Chapter 46: Extraordinary Love

Needless to say, our days with Harry's family have gone miles smoother than our days with mine. There hasn't been one snide remark, comment or moment of shade – unless you count Harry and Gemma chapping each other's aŝses at a near constant rate. I can really see the closeness that they have and if I was a lesser woman it would make me jealous that my siblings are nowhere near as tight. Their relationship hasn't seemed to have changed much from when they were younger from the stories I've heard. Harry still enjoys bugging her and Gem – as she insists I call her – is the same way towards him.

In our time here we've visited many of Harry's favorite spots, tourist locations, and various family members. Harry took me to meet his father on our second day visiting, the rest of the family – Anne, Gem and Harry's stepfather Robin – decided to tag along. That was interesting to say the least. I've never been around a divorced couple before. I could tell things were a bit tense and uncomfortable but everyone kept things on the level. I was impressed by their ability to avoid the elephant in the room, especially when Desmond took all of us to dinner. The atmosphere in the restaurant was a little more romantic than what was necessary for our group but they made it work. My hat is definitely off to them because if this was my family, all of this tension would not stand – not for long at least.

On day three, I stayed behind with Anne to help her wash dishes before joining the rest of the family for a game of Scrabble. She seemed thrilled with the idea of our families merging for Christmas so we could all meet and spend the holiday together. I hoped the shock I felt didn't show on my face. I was throwing the idea out there on a whim, but to know she's completely okay with it and is in fact looking forward to it filled me with anxiety and excitement. Excitement because if she wants to meet my family then she probably likes me a lot but anxiety because my family is, well, my family. Love them as I might, they are still an interesting bunch of people.

As we washed dishes, somehow the conversation turned to media perception of not only Harry but me as well. I thanked her for giving me a chance to prove myself rather than going with the opinion of me that's been provided by the magazines and blogs especially in light of the 'picture scandal.' She made it clear that no one can force an idea of someone for her especially not the media. As for the nudes, she repeated almost verbatim what my dad did – that I was young enough not to know better but Charlie doesn't have that same excuse. Laughing she told me Harry was probably younger than me when he leaked his own nudes so she couldn't judge me even if she wanted to.

We've had moments like that throughout the trip, more or less feeling each other out. She's incredibly kind and sweet – as is the entire family. It's very clear where Harry gets it from.

With the sun setting, I walk outside to take in the sight from this side of the world for the last time, at least for this trip. I really love it here in the UK. Harry says I only love it so much because I'm visiting and don't have to deal with the everyday annoyances of living here but I don't know. If things work out the way I'd like them to I wouldn't mind living here fulltime or at the least part time. I can work from anywhere with a wifi connection and Harry's job takes him all over the world anyway. If and when we have kids I'll need some help at least sometimes and having his family as backup could really come in handy.

I hear the wicker chair beside me sound, attracting my attention. I smile brightly seeing Anne's grinning face.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asks, adjusting her cup of tea in her hands.

I've been babysitting my own cup so long it's probably frozen stiff in the bitter cold of fall in England. Shaking my head, I answer, "Not at all, it's your house after all."

The corners of her mouth raise slightly before she directs her attention to the sunset.

We sit in silence for a time, watching the colors of the sky brighten sharply before slowly fading away. Today is our last day, we leave bright and early tomorrow morning so we can arrive back in LA as soon as possible. Harry has a call time for a movie he's auditioning for and I have to help Damien with some last minute wedding details. He and Taylor are getting hitched soon and although they're not having a wedding party Amita and I have practically been sharing the nonexistent role of Maid of Honor.

I hear Anne clear her throat and glance over at her quickly. She's still staring straight ahead, her expression blank and yet full of life and focus. I can't tell what she's thinking so I turn to my less than lukewarm cup of earl grey and pray it'll do the job my oversized sweater is slacking on and warm me enough to last outside until the sun is set.

"So...I hear you were giving my baby boy some trouble," Anne states matter-of-factly. Her tone is unreadable and her expression is the same.

