Secrets (On hold)

Chapter Fifteen

*Harry's POV*

"Harry! Darling you look so handsome." I see my Aunt Lynn walking towards me, Aunt Lynn really isn't my aunt; she's my stepfather's cousin. We aren't close at all, and only see each other on special occasions. She's dressed in a blue dress and her dark hair is in an updo. She reaches for me and I open my arms to hug her, kissing her cheek.

"Hello Aunt Lynn, you look wonderful." I smile and take a step away from her. She holds onto my arm and looks at Lauren.

"Hello, I don't believe I've met you before! I'm Lynn, Harry's aunt." She extends a hand to Lauren, and Lauren smiles politely and shakes it.

"Hello! I'm Lauren, Harry's..." She says and starts to stumble,unsure of what to introduce herself as. She looks at me in hesitation.

"Friend." I look at Lauren; I hope my aunt doesn't notice my hesitation.

I see disappointment flash across Lauren's face, and then she quickly masks it with a charming smile that doesn't meet her eyes. Instantly I regret saying friend, because she's much more than a friend to me. But I'm not close to Lynn, and Lauren and I aren't public, who knows what will slip.

"Well I am glad to meet you Lauren, you look entirely lovely. That dress is beautiful." My aunt says.

I look at Lauren for what feels like the thousandth time in the two hours I've been with her. I admire how her long hair falls in loose curls down her back, the side full of twists so that her hair hangs over one shoulder. The lavender dress she is wearing looks amazing with her two toned hair color. Her eyelashes were long and curled and something about the way she did her makeup made her hazel eyes pop. Since I picked her up I have barely looked anywhere else.

"Thank you so much. You look lovely as well." Lauren replies graciously.

"If you need anywhere to sit during the vows, feel free to come sit with my husband and I." My aunt says to Lauren, and then hugs me again. "Beautiful girl Harry. I hope you treat her right." She whispers in my ear.

Instead of responding to her, I just squeeze her hand. "I'll see you in a little bit."

"Save a dance for me Harry!" She laughs then walks away.

"This place is beautiful!" Lauren exclaims, looking around.

Not as beautiful as you. I look around at the beautiful venue my mother had picked out. The garden where the ceremony will take place is immaculate, beautiful flowers everywhere. A few rows of white chairs are set up for the guests that are attending. The best part about the garden, is how secluded it is. It feels almost like it's a secret, except for the fact that a banquet hall is nearby. The garden is full of much of my family, and I know that I have to go greet everyone. It feels almost awkward that my crew family and band mates aren't here. A slight pang of guilt hits me when I remember that I am the reason why my mother couldn't invite everyone she wanted too, why she had to keep it small and how because I would be attending, she had to put into consideration how secluded and private the venues were. I glance at the back entrance gate and sigh when I see Jack, the security man Paul hired to watch the wedding tonight. I can't even remember what it would feel like to be out in public without someone watching me.

"Uhh hello?" I blink and realize Lauren is waving her small bag in front of my face.

"Sorry, what?" I make eye contact with Lauren; I must've been zoning out.

"I said, thanks for telling me I am your friend tonight..." Lauren gives me an irritated look and I open my mouth to speak but suddenly someone's hands cover my eyes. I immediately reach up to rip them off.

"Guess who!?" I know its Gemma, but she speaks in a low manly voice in an attempt to through me off.

"Uhhh, Uncle Bob is that you?"

"Your acting skills have never been good Harry, but I appreciate the effort." Gemma lifts her hands off my eyes and I turn to hug her. "You look very nice little brother."

"Thanks Gem, you look beautiful."

"Lauren! You look amazing! Seriously so perfect." Gemma steps forward and hugs Lauren too. I smile, thankful to be standing with two of my favorite people in the world.

"Oh Gemma, stop you're making me blush. You look pretty damn perfect yourself." Lauren laughs.

"Harry, I hate to take you away from Laur, but you need to go line up." Gemma takes my hand. "Lauren do you know where you are sitting?"

"I'm going to take her by Nana." I smirk at Gemma. "You go ahead. I'll be back in a few minutes." I release Gemma's hand and grab Lauren's, pulling her.

