Chapter 20:

I could faintly hear the birds chirping happily outside my window as they flew to fetch food for their chicks. I could smell the familiar scent of homemade croissants travelling throughout the house bringing back memories from my childhood. I opened my eyes slowly so see my old bedroom; the white room with a large window that was currently covered with white voil and my plump bed that enveloped me warmly into a deep sleep, smiling to myself, I got out of single bed and went downstairs to see my mum, happily cooking away in the kitchen.

"Morning mum" I kissed her on the cheek as she handed out the croissants for me, Jake and herself. She placed one each onto a plate, before handing one to me, and taking one for herself also. I turned to see a tired looking Jake, I laughed as he squinted begrudgingly due to the harsh light beaming through the open kitchen window.

"Morning Jake" he merely grunted in response, grabbing his breakfast and following me and mum into the living room to eat. Halfway through eating I decided to ask my mum about today, "Hey mum how would you feel about meeting Harry...properly?" she smiled and nodded her head eagerly - wanting to meet him properly this time. My mum is a very open and loving person, she accepts people for who they are and is lucky with what she has, even if its not a lot. I smiled at her, happy that she was so excited about it. Once we had eaten our breakfast I took all the plates into the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher hearing a 'thank you' from my mum, before I casually made my way back up the stairs and into my room; looking at my reflection thoughtfully, I decided I didn't need a shower and chose to get changed out of my T-shirt and shorts and into a high waisted skirt with a white of the shoulder top. After changing, I looked at my phone to see I had received a text from Harry.

Sexy Styles: Morning babe, hope you're okay! My mum said she is excited to meet you :') .xxx

I giggled and replied instantly.

Me: Morning! I'm very well :) I'm excited and nervous to meet her... My mum seems happy to meet you... again :D xxx.

Sexy Styles: Don't be nervous, she loves you! :) and it'll be my pleasure to see your mum again. I'm just getting in my car now, I'll see you in 5 minutes :D .xxx

Me: Okay hun :) xxx.

I left my phone on the side as I made my way down the stairs and back into the living room with a now fully dressed Jake who sat daydreaming on the couch, whilst my mum was on the other couch listening to the news. I plonked down beside my mum and smiled largely at her, she turned her head and smirked at me, "I like it when you're in this mood," she said as she flicked through the channels on the TV "you seem a lot happier! What's happened? Is it Harry? Did you sleep with him?" she raised her eyebrows at me prodding me for an answer, I gasped at her question.

"Mum! No. We just kissed." her eyes widened and a smile grew on her face before she giggled and bounced in her seat slightly.

"Ohhh! Tell me everything!" she emphasised the last word, resting her hands on mine as she looked at me, pressuring me for an answer. She reminded me of a teenage girl that was desperate to know the latest gossip. I sighed and gave in.

"Well, it was yesterday, he came looking for me at th-" I was interrupted by ringing of the doorbell as it resonated through the entire house. I smiled at my mum as she rolled her eyes and sighed, I guess she really wanted to know! I squeezed her hand in mine and winked at her, "I'll tell you later" she smiled and nodded as I got up to answer the front door.

The minute I swung the door open I was greeted with the most amazingly beautiful person I have ever seen in my entire life... Harry. His grin deepened exposing his adorable dimples as he looked at me, and I'm sure I looked the same, as he entered the house he closed the door behind himself, giving me a shy hello before wrapping his arms around my waist. His gentle touch created a spark that coarsed through my body, as it always does whenever we come into contact. I placed my hands around his neck and stood on my tip-toes attempting to stand at his height, he smiled at my lack of balance and pulled me closer into him, leaving our faces inches apart. I stared at his lips and began to close the gap between us until I swerved abruptly pressing my lips to his cheek. He smirked at me in defeat and shook his head, "such a tease" he whispered. I responded by winking at him and pulling him into the living room to see my mum and Jake.

"Hello Harry, it's lovely to see you... again" my mum greeted him kindly and gave him a friendly hug. Harry turned to Jake and shook his hand as they exchanged hellos, we all sit down and my mum decides to start the conversation, "So what's going on between you two?" she asked bluntly, my eyes widened and I blushed a deep red embarrassed at my mothers outburst. I raise my hands to cover my face while Harry chuckles softly beside me.

"Well we've been out a couple of times and we're just seeing how things are going really." Harry said as he rested his hand on my bare thigh, my insides shivering at his touch; I looked up at him and smiled feeling slightly calmer. He does that to me, he is the only one that can make my insides go crazy, but he's also the only one who can calm me down.

"Well Harry, I can see how happy Emma is, just by the way she looks at you! Believe me, I know her better than anyone else," she chuckled inwardly "please take care of her, she deserves someone like you. Don't break her heart." I look over to my mum and thin my lips, she knows what I've been through when it comes to guys: the liking someone, the hanging out with them, being used or played and then lastly, being disregarded. She knew the pain and heartbreak I went through, she knew about all the times I'd been let down and just brushed it off because I liked them that much. I couldn't control my heart. And she knew that. She is my mum. My best friend.

Harry's husky voice broke my train of thought as he replied to my mum, I turned and looked at him seeing him already looking back at me. I gazed into his sparkling green eyes as he said the next four words, making me melt instantly when I heard them, "I won't, I promise." He then averted his gaze and looked to my mum "she is amazing and I consider myself lucky to have met her, and all of you for that matter. Thank you for trusting me with her heart, I promise I'll take care of it." my mum smiled, I could see the respect she had for Harry already; she could see the good in him and didn't judge him on his past or how he is perceived, she saw him as a person, the REAL Harry.

