Chapter 33.

Yesterday was the last day we had in Paris and we are finally back in London. Millie had such an amazing time in Paris, she couldn't stop smiling and telling us her favourite parts on the plane. We sifted through the photos on the camera that we'd taken, looking at all the memories we have from the trip.

I know that a few of them were going in frames when I get home. There are ones of Mill's and I, Harry and Mill's, myself and Harry, and all three of us together that we had kindly asked other people to take for us. Moments like that were a little awkward for me, a lot of the people that took the photos complimented us on what a lovely family we are, or what a cute couple me and Harry are; if only they knew...

Harry is currently driving us back home from the airport so we can unpack and get settled. As we near the house I notice a large moving van and my furniture being placed into it. "Oh my god!! What are they doing?!" I exasperate, my heart sinking at the sight of people handling my precious belongings.

Harry parks the car to the side of the road and I immediately jump out, wasting no time and running straight towards the movers; their arms straining as they lift heavy objects like my couch, their faces red and strained, "Hey! What are you doing?! This is my stuff!" I shout at their emotionless faces as they pack my furniture into the moving van. Confusion and a hint of anger overcomes my body, who do they think they are!

"Excuse me miss, are you the homeowner?" a man in a suit and glasses asks me as he holds tightly onto a clipboard, his eyes never meeting my own as he continues to write. I walk over to him with Harry following closely behind, holding Millie in his arms, the same look of confusion on his face.

"Yes I am, could you please tell me what is going on and why people are taking away my furniture?" I ask him more calmly now as I watch a man carry my photo frames in a cardboard box.

"Miss, as you know this is a rented property and the owners have decided to take the house off the market. Considering you did not respond to the months notice, we are allowed to remove you from the premises." the man continues, glancing at me over his glasses. The look on his face is a disrespectful one, as if he hasn't got time for any excuses that I have to offer.

I furrow my eyebrows, completely confused, "I didn't get a months notice, I had no idea about this!" I argue, this can't be happening to me! I can't lose my house, I have Millie to take care of, I can't let her down. I couldn't bare to see the look of disappointment on her face, she'll hate me.

"I'm sorry miss, but there is nothing I can do. Now if you would sign this form saying you co-operated, the van drivers will take your furniture anywhere you'd like." he replies dully, handing me the clipboard with a pen. I sign the paper reluctantly, I suppose I don't really have a choice, this is it.

Millie and I officially have no home.

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" the man asks me as I run my hand through my hair in frustration, pulling at the roots and ensuring a shot of pain runs though my scalp.

"No-"

"You can stay with me." I hear Harry's voice interrupt us, with a concentrated and determined, his husky voice startling me whilst his green eyes bore into mine; he looks almost as pained at the idea of us being homeless as I am, but he doesn't have to do this.

My eyes widen and I shake my head, "Thats a nice offer Harry but I cant, not after everything that's happened." I attempt to reason. Harry has a large house that's incredibly modern but still warm and homey, he always keeps it warm and the moment you walk through the door you are hit with an embrace of warm air and his perfect musky scent. I love going to his home, of course is never tell him that, everything's a little different now.

"Forget about everything that happened," he speaks abruptly in frustration as he strains his voice at my words. I am slightly taken aback by his reaction, it's like this is the worst thing that could ever happen to us, his caring nature and affection seep through his facial expressions and it leaves me speechless as I observe him.

"You and Mills need a place to live and I just so happen to have an extra four bedrooms. Sarah is in Leeds and Nicole has Scott, you have no-where to go, the only place you have left is my house. And to be honest, I don't care what you think or what you say, you and Millie are staying with me and that's final." he finishes, his eyes softening as a small tear trails effortlessly down my face at his words, none of this was ever meant to happen, everything was supposed to be okay. I was meant to be a good parent, a good role model, and now this! Harry reads my thought, my eyes become a book as my emotions run across them and become readable, he knows exactly what I feel and what I'm thinking at this point.

His face turns from mine, I know he doesn't want to see me like this and if I'm being completely honest, I don't want him to see me like this either, weak and vulnerable.

He walks off with Millie safe in his arms and informs the van drivers where to go. his strong arms gently place Millie in her carseat as I saunter over to his Range Rover, sitting solemnly in the passenger seat.

