You Make it Real {A Harry Styles Fan Fiction}
Chapter 65
HARRY’S P.O.V.
Piper had been asleep for three hours. I never fell asleep, though. I laid with her limp body curled up next to me for an hour before I heard Andy whining outside our door. I knew Liam stuck around when we disappeared into our room and it was probably a good time to relieve him of his babysitting duties. I carefully removed Piper’s arm from over my waist and placed it softly on the pillow I previously occupied. I slipped out of the covers and she shifted around, still fast asleep, until she settled on clutching the pillow I left behind. I gazed at her sleeping figure for a minute, admiring how calm she was this way. There were no lines of worry and confusion between her eyes; no emotional pout on her perfect lips. I wished all of the resurfacing pain could just go away. I missed how lively and bubbly she used to be. It may sound selfish, but I missed when she picked up the pieces I had left behind instead of the other way around. She’s so much stronger than I am.
I slid on the joggers I was wearing earlier and found a t-shirt in my luggage. Once I was clothed, I quietly left our bedroom, shushing Andy while the door was open.
“Daddy! I’m hungry!”
I walked over to the couch where Liam was sitting with my daughter and sat down on the other side of her.
“She’s been whining since she woke up from her nap. I didn’t know what you wanted me to feed her.”
“No worries, Li. Thanks for watching her.”
Andy climbed up on my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing my cheek.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Andy started to bounce around on my lap, trying to get my attention. I stood up and carried her on my hip, walking toward the kitchen. Liam followed.
“I would if I could. I’m sorry, but honestly, I wasn’t even meant to know.”
Liam sighed and leaned against the counter. I handed Andrea over to him before I opened the fridge, skimming over the food I had bought before Andy and Piper’s arrival. I pulled out a loaf of bread and some strawberry jelly and found peanut butter in the cupboard.
“I’m guessing she isn’t going to tell Riley then?”
“No, Liam. She can’t,” I wasn’t really sure how to get the severity of it all through to him without giving something away, “Just trust me. It won’t help anyone if more people know about this sh-“ I caught myself and my eyes shifted to Andy who was watching me intently, “-stuff.”
I turned around and quickly made a sandwich for Andy, cutting the crusts off like she likes it. I cut
it into fourths and set it down at the table. Liam put her down and she ran over to the chair nearest her food, climbing onto it quickly. Once she was settled and eating, I re-joined Liam in the kitchen, speaking in a hushed voice.
“It really has nothing to do with me, Li. I’m not trying to hide anything from you. It’s not even up to
Piper. Just try to divert Riley’s attention when they get here this weekend.”
Liam crossed his arms, but nodded in agreement.
“Oh, and I want to get Piper out today. She needs to find something to wear for tomorrow and I
thought maybe Eleanor and Perrie could take her; maybe distract her from everything. Have you seen anyone today?”
“No, I haven’t, but if you don’t need me anymore, I was going to go see if Zayn wanted to hang out. Want me to send Perrie over here?”
“Sure, thanks mate. Seriously, thank you so much for helping out with her.”
Liam patted my shoulder before making his way to the door.
“No problem, Harry. We all want to help.”
I grinned and he disappeared in the hallway.
“I’m done, daddy.”
I turned my attention back to Andy and chuckled when I saw the mess she had made.
“I think it’s bath time.”
Andy giggled and bounced around excitedly as I pulled her out of the chair, discarding her plate in the sink.
____________
Once Andy was clean and wearing fresh clothes, Piper woke up. I had spoken to Perrie and she was more than happy to go shopping with Piper. Eleanor said she couldn’t go because she wasn’t feeling well and that worried me a little, but she assured me it was nothing big.
“Hey, baby. How was your nap?”
She yawned and joined Andy and I on the couch where we were watching the same episode of
Mickey Mouse for the fifth time.
“Great. How did you sleep?”
“I didn’t.”
She leaned on my arm and stroked her fingers through my hair lackadaisically.
