Summertime & Butterflies

When Olivia woke the following morning, she rolled over to snuggle against Harry, as she usually did during the quietness of the dawn. She was surprised to reach for him and find his side of the bed empty. While Harry usually woke earlier than Olivia, he’d tossed and turned so much during the night, she was certain he hadn’t slept and wouldn’t be crawling out of bed until the last possible moment.

The shower was running in the bathroom, but Olivia left Harry to his own devices, pulling on her short robe as she headed downstairs. She was nervous about the day – unbearably nervous, if she was honest with herself – but she felt silly telling Harry so. All she was doing was walking into a movie theatre with his sister, in a ridiculously expensive cocktail dress. It was his day to be nervous, not hers.

As she waited for the coffee to brew, Olivia tried to imagine what the day was going to be like. She knew she would be spending most of the day with Gemma, and she also knew Harry’s fans were almost as obsessed with her as they were Harry. There would be shouts. There would be pictures. There would be questions. And then, once Harry put her name on his lips, as he said he would, there would be the comments. As much as she wanted her relationship with Harry to be in the open, she dreaded the cruelty that would surely follow.

“Mmm, mmm… smells good in here,” Harry said, coming into the kitchen. He flashed a grin at Olivia, who was sitting at the table with her cup of coffee. “Looks good, too,” he commented, pressing a kiss against Olivia’s tangled hair.

Olivia smiled up at Harry. “Good morning, super star,” she answered, watching him find a coffee cup and pour his own cup. “You get any sleep last night?”

Harry shrugged. “Not a ton,” he confessed, joining Olivia at the table. He wrung his hands together, watching the steam billow from his mug. “I’m nervous,” he added, letting out a short snicker.

“You don’t have to be,” Olivia told him, hoping she sounded comforting as she touched his hand. Reassuring comments weren’t exactly her speciality. “You’re going to be great. I know you are.”

“I hope so…” Harry answered, exhaling loudly. “I just… don’t want to be a joke, you know?”

Olivia stood up before stepping behind Harry, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “You could never, ever be a joke, sweetheart,” she assured him, pressing her cheek against his. “You’re the most talented person I know. And you’re such a ridiculous perfectionist, I know you wouldn’t have stopped until every scene was perfect.”

Harry laughed, covering Olivia’s arm with his hand. “Thanks, Pita,” he teased, taking her hand and pressing his lips against it. He sighed again. “Fuck, my stomach feels like it’s gonna explode,” he said, pushing the coffee cup away from him.

Olivia pressed a kiss against Harry’s cheek. “No throwing up on the red carpet. That’s my gig,” she teased him, in an attempt to calm him down. She ran her hands along Harry’s neck, lightly massaging his shoulders. “You’re going to be so good, honey. Just try and relax, and have fun with it. And just think… You’re gonna be in pictures with Tom Hardy. You lucky ass.”

“That’s really the only reason I did the movie,” Harry agreed, tugging Olivia towards him and pulling her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head against her chest, lightly trailing his fingers up and down her back. “I think I know what would calm me down…” he said suggestively, tugging on Olivia’s robe and exposing her shoulder. He pressed a soft kiss against her bare skin as Olivia rolled her eyes at him.

“Getting me naked is your solution for everything, isn’t it?” asked Olivia with a laugh, though making no motion to stop Harry. She knew they didn’t have time, but his lips felt so nice against her skin, she didn’t want him to stop.

“Well, you know… when you find something that works…” Harry answered innocently, gently pulling on the other sleeve, revealing Olivia’s breasts. “I feel more relaxed already…” he commented, his hands lightly tracing along her curves.

Olivia let out a contented sigh, resting her head against Harry’s. “Me too…” she answered, closing her eyes for a moment as she enjoyed the feeling of his large hands gently tickling along her breasts. “Could almost let you take me back to bed,” she added teasingly.

Harry bounced his leg, as though encouraging Olivia to stand up. “Don’t have to tell me twice,” he told her, jiggling his leg again.

