The Bad Boy

Chapter 160

Harry's P.O.V

When I wake up, it's around 6 in the evening. Stephanie is still sound asleep, cradled in my arms. I almost think it's a dream until I feel her breathing quicken when I shift around. I don't want to wake her because I feel that she'll never get back to sleep, and after she fell over early this morning I know she needs it.

So I stay where I am and watch her chest rise and fall slowly. She must be dreaming deeply because she doesn't make any noise and her face doesn't move.

It's almost 7 when Stephanie finally rolls over to face me, pushing her arms up above her head and yawning before slowly opening her eyes.

"Hi." She mumbles sleepily.

"Hi." I reply back. "Sleep good?"

"Better than I have in a long time." She admits.

"Me too." I say.

"Have you gotten out of bed yet?" Steph asks. "Because I'm sure Gemma is wondering what you're doing."

"Oh please, you just want to get up and go see her." I accuse.

She laughs a little. "Yeah, you're right. So can we get up?"

"Whatever you want." I agree, sitting up. "Are you feeling better?"

Steph sits up and stretches some more. "Much." She scoots down to the edge of the bed and slides her shirt and then her shorts back on.

"You could leave those off you know." I suggest.

"Yeah, right, because that won't give Gemma any ideas." She rolls her eyes before standing the rest of the way up and heading to the bedroom door.

I stand up and pull my shirt back on before following her out into the living room. Gemma is sitting on the couch, scarfing popcorn and watching some television show.

"Hey Gemma." Stephanie says, getting her attention.

Gemma turns in our direction and her eyes pop open. "STEPHANIE?!" She yelps, jumping off the couch and sending what was left of her popcorn flying. She runs over and jumps on Stephanie.

"Gemma, be careful." I warn. The last thing I need is  for Stephanie to fall again and hurt herself.

"I missed you!" I hear Stephanie say.

"I missed you too!" Gemma cries, finally jumping back to let Stephanie breathe. "What're you doing here?"

"Gemma!" I admonish. Steph hasn't even told me why she showed up yet, so I'll be damned if Gemma hears it before me.

"Sleeping trouble." Stephanie shrugs.

"Oh my gosh, you're hair. I love it! It's...so you!" Gemma reaches out and rustles her hair.

"Thanks, I just kinda needed a change, ya know?" Stephanie smiles. "And you! I can see your baby bump!"

I look at Gemma's stomach. I see nothing but her typical stomach, a totally flat plain.

"I know!" Gemma squeals.

"Okay, I don't know about you ladies but I'm starving. Do you want me to call something in or do you want to go out?" I ask. As much fun as their squealing is, Stephanie hasn't eaten in a long time and needs too.

Gemma looks at Stephanie expectantly. "We can go out." Stephanie shrugs.

"Yay!" Gemma claps her hands together. "Come with me, I'll get you dressed." She grabs Stephanie's wrist and yanks her into her room.

Stephanie's P.O.V.

Gemma drags me into her room. "How do you expect me to wear your maternity clothes?" I ask.

"You think I wear maternity clothes? Please, I'm staying out of those for as long as possible. I brought my regular clothes with me." Gemma walks over and throws open the closet doors.

She digs around and I perch on the edge of her neatly made bed, the exact opposite of Harry's. It's nice to be around Gemma and her perpetually sunny outlook. She brings the mood up in the room just by walking in.

"How about this?" Gemma steps back from the closet holding a pair of dark wash high waisted shorts with frayed edges and rips, and a grey spaghetti strap top that only comes just to the top of the shorts.

"Your tastes have toned down quite a bit." I note, taking the outfit from her.

"Wait for it." She holds up a finger and dives back into the closet. She comes up with a black floppy sun hat.

"Ah, there it is." I say, taking that from her too.

"Okay honey, the penguin socks have to go." She looks disdainfully at my feet.

"Boo." I fake pout as she throws a pair of black flip flops at me.

"Just get changed, we've got places to go." She wags her finger at me before returning to the closet to find something for herself.

I put on the clothes, even the hat, and feel significantly more tumblr like when I finish. For herself, Gemma chooses a black and white stripe tank top dress, and a pair of gladiator style black sandals.

"Alright, let's hit the town." Gemma grins, flinging open the door. "Oh wait, I almost forgot your lipstick."

She throws a tube of red lipstick at me, and instead of trying to fight her, I just smear a coat of it on and throw it back on the bed before following her out the door.

Harry is sitting on the living room couch, having changed from basketball shorts into black jeans and his boots.

"Come on!" Gemma calls, grabbing her oversize black purse and prancing out the door.

"This ought to be good." Harry rolls his eyes.