The Photograph

I was sitting on the couch while flipping through a catalog and Darcy was playing on the floor. I was on the look for new furniture, I am planning to make Chelsea’s old room a play room for Darcy since it was directly across the hall from her room. I thought it would be perfect since her room is a little cramped between all her bedroom furniture and all of her toys, plus half the toys I have that she hasn’t opened because she’s too small for them and all the toys she’ll yet to receive in her toddler years. While sitting there, Harry appeared walking in the living room.
"What are you doing here?" I asked immediately.
"Just walked in, it wasn’t that hard. I wanted to stop by and see Darcy, if that’s alright?" He smiled softly and hopefully.
"I must not have heard you come in. She’s on the floor." I pointed over to where she was a few seconds ago.
Harry knelt down and played with her for a few minutes while I continued to look at the catalog. Moments later though he stood up and sat next to me, looking at the catalog with me. Questioning me on why I was looking at furniture and I explained everything to him.
"How was your date?" I asked.
"I ended things with her…" He trailed off.
"Why?" I frowned.
"I knew things wouldn’t work out, I know she’s not the right girl." Harry shrugged, as if breaking up with her barely hurt him at all.
"Was she upset?" I questioned.
"She was more than upset.. She was furious but it’s whatever. I have another girl in my life to look out for." Harry smiled at Darcy who was looking over at us.
I smiled at her too, she was the cutest little girl in the world.
"She’ll be 8 months next week." I added.
"8 months.. She’s growing up." Harry implied.
I nodded in agreement before my eyes scrolled back over to the last page of the catalog. When I was finished I set it down on the coffee table and looked the TV which was playing a re-run of Yo Gabba Gabba.
"It’s almost bedtime, isn’t it? It’s almost 9." Harry informed.
"It’s passed her bedtime, I didn’t notice.. I should’ve laid her down an hour ago. I’ll make her a bottle before I put her to bed. Unless you want to put her to bed." I stood up and made my way to the kitchen.
I made her a bottle and sat back down on the couch with Harry to let her drink it while he scrolled through multiple TV Channels. Once she was finished, I burped her and passed her over to Harry. He went into her room and changed her diaper and clothes before laying her down in her crib and walking back out to me.
"Does your family know about Darcy?" I asked.
"No… I haven’t talked to them in awhile. Last time we talked Anne and I got into an argument and no one has talked to anyone since. I’ll call my mom in a bit and talk to her about it. I’m sure it’s something she’d love to know." Harry made a face.
I didn’t really know what to say back to that so I kept quiet, only to yawn a few seconds later.
"Gosh I’m tired." I sighed.
"I’ll leave and let you sleep… I will call you tomorrow, okay?" Harry asked.
I stood up and shut the TV off and grabbed my phone, getting ready to walk him to the door and then head to my room for bed.
"Alright, I’ll expect to hear from you tomorrow then." I smiled gently.
Harry didn’t say anything in return, he smiled at me though and I could tell he was thinking something. Nothing that I could tell. Out of no where, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him, up against his body. Quickly he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and I tucked my head into his chest while wrapping my arms around his waist.
"You don’t know how thankful I am to have you. It doesn’t seem like it but I really appreciate all that you’ve done, you could have easily given away Darcy or god forbid gotten an abortion but you kept her. Planning to raise her alone and everything. I’m very grateful. Thank you for keeping her and thank you for letting me help you raise her. I want to be apart of her life." He confessed.
"Abortion wasn’t an option for me. I don’t think I could’ve ever done that. She deserves to know who you are and deserves to have you there. Just cause me and you didn’t work out, doesn’t mean I don’t want you around her." I stated.
"Yeah… Me and you are slowly progressing right?" Harry asked.
"Of course, we’re friends now aren’t we?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." He smiled.
"Alright." I smiled too.
"I should leave, I’ll call you tomorrow. Goodnight." Harry said opening the door.
"Goodnight." I smiled and waved as he pulled out of the driveway in his car.
I spent the rest of the night laying in my bed wondering all the possibilities and what things could be like if Harry and I were together or if we would’ve stayed together ever since those 2 weeks I spent with him. Finally I pushed all the thoughts out of my head. I can’t continue to think someday Harry and I could be together. Now I was wide awake, I stood up from my bed and grabbed my laptop. Opening up one of those dating websites. I never thought at 18 I would be resorting to this but why not? I don’t know anyone here, it’s a way of meeting new people. I signed up and it immediately matched me with one person, the rest would have to find me or I would have to find them.
The person in which I was matched with was currently online. So I sent a request to chat with him, he lived in London and looked to be in his early 20’s maybe. Once his profile came up, it did say he was 22 years old. His name was Brandon. Brandon had dark brown hair, muscular arms but not too muscular and he was proud to brag about his abs on his description. He accepted my chat request and messaged me, ‘Hey:)’
I began chatting with him and talking about different things like hobbies and interests. It turns out that we had a lot in common, I even told him about Darcy but didn’t mention Harry at all. In response to Darcy he said he loves kids and grew up with a bunch of his younger cousins. It was great talking to someone who understood like he did.
Over the next few weeks Brandon and I have been talking non-stop. It’s even come to where we now text each other and he’s been asking to see me but I’ve been nervous to agree to it. Harry was coming over for lunch and I figured it would be the perfect time to ask if he could watch Darcy so I could meet him. Although I wouldn’t tell him why I want him to watch her.
Darcy was napping and the front door opened and shut. Harry’s footsteps louder the closer he came to the living rom. He plopped down on the couch as I was busy texting away to Brandon.
"Who are you always talking to lately?" Harry asked.
This isn’t the first time he’s asked that question, whenever he asked in the passed I blew it off.
"No one, I’ve been chatting with Chelsea a lot recently." I lied.
Harry nodded, having no other interest in it. Lasagna from the oven began beeping and I raced to pull it out before it over cooked. I pulled it out and served it in the dinning room for me and Harry.
"So, Darcy’s birthday is in a few weeks. She’ll be one years old." Harry pretended to pout.
"I know, 1 years old already. She’s so big." I frowned at the thought that my baby will already be 1.
"Are you having a party of some sort?" He asked.
"Yeah, some of my family was flying in. It’s her 1st birthday so its a big deal, at least to me. You should ask some of your family to come." I suggested.
"I was thinking about it. None of my family have seen her yet." He replied.
"Call everyone and ask. I’m thinking between my family and your family it’s a lot of people so I don’t think I’ll do it here. Probably rent a banquet hall or something, a small one of course." I planned.
Harry nodded, all I could think about was asking him to watch our daughter.. All so I could go out with another guy. My phone buzzed and saw a text from Brandon. Telling me that he couldn’t wait to finally meet me, that he knows he’ll spoil me with everything I deserve. We talked about meeting right before Harry came over. Sneaking around is what made me nervous, I wanted to be honest with Harry but I know he won’t like what I’m doing. So I’m forced to lie.

Notes

Hey guys so I know I haven't updated in a while so in sorry bout that but hey I'm back now and I hopefully might be updating tomorrow if i have no plans. Anyways who has seen that movie "The Book Thief" I'm seeing if in a couple of hours with my friends so tell me what you think and I might update


dont forget to subscribe scribe vote and comment what you think
xox Emma xox