Beth's POV

We pull into the driveway of the large, double storey, red bricked house.

I'd much prefer it if we keep on driving to be honest.

I stare up at the house and then at the array of flowers, bushes and shrubs in the cottage garden.

What if his mother wants to have a chat about the garden?

Oh yes that's a lovely flower over there.

That's a weed dear

I wouldn't know the bloody difference between a petunia and a pansy.

My heart beat is positively racing and I realise Harry is now watching me intently.

"Breathe love," he says, reaching for my hand a giving it a reassuring squeeze.

I smile weakly at him.

"Come on," he says as he opens his door and steps out.

Nah I'm pretty comfy here thanks.

I look into the backseat at the kids, who at the moment, are way too engrossed in their new iPad's to notice we're even here.

I wonder if I could have bribed one of them to be sick today?

My door opens and Harry holds out his hand for me to take.

I grab hold of it and he helps me out, walking me around to the front of his car and leaning us both against the bonnet.

I'm surprised he hasn't dragged me straight up to the front door.

"So this is where I grew up," he says, gesturing with his hand.

I can hear the pride and fondness for his childhood home in his voice.

"it's a lovely house," I remark, "is there much space out the back?"

"Couple of acres, I think," he says, "more gardens and a good size space to kick a soccer ball around."

"Of course," I smile, letting out a nervous breath as I look around.

Anne's POV

I hear the loud engine as Harry pulls into the driveway and it has me moving from the cupboard and over to the window from my upstairs bedroom.

Looking down at the car, there's no movement.

I watch as Harry is the first one out of his car and immediately he moves to the other side to open the door.

Usually the girl he's with is out of the car and prancing around like she owns the place.

He leans in and seems to be saying something before offering his hand to whom I assume is Beth.

And there she is.

I've seen her in the photos, but it's always different seeing someone in the flesh.

Harry points out the house, a smile on his adorable face.

Her smile is not as obvious.

Is this not good enough for her?

Is she expecting more?

She certainly doesn't look like she wants to be here, judging by the look on her face.

I can already feel myself getting my back up for my baby boy.

But I watch as Harry guides her to stand at the front of his car and it's now that I notice the deep breaths she's taking and that her hands are actually shaking.

She's nervous.

Really nervous.

And I can tell that Harry knows it too.

He continues to talk to her, pointing out things in the garden and I can see her listening to everything he says, occasionally replying to him or nodding her head in understanding.

And I can see her breathing start to return to normal.

Harry gestures towards the door and the smile that is on her face drops and I almost think she's going to cry.

Harry is now rubbing his hand up and down her back in a calming motion and he hasn't taken his eyes off her yet.

His gaze ranges from worrying concern to complete adoration.

I can see him ask her if she's okay and she nods in reply.

He smiles at her and embraces her to him, kissing her on the top of her head, before he walks back to the car and knocks on the window, gesturing for the children to exit the car.

The younger of the boys holds his sisters bag as she gets out of the car and proceeds to hand it to her.

The older boy says something to Harry and they laugh loudly together.

They look like such lovely children.

Gemma hadn't been able to tell me much about her after meeting her yesterday.

She said she seemed a bit reserved and quiet, but also nice enough to her and considering the day she'd had, it's to be expected.

The one thing she did say was that Harry just looked so happy whenever he looked at Beth.

Whatever she said or did, he watched her with fascination.

I've seen the photos of them together though.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

The ones I saw were enough to create a novel.

Anyone can see there is an amazing bond between these two already.

My obvious question as a mother, is motive.

If she feels the same as Harry does.

Harry starts to walk them all up to the front door and it's now that I notice something else.

Something I've never realised until I watch her now.

All of the other girls that Harry has previously brought home have all been so incredibly confident and forthright that they have never hesitate to act like they instantly belong here.

Like they have a claim to Harry.

But looking at Harry, it's the other way around.

His face as he is looking at her right now.

He is quite simply, enamoured with her.

I don't have any more time to stand and watch them as the doorbell rings and I hear Gemma greet them downstairs.

I smooth down the front of my jumper and head out of my bedroom to meet the woman in my son's life.

Beth's POV

"Just be yourself Beth," Harry says, "everything else will fall into place."

"But it's your mother and I'm so much older and I have kids and she probably thinks I'm just after your money and not that I'm saying she would definitely think that cause I don't know her but I wouldn't blame her in the slightest if she did and I couldn't have planned this if I tried cause if it were that simple every other woman would have tried this and you know this is such really a bad idea Harry..." I blurt out without stopping for breath.

"Beth, sweetheart," Harry interrupts me, "you'll give yourself an anxiety attack if you keep this up."

He starts to run his hand up and down my back as I close my eyes and swallow nervously, hoping the air I'm gulping in is enough to push the bile down that's currently threatening to rise up from my stomach.