"Yes ma'am," I answer honestly. I figure if she's bringing it up she must already know, no use in lying. I set myself up to defend my actions but her next word stops me.

"Good," she replies, crossing her legs.

Disbelief covers my face. "Pardon me?"

She smiles and sits her teacup and saucer on the small table between our seats. "You heard me correctly. Harry's a good boy, a little meek at times but he's a good man. He doesn't give up. Once he wants something he goes after it no matter what and it seems he wants you. So it's a good thing you've made him struggle for you. Harry's always been the type to appreciate things more when he has to work for them."

I want to laugh at the similarity between Harry and I that I failed to recognize. I take her words into consideration but don't reply.

If she only knew the truth behind it all. I wasn't playing hard to get for sport, I genuinely thought her son would hurt me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't still have that fear sometimes. Every now and then it haunts me so badly I can feel it grasping at me at the back of my neck. It takes everything in me to fight it down but I promised over and over that I would try and the last time I said it, I meant it.

It is however, comforting to know that even after everything she knows about Harry and I and our struggles, she still supports our relationship. Harry's family as a whole has been great about supporting us. I haven't felt put out at all by them. Robin and Anne offered Harry and I a room the second we arrived in town. Unfortunately, we'd already checked into our hotel but we promised next time we would stay in the house.

I've felt like part of the family for the past few days and I must say I'm liking the feeling. I can tell Harry's overjoyed that his family has been so accepting and that makes me just as happy. The idea of being a 'Styles' has always been appealing but after actually meeting them and spending time with them I couldn't think of another family's surname I'd be willing to give mine up for.

~*~

I could tell it was hard for Harry to say goodbye to his family. The entire ride to the hotel he was so quiet I thought he'd fallen asleep. He didn't make any comments about my driving – which he's been incessantly critiquing all week – or my terrible sense of direction on the unfamiliar streets. By the time we got up to the room he'd loosened up a bit but I could tell he felt the same way about leaving his family as I did about mine. It's a bittersweet thing. On one side of it you're ready to be back on your own doing your own thing, but on the other side you miss your family.

If he's feeling anything like I did, he's going to be even more bummed on the flight home. For me, it felt like with every mile off the ground we got the more my heart strings got pulled. As we ascended higher and higher and flew further away from the people who have known and loved me since before I was born I felt like I was being ripped in two. It was great to touch down in LA for a few days, I felt like I was home but I couldn't help the nagging feeling that I'd left something behind. That feeling took a few days to pass and before I knew it we were back on a plane heading to Harry's family which totally distracted me from the feeling. Harry, unlike me, won't have that distraction. The homesickness he'll feel won't have an outlet but I'm determined to lessen the burden on his mind – at least for tonight.

Slipping into my pj's and socks, I slide into the living area and strike a pose in front of Harry. He's slumped in his seat on the couch staring blank faced at the TV until I block his view.

"Disney Princesses, really?" he grins, pulling me towards him by a pinch of my shirt.

"Always and forever, even though they hoed my girl Tiana. She's nowhere to be found," I reply shaking my head in annoyance as I straddle his lap. It's harder than hell to find Princess Tiana merchandise. It's like the movie never even came out.

"Hoed? Like pimping her?" Harry asks, his face covered in cute confusion.

I roll my eyes playfully, "No baby, like they disrespected her, they did her dirty. I forget you're an alien to slang sometimes."

He nods his head in understanding while playing with the tail end of my top. "If the shirt's that offensive you should take it off sweetheart," his voice is reassuring as if he has the purest of intentions.

I can feel his fingers slip beneath the fabric, warm and slightly damp, gliding across my hip bones.

"But you know how I love Belle, at least she's up front," I breathe dropping my focus in the pool of sensation coming from the involuntary grinding of my hips against his.

"Oh yeah? Well you know how I love your boobs and they're underneath so," his voice is thick with lust as he pulls my shirt up and over my head.

I want to laugh but my voice won't find the sound. The thin material of my shorts is wedged between my center and aŝs causing extra friction as we grind against one another.

Harry's hands roam my body before resting on the sides of my face pulling me down to kiss his candy-coated lips.

