Harry

It was my Birthday. I rolled over in my bed, my arms stretching out into emptiness, Jessi wasn't here. She was supposed to have arrived yesterday with Lori but she had to work this morning so she wouldn't be arriving until just before my party. I missed her.

"Happy 21st Birthday Harry!" My Mum yelled, knocking on the door.

"You can come in." I said, sitting up in bed.

"I made you breakfast." She smiled, carrying in a tray before sitting it down on the bed. "Look at my baby, all grown up." She stroked my cheek as she sat down beside me.

"This looks amazing. Thanks Mum." I smiled.

"You're Welcome!" She kissed my forehead as she got back up. "Once you've finished that you can come downstairs and we'll do presents. Your Dad left a message, he said he'd call you later. Lunch is at 1 o'clock and what time is Jessi due in? I can't wait to meet her." She said all in one breath.

"It depends when she can get away from work but I think she's hoping to get here around six." I smiled. I couldn't wait for them to meet either.

"That's only an hour before your party. I hope she makes it." My Mum said as she headed downstairs.

I heard my message tone on my phone; I picked it up and smiled when I saw Jessi's name.

"Happy Birthday, Sweetie! I can't wait to see you tonight. I hope you have a fantastic day. Love you, J x."

"Love you too. Can't wait to see you either. I'm 21! Woo! H x."

I finished my breakfast and headed downstairs feeling much happier than when I woke up.

-----

Jessi

I was in the studio. I wasn't supposed to be here. I was supposed to be in L.A. with Harry, celebrating his birthday. I'd been asked to come in and take studio pictures for a band's album cover. They're named Purple Sunrise and apparently they had seen photos I'd taken when they were in recording earlier in the week and decided that's what they wanted for their album artwork. It was pretty cool actually. 

"So Justin told us you were taking photos of One Direction last weekend? How was that?" Q, the drummer said. Yep, he really was calling himself Q.

"It was fun. They are great guys." I smiled.

"They're a little immature though. Didn't you feel like a babysitter? And as for all the silly screaming girls, I hope you had ear plugs!" He laughed. Q was getting on my nerves.

"Like I said I had great fun and there is something quite exhilarating about looking out at a stadium full of people absolutely over the moon to be stood watching their favourite artist, I hope you get to experience it one day." I smiled.

"Pete, I think we have a closeted Teeny Bopper here." He yelled to the bassist. I decided to just ignore him. I probably had all the photos I needed now, but I wasn't in a hurry, I was heading to the airport with Ed and he'd still be at least another hour.

"Jessi, we've got a little surprise for you." Sindy, their lead singer smiled as a woman walked in with what looked like a makeup trunk. I immediately felt nervous, I didn't trust strangers doing my makeup, I'd been left looking like a clown once too often. "We heard you're missing your boyfriend's birthday to be here and that your flying straight to his party after you're finished so as a thank you we brought Claire to do your hair and makeup for you."

"Thanks. That is really sweet of you but you didn't have to." I smiled as I got ushered out into a different room.

"You did a great job today." Justin smiled, following me. He was sort of my boss. "I'll send you a copy of the finished artwork."

"Thanks Justin. Any chance you can get me out of this?" I asked while Claire was at the toilet.

"Relax. I'm sure you'll be fine. I mean Sindy looks fab." He laughed.

"Yeah thanks. Very reassuring. I always wanted to turn up to my boyfriend's party looking like David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust days." I yelled after him.

"I thought maybe we could curl your hair?" Claire said, walking back into the room.

"Sure." I smiled. I didn't curl my hair often, I either left it wavy or straightened it.

"And what about makeup?" She asked. I shrugged. I didn't even know what to ask for. "What are you wearing?" She smiled. I pulled out my phone and showed her the photo of the dress I'd be wearing. It was a leather Versace dress that Danny had given to my Mum for her last birthday. I'd always loved it and now I had an excuse to wear it.

"Pretty. How about a red lip and a smokey eye?" She asked.

"Not dark eyes." I replied.

"I was thinking more golden tones, it'll suit your eyes." She smiled. I nodded. She got to work, and I closed my eyes and hoped for the best.

