Harry's POV

I wait until Beth is safely buckled into her seat before I reverse out of the driveway and start the familiar drive to the hospital to pick up Chloe.

Although I'm excited, my mind wanders back to last night and how we were sitting together eating dinner with Niall when Chloe announced how tired she was.

Beth and I instantly decided we should leave her to sleep and as we all stood to let her get some rest, she'd told Niall he could stay.

Seriously.

"Can't believe we got kicked out last night," I blurt out, then realise how silly I sound.

I wait for Beth to tell me to pull my head in.

"I know right?" she agrees, "who does that?"

Maybe I don't have to pull my head in.

"Your daughter apparently," I reply.

Beth shakes her head.

"Notice she didn't kick Niall out, just us," she states.

"Talk about favouritism," I agree, "why did he get to stay?"

"Harry, I'm her mother!" Beth replies indignantly, "her mother Harry and she kicked me out!"

Well, yes.

But what about me?

"Us love," I gently remind her, "she kicked us out."

"Well she can fluff her own damn pillows when she comes home," she huffs.

Too right.

"I'm not piggybacking her around when she needs it," I mumble.

"Yes you will," Beth pokes my cheek.

Leave it alone woman.

"Yeah, you're right," I smile reluctantly.

I don't mind being wrong to her.

I wonder if now's the right time to bring up what I'd been thinking about last night to Beth. I mean, I had every intention to have a chat with her when we went to bed, but I kind of got side-tracked and then we both fell asleep afterwards. Then again, there's probably no right time, rather, I'm running out of time.

Okay.

Man up Harold.

I glance over at her and see she has her legs pressed together, her hands resting on top of them and her fingers in between her thighs.

