My eyes shot open to a horrible dream. Brynn had left her ring on the pillow and flew back to California alone, without a note or anything. So far, she was still sleeping beside me but that didn't brush away the fear of her regretting everything in the morning. Heart pounding scared shitless, falling back asleep was doomed impossible.

Awake since 5:30am, I desperately wanted to wake Brynn and ask her if she still wanted to marry me. I had no problem watching her till then. Minutes were torturously long, her body began to move around more. Sensing her stretching her legs and back under the covers, I pretended to be asleep.

The grumbling in her throat gave me clear indication she was up. When my eyes opened, her hand was raised in the air, gazing at the ring. Hesitant to look at her face, yet I was caught by surprise to see her biting her lips and…looking genuinely happy. I shifted my head, catching her attention. A pair of enormous honey-green eyes looked back at me, smiling.


"Good morning," I whispered.

"Good morning, future husband," she grinned.

"Ah, music to my ears. You don't know how thrilled I am to hear you say that."

"Why, did you honestly think I was that drunk?"

"Ugh…maybe?"

"I actually dreamt about our wedding…" she added in a daze.

"About that, I know this is a huge step for us. So I want you to decide on the date. And I don't mean it like I'm throwing the weight on you. It's just if it were up to me…I'd marry you today…or a year if you needed."

Smiling even wider, she looked back at her hand. "It's going to take me a while to get used to this."

"A good thing?" I asked perplexed.

"A wonderful thing!"

"Just don't punch me with that hand now," I kissed her forehead.


Laughing she snuggled up next to me and I held her for the next hour. We eventually got our things together and made it to the airport. A worthy trip after all, unforgettable New York. I had someone take a couple of pictures of us in front of the window with the aircrafts in the back; a keep sake. And while Brynn wasn't looking, I'd catch her snapping pictures of her hand with her phone; texting like crazy.

"I'm going to get us some coffee for the flight. Your usual?"

Brynn nodded, embarrassed that I caught her in another snap shot. Except she included me in one before I walked off. After placing the order, my phone began to buzz non-stop. I found 5 texts with congratulations in all caps. Zayn, Elizabeth, Lilah, Louis and Janet. I hadn't even told my friends yet! There was no better time as I waited for my coffee. Soon their texts also filled my inbox.

"Harry, one Tall Vanilla Spice Latte and Venti Caramel Macchiato!"

"Thanks," I smiled and tipped the jar.

Walking back, my phone wouldn't stop. I handed Brynn her cup, and checked my screen again. Paralyzed and faking a smile, in order to not startle her, I looked at another picture from the mysterious sender. This time it was the two of us dancing last night at the club and it had the word congratulations. There was no mistake this was some sort of harassment. I looked around for any sign of suspicious bystanders and saw nothing suspiscious.

Tempted to delete it but realizing this was evidence, I saved it and refused to show it to Brynn. The last thing she needed was to feel unsafe and paranoid. Once I got back, I'd go to the police and see if there was a way they could retrieve the number somehow. In the meantime Brynn, my fiancé, was sitting there innocently.

I knelt down, resting my hands on her knees. "How's my fiancé?"

"Still in shock," she smiled down at her finger. "This means I have to keep my nails nice and pretty if I'm going to be showing my ring off back home."

"Your hands always look beautiful," I said kissing them.

After easing my mind from the disturbing text, we’re soon called to board the plane. Assigned the very last row of seats on this giant aircraft meant it was a piece of cake to get on but it would take us forever to get out.

I closed my eyes as we held hands to take off. Thankfully our neighboring passengers were on the same page about it being nap time; all the windows were shut and the overhead lights off. That's what I'm talking about! Sitting on the right side, were a few heavier guys already knocked out. It didn't take them very long.

Usually I like to wait for the flight attendant to pass the drinks before dozing off but considering the long wait, I wasn't up to it this time. It got very quiet. All that was heard was the cool air blowing over our heads, the perfect white noise to fall into a peaceful slumber. Brynn on the other hand, the one that got her 8 hours of sleep, decided to do a little teasing.

"I've never had a kiss on an airplane before."

My eyes peeked over. "Well that was random."

"Just saying…" she shrugged.

Knowing Brynn and how I had to read in between the lines, this was her subtle way of hinting at the obvious. Never been strong enough to turn down a kiss from her, but she had better awaken me somehow because my body was shutting down. The coffee had failed.

I raised the arm rest in between us to slide my arm around her. Pleased to get what she wanted, Brynn fell right in the concave of my arms and like a magnet met with my lips. Yup, that did the trick. Every time our lips touched, mine were set on fire. There could be no delicate or weak kiss in me.

