Penelope’s. P.O.V.
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Harry gripped my hand tightly, massaging small circles. My heart was moving at tremendous speeds- beating out of my chest with coercion. I felt eyes examining me and I gathered the courage to do the same back.

Liam and Louis sat on the nearest couch, huddled close, as Liam’s legs crossed sophisticatedly. Anne and Gemma cuddled on the second couch while Niall rested on the loveseat, his eyes pondering Harry and I.

“Guys,” Harry started, “this is Penelope.”
I smiled humbly, waving, “hello.”

Anne rose with Gemma quick on her feet and walked over to me, engulfing me in a sweet, gentle hug. “Welcome to the family, darling.” Anne beamed.
Gemma said nothing, but instead, wrapped me in another hug after her mother let go.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” I simpered.

The both of them sat and all of the boys stood almost at a perfect cue. They made their way over to us in unison. Louis took my hand and placed a small kiss on the back. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman Harry over here can’t shut up about,” Louis winked.

I felt my cheeks heat up as I made eye contact with Harry, his face turning red as well. “Hello there,” Niall said warmly, wrapping me in a soft hug. He smelled of peppermint and matured scotch; a sweet smell but not as aromatically pleasing as Harry’s spring scent. . Liam took his place and lightly gripped my shoulders. “Ignore those birdbrains,” he whispered jokingly, earning a scoff from the other boys. “I’m Liam and it is splendid to meet you.”

I smiled in reply, gladly shaking his hand. They all sat down and invited us to join them. Harry and I sat on the seat in the middle of them, his arm wrapping around my waist protectively. “Shall we get dinner started?” Harry questioned with a bright smile.

***

We all sat around the dinner table, Harry and I particularly close. He disrupted the seats by moving me near him, our legs touching from the tight proximity. Niall and Louis sat, making constant jokes about one another. Liam, the gentleman he is, kept quiet unless he was addressed. Anne and Gemma sat together and made conversations with all of us.

“So riddle me this,” Louis smirked, “how in the world did you guys meet?”
Everyone quieted and nodded in agreement, turning to Harry and I.

I blushed and tried to hide my face. “Was it a lucky one night stand or what? You have never let a woman this close to your family so quick- she must be special,” Louis smirked.
“Well,” Harry said, clearing his throat, “she is special.”

I smiled softly and examined his face that showed the nerves and anxiety he is having. “C’mon Haz,” Liam urged. “Tell us!”

Harry looked away as he thought, folding his hands on the table. “Lou,” he started, “do you remember that night you pranked me?”
“How could I forget?” Louis laughed.

My face fell in confusion. A prank?

“Louis they used the sample,” Harry warned.
Louis’ face fell, “wait what..?”

“They used it and that’s how we met.” Harry whispered.
“What dare? Harry and Louis you better tell me what’s going on,” Liam advised, pointing towards the both of them.

“Louis over here-”
Louis cut him off, “I dared him to donate his milt.”

Everyone fell completely silent and confused, I most of all. Why did I not know this?

“Well they sent it to the closest clinic, which happened to be in Virginia. Penelope here, had… given up on finding someone. She had been wanting kids for awhile so she went to that clinic to get inseminated,” Harry explained.
“Wait so… Haz that…means...” Liam stuttered.

Everyone fell silent. Anne’s gasp broke the ice.

“I’m going to be a grandma,” Anne whispered in astonishment. “I’m going to be a grandma! Oh god I’m going to be a grandma!”
She rose with tears in her eyes and ran over to us, engulfing us in an emotional hug. Gemma sat with a shocked smile on her face, unable to believe her ears. “I’m going to be an aunty!” She choked.

“Lads that makes us uncles!” Niall cheered.
“How- how long?” Anne asked, sitting down and dusting off her lap.

“Well,” I said quietly, “I got the process done on Tuesday so… Five days now.”
“That early,” Anne said shocked. “How did you find out the donor?”

“There’s an option for a donor to leave their information if they want to, and I put my number,” Harry explained.
Liam rose and walked over to us, wrapping us in a contented hug. “Congratulations,” he beamed, “you’ll be lovely parents.”

I smiled and thanked him. Their reaction soothed my anxiety but I’m still so confused- why didn’t Harry tell me this? Does he even want kids? Is this all a joke?

Harry could tell I was in deep thought, he gripped my hands tightly to get my attention. “You okay?” He wondered.
“Can we talk about this later?” I begged.
He simply nodded and turned back to the table, still gripping my hand.

I don’t know how I felt about the whole situation- I was hurt because I wasn’t told but maybe that’s stupid of me for even being bothered by it. I don’t know; all I know is that I am really confused.

Dinner was filled with jokes, laughter, stories, and questions- so many questions.

“So dear,” Anne said in between bites, “when am I going to become a grandmother?”
“Both babies are due February 1,” I answered.
She choked, “b-both?”

I chuckled nervously, “my dream has always been twins… So I asked them to fertilize two eggs. It’s inconclusive as of now, but I have hope that it worked.”
“Oh I see,” she nodded, gasping to catch her breath after almost choking.

“Sorry, that wasn’t what you expected.” I said embarrassingly.
“Don’t you apologize, dear,” Anne corrected. “One, two, or three grandbabies don’t make a difference in my love for them.”

I could really see where Harry got his traits- he was charming, sweet, polite, and had etiquette; like his mother.

“So can I ask some questions for you?” Anne smiled my direction.
I beamed back, “Go ahead.”

“What’s your job?” She asked.
“Mum…” Harry warned.

“What?” She exclaimed, “it’s just a question!”
“No it’s okay,” I assured. “I’m an F.B.I. agent.”