Olivia laughed, glancing at the clock on the wall. They definitely didn’t have time, and surely would be interrupted by someone in Harry’s entourage, but remembering that it was Harry’s day and that she would do anything to help calm him down, Olivia pressed a kiss against Harry’s temple before standing up.

“Better follow me then,” she advised him, allowing her robe to fall from her body to the floor as she walked out of the kitchen without another word, a beat barely passing before Harry was hot on her heels.

~*~*~*~

A few hours later, Harry’s house had gone from being a quiet love nest for the two of them, and had turned into a combination frat house, hair salon and fashion show runway. Anne and Gemma had shown up first, of course, followed shortly by Jeff and Glenne. Harry had commissioned his stylist, Lou Teasdale and Louis’ sister, Lottie, to come help with hair and makeup, which Olivia was grateful for. Knowing she wouldn’t have to struggle with too much hairspray or not enough concealer was enough to somewhat calm her nerves.

That, and the mimosas Louis’ girlfriend kept handing out.

“Your hair is lovely,” Lou commented, pulling her comb through Olivia’s chestnut locks. “I just want to play with it, it’s so soft!”

Olivia snickered, taking a careful sip of her drink – she didn’t want to mess up the makeup Lottie had applied, makeup that made Olivia feel even more like Kate Middleton than her dress did. “Well, thanks,” she answered. “I used to hate it, because both of my sisters are blonde, and I’m the oddball, but… I’m cool with it now.”

“You absolutely should be,” Lou agreed, twirling a curling iron around a lock of Olivia’s hair. “Shit, if you and Harry had a baby, it’d probably weigh more in hair than anything else!”

“Well, we’ll have an arsenal of products to deal with that,” Olivia answered, chuckling. She found she liked the thought of giving birth to a curly-haired Harry Junior. “Not gonna lie though, I don’t know if Harry would want to share his hair care products with his child. He hardly wants to share with me.”

“That’s not true,” Harry countered, catching the tail end of the conversation as he joined the girls in the kitchen. He ducked his head, pressing a kiss against Olivia’s cheek. “Didn’t think it was possible for you to get any prettier, love,” he commented, punctuating his compliment with a sip of his drink.

“You’re so sweet when you’re drunk,” Olivia teased him, swatting his bottom playfully.

Harry scoffed indignantly. “I am not drunk!” he insisted. “I’ve just had two, and Mum says I’m not allowed anymore.”

Lou and Olivia laughed in unison. “You’re such a good boy, honey,” Olivia cooed, taking his hand in hers as he took a seat beside her. She fiddled with the rings on his fingers, randomly pulling them off and putting them on again. “I still don’t really get why we all can’t go down there together like…” Olivia commented, letting out an annoyed sigh. “Or why you’re not allowed to have, like, all three of us with you, walking in. I don’t get it…”

“I know, hon,” Harry answered, watching Olivia fiddle with his rings. “But Jeff said he tried, and… they just have rules they have to follow, and schedules, and…” He trailed off, leaning over and kissing Olivia again. “But… I’ll be inside with you before you know it, and then you can annoyingly play with my rings through the entire film.”

“Oh, shut up,” Olivia told him with a roll of her eyes, linking her fingers through his. She glanced towards the living room, hearing Jeff’s boisterous laugh, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he really did ask if Gemma and Olivia could walk with Anne and Harry, or if he just told Harry he did. She wouldn’t be surprised if he was lying – sometimes he seemed to have an air of jealously towards Olivia and her closeness with Harry. He wasn’t Harry’s number one anymore, and she didn’t think he liked it.

Harry pulled Olivia’s hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss against her knuckles. “Make me,” he challenged cheekily.

“I already tried!” Olivia complained good-naturedly. “You’re just so insatiable!”

“I am,” Harry agreed with a nod. He stood up, pushing Lou’s hand away so he could plant a kiss against Olivia’s cheek. “Better get myself out of here before I can’t keep my hands to myself. Don’t know why not, but I don’t think Lou wants to see that.”

