Change

Chapter 41: Follow Your Heart

5 months later

Harry's POV;

"Morning babe," I kissed Emma's temple as I walked into the kitchen. She was sitting cross-legged on a barstool with her laptop on the counter in front of her.

"Good morning Harry," She smiled, "how did you sleep?"

"Like a baby," I smiled back as I opened the fridge and scanned it's contents, "when did you get up?"

"An hour ago," Emma exhaled, "I couldn't sleep well."

I pulled out a carton of orange juice and set it down on the counter, "why not? Is something bugging you love?"

I had a hunch about what it might be, but I wasn't too sure.

You see, ever since all the shit at the Plaza Hotel went down, I thought things would have calmed down and gone back to normal, but I was crazy for thinking that because about a month ago Zayn and Perrie decided to tell us that they wanted to get married in two months. And now that meant that the wedding was going to take place in about three weeks.

Three weeks.

Three.

But, the rush was totally understandable considering they wanted to tie the knot and have a long honeymoon before the stadium tour began.

Zayn had asked me and the rest of the boys along with a few of his cousins to be part of his wedding. I had never been a groomsmen before, so this was definitely going to be an honor considering it was my best mate's wedding.

Perrie had asked Danielle, Eleanor, Emma, and three of her friends Jade, Leigh-Anne, and Jesy to be her bridesmaids.

Thankfully, I was paired up with Emma and couldn't be more happy about it.

Since the wedding was happening in a couple of weeks, Emma and I along with the rest of the groomsmen and bridesmaids were running around like crazy helping Zayn and Perrie with their wedding planning. They decided not to hire a wedding planner because Perrie mentioned that it had always been a dream of hers to plan her own wedding herself. But, all of us of course offered her our assistance because we all knew she'd probably go nuts trying to tackle this task on her own.

The wedding was going to take place on this huge estate that had beautiful ballrooms with high intricately designed ceilings. The backyard had this amazing walkway that led you out to this huge garden and fountain. And since the estate was on the outskirts of town, it was much more secluded and out of the public eye which was ideal for Zayn and Perrie considering they wanted to share this special day with only family and close friends.

Everything from the flowers to the cake and the reception decor, was picked out and the only thing left was for us groomsmen to pick out our suits.

"No no, nothing is bugging me...it's just..." she took a deep breath before continuing, "this wedding is stressing me out and it's not even my wedding!"

Yup, I knew it was the wedding.

I laughed, "Yeah, I can only imagine how Zayn and Perrie feel."

Emma giggled, "So, you and the rest of the guys are going to go buy your suits today right?"

I grabbed a cup from the cupboard and poured myself a glass of orange juice before drinking it, "Yup, Zayn texted me letting me know to be at the shop in twenty minutes. Did you girls already get your bridesmaid dresses?"

"Mhm," Emma nodded, "We have final fittings next week, and then we're accompaning Perrie afterwards for her final gown fitting as well. Gah, it's so exciting and nervewrecking at the same time!"

Emma was so adorale. I can't imagine how excited she'll be for our wedding. I mean that is if we do get married. Can't say I haven't thought about proposing to her, I just don't really know if it's the right time, or if she'll think I'm rushing things. I love her with all my heart and would do anything and everything to make her happy. She is everything I've ever wanted.

"Alright love," I walked around to her, "I gotta go meet up with Zayn and the rest of the gang now," I said before kissing her lips.

"Let me know how it goes," Emma kissed me back, "see you soon."

"See you babe," I replied as I headed out the door and unlocked my Audi.

I managed to get to the shop on time, seeing that Zayn had just pulled in as well.

"Hey man," I greeted Zayn as we both got out of our cars.

"Hey, glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," I pledged as we walked into the store.

The rest of the guys and Zayn's cousins were there already, waiting for us. We greeted each other and caught up for a bit before an employee came asking if we needed help picking something out.

"Yeah, actually, I'm getting married in a couple of weeks, would you mind helping me and my groomsmen pick out suits for the big day?" Zayn asked the employee who had introduced her self as Barbara. Judging from her grey hair that was styled in an elegant bun, she looked like she was in her late fifties.

A huge smile formed on her face from the fact that Zayn said he was getting married, "Oh that is lovely, congratulations sir!"

"Thank you," Zayn smiled warmly, "and call me Zayn."

"Alright Zayn, well why don't you first tell me of any ideas that you have?" Barbara asked.

"Um," Zayn scratched his jaw, "I'd like us to wear maybe either a black or dark gray suit, and a white dress shirt with a black tie. I'm not too sure."

"That sounds like a good idea. Come on," Barbara beckoned, "Why don't I show you all a few suits that you might like and we can work from there?"

"Sure," Zayn responded and we all followed Barbara.

After looking through multiple suits, and trying on over a dozen Zayn was finally happy with what he saw in the gigantic tri-fold mirror. All of us were standing before it smoothing over the fabric of our suits and checking ourselves out. And, I had to admit, we did look very good and classy in our black well-fitted suits.

"I look rather dashing, if I do say so myself," I smirked.

"Not as good as me man," Niall smoothed his hair over, "I'll be getting all the ladies."

"Yeah good luck with that," I rolled my eyes.

I didn't need to impress anyone else, only Emma. And come on, she'll love this. Especially the bow tie, come on. It's classic!

"Do you mind me asking what boutonnière you plan on getting for you and your groomsmen?" Barbara asked from behind us.

"What the heck is a boutonnière?" Louis asked before Zayn had a chance to say anything.

