life as we know it || harry styles au

Chapter 2- Putting on a Happy Face

From my first encounter with Harry I knew he was a difficult one to deal with. I couldn't imagine what he was like when he was sober, even if he ever was.

The little information I knew about him was that he liked to drunk and liked to sleep around with different girls a lot. Oh, right, and he hated me just as much as I hated him.

I was a proper girl, raised by my strong willed parents, who learned to respect others from a young age. I'd always been courteous of manners and treating others in a friendly, kind way.

I was so taken aback by Harry's rude and hurtful comments, especially for meeting him for the first time. I thought he'd respect a woman in some way, but obviously I thought wrong.

He treated me as a waste of his time, only rushing through our meaningless date to get to his other woman back home.

He saw me as nothing more than a nuisance, assuming I was this lonely strict uptight single woman desperate for her true love. He wanted nothing to do with a relationship, especially one with me.

It was safe to say the two of us couldn't stand each other, let alone be left in the same room together.

Weeks following the disaster date with Harry, the day I had very much anticipated had arrived- Mark and Elizabeth's baby girl's first birthday. Isabella was finally turning 1, and I would surely be in attendance at her birthday party.

The theme for the celebration would be pink and princessy, a representation of Elizabeth herself. She was definitely the girly girl type, and her life had been the definition of a picture perfect fairy tale.

Isabella was probably the cutest little girl anyone had ever seen, according to her biased mother. She had straight black hair and bright blue crystal eyes. She still had chubby cheeks and little feet, being absolutely adorable nonetheless.

Baby Bella had always had a special bond with me for one reason or another. Practically being blood related to her, every time I was around Bella clung to my hip.

I often baby sat for Mark and Liz so they could get away from parent duty, and I was always more than happy to help. I even pretended Bella was her own, although she was merely just my goddaughter.

On the other hand, Harry didn't pay much attention to Bella. He wasn't quite fond of children, never wanting one of his own or even marriage at that.

I had arrived early at Mark and Elizabeth's huge mansion to help prepare for Bella's big party. I brought over a pink sheet cake for dessert, decorated with flowers and swirls.

"So glad you make it, Lottie!" Elizabeth told me as I embraced her.

"I wouldn't miss my goddaughter's first birthday party for the world." I smiled as I retreated from the hug.

"Where would we be without Lottie, now?" Mark wondered aloud.

"Probably still trying to swaddle Bella during the first night home." Liz joked as I joined in with a chuckle.

I headed upstairs to place my coat and purse upstairs on Mark and Liz's bed. On the nightstand next to the lamp I noticed a silver picture frame with a black and white photograph inside. It was the day Bella was born, I'd been sure of it. Liz held her in her arms, dressed in a hospital gown with the baby tucked so tightly in a blanket. Over her left shoulder was Mark, his arm wrapped around Liz with one over her own around the baby. Both had smiles larger than life on their faces, the emotions behind the two so heartwarming. The beauty of the birth of a child is something I had never wanted more in my life after looking at such a photo.

I put the frame down on the nightstand and headed downstairs to help Liz. To my luck when I had arrived, another guest had arrived. A guest I hadn't seen in weeks, one I'd never thought I see again.