A while later my phone rang.

"Almost finished." Claire said. "OK. Done." She said, and I reached for my phone. Ed was on his way to come get me. I looked in the mirror and was pleasantly surprised. There was a little more eyeliner than I would have liked but apart from that it looked great and my hair looked amazing. I should curl it more often.

"Thank you. This is amazing. I love my hair." I smiled, giving her a hug.

"You're very welcome. I hope you enjoy your party." She smiled, handing me her business card. I tucked it in my pocket and headed to say goodbye to Justin and get my stuff.

Justin whistled as I walked in. "Harry is a lucky guy." He smiled.

"Thanks Justin. See you later, guys. Thanks for your gift." I waved, grabbing my bag and heading for the door. I got outside just as Ed pulled up. Jo got out and opened the door for me.

"Hi Jo." I smiled, throwing my bag on the backseat as I climbed in.

"Look at you, you look stunning." Ed smiled.

"Now you stay away from me tonight. I'm not drinking with you again." I said, pushing his shoulder.

"Me stay away from you? You're the bad influence!" He pushed me back. "Plus Harry's drinking. You have to help me get him drunk! Are you staying at Harry's house?" He laughed.

"Not sure. I didn't know Harry had a house in L.A., I'd assumed I was staying in the same hotel as Niall and Lori." I shrugged.

"Hang on, how can you not know Harry has a house in L.A.?" Ed said.

"I don't know. He never mentioned it whenever he talks about home he's talking about London or Holmes Chapel." I shrugged. He pulled out his phone and called Harry, putting it on speakerphone.

"Harry explain how your girlfriend doesn't know where you live?" Ed yelled as Harry answered.

"Uhm. Yeah. I don't think I told her, did I?" Harry hesitated.

"Apparently not. Anyway, she's staying at your house, right?" Ed shook his head.

"I hope so. Why? Where does she want to stay?" Harry asked.

"I thought I was staying at the same hotel as Niall and Lori." I replied.

"Sorry. I haven't done a great job at planning this, have I?" He sighed.

"It's okay. Ed knows where he's going." I laughed. I was excited to see what his house looked like.

"So we are heading to the airport now." Ed said.

"Awesome. You should be here for six then? Everyone is looking forward to meeting you, baby!" Harry said.

"I told you not to call me baby in public." Ed laughed.

"Shut up, Ed!" Harry groaned.

"Who's everyone?" I smiled.

"Robin, Gemma, and my Mum literally hasn't stopped asking about you all day." I froze. I felt myself panic. I wasn't ready to meet his Mum. My breath caught in my throat.

"Harry. I need to go." Ed hung up the phone. "Jessi, are you okay?" I heard his phone ring. I shook my head. I tried to concentrate on breathing. Ed held onto my hand.

"Do you need me to pull over?" Jo asked. I shook my head. It was passing.

"No." Ed answered Jo.

"I can't meet her. I can't." I got the words out before I panicked again. I lay back in the chair and opened the window.

"Who? Anne? You don't have to worry, she's lovely." Ed said, he was still holding my hand. His phone rang again. "Fuck off, Harry!" He yelled in frustration.

"I'm sure she is lovely but I can't do it. I keep telling him he's going way too fast, but he doesn't listen. I'm not ready for this." I confessed.

"I get it Jess but it's his birthday. It's not like he planned this, it's not unreasonable for him to want you and his family there on his birthday."

"He's had weeks to tell me she'd be there." I replied.

"Maybe he assumed you knew she'd be there." Ed countered.

"We're here." Jo said.

"Well, are you coming?" Ed said getting out the car. "Because that's your choice, you either stay here or you don't."

I got out the car, but I still wasn't sure what I would do. All I knew was I didn't want to stay here. We got on the plane and the pilot told us we'd be delayed while they de-ice the runway. I called Harry.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah. We will be stuck here until they de-ice the runway though." I replied.

"Okay. Why'd Ed hang up on me before? And then neither of you answered. You scared me." He sighed.

"I'm sorry. Everything's fine. How's your birthday so far?" I asked. I felt bad I'd made him worried.

