Harry's POV

I pull Beth into the bathroom and close the door behind us.

As we wait for the water to warm, I slyly glance at Beth and see her with her arms wrapped over the front of her body and her gaze on the floor.

Does she not realise how much I adore her body and her curves?

I decide not to say anything right now and instead pull her into the shower.

She starts to rinse her hair and I take over, running my hands through her hair before she lets me stand under the water and wet my hair as well.

Beth reaches out and grabs the sponge and adds some body wash lotion to it before fumbling with it and dropping it on the floor.

I watch her bend over and pick it up and already I feel myself growing hard looking at her ass.

"I...I didn't do that on purpose," she stammers, looking up at me as her face grows red with embarrassment.

"I'm not complaining love," I smirk as I pluck the sponge out of her hand and begin to quickly soap my own body before standing under the water again to rinse off.

Beth holds her hand out for the sponge but I just grin and shake my head.

Time for my baby to learn how much I love her body.

I grab hold of her hand and hold it out, running the sponge along her arm and then over to the other.

"Have I told you that I like these a lot?" I ask.

She shakes her head, slightly confused.

"Well I love them the most when they're wrapped around me and you're hugging me," I tell her.

"Oh," she replies.

"And here," I move behind her and start to scrub along the back of her neck and shoulders, "because you always give a little shiver when I kiss along here."

It's her little spot.

I move my mouth to her ear.

"I quite like this too, especially when I'm cuddled up to it and my chest is against your skin," I whisper as I pull her back against my chest.

From here I can look over her shoulder and see her breasts.

And the nipples that are starting to harden.

I begin to soap over one of her thighs and then the other.

"These I quite like wrapped around my waist," I grip her hip with my other hand, "or around my head."

I press myself against her lower back to prove my point.

Beth leans forward, placing her hands on the tiled wall in front of us and I can hear her breathing getting heavier.

I nip gently at her ear as I move the sponge to wash across her stomach.

"I especially love how soft and curvy you are around here," I start to leave a trail of kisses down her neck as the sponge starts moving higher in a circular motion.

"I do like these in quite a lot of ways," I say lowly as I run the sponge over her breasts, my other hand cupping one, "in my hands...your hands...my mouth..."

I drop the sponge and grab her other breast, roughly squeezing them as I pinch the nipples.

Beth's head falls back and she lets out a low moan that shoots straight to my cock, causing me to grind my hips behind her.

She turns her head and my mouth is on hers before she can even speak as one of her hands leaves the wall to tangle in my hair but I push it back onto it.

"Leave it there," I growl against her mouth.

My hand pulls on her breast again before it trails down her stomach and between her legs.

"Harry..." she moans as my fingers don't hesitate to begin to rub over her clit.

I want to watch her come again.

"I really do love the sounds you make and the way your body responds when I touch here," I say in her ear as I pinch her clit, "and how it tastes..."

A gasp comes out of her mouth as her body jolts in surprise.

"Harry!" she breathes out.

She turns around and reaches up, grabbing me by the back of my neck, pulling me down to push her lips onto mine, her other hand reaching to grasp my cock.

I wasn't expecting that.

And I'm certainly not going to complain.

I begin to thrust into her hand as it moves up and down.

Fuck me.

I push her back against the wall and my fingers are between her legs again.

I rest my forehead on hers as we work each other to climax.

Beth is starting to moan on each breath out and her chest flushes pink as she comes. The sounds from her mouth are enough to finish me off and I come all over her hand and stomach, my mouth open and slack as I do.

I push my body against hers and my hands hold her face before I kiss her firmly on the lips.

"Don't ever thing you're less than perfect," I say as I smile at her.

Because I already think you're perfect.

Perfect enough for me.

And that's all that matters.

I wash of all trace of myself off the two of us before tuning the water off and stepping out, offering Beth a towel.

She steps out of the shower and dries herself off before wrapping it around her body and walking out.

I finish drying off and walk into the bedroom to find Beth has stripped the bed and is putting clean linen onto it.

I help her with the linen and we finally collapse onto it, the covers pulled up to our necks as we snuggle together.

She's already yawning and her eyes are quickly closing so I gently kiss her forehead and watch her as she falls asleep.