Our mouths slant over each other in a frenzy – kissing and biting roughly as if we're starved for each other. The energy in the room is shifting and although this is what I wanted, I pull away breaking our connection.

"What's wrong?" Harry asks immediately. His green eyes are shades darker than usual, a storm of lust rumbling within them.

"I want to know why you and James fought," I state straightforwardly, crossing my arms over my chest as a chill shoots through my exposed upper body.

Harry's head falls against the couch, a groan seeping from his mouth. Shaking his head, he asks, "Why would you bring that up right now? You and I both know where this was going."

Chortling slightly, I admit, "That's exactly why I brought it up now, I figure you'll answer me so we can get back to it. It's been more than a week and you've been tight lipped about it all. I deserve to know don't you think?"

He looks to be in thought, mulling his eyes about and pursing his flushed lips.

I rock back and forth on his lap as he sits up a bit straighter.

"Fine," he says finally, licking his lips, "James and I fought because he didn't feel like I did enough when your pictures got leaked. He felt that from that, and the fact that I never say anything to my fans or the media about their remarks about you, he could tell my intentions weren't pure. He called our relationship an experiment and I lost it. I told him to go fůck himself and the next thing I knew we were fighting. I didn't want to talk about it before because, although I don't agree with his assessment of me or our relationship, in that moment and now I feel like he was right. I'm ashamed of how I've allowed there to be this untrue narrative out there about you and to have him notice it – it was hard to talk about. I don't do my job in protecting you against the media and my fans and that's going to change."

My eyes go wide, I swallow, trying to regain control of my voice. "Thank you for opening up to me about this Harry. I can tell it was hard for you but I want you to always remember that the only opinion to me that matters is yours. The media and even your fans will always have something to say but as long as you know what's real between us and your perception of me remains the same I couldn't care less what they think."

"Ignoring things or making jokes about them is how I deal with the tabloids. I never really say anything about the things they say because they don't mean anything to me but that was selfish. I didn't think about what my silence could do to you and for that I'm sorry," he apologizes, a sincere look in his eyes.

A smile touches my lips. "It's ok. We're still learning and navigating this whole thing. This is new territory for the both of us. As long as we keep our communication open with each other and the people in our lives we can handle any and everything else."

He nods once, a grin on his face. Leaning forward slowly he places his forehead against mine, his eyes closed.

Suddenly he opens his brilliant green eyes. "Did you really have girlfriends before?" he asks as if the question has been burning him up.

I shake my head, laughing, "Nope. I just needed to get them off of your back."

He pokes his lips out in disappointment, "Damn it, I was enjoying that image in my head."

I giggle, rotating in his lap so I'm straddling him, "Oh yeah?"

"Kind of," he shrugs shyly as I wrap my arms around his neck.

Leaning over his lips I whisper, "It may not be as good as a lesbian love affair but let's try and replace that dream with some reality."

Our lips connect like magnets, we find a rhythm easily and suddenly everything is familiar. Reaching between us, I pull the waistband of his pajama shorts back with one hand and grab his hardening manhood with the other. He groans into my mouth but continues his torturous assault on my lips and tongue, caressing them with the same amount of care his fingers do when he touches me.

I feel him pushing his hips forwards and backwards, pumping himself faster into my hand. My other hand wanders down to join, forcing a hoarse whine to fall from his lips.

"I want you. I want to be close to you. I want you inside of me all the time," I whisper into his ear, capturing the skin there between my teeth softly.

A hiss escapes his mouth at my words. We both love dirty talk, especially when it's wrapped and weaved around truth.

Just as my mind forms the thought of him touching my wetness his fingers find my center. I love that, that he can know what I want without me saying it, yet when I have to tell him he can still deliver.

My back arches with the sensation of his fingers fondling my clįt, pulling his prize away from him. His other hand grips my aŝs pushing me forward and back into his reach.

I moan loudly as he pushes against my button with the thumb of one hand while slipping his middle and ring fingers into my wetness with the other. The cold of his rings against my flesh tell the story of what I can't see.