“I’m sorry. You should have woken me up.”
I shook my head and turned to peck her lightly on the lips.
“I could never.”
She smiled faintly and adjusted her spot on the couch cushion. Andy climbed over me and settled
on Piper’s lap.
“Can you watch Mickey with me all day, Pipey?”
Piper chuckled and I grabbed Andy around her tummy, tickling her playfully.
“Ms. Piper has got plans today.”
“I do?”
She seemed lost, as she should since she had no idea what I meant.
“You are having a girl’s day with Perrie. I know you’ve only met her like once, but she’s great. I think you’re getting massages and going shopping. Maybe you can find something for tomorrow.”
Piper sat thoughtfully in silence and finally shrugged, forcing a grin.
“Alright, sounds nice.”
She didn’t seem to enthusiastic, but she needed something to get her mind off of Matt.
“Great,” I kissed her again and Andy sat down, watching her show again, “You should go get
dressed. She said she’s ready when you are.”
“Thanks, Harry. Maybe this is just what I need.”
She kissed my forehead and stood up. I couldn’t tell if she had said that just to make me feel better or if she genuinely wanted the distraction. Either way, I hoped it would work.
PIPER’S P.O.V.
I could tell what Harry was doing and I knew he had good intentions. I just needed time to heal. It was difficult to think of anything but what little Matt said to me. There were so many loose ends and missing details. I wanted so badly to know everything he had done in the year he’d been gone.
I really loved spending time with Perrie. She’s very sweet and caring, and anything but self-centered. She let me choose the topic of conversation almost entirely, but I derailed her attempts to make me talk by asking questions about her upcoming nuptials. I tried to pay attention to her responses, but I was too wrapped up, thinking about other things. Good thing she talks a lot.
We got massages first and the entire time, in the silence, I was left with my unending thoughts and ideas. Just knowing that Matthew was out there somewhere led me to believe that there was some way to get him home. Not for my sake really, but for his own and his family’s. When we began shopping, I hoped to find a gown for the auction quickly, but we had been to four stores and I still had nothing. Harry forced me to take his credit card, but I never planned to use it. I’d just buy something reasonably priced.
“At least go into one store that you wouldn’t normally. Come on, I know you don’t want to use Harry’s money, but I’m telling you that he wants you to. I used to be the same way, even with my own money. We all came from nothing, you know? So, it feels weird stepping out of your comfort zone, but just look once. If you still find nothing, we’ll keep going where you want.”
I really didn’t want to spend Harry’s money, but I hadn’t found anything on the clearance racks at Niemen’s and I couldn’t take much more bargain hunting when I actually needed something to wear.
“Fine. You can choose one store.”
I grinned as she clapped gleefully.
“You’d look great in Versace.”
Oh god, what had I gotten myself into?
__________
“Oh my god, Piper. It’s perfect.”
It really was, besides the price. It was flawless and fit me well.
“I don’t know, Perrie. I like it and all, but damn, three thousand dollars is extreme...”
That doesn’t even include shoes.
“Harry made me promise to force you to buy anything you like. Just do it! It looks stunning on you.”
I smiled and looked at myself again in the mirror. The emerald green reminded me of Harry’s eyes.
The lace that lined the gown was soft and made it all flow so well.
“Okay, fine. I just need shoes now. Then, we’re getting food.”
Perrie squealed and I rolled my eyes teasingly, closing the curtain and changing back into my regular clothes.
...
As soon as we got back to the hotel, which wasn’t until after ten, Perrie gave me a hug and disappeared into her and Zayn’s room. I carried my new dress and the shoes Perrie picked out to go with it down the hall to our suite. I unlocked the door after balancing everything in my left arm and found Andy cuddled up asleep on the couch next to Harry. The sight was precious and I carefully closed the door so it wouldn’t make a slamming sound. Harry’s head jerked up from it’s focus on the television and he smiled sleepily at me.
