"Morning, how was Mauritius? I saw you whooped Harry's ass at games, I bet he was fuming!" Dustin chuckles. My receptionist is one of those people who always seems to be full of energy. Normally it's motivating but my tired, pregnant body is having none of it. The fresh coffee he has sitting on his desk smells so good but I don't like to have too much caffeine when pregnant so I turn my thoughts back to his question. 

"Mauritius was lovely, just what I needed."

"You look cute, is that top one of Alessandro's?" He asks, reaching over his desk to run his fingers over the embroidered flowers on my sleeve.

"Actually, Robin made it for me for Christmas. It's so pretty, right?" I twirl from side to side to show off the soft blue smock top.

"Oh, you have to Instagram that! People need to see this girl's talent."

I smile politely before stepping towards my office. I don't know how I feel about that; I mean if Robin wanted it on there she would have posted it herself. Maybe I'd ask her?

"Your post is already in your office but Sara asked if I'd send you to see her when you got in?" he yells after me and I turn and head to her office instead. I'm a little annoyed. I'd taken advantage of Harry taking the kids to school and come in early so I could work on my book a little. Hopefully, this won't take long.

My knuckles tap gently on the white door and I don't hesitate before waltzing in when she yells for me to "come in".

"Oh, I'm sorry Dean. I didn't realise Sara was already in a meeting!" I exclaim. I'm a little confused about why she's talking to my intern, he gets his assignments from me. I'm sure she'll explain it at some point though and I back out of the room.

"No, don't go. This involves you," she points to an empty chair and I sigh as I take the seat she'd indicated, it's too early for all this secrecy. I think I should have had that coffee after all.

I sit myself down and glance from Dean to Sara, neither of them seem very willing to talk, in fact my intern looks like he's about to burst into tears. I automatically lean forward and place my hand on his arm. "You okay?"

"I'm sorry," he mumbles. He's refusing to meet my gaze and I look to Sara for help. I feel awful that something is upsetting him this much, he's a sweet kid and talented. I plan to offer him a job once his internship comes to an end.

"I think it might be better if I let Dean explain," she states. And the silence returns.

"Sweetheart, if you have a problem you know you can talk to me, right? My door is always open."

"Stop! You're making it worse!" He pulls his arm from my grasp and I struggle to hide my shock. "I don't deserve your kindness," he says and I immediately go to protest, everyone deserves kindness. "I'm the reason that divorce story ended up in the news, I messed up." His words have me reeling. Why? How? 

"I went home for the holidays and a friend I trusted asked what my internship was like and I told her how great it is, how lucky I am that you chose me and then she asked me about you and I told her how good you are at your job, how nice you are. Then she asked if I'd met Harry, she's a fan so I told her all about how cute you guys are and I know I shouldn't have but I told her about the twins but I didn't think she would tell anyone. I trusted her. I shouldn't have. She sold the information I told her for 100 bucks, she said she didn't know what they were going to do with it. I'm sorry, Mrs Styles. I'm really sorry..." his words disappear into sobs and I struggle to make sense of the information. 

"What did your friend need the money for?" I place my hand back on his arm.

"What?! I - uhm - I don't know. We're not friends anymore. I won't do anything like this ever again. I wish I had just kept my mouth shut."

"Jessi?" Sara's voice almost makes me gasp, I forgot she was here. "I don't think that's really the point here. Dean, can you go wait with Dustin for a few minutes so Jess and I can have a chat?"

"Actually, you could get started on setting up Studio B for me. The notes should be in the clients file." I smile as he scurries off. 

"Jess..." she draws out my name as soon as the door latches closed.

"What?" My eyes fix on hers as she stares back at me as if I'm making a huge mistake.

"Something needs to be done about this, there can't just be zero consequences. I mean, it isn't just your career he could have damaged, it's Harry's too." The loud sigh at the end of her sentence pisses me off. As if I'm not acutely aware that every single move I make reflects on my husband too.

"Look, clearly he's been beating himself up about this since it happened so I don't think he's very likely to do it again. So where is the sense in firing him? I'd lose the best intern I ever had. Besides no real damage was done, in fact more people want to talk to H than ever." It's the truth. Jeffrey has been inundated with requests from radio stations, TV shows, magazines, I think he's getting sick of saying no.

"Yeah, who all want to talk about you and your marriage not the album or the tour," her words hurtle back at me and I stand up to leave.

"Well then, more fool them because they should know that my husband has never answered a question he doesn't want to in his life," I chuckle as I think about the many people who've tried. There are those who try going off script only to be shut down by a member of Full Stop, those who try games like never have I ever, quick fire questions which he simply answers at his own glacial pace, there are friends who try to tease information out of him and the end result is always the same, he doesn't reveal a single thing he doesn't want to.

