A/N: hope you enjoy the new chapter, thanks as always for reading, voting and commenting! x

Beth's POV

I lean against the door cause it's nice and solid.

And I think if I move off it I'll quite possibly fall over.

I'll just stay here for a bit longer.

My heart is still beating wildly and I'm quite sure I have a really stupid grin on my face.

My hand's move to my mouth and my smile widens at the memory of Harry's lips on mine.

I feel like a giddy schoolgirl.

You know that feeling you get when you kiss someone new for the first time?

It still feels the same even at my age.

Well, I guess, I haven't kissed someone different for the last fifteen years.

I almost feel like I'm cheating on my husband, but I know that he would never look at this in that way.  He'd always said that if something ever happened to him that he would want me to find someone else.

Somehow I don't think he had Harry Styles in mind when he said that.

I mean, I don't know what this is between Harry and I but I know it's not a full blown romance thing.

He's just going to be someone nice to spend time with while I'm here.

Yeah.

Nice.

He's very nice.

I walk over to the table and begin to clean up the empty boxes and containers.  I open the plastic bag and notice something in the bottom.

Fortune cookies.

I've never actually eaten one so curiosity gets the better of me and I crack one open.

'The fortune you seek, is in another cookie.'

Okay...

I crack another one open.

'This fortune is no good.  Try another.'

What?

I open another cookie, determined to get me a good fortune.

'Every exit is an entrance to new experiences.'

Hmmm...

Well we exited Australia and entered here and this is certainly a new experience.

So I guess the cookie is right.

Cookies never lie.

I continue to clean up the mess before dropping the rubbish into the bin.

I wipe the table down and the kitchen bench, picking my phone up and putting it in my pocket as I clean.  I throw the dishcloth into the sink before I turn around and come face to face with Nick.

I let out a small scream of fright which only makes him giggle.

"You little turd," I say as I narrowly stop myself from peeing my pants.

"I just came down to get a drink mum," he says, still laughing as he goes to the fridge and pulls out some juice.

I pass him a glass and turn around to lean on the bench as he fills the glass.

He looks so much like his dad, nothing like me.

He's just turned thirteen and already he's at my height and he thinks it's awesome.

Doesn't mean I still can't wrestle him to the ground, pull his hoodie over his head and give him a huge wedgie.

Because I can.

"So, mum..." he says, and I can hear the smart ass tone in his voice.

"Yes," I reply.

"You and Harry?" he says and I'm pretty sure I maintain an air of composure successfully.

"What about Harry?" I say, nonchalantly.

"I said, you and Harry," he repeats with a grin.

There's nothing with Harry and I, at least not that he knows.

"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but did he just kiss you goodbye?" he says innocently.

Okay, maybe he does know.

Fuck.

"Uh...maybe?" I say.

"Well the only other person you kiss like that was dad, just saying," he says as he puts his glass into the sink.

He walks past me but not before he stops to place a kiss on my cheek.

"Night mum," he says and heads up the stairs.

What just happened?

"Oh and mum?" he calls out.

"Uh...yes mate?" I say as I turn and look up at him.

"Harry would love to come to Legoland with us," he says, "you should invite him."

"We'll see hey?" I say, "I'm sure Harry's a busy person sweetheart."

"They're on a break mum, for a year," he rolls his eyes at me before he disappears around the corner.

Smart ass.

Seriously.

As if Harry would want to come along with us.

As if he would want to be seen with us.

The paps would have a field day and...

Wait.

Nick saw Harry kiss me.

And he didn't seem to care either.

I smile to myself as I turn the lights off downstairs, the Christmas tree lights left to light up the room, and head up to my bedroom.

I check in on the kids and see that Jamie and Chloe are dead to the world and Nick is not that far behind them.

I walk into my room and close the door, stripping my clothes off until I'm only in my underwear.

I hear my phone beep with a message notification and search my phone that's in the pocket of my jeans.

I look at the unfamiliar number on the screen and frown as I open the message up.

Can't wait to see you tomorrow, call me if you need anything, H x

I can't help but let out a giggle before I cover my mouth with my hand.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

One kiss from Harry and I'm reduced to a giggling mess.

I stare at my phone as I try to decide what to say in response.

Wait a minute.

How did Harry get my number?

I'm starting to think he's really a secret spy and his gig in One Direction is his cover.

Secret Agent Harry Styles.

I'm sure suspects would give themselves up willing to be interrogated by him.

I look down at my phone again and begin to type.

Thank you again for everything Harry, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, B x

Shit, can I sound like that stick is any further up my ass?

I erase the last line and type again.

Can't wait to see you again, B x

Oh...do I sound desperate now?

Texting is almost as hard as conversing in real life.

Damn it.

I erase that last line and try to think of something funny to say.

Hope to see you fully naked tomorrow, B x

I bend over and laugh at my silliness, slapping my thigh before I stand back up and look at my phone.

And I freeze.

I accidentally sent the message to him.

