Song: Annie's Song by John Denver

~~~~~

"And now, it is my honor to present to you the graduating class of Fitzhugh College of Music and Performing Arts!"

The spectators erupted into thunderous applause while the graduates threw their hats into the air. Harry looked at all of us and blew a kiss. Danny was in my arms, awkwardly clapping his chubby hands together and squealing "Daddy! Daddy!" The girls were perched on chairs, stretching their necks to try to catch a glimpse of him as well. They held up signs saying Our Daddy Rocks and they yelled, "We love you, Daddy!" I'm quite sure we were the loudest section of the crowd, continuing our hollering even after the rest of the audience had ceased their applause. My parents and Charlie and Courtney were present as well, adding to the cacophony of voices cheering for one Mr. Harry Styles.

Many of the other people present looked toward our cheering section, chuckling and pointing at our sweet little children. Undoubtedly, most people had no idea that all four munchkins were the children of one of the young graduates.

After the applause died down and the graduates had exited the hall, we gathered up the kids. I was grateful for the other adults helping to corral all the children so no one got lost. We made our way through the crowd and as soon as I saw Harry, he grabbed me and picked me up, kissing me sloppily.

"Congratulations, Mr. Styles!" I said into his ear, then kissing it tenderly. He responded by kissing me more deeply.

"The kids are watching," I teased him. He set me down so that the kids could all give their hugs to Daddy. After the children's numerous kisses and hugs, the adults were allowed to congratulate Harry as well.

"We're proud of you, Harry," my father said, shaking Harry's hand and then pulling him into a "manly" hug. My mother nodded in agreement.

"Thanks," Harry said with that deep voice and British accent that still got my heart thumping. "That means a lot to me. Really."

My parents insisted on taking all of us out to celebrate. We decided on a nice steak house. As soon as we entered, I handed Danny over to Harry. "Your turn," I joked, although my arms really were getting tired after holding Danny throughout the afternoon. He was walking – running – everywhere, and I couldn't let him down for a moment in the crowded auditorium. My arms relaxed as soon as Harry grabbed his son.

I got the girls settled with their menus and then sat down to look at my own. They were finally getting old enough to behave at a nice restaurant – Aurora was 8, Grace was 7, and Rachael, 5, would be starting kindergarten in the fall.

A bubbly waitress came by and said, "Hello, I'm Carrie and I'll be your server for the evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?" We all looked at Harry since he was the guest of honor.

"You go first, college grad," Charlie told him.

Carrie said, "Oh, congratulations! Where did you graduate from?" When she asked that question, I could tell that her eyes were roaming all over Harry. She probably thought that the child in his arms belonged to someone else, but I laughed to myself. Oh, darling, you have no idea who you're talking to.

Harry told her he graduated from Fitzhugh, and then he ordered a Guinness Stout.

"I'll take a Guiness as well," I offered, hoping to pry Carrie's eyes away from my husband. But she stood uncomfortably close to him as she looked around the table, taking everyone else's orders. Then she stayed to chat Harry up a little more. "So what kind of music do you play?"

"Um, I studied a lot of different styles of music, but I play guitar and and I'm a singer. I'm hoping to get a recording contract. I've been playing at different places around the twin cities."

"Oh, really?" Carrie asked a little too loudly and obviously impressed.

Finally she left and I leaned over to Harry and whispered, "She was checking you out!"

"Really? I'm holding a baby. Doesn't that tell her that I'm not available?"

"Oh, Harry," I teased. "You're still so naive about women! A baby is a chick magnet. Any guy holding a baby automatically becomes ten times hotter to a single woman. And you can't afford to get any hotter."

Harry just laughed and then stood up to let Danny toddle around a bit. "I'll be back in a few minutes to place my order," he told me, leaning in to kiss me.

"Mommy, what's a chick magnet?" Grace asked, prompting laughter from the whole table. I guess I hadn't been talking softly enough.

"I'll explain it later," I told her, awkwardly trying to stifle my laughter. Then I changed the subject to Charlie and Courtney's upcoming wedding.

"Are you girls excited for next weekend?"

"Yes, Mommy!" Aurora gushed! "Auntie Courtney is going to be so pretty!"

Charlie interrupted. "Auntie Courtney is already very pretty," he said, winking at Aurora.

Courtney and Charlie had graciously chosen all of our girls to be in the wedding. Aurora and Grace were going to be junior bridesmaids and Rachael would be the flower girl. I was going to be a bridesmaid, too, which meant I was going to have to call on my parents – again – to help with Danny, since Harry was going to be the best man. I never grew tired of of their generous help with my children.

"Is your dress ready?" I asked Courtney. She'd had so many setbacks with her dress, it wasn't even funny – the wrong style, wrong shade of white, wrong measurements.

"It is," she said with relief. "I think everything is just about set, so this week, we'll just be tying up loose ends."

"We're so excited for you both. Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

I turned to see if Harry needed help chasing Danny around. I spotted him in the hallway near the kitchen talking to none other than our waitress, and something told me that she wasn't updating him on our order. She was talking and giggling and tossing her hair like a high school girl, all the while letting her eyes roam over my husband's hot body.

I turned back to the table, shaking my head with a small laugh. "Do you think I need to set her straight?" I asked. Charlie laughed out loud at the thought of me picking a fight with the waitress.

"Hey!" I defended myself. "She's moving in on my territory!"

Once again, Charlie laughed like crazy and everyone at the table joined him.

Harry came back over with Danny and managed to put him into his high chair. "What's so funny?"

"Just defending what's mine," I shrugged and everyone chuckled. Harry just rolled his eyes.

When Carrie came back to take our food orders, Harry made a point of saying, "My wife and I will both have the prime rib." Then he said, "I think my daughters are ready to order as well."

