Harry's POV

The familiar surroundings of the neighbourhood where I grew up greet us as we drive down the street that takes us to mum and Robin's house.

Well, it was my childhood house but it's theirs now.

I'm kind of glad mum didn't sell it.

It's nice to come here when I'm home and not out on tour.

Though if she decided to sell it that would be her decision entirely.

I pull into the driveway and instantly smile because that's just the effect this place has on me.

I can't wait to show Beth around.

I look over at her but she looks as white as a sheet.

She's already anxious and I can feel it just by looking at her.

"Breathe love," I remind her as I reach out for her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.

She looks at me and I'm instantly lost in her eyes.

Like, she could hypnotise me with them I'm sure.

She smiles at me but it's forced.

My sweet darling girl.

"Come on," I say with a cheerful voice as I open my door and step out.

I close it and walk around to Beth's side to open her door for her.

Which is probably not the smartest idea as I'm sure she's thinking about locking herself in my car right now.

Thankfully she's decided not to barricade herself in and the door opens when I pull on the handle and offer my hand to help her out.

Or in this case there might be some gentle pulling on my part to get her out.

But instead of rushing her up to the door, I guide her to the front of my car and lean back on it casually, my arm behind Beth's back as she does the same.

"So this is where I grew up," I say, sweeping my hand out in a grand gesture.

I truly am excited to have her here.

"It's a lovely house," she says looking around, "is there much space out the back?"

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

Jamie will love it.

Beth nods her head and simply smiles.

Gemma's POV

Ooh I can hear Harry's car pull into the driveway.

Mum's street is so quiet you can hear a car come down the road before it pulls in.

I quickly run to the lounge and peek outside through the curtain, trying not to be spotted.

Oh yes it's them!

Harry's the first one out of the car.

Surprise, surprise.

He moves quickly around to the passenger side and opens the door, holding his hand out for Beth.

I can see her through the window and she looks terrified, truth be told and Harry almost looks like he's pulling her out against her will.

Poor thing.

I hope she's feeling better since everything that happened with that dickhead yesterday.

Just the thought of him sends shivers through me.

And definitely not in a good way.

I watch as Harry points out different areas at the front of our house as he chats with Beth.

I wonder if he's showing her the tree I tied him to and left him there when he was seven?

Or the spot where we were out in our gumboots jumping in a huge muddy puddle and Harry jumped so hard into the puddle that his boots got stuck and when he jumped again his boots got stuck and he jumped down in just his socks?

Or where we set up a lemonade stand and Dad ended up buying the whole lot from us as it tasted so awful because we thought lemonade only needed lemons and not sugar?

I look back over at Beth and she seems a bit calmer now and I'm thinking that was Harry's tactic.

He does have his moments.

I can see Harry asking if she's ready to come inside and just when I think she looks ready though, her eyes widen and she bites down on her lip.

He starts rubbing his hand up and down her back in a calming motion and seriously, he hasn't taken his eyes off her yet.

Christ, he's like a lovesick puppy.

He's talking to her again and by the little smile that she gives him, I think they're going to come inside.

She needs to think of this like ripping off a band aid.

Just do it quickly and then it's done.

Mind you, I've seen mum give some of Harry's previous girlfriends the third degree so I know what's coming.

But with Beth...

This is totally different.

Harry's always been such a loyal and giving person when it's come to his girlfriends, sometimes to his detriment, damn little bitches.

But I looked at the photos online with mum and what they have is not one-sided.

Blind Freddie can see how much they adore each other.

They looked like they had been together forever.

God.

Harry will probably write a song about her.

The kids are out of the car now and they're walking up the path.

Well, the kids are chatting excitedly, Beth looks like she's trying not to throw up and Harry looks like he just wants to kiss her.

I need to get some alcohol into the woman.

That's my plan.

The doorbell rings and I smile to myself, clapping my hands in excitement as I am genuinely looking forward to the evening and getting to know the woman who's has apparently captured my brother's heart.

Harry's POV

Shit she's really nervous and I think she's about to pass out on me.

"Just be yourself Beth," I say, "everything else will fall into place," hoping I sound reassuring to her.

"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..." she says without drawing breath.

Could she be anymore adorable?

"Beth, sweetheart," I interrupt her rambling speech, "you'll give yourself an anxiety attack if you keep this up."

I run my hand up and down her back in the hopes it will relax her.

"I promise you, it'll be fine," I say, and I hope mum doesn't go full on with her, "are you okay now?"

She nods that she is and I'm relieved.

