forget. I understood that…And a part of me just wanted to help him in that department and become the positive mediator for them that I’ve always been in situations before with her and Harry. I knew more than anyone that she could be stubborn, but sometimes she just needed that different perspective to see things vividly. In hindsight it was a terrible idea..Not only did we better compromise his relationship or lack thereof with Winter, but now my own with her would hang in the balance. It made me sick to even think about. I clutch the glass closer, forgetting for a moment there that he was even present in the room.

Scott:
“You said she’s happy right…with him?”

Julie:
“It doesn’t matter. The fact that you’re even here right now and I haven’t told her about it is a huge problem.”

Scott:
“…You know,”

The glass is brought up to his lips and sipped like he’s right at home. I’m not sure if I should tell him to leave or if I want the company. The damage was already done.

Scott:
“I know I shouldn’t still think about her, but I do…so if it makes you feel any better, I’m not into you that way.”

I down the rest of mine quickly, only to want to follow it up with loads of chocolate or some sort of ice cream. Probably vanilla.

Julie:
“Yea, I feel much better about myself. Anything else? Because I have to call and tell her about the appointment tomorrow.”

I dial the number motioning for him to keep quiet as the call connects. I know she’s likely still up with Riley’s sleeping patterns.

Winter:
“Hey, I’ve missed you.”

Julie:
“Yea, me too. How are you guys?”

I don’t put it on speaker because I’d feel like I’d be further betraying something.

Winter:
“Great. She wants to see you. You should stop by soon.”
I look at him to see he’s watching and likely hears her voice anyways, given how quiet the room is.

Julie:
“Actually that’s what I called to talk to you about…uh. I got us a time for the spa tomorrow. I can pick you around noon if you’re not busy.”

Winter:
“…Sure, okay. I’ll ask Harry to watch her so we can have a girl’s day.”

I can’t get over how content and vibrant her voice sounds tonight.

Julie:
“Alright, see you then…”

Winter’s POV

He’s making his way down my neck with his lips as I hang up the call.

Winter:
“Hey, quit it. She’s looking…”

He pecks once more before looking up and over at her back in the center of our bed in a mixture of her blankets and the duvet. Hey eyes are vibrant and gorgeous as they stare blankly around. She seems pretty content despite our lack of attention to her. I guess I’ll chalk that up to how comfy the bed is in comparison to her bassinette. I know now that she’ll never want to leave.

Winter:
“How do you feel about her having a babysitter, or being in daycare?”

Harry:
“No. She’s too young. And I don’t trust anyone but our moms.”

Winter:
“Harry she-”

Harry:
“Babe, no. When she’s a few months than we’ll do a babysitter.”

I sigh, letting it go and thinking maybe I’d try again after sex or something.

Winter:
“This is why she’s so spoiled already.”


He grips my fingers as I attempt to remove myself from the thermal of the bed and head for the door that’s just been given attention to.

Harry:
“You’re not getting the door like that…lie back down.”

Winter:
“I was going to grab a shirt and some shorts.”

Harry:
“Lie down.”

He’s gone from the bed, rubbing his fingers through his hair and pulling on a shirt from his second draw to the left. He’s in his house shorts and spent from the room as I lie myself back into the bedding. I feel like I obey him a little too much, but a part of me doesn’t much have a problem with it. When he speaks to me that way he sounds so masculine and sure of himself that I usually feel like I have little grounds to disagree. Or maybe it’s just how hot he sounds to me…who would ever tell him no?

Harry:
“Its Niall, he wants you alone for something.”

I feel the nervous spark in my chest as I again stand myself upright. I throw on something appropriate and head quickly for the doorway. My wrist is caught firmly and I’m pulled toward him so that he has my eye access.

Harry:
“What’s that about?”

He traces my jaw like he notices something and I find myself looking away toward the door.

Winter:
“Not sure…”

I attempt to reply quite sure of myself but I’m still not quite certain how it’s perceived. He lets me go and playfully pushes me toward the door and I take the stairs nearly two at a time.

Winter:
“Hey, it’s been forever.”