"Harry," I moan as he speeds. My body all but freezes as I feel the pressure of an orgasm building.

"Faster," he replies, in reference to what I'm not sure. I ride and jerk him faster realizing either would do but both are better.

"God," he gasps out closing his eyes tightly as he comes.

His reaction tips me over the edge and I unravel all over his fingers sending the both of us into a bliss that'll, with luck, make going home just a little bit easier.

~*~

It's been a week since we got back from the UK and my sleep schedule is just now returning to normal. Granted, my sudden recurrence of insomnia may have something to do with Damien and his near constant freak outs about his and Taylor's upcoming wedding. The wedding is literally hours away at this point but up until now -since Damien's wedding planner quit on him - I've been busy with last minute surprises and issues. First it was a random tear in Taylor's suit that needed to be repaired, then there was the mix up with the wedding cake flavor, finally – and probably the most dramatic – the venue they were holding the wedding at flooded. I had to ask Harry to call in a 'celebrity favor' to get another venue in time. He was happy to do it and Damien was incredibly grateful.

We did a walkthrough of the winery this morning and it looks great if I do say so myself. Most of the decorations were up but the finishing touches, to be made just before the ceremony, were being prepared when we left.

The theme Damien finally decided on after toying with what felt like a million ideas was Hollywood glam. I didn't expect anything less from the person that's easily my most stylish friend. The dress code is of course black tie formal, however for Amita and I we were instructed to wear red. Damien felt that although there's no official wedding party we would be his bridesmaids and should therefore dress accordingly. I've had my dress for months, it's been practically burning a hole in my closet I want to wear it so badly. Now that today's the day I don't know how to act.

Harry had Hannah hire a glam squad to come over and take care of us and since they finished I haven't been able to stop looking at myself. This is one of those occasions where I look damned good and I completely know it. I've taken so many selfies I could make a book like Kim K did and still have some left over.

As soon as Harry was dressed we snapped a few pictures together for ourselves and a couple more for Instagram and Snapchat. Typically, we don't chart our moves on social media but tonight it's practically required by the groom to be. Damien knows someone that works there and pulled some strings to get a filter specifically for the wedding so he's making it mandatory that we snap everything. Hopefully he has someone saving everyone's snaps because it's a duty he didn't ask me to do. Although I happily would've. It's been a lot of work helping him with this wedding and I've been pretty tired but I can't deny how fun it's been. I've always loved weddings and to actually be a part of planning one has been a real thrill. It definitely has me thinking about my own wedding and the things I want even though I doubt it'll be any time soon.

It's a relatively short drive to the winery. Harry grabs my hand tightly as we walk towards the entrance. Large structures draped in strings of crystals tower over the red carpet leading inside. The sun sets in the distance shooting warm rays of light into the crystals. The crystals refract the light onto the carpet creating mini spotlights along the path – it's breathtaking.

"I'm a bit nervous," Harry whispers, leaning into my side as we walk, "I've never met your friends before."

The corners of my mouth raise slightly at his admission. "Don't be. Everyone will be so focused on the wedding that they won't have time to fully judge you."

As we reach the carpet I smile at the monogram on the carpet with Damien and Taylor's names in graceful cursive, their wedding date beneath it, and a large letter 'G' above it all for Taylor's last name – Gains – which Damien has decided to take. I can't catch my running imagination. In my mind the names are mine and Harry's in a navy blue and silver color scheme with blood red roses placed around for accent.

Sighing, I push the thought from my mind. I've had wedding and baby fever like crazy lately. I can't help it, it's been happening even when I try not to think about it, taking over my idle time completely. Walking into the gorgeously decorated foyer doesn't help me any. Bulbous lamps hang from the ceiling, giving off a sultry red color, surrounded by white draped fabric marking the open areas to the guests. Small tables are set up for wedding book signing to the right of the front door and to the left of the door where the ceremony will be held. Although I had a hand in setting this up, seeing it in full swing is a totally different animal. I feel proud knowing my hard work went into the set up and yet I'm still surprised by some of the sights as we walk around.