"It's the flower you wear on the suit's lapel," Zayn answered.

Louis looked confused, "lapel?"

"This," he said as he pointed to folded flap on the front of his blazer, you put the flower on the top buttonhole."

"Pfft, yes" Louis nodded sarcastically, "duh? who doesn't know that?"

We all shook our heads in disapproval, laughing at him.

"Well to answer your question," Zayn began, since my fiancée told me that the bridesmaid dresses will be a deep magenta color, I think we might go with a flower that resembles that color."

"That's lovely!" Barbara clapped her hands and tried to hold in her excitement. You could tell the woman loved weddings, "You all look so wonderful! The bridesmaids and, most importantly the bride, will love your suits!" Barbara cheered. Bless her, she was so kind.

"I hope so," Zayn smiled, "and thank you very much not only for the compliment, but also for helping us out today."

"Oh, no problem! It was my pleasure, you all were great. Do you need anything else?"

"No, guess not," Zayn shrugged, "that'd be it."

"Okay! Well when you're ready you can change out of your suits and bring them upfront and I'll ring them for you," Barbara smiled. We all thanked her before she walked away giving us time alone.

"We're all good here, yeah?" Zayn looked around.

"Yup," we all agreed in unison.

"Alright," Zayn nodded, "let's go change out of these suits, pay, and then grab some lunch?"

Everyone agreed and started heading back to the fitting rooms.

"Hey Zayn, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked as I pulled him off to the side.

"Yeah man, what's up?"

I don't really know why I got the sudden urge to ask Zayn about this, but my gut was telling me to.

"How did you know you were ready to get married? I-I mean," I paused, scratching my head, "What if Perrie said no?"

Zayn looked really surprised by what I just asked, I guess he wasn't expecting this. I don't blame him, I wasn't expecting it either. He placed his hands on my shoulders, and didn't say anything at first, but looked at me like he was deep in thought.

"I knew I was ready to get married the moment I fell in love with her. It's about what you feel in your heart, Harry. And I knew that Perrie was the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. She's everything to me. I could never stand to see her with someone else. I want to be the guy who's by her side every step of the way. The guy who she starts a family with, and grows old with. You just know in your heart man, and it's like everything clicks for you."

"But, aren't you scared? How do you know she's the one? I mean what if things don't work out?" I gulped.

"Of course I was scared at first. I kept thinking that she might reject me or tell me that I'm crazy for proposing. But, I mean who isn't scared when they face a huge life-changing thing? You have to understand that without taking risks, you'll never know what could be. Love makes you do and feel crazy things. If you feel things you never felt before in any other relationship and you love the person unconditionally to the point where you would die for them, then you know they are the one for you."

I nodded, not knowing what to say.

He studied my face, "Does that help mate? I don't know if I answered your question well enough."

"Yeah, it helps, thank you for saying all that."

"No worries," he said as we walked back into the fitting rooms.

By the time I changed out of my suit, a few of the boys had already started getting their suits rung up. I met up with the group again and waited to pay for my suit.

"So, where are we going to go for lunch?" Liam asked.

"Let's go to chipotle, I'm craving a burrito," Zayn's cousin suggested.

"Nah, that place sucks," Liam countered.

"What! It's so good! You're crazy," Zayn's cousin countered.

As they kept arguing, I didn't have the patience to listen to them. My mind was elsewhere, thinking about more important things than what food I wanted to eat.

"Harry.....earth to Harry.." Louis waved a hand in front of my face, pulling me back to reality.

"W-what?"

"You're up mate," Louis pointed to Baraba who was behind the cash register."

"Shit, thanks," I muttered to Louis before he and the rest of the guys walked out of the store.

I paid, and met back up with them.

"So, you coming to Chipotle with us?" Niall asked as I unlocked my car.

Ah, so I guess Liam won that argument.

"No, I..uh...gotta take care of something, enjoy though guys," I replied while getting into my car.

I didn't even wait for them to respond. I just pulled out of the parking lot and drove away heading down a path I took with Emma five and a half weeks ago.

While I was driving I noticed that I was deep in thought. Do you ever just drive somewhere and realize that you mentally you aren't there? I mean, yeah, you are paying attention to the road and know what you're doing, but your mind is elsewhere and you lose yourself in thought before you realize it?

That's how I felt this exact moment. I knew how to get to where I wanted to go, but I didn't think about it. The only thing that was filling my head was what Zayn had told me. I hung on to every single word he said.

Why?

Because it was all so true. Every bit of it.

And what he said not only helped me confirm my feelings, but it motivated me.

I wouldn't have traveled all this way to the familiar store if I hadn't felt that way.

This is it.

I thought was I pulled into the parking lot and parked before walking in.

"Hi there," I greeted the owner.

"Hello," he replied slowly, thinking hard for a second, "wait a second, I remember you! You came in a few months ago with your friend and girlfriend didn't you?" He smiled.

"Yes," I grinned, "How have you been?"

"Good! I've been great! Just celebrated my 40th wedding anniversary with my wife!" The same friendly jeweler I remember so well said, "how did everything for your friend work out?"

"He's engaged now, and plans on getting married in three weeks."

The jeweler was thrilled, "Wow! Good news! I like that!" He laughed before getting serious getting, "Now tell me boy, what can I do for you today?"

"I'd like to buy an engagement ring," I admitted proudly.

~*~

Two more chapters left! or 3, haven't decided yet if I want to break the last chapter up into two parts! Anyways I love you and thank you for reading this <3 xx