She looks exhausted.

Happy but exhausted as she starts to succumb to sleep.

I smile knowing that I'm the reason that she is.

Happy that is.

Not tired.

Well, actually I probably have tired her out now that I think about it.

She's now breathing in a slow and steady rhythm and I gently move her hair off her face before I run my fingers through it, happily repeat the motion.

It makes me feel close to her.

Right now, I couldn't wish for anything more.

I feel so happy and content and it's all because of Beth.

My own eyes are starting to droop when I hear my phone ping.

Who the hell is texting me this late?

I carefully extract myself from holding Beth so as not to wake her and climb out of bed to get my phone out of my jeans pocket.

I sit back in bed and look at the screen.

Gemma.

I realise I didn't answer her from earlier, but all she was asking on mum's behalf was what I was doing for New Year's Eve.

I wanted to know what Beth was planning on doing first.

But there's a new message from her.

Have you seen this?!

This can't be good.

I open up her message and Gemma has taken a screenshot from a tweet today.

I suddenly feel incredibly sick.

Then angry.

No scratch that.

I'm fucking furious.

I'm going to kill the fucking bitch.

@gorgeouscatie my fucking ass.

I switch to Twitter to look at the actual tweet.

The tweet is the picture that Cate sent me on Christmas Day alongside one of Beth taken from today along with a message.

Who would you rather Harry date? The dedicated girlfriend or the home wrecker that broke us up...Harry chose the home wrecker :-'(

How could Cate accuse Beth of something like this so publically especially when it's not even true.

I can't even begin to imagine what my fans are going to say about Beth who hasn't actually done anything wrong.

I can't put into words how angry I am right now.

I'm also suddenly fearful that something like this could push Beth away from me.

That's what I'm most afraid of.

I look at some of the replies that Cate's tweet has generated and I'm surprised to see it's actually a mixture.

Some are siding with Cate while others are not believing that she was my girlfriend and calling her out for it.

Common sense prevails.

Of course there are ones who are also not being kind to Beth, similar to earlier today but then the complete opposite that they really like her and happy I've 'chosen' her.

Some are questioning how old she is, which I've expected.

But I'm quite buoyed by the fact that there is a heap of people on here defending both Beth and myself and I actually feel a little bit better for that.

And grateful.

But it doesn't completely solve my problem with Cate and her tweeting.

I decide to text Gem to see what she thinks.

What do I do about this?

Kill the bitch

I smile a little at her reply as it's totally her.

How serious are you about Beth?

I don't even pause when I answer.

Very

Then you need to put a stop to Cate, whatever it takes, threaten her with legal action if need be. If you want this that much and want it to work. You need to think of Beth.

Think of Beth.

Christ she's all I think about.

Thanks Gem. Tell mum I'll call in and see her tomorrow afternoon x

Will do. See you tomorrow baby H x

Don't call me that

I turn my phone off and put it on the bedside table before I curl up next to Beth.

The smell of mango fills my nose and I instantly feel calmer.

I feel my heart beat increase slightly and realise what that smell does to me.

It makes me feel like it's my home.

That Beth is my home.

