Harry's POV

After I realise it's Niall that's here in Chloe's room and not some random person that shouldn't be, I'm thrilled to see him here, even more so for Chloe.

"How did you two lovebirds meet?" he asks with a wide grin on his face.

"Well he literally turned up on my doorstep the night we arrived..." Beth answers him.

"Not literally," I interrupt, "I did turn up on your doorstep."

Beth rolls her eyes slightly at me.

Well I did.

"Harry turned up on my doorstep with bags of groceries..." she turns back to Niall and continues.

"Groceries?" Niall interrupts her, "well that's different. Usually it's a bottle of wine or flowers, but this is a new one," he chuckles good naturedly, "what were you doing with groceries lad?"

I explain how her credit card was declined and that I felt sorry for them all so I paid for her things and took them to her.

One of the best decisions I've ever made.

Especially when she opened the door and...

"How'd you know where to find her?" Niall interrupts my thoughts.

Oh.

Right.

"She mentioned where she was staying," I reply.

Thank god I was listening in to her conversation.

"Stalker much?" Niall winks at Beth, giving her a cheeky grin.

Damn Irish lad charm there.

"Hey!" I say, very indignantly, "I saved the day you know, I had ice cream."

I was regaled, practically a hero.

I start to laugh and Niall joins in at my expense.

"Then as a thank you, he invited himself over for dinner the next night," Beth continues, smirking at me.

"Invited yourself there Harry, real smooth," Niall grins.

"All right," I huff, "what can I say, I was smitten the moment she opened the door."

I was gone.

Truly.

And even as I glance at her now as she sits here and talks with Niall I know I'd do absolutely anything for her.

"Puke," we hear a small voice and we all turn to see Chloe with her arms crossed and a rather annoyed look on her face.

Well, she certainly seems to be well on her way to making a full recovery.

"Sick person here," she gestures to herself, "we're not here to hear your lovey dovey story."

Bless her.

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing at her.

"Well Niall did ask," Beth reminds her.

"Yes, we all know Harry loves you," she points to Beth, "you love Harry," she points to me, "he'll probably ask you to marry him and he's so wonderful but Niall's here to see me, right?" she looks at him like she's an innocent little thing.

Marry Beth?

Would I marry Beth?

To be honest, I hadn't really thought that far ahead.

But now...

I look over at Beth and she looks absolutely mortified while Niall's just laughing again.

Then I see her face become bright red with embarrassment.

Oh my sweet girl.

"Yes, Niall is here to visit you," I quickly point out, "perhaps you can pop over for dinner one night soon?" I ask him, thinking it would be nice to see him out of the hospital environment.

That and the fact that he quite likes his food.

"That would be a delight," he smiles, "you cooking love?" he asks Beth.

Hmmm.

I could definitely eat that chicken risotto again.

"God no," Beth replies, horrified, "I don't want to kill you."

Oh love, you're not that bad at cooking.

"Combined effort," I smile at her as I reach out to hold her hand in mine before pulling it up to my mouth to place a kiss on the back of it and she smiles back at me.

Smooth there Harold.

I will have my chicken risotto.

"Bucket," Chloe says as she pretends to cough.

"So how did you end up in this mess love?" Niall says, turning his attention to Chloe.

"Yes love," Beth smirks and mimics him, "would you care to share with Niall how you came to be in this mess?"

Ooh.

I love the fact that Beth doesn't put her children up on a pedestal, like they're perfect and can do no wrong.

And the fact that she takes the piss out of them and vice versa is hilarious.

Chloe says nothing, looking at Beth as her mouth is now set in a thin, hard line, her eyes narrowing as she gives her mum a dirty look.

"No?" Beth says in a surprised voice, "maybe you can tell Niall what One Direction songs you like then?"

Chloe's about to answer when a knock on the door interrupts us and we all turn to see one of the nurses walk in, ready to give Chloe her pain medication and explaining that Chloe needs to start walking around again.

"So where does she have to walk to?" Beth asks.

I'm quietly excited about seeing Chloe up and out of bed. It's another sign that we're one step closer to getting her out of here and back home.

"A few slow laps around the corridor here, just to get her used to being up after lying down for so long," the nurse says.

"Okay, sure," Beth says as she stands up and walks over to Chloe to help her.

Chloe stops for a moment as she feels lightheaded after sitting up and I almost think we're not going to go anywhere.

"Bit dizzy," she says, "hang on."

She looks over to me and holds her other hand out and Beth goes to reach for it.

"Harry," she says and without thinking, I'm right next to her, my arm around her waist as she slowly slides off the bed and I hold on tight to her as she takes a bit to regain her sense of balance.

I glance over at Beth and I hope she's okay that Chloe asked for me instead of her.

Really Harold, you can't blame her for wanting your help.

"Ready?" I ask her and she nods that she is, so we begin to walk slowly until we've made it around to the other side of her bed to where Niall is.

"How do you feel sweetie?" the nurse asks her.

"Okay," she smiles bravely at her.

I try not to laugh at how brave she's being, cause I know she's acting right now.

I look over at Beth again and she has a tight smile on her face.