I take a quick breath in as I remember those same thighs were wrapped around my waist around twelve hours ago and I move my gaze back onto the road to try and keep focus.

~~~~~~

We had started out kissing on the couch, I had pulled her over my lap, nuzzling her nose before pecking her lips softly. She had smiled down at me as she gently caressed my face and returned those same kisses.

Though I'm not quite sure what happened over the next few minutes for us to have ended up in my bedroom, her back against the wall with her legs wrapped around me while I practically ripped her top off of her.

Or she ripped mine off first.

I don't remember.

I know my head was buried between her thighs, my tongue pushed inside her for only a minute or two when she gripped my hair and demanded I use my cock instead.

Silly me tried to refuse and go down on her again.

Okay.

I might have been teasing.

But I ended up with her foot on my chest, pushing me away while she rolled over onto her stomach, her knees folded up under her body as she exposed herself to me.

And her fingers that appeared underneath her body and began to fuck herself with them.

Part of me wanted to sit and watch because let's face it, what bloke doesn't like to watch their woman make themselves come.

But another other part of me...

I roughly grabbed her arm out from under her body and, along with her other arm, pushed them out in front of her.

"Keep them there," I'd growled lowly into her ear, thinking she'd be shocked.

Instead I was met with a glance over her shoulder as she bit her bottom lip with her teeth and a smirk.

She actually smirked at me.

Then something snapped inside me.

I grabbed her by her hips and pulled her up higher before I took myself in my hand and without warning, pushed into her.

She let out a noise that was a cross between a cry and a gasp, turning her head to bury her face in the covers.

I moved my hips against her as I rocked back and forth, her hands had gripped the bedding as she moaned out with every thrust.

She called my name repeatedly, whined every time I pushed myself into her.

Fuck she felt so damn good.

She pushed back against me, gripping the covers until her knuckles were white, begging me to fuck her harder, faster.

And I happily indulged her.

I couldn't get enough of the noises she was making.

That I was the reason she was responding like this made me want more.

I could hear her, I could feel her.

But I wanted to see her.

I ran my hand over her bottom, up her spine and into her hair, gripping it within my fingers before pulling on it roughly, causing her head to jerk up.

I watched her eyes close as her mouth fell open as I continued to snap my hips against her.

Then she'd spoken.

"Fuck me Harry..." she'd moaned.

I bit my own lip as I fell on top of her, my body covered hers as I pressed my chest against her back, my lips found her shoulder.

I had only meant to kiss her, to feel her skin against my lips but instead, the distinctive aroma of mango from her skin made me sink my teeth into her shoulder.

I'd been about to apologise but the hissing sound she made as she clenched around me, only spurred me on to repeat the action.

I'd let go of her hair, letting her head fall down but my hand had moved around to the front of her neck and held her under her chin, turning her head towards me so my mouth found hers, I greedily kissed her lips as though I had been starved of them.

She suddenly gasped against my mouth, a loud whimper followed and she clenched around me harder than before.

She was close to finishing.

I didn't slow my pace with my hips, nor did I release her mouth from mine as she came, panting against my lips as her body had shook and shuddered until she'd seemed to go limp under me.

As she collapsed onto the bed, I pulled out of her and wrapped my hand around myself and in a few strokes, had come all over her back, smirking in satisfaction that her skin was covered in my semen.

I'd quickly grabbed some tissues from my side table and cleaned her up before she rolled over and looked up at me.

Still with that damned smirk on her face.

"Did I hurt you? I'd never mean to..." I'd asked, cradling her face in my hands as I looked intently at her.

She just shook her head at me as she opened her eyes up.

Then I felt her hand wrap around my cock and slowly pump her fist up and down it before guiding it between her legs once it had hardened again.

"Far from it," she purred as her hips pushed up...

And when we were done, I'd fallen asleep on her almost instantly, much to my dismay when I had woken up this morning with her wrapped up in my arms...

"What are you thinking about Harry?" she asks me, interrupting my moment of reliving this morning, "you're fidgeting a bit over there."

She noticed.

"I've been thinking..." I begin.

"Well there's your problem right there," she smiles at me, causing me to shake my head at her, "I'm sorry, go on."

"Where were you planning on staying after we pick up Chloe? I mean...have you given it any thought?" I ask.

Silence.

"Well I just assumed I'd be going back to Bridge Farm," she replies, "why? What were you thinking?"

I'm thinking a lot.

Like, really a lot.

"Move in with me," I blurt out, "I mean, I've been thinking and..."

"Harry...slow down," she interrupts me.

Slow down?

Oh.

"I'm sorry, I'm moving too fast aren't I?" I sigh.

Stupid Harold, stupid.

"Harry, slow down!" she yells at me a little louder.

Okay.

Christ, I didn't think she'd lose her shit so easily.