"It's been pretty good so far, I wish you were here though." He said.

"Me too." I knew he could make me feel better.

"Text me when you are on your way. I love you." He said.

"I love you too." I smiled. I wasn't sure why meeting his Mum was freaking me out as much as it was. Maybe it was because I didn't have a Mum but I hoped I could get over it. I had an entire flight to get used to the idea.

We'd just landed. We ended up taking off two hours late, so we were now heading straight for the party. I was nervous. We'd gotten ready on the plane, the car would take our bags to Harry's house after dropping us off. Ed said he was just leaving Harry's present with his things so I did too.

We pulled up to the restaurant he was having his party at; it looked busy. He can't possibly know all these people.

"Are you okay?" Ed asked.

"No. I'm nervous. I don't belong here Ed." I said as I spotted models, actors, actresses, musicians.

"Me neither." He laughed.

"Names." A bouncer yelled as if confirming what Ed had just said.

"Ed Sheeran."

"Jessi Monroe," I smiled.

"Okay. In you go," The bouncer said, crossing our names off.

"Do you know where Harry is?" I asked eager to see him.

"Do I look like his Mom? You'll just need to wait your turn like everyone else." He snapped.

"Come on." Ed pulled my arm. "I don't want to be him when he realises who you are."

I'd be lucky to make Z list in here, that's who I was. I couldn't see Harry anywhere but this was by far the prettiest party I'd ever been to, everyone here was stunning.

"Fuck me! Is that David Beckham?" I nudged Ed as two girls turned and glared at me.

"I think it is." Ed smiled.

"Oi! Oi!" I heard Louis yell, and I looked over to my right and spotted him and Liam. Finally, people I recognised. I ran towards them and pulled them both into a hug. I heard a girl cough.

"Eleanor, this is Jessi." Louis smiled, putting his arm around the girl.

"Ah, Harry's famous girlfriend." A different girl said, she seemed to be with Liam.

"I'm not famous." I said.

"Soph just means that the guys have barely shut up about you," Eleanor smiled.

"Oh." I blushed, feeling stupid. I noticed Ed wasn't here either, I looked around but couldn't see him. "You didn't see where Ed went, did you?" They all shook their heads.

"Jessi!" I recognised Lori's voice as she flung her arms around me. "I just met David Beckham." She was grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

"Yeah, alright. No need to look so happy about it." I heard Niall groan.

"Hi guys!" I smiled. I was feeling more relaxed.

"Don't worry Niall, these two were the same." Liam said pointing to Sophia and Eleanor. I felt somebody cover my eyes.

"Boo!" Zayn yelled in my ear. I spun round and gave him a hug.

"Jess, this is Pez," He smiled.

"Hi, nice to meet you." I smiled.

"Do these guys talk about her all the time too?" She asked Soph, Eleanor and Lori. Soph and Eleanor nodded.

"To be fair, I probably talk about her more than Niall does, she's my best friend." Lori linked her arm with mine. My little family was almost complete, all that was missing was Harry.

"I don't suppose any of you have seen the birthday boy, have you?" I asked, taking one more scan of the room.

"I saw him briefly about half an hour ago in the toilets," Liam said.

"Looks like he sent the cavalry for you, that's Robin, Harry's Step Dad." Lori said pointing to a man headed in our direction. I felt nerves in the pit of my stomach, my palms were sweating. I could use a drink.

"Hi guys!" He smiled.

"Hi Robin" They all replied.

"And you must be Jessi considering my dopey Step Son hasn't taken his eyes off you since you walked in." I blushed as everyone laughed. "Can I get you a drink?" he pointed to the bar. I nodded and followed behind him.

"Robin." He said holding out his hand as we reached the bar.

"Jessi." I smiled, shaking it. He ordered himself a whiskey and a rum and coke for me.

"So Harry and Ed tell me you're nervous about meeting my lovely wife," He smiled. "I promise she doesn't bite and you'll love her," He chuckled.

"I think that's mostly what I'm afraid of," I confessed.

"You're scared you'll like her?" Robin chuckled again.