The doors to the ceremony hall are roped off by stanchions and velvet rope making me wonder why the workers still aren't finished setting it up. Just as I decide to ask someone I see Amita looking as gorgeous as ever in a flowing red dress. The neckline ties at the back around her neck with an elegant sinuous ribbon. The back dips low, right above her butt, and runs down into a long flowing train. She notices me and with a large smile struts over to greet me. The front of the dress holds a sexy bold split, coming to the top of her thigh. The dress gives off sexiness in subtle ways, it's safe to say I love it and as soon as she's in front of me I tell her so.

"Oh this old thing?" she replies, waving off the compliment, "It's been in my closet since last year. I bought it on a splurge and had nowhere to wear it until our dramatic best friend decided to have a Hollywood themed wedding. When he told me the theme I could've kissed him. I just knew I had wasted my money on this dress until then."

We laugh, knowing all too well the struggle that comes along with impulse buys. Amita's laughter dies down quickly when she notices Harry standing to my side. Her eyes flit up and down his body then back to me, slyly raising her eyebrow twice as if to say, "Good job on this one."

"Hello," she says, offering Harry her hand, "I'm Amita Goswami – one of Bailey's best friends."

Harry smiles softly and accepts her hand. "I've heard a lot about you Amita, nice to meet you. In fact, I think I need to thank you. Had it not been for you hiring Bailey we probably would've never met."

"You're telling me I'm responsible for creating a Hollywood power couple? I should add that to my resume," she replies, her grin widening.

Harry and I laugh. Shaking my head, I wave a hand at her dismissively, "Girl. Don't let it go to your head."

I see her roll her eyes before my attention is drawn to movement by the ceremony hall doors. A couple of workers are moving the velvet ropes back and opening the doors.

"I guess that's our cue," Harry suggests, offering his arm to me.

I nod and loop my arm through his. Looking back at Amita I ask, "Do you have a date tonight? If not you can hang with us, I promise we won't make it a third-wheel experience."

She shakes her head slightly, looking a tinge uncomfortable. "I actually have a date. He's um, well," she pauses, pushing her side-swept hair behind her ear, "he's-"

Her words are cut off by a familiar lanky arm slinking around her waist, pulling her in for a kiss.

"Sorry about that babe," Berkley says, his eyes trained on my modelesque friend.

My eyes widen slightly but I straighten my face immediately. Amita nudges Berkley and clears her throat – clearly uncomfortable.

"Oh," Berkley exclaims, dropping his arm from around her as if they've been caught doing something they shouldn't, "uh, hi Bailey. How, uh, how have you been?"

I smile despite my urge to burst into laughter. I can only imagine the both of them are as red as the lights above us, the glow from them giving what I assume is an accurate depiction of their skin right now.

"I've been great Berkley, thanks for asking," I reply. Gesturing to Harry I introduce them, "This is my boyfriend Harry, Harry this is Berkley my ex-boss."

Amita visibly flinches at the word 'ex' forcing me to hold in yet another wave of laughter.

Harry and Berkley shake hands and exchange pleasantries before Harry suggests we all head into the ceremony and find seats.

Entering the ceremony hall, the doors are flanked by large red draping like curtains on a stage. A black carpet surrounded by red rose petals with the same insignia as outside covers the middle aisle. We follow it to our seats in the second row Damien reserved for Amita and I and our plus ones. The ceiling is decorated in more draped fabric, white this time, and hanging chains with balls of red flowers at the ends. The pastor - Taylor's pastor from Texas - stands under the crystal covered arch, bible in hand, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

"You did a fantastic job here sweetheart," Harry whispers as we settle into our seats.

Grinning, I thank him before Amita taps my thigh.

Looking over her shoulder before she speaks, she makes sure Berkley is in conversation with someone else before she rushes out, "I was going to tell you I swear. It wasn't something we planned it just kind of happened and I was unsure about it for a while so I didn't say anything and I know I should've said something before today but I didn't know how to broach the subject with me so just please don't be mad at me it's our best friend's wedding." She says this all in one breath as if she's afraid she'd lose the nerve if she paused for a breath.

