**Harry’s POV**

“Poor dear. It may take her awhile to adjust her body clock. She was up to all hours this morning because she couldn’t sleep and now look at her.” Gemma said, looking towards the back seat. I smiled when I glanced behind me. Nichole was out cold in the back seat of my Rover. I turned my attention back to the road. We were only about half an hour into the four hour drive home.

“Let her sleep. Mum’s not going to let us rest when we get home. She’ll get sorted soon enough.”

“You make her happy, little brother.” I looked over at my sister and she was just grinning at me.

“Good.”

“She makes you happy too, right?”

“Yes, you could say that there has been a change in my mood lately.” I said cheekily, keeping my eye on the road. “It’s all pretty new yet, sis. But yes, I like her, a lot.”

We didn’t say much to each other for a short while. Gemma was looking out the window and I was concentrating on driving. We both giggled when Nichole let out a little snore and shuffled a bit on the seat, settling down and going right back to sleep.

“Tell me about her boyfriend in school. The one that wanted to marry her,” I asked Gemma. I knew that there had been a couple of boyfriends in her past but neither seemed to work out for her. I was curious why.

“Shouldn’t you ask her that?” Gemma said softly. “I’m surely breaking some friend code by telling you anything.”

“What about the brother/sister code? Hmm? I am just curious, sis. She’s a beautiful, intelligent woman, you would think she would have lines of guys trying to get her attention.”

Gemma sighed and looked at me harshly. I could tell she was debating what to say to me. Finally she said,

“It’s not that, Harry. She could be married now, it that’s what she wanted. She dated Tommy all through school. Most of the girls she went to high school with are married to the boys they dated in school. In her small town, it’s very traditional. The girls go away to university and become nurses or teachers, come home to marry their high school boyfriends. They are usually ranch hands or sons of ranchers or farmers. Her ex, Tommy, that’s what he expected. They both went to school, she studied marketing, PR, and communications. She knew she wanted to work for a non-profit very early on. She considered nursing, but not to come home and work in a doctor’s surgery or hospital. She wanted to be able to use that skill in hospitals in places like Africa. Tommy studied agriculture and business management. He proposed to her the day after she graduated university. She turned him down and he didn’t take it well. From what her mum told me, there were some problems that the authorities had to get involved with.”

“Jesus. It’s all ok now though?”

“Yeah, I think Dylan ‘handled’ it eventually. He’s since gotten married to another girl they went to school with. He’s set to take over his family’s ranch, like Dylan is with her family’s place. That’s not the life she wanted. Tommy didn’t understand that.”

“But she loves her home so much.”

“She does, but…she’s different. Her home is her touchstone, but she sees the world outside the boundaries of the ranch and the town. Her family is different.They know that her path is outside that that town. Even Dylan has finally accepted it. Ask her about her Nanna Charlotte. Her spirit comes from her.” Gemma reached over and touched my hand, “Harry, you both have similar hearts. Sometimes too big for your bodies, but very similar. You see the world the same way and you want to make a difference. You are good for each other. I think I knew it the moment I met her.”

“I’m worried the press and the fans are going to eat her alive.”

“She’s tougher than you think. Besides, right now, she is a family friend that you are consulting with on some charity projects. That’s all anyone will know for now.”

**Nicky’s POV**

“Nichole? Hey beautiful, wake up. We’re here.” I heard his voice before I saw his face.I opened my eyes slowly and saw Harry and Gemma both looking at me from the front of the car, smiling. I sat up quickly and looked around. We were parked in front of a house, that I assumed was their mom and step-dad’s house. The sun was setting and I could see some girls standing on the sidewalk, all excited because they could see Harry.

“Oh Jesus, did I sleep the whole trip?”

“Pretty much. Lovely snore, by the way.” Harry teased.

“Shut up.”

Gemma looked at the girls standing so patiently at the end of the drive. There were only three or four there. She grinned and said,

“Right, Harry go on and see to the girls. Mum says they have been here since early this morning, Nicky and I will get the bags and bring them in.” We all hopped out of the car and I watched as he walked down the drive to say hello. Gemma and I walked to the back and started pulling our bags out.