"I know it sounds silly but yeah, I don't really have any family so I'm scared that I'll like her and then if me and Harry break up it'll be like losing a family all over again. Does that make sense?" I said. I liked Robin he was easy to talk to.

"That makes perfect sense." He pulled me into a hug. "Now I can't promise you everything will be perfect for the rest of your life but you might be worrying about something that will never happen and well that just makes little sense, don't you agree?" He grinned.

"Yes," I smiled. I felt like someone had lifted a weight off my shoulders.

"So, you ready to go see Harry?" He smiled and I couldn't wipe the grin from my face as I nodded.

-----

Harry

So far this felt more like work than a party. I barely knew half of the people here and the people I did know I had barely any time to talk to. And the one person I truly wanted here wasn't here.

"Harry? Are you okay?" My Mum asked.

"I'll be fine. Are you having a good time?" I forced a smile.

"I got my photo taken with Golden Balls." She grinned. I genuinely smiled this time. "Harry go enjoy your party, moping around won't make her get here any sooner."

She was right, as she often is. I went to get a drink. I spotted two of my friends from school at the bar.

"Hi guys!" I smiled.

"Hey Hazza! Still no girlfriend?" Jamie laughed.

"I'm telling you, he made her up, there's no way she exists." Fred added.

"You guys suck!" I laughed, pushing them out the way so I could get myself a drink. I walked back to where I was standing before. I could see the whole party from there.

"Hey Harry!" Gemma smiled.

"Hi Gemma, did Mum send you to make sure I was having fun?" I smiled.

"She might have." She laughed. "Find me a guy to date. There must be somebody in here who's single and not an arsehole." She stood beside me, looking out at everyone.

"Nope. Not happening." I said, I hated her dating.

"Come on. What about the guy at the end of the bar? With the glasses." She smiled. I looked to see who she was talking about.

"I think that's Nick's date, William." I smiled. She said something, but I wasn't listening. I'd heard Louis yell "Oi! Oi!" He'd started to yell that at Jessi whenever he saw her, my eyes scanned the room. I spotted Ed heading towards us but sighed as I realised Jessi wasn't with him.

"Where's Jess?" I asked.

"Nice to see you too, Haz." Ed laughed. "She was here a minute ago," He said looking around. I grinned when I spotted her, she was talking to Louis and Liam. I saw her look around, but she didn't notice me, she looked amazing.

"I have to tell you she's freaking out about meeting your Mum. She had a panic attack in the car that's why I hung up on you," Ed said.

"What?! Why didn't you tell me?" I snapped. I was worried she might freak out about it.

"Don't worry Harry. I'll go talk to her." Robin said behind me. I quickly made sure my Mum wasn't there. I think it would hurt her feelings to know Jess didn't want to meet her.

"She's just over-" I started but Robin cut me off.

"I know, she's the one you haven't taken your eyes off since she walked in." He smiled, making his way towards the group. Zayn, Niall, Lori and Perrie were all with her now too. She seemed more relaxed.

"Didn't Perrie want to kill her at one point?" Ed asked.

"Yeah. Zayn explained that there was nothing going on between them. It's all good. Plus Jessi could take her." I laughed. She was a lot stronger than she looked. I watched as she headed to the bar with Robin, she was smiling, I loved her smile.

"Hi Harry." Somebody whispered in my ear while grabbing my arse. I spun round to tell them to get lost but didn't get a chance as Ed dragged her off to the bar, telling her he'd buy her a drink. I looked back to see Robin heading this way with Jessi. She smiled when she spotted me, hurrying towards me. I held my arms out, and she jumped into them, I held her tight as we kissed. I put her back down gently.

"Hi!" She smiled up at me.

"You look amazing." I smiled. I noticed she was wearing the necklace I'd bought her.

"We match." She smiled, pointing out we were both wearing black. "I love this." She said, stroking my jacket. I took it off and put it on her.

"I don't think it works on me." She laughed as she held up her arms, they got lost in the sleeves. "Why do you have to be so tall?"

"Why do you have to be so short?" I countered.

"I'm not short, I'm just fun size." She grinned.