I lie awake watching her until I finally fall asleep.

~~~~~~

I leave straight after breakfast with the promise of calling Beth later in the day.

I have things to take care of today, the first on my list being Cate.

It won't be pleasant, but neither is what she did to Beth.

As I drive back to my place, I inwardly curse as I know I wasn't the most attentive to Beth this morning. If anything, I was a bit distant to her and she's done absolutely nothing to deserve it.

I was just riled up over Cate.

I'll bring her back some flowers or something as an apology and hopefully my explanation will be enough.

Soon I'm back home and I rush inside to shower and change, thinking what I'm going to calmly try and discuss with Cate when I see her.

I'm soon ready and out the door again and heading to Cate's.

I pull up to her small flat and park outside, shutting off the engine before I walk up the path to her front door.

I take a deep breath in and ring the doorbell and wait for her to answer.

Nothing.

I ring it again and still she doesn't answer.

Damn it she has to be here!

My calm demeanour is starting to crack as I bang on the door with my fist.

Moments later I hear footsteps from inside and the door is finally opening.

Cate stands there looking at me half asleep.

"Harry," she mumbles, "what...what are you doing here?"

Is she fucking serious?

Clearly I'm here for a fucking cup of tea.

"Why the hell do you think I'm here Cate?" I say in a low voice, I've no time for her.

"Had a change of heart did you Harry?" she smiles at me.

"You could say that," I glare at her, "I've come to the realisation I have absolutely no idea what I ever saw in you."

The smile falls from her face.

"Whatever do you mean Haz?" she asks.

"Don't call me that," I spit at her, "you lost any right to call me by any term of endearment after what you did last night."

She looks at me in confusion.

"I...what?" she frowns, "I didn't do anything. Apart from drink a couple of bottles of wine because of..." she trails off when she sees my annoyance.

I pinch the bridge of my nose in an effort to stop the growing need to explode at her.

"Cate, did you get drunk last night?" I ask, knowing what she's like after a few drinks.

She's a clingy and nasty drunk.

She says nothing in response.

"You know exactly what you did last night," I snap, "don't try to fucking pretend you don't cause it was well thought out."

"So it's a crime to get drunk now is it?" she sneers at me, "and after seeing you and her together can you blame me?" she hisses before grabbing at the side of her head, "we were so good together Harry and then she came along and ruined it...she ruined us!"

"She did not!" I yell, "we were never exclusive, I was never yours in the first place to lose!"

Cate doesn't say anything; she just looks at me with a really sad expression on her face.

"You know Cate," I begin, "I always knew you had a nasty streak in you at times, but I never thought you'd stoop as low as you did with that tweet about Beth last night."

Now her eyes widen at me.

"What tweet?" she asks.

Now it's my turn to look at her in confusion.

"The fucking tweet you posted last night! You accused Beth of being a home wrecker!" my anger starts to get the better of me.

"I...I don't remember..." she says as she puts a hand over her mouth.

I shake my head at her in disgust.

"Are you trying to tell me you were you that drunk last night you don't even remember?" I ask.

Her eyes fill with tears as she takes a step towards me.

"No...no...I...I wouldn't..." she pleads.

"But you fucking did Cate! Don't try to pretend that you can't remember, you tweeted we were together and that Beth broke us up," I tell her, "fuck...you know what my fans are like!" I throw my hands up in anger, "you know what they'll do to her for this and she's done absolutely nothing to deserve it!"

Cate reaches out to touch my arm but I step back.

"Harry...I'm so sorry!" she cries.

"You're a nasty, spiteful bitch and I wish I'd never met you!" I yell, so furious that my body is shaking.

"If you want to be angry with someone, be angry with me," I point my finger at her, "I pursued her Cate, not the other way around."

She steps forward again and puts her hand on my chest but I slap it away.

I feel nothing but contempt and disgust for her now.

"This is my final warning to you," I say though gritted teeth, "do not come near me or Beth, do not post anything about either of us on social media or I will bring my lawyers into this, do I make myself clear?" I threaten.

She looks at me as tears fall down her cheeks.

And I feel nothing.

"Crystal," she whispers.

"Good," I turn on my heel to walk back to my car, not bothering to look back at her as she stands out the front of her door crying.

"Harry!" she cries out, "can't we at least be friends?"

I stop in my tracks in utter disbelief, knowing she's clutching at straws before I turn around and look at her directly in the face.

"The only thing you can be to me is a distant memory that will fade to nothing," I simply reply before I turn and walk to my car and getting inside it.

I start the engine and pull out onto the road and head to mum's.

I really hope this is the last I'll see and hear from Cate, but there's a tiny part of me that is doubtful.

I suppose I can only hope.

~~~~~~

I'm so angry as I drive I don't even realise I'm at mum's until my car pulls into her driveway.

I mean, have you ever been so upset you don't notice any of your surroundings or you simply run through the motions of driving?

Like, you're not even in your own mind or body?

I take a few deep breaths before I get out of the car and head up to the front door.

It opens before I even have a chance to knock and Gemma is straight out.

"How are you?" she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug.

"I just came from Cate's," I reply.

"Shit, how did that go?" she asks.