I draped my dress over a chair in the dining area and set my purse and new shoes on top of the table. I was exhausted and while I should have been excited about my new clothes and the fact that I was in New York City with the man I love, I couldn’t stop the unwarranted thoughts of Matthew in my head. I slumped into the couch next to Harry and he engulfed me in his free arm. He sweetly kissed my temple and I sighed as I settled my head on his shoulder.
“So, I was thinking today...”
“Yeah?”
He didn’t seem to be paying close attention to me; in fact, he seemed really tired.
“Never mind. You should get some sleep.”
He scooted up a little and made himself appear more lively.
“No, tell me what you were thinking.”
He put on a smile that was only half-real, but I needed to talk about my ideas anyway.
“Okay, well, what if I were able to track down people who knew Matt in the cities he lived in before
here. Like, what if-“
Harry rolled his eyes and withdrew his arm from around me, rubbing his eyes tiresomely.
“Not this again, Piper. I thought we were done with this.”
It wasn’t like him to snap like that. His voice raised enough to stir Andy from her sleep a little, but she settled again quickly.
“What the hell, Harry? I’m sorry, I’m trying. How do you expect me to just get over this? I only found out this morning that he was alive. You can’t blame me for wanting to understand it all!”
I was half yelling and half whispering because I didn’t want to wake Andy. Not in the middle of this.
“Exactly; you thought he was dead until this morning and he obviously wanted you to think that. So, just go back to pretending he’s dead. I think it’ll work out best for everyone!”
I couldn’t help but to let a few tears fall from my eyes. He didn’t keep his voice down and Andy was awake. Harry didn’t take notice, though. He stood up and his daughter shrunk back in the corner of the couch, pouting. I stood up, trying to make myself appear on Harry’s level.
“It isn’t that simple! Why are you being so mean about this, Harry? I don’t think of him romantically anymore, okay? I just care about him and he fu-freaking told us that he’s in danger! How can we not try to help him?”
I almost let my words slip, but I couldn’t do that in front of Andrea. Harry didn’t even seem to notice she was sulking.
“If he thought that there was any chance of you being able to help him, don’t you think he would have fucking told you? He keeps running away from you because of this, Piper! Just let him go! He doesn’t want you to follow him!”
He was yelling now. I’d never seen him yell like that. I’d never seen him so angry. Andy began to silently cry and I felt more hot tears reach my cheeks.
“Maybe he just doesn’t know! Maybe there’s something he doesn’t know!”
I was delirious and I knew it, but I couldn’t just drop the subject. I couldn’t believe Harry was acting this way.
“Piper! Enough. Fucking drop it!”
His voice echoed loudly through the room and Andrea couldn’t contain her emotions anymore. She yelped and started sobbing loudly.
I stared deeply into Harry’s eyes as his angry expression faded into a hurt one when he realized
what he had done. His eyes glassed over quickly and his hand clasped over his mouth.
“Look what you made me do.”
It was barely audible, but I heard him and he couldn’t take it back. I leaned over the couch and scooped Andy up in my arms. She laid her head on my shoulder and I could feel the sporadic sobs causing her small frame to twitch.
“Goodnight, Harry. You can sleep in our room. I’ll be with your daughter.”
The last thing I saw before I turned around was Harry burying his face in his hands. While it broke my heart to think of how he felt, it broke my heart more to have seen his childish outburst before. He was upset with himself, but he deserved to feel that way.
Andrea sobbed against my shirt and I softly rubbed her back, making my way to the bedroom she had been staying in.
“Shhh. It’s okay, sweetheart. Daddy just doesn’t feel well. Let’s go to sleep.”
And just like any crying child, Andrea fell asleep quickly, small sobs emitting her lips in intervals until they were completely done.
Once she was asleep, I pulled the blankets up farther over her and settled on the other side in the clothes I had on. Then, I cried. I cried until there was no more thinking power within me and I dozed off into a restless sleep.
