Redemption

Chapter 32: New Year's Eve

The smell of mashed potatoes filled my room as Harry brought in my dinner. It was about 8:30 when he came in. The platter contained two sirloins, a bowl of mashed potatoes, and a side of asparagus. Harry also brought in a beer for himself and a bottle of water for me. We ate in silence and after we were finished, Harry cleaned up. Sitting on the window sill were a bundle of presents. He placed them on the bed and I divided them between the two of us.

"Four for you and four for me." he said as he took one ordinary gift out of the group. "Save this one for last."

I opened my gifts first. Niall gave me coffee mug that read "Classy, Sassy, and a Bit Smart Assy". Louis gave a $100 gift card to Louis Vuitton, which I found extremely funny...firstly because Louis gave me a gift card to a store with his name and secondly because $100 was a large amount for me.

Liam got me a cute Christmas card, fuzzy socks, and a $150 gift card to Ulta. Harry then opened the gifts from his buddies. Niall gave him liquor and whiskey bottles, Louis gave him a Playboy subscription (which he nervously put away), and Liam got Harry a new roll of Polaroid film.

"Now, open mine." I said sweetly. Harry unwrapped the gift and gasped.

"I...I love it..." he said quietly. The Bible was fresh and had his name engraved in a gorgeous font. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "Now, open mine."

I unwrapped the red paper. I opened the box. Inside was a collection of black and white photos and another smaller box. I picked up the photos and examined them. I had never realized that Harry took photos of me. I was eating or cleaning, cooking or playing with the dogs, tending to the garden or watching television...they were just pictures of me doing everyday things.

"Flip one over." Harry said aloud.

I flipped over a photo of me and Niall decorating the tree. The back read "12.14.15 - Bright lights, a beauty, and Niall". Each photo had a date and cute commentary. I loved them.

"Now, open the other box."

I picked up the small article and opened it. The most beautiful necklace laid inside. It had three charms. The first was a silver butterfly, the second was a cross, and the third was a camera.

"This is beautiful. I understand the cross and the camera, obviously," I said as I held the Polaroids. "but what about the butterfly?"

Harry lifted his shirt to show me a large butterfly tattoo on his abdomen. "It's in memory of my grandmother...and it's also my favorite ink."

"It's wonderful."

There was a knock at the door. Niall came in.

"Jen! You're awake! I'm so glad." I smiled as he continued. "I'm gonna get some champagne from the store. I'll be back by midnight."

After he left, Harry put the chain around my neck. I stood to my feet, even though I was still weak and tired.

"Can we go downstairs?" I asked. Harry nodded and then picked me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and laid my head on his shoulder. He carried me downstairs to the movie room. He turned on Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve.

"Harry, look! Taylor Swift is showing her new music video after the commercial."

Harry stiffened and glanced at the screen. "Do you want some hot chocolate?" he offered.

"Sure, thanks."

When Harry came back, the video began to play.

SHE LOST HIM flashed on the screen. Harry dropped his beer bottle.

"Shit." he muttered.

"I love Taylor! This video is the greatest. This song is so deep...I totally get where she's coming from."

"You do?" Harry said as he perked up. I laughed.

SHE LOST HIM BUT FOUND HERSELF AND SOMEHOW THAT WAS EVERYTHING appeared on the screen as the video ended. Harry stood in the doorway awkwardly. He stared at the television like he was lost in a daze.

"Harry, are you alright? You act like the song was written about you or something." I joked. Harry's face turned red.

"I'm gonna throw my bottle away..." he said as he left the room.

Like Harry dated Taylor Swift. He's a criminal and she's a pop star...they've probably never even met...he's so weird.

Niall came home right before midnight. We watched the ball drop and watched everyone celebrating in Times Square. Harry leaned in and gave me my first New Year's kiss.

"I love you, no matter what." he whispered.

"Well, this is great. I'm gonna go upstairs, drink, and hopefully pass out. Goodnight, mates." Niall said and then he left.

Harry's phone buzzed in his back pocket. "I have to take this. I'll be back." He walked out of the room, but I could still hear him.

"Yeah...she's fine...you'll be here when?...That's so soon...No, I'll tell her tomorrow...yeah...okay, thanks..."

Harry reentered the room. I was really tired and could hardly keep my eyes open. He slumped into the recliner.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Nobody important...get some sleep."

It wasn't like Harry to keep secrets at this point in our relationship. I wondered who he was talking to, but I was too tired to pester him. I eventually shut my mind of the curiosity and went to sleep.