Okay.

Now I feel a little bit guilty.

This is the first big change we've had since she's woken up and Beth really should be here with her, not me.

I bend down so my head is level with hers.

"Would you like your mum to walk you around the hospital?" I ask her.

"No thanks," she replies and I stand up, shrugging my shoulders helplessly at Beth.

It's not like you didn't try Harold.

Quite right.

She loves me.

I try not to smirk about it but I feel a little one form on my mouth.

"Actually," Chloe continues, "Niall, be a lamb and walk with me?" she pouts as she looks up at him with her doe-like eyes.

Wait...what the hell?

Suddenly, Chloe is gone from my grasp and into Niall's quicker than you can say banana.

I cross my arms over my chest and try not to show my disappointment as Niall guides her out the door.

I should just be happy that she's up and walking about.

It's not all about you Harold.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Beth suddenly says.

That's it.

Kick a man when he's down.

I give her a glare and then my middle finger yet this still doesn't deter her.

"Must be hard to fall from the top, lose your top spot, the number one ranking," she continues teasing me.

If she keeps this up, there won't be any sex for her.

Who are you trying to kid Harold?

This woman could tell you to jump and you'd ask how fucking high and you know it.

She walks over to me and puts her hand on my arm and the smell of mangoes invades my sense of smell and instantly relaxes me.

"It was good being the favourite while it lasted hey?" she asks before she starts to snort with laughter.

I'm so glad she finds my torment highly amusing.

"Are you finished?" I ask, as I watch her wipe the tears away from her eyes.

"Oh, I think so," she laughs, "I gotta go to the toilet now, nearly peed my pants."

Serves you right woman.

She walks past me and I give her a playful smack on her bottom as she passes me which makes her laugh even more.

I move to sit down on a chair and pull out my phone, checking to see when mum thinks she'll be in today and she replies that they're almost there.

Suddenly a loud noise comes from Chloe's bathroom and jump up from my seat and head to the door, ready to knock and see if Beth's okay when I hear her moan.

"God..." she says.

Then it hits me.

She damn well farted.

We're talking trumpet-worthy farting here.

Well, well, well.

I quickly return to my seat when I hear the toilet flush and wait for her to emerge from the bathroom.

I smirk to myself as the door opens and Beth walks out, looking like a deer caught in a set of headlights.

"Mum will be here soon," I say, not giving away anything I just heard.

All in good time.

"I can't wait to see my boys," Beth suddenly says, a touch of shakiness to her voice.

With the excitement of Chloe, I've kind of forgotten about seeing them.

I think it's because I know mum and Robin will be taking excellent care of them, kind of like, out of mind out of sight.

I put my arm around her shoulder and pull her to my side before I kiss her temple.

"Don't, you'll make me cry," she laughs, "and I've never been a 'cry at the drop of a hat' kind of person before I met you."

"Well clearly, I helped you get in touch with your feminine side," I quip, hoping to make her laugh, which she does.

And now that she's laughing...

"So, do you have a favourite song off our new album?" I slyly ask her.

Beth looks at me curiously before answering.

"Oh, I did love Infinity the minute I heard it," she says.

Well that's my favourite too, I knew she had good taste.

Well she is going out with you Harold.

"Then, Love You Goodbye," she continues, "oh and I really, really love What a Feeling."

Interesting choices there.

"What about Olivia?" I ask.

"I don't mind it," she replies thoughtfully, "it's a good song to bop along to in the car, you know?"

"It's a pity you weren't around when we were recording it," I say.

"Why's that?" she asks curiously.

"I've always said we needed trumpets in Olivia and I never got them," I say.

And it's true too.

I'm still bloody waiting.

"And?" she asks.

"Well judging by what I just heard from the bathroom, we could have just used you instead, no need to hire musicians," I reply with a straight face.

Confusion crosses over her face.

"But I don't play..." she looks at me blankly, but I remain silent, returning her gaze.

"Oh my god," she groans in embarrassment and hides her face in her hands as I laugh.

Harold you're a bloody riot.

"What's so funny?" a voice suddenly says and we both look to see mum and Robin with Gemma and the boys in the doorway.

Beth is out of the chair and over to the boys, holding onto them tightly before mum gives her a hug as well.

I grin because I don't miss the quick look of awkwardness cross her face but she quickly replaces it with smile.

My girl is really trying.

"Where's Chloe?" Jamie asks, looking from her empty bed.

I forgot they haven't seen her yet.

"She's just gone for a walk to get herself used to moving again," Beth tells him.

"By herself?" he asks.

"No," Beth replies, "Niall came to visit her and offered to help her."

What?

He blinded her with his smile and charm, poor child.

"No he didn't," I interrupt, "she made him. Disregarded me and asked him instead."

"He's lost his number one status," Beth says with a smirk.

"Oh I can understand that," Gemma agrees, "he gets such a little twinkle in his eye when he smiles and his face just lights up..."

Great.

Let's all have a little Niall fan club meeting shall we?

"Hey, here in the room," I wave my hands in the air.