Piper had been asleep for three hours. I never fell asleep, though. I laid with her limp body curled up next to me for an hour before I heard Andy whining outside our door. I knew Liam stuck around when we disappeared into our room and it was probably a good time to relieve him of his babysitting duties. I carefully removed Piper’s arm from over my waist and placed it softly on the pillow I previously occupied. I slipped out of the covers and she shifted around, still fast asleep, until she settled on clutching the pillow I left behind. I gazed at her sleeping figure for a minute, admiring how calm she was this way. There were no lines of worry and confusion between her eyes; no emotional pout on her perfect lips. I wished all of the resurfacing pain could just go away. I missed how lively and bubbly she used to be. It may sound selfish, but I missed when she picked up the pieces I had left behind instead of the other way around. She’s so much stronger than I am.
I slid on the joggers I was wearing earlier and found a t-shirt in my luggage. Once I was clothed, I quietly left our bedroom, shushing Andy while the door was open.
“Daddy! I’m hungry!”
I walked over to the couch where Liam was sitting with my daughter and sat down on the other side of her.
“She’s been whining since she woke up from her nap. I didn’t know what you wanted me to feed her.”
“No worries, Li. Thanks for watching her.”
Andy climbed up on my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing my cheek.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Andy started to bounce around on my lap, trying to get my attention. I stood up and carried her on my hip, walking toward the kitchen. Liam followed.
“I would if I could. I’m sorry, but honestly, I wasn’t even meant to know.”
Liam sighed and leaned against the counter. I handed Andrea over to him before I opened the fridge, skimming over the food I had bought before Andy and Piper’s arrival. I pulled out a loaf of bread and some strawberry jelly and found peanut butter in the cupboard.
“I’m guessing she isn’t going to tell Riley then?”
“No, Liam. She can’t,” I wasn’t really sure how to get the severity of it all through to him without giving something away, “Just trust me. It won’t help anyone if more people know about this sh-“ I caught myself and my eyes shifted to Andy who was watching me intently, “-stuff.”
I turned around and quickly made a sandwich for Andy, cutting the crusts off like she likes it. I cut
it into fourths and set it down at the table. Liam put her down and she ran over to the chair nearest her food, climbing onto it quickly. Once she was settled and eating, I re-joined Liam in the kitchen, speaking in a hushed voice.
“It really has nothing to do with me, Li. I’m not trying to hide anything from you. It’s not even up to
Piper. Just try to divert Riley’s attention when they get here this weekend.”
Liam crossed his arms, but nodded in agreement.
“Oh, and I want to get Piper out today. She needs to find something to wear for tomorrow and I
thought maybe Eleanor and Perrie could take her; maybe distract her from everything. Have you seen anyone today?”
“No, I haven’t, but if you don’t need me anymore, I was going to go see if Zayn wanted to hang out. Want me to send Perrie over here?”
“Sure, thanks mate. Seriously, thank you so much for helping out with her.”
Liam patted my shoulder before making his way to the door.
“No problem, Harry. We all want to help.”
I grinned and he disappeared in the hallway.
“I’m done, daddy.”
I turned my attention back to Andy and chuckled when I saw the mess she had made.
“I think it’s bath time.”
Andy giggled and bounced around excitedly as I pulled her out of the chair, discarding her plate in the sink.
____________
Once Andy was clean and wearing fresh clothes, Piper woke up. I had spoken to Perrie and she was more than happy to go shopping with Piper. Eleanor said she couldn’t go because she wasn’t feeling well and that worried me a little, but she assured me it was nothing big.
“Hey, baby. How was your nap?”
She yawned and joined Andy and I on the couch where we were watching the same episode of
Mickey Mouse for the fifth time.
“Great. How did you sleep?”
“I didn’t.”
She leaned on my arm and stroked her fingers through my hair lackadaisically.
“I’m sorry. You should have woken me up.”
I shook my head and turned to peck her lightly on the lips.
“I could never.”
