FIRE | H.S.

Chapter 32

Harry and Leilani are back. They arrived this morning and I got to see Harry outside for a few minutes as he brought a sleeping Leilani inside his house. I could tell he was tired, so I didn't entertain him long. I just told him I would bring them food later so he doesn't have to cook.

I ring the doorbell and wait a couple of minutes before the door opens. Harry stands before me, in jeans, t-shirt in his hand, and a muscular, naked torso on display. His hair is wet and a few droplets fall graciously on his shoulders.

"Ava, come in. I'm sorry, I overslept and I just got out of the shower." He steps aside, letting me in, and quickly puts on his shirt.

Goodbye tattoos.

"No, I'm sorry, I think I'm early. Here, I was just going to drop off the food." I say, not meeting his eyes.

"You're not staying?" I shake my head. "Oh, come on, join us for dinner! We've uh... we've missed you a lot." He steps closer to me and opens his arms. "Come here."

I set the food on the small table next to the door, and don't hesitate to step into his embrace.

His arms close tightly around me, and I wrap mine around him. My ear I pressed to his chest. I can hear the soft drumming of his heart, and feel the warmth of his skin through his shirt. His scent envelops my nose and I feel drunk as he slowly takes over all of my senses.

"I missed you," he whispers, pressing a soft kiss on the top of my head that takes me by surprise.

"I missed you, too."

I don't want to let go. I want to stay in the safety of his embrace forever. Harry's hugs are the best hugs I've ever experienced.

"AVA!" Reluctantly, I step away from Harry and turn to Leilani, who is running my way. I crouch down and catch her in a tight hug.

"Oh my god, hi, Leilani!" Her small arms wrap around my neck.

And suddenly, my heart feels complete again. I know it's weird, given that I'm not remotely related to her. But these months that she's been in my life, have made me grow to love her so much.

"I missed you so much! Did you see all the pictures I sent you? Aren't they so cool!? Oh my god daddy did you give Ava the biscuits yet? Ava, we brought you biscuits! And we brought you tea and I got you a thingy to decorate your keys and my nan sent you some more biscuits that she made," she says, inhaling sharply at the end.

I laugh at her excitement, brushing back a few wild curls. Her green eyes shine as she rushes her words out. "I missed you a lot too, Leilani," I say. "I really needed my little assistant at the salon."

Her smile widens and I notice one of her front teeth is missing. "Where did your tooth go!?"

She giggles, cheeks turning pink. "It fell off when I ate one of my nan's biscuits! And guess what!? The tooth fairy gave me ten pounds for it! And guess what else!? I have another loose tooth and she's gonna give me ten more pounds! How much did the tooth fairy bring you when you were little, Ava!? Do your teeth still fall out?"

I chuckle, standing up. "They don't fall anymore. I have all my adult teeth now. I can't remember how much she would bring me," I smile at her. The truth is, I never had a visit from the tooth fairy. I do remember Clyde knocking one of my loose teeth out one of the times he slapped me.

"Baby, let Ava get settled," Harry chuckles, taking the food containers to the kitchen. We follow him and settle at the table while he grabs plates.

"Daddy, can I give Ava what we got her?"

"You can give her the gifts after we eat, Monkey. Okay?" She nods, pursing her lips. "Come help me with the plates."

She runs to him, carefully taking a plate of food, and bringing it to me. She does the same with hers and Harry's, then helps with the iced tea glasses.