"That you are." I winked at her. She put my jacket back on me, pulling me down so she could kiss me.

"Happy Birthday!" She smiled.

"Thanks. You ready to meet everyone?" I asked, taking her hand.

"Yeah." She smiled, squeezing my hand tight. I walked to the table where my Mum and Robin were sitting. My Mum was trying to pretend she hadn't been watching us.

"Hi Mum, this is Jessi. Jessi this is my Mum, Anne." I barely finished my sentence and my Mum was hugging her. I felt her hand being pulled away from me.

"Come. Sit with me." My Mum said to Jess before turning to me. "Go get us a drink while I check up on you." She grinned. Jessi was smiling, so I did as my Mum told me. Jamie and Fred were still at the bar, Ed was with them too now.

"Hi!" I realised I was still grinning, I couldn't stop it.

"Still waiting on your imaginary girlfriend?" Jamie said.

"Nope. She's with my Mum." I smiled, as I ordered drinks.

"Where?" Fred asked. I hurt my neck as I spun around too quickly, worried that Jessi had gotten upset or something. I was relieved to see she was still there. They were laughing.

"Right there. Beside my Mum." I said.

"I see your Mum but there's nobody beside her." Fred said.

"I think he's progressed to full-blown hallucinations Fred." Jamie added.

"Hilarious guys." I pouted.

"Do a shot with us!" Ed yelled.

"Yeah it's your 21st, you can't be a pussy and sit with your girlfriend all night!" Fred added.

"Don't worry guys. Jessi will drink with us, we had such a laugh last time we were out with Mr Boring." Ed added.

"You mean when you almost gave my girlfriend alcohol poisoning?" I complained.

"Yeah. I thought I was dying the next day." Ed laughed.

"Well come on, what are we drinking then?" I gave in. I had the day off tomorrow and Monday. Ed lined up eight shots of something bright blue.

"One, Two, Three. Go!" Jamie yelled and I quickly drank my two. They tasted like orange.

"See you guys later." I smiled, grabbing my tray of drinks and heading back to the table. I was worrying about all the embarrassing stuff my Mum could tell Jess.

I put the drinks down and suddenly my Mum, Jessi and Gemma all rushed passed me.

"They're going to dance." Robin smiled.

"Has Mum been embarrassing me?" I asked.

"Maybe a little." He laughed. "She's a lovely girl, Harry. I think your Mum's smitten." I smiled as I watched them dance together, Jessi had dragged Lori away from Niall and now she was dancing with them too. They were dancing to Savage Garden, I couldn't remember the proper name of the song but it was the Cherry Cola one. I guessed my Mum had asked for it but it surprised me Jessi seemed to know the words too. Jessi spotted me watching them and waved for me to come and join them. I made my way through the crowd of people.

"I love her." My Mum whispered in my ear as her and Gemma headed back to the table. I was just about to reach for Jess when suddenly she was being pulled away from me. I smiled as she headed back towards me. Once I had a hold of her, I looked to see who it was. I gave Ed the middle finger, and he laughed, heading off with Fred and Jamie. We danced to Yellow by Coldplay.

"I don't actually like this song." She said.

"What?" I thought everyone liked this song.

"Yeah. Not a huge Coldplay fan in general. Too boring." She said, holding me tight. I sang the words to her as we danced. I'd have to teach her to like Coldplay.

"Have you met David yet?" I asked as the song finished.

"Beckham?" She shrugged. She must want to meet Beckham, all the women here and most of the men had been swooning over him all night. She stood on her tiptoes and cupped her hand over my ear before she whispered, "I have my own Golden Balls." Her other hand ever so slightly grabbing my groin before she quickly removed it. I felt my cheeks get hot as she smiled at me.

"Come on." I grinned, holding her hand as I introduced her to some people.

-----

Jessi

It was late, about half of the people had left the party now but it was still busy. Harry was super drunk, he was too polite to turn down peoples offer of a drink. He was taking photos in the photo booths with Gemma, Robin and Anne. He'd already dragged me in there about ten times, my bag was full of photos.

"Hey shorty. I didn't see you there." Fred laughed.

