Harry

"H, can I borrow this shirt?" Jessi's head poked out of the wardrobe door.

"Sure." I smiled, having no clue what she planned to do with the black silk shirt, but I'd give that girl anything she asked for. I looked down at my outfit, unsure if I should change again. I was nervous, I know our families had met before but during Jessi's party there were other people to keep everyone distracted. What if Danny didn't like us or maybe he wouldn't get our humour? Maybe somebody would embarrass me? Maybe somebody would upset Jess and this whole thing would blow up in our faces? I kicked my foot against the floor to pull myself out my own head. I should change my boots. I walked over to the wardrobe and toed off my tan boots, pulling a pair of black YSL boots out and moving to the bed to put them on.

"You look pretty." Jessi's voice pulled my head up from my feet.

"You look prettier." I grinned, she'd turned my shirt into a dress with a cute corset belt and she'd finished the look off with some ankle boots. "I don't know if this is too casual or maybe my shirt is too -"

"Hey! My boyfriend does not get anxious about fashion, what's up?" Her heels clicked on the wooden floor before the bedroom rug muffled them. "And your outfit is spot on, neither too casual or too dressy. Perfect." She pushed my long curly hair back from my face, and I felt myself become lost in her beauty, her soft lips framing her smile that never failed to light up a room.

"Nervous." I confessed as I took one last look at my skinny jeans and red Gucci shirt with eagles printed on it.

"Aww Harry! Sweetie!" She hugged me close, stepping between my legs and cradling my head against her boobs. "You don't have to be nervous. Everybody has already met and they all seem to get on well and Danny loves you - most of my exes would not have survived feeling me up in public." She chuckled which made her boobs jiggle. I placed a kiss where the little indent between her breasts would be and she sighed happily as she ran her fingers through my hair, a calmness spread through my body, like when I hear her voice after all the screaming from a show has stopped. I feel grounded, secure, loved.

"You know it doesn't matter, right?" Her voice is soft and calming. "Even if tonight ends in World War three, I'll still love you." She placed a kiss to my head, and I held her tighter.

"Me too." I mumbled against her body.

The door buzzer made us both jump. "You good?" She asked cupping my cheeks with her hands. I nodded and kissed her gently as I stood up. I smiled as I watched her walk to answer the door. "Hey Danny!"

"Hey Angel! Hi Harry!" Danny smiled. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah." We both replied. "I'll get the flowers." I told Jess, and she placed a kiss to Severus' head before she followed Danny out to his car. I grabbed the bunch of Peonies and Roses and locked up. I would definitely miss this place when we went back on tour in a few days.

The car was silent as we pulled into Green-Wood. Jessi's hand was fidgety in mine but apart from our connected hands she'd withdrawn into herself. Her free hand was hugged around her middle and I was sure if she didn't have shoes on then she'd be curled in the fetal position. Her eyes were blankly staring out the window, not looking at anything in particular.

"You want me to go first?" Danny's voice broke the silence once the car had stopped. Jessi nodded, her eyes fixing on a headstone close to the car. I watched as Danny made his way there, his bunch of bright pink Roses nestled safely in his arms.

"What do you do when you visit? Do you pray?" I asked and her hand squeezed mine.

"Danny does but I - well - who would I pray to? According to God suicide is a sin so in that case my Mum would be in hell, wouldn't she? And that's just bullshit! She wasn't a bad person." She paused, but she started talking before I could say anything, "I know it's stupid but I like to talk to her, tell her what's going on in my life." I wanted to tell her it wasn't stupid, but she was climbing out the car, apparently Danny had finished. I held her hand tightly and held onto the flowers with my other hand.

Jessi

"Hi Mum!" I took the flowers from Harry and placed them down beside Danny's. "I brought somebody to meet you today -"

"Hi Anna, I'm Harry." My head snapped towards his voice, and he placed his hand on my shoulder. My heart soared as I saw no hint he was teasing me.

"This is my boyfriend, he's pretty awesome." I smiled as I linked my hand with his again. "He doesn't scream when he's on my bike. He's been living with me in my apartment for the last month, it's been nice. I think you'd really like him." I paused when I felt tears prick my eyes at the thought she'd never meet him.

"She's the awesome one. You made a truly wonderful daughter." Harry squeezed my hand, and I was able to get control of my emotions.

