A week later, and it was already May. Time seemed to be going by so much faster than in the past. It was hard for me to believe that at the end of this month, Harry and I will have been living with my dad and step-mom for three months. I wasn’t sure how well we were all going to get along, but things couldn’t be going better. And on top of all of that, I’m mere months away from getting a little sister. Well, half-sister. But she’s going to be just like my sister to me.

As excited as I am, Harry might be just as excited, if not more. He was the one that insisted that we find out the gender of the baby first, that way we could get one of those cakes that are either pink or blue on the inside to tell my parents the gender of their baby. I giggled at his adorable suggestion and agreed of course.

“And if you don’t mind, I want to be surprised to, so could you do it by yourself?” he asked after I had agreed. “Of course.” was my reply.

Even though Annabel isn’t due until sometime at the beginning of August, which is right around the time my birthday is, she’s having a baby shower in just a week. “So we’re definitely going shopping tonight, right?” Harry asked excitedly this morning as we made breakfast. “Yes! Have you decided what you want to get yet?”

“…..”
With a laugh I said, “Harry, babe, it’s been forever since her registry has been available. I picked mine like, over a week ago.”

“I just want to get the perfect thing. Or things….I might get something not on the list too.”

Despite the fact that only women were invited, Harry assumed he would be going too. I didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth. I knew Annabel would be fine with him being there, but I made sure anyway. When I asked her, she laughed and told me that she actually expected that he’d want to come anyway.

After finishing our school work as fast as we could, we went shopping for our gifts. “Aw, this blanket is so cute. I don’t think she asked for this one though…but wait, what about this one? Ooh, did you see this one?”

I showed him my phone with the registry pulled up. “Here you go, babe.” He smiled as he took it and continued on his search for the perfect gifts. I ended up getting the bedding she wanted while Harry got the blankets she wanted along with a cute onesie and an adorable little stuffed bear.

Harry helped Annabel and I the day of the shower as we set all of the food and decorations up in the kitchen and living room. Some of her closest friends came and helped a little after we did started to. They were the ones who had planned everything that was going to happen, so as far as that went I was completely clueless.

Once we were through, Harry and I sipped some punch as we waited for the guests to arrive. As more people arrived, Harry said, “I’m going to be the only guy at the party, aren’t I?” With a small smile, I nodded my head. He paused for a moment before replying, “Oh, okay.” Once it seemed like everyone who was going to come was here, we officially started the baby shower.

“Hi everybody! Thank you guys so much for coming today, I’m so thankful to have such great friends and family.” Annabel started. “And as excited as I am to start opening those gifts, I’m starving. So let’s eat!”

As I headed for the food, Harry gently grabbed my arm to stop me. “Let’s wait a second first. I want to let them have a head start.” We waited a minute before getting in line. Once we got our food, we sat down a few seats away from Annabel who was sitting at the head of the table.

As people sat around us, some of them began talking to Harry and I. I knew her closer friends already, but I was definitely meeting a lot of new people. I couldn’t help but wonder what they thought of our circumstances. Not that any of them know Harry lives here too, but I wonder what they know about my mom. Whatever the case, they seemed to treat me normally and nicely.

Once everyone finished eating, we moved to the living room for some games. Annabel passed around note cards and a pencil. We were told to write down the name that we think she should name the baby, and the one she liked the most would be the winner of a prize. “I’m gonna win.” Harry told me quietly

“No way.” I replied. “I totally have this.” I really do. There is no way she won’t like what I pick. As soon as I got my paper and pencil I wrote down, “Abigail Rose Lawrence.”

“Let me see the so called winning name.” I said as I attempted to peak at Harry’s paper. He moved the paper close to him to hide it from me. “No, you can’t see it yet. We’re not supposed to look at each others names. Didn’t you pay attention to the rules?”

“Come on, just - “

“Annabel!” Harry exclaimed. “She’s trying to cheat and look at my paper!” He pointed to me as he spoke. I could feel my face getting red, but I found it funny anyway. “I’m not, I’m not.” I lightly hit his arm. We both stayed silent for a moment before I spoke up, “I’m gonna win.”

“Baby.”

“I’m not a baby, you are.” I replied. “No, look! Baby!” I looked up to see a woman carrying a baby in her arms. The woman’s face was slightly red as she apologized, “Sorry I’m late, you guys. Will got called into work at the last minute and I didn’t have time to get a baby sitter, so I hope you don’t mind that I brought Lilly with me.”

“Don’t apologize, Selena. And you know how much we love Lilly.” Everyone agreed, and with a smile, Selena sat down in the only seat available; the seat on the couch next to Harry. His eyes lit up as she sat Lilly up and her eyes wandered over to him. “Hiii!” Harry said with a smile and a wave. Lilly giggled in reply and attempted a small wave.

“She’s so cute.” he told Selena. “Thank you.” He seemed hesitant at first, but he asked, “Can I hold her?”

“Of course.” she told him with a smile. “Just be careful.” she added with a laugh. “I will.” As she handed Lilly to him, she fussed a bit. She wasn’t crying, but she seemed to be on the verge. “Aww, it’s okay. It’s okay, Lilly.” Harry crooned. She continued to fuss as he got her in his arms.

“Hi, Lilly. I’m Harry.” Selena handed him a small stuffed animal, and as soon as it was in his hands, Lilly took it from him. “Do you like your little bunny? What’s it’s name?” She responded with a little baby babbling but no full words. Harry turned to me and said, “Look at her! She’s so cute.” I smiled and replied, “She really is.”

