Harry's POV

I feel the vibration in my pocket followed by the beeping sound signalling a text message on my phone.

I let go of Beth's hand so I can take my phone out of my pocket and when I look at it and see I have a message from Gemma.

Well aren't you two a couple of cuties! She's pretty H ;-)

I smile at her message until I realise that I didn't actually tell her we were coming here.

It's only then I notice that she's also included a link to Twitter.

I suddenly feel quite ill.

I click on it and see a photo of Beth and I from today.

It's actually a really nice photo.

We're walking alongside each other and I'm looking down at her as she's talking.

Gemma's right.

She does look really pretty.

But then I see some of the comments and immediately they make my blood boil.

Especially the ones about Beth.

I can't help but look around to see if anyone else is taking photos of us as we sit here, but I don't see anyone.

I can feel Beth's eyes on me and I know I can't avoid it any longer.

I hand her the phone and she takes it from me, looking at the screen.

She asks if she can click on the link, which of course I tell her she can and I watch nervously as she does.

But instead of getting angry, which I was anticipating, she surprises me by smirking.

"So people know we're here eh? How on earth would they know that?" she asks me, raising her eyebrow.

Of course they do, I blabbed it out earlier without thinking.

In my defence I was caught up in the excitement of it all.

"Yeah I kind of wasn't thinking back there was I?" I admit.

She looks back down at my phone and I can see her scrolling through the comments, a blank expression on her face.

I don't know if that's a good or bad thing yet.

"Beth?" I say quietly, "are you okay?"

I'm almost too scared to hear the answer.

What if she's really angry and wants out?

"Harry, I'm fine," she replies, a smile on her face.

I'm sorry...what?

Where's the angry and crying girl I would usually be dealing with right about now.

That's usually how it goes when I'm seen with someone.

It goes on social media and honestly, it can get nasty, and then there's usually tears.

"I know there's some pretty harsh comments there," I say, which saddens me.

It always does.

"Yeah," she replies, handing my phone back to me, "but your sister thinks I'm pretty!"

Of course Beth sees the glass half full side of it.

Out of everything she just read about herself, that's what she notices.

It's probably the most important remark anyway.

Coming from someone I love dearly and not some unknown on the internet.

"I can't believe you're being so calm about this," I say, "most girls..."

Most girls would be having a meltdown of some description.

"Oh, okay," she reaches out and takes my phone back from me, "hang on."

What is she doing?

"Oh my god! We've been spotted!" she yells before she reaches out and grabs me before whispering, "they're onto us!"

She looks around us and it's quite comical.

And I see why she's doing it.

Could she be anymore sweeter?

"Is that the reaction you were hoping for?" she chuckles.

I just shake my head and smile, feeling my heart swell that she is finding humour in this, instead of getting upset.

"Oh you've got quite a few marriage proposals I see," she's now looking back at my phone, "and a lot of offers for sex."

Oh my god.

She needs to stop reading those.

"You'll never be short for a date on a Saturday night will you Harry?" she laughs.

And honestly, when she starts laughing like that, I can't help but laugh along too.

"Hey!" she frowns at the phone.

Shit.

"What?" I ask.

"Someone doesn't like my boots," she swings her leg out and onto my thighs, "what the hell is wrong with these? You're a boot man, tell me?" she demands.

Her leg is nice and warm over mine and I just smile and rest my hand on her knee.

"They're perfectly fine Beth," I say.

Because they are, and anything is perfect on her.

She looks at my phone again and then suddenly turns around and looks behind her.

I follow her gaze but I'm unsure of what she's searching at.

"What are you looking at?" I ask.

"Apparently my arse is so big it should have its own postcode," she says.

Is she fucking serious?

Someone actually said that?

That's like, one of my favourite parts of her.

"What the fuck?" I reply angrily.

But she just starts laughing again.

"Hey, if it moves, will you promise to come visit it?" she says.

I shake my head in disgust and scoff.

She's taking this really well and I know she's a confident person but still, I hope she's not pretending.

It's okay to get upset with comments like this.

Maybe I'll have to talk to her when we've got some time together.

"How are you so calm about this?" I finally ask.

"Oh my god!" she looks genuinely shocked, "this girl, well...let's just say she wants to put something up her arse and I'm not even going to finish it."

Oh I could just imagine the kind of crazy tweet she's reading.

There are some sick and deluded puppies out there amongst the sea of those that mean well.

"Do you get much of this kind of stuff?" she asks me.