On the one hand I want to mess with her, act like I'm upset or disappointed but on the other what she said rings true – it's our best friend's wedding. The last thing I want to do is ruin his special day especially after I worked so hard to make it happen. I allow myself to smile, not mischievously but genuinely. Although Berkley wasn't a good fit for me, I still felt like he deserved a good woman and it hardly gets better than Amita. The best part of it is I think he knows that. The way he looks at her says it all, he's in love and with the way she gazes back at him I'd say she is too.

"Don't sweat it," I whisper back, grabbing her hand to show my sincerity, "If he makes you happy then I wish you two nothing but happiness together. You have my blessing if you felt like you needed it. I'm not upset at all."

Amita's face lights with her beautiful smile and with a squeal she pulls me into a hug.

She smells great and just as I start to ask her for the name of the scent the wedding march starts to play signaling the ceremony is about to begin. I whisper that we'll talk later as we stand and then direct my attention to the entrance.

Taylor walks out first in an all-black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and a red bowtie, his parents on either side of him. I'm sure now that he's the runt of the family after seeing his brothers and his dad's height. He definitely got his mom's slim figure and height but he looks almost exactly like his dad, down to their freckles. You can see the happiness in his and his family's eyes. I'm shocked they're so open to his lifestyle being from Texas. If there's one thing that's rampant in the South, it's bigotry, even within the same family, but not here. His brothers, all well over six feet and built like linemen, are close to tears – one is in fact crying – while their parents beam blindingly white smiles at the guests and happily hug their son before leaving him at the altar.

Damien comes out next in his red tuxedo jacket, black slacks, white dress shirt and black bowtie. I was unsure about the red tuxedo jacket but seeing him in it I realize I was wrong. He looks positively radiant walking down the aisle with his mother and step-father. His dad is here as well but he wasn't allowed to walk him down since D's stepdad raised him. Regardless, his father – both of them – look extremely proud to call him their son. Speaking honestly, I've never seen so much happiness in one place.

As the vows begin and end there's not a dry eye in the building. I'm thankful I went with waterproof makeup for my look tonight as I dry yet another set of tears. Personalized vows get me every single time. I have no idea how I'll be able to keep my composure when it's my turn. All I can say is my bridesmaids better keep the tissues on deck.

Before heading into the reception area I help Amita bustle her gown so the train won't be in her way throughout the night. It takes us at least ten minutes to figure out. We're seconds away from just cutting it when a helpful wedding guest asks if we need help. Watching the process, I'm thankful for the cut of my dress. Although I had it in my closet I had it altered so it would be not only functional for tonight but fashionable.

Floor length and fire engine red, my dress matches the shade of Amita's almost exactly. A trumpet silhouette makes the material cling to my curves and accentuate them in such a perfect way I don't ever want to take it off. The back of the dress is super sexy and low, so low in fact I had to have it altered so my aŝs wouldn't be out. The front is simple with a concave neckline and a fishtail-like design at the bottom that accents the dress shape perfectly. All in all it's money well spent, especially since I didn't have to waste one second trying to bustle my own train.

After the guest helps us, we find the boys inside the reception and wait for the newly married couple to make their appearance. Knowing Damien, he's got Taylor holed up somewhere getting some post marriage nookie but hopefully they make it quick. Instead of watching the door like everyone else I take in the reception area. The winery didn't let us decorate much in here so unlike the other areas there's no draping from the ceiling. Instead, there're huge structures around, like the ones outside but larger, casting their kaleidoscopes of color all over the room. There's also a sea of black tables and chairs surrounding a dance floor with a moving light displaying Damien and Taylor's insignia wherever it lands.

After a few more minutes the DJ announces Mr. and Mr. Gains and in they walk looking flushed and only slightly disheveled confirming my suspicions. After their first dance to Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake's remix of Until the End of Time, the boys make their rounds and finally make it to our table. You couldn't wipe the smiles off of their faces if you tried. They're radiating happiness and it's damned infectious. Although they're happy to meet Harry they don't stay at the table too long before moving on to their other guests. I squeeze Harry's thigh reassuringly and earn a relieved smile from him.

