Respite - HS

Nothing but mine.

Audrey Harris

"Come give me hugs!" I cheer in front of the door as Felix rushes over towards me with his overflowing backpack jumping against him with every step.

Things this past week have been mellow. Alex and Serena have been giving us some space and Harry hasn't stayed with them since Christmas so he's fully settled into my apartment now.

Serena apologized, I cried, she cried, we hugged. Things are different now, but I think it was due time for a change. And while I know growing up and growing apart is a all apart of the natural progression of life and friendships, what happened with Serena has completely altered that relationship. Not in a natural progression type of way.

"Bye auntie I love you." Felix murmurs, smushed against my side.

"I love you so much Fif. I call you when you get home okay?" I run my fingers through his hair and pinch his cheek.

I feel Harry come up behind me, sweetly placing a kiss on the top of my head before rounding in front of me and scooping Felix up into his arms.

"Be good for the mums yeah? I love you my sweet boy. I'll call you before school on Monday and to say goodnight tonight okay?" I watch with a starry eyed gaze as he squishes him tightly in a hug before putting him back down.

Alex comes up to me with a soft look in her eyes, one I've never seen on her before.

"Thank you Audrey."

I turn towards her with a quizzical look, "For?"

"You brought him back to us. But not only that, you gave me back my Serena. I love you a lot kid." She grabs my hand and sends me a grateful smile.

As much as I want to be welcoming of her words, I'm struggling not to let the tiniest amount of resentment seep into my thoughts. I think Alex can tell when I struggle to find the words to answer her.

"I know babe. It's okay, you don't have to brush this off, you have every right to feel the way you do. I just needed to tell you that, okay?"

In a daze I nod my head graciously before Harry pulls me out of the trance I've found myself in, "Are you gonna say bye to Serena baby?" He whispers in my ear.

Quick to shake off my thoughts I wander up towards Serena and she sends me a soft knowing smile, she knows everything, before hugging me tightly.

"I love you S. Get home safe please?"

"I love you always Audie."

With another hug from Felix, Harry and I send off the trio to the airport. After doing another round of cleaning at Serena's place, we lock up and start the walk back to my apartment.

"It's just us again." Harry says almost gleefully as he swings our locked hands back and forth between us.

I let out a laugh as he abruptly stops us to twirl me in his hold, "Just us now huh? What are we gonna do." I send him a cheeky smile.

He smirks at me before leaning in, "Don't start with me Audie baby. I'm trying to be a gentleman here." Still paused on the sidewalk he pulls me into him and kisses me softly, "Go on date with me? Tonight?"

I can't tell if the pink dusting across his cheeks is from the cold out or a sudden surge of shyness. Either way it's adorable and I can't stop myself from disregarding his question to press up on my toes and place my lips on his once again.

"S'that a yes?" He smiles into the kiss.

"Mmhm. Date night." I sing out and I cherish the bright laugh that he gives me in response.