I smile because he’s in our frig quite comfortably. A water is grabbed from it and he seats himself in one of the high stools that line the counter. I follow suit.

Dr.Horan:
“So you haven’t told him, no?”

He speaks quietly, looking toward the stairs to make sure he isn’t heard. I shush him immediately.

Winter:
“I just- haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

Dr.Horan:
“And when exactly do you plan on doing that?”

Winter:
“I will okay. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Dr.Horan:
“Are you having sex?”

Winter:
“…He’s careful. I don’t usually lose breath from that.”

Dr.Horan:
“It doesn’t matter, it still has an impact.”

Winter:
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting a bit?”

Dr.Horan:
“Tell him Winter…I just don’t understand why you’re so stubborn about it.”

Yea, what else was new? My hair is in a full on loose wave around my head and I idly finger through it while he drills me to death. He’s sliding my refill across the counter while I try my best not to tune him out.

Dr.Horan:
“Just try to follow my rules until you’re next appointment or things could get worse.”

Harry:
“What’s worse?”

His presence gives me a fright and I’m initially unable to respond. I don’t look at either of them but rather on the pattern on the countertop.
Dr.Horan:
“Uh- just changing prescriptions…It may make her drowsier than normal.”

He slides the other water across towards me and heads for the way of the door.

Dr.Horan:
“I have another errand to run so I’ll be in touch. It was nice seeing you both.”

Harry gives him a nod and I feel a little awkward still with the whole thing. He turns me toward him and I focus on the fabric of his shirt, I fiddle with it while I gather my thoughts.

Harry:
“You’re going to tell me what that really was now, right?”
I lie into his chest like a lost child. The house is warm, but it doesn’t compare to him. It’s a comfortable place; I cherish my level of contentment when I’m here. The thud of his heartbeat against my ear makes me feel like I’m a part of something. Like life is okay for awhile…and before I can start I hear Riley loud and pissed on the baby monitor in his hand.

Winter:
“Later, okay?.”

--
I'm pushing the stroller beside him as he looks around for things more of his style than hers. I don't argue it.

Winter:
"You know we have plenty of clothes for her..."

I mumble in the background but I doubt he's listening. It didn't matter much though because I was just enjoying being around them. It was an experience I'd never be able to describe but I just felt so lucky and in the moment. Life should always be that way.

Harry:
"Pacifiers- yea, we'll go for those then cause I've already lost most of the first pack."

I follow behind him like an owner walking her dog and feel the eyes of others behind us. I stare in the direction and feel a little annoyed that they’re girls, likely just checking out Harry. Of course they were. I continue quickly behind him since he seems pretty passionate about the current trail. He likes spending money on her and its cute. I had no reason to block on that...

Winter:
"Gosh, slow down."

He dials back a bit, filling his fingers in between mine and I'm a little taken aback by how affectionate he becomes. His lips move against mine and I feel the contact of a shelf just behind me. I close my eyes into it and remember that with him, there was never a need or occasion for this. He bumps our noses afterwards like always and I have to ask.

Winter:
"What'd I do for that?"

I smile up at him, He nods in the direction to our left and I look curiously. The girls are still watching, quietly talking among themselves. I sigh again. Whatever.

Winter:
"I know you're fun to look at and everything but that's a little annoying."

Harry:
"No, they're definitely looking at you."

And suddenly I feel my cheeks grow rosier.

Winter:
“No. No they’re not,”

Harry:
“Winter, they definitely are.”

I look once more as he huffs and puffs and encourages me in the other direction, pulling up my blouse where it fell sort of low at the cleavage area.

Harry:
"Come on."

His hands are on the handle of the stroller and again I'm following quickly behind.

Harry:
"...anyways, how'd the talk with your doctor go? Everything okay?"

I gasp when I see the most adorable onesie with the characters of Frozen.

Winter:
"Like this?"

I hold it up enthusiastically.

Harry:
"Get it."

We continue on and through my best efforts to avoid it, he brings it back to surface.

Harry:
"Why’d he stop by the house, how’d it go?”

I ruffle about in my hair nervously.

Winter:
"It was okay."

I lie like a rug and I feel the guilt immediately...Maybe that was a bad idea.