"Do you want a step so you can reach the bar?" Jamie joined in. They'd been at this all night.

"Can we stop this now?" I begged.

"No. It's too much fun." They both laughed.

"How about if Jessi beats you in an arm wrestle then you have to stop making short jokes?" Lori said. She was a little drunk too.

"OK. What do we get if we win?" Fred grinned.

"What do you want?" Lori asked.

"You and Jessi have to flash us." Jamie laughed.

"Yeah. That's not happening." Niall snapped.

"Fine, when we win you two have to go up on stage and sing a song we choose." Fred smiled.

"Can I add that to ours too? If I win, you two have to sing whatever I choose on stage AND you quit it with the short jokes?" I said.

"Deal." They grinned. I was fairly confident, everybody always assumed I was weak because I was small.

"I bet on Jessi." Ed said, getting up so I could have his chair. They'd decided Jamie would arm wrestle for them. He was super sweaty.

"Ready?" Lori asked. We both nodded. "WRESTLE!" She yelled. I felt bad, this would be too easy. He was pushing hard but I could hold it easily.

"Come on, Jay" Fred yelled. I pushed Jamie's arm over and put him out of his misery. "For fuck sake!" Fred groaned.

"What's going on?" Harry said, putting his arms around my shoulders.

"Jessi, just beat Jamie in an arm wrestle so now they're not allowed to make short jokes about her." Ed laughed.

"Nice one, Baby!" Harry laughed, kissing my head. "I told you not to mess with her."

-----

We were on our way back to Harry's. He was already asleep. I was glad Ed was there to help me get him out the car. My mouth dropped open as we pulled up to the house, it was huge. We got him out the car.

"Do you have keys?" I asked Ed.

"Probably in his pocket." Ed held him still while I checked his pockets. I knew Robin, Anne and Gemma were in but I didn't want to wake them. I found them in the last pocket I checked. I unlocked the door. It was more of a struggle than I expected. Ed brought him inside.

"Jessi" Harry mumbled.

"Do you know where we are going?" I whispered to Ed. He nodded.

"Jessi" Harry kept mumbling.

"Yeah, Harry?" I replied as me and Ed carried him upstairs. I was so glad Ed was here, I couldn't have done this by myself.

"We're getting married," He flung his arms around me, almost knocking all three of us down the stairs.

"OK, Harry but not right now. Let's get you to bed." I giggled, he was rather funny when he was drunk.

I was glad when we reached the bedroom. I got him undressed and into bed. I laughed as I told Ed about trying on his jacket.

"You should try on the whole outfit, it'll be hilarious." He laughed.

"OK. Turn around then," I found myself agreeing. I couldn't help laughing as I looked in the mirror. I looked like a child playing dress up.

"Ha. I need a picture of this." Ed laughed as he took the picture. "One more drink before bed?"

"OK." I agreed. I took Harry's jacket and jeans off but kept his shirt on. By the time I'd got downstairs Ed had already poured us a drink.

"Ed, I want to do something for Harry..." I started.

"If this is something sexual, then I don't want to know." He pushed me and I fell over on the sofa.

"Don't be stupid. I mean I want to do something to show him I'm serious about us. I feel like I kinda push him away sometimes and I don't mean to, I just get scared." The alcohol was easing my embarrassment.

"Get his name tattooed on you." He grinned.

"What is it with you and tattoos?" I sighed, but a thought had occurred to me. I could get a tattoo to match one of Harry's. I'd always liked the cross tattoo he had on his hand.

"I like them." He smiled.

"You might be onto something. I mean I'm not getting his name tattooed on me but I think I have an idea." I smiled.

"So you're coming with me while I get my tattoo tomorrow then?" Ed grinned.

"Yeah." I smiled, finishing my drink. "Night Ed." I hugged him before running upstairs, inevitably I slipped, burning my shin on the carpet. That would hurt in the morning. I paused in the doorway, watching Harry. He was snoring quietly, and spread out, like a starfish on the bed. I climbed in beside him. I felt happiness wash over me when he pulled me into him, his arms wrapping around me tightly.

"I love you," We both said at the same time.