Teenage Dreams (Harry Styles AU)

-Chapter 17

Carter's POV:

Harry's arm is wrapped around my shoulder as I sit on the couch with him and watch Sam play on the floor with her best friend Stacey. I don't think Harry and I have detached since our amazing night together two days ago. Everyone at our school has definitely realized that Harry and I are together now. "Bradley likes you." Stacey whispers to Sammy, but loud enough so that Harry and I can hear and he instantly sits up in a jolt. "What? Boys? You are way too young Missy." Harry looks to Samantha with a stern expression and I giggle before pulling Harry's shoulders so that he's sat back down next to me. My smile is three times its normal size because of Harry's protective outburst that is so cute and fatherly.

"Relax. I'm sure Stacey means that he likes Sammy as a friend." I shift my eyes to the two little girls sitting on their mats with confused faces. "Yeah." Stacey shyly whispers with a look as if Harry has two heads and I want to laugh at him, but I don't as his cheeks redden. Sam places the back of her hand to her mouth when she lets a laugh out at Harry, his smile instantly breaks out into a smirk and I watch him as he looks to her like she's his everything and my heart melts. 

All I've ever wanted was someone who treated me great and looked at my Sammy the way that Harry is right now. I know right now that Harry would do absolutely anything for me or Samantha and my mind instantly twists with confusion and my look of amazement turns to a frown. Thoughts of Niall and Harry and Samantha and Louis and... everything burst through my head and I'm lost all over again. 

I blink my eyes a few times and see that Harry is now staring at me with a worried look on his face. My hand finds his face and I hold his cheek delicately before placing a kiss to his lips and standing from the couch. "I have to go make a phone call. I'll be right back." I whisper and Harry's look of worry comes back to his face and the feeling grows in his demeanor as he timidly nods his head. I place another reassuring kiss to his forehead, because I believe that he needs it before I leave the living room and go upstairs.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and sit on my bed, crossed legged and call Niall's newly added contact. It rings once or twice before an urgent voice answers. "Carter?!" Niall's voice speaks in a surprised voice as it booms unexpectedly in my ear. "Niall." I sigh out with hesitation. I can imagine his eyes bugging out of his head in surprise and hope. Sam gets her wide eyed expressions from her father and my stomach twists at that thought. "You ok?" He asks and it reminds me that although I haven't seen Niall in a very long time, he still knows me so well.

Don't get me wrong, I know that I have changed a lot and I'm a different girl than what Niall remembers, I'm a mommy now, but I'm also still the same in many aspects and it's weird for me to think that in the ways that I'm the same, Niall knows. He knew me so well and it's strange that you don't forget those kinds of things about people, their ways and who they are. It makes me feel like I have a tie to Niall, but I have to remind myself that the only tie left to him is Samantha and that's what I'm calling about. I need to stop being so confused and have a plan for Sam and Niall and Harry and... oh god I'm confused.

"We have to talk Niall." I ignore his question. "I know. When? Where?" Niall speaks eagerly after letting out a sigh. "Tonight? I don't know, you want to like meet somewhere? I could ask Harry to watch Sam for a bit." I speak more to myself rather than to Niall. "Yeah, ok." Niall speaks with irritation at the mention of Harry looking after Samantha. 

"Ok, the little cafe down the road from my house at like... seven?" I speak quickly, wanting to get off the phone with him. "Sounds good." Niall sounds cheerier. "Alright, see you then. Bye." I hang up before he can respond. It was rude, but the fact that he was getting defensive over Samantha and Harry was making me mad. I wanted to get off the phone before I started yelling. I make my way back down the stairs and onto the couch, back next to Harry and he gives me a skeptical look before he hooks his arm around my back and leans on me. 

"You ok?" He kisses my temple, cheek, then jaw. "Yeah. Could you watch Sam tonight for just like a hour? I have to do something. Won't take too long." I shrug my shoulders, but I know that Harry is already suspicious and that he will be even more so now. "Sure, I guess. What do you have to do?" Harry pulls away from me and his eyebrows draw together as he waits for my answer, the distance between us growing. "Just running to get a few things at the shop I didn't get earlier." I move my eyes to the little girls on the floor.

"Uh huh. Yeah." Harry holds his jaw in his hand and looks at me with that look of suspicion but agrees. I'm surprised he doesn't put up more of a fight, with how many unanswered questions come with my excuse, but Harry let's it go, probably because of the little ones a few feet away. I'm sure he doesn't want to interrogate me in front of them, or at all really. "Harry?" Carter's words snap Harry and I out of our own little world.

"Yeah sweetie?" He turns to look at her. "Will you get me milk?" She bats her eyes at him and I wonder why she didn't ask me. "Only if I get a kiss." Harry says with a playful grin. "No." Sammy pouts as she crosses her arms. "A kiss for some milk." Harry stands by his offer. "Fine." She sighs, although I know that she really loves getting kisses and hugs from a male in her life that isn't Louis. This is what she's always wanted. Sam stands up and walks to Harry's extended arms.

He places his large hands to her sides and gives her a kiss before placing another to her forehead. She runs back to Stacey after that and Harry stands up. "Would you like a milk too Stacey?" He asks her. "Yes please." She whispers. "Ok. Two milks, be right back." Harry smiles and gives me a quick glance before he leaves the room and I feel guilty because the look he gives me is missing something and it makes me feel like I'm hurting him. Which I very well maybe, but I just don't know what to do. I never thought that parenthood would have to be this complicated.

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Thank you for reading! Sorry about the long wait for the update. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Vote and comment if you'd like! :)

-Jena xoxo