I retrace my steps and clear my throat a bit of the nerves.

Winter:
"Actually...that's something we need to talk about."

Harry:
"Okay..."

WInter:
"Not here. Like later...or when mom takes Riley."

Harry:
"What happened, Winter?"

And Riley begins to audibly express disapproval. I instantly reach for the hand sanitizer. She’s been saving me a lot lately.

I pick her up and place her against my shoulder comfortably with an abundance of blankets. Once settled, our walking resumes.

Winter:
"Promise you won't freak out, okay?"

As soon as the words leave my mouth I notice the noise approaching from the distance in front of us. Of course, it's his group of friends. All of them. And they seem pretty excited about spotting us out. I already know I'll likely be left to stand awkwardly.

"Hey Haz."

I stand aside while they playfully grab and hug at him. They're always a ball of fun and me...I'm just quiet in the corner.

Zayne:
"Oh, and it's Winter!"

I take a small step back before I can be given the same treatment. Not that I didn't love them but I was so OCD about her being around any form of potential germs with her age. They go in for the hugs anyway and I'm nearly cringing. I feel like such an asshole.

Louis:
"You're looking lovely today, by the way."

Winter:
"Oh, thanks."

I smile and realize that everyone's nodding. Harry's rolling his eyes in the mute.

Liam:
"So, where are you guys going?"

I sit her down so that I feel a little more equal. And then there's the owing and awing to my amusement as they crowd around the stroller. I move over, laying my head on Harry's shoulder.

Liam:
"You never bring her over mate."

Like that's going to happen with all the noise and the boos. No way.

Zayne:
"She's gorgeous."

Louis:
"Yea, she looks like Winter."

I'm holding my breath with that one, hoping Harry will just let it roll off of him.

Harry:
"I'll bring her over next weekend guys. But really we should be going."

I know he's pissed cause his grip is a little heavy on my fingers. I’m just focused on how hot he’s dressed today, even with the temper.

--

Harry:
"You see? Do you see why I never take you around that?"

I sigh after hearing the burp leave her small body. I don't even flinch when she spills some of the contents of her stomach all over the shirt I just bought. This makes it official.

Winter:
"You have to relax, babe. They're just kidding."

I pull it off once she's laid gently on her back in the crib. Obviously a smart one, seeing that nothing has spilled on herself.


Harry:
“Alright, we’re having this talk now. Tell me what’s going on.”

I contemplate between being forward and giving it a cozier connotation. Hmm…Forward.

Winter:
“…The asthma thing may be getting worse... I mean, I’m fine but-things are different than before the birth.”

He doesn’t initially speak so I use it as an opportunity to further explain. What I want most is for him not to worry.

Winter:
“He’s just afraid that because they’re weaker- you know my lungs, that I’ll go for my inhaler one day…and it won’t work for me anymore. But that parts just a concern; I haven’t had an attack in awhile.”
God, that stare was going through me after the last part. Still he didn’t speak and it was beginning to hurt that I’d said anything at all…but we were doing the communication thing from now on.

Winter:
“I’m okay, I promise. I don’t want you to overreact.”

I smiled, pecking his hand to my lips but it didn’t seem to settle him.

Harry:
“Overreact? Do you hear yourself? How did this happen?”

Winter:
“I’m not sure. But mostly with time…”

Harry:
“And what do you mean you’re inhaler won’t work anymore? So what happens when-“
I knew he was upset now but I was grateful he hadn’t further inquired.

Winter:
“We’re not going to think like that, okay…As far as we know it’ll work fine.”

Harry:
“What can we do about this? There’s something we can do right?”

Winter:
“We discuss it with my next visit…”

He reaches for me absentmindedly and wraps me in his arms and into the scent of his shirt I’d just washed. He’s quiet like usually for a moment while he rocks me slowly from side to side. I know what his mind races of.


Harry:
“How can you be so calm about this?

Winter:
“Harry, please. I’m fine, I swear.”

Harry:
“Why did he lie to me about it?”

Winter:
“I told him I wanted to wait awhile before I told you.”