"Yeah, I just ignore it or block them," I shrug my shoulders.

It's just part and parcel of being well known, for lack of a better word.

"Still, that's crap though," she says before looking back down at my phone, "hey listen to this one. She's pretty average, if he's seeing her, she must be good in bed..." she starts laughing again.

"Fuck," I curse out loud.

This is unbelievable.

And this has only been the first time we've been out together in public.

"Beth, how come you're not getting angry about this?" I ask.

She holds up my phone to me.

"Precisely what she said, I get to see you in bed naked if I want," she smirks and hands me back my phone.

I like her line of thinking.

"And do you?" I ask cheekily.

"Do I what?" she replies, turning back to face me from looking at the kids.

"Wanna see me naked?" I smirk.

Please say yes.

Cause I have a bottle of chocolate sauce with her name on it.

"Let's just say it's a very nice view," she blushes and grins.

I can't help but smile back at her.

After seeing first-hand how destructive and spiteful people can be like on social media, she's handling it with grace and humour and a self-confidence that reminds me how strong she is.

She was more annoyed that somebody didn't like her boots rather than how she looked.

She puts things into perspective for me.

And I really like that about her.

"You're amazing you know that," I suddenly blurt out.

She looks over at me, slightly puzzled at my sudden outburst.

"Uh...I don't quite follow," she responds.

Of course she doesn't when you have a conversation in your head and then only blurt the last part out loud Harold.

"You're not really bothered by all this and most of the girls I've gone out with have had a hard time when people say nasty things about them on social media," I explain.

She rolls her eyes before shaking her head.

"Hardly, you just gotta look at the bigger picture Harry.," she says, "I mean, I'm never going to meet any of these people, why should I care what they think about me? I don't need to impress anyone Harry."

She pauses and smiles at me.

"Well, maybe just you," then she winks shyly at me.

Could she be any more adorable?

I'm already pretty damn impressed with her but I almost jokingly go to tell her I could think of more ways she could try and impress me when I realise her kids are standing in front of us asking if it's time for lunch.

Lucky I kept my mouth shut.

"Of course," I say and stand up from the bench before holding my hand out for Beth to take.

Instead of letting her go and acting casual, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close to me, hugging her briefly before reluctantly releasing her.

"Come on Harry!" Chloe says and grabs me by the hand.

There's goes my PA, keeping me on track again.

As we walk back to the car, the boys ahead of us and Chloe next to me as I hold her hand.

I'm suddenly aware that Beth is behind us.

I turn around and see she's deep in thought.

Maybe she's not as okay like she's led me to believe.

I slow down gradually until she's caught up to Chloe and I.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yeah," she says quietly.

No you're not.

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow at her, trying to talk without Chloe overhearing us.

"You're being photographed," she replies quietly again.

Fuck.

I knew it.

"I know," I sigh, "I'm sorry."

But she reaches out and touches my arm briefly.

"Don't be," she says, "it's just that Chloe will be photographed too."

Of course.

Now I get why she's suddenly worried.

It's a mum thing.

"Ah...do you want to walk separately?" I ask.

Anything to make her comfortable again.

But again she surprises me.

"No Harry, I don't," she says as she smiles up at me.

My heart jumps a little that she doesn't and we continue until we reach the large, grass area in front of the car park.

"Come on Harry!" Chloe laughs and starts to swing her arm, causing mine to swing as well.

It's a reminder of how carefree kids can be.

Before I know it we're skipping over to my car.

How does this kid get me to do these things?

I unlock the car and take the two bags out.

"Can you grab that blanket please Clo," I ask, not realising I shortened her name.

"That's what my mum calls me," she says proudly.

"Do you not want me to call you that?" I ask, thinking it might be something special between the two of them.

"I don't mind Harry," she smiles as she picks up the blanket.

We start walking over to the grassy area and I wait until she picks a spot.

"Daddy never called me that," she suddenly says.

Oh.

"What did he call you?" I venture to ask.

"Clo Bo," she replies.

"That's cute," I tell her.

"You can call me that too, if you want," she says as she puts the blanket down and begins to straighten it out.

I swallow the lump in my throat.

"I'd be honoured to," I tell her.

The others come over and we start to unpack the assortment of food and drinks.

The boys start eating like they've been on a desert island for days.

Then again I'm sure I ate like that when I was a kid.

We continue to eat; the only sound is the occasional moan of contentment from the kids.

