Empty [h.s.]

Chapter 23 "I Just Came Up With A Brilliant Idea!"

January went by in a flash. The month wasn't very interesting. Nothing more than me dating Sam and Harry being engaged to Lisa. It was now February 14th. Valentine's Day. Well, actually not yet. Valentine's Day is on Saturday and it is Friday now, but I like to make it a Valentine's Day weekend. This holiday will especially be fun this year since I have someone to celebrate it with. I planned the whole weekend out already for me and Sam, it will be very relaxing. Sam has been super stressed lately. There is a promotion at his workplace he wants badly and is trying to get. I really hope he does get it...

My phone buzzes and I see a text from Sam.

Sam: I'm coming over now. I've got big news... :)

I'm making dinner for Sam and I tonight to kick off our special weekend together. I wonder what kind of news he has?

Me: Sounds great! See you then ;)

It wasn't long before I heard a knock on the door. I swing it open without checking who was behind it, and much to my misfortune it's my parents.

"What do you guys want?" I ask completely uninterested.

"We came here to ask you a question so don't go calling the police on us again." My father says while pointing an accusatory finger at me.

"Okay, what is it?" I ask leaning against the door to try and block their judging views into my flat.

"We came to ask if you were still in love with Harry, because if you aren't we will forgive you and you can be apart of our family again." My mother snottily says to me.

"Why would I ever want to be apart of your family again? That family had no love in it, that is why you kicked me out. I found a better family that loves me unconditionally, and that is way better than anything you can offer me." I explain to them. "Now, either you leave or I will call the police again. Your choice."

"This is the last time we ever give you another chance, young lady. You are through!" My father exclaims then walks away. As they walk down the hallway I smirk knowing I won, and watch them unknowingly they passed by a clueless Sam. To this I laughed a little on how ironic it all was.

"What's so funny?" Sam asks me while holding out a bouquet of tulips to me. I hate tulips. They are my least favorite flower. Harry would have known that...

"Nothing, now shut up and kiss me." I say trying to get thoughts of Harry out of my mind.

I set out the food onto the table and take seat across from Sam. "So, what is the good news?" I ask my curiosity getting the best of me.

"Well, it's good news and bad news." Sam begins. "The good news is I got the promotion I was wanting!"

"That's so great Sam! I'm so happy for you!" I exclaimed, thrilled by the news he had for me.

"The bad news is it requires me to spend this weekend in New York." Sam sadly adds. This really sucks. The one year I actually can celebrate this holiday and I don't get to. I must have accidentally let it show on my face because Sam quickly adds, "I'm not done. I have a question for you."

"Okay, what is it?" Why is everyone asking me questions tonight?

"With this new job I will be getting a pay raise...and...and well, I was wondering if you would like to move in with me?" Sam cautiously asks. Before I can answer he goes on, "I will be able to afford a bigger place for us to live in. And it will be in a much safer neighborhood than this one."

I sat there stunned. He just asked me a serious question. This is a big step. Am I ready for this?

"Yes." I answer confidently. There really was no need to try and convince me any further. I started out this new year with a resolution to start over with Sam and to move on from Harry, this is my opportunity to do so.

"Yes!" Sam shouts in excitement while pumping a fist in the air, a sign of victory. "You don't know how nervous I was to ask you that." Sam says in my ear as he tightly wraps his arms around my body.

After dinner Sam decided to go home and pack for his trip to the Big Apple, I guess his plane leaves tonight. I, on the other hand, settle for slipping into pajamas and watching tv alone. My mind swirled with thoughts about moving in with Sam when I heard a knock at the door. I questioned whether I should answer it or not, I was afraid it would be my parents coming back for more. When I peeked through the peephole I saw a rather flustered Harry standing on the other side. Immediately I swung open the door to greet my best friend.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" I ask confused as to why he would show up this late at night.

"Nice jams." Harry commented with his iconic smirk. It was then I realized I answered the door in my ducky pajamas without so much as thinking about putting on a robe. "Can I come in?" Harry asks

"Sure, yeah." I'm stilled flushed about my pajamas, but it's just Harry. It's not like I met the Queen of England in this. What's the big deal?

"Is something wrong?" I ask as soon as I close the door. There has to be a reason he came here at this time of night.

"Yeah, I planned a surprise trip to Paris for Valentine's weekend for me and Lisa, but she has a photoshoot in Los Angeles to go to. So I thought that you and Sam would get more use out of them." Harry said and held out two plane tickets to Paris to me.

"Oh man, Harry. I wish we could, but Sam has to go to New York for the weekend. But it was really sweet of you to offer them to me. Thank you." I say sweetly. I feel bad that Harry is going to spend Valentine's Day alone, he is the last person who deserves that.

"Why is Sam going to New York?"

"Well, he just got a big job promotion so he has to travel this weekend, unfortunately."

"What am I going to do with these tickets then? I planned on giving them to you guys, I don't want to go to Paris alone." Harry says sadly looking down at his feet. My heart breaks terribly for him in this moment. He shouldn't have to feel this way. The way I always feel.

"I just came up with a brilliant idea!" Harry said quickly and quite excitedly. "You could go to Paris with me!"

"What? I can't do that, Harry. You're engaged and Lisa already hates me enough." I present my side of the argument.

"She. Doesn't. Need. To. Know." Harry says slowly. As much fun as going to the City of Love with Harry would be, I don't think I would feel right about it knowing Sam and Lisa are both working hard at their jobs.

"I don't know, Harry."

"Oh come on! You always said you wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, well, nows your chance!" Harry urges.

"When does the plane leave?"

"Tonight. My bags are already packed. We have two hours before the plane takes off, and we will get back on Sunday night. What do you say?"

Sam's plane left already and he doesn't get back until Monday morning. If I never tell him he will never have to know. This could work. Plus, it would be amazing to have Harry all to myself for a little while. Maybe that is why I said:

"Okay." A weekend with Harry will be magical, I just know it. "Let me change, and help me pack my bags real quickly and we can go."

"Awesome." Harry says with the biggest smile I have seen on him since New Year's Eve when we danced together at that party. I like making Harry smile like that. His smile makes me smile.

This trip to Paris should be interesting...

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A/N: Off to Paris we go!!!! A lot of stuff happened in this chapter!! Do you think Sam will be okay with this? Will he or Lisa find out? What do you think will happen while they are in Paris? Let me know...

Niki xx