She smiled faintly and adjusted her spot on the couch cushion. Andy climbed over me and settled
on Piper’s lap.
“Can you watch Mickey with me all day, Pipey?”
Piper chuckled and I grabbed Andy around her tummy, tickling her playfully.
“Ms. Piper has got plans today.”
“I do?”
She seemed lost, as she should since she had no idea what I meant.
“You are having a girl’s day with Perrie. I know you’ve only met her like once, but she’s great. I think you’re getting massages and going shopping. Maybe you can find something for tomorrow.”
Piper sat thoughtfully in silence and finally shrugged, forcing a grin.
“Alright, sounds nice.”
She didn’t seem to enthusiastic, but she needed something to get her mind off of Matt.
“Great,” I kissed her again and Andy sat down, watching her show again, “You should go get
dressed. She said she’s ready when you are.”
“Thanks, Harry. Maybe this is just what I need.”
She kissed my forehead and stood up. I couldn’t tell if she had said that just to make me feel better or if she genuinely wanted the distraction. Either way, I hoped it would work.
PIPER’S P.O.V.
I could tell what Harry was doing and I knew he had good intentions. I just needed time to heal. It was difficult to think of anything but what little Matt said to me. There were so many loose ends and missing details. I wanted so badly to know everything he had done in the year he’d been gone.
I really loved spending time with Perrie. She’s very sweet and caring, and anything but self-centered. She let me choose the topic of conversation almost entirely, but I derailed her attempts to make me talk by asking questions about her upcoming nuptials. I tried to pay attention to her responses, but I was too wrapped up, thinking about other things. Good thing she talks a lot.
We got massages first and the entire time, in the silence, I was left with my unending thoughts and ideas. Just knowing that Matthew was out there somewhere led me to believe that there was some way to get him home. Not for my sake really, but for his own and his family’s. When we began shopping, I hoped to find a gown for the auction quickly, but we had been to four stores and I still had nothing. Harry forced me to take his credit card, but I never planned to use it. I’d just buy something reasonably priced.
“At least go into one store that you wouldn’t normally. Come on, I know you don’t want to use Harry’s money, but I’m telling you that he wants you to. I used to be the same way, even with my own money. We all came from nothing, you know? So, it feels weird stepping out of your comfort zone, but just look once. If you still find nothing, we’ll keep going where you want.”
I really didn’t want to spend Harry’s money, but I hadn’t found anything on the clearance racks at Niemen’s and I couldn’t take much more bargain hunting when I actually needed something to wear.
“Fine. You can choose one store.”
I grinned as she clapped gleefully.
“You’d look great in Versace.”
Oh god, what had I gotten myself into?
__________
“Oh my god, Piper. It’s perfect.”
It really was, besides the price. It was flawless and fit me well.
“I don’t know, Perrie. I like it and all, but damn, three thousand dollars is extreme...”
That doesn’t even include shoes.
“Harry made me promise to force you to buy anything you like. Just do it! It looks stunning on you.”
I smiled and looked at myself again in the mirror. The emerald green reminded me of Harry’s eyes.
The lace that lined the gown was soft and made it all flow so well.
“Okay, fine. I just need shoes now. Then, we’re getting food.”
Perrie squealed and I rolled my eyes teasingly, closing the curtain and changing back into my regular clothes.
...
As soon as we got back to the hotel, which wasn’t until after ten, Perrie gave me a hug and disappeared into her and Zayn’s room. I carried my new dress and the shoes Perrie picked out to go with it down the hall to our suite. I unlocked the door after balancing everything in my left arm and found Andy cuddled up asleep on the couch next to Harry. The sight was precious and I carefully closed the door so it wouldn’t make a slamming sound. Harry’s head jerked up from it’s focus on the television and he smiled sleepily at me.