I cuddle Beth against me before placing a kiss on the top of her head and move to get the kids out of the car so we can go inside out of the cold.

Jamie climbs out first and Chloe thrusts her bag out for him to hold so she can get out.

Just like a true PA would with their assistant.

Nick is the last one out and the cheeky bugger gives me an elbow.

"Mum a bit nervous is she?" he asks.

"Yeah," I reply, "I think she's good now though."

He shakes his head.

"You must have some magic trick then Harry," he says.

"What makes you say that?" he has me curious now.

"Mum would actually stay home if we had parties or barbeques to go to because it stressed her out so much," he says, "dad was pretty understanding, he'd just leave her be and wouldn't push her."

"Oh," I reply, not really knowing what else to say.

I mean, these are his parents he's talking about and I don't want to disrespect them in any way.

"I thought you were going to have to throw her over your shoulder there for a minute to get her in the house Harry!" he laughs and I join in as I envision having to do just that to Beth.

We walk over with Jamie and Chloe and I grab Beth's hand, feeling her grip it tightly.

"Let's go baby girl," I say as I look down at her.

"I'm coming Harry, geez," I hear Chloe from behind and I notice Beth bite her lip to keep from laughing and I admit I do the same.

I love this kid.

We walk up to the door and I ring the bell and wait for the door to open.

"Hey guys!" Gemma says, as she opens the door widely for us to enter.

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

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

Well I've certainly been booted down the list of Chloe's favourites.

First Niall, now Gemma.

Pffttt.

I need a new PA.

We follow Gemma in and as we walk down the hallway and I notice Beth slow down a little.

Oh no you don't.

But as I look down at her, I see she's stopping to look at the family photos that line the walls, a smile on her face as she studies each one.

I don't push her along, I patiently wait for her knowing it might just calm her nerves that little bit more.

We finally make it into the kitchen and Gemma starts getting out glasses to serve drinks to everyone.

"How are you today Beth?" Gemma asks her with concern as she moves around the kitchen.

"Much better thank you, especially after a good night's sleep," she replies shyly.

"I'll bet," she says and sends a smirk my way.

Smart ass.

I was nothing short of caring and attentive last night.

"Hey, I was the perfect gentleman," I return her smirk with a glare.

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

"Soft drink will be fine, thank you Gemma," Beth says.

"Kids! What will you have?" Gemma asks them.

"Orange please," Nick says.

"I'll have lemonade please," Jamie chips in.

"Apple juice with ice please," Chloe looks at me pointedly before flipping her hair over her shoulders.

I bite my lip to stop from laughing.

She acts far more intelligent than a nine-year-old.

And with her brown eyes, bronze skin and brown hair that hangs down her back, she could be a model very easily.

Imagine when she's a teenager.

She's a beautiful little girl now.

Christ, she'll have to beat the boys off with a stick.

They'll have to go through me first.

I realise everyone has a drink now except me.

Seriously?

"What about me?" I ask.

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

"Women..." I shake my head before I walk over and get myself a glass with red wine.

"So...do you like wine or..." I hear Gemma ask Beth, vaguely waving her hand at the bottle of wine on the counter.

Really subtle Gem.

"Oh I love white wine," Beth replies and I instantly remember the night I had dinner at her place and we shared a bottle.

That was the first night I caught a glimpse of her tits.

I bite my lip again and try to readjust my pants without being noticed.

"Besides, I've found my tolerance to alcohol has virtually disappeared since I had kids anyway..." she shrugs her shoulders.

So does that mean she'd be a two pot screamer?

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

I didn't hear her come down the stairs.

"Mum," I say with a smile and I walk over to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

I let go and gesture towards the kids.

"Mum, this is Nick, Jamie and Chloe," I say and they all offer mum a hello and a smile.

And then I look at Beth and put my arm around her, bringing her over to mum.

I think I need to hold her steady at this point, otherwise she may actually go down.

"And this is Beth," I say, beyond excited that I'm introducing my girl to mum.

Mum gives Beth a warm smile while Beth stands there holding onto her glass like it's a life preserver.

"It's nice to meet you Mrs..." she hesitates.

"Anne," mum quickly offers, "please call me Anne."

Thank you mum.

"Okay...Anne," she replies, "it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," mum replies and steps forward to place her hands on Beth's arms and gives her a kiss on her cheek.

I can feel Beth tense a little so I give her arm a gentle squeeze with my hand to reassure her.

"You have such a lovely home," Beth says and I let my arm drop from around her, "Harry was telling me a few bits and pieces when we were out the front about growing up here."

