Red String 2 {h.s}

Chapter 11

Amy and Harry spend Sunday with his mum, Gemma, and Amy's parents. They head to Cafe Havana for a leisurely lunch in Malibu. Harry's friend Rande Gerber owns the place and it's become a favorite of his. They had taken two cars there with Anne driving Harry's Range Rover and Amy and Harry taking his white 1968 Mercedes Benz convertible. When lunch is over, he slips the keys into Amy's dad's hands and says that him and Sandra should take a scenic drive up the coast. He gives him brief directions, shaking hands at the end and they all wave as they drive away to enjoy the California coastline.

Harry gets in the driver's seat of the Range Rover this time and they drive over to Ben and Meredith's home. It's been ages since Harry and his family have seen Ben's kids, and Anne is dying to get some cuddles in while she's here. Ruby just turned three years old earlier this month and little Grace is only two months new.

The door opens revealing Meredith with a little baby all wrapped up in her arms.

"Hello!" she greets them enthusiastically.

"Oh my goodness!" Anne says in a high pitch as she takes in wee Grace. "She's beautiful! May I?"

"Of course!" Meredith responds, and they've barely stepped through the threshold of the home and Anne's already got a baby in her arms.

Ruby comes running up to the door with Ben hot on her heels.

"Uncle Harry!" she shouts, but it sounds more like 'Hawwy' and Amy can feel her heart clench at the sound.

Harry bends down and scoops her up, spinning her around, whilst shouting, "Rubyyyyy!" He stops spinning, only to tickle her, and her contagious giggles echo around the high ceilings of the foyer.

Ben hugs Amy first and then moves on to Gemma and Anne. Meredith happily giving two armed hugs, that haven't happened a lot lately with a baby in her arms all the time. The group of them move out to the backyard, with everyone sitting in the shade on a large L-shaped couch. Harry runs around the grass chasing Ruby, until she turns and starts chasing him. Harry pretends to fall to the ground, collapsing in a big heap with Ruby flopping onto him. Amy grins widely at the entire interaction, tempted to go out there and join the fun.

"How did you all meet Harry?" Amy asks.

"I was a producer and director with a few of One Direction's music videos."

"Oh, so you've known each other for a long time?" Amy asks, surprised.

"Yeah, this one even lived with us," Meredith says, pointing at Harry still playing with Ruby.

"What? Really? Why?"

"He came to stay while his place was being renovated in London and he just never left. Lived with us for nearly two years. Although, that's being a bit generous because it was when he was on tour so he wasn't there much."

"I didn't know that," Amy says.

"I'm very grateful they took him in. Kept his head on straight, they did," Anne adds.

"What are you lot on about?" Harry asks, walking over with Ruby on his shoulders.

"Oh, just about how Mer and Ben made sure you didn't go too Hollywood on us," Gemma says.

Harry glares at his sister as she laughs into her glass of lemonade. He begins speaking quietly to Ruby, but purposefully loud enough for them all to hear, "and that's why I'm your godparent and not my sister over there, because I'm nice."

"Oh, sod off! Don't be telling her rubbish like that!" Gemma defends herself, standing up to go take Ruby from Harry's shoulders. The group of them all laugh at the siblings teasing each other.