“Are there always girls here?” I asked, just as one of them called out,

“Hello Gemma! Hello Nicky!” I froze and looked at Gemma. My face must have been priceless, because she laughed at me and then waved at the girls. I turned and sort of awkwardly waved at the girls and watched Harry speak to them, pose for the selfies, hug them all and sign things.

“How did they know who I was?”

“These girls know everything, and miss nothing.”

“And they are always here?”

“No, no…but Amy, the one that spoke to us, lives nearby. I think about thirty miles away or so. She knows whenever Harry comes back from being abroad, he comes home for a few days. So she guesses when he’s going to be home. They come and say hello and then they leave. We won’t see them again until next time.”

“Wow, kinda creepy though.” We turned and started for the house. “Your poor mom.”

“These girls gave Harry and the boys everything. Amy and her friends are very respectful. We’ve had a few that weren’t as polite and respectful. That’s a problem at times but luckily it hasn’t been very often. Mum will bring the girls hot drinks if it gets to cold out here waiting. It can be an inconvenience at for all of us at times, but worth it for him.”

*~*~*~*

As soon as Gemma opened the door, we were both crushed in hugs from Anne. I’d been able to meet Anne once on one of Gemma’s trips to the States. We’d met up in Seattle where I was at a conference and Gemma had decided she needed a holiday and dragged her mother along for the trip.

“Nicky, darling! So good to see you again,” Anne said hugging me. “Are you getting settled in?”

“I’m getting there. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Of course, you are not staying alone in London with no one.” About then Harry came up behind us and said to me,

“I told you, beautiful.” Then he kissed my cheek, took my bags from me and helped Robin take Gemma’s and my things upstairs.Anne was just standing there wide eyed looking up the stairs as he walked up and then back at me. I felt my face turning red and then Gemma took my hand and said,

“Tea. You need tea to stay awake, come on.” And led me into the kitchen.

*Harry’s POV*

I dropped Nichole’s bag in the guestroom and turned to head to my room when I ran into Mum in the hall.

“So Nicky is the ‘person’ you met? Harry, she’s your sister’s friend. She works for you. Is this a good idea?” I stepped across the hall to my room and she followed me.

“Mum…is anything ever a good idea?” She closed the door and leaned against it.

“I like her, a lot. Don’t think I don’t. And Gemma thinks highly of her. I just want you to be sure what you are doing, love.”

“I’m not sure, she’s not sure, but you know what? I like her, and she likes me. She’s so clever, mum. And compassionate, and beautiful. I can talk to her for hours about the things that are important to me, because they are same things that are important to her. She understands so much. I feel like she is the first woman in my life, besides you and Gemma, that just ‘gets’ me.”

She stood there a moment, smiled and walked across the room and brushed my hair out of my face and hugged me then she said,

“Harry, as long as you are happy, and she’s the one that makes your eyes light up like that, then I’m happy. Just please be careful. For both of your sakes.”

*~*~*~*

Mum had cooked a huge roast dinner that I missed more than I realized. Nothing like mum’s cooking to take care of any homesickness. It was nice to be home, sitting in the living room chatting with Mum and Robin. Talking about the plans for the foundation and what we were doing for the next couple of weeks before we finished the tour. It wasn’t long before everyone started making their way upstairs to bed. Mum and Robin left first, then Gemma and then Nichole and I were left alone, sitting on the sofa.

“Alone at last.” I teased. She giggled and moved closer to me. I loved just sitting and holding her. Her head rested on my shoulder as I draped my arm behind her shoulders, pulling her even closer.

“I like being here. Nice to see where you grew up. Nice to finally meet Robin, too.” I kissed the top of her head. The smell of her shampoo was amazing...orange and cinnamon. Suited her perfectly.

“It’s beyond me how Gem has met your family, you’ve met my mum, and yet in all that time, we never met. Bizarre.”

“Not really, you are a busy guy, you were probably on the other side of the planet when all that was going on.” Her hand settled on my leg and she started tracing random patterns on my thigh. “Though, I wish I had met you sooner,” she sighed. We sat there quietly for a few minutes, just enjoying the peaceful quiet. I placed another soft kiss on her head and said,

“I’ll show you around tomorrow if you want. Take you to the bakery where I used to work.” She looked up at me,

“No way. You worked in a bakery?” The look of shock on her face was priceless, and I couldn’t help but smile at her.