Oh.  My.  Fuck.

I fucking sent it!

No, no, no, no, no!

Oh no!

I sit down slowly on my bed, clutching my phone in my hand.

What do I do?

Do I send another message?

Do I wait for Harry to send one?

What if he doesn't?

Do I call him and explain?

Oh god no.

What the hell is texting etiquette for this kind of situation?

My phone beeps with a message from Harry and my heart leaps into my throat.

I take a huge breath, then another one cause I need it before I open it up.

Only if you reciprocate love, H x

Oh my god!

I want to die.

I frantically text him back.

I was mucking around with a reply and accidentally sent you that message, please ignore it, I'm so sorry, it was very inappropriate, B x

Right, that should set things straight.

Soon enough, I receive a new message from Harry.

Just to clarify, that's a 'no' on seeing you naked? H x

Oh Harry.

Sorry, no, it was my silly mistake, I'll see you tomorrow, B x

I place my phone on my bedside table and unclip my bra, letting it fall to the floor.  I walk over to my drawers and pull out a tank top and slip it on.  I pull back the covers on the bed and hop into it before I turn the bedside lamp off.

My phone lights up in the darkness as another message comes back from Harry.

I was just picturing you naked, what am I going to do with this hard on now? H x

Seriously?

Has he no shame?

I text a simple 'goodnight Harry,' and put my phone back.

But I can't help smiling at the thought of Harry naked.