Harry:
“Wait until what? I’m your fiancé, I should know right away.”

Winter:
“…Just until the tests came back. I didn’t want to worry you.”

Harry:
“Honestly, I’d rather you did. Stop trying to spare my feelings, I’m not a child.”

Winter:
“…Understood…”
--
*Later that day*

It seems we’re always on the living room floor here with the aroma of something spurring in the kitchen. Julie’s making faces at Riley while I sit with my knees into my chest beneath one of Harry’s larger shirts. The spa was great but I’d insisted we just enjoy the entire day catching up. She brought over a twelve pack of beer for the three of us, mine in which remained unopened against the table in front of us.

Harry:
“Okay. Do you two want unhealthy, or healthy with dessert?”

Julie:
“Yay! Dessert.”

Winter:
“Yea babe, the second one.”

And he’s off sipping from the can on the way back to the kitchen. It’s an easy Saturday and I’m enjoying just spending time at home now that it’s nippier outside these days. A blanket is shared between us and she begins whatever topic we’ll probably have fun disagreeing on again.

Julie:
“…I uh- have to talk to you about something.”

She pulls back her blonde hair and I take in how nice she looks today. Her tone seems to turn to a more serious one and she faces me for eye contact. I see that she’s sort of nervous and immediately that causes me to mirror it given she’s never been much of a nervous person.

Julie:
“Winter, before I tell you…I need you to know that I’m really sorry. And I never intended for this…”

Winter:
“What’s this about Julia?”

I feel myself creating a wall between us though she hasn’t such much yet. I’ve never had to do that with any of my friends because honestly they were the best…but whatever this was, I hoped wouldn’t tarnish that judgment.

Julie:
“I uh- I saw Scott at the nightclub last Friday.”

A little left field but I was already adjusting.

Julie:
“Of course I had been drinking. And we just talked…mostly about you. He just wonders how you are and such.”

The sugarcoating was pissing me off a little but I allowed her to take her time none the less. The air was warm and I probably needed to head off for Riley’s bottle. But if she was hungry there was never a time it was a secret to anyone.

Julie:
“…He ended up drinking a lot as well.”

I felt my eyes narrow as I peered into hers. Something about her demeanor gave me a feeling of uneasiness because I didn’t much care for the topic. I felt I knew where this was going but I kept telling myself this person here in front of me was my best friend. Her silence didn’t help. It didn’t at all. I felt stuck between the blissful scent of Harry’s cooking and a door I’m not sure I wanted to open right now with her.

Winter:
“What happened?”

Julie:
“…I-uh. We-“

She looks away from me and down at Riley who I know will be in full effect any moment now.

Julie:
“…I woke at his place…in his bed.”

Winter:
“You slept with my ex?”
She wouldn’t acknowledge my presence anymore, causing my heart to hurt a little given I’d just lost a friend.

Winter:
“Give me her.”

This feeling was indescribable. I felt both the presence and absence of injure and disappointment. I try to keep my voice from rising but at this point I want her to become scarce.

Julie:
“Oh god. Winter, please don’t do that. I’m sorry.”

Winter:
“Give her.”

I get up and lean over to where she’s laid now looking bright eyed up at me as always.

Julie:
“You know I love you. I never meant for that to happen.”

Winter:
“You can let yourself out.”

I pat her back as she starts to rattle and begin to take steps toward the kitchen. She smells amazing as always in her small baby clothes… I wonder when that smell of new-life will fade. That’ll be a sad day.
I see Harry before I can exit the area.

Julie:
“Harry, help me. She won’t talk to me.”

I hate that she’s even speaking his name at this point but the anger has yet to surface. I’m passing her to Harry and I’m sure with his large hands she feels like she’s just been placed into bed.

Harry:
“Hey. What’s wrong?”
He mumbles to me softly in an effort to mediate something he was no idea about. I turn toward her only to immediately wish I hadn’t.

Winter:
“…I asked you to leave.”

The words were long and slow and after them I watched her disappear with the cloud she brought in. I didn’t care for her tears because I obviously meant nothing to her. And I took myself with my contentment to the kitchen to prepare a bottle for her.

Notes