"I just thought that we were..." I start to explain.

"Red light!" she yells.

What?

"Shit!" I hit the brakes and we skid to a sudden stop.

I sit there holding onto the steering wheel, not daring to look at her or say anything.

"Harry," she whispers.

"Yeah?" I reply.

"Can we talk about this when we get to the hospital perhaps?" she suggests.

"Sure, good idea," I agree, nodding slowly.

It seems to take longer to get to the hospital this time.

Maybe it's cause you're driving like an old grandad so we don't end up in the back of an ambulance to get here Harold.

I finally pull into the hospital carpark and into a vacant space, cutting the engine off.

"You okay?" Beth asks after what seems like ages of us both sitting there and not speaking.

"Yeah, you?" I reply, "I'm so sorry love."

She shakes her head and smiles at me.

"Could happen to anyone," she says, "so you were saying?"

Okay.

Here's your chance Harold.

Don't fuck it up.

"I was thinking last night, maybe it would be a good idea to move in with me," I repeat.

And there's silence.

Shit.

"I just figured that Chloe will need somewhere to rest up, she'll need to get to her check-ups..." I suggest.

"Which I can take a taxi to you know," Beth interrupts.

Christ.

"I just thought since I was closer to the hospital it would be ideal..." I say, "you could have your own room if that would make you more comfortable?" I suggest, even though I really want you in with me.

"I have a perfectly good room I'm paying for now," she replies, smiling at me.

Oh for fuck's sake.

Let's try a different tactic.

"I think it would just be safer if you were with me," I say, my tone becoming more serious.

"I'm sorry, what?" she asks.

"Well you know what happened with James..." I remind her, the memory of her on the bathroom floor still weighs on my mind, "and I wouldn't put it past some of my fans to maybe try and find out where you're staying."

Lord knows they know where I live.

But out at the farm, she's isolated and alone.

"Just...I would feel safer if I knew you and the kids were safe..." I say.

"You're so sweet," she smiles at me, "but I think..."

She really doesn't want to move in with me.

"You don't want to do you?" the smile falls from my face.

"I think," she repeats, "that I need to talk to the kids first. It has to be their decision too."

Oh.

I didn't think of that.

But she didn't say no Harold.

There's a chance, there's a chance.

"Really?" I ask, excitement in my voice, "I was sure you'd be arguing with me about this."

"Don't think it didn't cross my mind," she replies cheekily, "but you gave me some pretty valid reasons and..." she trails off.

"And what?" I ask.

She looks away as she begins to blush.

"And it would be nice to see you every day...morning..." she mumbles.

Couldn't agree more my love.

"Sorry I didn't quite catch that," I lean over so my chin is on her shoulder.

"I said you might be right," she says.

I should record this for prosperity's sake.

I might not ever hear her say this again.

"This is so unlike you to give in so easily," I smile smugly at her, "normally you're so stubborn."

"Don't make me change my mind," she tells me.

Good point.

"Alright, let's go get this kid of mine," she says, reminding why we're actually here.

We hop out of my car and straightaway I reach out to take hold of her hand in mine as we walk up to the entrance.

And there are still fans standing outside waiting.

For once, can they not?

"Just smile and be polite, but keep walking," I remind Beth.

"If you want to stop for photo's Harry..." she begins.

This is why I love her.

But it's not about me today.

And I tell her so.

My grip on Beth tightens out of instinct as one of the girls walks up to her once we reach the entrance.

They all start asking questions but surprisingly they're not directed at me, but at Beth.

And she's handling it beautifully.

It's been a few minutes and she's still chatting.

No one has asked me a single question.

Am I suddenly invisible?

Oh now they want a photo with me.

Correction.

Of us.

Beth looks up at me, slightly taken aback.

"Uh...okay..." she replies and we all move into a huddle to have a group photo taken.

She thanks us for our time and along with the other fans, waves to us before we leave them and head inside to Chloe's room.

I hope she's awake so we can get her dressed and ready to go home.

But to my surprise, she's sitting on her bed, fully dressed and looking as bored as ever as she flicks through the television channels.

She gives Beth a side glance.

"Took you long enough," she raises her eyebrow at her.

The sass is still alive with this one.

"I'm sorry, who are you talking to again?" Beth asks sharply.

Chloe instantly changes and a sweet smile replaces the rolling eyes.

"I've been waiting for you mama," she says.

Sure you have.

"Only because Niall isn't coming," I let slip under my breath.

"And you too Harry," she bats her eyelashes at me.

Is my hair suddenly blonde?

I feel a gentle nudge in the side of my ribs.

Okay, okay.

"How are you feeling?" I ask and amble over to give her a cuddle.

"Better, I'm ready to go home though," she says as she returns my cuddle.

Home.

Well this couldn't be a more perfect opportunity to ask Chloe what she thinks about that.

I shoot Beth a side glance and give her a slight nod of my head.

She narrows her eyes at me before stepping closer to Chloe's bed.

"Uh...are you looking forward to going back to Bridge Farm?" she asks her.