"Oh - I have a new internship. It's so cool. I get to meet lots of great people and hear lots of new music. Uhm - Lori is buying an apartment with her boyfriend, he's friends with Harry." I paused. There was so much I had to tell her. "Shit! I almost forgot about Severus. We have a cat and he's so cute, he loves cuddles -"

"Well, he loves to cuddle with you. Not so much with me." Harry chuckled as he looked down at the fresh claw marks on his arm.

"But you love him." I nudged him.

"Yes, I love him and I love you." He smiled down at me.

"Jessi? Angel? We need to go soon or else everyone will beat us to dinner." Danny called softly.

"OK. Gotta go Mum. Harry's family are coming for dinner at Danny's tonight. Happy Birthday! I love you and I miss you." I kissed the tips of my fingers and placed them against her headstone as I felt a tear slide down my cheek.

"Bye Anna. It was nice talking to you." Harry added, wrapping his arm around my waist. I held him tight, feeling incredibly grateful that he came here with me and that he didn't laugh at me for conversing with my Mother who was no longer of this world.

"Thank you for letting me be a part of that moment with you, Jess." Harry kissed away the tears on my cheeks and I climbed into the back of Danny's car feeling weirdly calm. I still felt sad but not the deep depths of despair like my previous visits. I didn't feel trapped in the darkness with no way out and I didn't feel alone.

"You okay, Angel?" Danny turned to ask, and I nodded my head. I was okay. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. Let's eat." I replied. A nervous ball building in my stomach. I hoped this went well.

-----

Harry was helping me set the table when I heard a clatter come from the kitchen.

"Can you finish up here while I go make sure he's okay?" I squeezed Harry's arm as I made my way into the kitchen to find out if Danny was still in one piece.

"Knocked over the empty pan." Danny grinned as I walked into the room but he looked anything but calm. He was sweating like nobody's business and I'd never seen him look more on edge.

"Hey, at least it was empty. You okay?" I smiled as I picked up the object which had made all the noise.

"There's five of them Jess, there's only two of us. What if this goes tits up and they hate me?" Danny choked out as he flapped around the kitchen aimlessly.

"Stop! They won't hate you, you're the best and besides we're more than a match for them, big softies!" I chuckled. "Now Harry and I have set the table so how about you head upstairs and change out of that shirt, I'll keep an eye on everything in here." Everything smelled delicious. He'd made Roast Chicken with garlic potatoes and a roasted veg and kale salad. My mouth was watering at the thought of tasting everything.

"Thanks Jess. I'll be two minutes." Danny called out as he headed upstairs. The nervous ball in my own stomach felt like it was growing by the second.

-----

"So how is living with my brother? Is he driving you nuts yet?" Gemma asked once everyone finished dessert.

"I hope he doesn't leave his dirty pants lying around for you to pick up." Anne quirked her eyebrow at Harry and I chuckled at the embarrassment flooding his cheeks.

"Not driving me nuts, yet." I smirked at Harry as I teased him. "And I haven't had to pick up any dirty laundry although our cat has taken a liking to a pair of Harry's underwear." I giggled.

"Clean ones." Harry added.

"Yeah, it's cute. He likes to sleep on them." I smiled.

"Which is ironic cause I'm sure he hates me. He wants Jessi all to himself." Harry placed a kiss to my temple and my heart raced.

"Aww. I can't wait to meet him." Anne cooed.

"And Severus is a cute name." Gemma added.

"Thank you." I smiled, my fingers danced with Harry's under the table as I relaxed. This had all gone so well and everyone was getting along as if they'd known each other forever.

"Oh, I meant to ask you I have an invitation to a Wedding in a few weeks, you wanna be my plus one? Stop me being a Billy-no-mates? I meant to ask you at your party but I completely forgot." Gemma exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah, that'll be fun. I have some time off in a few weeks." I grinned. I loved hanging out with Gemma.

"Hey, that time off was supposed to be spent with me?" Harry pouted.

"It's only one day." Gemma pouted back.

"Looks like Severus isn't the only one who wants Jessi all to himself." Anne added and everyone laughed. I loved this family so much I think my heart had grown to ten times it's size since I'd met them.

-----

Harry

"You're not really living together, right?" My Dad asked as I poured us another drink in the kitchen.

"Yeah. We swapped keys, I have stuff at hers, she has stuff at mine. We live together." I replied.

"Well, that's not living together. You stay over. You don't have one home and are you sure giving her access to your houses is a good idea. I mean she seems lovely but we barely know her." My Dad persisted, and that got my hackles up.