"I promise you, it'll be fine," he says, "are you okay now?"

I nod that I am.

Well, at least the best that I can be given the current situation.

Harry cuddles me against him before placing a kiss on the top of my head and suddenly he's gone too soon.

Where's he going?

I could do with a few more kisses because I am most certainly not going to kiss him in front of his mother.

Hell, I'm not even going to touch him.

No fucking way.

I hear him talking to the kids as they climb out but I'm not really listening and I'm vaguely aware of Nick and Harry laughing at something.

Most likely me.

"Let's go baby girl," he says as he grabs my hand with his.

"I'm coming Harry, geez," Chloe mumbles from behind and that does make me want to laugh and I can tell Harry is the same.

We walk up to the door and Harry rings the bell while I try my best not to pee my pants.

I'm quite sure Harry has hold of my hand because he knows more than likely I'm ready to turn and make a run for it.

And he wouldn't be far wrong.

The door opens and I hold my breath.

But it's Gemma.

"Hey guys!" she says, a grin on her face that matches her brothers.

"Gem-ma!" Chloe pushes between Harry and I and throws herself at Gemma.

"Hey sweetie," she cuddles her back, "let's go inside."

We follow Gemma in, Harry bringing up the rear and closing the door behind us.

We walk down the hallway and I notice there are photos on the wall of both Harry and Gemma from when they were younger.

I love looking at childhood photo's.

Seeing the change in children as they grow over time.

Gemma leads us into the kitchen that's quite bright and airy, thanks to the large windows and French doors that lead outside.

I can see, who I assume is Robin, out there cleaning the barbeque by the looks of it.

"How are you today Beth?" Gemma asks as she starts to busy herself in the kitchen getting glasses out.

"Much better thank you, especially after a good night's sleep," I reply.

"I'll bet," she says and I don't miss the smirk she sends Harry.

"Hey!" he pretends to look offended, "I was the perfect gentleman."

If by gentleman you mean me waking several times during the night to find your hand on my tit or on my ass, then by all means, you are a gentleman.

"Would you like something to drink Beth? Water? Juice? Soft drink? Alcohol?" she asks as she goes through the fridge.

"Soft drink will be fine, thank you Gemma," I reply.

Gemma pours me mine, a wine for herself before asking the kids what they would like.

"What about me?" Harry says.

"You've got legs," Gemma replies before taking a sip.

"Women..." Harry mutters before walking over and filling a glass with red wine.

"So...do you like wine or..." Gemma asks and I realise she's sounding me out as to whether I drink alcohol or not.

"Oh I love white wine," I reply, "but since it's just myself and the kids, I really don't drink that much. Knowing my luck if one of them needs to go to hospital in an emergency, it'll happen after a couple of drinks," I chuckle a little as I take a sip of my own drink, "besides, I've found my tolerance to alcohol has virtually disappeared since I had kids anyway..."

"I found my kids added to my tendency to want to drink," comes a voice from behind.

Oh shit.

Oh shit.

Oh shit.

I turn around, gripping my glass tightly so I don't drop it.

"Mum," Harry smiles brightly and moves forward to embrace her in a hug before kissing her on the cheek.

He steps back and introduces the kids to her one by one.

Thank god they brought their manners with them today.

"And this is Beth," Harry finally motions to me, and I notice how proudly he says my name.

I'm so awkward and I hate hugging people at the best of times so I choose to hold onto my glass for dear life.

"It's nice to meet you Mrs..." I stop.

Of fuck.

What is her surname now?

Is it Styles?

No.

My mind's gone blank.

"Anne," she says, "please call me Anne."

"Okay...Anne," I reply, "it's nice to meet you."

You already said that Beth.

"Likewise," she replies graciously and steps forward to place her hands on my arms and kiss my cheek.

Okay.

She's a kisser.

And that's close enough.

Don't get me wrong though.

I'm thankful she's being so nice but my personal space alarm is going off tap right now.

"You have such a lovely home," I tell her, "Harry was telling me a few bits and pieces when we were out the front about growing up here."

Anne nods appreciatively, a smile on her face as though she can visualise the memories.

"Why don't we go out the back? I'm sure the kids would love to have a look around," she suggests.

Harry nods in agreement and opens the French doors and walks out, the kids and Gemma following behind him.

"Beth?" Anne says, "would you mind giving me a hand with the nibblies?"

I think I'd rather slap myself in the face with a wet fish than be left here alone but okay.

"Of course," I reply and follow her to the kitchen bench.

She pulls out a couple of platters and then some containers out of the fridge with pre-prepared snacks.

We begin arranging them on the platters when Anne finally speaks.

"Harry seems quite taken with you," she says.

And here we go.

"I'm not really sure why to be honest," I reply.