"The farm?" her head snaps around, "you mean we're not going back to Harry's?" she turns back to me, a horrified look on her face.

Oh this couldn't be any better if I'd planned it.

A huge grin spreads over my face as I realise that it's one down and two to go.

"You want to go to Harry's?" Beth asks, completely ignoring me.

"Well, yeah," she looks at me again, "his place is awesome, Harry's awesome," she says.

Yes.

Yes I am.

"Okay," she replies and I'm not sure if she thought that's how quick the conversation was going to go, "I'll just go and see about your discharge then," she smiles and walks out of Chloe's room.

"So, you're sure you want to come and stay at my place?" I ask Chloe again now that it's just her and I, "you're not just saying it because of your mum?"

"Harry," she reaches out and puts her hand on my shoulder, "you make mummy happy."

Well damn.

Like that's not making me feel all warm and fuzzy.

"And when mummy's happy, she's not yelling at us," she says like it's the most obvious thing, "it's a win win for everyone."

"Because...?" I ask.

She rolls her eyes at me like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Because if she's happy and busy with you, she'll leave us alone," she explains, "no cleaning our rooms, no doing the dishes, no cranky pants, it'll be all about you Harry," she smiles and shrugs her shoulders at me.

Wanna bet?

I won't burst her bubble but I don't reckon that's how Beth will let it go down.

"Whatever you say Clo Bo, you know your mother best," I reply.

"Yes," she says, "yes I do."

We're interrupted by Robin and Jamie walking in.

Where are mum and Nick though?

"They're coming," Robin says, as though he can read my thoughts.

"Hey Chloe," Jamie says as he goes over and sits next to his sister on the bed, "what are you watching?" he asks, glancing up at the television.

"Nothing much," she shrugs her shoulders, "hey guess what?" she says.

"What?" Jamie replies.

"We're going to stay at Harry's now!" she says excitedly.

Oh shit.

"Are we?" he replies, looking at me, "today?"

Um.

"Well your mum was going to talk to you about it, to see if you guys want to..." I trail off.

Why do I get the feeling I'm gonna be in deep shit somehow?

"You mean we get to come and stay at your house Harry?" Jamie says enthusiastically, "you have such cool games at your house."

Priorities.

Beth walks back in and I brace myself for what she might say since she wasn't the one to speak to Jamie about staying with me.

"Um...Beth..." I begin.

"Are we going to Harry's today mum?" Jamie says as he looks at Beth hopefully.

Beth looks straight at me, an incredulous expression on her face before it shifts into a frown.

"Who told you that?" she asks him.

"Chloe did," he smiles.

Beth looks over at Chloe and shakes her head at her, like she shouldn't have said anything.

"So we'll have to go and get all our stuff and bring it over to Harry's won't we?" Jamie babbles on, "can I have the same room Harry? I really like that one."

"Uh...yeah..." I reply, not really knowing what else to say right now.

I'm saved by mum walking in with Nick, who doesn't look all that thrilled to be here.

I wonder what's going on there.

Seconds later, there's a knock at the door and I realise that's it's always so freaking busy around here with people coming and going.

Another reason I'll be happy to be home.

It's the HR woman Natasha who we met a few days ago wanting to speak to us.

I follow Beth out and listen as she updates us on the woman who tweeted about us and find she's now left the hospital, issued an apology and that the hospital have released a statement.

That was all very quick.

I don't know if I'll issue a statement as the hospital has done, I'll wait and see how it all pans out first.

She bids us goodbye and just before we go to walk back into Chloe's room, I remember.

"Nick doesn't seem his normal self," I mention to Beth.

"You picked up on that too?" she replies.

Well, yeah.

Not hard to spot a cranky teenager.

"Would you like me to have a talk with him?" I suggest, "I could ask whether he'd like to stay at my place or not?"

Kind of a man to man thing.

I watch Beth weigh it up in her mind and I wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And I watch her bottom lip make its way into her mouth so I gently reach over and pull it back out.

"You're overthinking it aren't you?" I smile at her.

"I...uh...no...maybe?" she looks at me sheepishly.

"Mum," we're both interrupted by Nick as he walks out of Chloe's room, "according to those two, we're going to stay at Harry's."

We cannot seem to catch a break with these kids.

And to my surprise, Nick is also in agreeance with coming to stay at my place.

Beth my love, you are clearly outnumbered.

"Oh...okay then," Beth replies, "it's settled then I guess."

She looks over at me and narrows her eyes.

You probably should get that shit eating grin off your face Harold.

Yeah.

In a minute.

"Well you're kind of together aren't you?" Nick suddenly says.

Yes.

Yes we are.

I knew there was a reason I liked him.

One of many.

"We are," I reply and instantly I gravitate to Beth, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her on the cheek, "as long as you approve of course."

"What's in it for me?" he grins.

Whatever you want mate.

"What do you want?" I ask, letting go of Beth and moving over to Nick, giving him my full attention.

"A motorised bike and the new Nintendo Switch," he finally replies.