Mum nods in agreement and smiles at Beth.

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

I agree that we should, and I can introduce everyone to Robin before the other guests arrive later.

Just some close family and friends are coming, nothing huge from what mum said earlier in the week.

I open the doors and guide the kids out and Gemma follows behind me.

I turn around to grab Beth's hand but she's still inside with mum.

I can see that mum is putting platters on the bench and Beth is starting to help rearrange some food onto them.

"You should just leave them Harry," Gemma whispers in my ear, "let mum have her talk with Beth that she wants to have and then it'll all be good."

"What talk? What do you mean?" I turn my head quickly and look at her.

"Mum just had a few questions she wanted to ask Beth," Gemma replies, "you know she's protective of you."

"Shit," I look back in and see them talking.

"But," Gemma places her hand on my shoulder, "you and I know Beth is nothing like some of your previous lady friends don't we?"

I nod my head in silent agreement.

She's nothing like any of the others.

They don't even come close to her.

Or what I feel for her.

"And because we know that Harry, mum will realise in the space of the first five minutes of talking to Beth the type of person she is," Gemma says.

"When did you get so smart?" I ask her.

"Pfffttt," she rolls her eyes, "I've always been the smart one," she says, poking my dimple, "you've always been the cute one."

I glare at her before I take another look at mum and Beth.

They look serious but so far neither of them have tried to take the other out with a platter.

"Let's go and say hi to Robin hey?" Gemma suggests, "they'll be fine H."

Gemma and I walk the kids over to where Robin is busy cleaning down the barbeque in preparation for tonight's party.

He looks up from where he is and I give him a wave which he returns.

I decide to show the kids around the backyard, particularly the old treehouse and the tyre swing down the very back.

I'm sure they have these back home but they still might like to play in them.

Chloe opens the door and goes inside to look around while Nick offers to push Jamie on the tyre swing.

"They're great kids aren't they?" Gemma says as she watches them.

"Yep," I agree, "Beth's done a fantastic job with raising them by herself."

Gemma gives me a quizzical look.

"But her husband's only been gone a year right? They would have been like this before then surely?" she whispers.

I lean down so the kids don't hear me.

"Beth told me he travelled quite a bit for work, so she was left alone for weeks at a time without him," I tell her.

"Oh," Gemma says, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"I know," I reply and I know she understands.

"Hey guys," I turn my attention back to the kids, "come on over and meet my stepdad."

They follow Gemma and I over to where Robin is, Chloe rushing over to Gemma's side to hold her hand.

Traitor.

Robin looks just as excited to see us, as he always is.

"Hey Harry!" he says, putting down his scraper to give me a hug before stepping back, "and who do we have here?' he asks jovially.

"This here is Jamie, Nick and Chloe," I introduce them all and again they politely say hello.

"So when's dinner?" Jamie asks.

"Jamie!" Chloe hisses, "don't be rude!"

"I'm hungry!" he argues back.

"Well," Gemma turns around and looks back at the house, "why don't I go up and see what's taking so long with those snacks hey?"

"Good idea," I agree.

Gemma smiles at Chloe before letting go of her hand and walking up to the French doors and going inside.

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

What the fuck's happened?

"Guys, just stay with Robin for a second while I go and help Gemma yeah?" I quickly say.

I turn and run, taking the steps two at a time before bursting through the doors and over to Beth.

"Beth, what is it?" my hands are on her face to comfort her and I feel her skin is wet from crying and I can't understand what on earth has happened to make her like this.

"Nothing, your mother and I are just talking, honestly," Beth says as she wipes at her face and smiles at me.

It's now I realise that she's actually okay and that Gemma is being a smart ass and the grin on her face confirms this.

"I can't leave her here for ten minutes with you two," I shake my head at the two of them.

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

"You mean Jamie is?" Beth asks and I smirk.

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

I look at Beth and I can't help but laugh out loud now.

"Gems, he's like a younger version of Niall," I explain.

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

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

Again I think Beth is behind me and I turn around to find her but I find mum is touching her gently on the arm and whispering something into Beth's ear, causing Beth to look at her and earn an encouraging nod from mum.

What is going on with those two?

I look at them both, waiting for one of them to enlighten me but Beth simply smiles up at me and mum gives me a kiss on my cheek as they walk past me.

Okay, now I'm confused.

Why won't anyone tell me anything?

I huff out loud as I follow the women over to the others under the gazebo.

Now I know how Robin feels.