Stay

It was almost as if the clock had turned back to the last time I went over to Harry’s place. The weather was the same, the feeling was the same. It was like having another chance… I was having another chance.

The park was peaceful and in half darkness when I made my way over. The trees were swaying in the breeze and the gate barely made a sound as I pushed it open and bolted it again behind me before walking up the lawn, a grin on my face.

Harry gave me the same dimpled smile and wave from the kitchen window before opening the door and, this time he came and met me partway up the lawn, taking my bag from my hands before I could say a word, took my hand and walked me up to the door.

“Babe! I ordered your favourite for dinner,” he said excitedly, his curls bouncing slightly.
“Aww, Haz, you’re so lovely,” I said poking one of his dimples gently, which made him grin even more widely.

“We’ll have to wait about ten minutes though, babe,” he said as we stepped inside.

“That’s all right,” I said as I went to take my bag from him as we entered the kitchen but he tightened his grip on it, grinning cheekily.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, chuckling a little.

“Is this always going to happen, Haz?” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“As long as you’re mine, babe,” he said before running into the hall and to the bedroom. I followed him slowly and walked in to find him unzipping my bag, pulling out my pajamas and laying them nicely on the end of the bed.

“Harry, you didn’t have to,” I said coming up behind him, placing my arms around his middle.

He turned around in my arms and hugged me back before saying, “I’m just trying to make up for last time, babe.”

“Oh, Haz, it wasn’t your fault… and besides, being here with you is enough,” I said, leaning into his chest and he gave my back a gentle rub and kissed the top of my head. We stayed like that for a while before Harry pulled away, eyes directed towards the ground.

“Harry? Is something wrong?” I asked, taking the hand that was hanging at his side.

“No, no, I’m fine,” he said quickly, looking up and smiling.

“Are you sure?” I asked and he nodded, curls bouncing once more.

I heard the doorbell ring just as we were about to sit down on the bed and Harry jumped slightly before running to the front door to collect the dinner.

I began to walk to the kitchen just as Harry was coming back.

“Wait, babe, just wait a sec… wait here,” he said, passing me in the hall and running ahead of me and into the kitchen.

“What, Harry?” I said as I came to the doorway to see him putting the dinner, still in its paper bag onto the bench.

“Just… just wait in the hall for a second, babe. I’ve just gotta set this up,” he said, turning around and grinning at me, making sure I turned back into the hall.

I stood there with my back against the wall listening to Harry in the kitchen, he was whistling away to himself. I smiled as I listened, he was so adorable.

After a few minutes I called out to him. “Harry! You nearly done?”

“Almost, babe!” he called back and not long after I heard him place the plates on the table and then he came to get me. He placed his hand in mine and led me into the kitchen and on to the dining room. I smiled widely as I saw he’d lit some candles and set up the plates nicely with my favourite, which I don’t believed I have mentioned, is butter chicken.

“Aww, Haz,” was all I could say as he led me to the table and I giggled a little as he pulled out my chair and I sat down.

“Do you like it?” Harry asked hopefully as he, too, sat down.

“I love it, Harry,” I said, smiling.

“Well, after you, babe,” he said, gesturing that I start.

It was a lovely dinner and I really appreciated what Harry had done. As usual we talked the whole way through meaning that it took us about an hour at the most to get through it all, but, of course, we didn’t mind.

We did the dishes together afterwards, I called washing. This resulted in the both of us having bubbles in our hair and on our noses by the end of the exercise.

After that, Harry got the Scrabble out and we had a few intense games and I’d prefer not to mention who won.

It was all fun and stuff but I couldn’t help but listen for Harry’s phone. It was almost as if I was expecting her to call and snatch him from me again. I wasn’t jealous because I knew that I was with Harry and not much had really changed regarding our relationship apart from the fact that we couldn’t spend as much time together. I just remembered how Harry told me that she could ring at any time and he would have to obey that call.

“Babe… Claire? Are you ok?” Harry asked and I hadn’t even realised that my mind had wandered off.

“Ah… yeah, yeah. Is it my turn?” I said quickly.

“Yeah it is… but are you sure you’re ok?”

“Hmmm yeah.”

“Don’t worry, Claire. She isn’t going to call. She’s in Paris doing some shoot,” Harry said reassuringly, smiling at me. My face, too, broke into a smile.

“Aww Claire, I know its hard but… we’re making it work, see?” Harry said.

“Yeah… we are,” I said, smiling and he gave me a little pat on the knee before I took my turn.
After that conversation the twisting feeling I had begun to feel in my stomach disappeared and I felt much lighter and happier.

I slept better that night than I had in a while just because Harry was beside me and I couldn’t tell you how relieved I was to wake up with him beside me.

That morning Harry offered to walk me home because he had a little time before he had to go and do some interviews with the boys.

“But, Harry, we’ll be seen,” I said, remembering that the whole purpose of everything going on was for publicity and if we didn’t follow the rules then who know what’d happen.

“We’ll be careful, babe,” he said as he picked up my bag from the bed. And with that we left the house.

On the way home we had to steer clear of main roads and take back alleys instead but eventually we reached the apartment.

“Will you be all right here, babe?” Harry asked as we entered and I put my bag down.

“Yeah, I should be,” I said, turning around to face him once more. He opened his arms for a hug and I didn’t hesitate as I walked into them and he wrapped his arms around me.

“Until next time, my love,” Harry said as he pulled away a little, looking me in the eyes before giving me a quick peck on the lips.

“Love you, Harry,” I said as he opened the door.

“I love you too,” he said, grinning at me before taking his time about leaving.

After he’d gone I sank onto the couch and just smiled to myself. Finally something had been a success.

Notes