If I Could Fly // h.s.

Chapter 19

 Before I know it, it's Saturday. As much as I hate to miss out on a chance to see Harry, I promised Aunt Jane that I would go with her to visit Ellijah today. Nichole decided to stay behind and do some work on her laptop.

The day seems to pass in a blur. I've never felt so heartbroken before today. Ellijah is the most precious boy I've ever met. He is a scrawny thing with sandy brown hair and freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks. He took to me immediately, claiming that the other adults were boring. We played and played until Aunt Jane said it was time to go and let him rest.

"Will you be back?" Ellijah asks, fiddling with the fingers of my hand that he's been holding all day.

"Of course I will. I might even bring you a surprise next time. What do you think about that?" I ask, winking at him.

"You're the best, Miss Amelia. I'm so glad you're my new friend," he says, squeezing my middle as hard as his frail little body will allow.

"I'm glad you're my friend, too, Ellijah. I hope we become the very best of friends," I return his hug, choking back the tears that are threatening to spill over my cheeks. Aunt Jane and I make our goodbyes to the rest of the household and load up into the car to head back home in time for dinner.

The drive back is silent. I can't seem to get that little boy out of my head as I watch the trees and houses pass through the window. How can someone so young live in that much pain and still be as happy and genuinely good as he is? Suddenly, all the problems I have seem to be so much smaller. "Thank you for taking me with you today, Aunt Jane," I say softly just before we reach the estate.

She clasps my hand gently and pulls me closer to her in the back seat of the car, "Thank you, sweetheart. It means so much that you went. It means even more to see what an incredible woman you are. I'm so very proud to have you as my family. I know you've only been here a short while, but I hope you know that I love you very much, my Amelia."

With that I completely break down in her arms. I let some of the pent up hurt and sadness that I've carried around all these years flow out of me as Aunt Jane silently rocks me and holds me. This is why I came here. This is what I have been missing my entire life. I don't want to miss it anymore.

"Hurry up, Mel! We need to get downstairs! God forbid those poor boys be left down there with Uncle Richard for long," she says as I hear her half-chuckle.

After mine and Aunt Jane's emotional car journey, Nichole rushed me upstairs to the bedroom so we could get ready for Harry and Niall's first dinner here at the house. We were both insanely nervous, which I found funny. I've never really had to deal with the whole "bringing a boy home to family dinner" before, and while I certainly was weary, it wasn't necessarily an unwelcome feeling. What made it funnier was how scared Nichole was. I've never seen her so scattered as she was getting ready tonight.

I take a few more moments regarding myself in the full length mirror. I chose a simple black silk dress with a high neckline. It is very flattering to my figure, but it certainly isn't revealing in any way that Uncle Richard would deem unfit. Here I am, twenty-five years old and I'm stressing out like a bloody teenager.

Nichole chose a loose-fitted, ivory linen dress for what I'm assuming are the same reasons I chose mine. We both tweaked each other's hair and makeup a few more times before deciding that it was now or never. Just as I am grabbing my phone from the bed, a text comes through.

We are here, baby. See you in second ;) xx H

"Shit! They're here," I say, quickly tucking my phone away in my sweater pocket and grabbing it and Nichole by the hand, dragging her out the door.

"Alright, Mel, Jesus. Calm down. You're supposed to be the calm one!"

We make it down stairs just in time to see Joe greeting Harry and Niall at the door. We watch from afar as he takes both the boys jackets from them. Just like every other time I see him, I am taken aback by how truly perfect this man is. He is dressed in his usual black skinny jeans and oversized button down. This one is white and looks creamy to touch. This time, though, he has a black blazer on top of his shirt.. his shirt that has just a few too many buttons undone. God save the Queen. How am I supposed to function when he looks like this.

I am snapped out of my trance when I hear Harry clear his throat and take his place beside me, lacing his fingers in with mine. He leans down and pecks me on the cheek before moving back to my ear, "While I would love nothing more than stay right here and find out just what thoughts you were having just now, I think we had better go see your family now." I don't have to look to know that he's smirking at me. With that, I take his hand that's in mine and make sure to glide the back of his hand along my hip, revealing that I again decided to forego underwear tonight. I hear him curse under his breath as he continues to lightly trace his knuckles over the silk of my dress. I had planned on keeping that tidbit of information to myself until the end of the evening, but if he wants to play, I can play.

"You guys coming, or nah?" Niall says awkwardly as I look up and notice that he and Nichole have been waiting on us to go into sitting room.

"Coming!" I chirp, pulling Harry along behind me, throwing a cheeky grin back at him.

Aunt Jane is already in the sitting room at the bar helping Anna get the drinks set up. "Oh you're here already! How wonderful!" she squeaks as she stops what she is doing and immediately comes over to kiss both boys on the cheeks. "I'm so glad you boys could make it over! It will be wonderful getting to know the men that has our two girls so smitten here lately." I watch as both of the boys display full-fledged grins at that remark.

Niall wastes no time to start charming my aunt as she leads him over with her to fetch drinks for everyone. Nichole interrupts them briefly and asks when Uncle Richard will be getting home.

"Oh, dear.. he's just running late, as usual. Something came up at the office this evening. He will definitely be here in time for dinner, though! He just has to miss out on all these yummy drinks," she says, handing the last of the glasses to me and Harry. "Cheers, everyone!" We all clink glasses and I catch Harry looking down at me from under his. His expression is dark and lustful. I know this look. This look is certainly going to be the death of me.