Lou shrugged, flashing Harry a cheeky smile. “I could put my kid through college if I sold the pictures!” she teased Harry, spraying a sweet-smelling product onto Olivia’s curls.

“Obviously,” Harry agreed haughtily, striking a flamboyant pose before bounding out of the kitchen.

Olivia shook her head at his actions. “What a dork,” she commented endearingly.

Lou laughed in agreement. “He is that for sure,” she said. “You two are so sweet together though. It’s nice to see him so happy.”

Olivia smiled at her words. She knew she made Harry happy, but it was nice to hear the same from his friends. “He makes me pretty darn happy too,” she told Lou. “He’s a big ol’ dope, but he’s my dope.”

“Are you coming on tour with us?”

Olivia wrinkled her nose, shaking her head. “No,” she answered, wondering why she always got an ache in her stomach when Harry’s tour was mentioned. She was so proud of him, but she didn’t like to talk about, or think about, his upcoming world tour. “I have to work,” she added, her tone sounding tight.

“That’s too bad,” Lou replied. “We’d have so much fun together!”

“Yeah,” Olivia said, huffing out a quiet sigh. “I mean, obviously I’ll come as much as I can, but…” She trailed off, wondering just how often she’d be able to do so. “I guess we’re used to being apart, so… we’ll make it work. Still sucky, though…” she lamented with a shrug.

“Yeah…” Lou answered, clicking her tongue sympathetically. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep my eye on him for you.”

Olivia frowned. She knew the other girl was just trying to reassure her, but her words didn’t sit well with Olivia. “That’s… not something I need to worry about…” she answered slowly, attempting to sound confident but the slight uprising at the end of her statement saying otherwise.

“Oh! No, no, no!” Lou quickly corrected. “I didn’t mean like that! No, I meant like… I’ll make sure he gets to sleep at a decent hour, and doesn’t misplace his phone charger. Not… no, you absolutely don’t have anything like that to worry about!”

“I know that,” Olivia answered, wondering how audible her relieved sigh was. “How’s the do coming?” she asked, desperate for a subject change.

Lou fluffed her fingers through Olivia’s curls. “I think you’re pretty much done!” she announced, handing Olivia a mirror. “I didn’t have to do much. Just touched up your waves and gave it a couple sprays. You’re too easy! You sure you don’t want some over the top up-do?” she teased, piling Olivia’s curls atop her head as Olivia watched through the mirror.

Olivia laughed, shaking her hair free from Lou’s grasp. “I think… this is perfect…” she said, sounding in awe at the girl looking back at her in the mirror. She wanted to take a hundred selfies – she would never be able to recreate the soft, natural makeup Lottie had applied onto her skin, or the soft, shiny waves Lou had tamed. For the first time since they started dating, Olivia finally felt as though she looked the part of Harry Styles’ girlfriend.

“I feel like about a million bucks,” Olivia confessed, standing up and facing Lou. “Thanks so much for your help. It’ll definitely be a lot easier now, not looking like a hillbilly kid from Canada,” she joked.

Lou rolled her eyes at Olivia. “You didn’t, but you’re welcome,” she told her, giving Olivia’s arm a squeeze. “Go get into your dress! I know Anne wants to take a million pictures of you and Harry.”

Olivia snickered, though already mentally framing a picture on her mantel. “Hopefully I don’t sweat this makeup off, wiggling into those Spanx,” she joked, flashing Lou a grin before darting out of the kitchen and up to the bedroom.

Somehow, the shapewear gods were on her side, and Olivia effortlessly wiggled into her undergarments. She held the dress in front of her, against her body and admired it in front of the mirror. It was completely surreal to her that she was about to step into a Versace dress and go to a premiere, to see a movie her boyfriend was starring in. Her life had changed drastically in the last four months, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

She stepped into the dress, pulling it up her torso. Somehow, it seemed to be even more made for her than it had at the store. She ran her hands down her stomach, smoothing the fabric as she turned in front of the mirror, watching the unfamiliar girl in front of her.