Between his smile and the look in his eyes, my heart melted. Harry loves babies and little kids so much. I’m far too young to be having kids any time soon, but I can’t help but think about what it’d be like if Harry and I did one day. One thing is for sure, he would be an incredible dad.

A few minutes later and it was time for Annabel to read the names out loud and pick her favorite one. Some were hilarious and obviously not serious at all, while others were actually pretty cool. When she said “Abigail Rose Lawrence” she smiled. I looked to Harry who must have realized that was mine because he stuck his tongue at me.

Annabel was having a hard time choosing the winner, so we took a break from games and to open some presents. She didn’t open any of ours though.

The next game we played was the one where words are scrambled and the one who finishes first is the winner. Harry actually wanted us to work as a team on this one, but we figured that it would be unfair. Neither of us won.

After that, we ate some dessert before opening the rest of the gifts. “I love this so much, Megan!” Annabel said when she opened mine. “Thank you so much. I really wanted this.”

A few gifts later, and she opened all of Harry’s. “Aw, Harry…you didn’t have to get all of this. But thank you so much! I love all of it.” He had a huge smile on his face as he replied, “You’re welcome.”

Next, it was finally time for Annabel to choose the winning baby name. “Alright everybody, I’ve made my decision. I loved a lot of them, but I especially liked this one. The winner is…Bridget Hope Lawrence.”

Harry let out something of a small laugh/scream. I turned to see him smiling from ear to ear as he looked to me. “No way.” I said seriously but with a smile on my face. He nodded in reply along with a little happy dance. “That’s the name you picked?” Annabel asked. “I actually really love it.”

“I told you!” he told me with a smirk. I rolled my eyes in reply, but he gave me a kiss on the cheek before standing up to get his prize. Just like the other prize, it was a $30 gift card to a pretty fancy restaurant. “I’m sure Megan would love to go with you.” Annabel told him as she handed him the card.

“Actually…” he began. “I think someone else would like it too.” I raised an eyebrow and almost began to ask what he was talking about, when he walked over to Selena and handed it to her. “What?” was her response. “I mean…thanks, but really, you won. You and Megan should have it.”

“Come on, you should have it. I’m sure you and Will deserve a night out. I insist.” I don’t know if Harry could tell just how much she needed that kind gesture, but I think every person in that room did as she took the card in her hand and quietly thanked him once more.

After that, people broke off into groups and talked. Harry and I went to the kitchen to get some more punch. I was going to tell Harry how awesome it was for him to do that, but before I could, Selena walked up to us. “Hey, I just wanted to thank you again personally. It’s been so long since Will and I have had a night out. Between him working and the baby, it’s just hard. But anyway, thanks.”

“No problem.” he replied. “And by the way, when you guys decide to go out, let me know. I’d love to babysit Lilly that night.”

“Yeah.” I said jumping into the conversation. “We’d love to babysit her.”

“You guys are the best. I’ll definitely give you a call.” she told us with a smile. “Well, I have had a wonderful time, but I really have to go now. It was nice meeting you both.”

Once she left, I turned to Harry and gave him a hug. “You’re the best.”

“I don’t know…you’re pretty great yourself.”

I gave him a stern look. “You’re not winning this too.” “Fine, I’ll give you this one. I’m the best.”

“That’s more like it.” With a smile, I hugged him again. “We should probably go back to the living room.” he told me. “Probably.” I replied, but still didn’t let go for a few seconds. Once we did and rejoined the part, it wasn’t long before everyone slowly and one by one left.

Once everyone was gone, we helped clean up and set everything up in what Harry likes to call Bridget’s room. “Just because she picked yours, doesn’t mean she’s actually going to name her that.” I told him with a laugh.

“You don’t know that.” He started to leave the nursery to get more stuff, but as he passed me he added, “Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time you were wrong.” I hate that dork so much.

The rest of the night went by quickly, and soon it was time to go to sleep. “So, what do you want to do tomorrow?” I asked as I got into bed. “Whatever you want to do, babe. But first we should video chat with the boys.”

“Awesome! But do you think we can get them all together on such short notice?”

“Actually they already know. We’ll start it at about ten in the morning for us.”

“Oh, okay.” I paused before saying, “Did you tell me about this before and I just forgot?” We always planned our chats, so it’s kind of strange he’s just now mentioning it. “Nope.”

“But why?”

“Because.”

“Because?”

“Because…because it’s a surprise, okay? Okay, goodnight.” he quickly kissed me before scurrying out the door. But a few seconds later he was back. “Harry, I don’t want to wait until the morning to know the surprise.” He ignored me and brought me closer to him. “Please?” Once again he remained silent as he kissed me softly. “Tomorrow.” he finally said.

“Ugh, fine.”

“I love you, Megan.” he said softly as his lips neared mine again. “I love you, Harry.” And with that, I backed away and got into bed. “No more kisses until you tell me.” I folded my arms defiantly. He pouted his lips before slowly walking away. So of course I went after him and kissed him. “As if that were possible.” He smiled from ear to ear.

I got into bed and he pulled my covers around me tightly to tuck me in. “Goodnight, Megan.” he told me softly before kissing my forehead. “Goodnight, Harry.” He shut the door on his way out, and just like that, I was alone to wonder about what he had in store.