Falling Stars [h.s]

Chapter 23

Aurora

Harry stared down at me with dissapointment. He grabbed my arm as I tried to close the door. "Wait. Don't do this please." I opened the door once more, "Look, I need to think this through. I acted on impulse and that's not healthy. Give me time."

"All I'm doing is giving you time. I'm tired of waiting. You were the one who asked me to go out tonight so why the sudden change in mind? Is it because of what Odyssey said? I know she must have said something to make you change your mind. If you give me a chance I can change your mind as well. Don't let her influence you into think I'm a bad guy Aurora because I'm not. I've done things in the past that I regret, but I'm a changed person. I'm older and much wiser. I want you to see that. Let me take you out tonight. If after tonight you still feel the same about me, I will leave you alone for good. Don't give up so easily, give me the chance to show you just how much I want to be with you."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

It wasn't fair of me to continuously cancel on Harry because of Odyssey. I wanted to spare her feelings, but I had to think about his as well. "Let's go." I closed the door to the house and locked it before following a smiling Harry to his car. I got in the car as did he, we were soon off to our destination. We drove for what felt like thirty minutes before the car went into a parking of very brightly lit building. I followed Harry out of the car. We walked side by side into the unfamiliar building.

Harry turned to me, "Have you been to the aquarium before?"

"Only once when I was eight." I did enjoy it the one time I was there with my parents. We never went back ever since. I wished we had, but my parents were never into family outings as much. My thoughts were cut short at the feeling of a hand grabbing mine. I looked over to see Harry holding onto me as he pulled me further deep into the building. We went around a curb until we finally stopped. I was in awe at the sight of the view. Above us was a sea of water filled with sharks and fishes and as we walked further down there were dolphins and penguins.

"This is so cool. Look at the little penguins!" We spent some time watching the animals, more and more coming into our view as we continued walking.

"Now for the best part" We went upstairs. The room was dark, but lit with smaller lights. Harry led us to our seats in the far back. I didn't know what was going on, but excited nonetheless. The small lights went out, shortly after a huge screen turned on lighting up the room from above. I watched in amazement as the solar system popped up on the screen.

We were at a planetarium. The show went on for an hour. We got to see the constellations, the planets up close, the galaxy and even comets. It was sad to see it come to an end.

The screen shut off and the light were back on. Everyone filed out of the room, allowing for the next group to enter. Harry and I left as well. "How'd you like that?"

I smiled as I thought back to the video. It was nothing I had ever seen before. "loved it."

He reached over wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close to him. He lifted my chin up, we were now face to face. He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. It was gentle and lasted a mere second, but it brought back a lot of memories. "I knew you would." I rested my head on his shoulder and held onto him securely as we walked back to the car.

It was already one a.m when we left the science museum. Harry was driving me home after a long night filled with many exciting adventures. "Did you have fun?" He asks with a slight look my way before turning to the rode.

"I did. Thankyou for tonight. I really needed it." It has been so long since I last had late night rendezvous. I was glad it with with Harry. He made it all the while more enjoyable. As I was deep in thought the car stopped. Harry turned the car off and waited for me to follow him out. I looked around at the unfamiliar neighborhood. "Where are we?" I closed the car door, following him inside a gate.

"My house. I hope you don't mind. I don't want the night to be over yet. Stay for a while."

"I can't do that Harry. It is soon to be three in the morning."

He gently took both my hands, intertwining our fingers. "We always did have the best time in the early mornings. Stay for a while please." He was not wrong. Harry and I did tend to spend a lot of our time up late nights until the early mornings talking about anything and everything. Most times we just sat in silence under the stars.

"Only for a short while." We went inside the house. It was a beautiful one at that. Most of the lights were shut off and there was no sound to be heard. I followed Harry into the living room. He told me to make myself at home while he checked on his kids and the babysitter. I sat down on the couch, suddenly feeling nervous. I looked around the room. It was furnished furnished. A big frame on one side of the wall caught my attention. It was a picture of Harry with Harper and Oliver. And Priscilla. It was a family picture. Surrounding the big frame were many other medium to small frames. My eyes scanned the wall of pictures, feeling more and more jaundice. My eyes landed on a photo of Harry and Priscilla. She was wearing a white gown and he was dressed in a silver suit. They stood barefoot on the beach, both with smiles that reached their eyes. It was of their wedding day.

I averted my attention to the television screen in front of me at the sound of footsteps entering the room. "Everyone is asleep. Anything in particular you want to do? We can watch t.v for a while." He sat down next to me on the couch.

"Can we just lay in silence for while? I could really use it right now." Harry didn't object. I laid down on the couch. He laid down beside me with no space in between. I scooted even closer on top of him, resting securely in his arms before closing my eyes.

Harry's chest vibrates against mine when he spoke. "Tell me more about Alaska." I smiled at the question. It wasn't one I had to stop and think about. I could talk about Layla all day.

"She is the most precious thing ever. Very smart as well, she was already reading books by the age of two. She loves to sing and write, drawing as well. To tell you the truth, when I was pregnant with her I had my doubts. I was scared that I would become the worst parent ever. I didn't know if I was capable of having such a huge responsibility. But then after hours of labor, she was finally here. I held her in my arms and all my worries were non existent. Layla is the best thing to ever happen to me. I wouldn't trade her for the world. Honestly I would be so lost without her."

"She sounds amazing. I can't wait to meet her."