Forget Me Not (Zayn/Harry; Mpreg AU)

14 - Hurricane (part 1)

A/N: Today is my birthday and as a gift from me to you, for being such lovely people to me, here's shit going down. Hahaha! Another update in a few. Please don't get too mad at me?

As the door to the Malik Manor swings open, the mantra that is playing on loop inside Harry's head increases in speed and volume, almost blurring, deafening; Don't turn us away. Give us a chance. This is love. Please accept us. Please accept me.

Of course, like most things in Harry's life, this one is not to be given so easily.

"Good evening, Beth," Zayn greets the woman on the door. She is wearing a maid's uniform and a warm smile that eases a bit of the tension on Harry's shoulder, especially when she redirects the grin to him.

Harry smiles shyly in return and offers a hand out, which the middle-aged woman accepts and shakes firmly. "Good evening, ma'am. I'm Harry Styles."

"Nice to meet you, lad. I'm Beth, the head housekeeper of this mansion." Beth nods and ushers the two inside. "Zayn, your parents and sisters are waiting for you. Let us not waste any more time." Then, she leads them through various hallways and to the dining room, where Zayn's family members are, in fact, seated around a massive rose wood dining table overflowing with different dishes.

Leaving the two young men by the doorway, Beth enters the dining room and goes straight to where Zayn's parents are. She quietly converses with them, informing the couple of Zayn and his guest's arrival. Zayn's father nods and gestures for Beth to let them in. The head housekeeper excuses herself and fetches Zayn and Harry.

"Your father says you can come in now, Zayn."

"Thank you, Beth."

Then, it's just Zayn and Harry again. The older of the two notices how badly Harry is shaking with nervous energy, face pale. Gently, Zayn takes his boyfriend in his arms and soothes him. "Oh, love," he croons softly. "Don't be so nervous. They're my family and will also be yours soon enough. You'll be okay."

The implication and deeper meaning of what Zayn has said hasn't escaped Harry's notice despite the overwhelming fear that has currently enveloped his whole being; Zayn wants to marry him someday, and it is enough motivation for Harry to get himself together and go through this dinner. He inhales deeply, trying his hardest to calm down. For Zayn. He doesn't want to let Zayn down, most especially infront of his own family. "Yeah," he forces out, letting out an exhale. "Let's do this."

Zayn beams and steals a quick kiss from Harry's lips. He reaches for one of Harry's hands and grasps it tightly, drawing more strength from his younger boyfriend because, although Zayn is trying to act strong, he's a bit scared as well. "That's my beautiful boy. My brave Harry."

Weakly, Harry smiles, squeezing Zayn's fingers. The mantra in his head starts up again, a broken record.

Don't turn us away. Give us a chance. This is love. Please accept us. Please accept me.

The Maliks are conversing softly among themselves. Zayn's parents are engaged in a chat about their multinational company, business jargons, which are mere gibberish to others, being thrown back and forth between them. The lovely young ladies - Zayn's sisters - are in their own playful conversation, laughing softly.

Zayn clears his throat. "Good evening."

The chatters and laughter die down instantly. Four sets of eyes then zero in on the couple.

"Son," Zayn's father says, his calculating eyes gazing at Harry and their intertwined hands. "It's nice of you to join us. Have a seat."

Zayn pulls Harry closer to the dining table. "Harry, these are my parents, Yaser and Patricia Malik, and my sisters, Doniya, Waliyha and Safaa Malik."