West 76th Street - H.S

Chapter 21.

A/N: It's definitely been far too long and I'm sorry. I'm going to do better because I really do love writing this story so much. Sorry for the lack of updates!!! This one is longer though so yay!

CADENCE POV:

    My brain has been foggy every morning. I think it's collective. New York has been gloomy. The only good part of any of the past few eerily quiet weeks has been Harry. He visits me when I'm working. He watches the store from his balcony, and he sends food over here for Alex and I.  He's probably the most caring person in my life. The most caring person I've ever had in my life. I never know how to tell him that. To tell him just how much I appreciate him.

    I've never been the type to express that type of feeling, especially towards people who could potentially be temporary in my life. I don't want him to be temporary. I'm laying in his bed right now, the sun pouring into his bedroom that's now practically turned into my own. Ours. I barely remember what my own apartment looks like at this point. He hasn't mentioned me going back either. He seems to be very persistent in getting me to stay with him every single night. Not that I fight it.

    It's times like now when I wake up with no care in the world. A simple feeling in my chest, only a bit of unease because of the subtle shift in weather. It's times like this when I realize just how little I cared for Miles. I thought he was the beginning, middle and end of my life. When we were no longer together. When he was gone from my life I truly thought I'd be without anyone else, and I was okay with the thought. It didn't particularly bother me, but it didn't settle either.. I just thought there was nothing more than that. That there was no trust left, and no room left inside of me for anyone else. Especially not after what happened.

    I was so wrong.

    Harry is.. He's the kind of person who sees himself as a powerful person, but also as a villain. He tries to be good. That's what he says. He doesn't see that he is good. He treats me well. Not just simply the bare minimum to keep me happy, but above and beyond that. Harry is the epitome of a perfect man. Besides his dodgy work, there's really no problem with him, and I feel like it's all too good to be true still. I don't want to run anymore like I did before. I think I do deserve this. Waking up like this, knowing he's probably downstairs with fresh coffee. Maybe on the balcony smoking a cigarette, waiting for me to wake up. Waking up knowing he's going to be happy to see me.

    I get out of bed, and go into the bathroom, brushing my long copper hair out, and brushing my teeth as well. I wash my face, and walk into his closet, grabbing one of his long sleeved shirts to throw over the sports bra I wear. The shorts I have on are loose and shorter than most I would wear. I leave his bedroom, and hop down each step, hearing a soft chatter in the kitchen. He's probably on the phone, maybe with Key or Michael considering he doesn't sound angry. I walk around the piano room, and through the living room until I'm in the kitchen. My mind is still foggy with sleep, and set on the smell of coffee that's wafting through the entire kitchen.

    I smile at Harry with closed lips as he looks at me from inside the kitchen. He smiles back but doesn't say anything to me. I go to the coffee pot, and open the cabinet above it, reaching up to grab a coffee mug. Harry still doesn't speak as I pour the coffee into the mug so I look over my shoulder at him. He has his arms crossed over his chest, and a smile still pressed to his pink lips. His smile signals that I should know something that I don't. I look at him expecting an answer to his look, and he nods his head. I look to where he nods, and see two women sitting at the dining room table. I hadn't noticed them when I walked into the kitchen, and I don't know how.

    The more I look at them the more I realize who they are. Edith, and Isabella... His mom and sister. They look just like him. They're both incredibly beautiful. Dark brown hair, pretty light eyes on his mother, and brown eyes on his sister. They have smiles on their faces. They're looking at me, and I realize how I look right now. Meeting his family for the first time and I have quite literally rolled out of bed. He also never told me they were coming so this wasn't something I could have helped.