Unpredictable Love

Chapter 49

Chapter 49
I shuffle around in my closet for the perfect thing to wear to Harry's family reunion, but nothing seems to click. I clench my hair in my fists and release an echoing scream.

Within moments Aunt Jocelyn bursts through the door. "Honey, is everything alright?" She calls out, worried.

"Help." I whine, and she steps into the closet. Her brows scrunch up in concern as she takes in my appearance. "What's the matter?"

"I'm going to Harry's family gathering today, and I have not the slightest idea on what I should wear." I complain.

Aunt Jocelyn begins flipping through hanger after hanger of clothes. "Nothing that shows my stomach, I don't want them to think I'm trashy..." I mumble and she smiles barely.

She tugs out a simple spring-like dress that is very casual, yet elegant. I beam at her selection, and reach out for it. "That's perfect." I say as I tug the dress on over my head. It falls about mid thigh and looks as though it could be a blouse and skirt, separated. The skirt-like portion is floral and the top is slightly loose, and creme colored.

I nod in approval to the shirt she chose and our eyes meet as I wait for her to comment on my outfit. "It's lovely," she approves with a nostalgic smile. "Call me back in here when you're all dressed and ready so I can take a look at you." She instructs and I nod, as she leaves the closet.

My straightener is already turned on in the bathroom, but I'm too lazy to straighten my hair so I leave it hanging loose down my back, in pretty natural waves, adding only a spritz of hairspray.

Very cautiously I apply my makeup, blending all natural colors in order to compliment my dress. My phone buzzes against the kitchen counter and I read the new text I now have from Harry.

*I'll be over by 10:35* the text says and my heart beat races when I notice it's 10:15 right now, that means I only have twenty minutes and I still end to pack a bag. I shove my feet into a beige pair of Toms that match my dress neutrally, and drag my suitcase out from my closet. The suitcase is small but I start stuffing it with as much clothes, and shoes as possible.

"Aunt Jocelyn!" I shout, and I hear my aunt come racing down the hallway, into my room. She gasps as she takes in my appearance.

"Do I look--?" "YES!" She interrupts me and squeals loudly. My cheeks flush as she throws her arms around me in a warm embrace. A throat clears in the doorway of my room, and Aunt Jocelyn releases me from her hug, as we both turn to look at my Mother. Mom is staring at me from the door, hey eyes look empty and red rimmed, I can tell she's been weeping.

"You look beautiful, baby girl." Her voice is scratchy and weak as she attempts to speak to me.

I lower my eyes to the floor. "Thanks." She used to call me baby girl when I was little...when my dad was still around.

I turn around, facing my back to her and zip up my suitcase. Aunt Jocelyn takes a seat on the edge of my bed, and is fiddling with her thumbs.

From behind me I hear my mom take a few steps closer to me. My cell phone vibrates viscously against my bed and I move to answer the call.

"Hello?"

"I'm here." Harry tells me, then hangs up. I chuckle and grab all of my things. "Well goodbye, I'm meeting Harry in the driveway." I tell them. Aunt Jocelyn gives me a weak smile and my mom's face remain expressionless.

With my suitcase in hand, I drag my stuff down the hall and out the front door. When Harry sees me struggling to carry all of my stuff he jumps out of the car to help. His brows raise at the sight of my suitcase.

"Hey gorgeous," Harry greets, and I smile.

"What's with the bag?" He questions and I shrug embarrassingly. "Just in case, I stay the night at your apartment. I hate re-wearing my clothes, that's gross." I explain, and his eyes light up at the mention of me staying with him.

Once the car is all loaded up, including me and Harry, we pull out of the driveway and begin our half hour journey to Arlington.
********************************
We met Harry's mother, Anne, along the way at a gas station so she could lead us to Harry's grandmothers home. Anne seemed quite pleased that I was attending their family reunion, which helped ease some of my discomfort.

Anne's car pulls into a narrow driveway of a large, red, bricked house with a white picket fence. Numerous cars surround the house, and I can tell that Harry has a lot of family. Nerves fill my body and I fiddle with my hands as Harry parks the car.

His green eyes move to meet mine and I give him a skeptical expression. "What's wrong?" He asks.

"Nervous..." Is all I say and Harry gives me his most charming smile, the one that I adore where his dimples are on full display. He leans in and presses him lips to mine, I kiss him back slowly and allow his presence to ease my nerves. His gentle hand cups my cheek and my stomach flutters for a different reason. A loud knock on Harry's window, causes Harry and I to jolt apart.

Anne is standing at the window, a devious smile on her face. "C'mon." She calls through the glass and Harry lets out an annoyed sigh.

I unfasten my seatbelt and climb out of the car, Harry meets me around the front and takes my hand in his. Anne and Robin are already walking ahead of us into the gate of the white picket fence. Our pace is slow, as we trail along the stone path that wraps around the side of the house.

I can already smell the smoke from the grill, and whatever they're cooking smells amazing. People come into sight, and as they catch sight of us they all cheer and smile.

"Come on, there's someone I want you to meet." Harry tells me as he leads me deeper into the beautiful backyard. An older woman sitting at a picnic table along with a few children, smiles up at Harry as we approach.

"My Harry." Her soft, melodic coos as Harry comes closer. I edge behind his back slightly, as her soft hazel eyes that are almost a mirror image of Harry's, land on me. Her eyes flicker back up to Harry's face as he smiles down at her.

"Gran, this is Karleigh." He says casually as if he does this every day. Harry tugs me out from behind him and I fight the urge to hide behind his back again.

"Well hello honey, you sure are beautiful." She compliments me and my cheeks warm under her intimidating gaze.

Harry's POV

Karleigh's cheeks flush and she bats her eyelashes. "Thank you, Mrs. Martha." Her shyness is amusing to me, I've never seen her like this before, she must really be nervous.

"Oh sweetie, you can call me Gran." My Gran gives Karleigh a large smile and I can tell that she already adores her, even in their short amount of introduction.

"Thank you, Gran." Karleigh corrects herself.

"Harry Edward Styles." Someone calls from the left of me, and I turn around to see my Aunt and sister standing a few short feet away.

"Be right back." I say to Karleigh as she he maintains her conversation with Gran. I shuffle over towards my Aunt Beth and Gemma, both of them beaming at me.

Gemma throws her arms around me and I hug her back tightly. "Baby brother." She coos, and I smile.

"How's uni?" I ask, our arms still around each other. She pulls away from me, her arms extend and her hands are on my shoulders as she takes in my appearance.

"You've grown some more, I haven't seen you in ages." Gemma states and I nod. "Uni is well, thank you." She adds and we both smile cheekily at each other. Aunt Beth, my Mom's younger sister steps over and grins.

"Hey Harry, haven't seen you in a while." She pinches my cheek teasingly and I roll my eyes.

"Was that girl, the one you're dating?" Gemma asks, both hers and Aunt Beth's eyes lighting up. I nod, a wide smile plastered on my face. "Yeah, would you like me to go get her?"

They both nod eagerly and I walk across the lawn to the picnic table where my Gran and Karleigh had been seated, but neither of them are there.

I scan around the area, but don't seem to spot either of them. I jog back over to where Aunt Beth and Gemma are standing.

"I can't find her." I say, concern obvious in my voice. Neither of them are looking at me, both of their eyes are on something across the lawn and I turn to see what they are observing.