The Neighbors

2.14 The Album!

I woke up far too early the next morning. I didn't sleep well at all, given the previous night's argument. What a rotten way to welcome Harry home. I wanted to say I was sorry, but I wasn't sure what to be sorry about. I hadn't done anything wrong in accepting Zayn's gift, had I? Or in giving him a gift?

Speaking of gifts, it was Grace's birthday, so instead of sulking at 5:00 in the morning, I decided to clean the house. Even though I had already cleaned it before Harry came home. I put the finishing touches on Grace's presents, I mixed up her cake and put it in the oven, and then I found myself cleaning things like the grooves in the kitchen faucet handles or the burners plates on the new stove. They didn't really need cleaning, I just needed something to keep my mind busy.

I often enjoyed my alone time first thing in the morning, but I was glad when the kids woke up.

"Good morning, birthday girl!" I said to Gracie as she stumbled into the kitchen. I picked her up and kissed her cheek, but I could barely lift her off the floor – she was almost as tall as me at only eight years old. It wouldn't be long before I couldn't pick up any of my kids anymore. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Can I have blackberry pancakes and white grape juice? Oh, and thick bacon? Do we have all that, Mommy?"

"Of course we do, lovey. I knew your birthday was coming up!" I winked at her. "Why don't you all go in and wake Daddy up? I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

I heard them laughing and talking with Harry for a long time while I quickly got breakfast ready. I didn't want today to be awkward between Harry and myself, but I was finding it hard to let go of my anger.

When all the food was finished and I had put the finishing touches on the breakfast table, I poured a mug of coffee for Harry and went into our bedroom. "Kids, would you please give Daddy and me a moment alone? You can go and pour yourself some juice while you wait for us."

They left and closed the door behind them. I put Harry's coffee on his bedside table and then I sat down beside him.

"I'm sorry," I simply said.

He reached his hand up to caress my cheek. Then he pulled me down to kiss him, which I gladly allowed him to do.

"I really didn't think anything of exchanging gifts with Zayn, but if it bothers you, babe, I'll have to be more careful. Please believe me when I say that I meant nothing by it." I ran my fingers through his hair and then placed both hands on the sides of his face. "You are the love of my life, Harry Edward Styles, and nothing will change that."

"I know," he said quietly. "I'm sorry I over-reacted. I just really want you to be careful, especially when I'm gone. Don't want anyone else sniffing around." Then he just smirked and I burst out laughing.

I leaned down to kiss him again and he met my lips with his open ones, gently deepening the kiss and making me melt with his taste and touch, morning breath and all.

He gingerly slid his hand up inside my pajama shirt and I batted his hand away. "Harry, the kids are just in the other room."

"Lock the door, then," he said, pulling me down to kiss him forcefully, causing my heart to start racing.

"Oh, Harry," I whimpered. "I wish we could. But it's Gracie's birthday. Her special breakfast is on the table," I told him.

"Then we'll just have to take a nap together later, won't we?" He smirked.

"Yes, now get up and let's party!" I giggled and walked out to the kitchen.

Grace's birthday celebrations went off without a hitch. All of the extended family came over for cake and ice cream and the opening of gifts. Danny and my niece Ava were enthralled with each other, toddling after each other all evening. She's a year older than him, but they were probably both tickled to have someone their own size in a house full of big people.