“Wow…”

Olivia whirled around at the sound of Harry’s voice. He was leaning against the door jamb, a grin on his face as he kept his eyes glued to Olivia. “You’re not supposed to see me yet!” she reminded him teasingly.

Harry smirked at her, stepping closer. “Says who?” he wondered, touching his hand against her hip. “As if I could stay downstairs, knowing this sexy bombshell was upstairs…” He let his hands wander across Olivia’s waist, seeming unable to take his eyes off her. “You clean up real good, sweetheart,” he teased, taking both of Olivia’s hands in his and pulling her closer, his lips finding hers.

Olivia laughed against his mouth. “You don’t do so bad either,” she answered, straightening his collar before letting her hands wander down his chest. She felt her breath hitch as she touched her hand against Harry. He really took her breath away.

Harry smiled, tucking a lock of Olivia’s hair behind her ear. “I have something for you,” he told her, letting his hand trail lightly down her arm before stepping to the dresser. He pulled open the top drawer and produced a long, turquoise-blue box, the colour familiar to most women.

If the box had been half the size, Olivia would have been terrified, but the rectangle shape of this box surely didn’t hold an engagement ring inside. She smiled at Harry as she accepted the box from him. “What is this… you didn’t have to get me anything…” she told him softly, opening the box.

“I know, but I wanted to,” Harry told her, watching her face as she opened the box. A fine, silver chain laid snug in the box, a small pendant hanging from the centre. The light flickered off the pear shaped diamond nestled in the pendant, causing the entire necklace to shine. It was delicate, simple and far from ostentatious – perfect for Olivia.

“Ohh… honey…” Olivia breathed out, gently fingering the stone. “You really didn’t have to…” she told him again. She would be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy the gifts and Harry’s generosity, but she never wanted it to seem as though it was required or expected. “But… thank you,” she added, looking up at him. “It’s beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful,” Harry corrected cheekily, taking the box from Olivia and carefully releasing the necklace from its confines. He stepped behind her, letting his fingers dance lightly against her collarbone as he placed the necklace against her skin, fastening it behind her neck. “Look,” he instructed, nudging her towards the mirror.

Olivia touched the necklace as she looked into the mirror. Versace, Tiffany’s, famous boyfriend… who was this girl? She met Harry’s eyes through the reflection, his smile infectious. “You’re going to get so lucky tonight,” she told him with a smirk.

Harry pumped his arm joyously. “Yesss!” he cheered jokingly. He bent his head, kissing Olivia behind her ear. “I’m happy you like it, though,” he murmured into her ear.

Olivia smiled, turning to face Harry. “I love it,” she told him, circling her arms around his shoulders. “And I kind of love you… But maybe the necklace more, because it’s all shiny and new,” she teased.

Harry matched Olivia’s smile. “Good,” he affirmed, ducking his head and pressing a kiss onto Olivia’s mouth. “And I kind of love you, too. I mean, obviously,” he teased, touching her necklace. “But it is prettier than I am, so I get it.”

“Lovebirds!” Gemma’s voice bellowed up the stairs before Olivia could answer. “Hurry up and get down here!”

“If either of you’ve wrecked your hair, I’m gonna shave you bald!” Lou shouted.

Olivia snickered, taking Harry’s hand in hers. “Come on, darling,” she instructed, bending down to pick up her shoes. “Let’s go pose like we’re going to prom.”

~*~*~*~

Olivia let out an exasperated sigh, swatting Harry’s stomach with the back of her hand. “Can you just try and stand like a normal person?” she asked him, rolling her eyes at his overzealous finger-guns pose.

Harry smirked, resting one hand on his hip and balancing the other on his cane. “I’m far from normal, love,” he answered, resting his cane against the wall. He stood behind Olivia, placing his hands on her shoulders. Before she could push him away, he jumped up, insisting she hold onto him piggy-back style.

