Easy A+

Chapter 113

Everybody's gotta love someone
But I just wanna love you dear
Everybody's gotta feel something
I just wanna be with you, my dear

— The Drums, Down by the Water

. . . .

After slipping off to change into our swim stuff in the bathroom upstairs, as well as making out for a little bit on the sink counter, we walk back out to the patio where the party is taking place and many more people have shown up.

I'm being introduced to people that range from two of Harry's cousins to his grandparents. Like the family that I've already met and love, the rest of his relatives are no different in the sense of likability and acceptance. Thankfully, for everyone's sake, my age was not brought up, and everyone treated me as a like individual.

Around fifteen to twenty people showed up, three of them being kids or a baby. Currently, as we wait for Gemma and Ryan to show up with Lilly, Harry stands beside me holding his cousin's eight-month-old baby boy in his arms. The little boy, Nicholas, is obsessed with pinching Harry's cheeks when he smiles, and Harry's loving every second of it. The child hasn't cried yet, so as of now, I like the kid.

When we see Ryan run out through the back door of the house he tells us they're coming, and we wait for Gemma and Lilly who are walking around the side of the house. Moments later, the gate opens, and in runs Lilly with Gemma behind her.

"Happy birthday!"

She soaks up all the attention she's being given and spots her dad standing beside me, then bolts right for him. She yells with the brightest smile on her face, "Daddy!"

Harry hands the baby to Anne then lifts his little girl into his arms and smothers her in kisses to her cheeks. I watch as she hugs him back.

"Happy birthday, Lil."

"Violet!"

"Hey, Lilly. I've missed you so much! Give me a hug!"

When I kneel down, Lilly throws her body into mine and wraps her little arms around my shoulders. She kisses my cheek and brushes her fingers through my hair and scoops it behind my ear.

"I've missed you, Violet."

Multiple people come over to talk to Lilly as Harry's layering sunscreen on her skin.

Everyone gets in line for food, and Harry helps Lilly with her plate while getting his own. We sit down at the picnic table to eat with everyone else. Lilly sits at the end of the table, and Harry's on my left. His right hand remains stationary on my thigh.

Ron and Carol, Lilly's other grandparents, pass by and wish Lilly a 'happy birthday' before sitting at the second table set up.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, love?"

"Why isn't Mummy here yet?" She readjusts her seating and bends her legs under her butt while looking up at her dad curiously.

I look across the table at Gemma, Anne, and Ryan to see them frozen in shock, and like Harry, also unable to come up with a reason. Harry scratches his head and gives Lilly a tight smile as she remains staring quizzically at her father.

"Um," he mutters. "Lil, she might be stuck in traffic."

She looks bummed out by the absence of her mother, and I get that, even if her mum is a deadbeat.

Harry picks up his phone and texts Emma a simple "Where the fuck are you?" Then changes the subject completely to ask Gemma about the dinner.