**Nicky’s POV**

The weeks leading up to my departure where so busy I barely had time to think about what was happening. Transitioning my replacement went very smoothly, thankfully. Momma helped me to pack up my little apartment. I wasn’t taking much with me. Just my clothes, some books, a few pictures and some personal items so I could feel at home in my new place. My furniture and everything else was going into storage at the ranch. What I couldn’t travel with, I boxed up and sent on to Gemma’s.

Harry and I texted each other a few times a day. Probably more than Gemma and I texted each other, to be honest.Sometimes it would be an idea he had about the foundation. I would ask him about books he was reading or movies he’d seen or would like to see. Other times it would just be some random picture or stupid joke. Then at some ridiculous time, I would get a call from him. It started with that first call the day he and Gem left. I told him to call me anytime, and he did. Usually after the show but due to time differences wherever he was, it could be in the middle of the day for me, or early in the morning.I guess it was us really just getting to know each other. We talked about everything and nothing, and it was nice. We would talk for at least a couple hours, until I would pressure him to try and sleep. I began to really look forward to the calls, no matter what time they came in.

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I spent the last two weeks before I left out at the ranch. I rode Buster every day, helped Daddy and Dylan as much as I could, but mostly just spent time taking it all in. Imprinting it all in my mind. I would be so far away from home and I wanted to remember every detail.

Dylan found me in the barn, brushing Buster after a ride and talking to him softly.

“Sis, this is breaking my heart. He’s going to miss you, too.” I turned to Dylan and he could see how sad I was.I felt my eyes watering. He immediately took me in his arms and let me cry it out.
“It’s going to be great, Nicky. Don’t cry. I’ll take care of him.”

“Promise me you will ride him, Dylan. He hates not getting out to run,” I sobbed into his chest.

“I promise. Hannah will help me. We’ll look after him, I promise.”I stepped away from my brother and wiped my eyes. “We’re all going to miss you, Nick…but you are off to do great things. I’m very proud of you. I hope you know that.” I just nodded my head. I knew and I was proud of him too. He was going to take over this ranch in a few years, and I knew he would keep it going strong into the next generation.

Momma decided since I was leaving, it was only proper that I have a huge send off before I left. April had organized a going away party at the office, but this was a full on family and friends barbecue on the ranch. I’d be leaving in a couple days and she felt I should let everyone in town get a chance to say a proper good bye to me. All my aunts, uncles, cousins, friends…everyone I grew up with were going to be there.

I came down to the kitchen the day of the party to find my Nanna drinking tea while she chopped potatoes for my favorite potato salad. I kissed her cheek before I poured a cup of coffee.

“Good Morning, sleepy head.” She teased. I smiled at her and asked,

“How long have you been here?”

“Since before your daddy woke up.”

“Goodness, Nanna.”

“Early bird…”

“..Catches the worm.” I finished for her. We both laughed and I sat down next to her with my coffee.

My Nanna, Charlotte, was a big part of the reason that I chose the career I did. She was the “wild child” in her family. She ran off with my Poppa, who she had just met six days before in San Antonio, and got married when she was just seventeen years old, in 1965 and they lived the hippie life of the sixties. She traveled the country, went to Woodstock, even lived in England for nearly a year. She’s hinted around she may have “known” the Rolling Stones then, but she won’t ever confirm anything.

Then in 1970, she and Poppa came home. My momma was three years old then. Nanna and Poppa came home to leave Momma with my great grandparents, so they could go to Africa and work for the Peace Corps. The stories she told me of the things she saw there and the work they did then, inspired me from an early age. They came home a year later, and she swears that time there changed her life forever.

I looked at her and smiled. Her blue eyes still shone with a wildness and sense of adventure. She refused to wear her hair like and “old lady” and kept it long, loose, and gray. She had on jeans and boots and a gorgeous kurta top that I would kill to have in my own wardrobe. She smiled back at me, put her work down and held my hand as she spoke.

“I told your momma the day you were born that you were going to change the world. Now look, you are off to do just that. I am so proud of you, my sweet girl.” I placed my hand over hers and said,

“I’m going to do my part anyway.” I sighed and said, “Nanna, I love you.”

“I love you, too. I want you to promise me something, Nichole Marie.”

“What’s that?”

“Do your work…do great things…but don’t forget to love and be loved.”

“Nanna…I don’t…”

“No, I don’t want to hear it. You make time for love, honey. I loved your Poppa the moment I set eyes on him until the day he died. He was, and will always be, the love of my life. He made everything I did better, he made me better. Just by loving me and letting me love him.”

“Well, if the right man comes into my life, then we’ll see.” She smiled at me and said,

“Baby girl, when he does, it will knock you to your knees.”

<.><.><.>

Standing in the airport hugging my family good bye was tough. Daddy hugged me close and told me how proud he was of me. As expected, Momma cried. Dylan and Hannah, his girlfriend, both hugged me close and made me promise to call as soon as I landed.

I was going to meet up with Gemma in Canada, joining One Direction on the last three dates of the North American tour and then we’d head back to London where after a short break, they would finish the UK leg of the tour. They’d announced an extended break would start, but looking at their schedule, it was going to be a couple more months yet.

Harry: You excited yet?
Me: Yeah, I am kinda. You know I’ve never been to a 1D show.
Harry: Really? Wow, I’m hurt
Me: Whatever, I’m coming tonight though…and really, I am thrilled about it
Harry: I’ll make it special for you
Me: Oh really – now I am intrigued
Harry: LOL now I’ve done it, haven’t I?
Me: mmhmm – your work is cut out for you now
Harry: Yes, I guess so…see you in a few hours then xx

I stared at my phone and those two little x’s at the end of his text.Why did they make my heart skip a beat? Kisses..shit…

**Harry’s POV**

I tossed my phone on the seat beside me after a short text exchange with Nichole. I rubbed my hands over my face and exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Louis looked over at me, grinning like the cheeky fucker he was.

“So, was that Nichole that had you holding your breath like that?”

“Shut up.”

“It was…the Goddess Nichole is on her way and Harry Fucking Styles is at a loss for words.”

“She’s not a goddess, she is my employee. Why are you such an asshole?” Louis laughed and elbowed Niall,

“Look at his face…employee, huh? This is the same woman he’s gone on about for the last four months.”

“I believe the words you used were ‘amazing’ and ‘brilliant’, Haz.”, Niall joined in, his laughter filling the bus. The security guys just chuckled.

“Oh and let’s not forget, ‘gorgeous’ and ‘great arse’ boys,” Liam chimed in as well. “Although he was pissed out of his head when he spoke about those ‘assets’.”

I rolled my eyes at them and stood up and headed to the back of the bus. They took my retreat as a victory and high fived each other as I shut the door to the bunk area. I had to admit they were right, Nichole had been on my mind a lot since I left Texas. I tried to pretend it was purely professional, but if I was honest with myself, there was more to Nichole than my professional interests. She was beautiful, clever, funny, and god, what an ass. I was definitely attracted to her, and I was a dead man. They bloody well knew it.

Notes

Sorry this seems so short, but I have more in the works that I should have up in a couple of days. Please leave feedback and let me know what you think.

Love ya'll! <3