"I lost it with her, I was so furious," I say, "and she had the audacity to say she was too drunk and couldn't remember tweeting!"

"Pfftt," Gem replies, "she'd know. No matter how drunk that girl gets, she always bloody knows what she does."

"I just can't believe I was ever involved with her," I sigh.

Gemma slings an arm around me.

"Well," she says, "sometimes when you're dipping your dick in it, you don't always see straight."

I give her a sideways look.

"Gee, thanks Gem," I reply.

"Would you have really listened to me Harry?" she says, "besides, she was just the occasional shag for you anyway."

"True," I agree.

"So how did Beth take it?" Gemma asks.

I run my hand through my hair and don't say anything as I bite my bottom lip.

"Oh my god Harry! She doesn't know yet does she?" Gemma almost starts yelling at me.

"Sshh!" I say, "lower your voice will you!"

I earn a slap on the arm.

"Why on earth haven't you told her Harry?" she asks, "she needs to know you dumbass!"

"I know, I know!" I reply, "I don't know...I just wanted to sort it out with Cate first so I could tell Beth it was taken care of..."

"Well I really hope it's the end of it, for both your sakes," Gemma says.

"Really?" I ask, "cause you weren't really a fan of her last we spoke."

Gemma stands in front of me and places both hands on my shoulders and looks me squarely in the eye.

"Yes, I'll be the first to admit that, but you're my baby brother, it's practically mandatory that I have to look out for you!" she smiles, "but those pictures of you out with her and her kids yesterday? I saw the way you looked at her Harry."

I frown a bit in confusion.

"Harry, you looked at her like she was your whole world, your face just lit up," she continues, "you can't fake that H."

A grin spreads across my face at Gem's explanation.

"See! There it is!" she points at my face, "god you're a goof!"

We break out in laughter as my face reddens in embarrassment, but I don't care one bit.