I cry to myself quietly, my head bowed as I recall what is happening. The haunting image of my furniture being taken away repeating in my head like a stuck tape. I've just lost my house, the only thing that I can offer Millie is now gone, I wonder what she thinks of me now.

Terrible thoughts of her hating me rush through my mind, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have her, I couldn't live with myself if she hated me. Although, I wouldn't blame her if she wanted to leave, she deserves so much better than me.

My sobs continue and I feel a warm hand rub my back comfortingly in circles. I know it is Harry, and at the minute I don't care, I just want everything to be okay. Mills remains quiet and content in the back seat, not really knowing what is happening, although I know she is concerned for me because I'm crying.

We reach Harry's house and I sniffle one final time, composing myself before I take Millie from her carseat, smiling sadly at her as I place her on the couch in the living room and turn the tv on to her favourite channel.

My eyes wander to the living room door, I can hear Harry's mumbling as he speaks to moving men; therefore I decide to help them unpack the van. "Stay here okay baby, I'll be back soon to check on you." I smile and kiss Millie's forehead gently, she simply nods and does what I ask, a perfect child. I am trying not to look at her because I know that my cheeks are most definitely tear stained an I don't want her to witness my blood-shot eyes.

I walk outside and stand myself next to Harry, helping him direct the men to where things can be placed for the time being. The smaller furniture such as my kitchen utensils, cleaning products, lamps and side tables can go into storage; whereas my larger furniture like my fridge, couches, coffee tables, dining tables, beds and wardrobes won't fit in Harry's house, therefore they have to be taken away and sold off.

All of mine and Millie's clothes are placed into our new rooms along with all of Millie's toys and possessions; out of the both I us, I'd rather her keep all of her belongings than myself. Harry has kindly decided to hang some of my photos up in his house though, which I am thankful for; content with the thought that some of my memories will be hung up and treasured for all to see, so due to this, all of my photo albums were taken inside.

Although, there is one thing left, and I know that I can't keep it. One thing that has stayed with me since I was little, that held all my memories...

My piano.

I glance at the last piece of furniture, remembering every song I have ever played, and every memory I ever have sat on that wooden stool as my fingers played effortlessly. I shake my head to rid myself of the memory and my tears fall even harder than before, I have truly lost everything now.

I look at it sadly and swallow, knowing it is going be the last time I will ever see it.

"It's too big to fit inside your house Harry." I shake my head again, "you don't have any room, I can't ask you to keep that, you've done enough for me already. It's okay, I know it has to go." I nod my head slightly, trying to accept the reality of the situation; although failing miserably to keep my emotions hidden. I let my tears flow freely, not caring anymore, I feel numb. Completely numb. And lost.

It's strange to think that a year and a half ago I had a job of my own, I lived in London with my mum and dad, and I had a perfect life. I can't help but feel like I've let my parents down, that I could have been a better daughter in some way and I could have made better decisions. I've had to put my entire life and career on hold, due to Katie and Marks passing, because Millie and her happiness is my top priority. Having Millie is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I wouldn't have it any other way, but at the same time, I just don't want to let any more people down or disappoint anyone in any way.

Harry wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his body so my head rests against his chest, I sob against him finally losing the battle with myself. I need him and there's no point in denying that, because he is here for me, and because I know he loves me. "Go inside baby." he whispers soothingly, he kisses the top of my head allowing his lips to linger, before pulling me away and directing me inside. He know that I can't handle this; my other furniture I could deal with, but my piano isn't just a piece of furniture, it's a memory, a capsule of my past.

I saunter into the living room and sit down next to Millie, wiping my tears so she doesn't have to see me cry anymore. I embrace her body close to mine and position her on my lap, waiting as she cuddles herself into my chest before I wrap my arms around her tiny frame. "I'm so sorry Mills, I'm so sorry." I whisper and place my lips lovingly on her forehead. "I'm sorry I'm not good enough for you." I shiver, biting my lip to control my escaping sobs.

"You are good enough." she mumbles into my chest, hugging me as tight as she can to emphasise her words.

"Do you hate me?" I ask, I can't live with myself if she does.

