but the wait will be worth it

chapter sixty one

"Happy birthday dear Harry, happy birthday to you!"

I closed my eyes and quickly blew out all 19 of the candles in one go. "Look at that skill," Emma laughed with raised eyebrows. She nudged Louis in the arm.

"Emma," I groaned, smacking a palm against my forehead.

Everyone seemed to be forming a semicircle around me, cheering and clapping as I closed my eyes and made a wish. I smiled at the sound of their love.

"Alright, who wants tea?" My mum asked around. "Coffee? Mimi, would you like some coffee instead?"

"I'll have some tea, please!" I waved over to my mum. Louis stood up from his chair and reached over the table. "I'll get it for you, love," he offered.

I turned to Emma with a wide smile. "I've missed you!" I yelled, eyes sparkling.

She grinned. "I know, darling! How've you been? How's your head?"

I made a 'tsk' sound. "Better. My thoughts haven't been all over the place lately."

Emma gave a warm smile and squeezed my shoulder. "Good."

I nodded and picked up a napkin to fidget with.

"Looks like you don't need me to take care of you anymore."

I looked up at her. She wore a smile, but her eyes looked sad. I wrapped a finger around her pinky.

"Ems, I'll always need you. You know that."

She grinned. Louis began to sit down, but I pulled him onto my lap.

"Watch it, I've got hot tea," he said before setting it down. "Here, I've got you some cake too, but we're sharing."

He handed me the plate of cake as I wrapped my arms around him. "Hey, I want my own," I complained jokingly with a grin.

Louis rolled his eyes. "Well I don't wanna eat a whole piece, so we're sharing."

I watched Liam scoff from his position leaning against the table. "They're like Lucy and Ricky over there," he laughed, pointing to us. I could hear Niall's distinct laughter coming from somewhere beside me.

Louis smiled and pierced a fork into our piece of cake. I quickly stuck my finger into some of the frosting and popped it into my mouth.

Louis frowned and pulled the plate away from me. "Gross, put your saliva finger somewhere else," he pushed me away.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Like you mind that, Louis."

Louis then stuck his finger in the frosting as well, before bringing it to my nose. "Happy birthday," he grinned, and dabbed the cake onto me as my mouth dropped with a laugh.

"Louis!" I yelled, half giggling. My family surrounded us just as waves creep up the shore as the night comes. "You're such a child."

He laughed and smudged another thumb of it onto my lips. I shook my head with a smile.

"God, I feel like I'm at my wedding," I giggled, licking the frosting off of my lips.

Everyone laughed with us for about ten minutes longer, before commencing in a dozen little mini conversations again. I watched everyone while sipping on my tea from behind Louis's shoulders.

Niall spoke to my mum, and Zayn and Liam chatted with my dad. Emma was engulfed in a conversation with my Aunt Carol about the Twilight series. I sat quietly and spectated, smiling every so often at how well the night had been going.

It really was the perfect birthday. Although it was 22 days belated, it was still amazing. All of the people I loved were in one room, being kind to each other.