Food and drinks are flowing and after a while the speeches start. Damien and Taylor decided to have an open floor for anyone who wanted to make a speech but they soon regretted it after realizing the combination of alcohol and emotions make for slurred incoherent speeches. Regardless of the few intoxicated rambles from random family members the reception stays in good spirits.

By the time we take to the dance floor everyone is a little more than tipsy. I take my shoes off at some point and somehow end up dancing with Damien and Amita more than anyone. We laugh and snapchat us dancing to all of our favorite songs but when Bootylicious comes on we all scream and go into our routine we drunkenly performed at the karaoke bar.

Harry's watching me with the biggest grin on his face and it makes me sing even harder. By the time the song is over I'm in his arms and we're slow dancing to a John Legend song.

"Having fun?" Harry asks, smiling like he knows the answer.

He doesn't sound nearly as drunk as I am and for some reason I find that unacceptable so I tell him so.

He laughs, "I think you're plenty drunk for the both of us sweetheart. Someone has to drive us back home."

Rolling my eyes, I mock him, "Blah blah blah, you're no fun."

He raises an eyebrow and breaks our contact only to grab my hand again and walk me to the photobooth at the corner of the room. He walks inside and sits down, holding the curtain open with one hand and patting his lap with the other.

I slide in and plop down on his lap, wiggling around to tease him a bit.

"Hey," Harry whines, "Cut it out I want to talk to you."

Mulling my eyes, I reluctantly stop my movements and look at him – at least I try to, my vision is a bit blurred.

"Are you okay?" he asks, smoothing my hair with his hands.

The action feels nice so I lay my head on his shoulder and tell him not to stop. "I'm fine," I answer after a moment, "just drunk."

I feel his body rumble as he giggles at me. "I can see that. I just want to make sure you're drunk because you want to have a good time and not because your best friend is here with your ex."

My head pops up quickly, making my head spin. Once the earth is level again I answer him, my speech slurred, "I'm drunk because the champagne snuck up on me. I don't care about who Berkley is fůcking. The only dįck I care about is yours. In fact I'd like to take care of it right now."

I start kissing his neck sloppily, probably leaving lipstick on his collar. My hand inches down his chest to his lap faster than usual but still not fast enough. Just as I reach where I want to be he grabs my hand and stops me.

"I think we should just sit here for a minute and if you still want to fool around in say," he pauses, shrugging his shoulders, "ten minutes, we will. Okay?"

My lips are poked out like a child being denied dessert but I can tell from his tone he's not giving in. I intend to try and break him down with some neck kisses but when I lie my head on his shoulder again he starts back caressing my hair. My eyes get heavier and heavier and before I know it the last thought I remember is that we have to have one of these booths at our wedding.

~*~

When I awake, I'm lying under a throw on top of our bed. I feel a little groggy and how I got home from the wedding is completely a blur. I'm still in my dress but my heels are together by the edge of the bed sitting up neatly. Harry's nowhere to be found but that doesn't stop me from trudging into the bathroom for a shower. I can still feel the night on me and my skin is all but begging to be cleaned.

The plan was to shower and get back into bed, under the covers this time but as the water hit my skin I awoke more and more. By the time I've slipped one of Harry's shirts on over my nakedness I'm wide awake and in the mood for a glass of water. On the way to the kitchen, I check out Snapchat for what I missed at the wedding. Apparently there was a proposal towards the end of the night between two of the guests and like me, Amita fell asleep in the photobooth. Apparently the seats in there are comfortable as all get out especially to a drunk girl.

Walking back to the bedroom, I hear soft guitar strumming coming from the music room and tip toe to the door to get a better listen. Harry's seated on the stool he usually uses, shirtless, with his guitar in his hands. As he leans over to watch his fingers, his hair falls in his face in such a sexy way. It's still a little damp from the shower and somehow that just makes him look more attractive.

I feel almost like I'm seeing something I shouldn't as I peer in at him. His music is so important to him and so personal, he works differently when I'm in the room as opposed to when I'm not. I love watching him on his own like this, he's so focused – biting his lip, his eyes trained on the guitar strings only breaking contact when he needs to scribble lyrics down hurriedly.

