“Gooooood morning.” Harry walked onto the balcony in his sunglasses and the skimpiest pair of yellow swim shorts I had ever seen. Ivy wasn’t far behind, in her polka dot red and white swimming costume, and Noah was sitting high and proud in the high chair next to me.
“I thought we talked about those?” I nodded to his hot pants over my sunglasses. He gave an amused smirk.
“How are you feeling?” He sat down in front of me and pulled Ivy onto his lap, combing through her salty, tangled beach hair.
“Not jetlagged, thankfully. Exhausted from him, though.” I nodded at Noah who looked tired and cranky. I guessed babies did not adjust as easily to new timezones.
“I told you to let me get up for him in the night. I don’t mind.” Harry flicked his sunglasses up onto his head, bringing tresses of brown curls off of his forehead. He fixed Ivy’s hair and she jumped down.
“Are you gonna come swimming, mummy?” She tugged on the sheer white button down I was wearing, an excited grin plastered on her face.
“Soon, angel.” I said, trying to ignore Harry’s smirk, knowing full well that I could not swim an inch.

Harry watched her as she ran over to Cal on the deck below, desperate for anybody’s attention like any toddler is.

“Do you want to go to dinner tonight?” Harry looked up at me, as if he had been waiting for us to be alone. He looked to his side and gathered Noah in his arms just before he started to cry softly, irritated by his lack of sleep and the density of the L.A. heat. “Just us? Cal won’t have a problem babysitting.”

I chewed on my lip and wondered if I was really ready to be out in public. I hadn’t faced the crowds of questions and sympathies since what had happened. My only inlet to the public had been my twitter feed. The One Direction fans had sent mostly sweet, emotional well wishes, that was, once they had realised I had been screwed over. They cared deeply for Harry, and anything he cared about.

“I’m a little scared.” I passed him the adorable little blue hat we had bought for Noah to shield him from the sun. “I haven’t been out a lot since.."

I wished that I hadn’t even mentioned the idea of what had happened. I couldn’t see his eyes behind his glasses, but I knew that Harry’s face had fallen into a frown.

“Sorry. I’m just trying to get things back to normal. I should be more sensitive.” He was visibly crestfallen and it made my heart swell. I stood up and dangled my legs over his lap, smiling as Noah’s face lit up at the sight of me and he erupted into little giggles.
“Do you think I should go out with your daddy?” Noah’s smile was so adorable that my mood lightened instantly. I looked down at Harry and pulled his face to look at me. I pressed my lips to his and took in his scent, remembering how much I had missed it.
“We’ll go to dinner, bug. I’m willing to try.”
“You don’t have to-“
“I said we’ll go to dinner.” I smiled and took Noah onto my lap.

---

“Remember when clothes used to fit me?” I called, coming out of our guest en-suite in a fluster. My insecurities rose even higher when I saw Harry, in a crisp white shirt, tanned boots and indigo jeans. I sighed irritably but automatically felt bad when his face filled with confusion. “Maybe we should forget this dinner. I feel so insecure.”
“Insecure? Insecure about what?” He said, coming behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “You look amazing.”
“This dress was before both babies ruined my body. It looks awful.”
“Annie you practically flipped back into shape. What is there to be insecure about?” His face rested in the crook of my shoulder and I sighed, dropping my hairbrush to the dresser and looking at him in the mirror.
“But you look all amazing and sexy, and then there’s me.” I knew I looked pathetically grumpy, because I felt Harry’s breathy laugh on my shoulder.
“Look at me, my jeans have ripped in very inappropriate places, I haven’t ironed this shirt, and I reallllly need a haircut.” He spun me around and rested his arms either side of the dresser. “I’m also covered in tattoos and look like a very, bad, influence. A total punk that knocked up the local sweetheart with two kids."

I couldn’t stop the genuine laughing fit that ensued. It felt like the first time Harry and I had actually managed to enjoy each others company in ages. The relief that we had gotten back to our usual selves in no more than a week after having such an intense argument reassured me that we were stronger than ever.

“Maybe I like it when you knock me up.” I smiled playfully, grazing my lips on his and lifting my leg up against his thigh. “Maybe I like being tainted by a big, strong, handsome criminal."

Harry laughed and his hot breath sent shivers from my lips to my core. Amused because he knew that every adjective I had used was completely false.