"Thank you Harry." she replied with the utter most respect.

~~

Not soon after that I called my dad telling him I had arrived back home, my mum invited him over to meet Harry as well; after an agonising 20Q from my dad, he finally approved of Harry knowing that he would take care of me. After a while of playing board games and laughing at embarrassing memories my mum kept bringing up, I noticed it was 3pm. I turned to Harry and saw he was talking to Jake and my dad, I smiled to myself at the sight of them getting along - my family really seemed to like Harry, a lot. I interrupted their conversation to remind Harry of the time; he nodded and stood up getting ready to leave, "Thank you for having me Mrs Raine it was lovely to see you again, and it was lovely to finally meet you Mr Raine." Harry spoke formally as he shook my dads hand. I gave my mum and dad hugs and kisses, high-fived Jake and left the house en route to the Styles'.

"That went really well" I said to Harry, he nodded and smiled at me before replying.

"Yeah it did! It's your turn now." he giggled before quickly glancing at me then back to the road. I felt my palms suddenly start to become moist as we neared the house; I was really nervous when it came to Harry's family, he's told me on a number of occasions that they love me but I can't help but think he is just trying to make me feel better. I just want them to like me - I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have Harry. "Calm down." he repeated himself as he noticed my jagged breathing and how quiet I had gotten.

We parked outside of the house and Harry immediately grabbed my hand, he raised it to his plump lips and kissed the back of it softly and reassuringly, "I'll be right there next to you, don't worry." he smiled, causing me to grin at his dimpled expression, knowing he was right. He pulled my face closer and pecked my lips tenderly, lingering for a while before he pulled away. We both exited the car and walked up to the front door taking a deep breath, before we could knock, the door was swung open by Harry's mum, Anne, who dragged us into the house and closed the door. She engulfed me in a warm and motherly hug, taking my hand and walking with me into the living room where Harry's sister and stepdad were waiting.

"Hello." I spoke gently, and mechanically waved my hand as I sat down.

"Hi" Gemma and Robin chorused.

"Hey, you must be Emma. Harry has told us a lot about you." Anne squealed, I smirked and turned my head towards Harry, seeing his head bowed and his cheeks a deep red.

"Has he know?" I said cheekily looking at him even though he was concentrating on his shoes. Anne giggled as I turned back to her.

"Yeah he really likes you," she blurted - now it was my turn to turn red, I laughed at Harry's glare towards his mother, not wanting her to say anymore, "It's such a pleasure to meet you! We've wanted to meet you ever since Harry mentioned your name, his eyes just lit up when he talked about you." she spoke excitedly making me smile, her enthusiasm was inspiring, almost as if she was happy Harry had found me, which made me feel calmer and welcomed.

Anne had kindly made dinner for us all. A sunday roast, something that we were very fond of in my household so I had no trouble finishing it off - it was amazing, everything cooked perfectly and just the way I like it; the potatoes crispy, the chicken fresh the gravy thick and the veg soft. It was perfection. I took our empty dishes into the kitchen with the help of Gemma, she told me I didn't need to because I was the guest but it's the least I could do after such a lovely meal.

"Thank you" Gemma smiled as I handed her the plates to wash while I dried them. "Harry is lucky to have you Emma, he really is." she spoke genuinely and we carried on with the dishes. "I can see how happy he is, we're thankful that he has someone like you; someone genuine that reminds him of home and loves him no matter what." she smiled.

"Thank you Gemma, it means a lot." I giggled, "I was so nervous before I came here but you guys are really welcoming, I feel like I've known you all my life." we both chuckled as we finished up the dishes and headed back to everyone in the living room. On my way over to sit next to Harry, I thought about what Gemma had said... "loves him no matter what". I looked into Harry's piercing green eyes noticing his dimpled grin, and that's when it hit me...

I loved him. Everything about him. His smile. His dimples. His lips. His eyes. His hair. His chest. His arms, and legs, and hands. Everything I loved.

He looked at me confused as I just started at him in realisation. I rested my hand on his chest whilst I looked up to him in awe, I smiled to re-assure him I was okay before looking at the time on my phone.

"Well I'm going to head off now. Erm, thank you so much for having me - it's been a pleasure to meet you all. And thank you for making me feel so welcome too!" I exclaimed hugging each of them lovingly before waving and heading out the door.

We got into the car and Harry immediately turned to smile at me, "I told you they loved you!" he spoke cheekily before twisting the keys and starting the car.

I smiled and nodded slightly "Ohh, can you tell your mum I said thank you for dinner please?" I asked having forgot to mention it on my way out.

"Yeah, I will do."

We arrived at my house and got out of the car, Harry walking me to my door. He looked into my eyes and smiled that smile I love, before pulling me closer by the waist and resting his forehead on mine, like he always does. I wrapped my arms around his neck and listened to our breathing, "I've been wanting to do this all day." he whispered before placing his lips on mine, making butterflies erupt in my stomach. I moaned slightly as the kiss got more intense, all of our hidden feelings being released into that kiss making it more passionate than the last. Reluctantly, we pulled away catching our breaths before he spoke again, "I'll see you back in London." I nodded and hesitantly released him from my grasp, turning and walking through my front door and closing it behind me.

We had decided that I would go back to London tomorrow morning and harry would come back in the afternoon making it less suspicious. The only problem was, I was missing him already.

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- Pianogirl56