I feel better than what I did the last few hours as I follow Gemma inside to see mum.

~~~~~~

Mum, Gemma and I are seated around the dining table, cups of tea at the ready.

"I take it all went well the other night?" mum says as she blows on her tea before taking a sip.

"Yeah, I mean, it was pretty much my fault, but we talked it out and it's all good now," I reply.

"That's the key to a good relationship Harry, always keep the lines of communication open," she nods, "is this a relationship Harry?"

Gemma now has her elbows on the table and her chin resting on her hands as she stares at me.

I feel I should throw her a box of popcorn since I'm clearly providing her with such entertainment.

"We um...kind of haven't labelled it I guess," I start to explain, "I've promised to always be honest with her and truthfully mum, I can't see myself wanting anyone else."

Mum looks down at her tea, as though she's searching for the right words.

I'm pretty sure I know what's coming.

"Harry," she starts.

"Mum," I reply grinning.

"You know I'll always support you no matter what you do darling," she continues, "I just want you to be happy, that's all a mother wants for her children."

"I know mum," I agree.

"She is older Harry, considerably, isn't she?" she asks.

"Yeah, but I don't even notice it mum," I gesture with my hands to try and put what I feel in my heart about her, "she just makes me feel..."

"Like that!" Gemma yells as she points at me, "look at the dopey grin on his face mum!"

I glare at her as mum laughs into her hand.

"You are glowing love," she says as she puts her hand on mine and gives it a gently squeeze.

"Yeah, if you were a woman Haz, you'd have that pregnancy glow!" Gemma keeps laughing.

"Mum?" I say in exasperation.

"Darling," she says, trying not to laugh along with Gemma, "if you would be comfortable, I'd love to meet her."

I know how Beth will react to this.

She hasn't openly said anything before, but I have a strong suspicion that Beth struggles with meeting people, it makes her really uncomfortable.

"Harry?" mum pats my hand.

"Yes?" I reply.

"I'd just really like to meet the woman who seems to have made my son so very happy," she says, "nothing more."

I nod in agreement.

I know mum and she never has a hidden agenda.

She'll always come straight out and tell it like it is.

"I thought maybe you could invite her and her children over for New Year's eve with us? You know it'll be low key, what do you think?" she says.

"I'll ask her okay?" I promise.

This seems to appease mum because we start talking about Christmas eve and how great-gran slapped someone in the head for trying to take her brandy off her.

It was really good to simply sit around the table and chat with mum and Gem with no time constraints on me.

Before I knew it, a couple of hours had gone by.

We were laughing about one of my cousin's drunken antics when my phone rang.

I pull it out of my pocket and see Beth's name.

"Oh its Beth," I say as I push the button.

"Hello!" I say, excited to hear Beth's voice.

But all I hear is strange noises on the other end.

"Hello?" I repeat, mum and Gem now looking at me and waiting, "Beth?"

"H-Harry?" comes a quiet voice.

"Chloe? Is that you?" I ask.

"Yes!" she replies and I can hear her crying quite clearly now.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? Has something happened?" I ask, already on my feet and grabbing my coat from the back of the chair.

"I...I don't know..." she says, "mummy's crying and bleeding...there was a man outside here I think..."

"Wait, is he still there?" I ask, fear starting to run through my body.

"No," she cries, "I'm scared Harry."

"Take a deep breath in sweetheart," I instruct her, "can you tell me where is mummy bleeding?"

I hear my mum gasp and place her hand on my arm.

"Her...her hand," she hiccups, "she's in the bathroom."

"Okay, I'm on my way, but I need you to do two things for me Chloe," I say.

"Yes Harry," she says.

"I want you to look out the window and see if the man is still there okay?" I instruct her.

I hear shuffling and then she's back on the phone.

"No, I can't see anyone," she says.

"Okay, good girl," and I take a deep breath myself and hope she's right, "can you lock the doors for me sweetheart?"

"I can't," she says, "Nick's out getting wood for the fire."

Shit!

"Chloe, tell him I said to come inside and lock the door and I'll do that when I get there okay?" I start walking down the hall and outside to my car, mum and Gem behind me.

"I'm getting into my car now and I'll be there in ten minutes sweetheart," I tell her, "don't hang up okay?"

I unlock the door and get in.

"Harry, let me know what's happening when you get there please?" mum says, "if you need anything, let me know darling."

"Sure mum," I put the phone onto the hands free cradle and quickly start the car, reversing out and heading straight to Beth's.

"Chloe? You still there sweetheart?" I ask.

I hear her sniffing into the phone.

"Yes Harry," she says quietly.

"Good girl," I reply, "did you tell Nick to come inside?"

"Yes, and we locked the doors," she says.

I decide to try and distract her as I drive.

"What's your favourite 1D song?" I ask.

"I have lots," she says, "but I really like 'Last First Kiss' and 'Summer Love."

"I like those ones too," I tell her.

"What about our new album?" I ask.

"Well...'Wolves' is like, the best song ever," she says.

I grin at her choice of words.

"Actually 'Best Song Ever' is the best song ever!" I chuckle.

"Mum says the same thing to me! You're just as bad as her!" she groans.

I think she's stopped crying.

We talk about a few more songs before I finally pull up in front of their house.

"Harry I can see you!" she cries into the phone.

The front door opens and she comes running out, almost knocking me over as she throws her arms around my waist.