“Maybe we should skip dinner.” He said, his grip on either side of me growing stronger, his head bending to meet my neck.
“So you can knock me up again?” I pulled back and frowned in amusement.
“Yeah. Be a total badass. Three kids at the age of twenty-four.”
“Okay, horny.” I finally pushed him off, knowing that if I let him touch and kiss and caress me anymore, I wouldn’t be eating tonight. “We have enough nappies and baby sick to last us another four years, thank you. Plus, you don’t have to give birth to them.”
“I would if I could.” He mumbled, clearly grumpy at my refusal, as we made it out the door and to dinner.

---

“So, I think we need to talk.” Harry spoke between mouthfuls of his food. The sentence made my stomach flip, hoping that nothing would ruin the otherwise perfect night we were having. “I was stalking your Instagram when I was laying out this morning. Do you know how many accounts you follow that only post pictures of me?”
I couldn’t help but blush at his cheeky smile. “They’re for Ivy! She likes looking at them on the iPad.”
“No, I think they’re for you.” He took a sip of his water and didn’t break his gaze. “That’s very cute. It made me very happy, actually."

I was enjoying this playful side to Harry. Our meal spent, kicking each other under the table, playing thumb war and automatically trying to act sensible whenever a waiter walked past. Harry had taken me to Craig’s, and we even managed to share a joke about how he had taken his exes here. He laughed and told me that he was trying to tell me he’d had enough of me, to which I playfully smacked his arm.

“I’m going to pay.” Harry stood up and patted himself down, bringing out his wallet. “Two secs."

My head was dizzy with the amount of affection I felt for him. The same could be said for him, his smile never leaving his face as he walked unto the front desk. Everyday that we were happy together, as a family, we seemed to heal.

“Hey, Annie.. right?"

I felt the feeling of dread as soon as I heard my name in an American accent. I looked up to see an unfamiliar face.

“Hi..?”
“Do you mind if I take a seat?” She sat down anyway, and looked at me intently. “I’m an ambassador for a charity that deals with the abuse of women. I heard about your story and I couldn’t believe it when I saw you and your husband walk in here. You are both so beautiful and young. I feel terrible that something happened to you so publicly.” She shook her head as if she had been forgetful. She handed me a very professional looking card and smiled sympathetically. “I would love to run a story on you.. I think you could act as an advocate for all of the women who’ve been affected in the same way as you.. and all of the men who’ve had it happen to their loved one.”

I blinked at her and although she had been very complimentary and courteous I felt angry at her for bringing my high down, reminding me of why I was really so far from home, trying to rebuild my relationship.

“We’re based in L.A. I’m sure you’re very busy, and we don’t have a lot of money to offer for your time.. but think about it. You could even come to one of our support meetings, and meet a few of the women there.” She nodded, standing up as Harry came over with a more than excused expression. I doubted very much that he knew of me knowing any old ladies from L.A.

“Thanks.” I managed, and she briefly touched her palm on mine. Then, she left, back to her table.
“What was all that about, smelly? Here, got you a sorbet to take out.”

I looked at him blankly for what seemed like minutes before I finally realised he had been speaking.

“Sorry."

I led him out of the restaurant, forgetting for a moment who we were and shocked by the mass of flashing bulbs that greeted us as we made our way to the car. So many crass, obtuse questions were asked by men who had nothing better to do, but they were far at the back of my mind. What if I could turn this into a positive experience?

“She was a charity worker.” I said, suddenly, about five minutes into the drive to Malibu.

Harry glanced across at me, one hand up, grazing his lips, the other on the steering wheel.

“Charity? What kind?” He frowned, protective over any new strangers I came into contact with.
“A rape charity.” I said, forgetting to be sensitive. Harry smashed onto his brake so quickly that we jolted forward.
“Shit. Sorry.” He stopped for a second, before pulling away again. I stared down at my hands furiously, wishing I had never used that word. I hadn’t yet, and it made everything more real and threw us back to square one.

“It’s just that word. I just..” Harry shook his head. “I’m sorry, bug. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He leaned over and placed his hand on my thigh. “What did she say?”
“She thinks I could be an inspiration to other girls. Women.” I shrugged. “I doubt I’ll chase it, but, whatever.”
“Hm.” Harry wore a deep frown, and didn’t speak again.

Notes

So should Annie trust this lady? Will seems to be gone for the time being which is good..updating again tomorrow! This was a bit of a filler..