I bit my lip and then let out my laughter as our waitress left the table. "You're too much, Harry!"

When Harry and I got home and had put all the children to bed, I poured two glasses of wine and sat next to him on the couch.

"Congratulations, babe," I said, clinking our glasses together. "I'm glad you're finally old enough to drink so that we can celebrate."

"Very funny," he smirked. He leaned in to kiss me tenderly, but when our lips met, it quickly became much more passionate.

"Harry," I giggled. "We're going to spill the wine." He took both glasses and set them on the coffee table without removing his gaze from my face. Then he kissed me again, sneaking his tongue into my mouth and pressing himself hard against me.

"Harry," I breathed.

"Mmm," he hummed into my ear and then he started kissing my neck, slowly, steadily making his way down towards my chest. I reached one hand into his hair and ran my nails along his skin, and I used the other hand to undo a button or two on my blouse. He continued placing wet kisses down my chest til he reached the fabric of my tank top. "I think it's time for bed," he whispered.

I knew what he meant and I happily followed him to our room and locked the door behind us. I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and Harry followed me. As I brushed, he slid his hands around my waist and began to caress my belly. Then he moved his hand downward to brush over the front of my skirt.

I flinched and started laughing, "Harry! I'm trying to brush my teeth."

"And I'm trying to touch my wife," he growled into my ear.

"Brush your teeth, too," I told him with a wink. "I'll meet you in the bedroom."

I stripped off all my clothes and pulled the blankets around me. Harry had the same idea because he wandered back into the bedroom completely naked. He switched off the light and then climbed in bed, immediately wrapping his body around mine.

Every time Harry and I made love, our bond was strengthened. I didn't experience that in my first marriage; sex was just sex with Eric. But with Harry, sex was a profound connection, a way for us to regularly renew and solidify our commitment to each other. And of course, it was enjoyable. And intimate. And something I was happy to share only with Harry for the rest of my life. Sometimes I still couldn't believe that he was all mine.

The following weekend was Charlie and Courtney's wedding, an event for which we had been feverishly planning for several weeks. The girls had gotten to try on their dresses several times for final fittings and trying on shoes and jewelry. But they absolutely couldn't wait to wear them for real, all day long. Harry looked spectacular in his tuxedo, as always, and I was just thrilled that Courtney didn't chose pink for the bridesmaids; the royal blue dresses were perfect for my coloring.

The girls did fabulous with their responsibilities as bridesmaids and flower girl. Danny, however, was another story entirely. He fussed and complained during the entire wedding and during the first part of the reception. I was just finishing dinner at the head table when my mom came to me with an inconsolable toddler. I took him out to the hallway, where he proceeded to throw up all over me and my dress.

My mother had followed me to see if she could offer any assistance. She ushered us into the bathroom to help us get cleaned up. Then she very graciously offered to take Danny home so I could stay and celebrate.

"But, Mom, I smell like vomit now," I told her while Danny whined on my hip.

"Well, we can stay with the girls while you take Danny home. But it will be a shame to miss the rest of the reception," she offered.

"I know, but what can I do? I guess I should just ask Harry," I sighed. I didn't really want to leave, but this was Harry's brother's wedding, not my immediate family. I walked out of the restroom with Danny on my hip and looked for Harry.

As if on cue, Harry came and found us in the corridor. "Oh, love, what happened?"

I pulled my dress out enough so that Harry could see the mess that Danny had deposited on me. "Danny's sick. I think I have to go home. But I don't want to leave."

"I can explain to Charlie and Courtney. Danny needs his mum, I guess," he said, stroking my hair and then Danny's.

I was so disappointed that I had to leave, but Harry was right. I was a mom first, so I had to take care of my baby.

Harry leaned in and kissed me, saying, "I'll miss you. I wish you didn't have to leave." I nodded and gathered up my things, trying to console the baby in the process.

Harry walked me out to the car. "Thanks for taking care of our son," he smiled. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

When I got home, I changed out of my dress and then changed my whiny baby. I sat down in the rocking chair and soothed him for a long time. Thankfully, he didn't throw up again, but it took him a while to fall asleep. I just sat and sulked about having to miss the wedding reception. I hoped that the girls were having fun, and that Harry was enjoying himself as well.

As soon as Danny was asleep, I put him down in his crib, grabbed some ice cream and proceeded to eat it right out of the tub. I wallowed in self-pity until I almost felt sick. Then I just went to bed.

Hours later, I felt Harry climb into bed next to me and wrap his arms around me.

"Hey, babe," I whispered.

"Hey, love."

"I hope you had a good time."

"It was perfect. Charlie and Courtney looked so happy. I'm glad he found her."

I just sighed, "yeah."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just really bummed that I had to miss it."

"Which part did you miss the most?" He asked.

"All of it. The grand march, the cutting of the cake, the dancing. I wanted to dance with the girls and I wanted to dance with you," I told him. "I missed dancing with my husband," I whispered.

"They played your favorite song."

"Annie's Song? Why did you have to tell me that? Now I'm even more disappointed," I whined.

"I have an idea," he said, throwing the covers off. "Let's dance."

"Harry!" I laughed. "It's okay."

"No, it's not." He pulled me out of bed and wrapped me tightly in his arms. "I love that song, too, because it describes how I felt about you when I first met you, and how I've felt about you every single day since then. Besides, I intend to give my wife everything I possibly can. And if my wife wants to dance, then we will dance."

Harry then sang my favorite love song and held me close while we danced in our pajamas.

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again

Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again

~~~~~

Nothing like John Denver's voice <3 Actually, I'd love to hear Harry sing this song!