How could I forget?

June 5th, 2013

Harry's POV

I was laying down on the couch with the telly on when my mum came in with the phone pressed to her ear. I sat up straight and continued watching the telly and eating biscuits. It was only until Ariana's name came up that I actually began to listen in.

"Ari said she didn't want a big thing, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you guys came. You're family after all. Yeah, don't worry about it, I'll call her right now and let you know. Okay, bye, Dee. See you tomorrow."

Before I could ask her what she was talking about, she had the phone pressed to her ear again. This time, to hear the other side of the conversation, I rested my head on her shoulder. She only smiled and wrapped an arm around me.

"Hello?"

"Hi, dear. I was just calling about tomorrow. Is everything set?"

"Yeah, it's all good. You're still making that sweet bread Mia loves, right?"

"Of course. Oh, I was meaning to ask you, now that you've met my family, is it okay if they come tomorrow? I know you didn't want anything big, but they were asking."

"Yeah that shoul- Mia don't pull his hair!- that should be alright. Just uh, just gotta tell everyone to make more food then planned. "

"Thanks, love. I could come over early and help out, if that makes things any easier?"

"That'd be great. Thanks, Anne. Oh! Did you happen to tell Harry? He hasn't called about it or anything so I'm not sure- Mia! I said don't- You know what Anne, I'm sorry, but I've gotta go. Bye, see you tomorrow."

Then that was the end. I looked up at her and wondered what it was she was supposed to tell me. The look on her face was not a good one. She looked down at me and gave me an awkward smile, to which I only raised my eyebrow in response.

"Well, you see, son. With the wedding that just went on, it might've slipped my mind to tell you this, don't be mad! It's just that uh, it might be their birthday tomorrow and-"

"-Might be? Are you serious right now, mum? How do you forget to tell me? How does Ariana forget to tell me? I'm their dad, this is her fault she shou-"

"Don't you dare blame her for this. I love you Harry, you know I do, but to be fair you just recently been a part of their lives. We're used to going around and planning things without you knowing. You were never really around. That's not her fault, now is it?" Then she got up and walked out of the room. She was right, mum was always right. Not only did I leave Ariana behind, but with the constant touring and meetings and photoshoots, I also left my family behind. I think this year alone I've been in my old home more times then the past two years. Sure, I spoke to my mum and Gemma a lot on the phone, but actually coming back to Cheshire was something else. I rubbed my face then went to change clothes and left to the store to find something for Mia and Danny. I missed their first birthday, but I was determined to make up for it for their second one.

***

"I'm sorry, mum." I told her again as we drove back from the store to Ari's house. She huffed then said that it was alright, but I could tell it wasn't. That just showed me how strong a bond Ariana and her have, she's protective of her. I put my headphones back in and leaned my head on the window. When we arrived I left the twins' gifts in the car. It was too early for them to open anything. By the time I got to the door my mum was already walking into the kitchen. I heard Mia's laugh coming from the living room, so I chose to go there instead. When she saw me she ran to me and screamed, "Daddy!"

A smile immediately went on my face. I never knew just how much it would mean to me to hear her say that. "How's my little princess doing?" I asked her as I picked her up. She simply responded by kissing my lips and giggling. I looked towards the couch and saw Ariana's nonna sitting there. I told her hello then asked her where Danny was. She responded and said that Ari was taking him a bath. I nodded my head then excused myself to the kitchen. When my mum saw her she took her from me and told her happy birthday. She poured a small amount of cereal, without milk, into a little bowl and gave it to Mia to eat. When she was almost done, that's when Ariana and Danny came into the room. When she saw me, she stood there frozen in place until Danny snapped her out of it.