Her soft little hand cupped my face as our kiss remained family friendly. My arms held her securely as my back shielded us from any spectators. We got about borderline PDA when Brynn pulled away, thinking she heard someone. Good thing too, I was getting uncomfortable in my seat…if you know what I mean.

Looking down the aisle, we still had a long way from ever getting those beverages. I got up to go to the impossibly small bathroom, only a few feet away. Readjusting and cooling off my face with cold water about did it for me. Just then I heard a knock on the door and the sound of Brynn's voice. Guess she couldn't wait.

"Hold on Br-" not able to finish, Brynn covered my mouth with her hand.

"Shhhhh!"

She pushed me back and squirmed her way inside this matchbox. I couldn't help but laugh at this scenario. Surely she didn't want to do it in here…did she?

"How do people have sex in these things? There's clearly no room!" she whispered aloud.

"Babe, I don't think sane healthy people have sex in here. That's for the movies and crazy hammered couples."

"Good. Because I can't imagine exposing my privates in here to catch all the bacteria and who knows what STD," she said disgusted.

Still laughing, I hugged her tightly. "Aww honey, did you come in here to seduce me?"

"Well kind of…but now I don't think this is sanitary at all."

"It was cute of you to try though."

Since we were already alone, thinking we might as well continue a little more where we left off. I distracted Brynn in a surprise kiss and felt her body ease up. Able to press against the door, I reached for her neck and held it while showering her with my tongue. Her cue was to tug my hair, whenever she did that I’d kiss harder.

I was attacking her mouth knowing we didn't have much time left. I’d press against her, squeezing her small waist into mine. Her hands were all over my hair and riding up under my shirt, driving me wild. I ventured down to her chest but there was seriously no room to move around without hitting an elbow or making noise.

She began laughing and I quickly covered her mouth. "That's it! I'm kicking you out. I have to cool down yet again."

"Okay okay. Do I look alright?" she asked angelically.

"You did this to me! You look fine, now get out so I can take care of this coat hanger."

This time she held her own mouth from wanting to laugh so hard. God, I loved her! Even in this embarrassing moment. She quietly snuck out and knocked to tell me it was safe, but I wasn't. I still had an issue and needed to take care of it.

Returning to my seat, Brynn was blushing for me. I was fine…now. Relaxed and ready to finally take that nap.

"Did you do what I think you did?"

"Shhhh woman! Now let me sleep," I smiled.

"It didn't take that long."

"Yeah well, you had me hurting so…"

Laughter erupted again from this petite thing; so cruel yet so lovely. Contagious, I couldn't help laugh myself. To get her back, I began tickling her only to be further humiliated.

"Ewww, you better have washed those hands, mister," she giggled while play-fighting me.

"Listen here, girly, my hands are cleaner than this dirty air they have blowing in our faces," I shook my head with a smirk. "You're a mean woman."

"I love you," she sung.

"Nope," still shaking my head. "I give her an engagement ring and this is how she treats me."

"I love youuuu," she took my face and looked intently into my eyes. "I. Love. You."

"Love you too," I gave up.

I stole kiss after kiss until the flight attendant came with our beverages. What an amazing flight!

---

I didn't take the apartment after all. Fortunately, I ended up renting a room from a colleague of mine and opted to stay there just for the week so I could drive up to Brynn's for the weekend; like my original plan. As far as the whole stalker situation, there wasn't much the police could do but write a report to keep on file.

Lilah wanted to host a family barbecue at my parent's house. Knowing her, she would go all out as I already suspected this to be an engagement party. I left a bigger bag of clothes at Brynn's apartment, gradually moving in. But if there were anything to dread, it would be Brenda's words towards Brynn about our engagement, considering she wasn't thrilled with the idea in the first place.

I invited my friends from high school and college. Anyone that had been a special part of my life had to meet the woman I was going to marry, to see for their own eyes. Brynn wanted to dress in matching colors, so I consented. Not knowing she had a pink tie for me hidden in her drawer to go my grey button shirt.

Pleasing her would cost me my man card with the fellas, but just taking a glimpse of her would cause them to hold their tongue; that or a punch to the face, whatever worked. As Brynn slid into her pink dress, I caught sight of something.

"Hey," I whispered while tucking my hand behind her ear.

Pulling out a silver streak that I had forgotten she had, I smiled, reminded of the younger Brynn. I remembered seeing it when we kissed in the park and the times we were fooling around at my house.

"I'm going to dye it for the wedding," she blurted a little embarrassed.

"No. Don't. I love this…it's a part of you."