"So that's it? We're just going to pretend it never happened?" Sara says as I walk towards the door.

"Oh, no. Do me a favour and reach out to that girl? Find out why she needed $100 so badly, I'd like to know if she needs help with something." I close the door quickly before I have to listen to her protesting.

My feet carry me across the hallway and into my own office and I breathe a sigh of relief. This isn't the start to my day that I had planned. 

Am I being too easy on Dean? Perhaps reaching out to the girl is a stupid idea? My mothering instincts tend to go into overdrive when I'm expecting. My fingers splay out over my bump as I sit down in my chair. Maybe ten minutes of meditation or yoga will help?

My hand reaches towards my phone and I'm already dialling the number before I've admitted to myself what it is that I need. "H?" I smile as the phone picks up after only a few rings.

"Uh, who is this?" A stranger's voice questions and I immediately double check I've dialled the correct number.

"Nevermind who I am, why are you in Harry's office?"

"Jessi? Is that you?" he replies and now I feel at a disadvantage. It definitely isn't Jeffrey or Tommy. "Harry isn't here yet. Oh, hang on, he just walked through the door..." 

"Hello?" My husband's voice floats along the phone line and I relax as I imagine him hugging me tight, just like he did before I left the house this morning, his fingers pressed softly into my skin as he whispered his goodbye against my neck. "Hello?" he repeats, pulling me from my daydream. 

"Hi, who was that?" I ask as the twins shuffle around. I think they are becoming pretty cramped in there.

"Ford." There's definitely an undertone to the way he says the name and I wonder what he's done to irk my love. "Everything okay? Remember Dani has dance class tonight so you'll probably be best picking something up for dinner on the way home."

"I remember," I smile. "Uhm... I called because I want to make sure I did the right thing."

"Sara wants you to fire the kid?"

"Uh huh."

"But you didn't, right?"

"Right." My heart races at the fact he knows me so well. "I can't H. He really didn't mean any harm, he made a mistake, trusted the wrong person. We've all done it."

"I agree. He seems like a sweet kid. He shouldn't miss out on interning with the most talented photographer in the world, no, the universe because his friend sold him out." I can picture his wide grin with its dimple on full display and it makes my own smile widen.

"Uhm, I did something else too..." I pull my lip between my teeth as I wonder what he'll make of the rest of the story.

"Hold on... okay I'm sitting down," he chuckles and I find myself hoping he makes it home at a reasonable hour tonight.

"I asked Sara to reach out to the girl, the one who sold the story. I need to know why she needed that little money so badly. I mean, maybe we can help? Maybe we can find her a job or something? I don't know. Am I being stupid?" My thumb rubs over the back of my wedding ring as I wait for his answer.

"No baby, that's not stupid. Ridiculously kind? Sweet? Caring? Lovely? All yes but it's definitely not stupid. Just be careful, yeah? Let Sara deal with it. I don't know that I'd feel comfortable with you having contact with her."

"I wish you were here so I can hug you," I breathe.

"Me too. I'll give you the biggest hug tonight. I promise." I don't bother asking for anything more specific than tonight, he'll be home when he gets home and making him give a time just led to disappointment for me and guilt for him when he fails to meet the deadline.

"I love you. I hope your day goes smoothly," I can hear paper rustling on his desk and I know his attention is already starting to drift to work so I decide to leave him to it. I should go check how Dean is getting along, anyway. 

"Love you too, baby. More than you know. I'll text you later." The phone clicks off and I push myself up from my desk feeling more energised than if I'd had ten cups of coffee.

More than you know.

The words repeat in my head and I can't even begin to imagine how he can love me anymore than I already know he does.

-----

"Wots  dat?" Madi asks as she points to the big white box taking up the front passenger seat. 

"Balloons. I'll show you when we get home." I can't stop my lips curving upwards at the thought of the gift Harry had sent. A giant brown bear balloon holding a heart with an H on it and four red heart balloons with the kids initials on them. It arrived around lunchtime with a note which said I know it's not a proper hug but I hope it helps you survive until later.

"Daddy be there?" she smiles as I buckle her into her car seat.

"No. He's working late remember?" I press a kiss to her forehead before climbing back in the car so we can head to pick up Daniella and Mac. Robin is getting a ride home with Lori so that's one less trip I have to make. Work had been busy today. Two photoshoots and Tommy had talked me into taking the photo's for Rivers album so I've been stuck in a meeting about that for an hour and a half.

"Hmph," she puffs out her cheeks and folds her arms over her chest. "I want him t'be home."

"Me too, sweetheart. Me too." I smile at her in the rear-view mirror. "You want to listen to some music?"

"Daddy?" she squeals. Her legs bang off the back of my chair as she swings them back and forward. I quickly find my daughters favourite song and we head on our way.

