Home H.S

Chapter 30: Take me Home

"LOOK AT YOU," Anne said, "you're even more stunning in real life," she was broadly grinning and softly cupping my face in her hands, the warmness of her skin soothing the coldness of mine, "welcome dear, I'm so happy to finally meet you."

I was overwhelmed to the point where my breath became shorter and my body wobbled in a deep emotional state. As if I was stroked by an unknown force that left me dizzy and incapable of reacting. I couldn't really make a reason why besides the fact that I was meeting my boyfriend's mom for the first time.

"I'm so glad to meet you too, Anne," I managed to whisper.

Anne was Harry's mom. I had seen her before in many pictures my boyfriend had all over his house, but none of them did her any justice. She was a beautiful woman in all of her warm unpretentiousness, much like Harry, and they had an undeniable resemblance. Her long dark hair framed her graceful features and highlighted her turquoise eyes. Her voice was soft and she had a calming aura surrounding her. Her lips were almost constantly curled in a genuinely welcoming smile.

We locked eyes smiling for a couple of seconds until she let go of me to hug his son tightly. Even in his 6 feet height, Harry seemed tiny wrapped in his mother's arms. He became suddenly fragile and I probably fell a little more in love with him when I saw the tenderness in which he treated her.

After letting go of him she placed a long kiss on his cheek and beckon us to follow her, "It's cold, let's go inside!"

Harry frowned sensing something was wrong with me and all I could do was smile to assure him I was alright. But, was I? He intertwined his fingers with mine, raising my hand to softly press his lips to it. His eyes searching deeply into mine for a few seconds before guiding me into the house. Those little gestures somehow helped me to slightly compose myself.

As I had sensed just from looking at it from the outside, the house suited Harry perfectly. The rooms were spacious, but with an absolute cozy feel to them,  it made me want to grab a blanket, a book, and a cup of tea to spend my whole day snuggled in front of the fireplace. I had a subconscious fear that maybe Harry's family had picked the 'celebrity evil ways' that he discarded and became obnoxious and pretentious. To my absolute relief, it was almost the exact opposite.

"Please sit wherever you fancy, Olivia," Anne said as we were walking through the hallway that led to the sitting room.

Harry led me to sit on a big brown leather couch, his hand still tightly wrapped around mine. I was about to take place beside him when a man entered the room. He was tall and big, most of his face covered with a white beard, his eyes sparkling behind a pair of glasses, and a full beam on his lips.

"You're finally here!" He exclaimed approaching us with arms wide open, "I'm Robin," Harry's step-dad introduced himself after pulling away from the big hug he gave me.

"I've heard a lot about you, Robin," I said nodding and smiling as he circled his arm around Harry's shoulder and affectionately patted his left arm.

"All good things I hope, right lad?" He joked while his eyes traveled from Harry to me.

"Always," Harry assured chuckling.

"Would you like anything to drink, or eat?" Anne offered as we finally sat down.

"Tea would be great," Harry said.

"Oh, I made shortbread!" Anne yelped clapping her hands and standing up like suddenly remembering it, "Harry tells me you really like them, Olivia."

Harry nodded while tapping my knee and squeezing it, "Well, I'm almost addicted to them, I have to admit!" I said giggling.

"You'll love mum's shortbread," Harry assured.