I bend down and hug her, gently rubbing her back.

"Sshhh...it's okay, I'm here now," I reassure her, "let's go inside so I can see your mum hey?"

She nods and grabs my hand, squeezing tightly as we walk inside.

I glance around, noting that it all seems clear and no one else is around.

Nick is inside, stoking a newly lit fire and looks relived to see me.

"What happened mate?" I ask as he comes over to me.

"Mum and I went outside to get some wood for the fire and this man came up and wanted to talk to her," he says.

"Go on," I nod in encouragement.

"Mum told me to go inside but I didn't, I didn't like him Harry and I didn't listen to mum," he starts to ramble, "but he wasn't nice Harry and he pushed me so mum hit him."

What?!

"I've never seen mum like that ever Harry," he says.

"She was clearly protecting you mate," I reply, "now, are you okay?"

"Yeah, but I don't think mum is," he says, "she's upstairs, I got her some ice for her hand."

"Okay, can you do something for me?" I ask him.

He nods in agreement.

"Can you make some hot chocolates for all of you? The sugar will be good for you all I think," I tell him, "I'm going to go up and tend to your mum okay?"

He nods and starts to walk to the kitchen but stops and comes back and hugs me.

"I'm glad mum's got you Harry," he says before walking away.

I'm glad I've got your mum too Nick.

I look down to Chloe and her hand that's firmly attached to mine.

"Let me go check on your mum, you're okay now, I'm here sweetheart," I smooth her hair back and she cuddles into me again.

"Okay Harry," she says and goes and sits down next to Jamie who looks engrossed in eating some sort of lolly.

I jog upstairs and head straight to Beth's bathroom, opening the door without even knocking.

"I said I'd be down..." I hear her say as I swing the door open.

She's sitting on the ground, her face streaked with tears as she holds the ice on her hand.

"Beth!" I gasp and I'm immediately on the ground next to her, taking her hand in mine to look at it.

"Ow...ow!" she says and bites down on her lip.

I want to hear her version of events and who the hell caused this.

"Baby girl...what happened?" I ask as I smooth her hair back from her face and kiss her temple to calm her.

"James pushed Nick and I...I just snapped and punched him!" she says.

That's my girl.

But then the realisation sets in that he touched not only Nick, but Beth...

My Beth.

I am so far from fucking okay now.

I'm gonna rip his fucking head off for this.

"Is Nick okay?" I ask, he seems okay, but Beth might have seen something different with him.

"I think so, maybe a little shaken up I imagine," she replies.

I don't blame the poor kid.

I focus my attention onto her hand as I remove the ice.

Fuck.

I'm going to fucking kill him.

"Wriggle your fingers love," I instruct her and she hisses in pain but they move freely.

"I don't think it's broken, let's get it patched up hey?" I say and begin looking in the cupboards for some bandages.

"Wait, Harry," she reaches out to touch my arm, "how did you know?"

I look back at her and she suddenly looks so fragile.

I imagine the adrenalin that kicked in before is wearing off so I'll need to watch her carefully.

"Chloe called me, quite upset actually," I say, "I couldn't get much out of her so I came straight over."

Poor kid, she was hysterical, but I'm not going to tell Beth that.

But she certainly did the right thing in calling me.

"Oh Harry, I'm so sorry...you were probably in the middle of something important," she says.

"I was at mum's," I grin, "she's invited you and the kids over for New Year's Eve."

Knowing how she is, I just let that sit in the air, let her digest it and then talk to her about how she feels.

I begin cleaning up her wounds and I can feel her eyes on me, watching me in silence.

"Remind me not to piss you off love," I say as I finish and place a gentle kiss on her bandaged hand.

My mum always did that for me and it made me feel better.

But she lets out a sigh and a few more tears along with it.

Oh shit.

"Hey, hey," I say and I quickly wrap my arms around her tightly, "it's okay."

"I know," she replies, "I just think it's all sinking in all of a sudden, and the fact that I might get kicked out for punching Mrs. Watkins son..."

Shit I hadn't thought of that either.

Simple though.

Move in with me.

"Why don't you just wait and see what happens there?" I say.

I pack everything up and put it away in the cupboard before sitting back down next to Beth.

She looks over at me.

"Are you okay now?" she asks, "you were kind of distant this morning..."

You can thank Cate for that.

I run my hand through my hair before letting out a nervous laugh.

"Yeah," I say, "look, I'm sorry about this morning. I was a bit of an ass I admit."

"I just want to know what I've done so I can fix it," she says.

What?!

Oh fuck.

"Sweetheart, it wasn't you," I say, horrified that she thought she had caused my foul mood, "absolutely not."

It's now or never Harold.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket.

"Have you been on social media today? Twitter in particular?" I ask.

"Haven't had a chance, why?" she says.

Beth looks at it for a few moments then looks back at me with an expression I can't quite figure out.

She just looks at me before she gives me back my phone.

I can't begin to explain Cate and her behaviour to Beth.

It's unjustifiable.

But I'm going to try.

"Look, I know it was really bad..." I start.

"Why are you photographed leaving Cate's house today?" she asks.

I...wait, what?!

I look at my phone and there's a picture of Cate with her hand on my chest from earlier today.

I groan out loud.

The hole I started digging for myself this morning just suddenly got a whole lot deeper.