The boys finish eating as quickly as they started.

Surely I wasn't that bad?

"Can me and Harry kick the ball some more mum?" Jamie asks.

Well I...um...

"Well, Harry and I are still eating, but you guys can go," Beth tells him, "but make sure I can see where you are."

"Sure mum," Nick says and they start to run a few metres away from us as they kick the ball between them.

Nice.

Now I get to spend a little bit of time with Beth.

I watch as they start playing with the soccer ball before turning my attention back to Beth, who's now stretched out on the blanket.

"Kids are hard work aren't they?" I say.

"That they are," she agrees, "parenting is the hardest thing you'll ever do, but the most rewarding thing too."

She sounds so worldly when she puts it like that.

I hadn't thought of it that way before.

"Do you want to have children one day?" she asks me.

Of course I do.

I can't wait to be a dad.

But only when the time is right.

"Absolutely," I say, "not yet of course, but one day."

"You're only young Harry," she says, "and really, once you have kids, it's completely life changing."

I'm sure they only change you for the better.

"I guess I just haven't met the right person yet..." I say, smiling sheepishly at Beth.

"You will, and you'll know," she says.

I know.

I...

I watch as Beth reaches out for a strawberry but as she does, she turns back and looks at the kids.

I cheekily move the container out of her reach so she ends up touching the blanket.

She turns her head and frowns until she sees I'm holding it up and she reaches out again but I move it behind my back.

"Harry!" she smiles.

"Want one?" I grin.

"What do you think I keep reaching for?" she rolls her eyes at me.

I look down at my dick.

"Maybe later if you're lucky," she says.

Oh please let me be lucky.

For the love of god, please let me be lucky.

Don't let that bottle of chocolate sauce go to waste.

"But if you continue to withhold food from me Harry..." she warns.

Point taken.

"Here," I offer her a strawberry but I still intend to have a little fun.

"Uh uh," I shake my head, "open."

To my surprise she does.

Harry 1 Beth 0

I wasn't sure she'd comply but she opens her mouth and wets her bottom lip with her tongue before biting it with her teeth.

Fuck me.

Harry 1 Beth 1

I swallow as I bring the strawberry to her lips and watch as she takes a bite, her eyes never leaving mine as she licks her lips after.

My jeans just got a little tighter.

"Mmm..." she makes a small groan, "they're so sweet."

Nope.

Considerably tighter.

Harry 1 Beth 2

I put the other half in my mouth and eat it.

Just because my mouth's gone so fucking dry all of a sudden.

I reach for another one and this time I put it between my lips and hold it there, raising my eyebrows at Beth.

Harry 2 Beth 2

Beth moves closer to my body and I can smell her familiar mango scent.

She opens her mouth to bite the strawberry and brushes her lips against mine.

Holy fuck.

Harry 2 Beth 3

I can't help it.

I can't fucking wait until later.

She starts to pull away but I reach out and grab her by the back of the neck and kiss her, tasting the sweet strawberry on her lips and then on her tongue as I touch hers with mine.

"Well isn't this just cosy?" a voice suddenly says.

Oh fuck.

No.

What the hell is Cate doing here?

"Back again?" Beth suddenly says to her.

What?

Again?

What the fuck is going on?

"Again?" I blurt out, looking from Beth to Cate and back to Beth again.

"Yes," Beth replies, "I found her at your car when I was here earlier."

The fuck?

"Why didn't you tell me then?" I ask, bewildered.

"I didn't think she was worth mentioning," Beth says coolly.

Oh my girl.

Cate gasps at Beth's comment and a look of fury crosses her face.

Shit.

"So this is her? This is who you're seeing now?" she snaps at me, "you left me for...for this?" she points at Beth, "what do you see in her?"

A lot more than I ever did in you.

"Cate..." I warn, knowing how nasty she can get.

I glance sideways at Beth who seems to be studying Cate with interest now.

"So you're Cate," she suddenly says, like she actually knows her.

"You've heard of me then?" Cate replies, "so you know who I am you fucking homewrecker!" she spits.

"Homewrecker?" Beth chuckles like Cate is telling a joke, "don't you have to be together for me to have done that?"

"Harry! We were together," she yells, "tell her! Tell her!"

Well...I...no...we...were...

Why?

Why is this happening to me?

"Cate, if you were so together," Beth asks her, "why did he turn down your little threesome offer?"

Now I know why Beth knows her.

I told her about...that...