Everyone stopped eating and turned to look at me in unison- enough to make me giggle.
“Wait,” Louis swallowed, “for real?”

“Yes she’s for real,” Harry rolled his eyes at Louis with a bright smile.
“Can I see the badge?” Louis asked in awe.

I giggled lightly and got up, grabbing my purse. I sifted through the clutter in my bag until I found my identification. I jaunted over to the group and flashed my badge.
“Damn,” Louis chuckled. “Looks like your job isn’t so cool anymore, Haz.”
“My job will always be cool,” he sassed back.

I laughed at the pointless banter between the boys; their attitude and behavior was absolutely adorable and childlike.

“So are you mates planning on becoming exclusive?” Louis questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Umm…” I stuttered, “we… don’t know yet…”

“Well I feel like you should,” Liam chuckled.
My cheeks burned up and I looked down to avoid the embarrassment.

“You’re adorable when you blush,” Harry whispered, poking my side. I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Oh you hush it,” I teased, poking him back.

***

Everyone was leaving for their hotels- Harry’s apartment only has one bed and nobody wanted to take the couches. I gathered everyone’s numbers so I could keep in touch.

I walked out of the washroom to see Harry setting up blankets on the couch and taking a seat.

“Um what do you think you’re doing?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Setting up my bed…?” He answered worryingly.

“I don’t think so, Mr.” I said, “I am sleeping on the couch. Go get in your bed, love.”
“Nope,” he sassed. “My lady, who happens to be very pregnant, is going to sleep in a comfortable bed.”

“No sir,” I huffed, putting my hands on my hips.
“Yes ma’am,” he beamed.

“Please Harry,” I begged, “sleep on the bed. I’ll be fine.”
He raised an eyebrow and gave me a look, “no, Penelope. I need you to be comfortable.”

“Well then join me,” I clamored, “I really don’t want you sleeping on the uncomfortable couch..”
His eyes examined me for any sign of a lie, “are you sure? I don’t want you uncomfortable…”

“Harry if I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t of said it,” I assured. “Please don’t leave me alone.”

He nodded in defeat and grasped my hand, leading me down the hall. We turned the corner into a beautiful room. The accommodation was modernized with raven black walls; the night tables matching with a dark wood design. Three self-taken photos sat above the bed- complimenting the paint.

“Beautiful,” I whispered
Harry blushed, “thank you.”

I gestured to the pictures, “I didn’t know you were interested in photography.”
“I love it,” he gushed, “it’s one of my passions.”

I smiled and took the time to examine his face. His dimples were always so prominent when he was happy; they flattered his rosy cheeks. He was just a ball of adorability.

He cleared his throat, “in that door is the washroom where you can change.”
I nodded and grabbed my bag, walking into the bathroom.

I shimmied out of my clothes and packed them as I grabbed new ones. Before throwing on my shirt, I looked down at my stomach. I held my torso tightly; I’m going to be a mother.

I put on my gray leggings along with an oversized sweater, throwing my hair in two sloppy braids.

I knocked before leaving, “are you decent?” I asked.
“Yep,” Harry chimed back.

I opened the door to see him lying on the bed, shirtless with pajama pants. Tattoos decorated his body. He was breathing heavily as his eyes examined his phone, reading something. He suddenly looked up and made eye contact with me, smirking with a raised eyebrow because he caught me staring.

I awkwardly moved towards the bed, sitting on the other side; swinging my legs so I could lay down comfortably. Harry turned to his side and examined me thoroughly. I turned to look at him and matched his demeanor.

“How’re you feeling?” He asked sweetly.
“I’m okay,” I whispered, “how’re you?”

He smiled at me, “I’m great. But how are you feeling?” He gestured to my stomach.
“I haven’t really felt any differences besides small moments of being sick,” I explained.

He nodded and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into a hug. He squeezed tightly before letting me go, turning his back to me. I chewed on my cheek in disappointment; lying down on my back.

I need to stop thinking like we’re in a relationship- because we’re not.

I turned to look at the clock resting on the night table:

8:30 p.m.

11:33 p.m.

1:00 a.m.

“This is pointless,” I grunted quietly, standing up.

I walked to the door and looked back to examine Harry. His mouth hung agape slightly as soft snores slipped out. His arms flailed around the bed- and god he was adorable.

I exited and sat at the bar stool, rubbing my face. I listened to the tick of the clock above me, closing my eyes to let it soothe my brain. I grabbed my purse off the counter and sifted through it, grasping my medications. I poured my normal dosages into my hand, grabbing out my water bottle and taking them.

If I ever can’t sleep, I need to take pills that help calm down my brain. When I was younger, I had really bad insomnia that stopped me from ever sleeping without meds.

I heard a yawn from behind that caused me to nearly jump out of my skin. “Couldn’t sleep?” Harry dozed.
“Um.. Yeah- but I’m fine. Head back to bed, hun.” I assured.
“Uh-huh,” he sassed, grabbing my hand. “Come with me.”

I rolled my eyes at his childlike attitude but couldn’t help the bright smile on my face. He pulled me into his room and sat on his bed, motioning for me to sit next to him. I rested besides him and he pulled me to his chest.

He freed an arm to wrap the blanket around us, then snaking it back under and pulling me closer. I was nuzzled on his chest, his scent filled my brain. My hand rested on his stomach, tracing the tattoos. He shivered under my touch.

“Goodnight my love,” He whispered, planting a kiss on my forehead.
“Goodnight hun,” I breathed back.

I laid my head on his chest and finally fell asleep.

Notes

XxX,
Abygail

♡