"Yes, and we love you too," Gemma says, talking to me like I'm some kind of baby in need of attention.

Well coochie, coochie, fuck you.

"Come and tell me what you've been doing," Beth asks the boys, glancing at me with a sincere smile and instantly my annoyance starts to ease.

There is a happy chatter amongst everyone and soon, Chloe and Niall make their way back into the room and before anyone moves, Jamie is out of his chair and over to his sister, cuddling her like tightly before she tells him she's tired and he helps her to her bed.

He seems quite close to her out of the two boys.

Like Gems and me.

I sit down between Beth and Nick, who is sitting down and staying pretty quiet.

Maybe it's all a bit overwhelming for him.

Suddenly I feel pressure on my thighs and Beth is leaning over me to tap Nick on his arm.

"I know you're angry with her and I understand," she says to him, "but don't do it today okay?"

"But mum..." he starts.

"You'll have your chance, I promise," she cuts him off, "just don't do it to her today please?"

"Okay," he says with some resignation.

"Thank you," she smiles at him.

I had no idea he was angry, but I'm glad Beth seemed to know.

I reach around and put my arm around Nick's shoulder to show him I support him too.

Everyone is now chatting and Chloe is being showered with attention and, surprisingly, Niall and Jamie are engaged in a serious discussion about sport and food.

I listen in as Robin and Nick start telling me about a documentary they watched together the other night and I reach out to grab Beth's hand but I feel nothing.

I turn and find her chair's empty and she's not here in the room.

How could I have missed her leaving?

I excuse myself and walk out of the room, my heart starting to accelerate slightly in panic but the moment I step into the corridor, I spot her down the end, gazing out a window.

"Love? Are you okay?" I ask quietly once I reach her and she jumps in response but smiles up at me and nods that she is.

I lean down and place a lingering kiss on her temple, knowing that she's obviously thinking about something.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" I whisper.

She opens her mouth to say something but closes it again, frowning slightly before turning and facing me.

"That," she gestures towards Chloe's room.

I look behind me, thinking someone else is behind us but there's no one there, so I turn back to her, slightly confused.

"I..." trail off, still not sure what she's thinking.

"In there," she points, "they all like my kids and they're talking and laughing with them and hugging them and looking after them and giving them things and..." she blurts.

"Is that a bad thing?" I interrupt her, "because I'm kind of lost here love."

I would have thought she'd be happy about this.

"No, it's all I've ever wanted," she sighs, "all I've ever wanted is for a family to love them and believe in them as much as I do. And not just when it suits them or it's convenient for them, but all the time."

Well, shit.

"They're good kids Harry and they need someone other than me to tell them that," she continues, "and your family's doing that."

But that's what my mum is like, that's how our family has always been and I can't begin to imagine if they weren't.

And it suddenly dawns on me that her children don't know what it's like.

Which makes me sad for them.

"So, you're actually okay?" I ask her, still a bit unsure of how she feels.

"I am, it was just a bit overwhelming because they haven't had that since they were little and I never thought they'd have it again," she explains.

I stand in front of her and hug her tightly, feeling relived that it's not me and excited that she is slowly starting to open up more to me about how she's feeling.

How much more receptive she is to both me and my family.

It makes me hopeful.

"You had me worried there for a minute you silly woman," I say fondly as I cuddle her, "I almost thought I'd done something wrong."

"I'm sorry," she mumbles into my chest before looking up and resting her chin on me and smiling up at me.

I quite like that.

"I'm just overwhelmingly happy, if that's a thing," she says.

"Course it is," I reply, "cause I feel like that when I'm around you."

Oh Harold.

Your cheesiness is showing again.

"Oh my god, imagine if someone heard us right now," Beth groans, "we sound so lame."

Yes, we do.

And I love it.

And I love her.

"I don't care who hears us," I shrug my shoulders, "I love you and I'm not afraid to say it."

"I love you too Harry," she replies and it makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside every time she says it.

I lean down and kiss the tip of her cute little nose.

"Is this the bubble?" I ask curiously.

"It is," she replies.

"I quite like it," I smile before I lean down and kiss her, feeling her wrap her arms around me as she returns it.

"Better?" I ask as I reluctantly pull away.

"Yes," she smiles at me, almost shyly.

"Are you okay to head back now?" I ask her, "though I'm sure Queen C is quite okay holding court in there..."

Beth laughs in agreement.

"It's probably Niall that needs saving you know," she says.

"Nah, he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself that one," I reply, "come on," I keep my arm around her shoulders and pull her down the hall and back to Chloe's room.

A/N: just a quick note to say thank you so much to everyone that takes the time to read, vote and comment on my story, I actually never thought anyone would read this when I first started!  I don't always respond to every comment, but know that I read every single one and get a warm and fuzzy feeling when you do...bit like Harry really!  We are coming to the end of this first book and yes, the second is already up and running in my head, so Beth and Harry's story will be continuing on.  I will also be starting a new job later this month, which is full time, so I'm not quite sure how often I will be updating, but know that I will be trying my hardest not to keep you all hanging for too long in between updates!  I think that's everything I had to say...thank you all so much again! xo