Why the fuck did she manage to remember that of all things?

"I don't know why he's with someone like you anyway, I mean," she waves her hands around wildly, "look at you!"

Shut the fuck up!

I won't have anyone talk that way about my Beth.

"Cate that's enough!" I warn her again.

But before I can continue, Beth cuts in, the picture of calm.

"Yes...look at me," she points to herself before pointing at me, "sitting here next to Harry," then to Cate, "and you're there, stalking his car and him."

Cate is furious now but honestly, there's nothing left for us to talk about.

And I want her to leave before she says something spiteful to Beth.

"Cate I think you should go," I say, "there's nothing to talk about, there is no us."

"Not anymore," Cate seethes, "but we were until she came along."

Christ I can't believe this is happening.

"We were a convenience for each other, nothing more!" I say and she's really starting to piss me off.

"Tell me Harry, why did you turn me down? Because of her?" she points her finger at Beth, "if she hadn't been in the picture, would you have turned me down?"

I...

I don't know.

But before I can answer, Beth is now standing so I quickly do the same.

"You know what Cate," Beth spits out, "if Harry wants to go off with you right now, I'm not going to stop him."

What?

Why would she say that?

"Harry is a grown man who can actually think for himself and make his own choices and I am too fucking old for this kind of shit," she turns to me, "well? What do you want Harry?"

I see what she's doing now.

She's giving me the choice once and for all.

But there is no choice.

I want Beth.

I take the couple of steps to close the gap between Beth and I and put my arm around her, kissing the side of her temple.

"There is no choice to be made," I say with as much sincerity as I can, "I think it was already made the night you opened your door to me."

I think I see a look of relief pass briefly over Beth's face.

As though she thought I might have chosen Cate.

Hardly.

There's no comparison.

"Well, as lovely as this has been," she looks up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, "I think we should get going, don't you?"

"I agree," I say as I release her and take hold of her hand with mine.

I'm done.

"Cate..." I shrug apologetically, "I'm sorry, but I did say I was seeing someone."

I see the devastation on her face and I really am sorry.

But I never promised her anything.

"Time to take out the rubbish first I think," Beth suddenly says as she lets go of my hand.

"Who the fuck are you calling trash?" Cate demands.

Beth points to the ground where the empty food containers lay.

"Uh...the rubbish from our lunch Cate, what on earth did you think I was talking about?" she asks innocently.

My ass.

I know Beth better than that.

My cheeky girl.

She quickly picks up the containers and puts them into one of the bags before tying a knot in it while I pack up the remaining food and shake off the blanket and fold it.

Beth walks over to the bin to place the rubbish in it and that's when Cate decides to keep talking.

"Did you delete the Christmas picture I sent you Harry?" she says.

Fucking hell.

I completely forgot about that.

And I haven't deleted it either.

But Beth walks over to me and her face is perfectly calm.

"Shall we put this in the car and then grab the kids?" she asks me, grabbing the blanket and walking towards the rover.

"Well? Harry?" Cate questions me again.

Shut. Up.

We put the bag and blanket in the boot before I lock the car again.

"Beth...let me explain," I start.

"Harry, we'll talk later okay?" Beth says as she touches my arm before giving me a kiss on the lips, "it'll be fine."

Although she's standing here telling me she's fine, I can see that she's not.

My sweet baby girl.

"It's nothing Beth, I swear, I completely forgot about it..." I whisper urgently.

"Harry," she smiles genuinely at me, "let's go get the kids and you can take us to the surprise you have for us okay?"

Yes.

Absolutely.

Without another word we walk past a rather angry and flustered Cate and head over to where the kids are.

"Harry!" she snarls, "you'll come crawling back when you realise the mistake you've made, mark my words!"

I highly doubt that sweetheart.

I don't think the beauty next to me will ever be a mistake.

It's amazing how you can think someone is so beautiful on the outside yet one day find out they're nothing but ugly and twisted on the inside.

"Tell me," Beth asks just before we reach the kids, "did you have to hold your hand over her mouth or put a pillow over her head when you were having sex just so she'd shut the hell up?"

What?

Only Beth would have the balls and sense of humour to ask me something like that.

That's why I...

"What's so funny?" Chloe asks us.

"Nothing sweetie," Beth says, "are you ready to see the surprise Harry promised us?"

"Yes!" they all say excitedly and I point them in the direction we need to go.

I feel my grip on Beth's hand tighten.

And I have no intention of letting go.