when love lasts | wroetoshaw

eighteen

the next morning, the house was already buzzing by the time harry and i came downstairs. my mum was at the kitchen counter, arranging a plate of toast and eggs, while my dad sat at the table reading the paper. maddie and zoe were sprawled on the sofa, their conversation drifting through the house in bits and pieces.

harry yawned as he followed me into the kitchen, rubbing the back of his neck. "morning," he said, his voice still rough with sleep.

"good morning!" my mum chirped, handing him a mug of tea before he could sit down. "did you sleep well?"

"really well, thanks," harry said, smiling as he took a sip.

~

after breakfast, we headed back upstairs to pack. my old room still looked exactly the same, down to the faintly peeling corner of a one direction poster above the desk. harry was folding his jumper when he glanced over at me.

"so, final verdict?" he asked. "did i pass the family test?"

i smiled, tucking a stray sock into my bag. "they love you. even zoe, though she'd rather die than admit it."

"good," he said, a hint of relief in his voice. "they're great, by the way. feels easy being around them."

"told you there was nothing to worry about," i replied, zipping up my bag.

"still," he said, grinning. "meeting the sisters? that's next-level pressure."

"you handled it fine," i said. "though i think my dad's still trying to decide if he approves of your football allegiance."

harry laughed. "fair enough."

as we carried our bags downstairs, my mum was waiting by the door, her arms crossed as she watched us approach. she pulled me into a hug first, her embrace warm and familiar.

"drive safe," she said, patting my back.

"we will," i promised.

then she turned to harry, her expression softening. "you take care of her, alright?"

"of course," harry replied, his voice steady.

my dad appeared next, shaking harry's hand firmly before pulling me into a quick hug. "good seeing you, kiddo," he said, his usual gruff tone softened by the faintest smile.

"you too, dad," i replied.

zoe and maddie came to the door to say their goodbyes, their teasing mercifully light for once.

"see you soon, lovebirds," zoe said with a cheeky grin.

"don't be strangers," maddie added.

"we won't," i said, laughing as harry and i finally made it out the door.

~

the drive to london was only about an hour and a half, but it felt even shorter with harry beside me. the radio played softly in the background, and the city skyline slowly came into view as we left the quieter roads of essex behind.

"so," harry said after a while, breaking the comfortable silence, "what's the plan when we get back?"

"probably just unpack and chill," i replied, glancing over at him. "you?"