The Encounter |H.S|

74

The morning seemed to pass by too fast and a little bit too frantic just to get everything ready for the little celebration for Hazel.

We had gotten dressed up after breakfast while Zayn willingly took care of Hazel so that I could set up something for her. Louis cooked snacks for us and Harry helped set the food on the centre table in the living room, laughing lightly whenever Hazel tried to reach for them.

I had prepared food that she seems to enjoy the most, but it was hard finishing up everything since Harry distracted me when he pulled me with him towards hidden corners, kissing my lips and wrapping his arms around me securely.

I scolded him for it every time, but deep down those small gestures made me nearly melt and my heart thump harshly against my chest.

"Everything is ready!" I exclaim happily once the living room looks a little bit more inviting. I am aware that there aren't going to be a lot of people here, but it's still nice to do this for Hazel because she always gets so enthusiastic.

Harry wraps an arm around my waist while holding Hazel with the other, a grin on both of their lips but the two of them looking at different things. While Harry looks at me with raised eyebrows and amusement spread on his features, Hazel seems to be entranced by the food with shock over her face.

As if predicted, a knock on the door is heard and I kiss Harry's nose and Hazel's cheek before walking towards the front door to open it, immediately being met with a happy looking Megan.

"Eve, hi! How's everyone?" She brings me into a hug with a grin on her lips, letting go of me only to step inside the house and hang her coat by the door.

Harry appears next to us and Megan smiles at the sight of Hazel. I dressed her a little more extra today, with a yellow dress and a small black bow on her curly hair and surprisingly Hazel seemed to like it since she didn't fuss about it.

"Happy monthday Haz!" Megan extends her arms in Hazel's direction and she sends me a confused glance before grinning widely at Megan with a babyish hum.

Though Hazel reacted pretty excitedly to everyone showing up, she refuses to leave Harry's hold, resting her head on his shoulder while he beams happily at such actions.

Although, she seems to have changed her mind as she extends her arms towards Megan to be held by her, which she gladly does as Harry grumbles with furrowed eyebrows.

"Traitor," Harry mutters next to me, wrapping his arm around my waist as Louis' and Zayn's voices are heard coming from the living room so we decide to get closer to them.

Megan eats something from the snacks we have and offers a cut piece of banana to Hazel, which she accepts cheerfully while Harry and I sit down on the couch not too far from the two other boys.

"This is all so organized, I think you did too much." Megan laughs, sitting down on the floor and letting Hazel go once she gestures to her toys scattered across the floor.

"Nothing is ever too much for Hazel."

They laugh at my words while I keep an eye on Hazel, frowning when Harry suddenly gets up and walks towards the centre table, only to sit down next to me once again.

He gives me a cookie he stole from the various snacks on the table while the others begin talking about something else, causing me to raise an eyebrow before taking it from his hand.

I widen my eyes when Hazel suddenly squeals joyfully as she grabs one of her favourite toys, shaking it up and down as if to prove how much she loves it.

"Hazel, be careful with that darling." I reach forward to calm her movements, sensing she might get hurt if she keeps shaking the toy so violently.

"Why did you name her Hazel?" Zayn suddenly asks once she sends me a brief smile and focuses on her toys once again, this time calmer.

Before I could answer, Louis speaks. "It doesn't make much sense, you didn't even crave hazelnuts to be so fond of the name."

"Maybe she liked the name, you're being stupid." Megan rolls her eyes while crossing her arms, furrowing her eyebrows when Louis flips her off.

"I don't recall her ever saying she liked that name." Harry chimes in, raising his eyebrows while finishing the cookie he was eating before, taking a glimpse at Hazel to make sure she's alright.

"I like the name, besides, it's a lot more than just that."

A FEW YEARS AGO...

I throw myself on Harry's couch with a relieved sigh as he sings something in the kitchen. He had invited me over to his house since the rest of his family had gone out for something he didn't tell me.

"Do you want anything, ma chérie?" Harry asks, standing in front of me while I'm laid down on the couch, causing me to look up at him with narrowed eyes.

"No thank you, just come here." I extend my arms in his direction, hearing him chuckle right after before leaning down to press his lips against mine briefly.

He slightly lifts my legs to sit down, setting my legs on his thighs while staring at the television in front of us. Rolling my eyes, I lean closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck so he lays on top of me and his laughter is immediately heard.

"Are you sure you don't want to eat anything?" He asks, raising his eyebrows while I grab his face in my hands with a grin, feeling his arms wrapping around my waist and I bring him closer to me.

"Unless you have hazelnuts, then no," I tell him in a serious tone, watching as he frowns instantly at my words before shaking his head in confusion.

"Hazelnuts? Are you crazy?"

"If you're going to be rude about it I'll buy some just to throw them at your head." I threaten playfully and he laughs quietly, bringing his lips to mine before resting his head on my chest.

The television is the only source of light in the room and surprisingly being here with Harry makes me feel secure, his arms wrapped around me and mine around him.

"Eve, I-" He breathes in sharply, not moving his head from its place on my chest, "I want to tell you something."

"You secretly love hazelnuts?" I ask playfully, attempting to lighten up his mood since he suddenly seems too uneasy, playing with his curls gently as he chuckles shortly.

"I secretly love you."

I hope you're enjoying the story!♡