Lessons Learned (Sequel to Love At War) Harry Styles

Chapter 17

I hardly spoke to anyone in the coming weeks. My split from Lucas had been coming for a while I decided, but that didn't make it any easier. True, we'd never been official but he was the first person I felt like I could open up to since leaving Harry. Mum had rang a few times, regarding Christmas plans but I was vague and uncommunicative on the phone so she had given up on me. Hannah was getting extremely pissed off with me because I wasn't replying to her messages and me and Harry only said a few words to each other when I had dropped the girls off or picked them up.

I was now vaguely aware of Maddie and Ellie bouncing up and down on my bed. I groaned and mumbled to them but they continued their assault until I sat up, thumped the pillow next to me and glared at them.

"Mummy, Santa has come! He's left us presents!" screamed Ellie, her face turning bright red.

"Yay!" I squealed, throwing my arms in the air. "Go and get your pillow cases then!"

They both nodded furiously and ran out of the room, giving me time to stretch and wake up properly. Even though my mood was horrendous at the moment, I was determined to put on a brave face for the girls at Christmas. Even though I had assumed I would be spending the time with Lucas, that wasn't going to stop me from trying to enjoy myself.

"Ellie, just pull! It's not difficult!" scolded Maddie from the hallway, her form coming into view as she dragged her pillow case full of presents into my bedroom.

"Don't cheek your sister," I reminded her, sliding out of bed and going to help Ellie.

I lifted her pillow case and carried it into my room, placing it on the floor on the opposite side of the bed to Maddie's. They both crawled onto the bed, their hair looking like little bird's nests. They began to unwrap their small presents, one by one, squealing with delight every time they saw something they liked. It was a tradition we had; they'd open their small presents in my room first thing, then we'd go downstairs and they'd open their main presents and the ones under the tree.

"Mummy, are we seeing Daddy today?" asked Maddie, stuffing a handful of sweets in her mouth from a packet she'd just opened. Her speech was muffled but I understood exactly what she had said.

"I'm not sure baby, we haven't spoken about me. Do you want me to ring him?"

"Yes please!" said Ellie, grinning.

"You two carry on unwrapping your presents and I'll ring him now," I smiled, leaning over and picking up my phone.

After replying to a couple of 'Merry Christmas' texts, I selected his number and held the phone to my ear, scratching the side of my mouth as I waited for the call to connect.

"Hello?" came through the phone in a very bleary tone.

"Aw, have I just woken you up?" I chuckled. "HAPPY CHRISTMAS!" I added loudly. just to wind him up.

"Yes you bloody well have," he grumbled, as I heard him sit up. "But yeah, happy Christmas."

"Come on, where's your Christmas spirit?" I teased, watching as Madde ripped the wrapping paper off of a One Direction t-shirt.

"I'll find it when I'm awake properly," he laughed. "What's up?"

"I was wondering what you're doing today? The girls obviously want to see you, and I'm doing a Christmas lunch for the three of us, Mum and Steven and Hannah...I've got enough food if you want to come round as well...I'd have loads of leftovers anyway."

"Would your Mum want to see me?" he asked worriedly.

"She admires you Harry, you stepped up to the plate when you really didn't have to. I think she'll be happy to see you."