I mean, who wouldn't?

~~~~~~

The distant sound of the kid's downstairs wakes me from my sleep.

Little buggers.

I was having a very nice sleep thank you very much.  I'm sure I was also having a very lovely dream but I can't quite remember what it was about.

I stretch my arms and legs out, feeling my bones crack before I lie on my back, feeling quite comfy.

I reach out and grab my phone to check the time.

It's a little over 10am.

I should really get up and get organised, we'll need to take a trip into town to buy the ingredients for my Christmas cookies.

An embarrassed smile spreads over my face as I recall the text message I accidentally sent Harry.

Honestly, could I embarrass myself any further?

Asking to see him naked, I mean, really?

I breathe deeply as I think about that for a second.

Maybe a bit longer.

I'm sure he's quite smooth and muscular and hard and not that I've ever looked at any pictures of Harry without his shirt on.

I may or may not have only ever Googled 'Harry Styles Beach Shorts.'

I bite my lip as I picture him in his yellow shorts.

My favourite ones.

I can feel my skin heat up slightly as my hand starts to move down my stomach and over my thigh, my legs move apart as my hand slips between them.  My fingers move in slow circles over the cotton material of my knickers and I can feel them become slightly damp.  I close my eyes and arch my back slightly as my fingers slip under the waist band and I immediately feel hot, wet skin.  I continue rubbing slow circles over my clit as my other hand slides under my tank top and I grab my own breast. 

I imagine that Harry's watching me do this, playing with himself as he watches.

I start to rub my clit harder and faster and I feel the familiar tingle build up, signalling the beginning of my orgasm.  I begin to scrape my nails over my breast before I tug at my nipple, making it hard under my fingers.

I imagine Harry wrapping his mouth around it and sucking on it, teasing it with his tongue. 

My hips begin to move slowly as I approach my orgasm, feeling it build up, my thoughts completely trained on Harry.

Suddenly my door swings open and Chloe comes in, executing a perfect spin before she kicks her leg in the air.

I immediately freeze, my heart beats wildly through my body.

"I'm dressed mum and I have my Harry boots on today!" she sing songs.

"That's great sweetie," I tell her, "just knock next time hey?" I remind her.

"Oh sure mum," she replies before she spins back out the room and shuts the door behind her.

Fuck me swinging.

I was so close too.

I decide I can't let myself go out today with an unfinished orgasm in my system.

It wouldn't be safe for anyone.

I open my legs again and quickly work my fingers to get me back to where I was, picturing Harry as I do so.

Moments later I come, although I know it isn't as intense as what it was going to be.

All because of Harry boots.

She is not my favourite child today.

I throw the covers off myself and make my way to the bathroom.  I stand under the hot water and try not to let my thoughts drift to Harry.

Like, wet Harry.

After I finish washing, cleansing and shaving, I step out and towel dry myself off.  I dry my hair and decide its' too frizzy to wear down so I place it in a large, messy bun on the top of my head.  I brush my teeth and dust my face with powder and walk back into my bedroom.

I decide to wear my black leggings, flat knee-high brown boots and a denim dress that buttons down the front and sits above my knees.  I walk out my bedroom and downstairs to see what awaits me.

Surprisingly, the kids are ready to go, they've eaten breakfast, brushed their teeth and are dressed for the day.

"Morning cherubs!" I say cheerily.

"Morning mum!" they reply.

"Why are you so happy today mum?" Nick asks me, a grin on his face.

"It's a lovely day out, it's the holiday season," I say, "can't I be in a good mood?"

He says nothing, merely smirks at me.

"Not a word," I whisper to him.

He puts his hands up in front of his body in a gesture of surrender.

"Okay mum, okay!" he says.

"Why don't we walk into town to get the ingredients for our stained- glass cookies?" I suggest.

The kids agree and walk over to the door and grab their coats.  I grab my vest and put it over my dress.  Chloe hands me my bag that I sling over my body.

We walk outside and the cool, crisp air greets us.  It's overcast as we make our way into town.  The kids busy themselves chatting and Chloe holds my hand as we walk.

"Hey mum," Nick says, "what are we going to eat for Christmas lunch tomorrow?"

I can honestly say I hadn't really had time to think about it.

"Did you have something in mind?" I ask.

"Well, we were talking," he says, "and we thought just a roast chicken with veggies might be nice?"

I stop walking and so do the kids.

"You...you all think this?" I ask them.

They nod.

"Only if you want to mum," Chloe says.

"But we understand if you don't," Jamie offers.

They all look at me with expectant expression on their faces.  I'm really surprised they've talked about this.

"If that's what you guys want, then sure, we can," I tell them.

It's smiles all round as we continue to walk and I flick a lone tear off my cheek.

It's a happy tear though.

That they understand and although this is something they clearly want, they want to make sure I want it too.

Bless their cotton socks.

I notice there are a lot more people around as we get to the towns outskirts.  The shops are busy as people stock up on last minute items and gifts.

Gifts.

Shit.

If Harry is going to get the kids something for their Christmas stockings, it's only right that I should reciprocate.

What on earth can I get him?

I don't even know what he likes!

I'll have to think about it some more and hopefully I'll see a shop that might inspire a gift for him.

Nothing huge, just enough to say thank you for all that he's done.  Just to show my appreciation.

We keep walking until we reach Waitrose and we go inside. 

And wouldn't you know it, the stupid cow that clearly has tickets on herself is here.

We grab a basket and begin to fill it with what we need for the cookies before being lucky enough to score a frozen chicken.  We also grab some assorted veggies to roast as well.  A few more essentials go into the basket and we head to the front of the store.

We wait patiently in line until it's our turn.

Please don't be her.

Please don't be her.

It's her.

Is this karma paying me back for me rubbing one off while I thought about Harry this morning?

I walk over to the counter and place the basket on it.

Fuck it.

I'm not even going to get my items out for her.

"Hello," she smirks at me.

"Hello," I respond coolly.

She scans my items without saying another word and I think I'm in the clear of not having a conversation with her.

"Let me guess," she says, "you're cooking all this for Harry?"

Like I'm making it all up.

Bitch I will take you out with this chicken.

But I decide not to reply, rather I focus on swiping my card as I pay for my groceries.

She hands my bags over for us to take.

"Thought so," she says smugly.

I'll shove a fucking carrot up your ass too.

"Actually," Nick interrupts her, "he had her under the mistletoe last night before he left, and they certainly weren't doing much talking."

Oh my fuck.

"Come on mum," Nick says as he grabs the bags and nudges me out the door.

Oh yes, lets.

"She's such a bitch mum," Nick says as we step outside.

I'm still in a daze.

"Yes..." I agree as I stop to look at the shops around us, hoping something will jump out that I can buy Harry as a gift.

Unfortunately, I don't see anything and I'm disappointed.

"Let's get going hey?" I say and we begin our walk back to the house.

Once we're home, we put the shopping bags down and hang our coats up.  I put the groceries away and decide to make myself a hot chocolate before I start baking.

"Do you kids want a hot drink?" I ask them.

"No thanks!" they all reply.

A few minutes later I'm sitting at the kitchen table with my drink in hand.  I pull out my phone and casually scroll through some social media sites.  I respond to a few friends, reblog things, like a few posts and add the odd comment.

My Twitter timeline shows some pictures taken of Harry this morning.

God, people are quick to catch any of the boys the minute they step out the door to go somewhere.

Harry in Holmes Chapel today (24.12.2015)

I smile at how happy he looks and I click on the photo that takes me to an article.  It goes on to say that fans saw him in Holmes Chapel this morning in a local jewellery shop.  He was seen making a purchase and overheard telling the shop assistant that it was 'for someone special.'

Oh.

Okay.

I'm not going to lie but I feel...disheartened.

I keep reading the article.

Harry was also overheard saying that it was for 'a special girl that was dear to his heart.'

I close the app and push my phone away.

I don't know what to think, especially after the way he kissed me last night. 

Of course he would have a girlfriend of some sort, he's Harry Styles.

And I don't mean it in a way that he's a 'player.'

I mean it for the fact that he is so handsome and lovely and thoughtful and sweet.

I sigh at my stupid thoughts about Harry.

Who was I kidding?

But he'll be here later and I'm determined that this will be a happy Christmas for the kids and I will be nothing but polite and nice when I see him.

But from a distance.

And I'm okay with that.