-----

"Wait!" Mac yells as I pull in to the garage. "The song isn't finished," he quickly adds and continues singing with his sisters.

Maybe we can find a place to feel good?

They all sing together, well Madison is yelling at the top of her lungs. She hasn't realised yet that louder doesn't mean better. But they all look adorable none the less. I cannot hold in my laugh as Daniella yells out Harry's oh yeah. They all collapse into a fit of giggles as the song finishes and I turn off the car. 

"Will Dad be home soon?" Mac asks. Him and Daniella head indoors while I unbuckle Madison.

"He work late, memba?" She yells as she jumps from the car, her legs scrambling to keep up with her siblings.

"Wait! Who's taking me to dance class?" Her older sister yells along the hall at me.

"I am. Well, all of us are gonna have to go and we'll pick up dinner on the way back, what do you fancy?" I follow behind them.

"But Mum..." my son whines. "I told Luka I'd speak to him on Xbox."

"Well, you're going to have to tell him you can't until later."

"Ugh! Fine!" He stomps his foot on the staircase. "I want Health Nut for dinner."

"Yay!" Madison cheers and bounces on her toes.

"Daniella, is Health Nut okay with you?"

She replies with a nod of her head before following her brother upstairs. I wonder if I should drop some food off with Harry on our way home but it's only the first day without him, I can get through this. I have to.

-----

"Okay, little lady! Bedtime!" I smile as I finish dressing Madison in her pj's. She'd just had her bath. 

"But Daddy... he tuck me in," she pouts.

"He must have been held up, sweetheart. It's already later than normal." I'd caved and let her stay up an extra hour when she gave me the sad eyes earlier.

"But -"

"No buts, it's time for bed." I clumsily scoop her up and place her on her bed but she quickly scurries off. "Madison!"

"I sweep wiv you?" She looks up at me with those sad eyes again but I still had work to do. The dishwasher needs emptying, the laundry needs folded and put away, I have cookies ready to go in the oven for a bake sale the school are having tomorrow and I still haven't gotten any work done on my book. 

"Mummy still has work to do, come on into bed, please?" I feel awful as her little head drops to the floor, and she plods towards her bed. Once she's climbed in I tuck her in like a sausage just like her Daddy does and I place a kiss to her forehead. I hear the front door and I pray she hasn't noticed but before I can stand up she's off out the door and yelling for Harry. Man, she can be exhausting. 

I reach the top of the stairs just in time to see them spinning in a circle. "Hey, angel. I missed you," he coos when they come to a stop.

"I miss you." She mumbles into the crook of his neck as her arms wrap tightly around him. "You make pwetty songs for me?"

"No writing today. I am practicing singing for all the shows I have to play for all the fans." He grins and bounces her on his hip so she's more comfortable.

"Huh? You aw-ready bootiful."

My heart swells as my husband's eyes get glassy. "Thank you, Madi!" His smile is literally brighter than the sun as he presses a kiss to her head. "Still need to practice though, need to make sure everyone gets the best show I can give, right?"

"Uh huh. You and Mummy come tuck me in?"

"Yep. Off you go, get into bed then. Mummy and I will be up in a second." He places her down on the stairs and I watch as she skips up the stairs happily.

I gasp in surprise as his hand grabs my hip and he pulls me to his side. My arms wrap themselves around his middle as his snake themselves around my pregnant body. I feel the tension ease as I listen to the gentle hum of his heartbeat. 

"Baby?" He whispers. His pointer finger hooks itself under my chin and tilts my head up to look at him. His jade green eyes are soft as they explore my face, seemingly drinking me in as if he hasn't seen me in months. 

"You okay?" I breathe.

"Shhh..." His thumb brushes along my lips as his right hand moves to cup my cheek. Without thinking my tongue darts out to lick the pad of the digit and I can't help but smirk as he lets out a strangled moan. "How can a mouth this pretty be so dirty?" He growls while spreading the wetness over my lips.

"Why don't you taste it? See if you can't find some answers?" My teeth nip at his finger and I wonder where exactly this playful streak has come from. I have a list of things to do as long as my arm and ten minutes ago I wanted nothing more than to finish said jobs and cuddle in to my husband. Now seducing him seems to be the only thing on my list.

He drags my bottom lip downwards before capturing it between his own soft lips. His tongue nudges mine before retreating which practically has me panting. I need more but he pulls away from me completely.

"Come on, let's go put the kids to bed then I promise I'm gonna taste all off you."

His words make me shiver but I shake my head. "Can't. Got too much stuff to do."

"With two of us we'll get it done twice as fast." He grins as his fingers splay out over my arse before giving it a firm squeeze. "Think you can tease me like that and then turn me down? I don't fucking think so." His deep chuckle sends another shiver over my spine and suddenly I'm very motivated to finish my chores.