“Yeah, I did. On weekends. Me and a bunch of old ladies. I always stop and see them when I am home.”

“That’s sweet. I worked at the Sonic in my town. Ran the fountain and was a carhop on the weekends. Not nearly as cool as a bakery. But I can still make a milkshake like nobody’s business.”

“I’m going to hold you to that, Miss Davies.You are going to have to prove it to me.”

“Oh really? I can also roller skate carrying a tray of food.” Now it was my turn to look at her in shock.

“No Way! You will definitely have to prove that one to me.”

“I’m not scared. I’ll do it.” I laughed at the look on her face. So serious, but so cute, and her eyes were shining with mischievousness. I couldn’t stop myself, I just leaned down the few inches that separated us and kissed her. Her lips meshed with mine perfectly, I couldn’t get enough. Soft little whines escaped her mouth when my tongue moved across her lower lip. Her arms wound around my neck and her lips parted and gingerly she moved her tongue over mine. She tasted like the chocolate cake we had for desert and the wine she just finished, and I couldn’t get enough of it. I pulled her into my lap and she straddled my legs and I felt her hands go right to my hair. I rested my hands on her perfect backside, squeezing a little, as our tongues and lips continued to move against each other. She pulled back a little, ending the kiss. Our foreheads touched and she whispered,

“What are we doing, Harry?” I chuckled a bit and said,

“Kissing.” She opened her eyes and looked into mine,

“I am getting used to kissing you, you know?” She said, grinning.

“Well, I hope so. I’m getting used to kissing you, too.” I ran my hands from her bum down her legs slowly, “Sleep with me, Nichole.”

“Harry…” she started to protest.

“Nichole, I am not ready to stop kissing you, and I just want to hold you. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that, beautiful.” She smiled, kissed me quickly and nodded.

“I’m not ready to stop kissing you either.”

**Nicky’s POV**

After I cleaned my face and changed into my sleep shorts and tshirt I opened the door, looking around to see if anyone was still up and about. Just as I stepped across the hall, Gemma’s bedroom door opened. She looked at me, raising her eyebrow.

“And just what are you up to, miss?” She whispered, teasingly.

“Umm…just…umm...damnit, Gem…it’s not what you think, I swear.”

“Oh really?” She grinned.

“Really. I would never…in your mother’s house…lord have mercy.”

Just then, Harry’s door opened and he looked out and saw me standing there red faced next to Gemma, who was leaning up against the wall, looking like she was going to bust. His face went almost as red as mine, but he reached out and took my hand and pulled me into the room.

“We’re just sleeping, sis.” He said quietly, so not to disturb Anne and Robin.

“I don’t care what you do,” she whispered back, “just remember your room is next to Mum and Robin’s.”

He shut the door and turned to me, releasing a deep exhale. I couldn’t help myself, I started to giggle, which made him start to giggle, too.He walked over to me, reading my loose t-shirt. It said ‘just give me coffee, and no one will get hurt’

“Nice, I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

“It’s lifesaving advice, I promise,” I teased him.

He was standing in front of me in black plaid sleep pants and no shirt. I’d never seen his tattoos this close. I couldn’t stop myself; I reached out and touched the butterfly, tracing my fingers over the wings. His skin was so smooth and warm. He moved a bit closer and just watched me for a moment.

“Do you like it?” he asked quietly. I looked up at him and nodded.

“It’s beautiful.” I whispered, and then closed the gap between us, wrapping my arms around his neck, and kissed him slow and soft. His lips felt like they were made for mine. As cheesy as it sounds, in that moment, I couldn’t remember what a kiss was like before Harry, and couldn’t imagine ever kissing anyone else again. His hands rested on my waist as he gently moved us towards the bed.

Notes

Another long one...I wanted to go on a bit more, but felt like I needed to get something up. Don't know how pleased I am with this chapter... I struggled a lil bit with it.

Thank you all for being patient with me. My work schedule sort of limits how often I can post. I work 7 days straight of 11 hour shifts...then I get 7 days off. So I try to get a chapter posted during my off week...Back to the grind a day early this week though...

Hope you enjoy the update, please comment. Remember, feed back is LOVE xx