"No," she answers simply with no hesitation whatsoever, "I love you, no matter what! And don't you forget that!" her beautiful blue eyes trail up and she kisses her index finger then touching the tip of my nose with it, a small smile appearing on her face as she does so. The gestures that Millie and I share are small but meaningful, to us they're not just gestures, they're ways of saying 'I love you'.

"I love you too poppet. More than you could ever imagine." I smile and hug her tightly.

"Faith," my head turns up to the doorway and I find Harry stood there with a knowing and somewhat proud smile on his face. "come and look at this." his smiles erupts further and causes butterfly's in my stomach, although my confused expression still remains.

My curiosity gets the better of me and I soon find myself following behind him, walking through the house. I notice that the moving van has left, meaning that the majority of my furniture has been taken away and disposed of or will be sold off to shops or any willing buyer.

My hold on Millie is tight, he small body perched on my hip as I follow Harry into the other sitting room he has, the both of us still curious to know what he is up to. "Are you ready?" he asks skeptically with a hint of playfulness, his hand positioned on the door handle.

My eyebrows furrow at his question, if I know Harry, it means that he's done something spontaneous. "YEAH!!" Mill's answers for me.

Slowly and teasingly, he opens the door swiftly to reveal my baby grand piano sat in the far corner of the room, his couches in the other corner probably positioned for anyone who wanted to watch. "Oh my gosh, Harry-," I utter speechless, I can't believe he has done this for me. "Harry you didn't have to do this honestly-" I try to reason.

"I know I didn't have to, I wanted to. It's not fair that you lose everything. And anyway you love this piano, and I love you so..." he smiles as he glances at it, proud of himself and his decision. This selfless and thoughtful gesture makes my stomach churn, my eyes tearing at Harry's actions; he loves me that much that he kept my piano even when I told him not to, he kept my memories, my capsule.

I smile, unable to halt the flow of happy tears from escaping my eyes, I can't believe he has done this for me; I'm truly speechless an overwhelmed.

Placing Mill's on the floor, I stroll closer to him, his head turned towards me and watching my every move intently. I stand inches away from him, placing my hands on his hard and familiar chest, allowing them to slither upwards and wrap themselves around his neck, crashing his body into mine in a tight embrace.

He has no hesitation in hugging me back, his strong arms firmly wrapping themselves around my waist and squeezing me almost urgently, making sure he savours the moment while he can. I've missed this, missed his touch and his warmth, I've missed every single thing about him.

We stay like this for what feels like forever but I decide to reluctantly pull away, although still wrapped lightly in his embrace. My watery and bloodshot orbs glance up to him as his green eyes gaze down at me, I lean in closer and place my lips gently on his, pecking him slightly before retreating again. "Thank you." I sniffle, allowing my forehead to rest on his.

He just nods, knowing that I mean every word I utter, still not tearing our heartfelt embrace. "I love you." he whispers to me, our foreheads still connected and his warm breath fanning gently over my pale face.

I nod simply, knowing he means it. After a peaceful moment of silence, I pull away from him and turn towards Millie. "It's been a long day, shall we get you into bed?" I ask rhetorically, although she still nods her head. "Come on then." I pick her up and begin walking in the direction of the spare bedroom that she will be sleeping in. Harry follows closely behind us and stands quietly at her doorframe as I place her into the plump and newly made bed, "night sweetheart." Leaving a gentle kiss to her forehead and switch her bedroom light off, her fairy princess nightlight being the only source of light in the room.

"Night!" she cheers sleepily as I close the door behind me.

I turn and face Harry, my green eyes meeting his. I've ran out of tears, there are none left now, and all I need is comfort, and that's exactly what he gives me. He gives me a sense of hope when I've given up on everything, he makes sure I stay positive and strives to make me smile, even in the most terrible of situations.

He wraps his arms around my shoulders and I bury my face in his strong chest; my arms wrapping around his back as I move my fingers, tracing circles on his skin through the fabric of his shirt. It is in this moment that I realise I've never stopped loving Harry, as much as I want to hate him for what he did I just can't, because I need him as much as he needs me and Millie needs the both of us.

We are stronger together, we can do anything together, we are supposed to be together. But most of all...

We love each other.

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- Pianogirl56

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