"My home is wherever Jessi is and what do you think she's gonna do, Dad? Peddle all my furniture on eBay or some shit?" I flung back my Tequila and poured another.

"Harry, you have to think about these things. Like it or not, you're a target for somebody who needs a meal ticket." My Dad flung back his own drink.

"And you think I can't spot that? Give me some credit, it's plainly obvious when somebody is just around me because of what they think I can do for them. Jessi is not one of those people, in fact I think she'd prefer it if I were the guy who lived in Holmes Chapel and worked part-time at W. Mandeville." I sipped my Tequila this time, already feeling the effects of gulping down the last one.

"Alright!" My Dad held up his hands in surrender. "Just checking your not rushing into this. I know how much you want to find that special somebody, son."

"I love her so much, Dad and she loves me too."

"That's great Harry. I'm happy for you. I really am. Just be careful." He pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back, I know he was just looking out for me but he didn't have to worry.

----------

Jessi

I was on my motorbike and hurrying towards the airport. I'd had to work late and now I barely had time to say goodbye to Harry before he went back on tour.

I abandoned my bike, parked haphazardly in a space and rushed inside as I pulled out my phone.

"Jess!" I heard Matt yell once I was inside the building. "He's over this way." I tucked my phone back into my pocket and followed Matt up the escalator. "He thought you weren't coming, he has to be on the plane in five minutes." Matt adds as he rushed along the tiled floor and I more or less had to jog to keep up with his strides.

"Well, tell him I'm here." I nodded towards the walkie-talkie strapped to his belt.

"Out of range." Matt replied as he paused, seeming confused about which way we should be going. I pulled out my phone again and called Harry but there was no answer. Matt decided on going left and I followed behind him, having no idea where I was going. We seemed to have been walking for forever when we turned along a corridor and I finally spotted Harry, his holdall in his hand, about to disappear through a door.

"Harry!" I yelled, and I heard my feet thudding across the floor as I ran towards him. "Harry!" I yelled again, and he dropped his bag on the ground when he turned and spotted me. I flung my limbs around him as he scooped me up and I wanted to stay there forever. "I'm sorry. I'm late."

"Better late than never." He smiled against my neck, placing a small kiss there.

"Gonna miss you." I sighed as I hugged him tighter, loosening my grip slightly when I worried I might choke him.

"So much." Harry's arms held me tight.

"We need to go, Harry!" Mark said and he carefully put me down, my arms slipping down to grip his biceps.

"Kiss me?" I pleaded, and I hummed as he placed his lips to mine. Our tongues following their habitual pattern as I tried to memorise every little detail, my nostrils filling themselves with every drop of his scent I could breathe in.

"Guys!" Mark said, and I reluctantly pulled away from him.

"I'll call you when I land. I love you." Harry sighed.

"Love you too." I kissed his lips one last time and suddenly his arms were gone from around my body and a feeling of emptiness washed over me as he disappeared through the door.

I wasn't really aware of how I got back to my bike, my feet seemingly had a mind of their own as I got lost in my thoughts. I wondered if I'd ever get used to these goodbyes.

-----

I slid my key in the lock and smiled as I could hear Severus purring on the other side of the door. I carefully pushed the door open, "Hello Buddy! I'm so happy to see you." I cooed as he weaved his way around my ankles, purring happily before he wandered off. I locked the door before following him, eager for cuddles. I chuckled as I spotted him trying to claw his way back up onto the bed and I realised why as I scooped him up. Harry's shirt lay flat against the bed, a little round divet in the middle where Severus had made his home while we'd been gone.

"You miss Daddy too, huh?" I cooed as he purred happily in my arms. I sat him down on the bed as I quickly discarded all my clothes and slid into Harry's t-shirt. It felt so nice. I scooped Severus back up and walked the few steps to the armchairs, sitting myself down in the one which had become Harry's, I could still smell his cologne in the air. I flicked on the latest playlist Harry had made me and my fur ball curled up in my lap, my fingers dancing along his fur in time to the calming melody of Harry's beautiful voice. "He'll be home soon." I repeat the words over and over, not sure if it's for my benefit or the kittens.

----------

Harry

As I stared at the picture of Jessi that Gemma had sent me I noticed I had a text from Tom, Jessi's friend from her photography class. The one who thought I was an asshole.

"Hey dude, any chance you could get us tickets to see the Stones? Jess said you could hook us up. Thanks."