"Bye Gemma! See you in a little." Lauren waves to Gemma as I pull her along the aisle.

I release her had when I know she is following me and approach the front row where my grandmother is already sitting with my stepfathers parents. I greet them all, and introduce them to Lauren. Nana won't stop raving about how beautiful Lauren is, and Lauren keeps insisting that Nana is beautiful too. My grandmother is one of the most amazing women; she is always there for me. Her dark short hair that's normally messy is curly, and it almost resembles my own, which she doesn't fail to point out.

"Are you going to be alright?" I whisper to Lauren as she sits down in her chair.

"Yes Harry of course. Everyone is so sweet, and if anything, I know your cousins and I can go talk to them. Now go!" She smiles at me and lightly pushes me away.

I bend down to kiss her and she sticks her hand out, pushing my chest and stopping me.

"Friends. We're friends Harry." She winks at me and I groan, rolling my eyes and heading back down the aisle, being stopped by family friends and relatives along the way.



*Lauren's POV*

"So what are you and Harry?" Ahhh, the dreaded question Nana just asked me.

I can't blame her, her grandson travels the world and is very famous, she has to be curious. I know she doesn't see him often. I politely answered all her hounding questions, and became pleased when I could tell she approves of me. I had somehow managed to steer her away from any questions about Harry and I's relationship, but I knew the inevitable would come. If Harry can't even tell his Aunt Lynn about us, can I tell his grandmother? She is a terribly sweet old lady, rather mischievous, and seems like a laugh. I can't decide if Harry would want me to tell her or not. Honestly, the only people that know about our relationship are people we are constantly with, and couldn't possibly hide it from; also our families. I don't exactly know who Harry has told out of his family, but I definitely know his mother, father, stepfather, sister, and stepbrother know. I've meet his cousins before, but Lou was there, so we didn't have any reason to explain why I was.

"We are friends." I tell his Nana, smiling at her.

"You must be a very close friend if Harry decides to bring you to a wedding his best mates aren't even at." Nana says, winking at me.

My mouth falls open and I quickly shut it.

"I..."

"Shhhh!" Nana puts a finger to her lips. "Your secret is safe with me my dear." She places a hand over mine.

I smile at her and laugh to myself. "Thank you. What gave it away?"

"I may be old but don't under estimate me, I've been around awhile sweets, I can tell he loves you just by the way he looks at you." She smiles at me, crinkles spreading around her green eyes.

My heart swells. I was feeling a little embarrassed from Harry calling me his friend, but I figured he must have reasons behind it. Nana telling me she could see that Harry loves me, reassured my confidence.

"Thank you. If you can keep this between you and me," I lean in to her and she leans closer to me. "I love your grandson a lot. He's an amazing person with so many exceptional qualities. Many of them obvious, but some hidden, and I'm glad he has let me into his life to share his family and self with me." I whisper to her. When I sit back up normal, I look at his grandmother and see she has tears in her eyes.

"Lauren thank you. You don't know how wonderful it is to hear that as a grandmother." She pulls me to her in a hug, giggling. When she sits back, she takes a handkerchief out of her purse and blots under her eyes.

"I never had a worry that Harry would fall in love, the charming, cheeky boys he is; but I did worry about him falling for the right person. I speak for myself and his parents when I say that what we all want is for someone to love and support him the way we do; unconditionally. It's a huge relief that Harry has found you. I know you are both still young, but I do believe young love lasts, and it is such a beautiful thing." She smiles widely at me as more tears fall down her face. "You must think I am a crazy old lady. It's a very emotional day for me today." She laughs and places a hand over mine again.


"I don't think you are crazy at all. I think you are a loving grandmother." I look around to see that everyone is seated except for a few people. "It looks like it's about to start."

"Finally! I could sit out here all day. What a gorgeous day! No rain, which I do think is a wonderful surprise. This venue is so lovely. I bet it cost Harry quite a pocketful!" She exclaims, admiration clear in her voice.

"Harry?" I squeak, looking back at Nana.

"Yes dear, you do know he insisted on paying for the entire wedding right?" She raises an eyebrow at me, and I try to act like the information isn't new to me.