Is that it?

"Done," I say, holding my hand out for him to shake before he changes his mind.

Well that was one of the easiest and cheapest deals I've ever made.

Not that Beth is easy or cheap.

I would have given the world for her.

Your cheesiness is showing again there Harold.

Nick and I stand there looking pretty proud of our deal, however Beth just rolls her eyes at us before walking back into Chloe's room, the same time an orderly and the nurse arrive with a wheelchair for Chloe.

I watch as the orderly whispers something into Beth's ear and she nods in understanding.

What is he saying?

What is she saying back?

I don't like how close he's standing next to her.

Someone shoves a bag into my hand and my glare is broken.

"Harry?" Chloe calls me from her wheelchair, "be a lamb and push me out please?"

Okay.

How the fuck can I say no to that?

I grab the handles, ready to push her out the door as Beth walks over to me, smiling at me before she stands on her toes to whisper something in my ear.

Ooh yes.

"Baaaaa," she whispers before stepping away.

Bloody smartass.

The whole family heads to the entrance doors and we see that there's a whole lot more fans out there now.

Shit.

However the security guards are quick to create a path for us but I can see a few girls starting to scream and my first instinct is to reach out for Beth.

"Let's just go quickly okay? No chatting this time," I tell her, "hold onto my arm."

She does exactly as I ask and wraps her hand around my arm.

I glance around to see that mum and Robin have the boys in front of them, each with a hand on their shoulder to guide them out.

Thankfully they're already on it.

As I thought, some of the girls start screaming my name and pushing forward, but security is able to hold them back.

The boys look a little bit startled but they follow us.

And Chloe is...

Chloe is smiling and waving.

Of course.

Mum and Robin are safe in their car, as are we and as I buckle my seatbelt, I remind myself to stay focused, not wanting a repeat of earlier.

"Ready to go home?" I ask Beth, resting a hand on her thigh.

Shit.

Oh shit.

"I mean, I meant to say," I start to backtrack, "my house, I didn't..."

But Beth puts her hand on my reddening cheek and smiles sweetly at me.

"Let's go home Harry," she says.

It starts to rain as we exit the carpark and continues to come down heavier as we head home.

To my place.

We arrive safely and after parking in the garage, I carry Chloe inside, only to be met with an eyeroll from Beth.

Okay.

So I'm a sucker for her.

Sue me.

Beth sets about making sandwiches for lunch and we all tuck in until our bellies are full and Jamie is mentioning how good they were.

After cleaning up, the boys decide to play some video games while Beth tucks Chloe up in a blanket on the couch so she can watch them, declaring she is a little bit tired and wants to rest.

I decide to go out to the car and bring all of Chloe's gifts and her overnight bag from the hospital inside. I can hear thunder in the distance as the rain continues to pelt down heavily on the roof and against the windows of the garage.

I take all of Chloe's things to her room and pull all the stuffed animals out of the bags and place them all on the end of her bed, ready for when she sleeps there tonight before I unpack her bag and put her clean clothes away and take her dirty clothes out to the laundry.

She's sound asleep when I walk back into the lounge and the boys are talking to each other on their headsets as they play a game, firmly entrenched in their gameplay.

I decide to see where Beth has ended up as she's not in the kitchen where I left her so I jog up the stairs thinking she might be in the bedroom but she's not there either.

Where..?

Ah.

I go back downstairs and into the other lounge room and find her tucked up under a blanket in the nook of the bay window.

I quietly walk over and sit where her feet are, careful not to disturb her.

It's then I see that she's asleep.

I take a moment to study her and I feel a smile spread across my face.

She's my happiness.

Pure and simple.

Before I can stop myself, I reach out and touch her on the knee and instantly she opens her eyes and turns her head to look at me, a sleepy smile on her face.

"Sorry," she apologises, "I don't know why I fell asleep."

"It's okay," I say as I rub her knee, staring at her.

"What?" she asks, instantly reaching up to smooth her hair down.

"Nothing," I reply, "you're beautiful," I blurt out.

"Shut up," she says as she looks down at her lap and blushes.

"You are," I tell her, "and I want to tell you that every single day."

She doesn't say anything for a minute, but when she finally looks up at me, her eyes are glossy but she's smiling back at me.

"Really?" she whispers.

"Really," I reply, "if you'll let me?"

She looks down again and blushes before looking back up at me, her hand resting on top of mine.

"Thank you for letting us stay here," she say, sniffing loudly and running a finger under one of her eyes.

"My home is your home love," I tell her, "never forget that."

She moves onto her knees and turns herself around so she's leaning against me and I open my arms to cuddle her to me before tilting her head up by her chin to kiss her gently.

"I won't," she whispers, "and I know you won't let me forget."

I nuzzle her nose with mine before kissing the tip of it.

"You make this feel like home," I whisper back before leaning in to kiss her again.