“Oh, Jesus!” Olivia yelped, managing to grab onto Harry’s legs and saving them both from a tumble. “Aren’t you supposed to be a cripple?”

“Just shut up and smile!” Harry directed, sticking his arm out and giving his mom a thumbs-up sign. Anne was cracking up at her son’s antics, but somehow managed to get her phone in front of her and snap a couple of pictures.

“You’re such a nerd,” Olivia laughed as Harry he slid down her back and gripped her shoulder for balance. “Now you’re probably hurt, aren’t you?” she chastised, noticing a wince on his face.

Harry waved his hand dismissively. “Eh, I’m big and tough,” he said, taking Olivia’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “Okay, I’ll take a nice one for you. Promise,” he added, planting a suck up kiss on her cheek.

“You better… or I’ll take away my comment about you getting lucky tonight,” Olivia whispered into his ear as she tucked herself close against Harry, ensuring the words stayed just between them.

“No, you won’t,” Harry countered, kissing Olivia’s temple as Anne took another picture.

Anne sighed happily as she looked at the photos on her phone. “Oh, you two are just so sweet,” she gushed, smiling at Harry. “I might have to get all of these framed!”

“I don’t think you have enough wall space left, Mum,” Gemma cracked, eyeing the clock on the wall. “What time does the driver come again?” she asked, sounding antsy.

Harry pulled his phone from his pocket as it signaled a notification. “Right now,” he answered, opening the gate from his phone. As the black town car crept towards the house, Olivia felt her stomach tumble. She’d done a good job of pushing her nerves away for the duration of the day, but now that the main event was about to happen, the nerves made themselves known again.

She reminded herself not to show Harry how nervous she was as she turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Remember three things,” she told him, letting her fingers tangle through the curls along the nape of his neck. “One… you’re ridiculously talented – annoyingly so, actually – and it will show, one hundred percent. Two, this is your first real premiere. Don’t forget to enjoy it…”

“And three?” Harry wondered, his dimples prominent as he beamed at Olivia’s words.

“Talented, but not patient,” Olivia teased, playfully tugging on Harry’s hair. “Three… I am so proud of you. So is everyone here. And I love you… even more than this necklace,” she added cheekily.

Harry chuckled, rolling his eyes as he encircled Olivia’s waist with his arms, tugging her against him. “Thank you, sweetheart,” he murmured into her ear. “You’re cheesy as fuck, but… means more to me than you know,” he told her, capturing her lips with his. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Not soon enough,” Olivia told him, giving him another quick kiss before allowing Gemma a chance to wish her brother good luck. She picked up her purse and glanced at Jeff, who was making no motion to stand up and join the three girls on the journey to the theatre. “Aren’t you coming?”

Jeff pressed his lips together, and if he wasn’t such a cocky man, Olivia would swear he looked uncomfortable. “Nah, I’ve been texting with one of the, uh, powers that be… I’m gonna go down with Harry and Anne… keep Anne company while Harry’s doing his thing…”

Olivia furrowed her brow. “You’re keeping Anne company?” she repeated, unable to keep the distain out of her voice. She met Harry’s eyes, and the look on his face told her that he was also unaware of Jeff’s clandestine texting. “Why –.” She stopped, cutting herself off. It wasn’t the time or the place to give Jeff a tongue-lashing over his disgusting selfishness and lack of consideration for Harry or Olivia – or Gemma, for that matter. Either of the other girls would have been a much better choice for keeping Anne company while Harry was interviewing. And, as Harry’s closest friend, Jeff had to have been aware of how much Harry wished he could have Olivia with him on the red carpet. But, true to form, Jeff thought only about himself and didn’t care who he upset in the process.

Though fuming inside, Olivia pushed the anger aside. She refused to make a scene on Harry’s big day. “Okay, well… guess we’ll see you soon, then,” she shrugged, catching Harry’s gaze. She pressed her fingers against her lips before gesturing her hand towards him, confirming she knew he didn’t know. She would refrain from saying anything to Jeff today. But tomorrow was a different story.

Notes