"You know," he states suddenly, "I think you'll be able to hear better if you come inside."

Giggling, I open the door fully and kiss his cheek before sitting on the floor in front of him. The rug in this room is so soft I always choose the floor over the couch or any of the chairs.

"What are you working on?" I ask, crossing my legs in front of me.

"A song," he jokes, placing his guitar in his lap.

"No shįt Sherlock," I reply, playful annoyance in my tone.

Mulling his eyes, he seems to be debating if he'll answer. "It's just something new I'm working on," he finally admits, looking bashful all of the sudden.

My interest is sparked. "What's it about?"

He tilts his head to the side, his hair falling with it. "You."

A smile springs to my lips immediately. "Well then I have to hear it."

Harry rolls his eyes, shaking his head in mock annoyance. "Fine."

I watch as he flips his guitar back up into position. He takes a breath, his eyes closed, before he begins to play. I listen to him caress the strings of his guitar with such painstaking tenderness I feel it radiate over my skin. He takes his time touching each string, tending to them with the same care he takes when he touches me. I can feel the love he's weaved into the song without hearing even one lyric.

As the lyrics begin I close my eyes.

"I know no two loves are the same but I've never felt this way before. Our love is different, unique. Never felt so complete. She's standing right in front of me and I know it's meant to be. Trying to tear us apart you'll never achieve it because the recipe to our love, is our best kept secret."

When I don't say anything Harry starts to stammer, "It's just a rough run through. I mean I still have a lot to fill in and I may not keep all of the lyrics the way they are for the album version – I'm still working it out. I -"

I cut him off with a kiss. No one has ever done anything like this for me. The closest I got was an ex writing a diss rap about me in junior high. To have him not only take the time out to try and put our relationship, our love, into words but to also produce it and put it on his first solo album – that says a lot. His actions have always spoken louder than his words and as we sink down onto the floor together and he starts to lift the cotton material of my shirt I realize it's my turn to show him just how loud my actions can be.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What's up my good people!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS (or whatever holiday that you celebrate)!!!!!!! I hope yall enjoyed the chapter! I really wanted to gift you all with the rest of the book today I REALLY freaking did but this past week has been so busy with all the prep for Christmas I haven't had the time to write the remaining chapters. I am, however, going to work on getting yall the rest of the book by the end of the year there are only like two or three more chapters so I should hopefully be able to crank them out!

Also, if you've been waiting on an update to Lost Secrets make your way on over because as a second Christmas gift I uploaded Chapter 2!! Please enjoy!

As always, the chapter is unedited so please forgive any mistakes!!

This chapter's Question...

What are you most grateful for from 2016?

I'm most grateful for YOU GUYS!! The support I've received this past year on this book alone has been INSANE, add in the constant support on Awake and 2016 has WITHOUT A DOUBT been the BEST year of writing on here that I've ever had. I really do love you guys and I'm so so very glad that each of you are in my life! I hope you all have an AMAZING Christmas. Eat lots, be thankful, and love on your family guys. And please please enjoy your Christmas gifts (aka this chapter and Chapter 2 of Lost Secrets) from me to you! *KISSES*

This chapter...

Not too much went on, the book is definitely winding down. I'm so thankful yall have been riding with me Bailey and Harry for so long, hang in there we're almost done!

This chapter's song...

Extraordinary Love by Stacy Barthe. This is my SONG! I was going to make the chapter song Until The End of Time but this song is what I had originally so I left it. The first time I heard this song was on Being Mary Jane and I knew immediately this was the premise of Weightless behind all of the upfront stuff. Just two people finding each other, growing together, and making extraordinary love despite all the odds.

As for new follower S/O's...

I'll start over in later chapters of Lost Secrets with this.. PLEASE know I love you all!!!!!

Thanks so much for following and I hope I don't disappoint!

Invite your friends to read and follow and leave me some feedback in the comments!! I love hearing from yall!!!!

Until Next Time,

WBN