Redemption

Chapter 29: Morning Chaos

*unedited*

Everything is black and white. The rain is pouring down. Christmas is a few days away. The household said farewell to Liam as he joined Sophia's family in New York last week.

I sat on the window sill in a comfy sweater Liam gave me before he left; it was gray and really big on me, but I loved it. My gray socks were scrunched at my ankles. My hair fell freely over my shoulders. I held a cup of coffee in my hands as I stared out the window. Watching the rain pour calmed my soul and relaxed my nerves.

Earlier this morning, Harry and I got into an argument. I asked him to go to the store and get something for breakfast and he didn't want to go out because of the weather. The tone of voice he used upset me and I started crying. He got even more upset and started yelling. I hit him with a pan. He ran after me and grabbed me by the shoulders. Once he saw how scared I was, he apologized and went to the store. He hasn't been home since.

My focus shifted from the rain to the sound of the door opening downstairs. I listened intently as footsteps entered the kitchen and placed something on the table; the footsteps then headed up the stairs with a steady beat. I kept my stare outside the window as a gentle knock echoed in my room.

"Jennifer? Love? Can I come in?"

I didn't reply. Harry continued, "Jen? I'm sorry for what happened this morning. I got you some breakfast. Jen? Please say something."

"I forgive you." was all I answered. With that, Harry opened the door and hurried to me. I turned around and watched him. He picked me up off the window sill and carried me to my bed. He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and wrapped his other arm around my waist. My eyes closed as our lips made contact. Both of my hands rested on his chest. His heart was beating so fast. Harry held me in place for what seemed like ages before bringing his hand to my cheek. He brushed the hair out of my eyes and gently stroked my cheek. My lips turned into a smile at the warm embrace. Harry continued smothering me in kisses. I felt his tongue penetrate my mouth in the most tender spirit. After the few moments of bliss, I pulled back and then rested my forehead on his. I felt the skin of his forehead crinkle up and I knew he was smiling just as hard as I was.

"Are you ready for breakfast?" he whispered.

"You mean this wasn't it?" I said flirtatiously.

Harry laughed and stood up. He grabbed my hand and led me downstairs. He made breakfast and we ate together.

It was about noon when Louis came downstairs. "So I see you two made up."

We stared at him for a moment with a puzzled look on our faces.

"You two were yelling about crapes this morning. You woke up my girlfriend and she was fucking pissed."

It occurred to me that only a few hours ago Harry and I had a meaningless argument. It also occurred to me that Louis' girlfriend was in the house.

"Your girlfriend is here?" I blurted.

"Yeah. She's in the shower. Do you have any leftover food?"

Harry nodded toward the pancake batter on the counter. Louis hurried over there and quickly made some pancakes for he and his girlfriend. Harry and I sat awkwardly at the pub table. Suddenly, Niall barged downstairs in a panicked pace. He ran to the front door and opened it. Then, he ran into the living room and came out with a cardboard box. Louis spilled some water on the floor while trying to mix the batter. In the midst of doing so, Niall slipped and fell. The box flew across the kitchen and slammed into the wall.

"Mother fucker!" Niall yelled at Louis.

"Well, excuse me, shithead!" Louis yelled back. "You need to calm the fuck down. Why are you running around the house like a bat out of hell?"

"My girlfriend is coming over!" Niall said as he stood and rubbed his butt.

"Your girlfriend can't come over today! My girlfriend is here."

"Why is your girlfriend here? I thought she wasn't coming over until Christmas!"

"She came home with me last night. I wasn't gonna make her drive home at 2 in the morning, asshole."

At this point, Louis and Niall were screaming in each others faces. They silenced when the doorbell rang. We all looked at one another. Niall's face turned bright red. His eyes widened and he said, "She's here."

I stood to my feet, along with Harry.

"Louis, wipe up the water and continue cooking. Make enough for you, Niall, and the girls and please stay in the kitchen. Niall, get your box and come with me to my room. I have the wrapping paper. Harry, answer the door and ask Niall's girlfriend to wait in the living room. Keep her company until Niall is ready." I ordered. Each guy looked at one another in shock. "Let's go!" I barked.

Niall followed me upstairs and into my room. I pulled out the wrapping paper and bows from under my bed. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a Christmas sweater from the wardrobe. By the time I came out of the bathroom, Niall was finishing up his gift.

"Where did you learn to take charge like that?" Niall asked.

"I'm a woman. It's what we do." I said as I opened the door. Niall laughed and followed me back downstairs.