I flung my phone down on the table. Where the fuck did this guy get off? And why the hell would Jess tell him I'd do that? And what did they expect me to do, anyway; I wasn't Ticketmaster! Great! I had been looking forward to seeing Jess, the past few weeks without her had been awful, and now I was just pissed off!

I heard the key in the lock and instead of getting up to greet her I sat there. I can't believe she'd encourage her friends to use me like this.

"Harry! I'm home!" She yelled, and I wanted to get lost in the fact she called this home but I couldn't shake my frustration. "Aw. I guess he's not home. The toilet is just -"

"I know. I've been here before, Jess!" Matt answered and I heard his feet plod along the carpet.

"Oh! You are here! Why didn't you answer me?" Jess gasped as she rushed towards me, a huge grin covering her face. "I missed you so much." She straddled my lap and hugged me tight, she smelt so good.

"Missed me, eh? Why? Did you need concert tickets or maybe a reservation at a fancy fucking restaurant? Entry to a new club, perhaps?" I snapped, my hands staying firmly placed on the sofa cushions.

"What the fuck?" She leaned back, her brown eyes scowling at me.

"Have you gone deaf? What did you want from me Jessi?" She scrambled off my lap and marched out the Living Room. "What's the matter, Jess? Truth hurt?"

Jessi

"Oof! You alright there, Jess?" Matt asked as I walked right into him.

"Could you take me to a hotel or something, please? I mean I can probably find one myself but I'd have to wait for a Taxi and I -" I paused as I glanced towards the Living Room that housed the Alien who looked a lot like my boyfriend. I had no idea what had gotten into him but I was furious. I had absolutely no problems with getting myself anywhere I needed or wanted to go. I didn't need King fucking Harry to get me anything or anywhere. Arrogant asshole!

"I can. Are you sure? You were looking forward to seeing Harry?" Matt replied.

"Yeah. Come on!" I said once I'd slipped my shoes back on and headed out the door.

"Which hotel do you want to go to?" Matt asked as he started the car.

"I don't care." My stomach rumbled. "One with good food, you hungry?"

"I could eat. Plus, I'd be committing career suicide if I left you alone." He chuckled. I nodded. I was glad he'd said yes. I couldn't face sitting eating alone, it wasn't how I'd imagined my evening going. I heard my phone ring and looked down to see Harry's name lighting up my screen. I sent his call to voicemail. And immediately he sent a text.

"What the hell Jess? Where the fuck did you go?"

-----

Harry

I heard the front door and breathed a sigh of relief that Matt was gone.

"Jess?" I yelled, but she didn't answer so I shoved myself up off the sofa to go find her. I marched into the kitchen and let out a sigh when she wasn't there. I plodded up the stairs, in no particular hurry but when I reached my bedroom and realised she wasn't in there either I ran down to the guest rooms, praying she was in one of those. Why the fuck would she leave?

When she wasn't in the guest rooms either I panicked. Where would she go? What if she got lost or hurt?

"Jessi?" I yelled out, one last hopeful plea she hadn't gone. My breathing was ragged as I snatched up my phone from the coffee table. My fingers frantically pressing on her photo. But of course she didn't answer. "Urgh! Why do you have to be so bloody difficult!" I growled as I typed out my message and hit send. None of the anxiety I was feeling or the concern for how she was coming across. All that I could see in the ten words I'd sent was anger and frustration so I wasn't surprised that she didn't answer that either. The one glimmer of hope? Her suitcase was still out in the hall so she'd have to come back for that eventually but I called Gemma anyway, maybe Jess would head there.

Jessi

"So... you wanna tell me what Harry did? I mean you don't have to but it's obvious something happened. You were so excited when I dropped you off and now you're ignoring his calls." Matt asked as we waited for our food.

"I don't really want to talk about it." I sighed. Shit! It suddenly hit me how much I over-reacted by leaving. But if Harry really thought I was with him because of what he could do for me then we had a big problem.

"Are you sure? Maybe I could help?" Matt asked and I studied him closely, he didn't seem to be teasing me but I didn't feel comfortable talking to him about this.

"Thank you but I really don't want to talk about it. Could you drop me back at ho - Harry's house once we've eaten please?" I corrected myself as I almost called it home, it certainly didn't feel very homely or welcoming right now. Maybe some time for him to think over what he said would help him come to his senses.

"Sure. If that's what you want?" Matt answered.

"It is." I nodded.