"Really?" Anne raises an eyebrow, "if I may be honest with you then?" she asks.

"Of course," I reply.

I don't really but what else can I say?

"Since Harry's met you, I've never seen him the way he is," she says, "and I don't think he even realises it himself."

"Realises what?" I ask.

"His feelings regarding you," she replies.

"I don't understand..." I say feeling a bit stupid at something that Anne seems to think is so obvious.

"Love," she simply says, "Harry's in love with you."

I drop the carrots on the bench.

"Anne I have to disagree," I say, slightly shocked that she would think that, "we've only known each other a little over a week and to suggest that is just...just ludicrous isn't it?"

"You tell me," she replies smiling at me, "what are your feelings towards Harry."

I take a breath in and think.

"There's something there...we just clicked like we'd known each other forever, or something like that," and I laugh at how silly it sounds, "that sounds ridiculous doesn't it?" I muse.

"No it doesn't," she says, "some people take a lifetime to find love, others can feel it within moments of meeting one another."

Whatever this is I highly doubt that it's love.

"I don't know what this will lead to, I don't actually expect it to, I don't know," I try to put my thoughts into coherent words, "but it's lovely to have someone and even if this becomes a friendship in the end and nothing more...he's such a wonderful person Anne and I feel so fortunate to have met him..."

There's so much I can say about Harry but I'm quite certain she already knows it all.

I take a sip of my drink as my mouth feels so dry.

"Have you two slept together?" she suddenly asks.

And I promptly choke on my drink.

"No," I manage to say after I stop coughing, "no we haven't. This feels so weird saying this but ever since I lost my husband..." I begin.

Anne leans over the bench and places he hand over mine.

"Harry told me about your husband," she says, "I hope you don't mind."

I shake my head.

"Not at all, I mean, it is what it is," I reply, "and I never thought I'd ever meet someone that would make me have those kinds of feeling I guess..." I try to explain.

"Do you see yourself and Harry lasting?" Anne asks.

"No," I reply and again she raises her eyebrow, "I mean, he's young, he has the whole world at his feet waiting for him to explore it, what could I possible have to offer him?" I ask, "I'm a mother with three young kids, who would want to take that on board at any age?"

Anne doesn't say anything, she continues to arrange the snacks and I think that I've somehow offended or upset her with what I've said about Harry and I.

I'm just trying to be honest.

"I really hope that we'll have a great friendship from this and that he may end up being my summer love, but for the winter," I say with a smile and Anne laughs at my attempted reference, "but after I go home, he'll find someone to settle down with that's much more suited to him."

Anne nods thoughtfully but the way she's studying my face is a little bit unnerving.

"Do you see yourself ever marrying again?" she asks.

Geez this woman is not backward in coming forward.

But this is her son and she's just being protective of him I guess.

I would do the same.

"I doubt it," I shrug my shoulders, "a widow with three kids and a farm? There's a line at my door for that," I say and I know there's a hint of bitterness in my tone at what I know I'll never have again, "sorry," I apologise to her.

But she smiles at me and to my surprise, she walks around the counter and hugs me.

Like, fully hugs me.

And I let her.

"I can't even begin to imagine what you've been through," she says, "and I think you're doing a remarkable job so far," she pulls away, "and whether you can see it or not, Harry already cares for you very deeply."

I smile again as I try my hardest not to cry.

"Let him," she says, "let him care for you."

Then I do start to cry.

Damn it.

The doors open and Gemma walks in and looks at us.

She turns and pokes her head back out the door.

"Harry!" she yells, "mum's done it again! She's made Beth cry!"

"Gemma!" Anne scolds her and I can't help but laugh.

"I give him five seconds to get here," Gemma smirks and sure enough, Harry comes running up to the door and comes in huffing and puffing.

"Beth?" he looks alarmed and comes straight over to me, his hands immediately on my cheeks so he can study my face, "what is it?"

"Nothing," I shake my head and smile, "your mother and I are just talking, honestly," I wipe my tears as best I can and smile at him.

"I can't leave her here for ten minutes with you two," he shakes his head and smirks as he realises I really am okay.

"Let's bring this food out, your kids are hungry," Gemma says.

"You mean Jamie is?" I ask.

"Yeah, I just didn't want to single him out," she says.

Harry and I just laugh, knowing about Jamie's love affair with food.

"Gems, he's like a younger version of Niall," Harry explains.

"Ah, got it," she gives him a thumbs up.

We gather the platters and extra drinks and start to head outside.

Anne places her hand on my arm as we walk.

"Remember what I said," she whispers, "let him."

"I'll try," I reply.

Harry looks at us quizzically but I simply smile and shake my head slightly and Anne reaches up and kisses his cheek as we walk past him, leaving him standing there slightly baffled.