"Uhm yes." I say, trying to mask my surprise. Music starts playing, and we all turn to the aisle to look at the back gate.



*Harry's POV*

I stand next to my stepbrother as my mum and Robin recite their vows. I look at the smiling faces of all my relatives, and lastly grin at Lauren, who is sitting next to my grandmother and holding her hand. Nana already has tears streaming down her cheeks. I listen to the vows, and smile as my mother gets choked up, overcome with emotion.

I glance at Lauren again, just in time to see my grandmother lean into her, and whisper something in her ear. Immediately Lauren's face turns red, and her eyes meet mine. Her mouth has fallen slightly open, in shock? I watch as my grandmother pats Lauren's leg and chuckles to herself. I find myself hoping they are getting along, and realize there is no reason why they wouldn't.



*Lauren's POV*

"Hopefully some day that will be you and Harry up there, preferably in my lifetime." Harry's grandmother had said, after watching Harry smile at me from his place next to his stepbrother.

I couldn't even pretend I wasn't shocked. The thought of marrying Harry had never crossed my mind. His grandmother had said it to me like nothing, and then patted my leg. I couldn't even focus on what was being said during the ceremony.


*Flashback*

I pull my scabbed knees up against my chest and rest my chin on them. I watch from the couch in the corner of the living room as James and his mates pass around a bong. I try my hardest not to inhale the smell, it repulses me. I hate when I have to be around drugs of any sort, because I am too often. I find myself feeling thankful that James has some friends over; he tends to act normal, well as normal as James can get. Much like the James I first met and liked, not the monster he turned into.

"Lauren come hit this bong." James demands. I look up from where I am staring at the floor and over to the circle of four guys that are all currently staring at me.

"No thanks..." I say and immediately start biting my finger nails, a nervous habit I've always had.

"Baby, I asked politely. I'm not going to ask you again. Get the fuck over here." His voice is laced with sweetness, and his friends laugh, thinking he is being funny.

It's too bad they don't know what happens when I'm alone with him.

I stand up from the couch and walk over to them, one of his friend's scoots over creating room for me to sit.

"Here babe." He pushes the bong across the floor, careful not to spill the water.

I place my mouth on the bong, and use it.

"Keep going..." I hear the threat in James' voice, so I continue inhaling.

"Keep going..." He urges, and I feel like my lungs are about to explode, so I pull away, coughing. He starts laughing and so do his friends.

"What a champ!" I hear his friend Mark exclaim, pulling the bong back to himself and taking a plastic baggie full of pot out of his pocket.

I continue coughing, and feel like I am about to suffocate to death. I start wishing that I would just die.

"Damn, that was sexy as hell." The dark haired guy, whose name I don't know says; winking at me.

"You have one fit bird, don't let her go James or I will take her." The stubbly black haired guy says to James.

"Say that again and I'll beat you to a pulp." James threatens his friend.

"Just kidding mate." His friend laughs, holding his hands up on defense. He thinks James is joking, but he isn't.

"I plan on marrying this girl." My eyes shoot to look at James, and I find him staring daggers at me. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me into him, kissing my head. I look up at his face.

Instead of love, like one would expect to see in the eyes of their boyfriend who just declared he wants to marry her, I see possession. All I am to him is someone to take his anger out on, something he can use as a trophy in front of his friends.

*End flashback*


"Are you alright?" Nana whispers, I pull myself out of my daydream and feel my hands shaking, one still locked in her grip.

"Yes." My breathing has accelerated and my whisper comes out choked. I hope I can pass it off as emotion, happiness. I bring myself to look back at Harry, and he is staring at me. His eyes flicker to mine and I see the confusion sweep across his features. I do a quick, almost nonexistent nod of the head, letting him know I am okay. He purses his lips, and then sighs, smiling at me. Nana squeezes my hand.

The rest of the ceremony goes by in a blur, and I stand with the rest of the guests clapping as Anne, Robin, and the rest of the guests walk back down the aisle.



*Authors note, if you forgot who James is, that is Lauren's ex-boyfriend that was mentioned in some of the previous chapters*



*Also this chapter is short, but I want to try and update daily, or at least every other day. So they may be a little shorter from now on.* Comment and vote!