Smiling timidly she buried her head on my chest and sighed. I did well by saying that. If there were any insecurities that Brynn felt, it was my goal to get rid of them. She deserved to believe and know she was nothing less than perfect in my eyes.

We pulled up to my old house around four in the afternoon; knowing there had to be a crowd, judging by the cars aligned on our street. We took a deep breath and put our game faces on, suspecting our story would get told quite a few times tonight.

As predicted the house was crammed with people. The smell of smokey meat lingered inside, guessing my uncle was at the grill in the back yard. And of course Lilah had themed the party to look like some cheesy 80's prom flick. You have to love that girl's imagination.

Janet came and swept Brynn away from me before I was able to introduce her to my friends. Everyone was here, even the least expected. I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted Liam, Brynn's ex-boyfriend, in MY house. Not in the mood to say hello, I searched for my cousin instead. There had better be a damn good explanation!

"Lilah, you care to tell me why Brynn's ex is here?" I glared.

"I know, I'm sorry…didn't you listen to my voicemail?"

"No. I swear I'm about to smash my stupid phone!"

"Don't worry, he's okay. Liam is actually here on a date, with my friend. I introduced them last week, after she got back from her trip. And he insisted on coming, according to Janet. He is family remember?"

"Yeah, the uncle. I get it. I just don't want any drama, or anything to ruin the evening."

"Don't worry. Oh and I want you to meet my friend, let me go find her," Lilah announced before leaving.

Meeting her friend meant that I had to face Liam sooner than later. My first priority was finding Brynn and keeping her at my side. Regardless of her ex being here on his date; that better be the truth. I found her talking with Kevin, her stepfather, knowing that Brenda had to be close.

I shook his hand as he congratulated us. He also didn't fail to mention that Brynn's mother was feeling under the weather and couldn't make it. Brynn looked very disappointed and the feeling that she was hiding something from me grew. I didn't believe the excuse but wasn't about to investigate it on the spot either.

Brynn pulled me aside, "Did you hear?"

"About Liam being here? Yeah I saw him, haven't spoken to him yet."

"We should go together. I don't want to go alone and I just want to get it over with."

"I agree," I said while brushing her hair behind her ear.

Our hands clasped tight, we walked towards the couch where Liam, Janet and the rest of the gang sat. I hugged Elizabeth and Zayn. Then on his turn, I shook his hand, all grudges put to rest. Surprisingly, he was calm and smiled at us. Sensing no threat, my guard went down a little.

"Where's your date?" Louis shouted at him.

Shrugging, Liam answered, "the bathroom, I think."

Brynn took a seat beside Elizabeth; her kids were with their grandparents. I stood behind Brynn, leaning over the couch, protecting her. Bending down I whispered if she felt okay. She nodded while looking up at me, smiling and grabbing my hand to keep over her shoulder.

An unfamiliar face approached the group and introduced himself to me as Ian. Remembering Brynn mention something about him, I kindly shook his hand. A good looking guy and a writer too if I recall; him and Janet made a handsome couple. In fact, everyone seemed to be coupled up.

"So when are you tying the knot?" I signaled at Louis.

"We are actually talking about some time next year," he answered, red faced.

"So Niall wanted to come but was tied up. He says he won't miss the wedding and bachelor party, if you're okay with him being there, Harry?" Elizabeth added.

"Oh yeah! You have to bury the past you know? We're cool now," I assured her.

Niall was far from being a problem in my book. As far as I had heard, he was a Christian man now, making better use of his time to serve others and participate in all these organizations. I respected that. Liam on the other hand, I appreciated his service for our country and all, but somehow I didn't trust him quite yet. I didn't want him snapping on me at any given moment.

"There she is!" Lilah broadcasted as this tiny auburn haired girl swung beside Liam.

"Sorry, I couldn't find you guys. I was looking outside," she explained.

That voice! Reacting like a deer in bright head lights, carrying a blank stare, my brain reacted too slow and then…I got hit by the truck.

"Brynn and Harry, this is my friend Alexandra, she was in my class this semester."

"Oh my gosh! What a small world, huh Mr. Styles? I took his class last year," she declared to the group.

"Ah yes. I didn't recognize you…You changed your hair," I swallowed hard yet tried to remain casual.

Of course Liam gave me a suspicious look and Brynn hadn't caught on to who she was. That gut-wrenching feeling returned as the weirdest thought crept in my mind. She was a blonde before. Then I couldn't help wonder…how much she…mirrored Brynn's appearance.

Notes

Climax is coming!!!


Creepy, right? What did you think of this chapter? I love this couple :)