Strictly you.

"I got it!" Louis exclaimed, pointing his index finger in the air. Harry and Penny looked at him, brows arched. "Well, let's hear it?" Harry would reply. "Let's call her Esther!" He said with a bright smile. "And submit her to years of playground torture? Absolutely not Tommo." Harry shook his head while Penny laughed. Clearly he wasn't taking this seriously. "I'll have you know my great great aunt was called Esther and she was a brilliant woman. Couldn't even notice her moustache." Penny rolled her eyes and began to stand up from the chair, Harry moved to give her a hand. She had just reached 8 months and it seemed she'd inflated. "No Esther. I still like Pippa." She said with a grin, pouring herself a glass of juice. "You just stalk the Royal family..." Louis said under his breath. Harry couldn't stifle his laughter. "Hey, fuck you Lou. Pippa is a great name." She would say as she closed the door of the refrigerator. "Calm yourselves, you're getting too rowdy and she's with child." Harry would interject. "No way??" Louis said sarcastically. They were about to continue the light hearted bicker when the glass door that led out of the kitchen opened and Niall stepped in. "Ello everyone." He said with a smile, Louis stood up immediately. "Always late, you are." He said with a shake of his head. "Sorry, I got caught up with the lady. You know how it is." He said looking to Harry. He'd been seeing a new girl for a while and she had been taking a lot of his time. Penny bit her lower lip, looking down at her juice. They rarely spoke, but she heard everything from Louis. He never left out a detail. "I know how it is. Shall we boys?" Harry said as he grabbed his jacket. They were going to a low key party at Liam's and Penny opted to sit this one out. Louis and Niall nodded and began out the door, Harry walked to Penny and placed a tender kiss on her lips. "you sure you're all right?" He asked with concern in his voice. "Yes, go have fun. Gemma is coming over to hang out with me. We don't need you dear." She said as she stuck her tongue playfully out at him. "Girls." Harry said defeated before turning to join the lads. Weeks had passed since the funeral, but it had not gotten any easier for Penny. In fact, it had only gotten worse. Harry had taken pippa on a field trip of sorts, leaving Penny at home. Alone. With nothing but her thoughts. She had taken a shower and was now sitting on the chaise in her bedroom, her eyes transfixed on the distant sun as it bled through her curtains. "Are you decent?" She heard that familiar Irish accent. She hadn't seen Niall since the funeral and wasn't sure why he'd be here now. "Yeah, mostly. Hey!" She said as she stood up and walked to the door. She had on a pair of linen pants and a tank top, covered by a fluffy pink robe. She was not exactly feeling glamorous. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a nice, strong hug. "You look like hell, P." He joked, embracing her just as affectionately. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she looked up at him. "I came by to check on ya, your maid let me in. I didn't know Haz was out." He said with a slight frown. "Oh? I'm not good enough alone for a visit?" She playfully furrowed her brows. "Oh, no. You are, it's just you know. Checkered past of us being alone..." His words faded toward the end. She knew what he meant though. "Right, but...it's in the past. We aren't those people anymore..." She offered, despite the fact that seeing him here has awoken a tingle in her belly she hadn't felt in a while. Since before her father passed. "Exactly." He said with a sincere smile. Penny moved back to the chaise, patting the empty space beside her to beckon him to sit. He plopped down beside her and gave her a glance. "How are you holding up?" He finally asked, she knew it had been on his mind though. Everyone was so awkward around her now, not knowing what to say and normally babbling on while she just listened. "Not so good. I am sad all the time. This is hard." She answered honestly, feeling tears sting her eyes. Niall wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into him for a comforting hug. She pressed her cheek into his chest, breathing him in as she welcomed his offered comfort. "I wish I could do so many things over Niall. I wish I could have been closer to him, seen him more often. Pippa will never really know how special he was." She was lost in her misery, letting the words flow from her lips without filter. "Don't dwell on what you can't change. You gave him all the love you had and nothing you could change would derail fate. You are a wonderful daughter. Don't doubt yourself." He reassured. His hand stroking her hair as she slowed her sobs. She pulled her face to his, she'd heard this all before, this was no new pep talk--Harry had said the same things to her before. It was different coming from Niall though. So different. It was as if gravity shifted and tugged her lips towards his own. Certainly she wasn't doing this willingly...was she? Instantly their lips were melting together. The woman had been a breeding ground of emotion since her father died and she was lashing out, distracting herself subconsciously. Only now has it manifested as her tongue twisted and tangled with his, tasting the menthol from the cigarette he'd smoked earlier. His hands were reaching for her, grabbing the sides of her fluffy robe and yanking her on top of him. Years of angst and desire built up were obvious as they devoured each other. He abruptly pulled his lip from hers and stood up, almost making her lose her balance as she was slung from his lap and to her previous position. "No, no that can't happen. We can't do this, Penny...Harry finally forgave me. I can NOT do that to him again. I'm sorry, I'll always always love you and I know I had an ulterior motive for seeing you, but it was wrong. This has to stay between us, please Penelope. I'm so sorry." She could see tears welling in his eyes now, she knew he was right. She loved Harry with everything in her and was beyond happy with their life together. Why had she done that? "Of course." She said meekly as her eyes fixated on the hard wood floor below them. With no more explanation, Niall turned on his heel and left her there. Her nerves shaken, her confidence shattered, and her heart breaking. For a multitude of reasons, loss, betrayal, and a smidge of disappointment. With a groan, she leaned back. "I always fuck it up...."

Notes

Wrote this on my phone! I've been listening to "Beyond the pale motel" on audibles. It's by Francesca Lia Block and it's getting me inspired. Sorry it took so long to update! More soon, rate comment subscribe. You're all so lovely!