I draped my dress over a chair in the dining area and set my purse and new shoes on top of the table. I was exhausted and while I should have been excited about my new clothes and the fact that I was in New York City with the man I love, I couldn’t stop the unwarranted thoughts of Matthew in my head. I slumped into the couch next to Harry and he engulfed me in his free arm. He sweetly kissed my temple and I sighed as I settled my head on his shoulder.
“So, I was thinking today...”
“Yeah?”
He didn’t seem to be paying close attention to me; in fact, he seemed really tired.
“Never mind. You should get some sleep.”
He scooted up a little and made himself appear more lively.
“No, tell me what you were thinking.”
He put on a smile that was only half-real, but I needed to talk about my ideas anyway.
“Okay, well, what if I were able to track down people who knew Matt in the cities he lived in before
here. Like, what if-“
Harry rolled his eyes and withdrew his arm from around me, rubbing his eyes tiresomely.
“Not this again, Piper. I thought we were done with this.”
It wasn’t like him to snap like that. His voice raised enough to stir Andy from her sleep a little, but she settled again quickly.
“What the hell, Harry? I’m sorry, I’m trying. How do you expect me to just get over this? I only found out this morning that he was alive. You can’t blame me for wanting to understand it all!”
I was half yelling and half whispering because I didn’t want to wake Andy. Not in the middle of this.
“Exactly; you thought he was dead until this morning and he obviously wanted you to think that. So, just go back to pretending he’s dead. I think it’ll work out best for everyone!”
I couldn’t help but to let a few tears fall from my eyes. He didn’t keep his voice down and Andy was awake. Harry didn’t take notice, though. He stood up and his daughter shrunk back in the corner of the couch, pouting. I stood up, trying to make myself appear on Harry’s level.
“It isn’t that simple! Why are you being so mean about this, Harry? I don’t think of him romantically anymore, okay? I just care about him and he fu-freaking told us that he’s in danger! How can we not try to help him?”
I almost let my words slip, but I couldn’t do that in front of Andrea. Harry didn’t even seem to notice she was sulking.
“If he thought that there was any chance of you being able to help him, don’t you think he would have fucking told you? He keeps running away from you because of this, Piper! Just let him go! He doesn’t want you to follow him!”
He was yelling now. I’d never seen him yell like that. I’d never seen him so angry. Andy began to silently cry and I felt more hot tears reach my cheeks.
“Maybe he just doesn’t know! Maybe there’s something he doesn’t know!”
I was delirious and I knew it, but I couldn’t just drop the subject. I couldn’t believe Harry was acting this way.
“Piper! Enough. Fucking drop it!”
His voice echoed loudly through the room and Andrea couldn’t contain her emotions anymore. She yelped and started sobbing loudly.
I stared deeply into Harry’s eyes as his angry expression faded into a hurt one when he realized
what he had done. His eyes glassed over quickly and his hand clasped over his mouth.
“Look what you made me do.”
It was barely audible, but I heard him and he couldn’t take it back. I leaned over the couch and scooped Andy up in my arms. She laid her head on my shoulder and I could feel the sporadic sobs causing her small frame to twitch.
“Goodnight, Harry. You can sleep in our room. I’ll be with your daughter.”
The last thing I saw before I turned around was Harry burying his face in his hands. While it broke my heart to think of how he felt, it broke my heart more to have seen his childish outburst before. He was upset with himself, but he deserved to feel that way.
Andrea sobbed against my shirt and I softly rubbed her back, making my way to the bedroom she had been staying in.
“Shhh. It’s okay, sweetheart. Daddy just doesn’t feel well. Let’s go to sleep.”
And just like any crying child, Andrea fell asleep quickly, small sobs emitting her lips in intervals until they were completely done.
Once she was asleep, I pulled the blankets up farther over her and settled on the other side in the clothes I had on. Then, I cried. I cried until there was no more thinking power within me and I dozed off into a restless sleep.
@jasyjas18
awwww thank you so much! where is this awards nomination? lol I didn't know about it, but thank you so much!!!! :) I'm gonna start the sequel now ;) should be up today or tomorrow!
8/4/14