Because Of You (Sequel to Love & Lies)

Chapter 30: Surprise?

We pulled up into the driveway of the large house that I once called home.

I groaned at the sight of this house, memories of all that has happened here coming back.

"Harry, I really don't want to do this. I mean, I really don't." I say, looking at Harry as he shuts off the car.

His face is panicked. I could tell he wasn't expecting this.

"Neither do I. But we have to. I refuse to have it any other way." Harry said, making me groan.

I roll my eyes and open the car door, easing out until my feet touch the floor. I never noticed how high the Range Rover was from the ground, not until I got pregnant at least.

I idle by the car briefly as Harry gets the bags from the back.

"Okay, are you ready?" He asks me.

"No." I say, horrified. "I can't believe I actually have to do this."

"Good let's go." Harry said, making his way up the cobblestone pathway to the house.

As we approach the door, I could feel my heart in my throat.

I scowl at the engraving on the red door. 'Shoter' it read. I remember how mum threw a fit because of the font and size. Typical her.

I knock quickly and stand there, my arms crossed.

Harry's takes in the surroundings of the house.

"You used to live here?" He asks, amazed.

I sigh. "Yeah but don't say it like that. I'm no different that anyone else. Living here was hell. My mother made nothing easy for us."

The door opens to reveal a woman, in her 40s. She was tall and skinny. She wore all black, her jet black hair slicked back in a ponytail. Her skin sun kissed, a Bulgarian trade mark. Overall, she was beautiful.

I smile at the sight of her. "Auntie Dana!" I say, stepping forward to hug the woman in front of me.

A smile grows wide on her face, as tears fill her eyes. She pulls me into a hug.

"Dzheni." She says, my name in Bulgarian.

I pull away and smile.

I turn to Harry, who looks confused.

"Harry, this my Auntie Dana. Well not exactly my aunt, but my nanny. She's worked here for years. She raised me." I smile at her once more. "Auntie Dana, this Harry, my boyfriend."

Harry smiles and sticks out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Aunt Dana laughs. "Oh honey, I don't do hand shakes. I like a hug."

Harry puts his hand down and grins. "Me too."

They hug it out and break away.

"Please come inside." She says, stepping aside.

Harry and I walk in, and I take in my surroundings. It's all too familiar. The granite foyer, the spiralling staircase. The balcony that overlooks the rest of the house.

Harry gapes at the house, as I knew he would.

"Wow." He says.

"Yep." I say, going over to the formal living room where I have a seat. Harry and Dana sit as well.

"Jenny, I can't believe how big you've gotten!" Aunt Dana says. "Both ways at that too!"

I smile. "I know, we're halfway there."

"You must be wondering where your parents and sister are so I'll tell you that they went to lunch with the Porters." She says.

I wave of relief washed over me. "Thank god. I'm not in the mood for mum right now."

"Let me tell you, no one is. She's a handful even more so lately." Aunt Dana said. "So before she gets home, why don't you to go upstairs to get unpacked?"

I smile and stand. "That would be great."

"Well you know your way. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." She says, walking in the direction of the kitchen.

Harry and I are left alone.

"She seems pretty nice. You really were over exaggerating." Harry says, picking up the bags.

I glare at him. "No I wasn't. I didn't even know Aunt Dana still lives here. She is the only reason why I would ever come back."

Harry nods, understanding.

I approach the staircase and huff at the sight of the stairs.

"What's wrong?" Harry asks me.

"There are way too many stairs." I say, examining the spiral staircase.

He laughs. "I have an idea."

"What are you--"

Harry drops all the bags and before I know it, he scoops me up in his arms, making me squeal.

I giggle and Harry gives me a cheeky smile as he carries me up the stairs.

"Is this better?" He asks.

I smile. "Much better. Am I heavy?"

Harry shakes his head. "Not one bit."

He puts me down at the top of the stairs and stretches backwards. "Okay maybe just a bit."

I gasp and hit his arm playfully.

"Just kidding." He says, pecking me on the cheek before running down to grab the bags.

When he's back up, I take two from him and walk down the hallway.

I stop at the pink door covered with roses. I smile.

"This is it." I say, opening the door.

I take in the room, still in pristine condition.

The sea foam green walls blended perfectly with the rose theme that went along with the rest of the room. My bay window with the window seat where I would sit for hours. And my wall lined with a bookshelf, a ladder that slid back and forth. Fairy lights were strung from the vaulted ceiling completing the look of the room.

"So this was the room of young Jenny Shoter." Harry said, smiling.

"Yeah, why?" I ask, setting down the bags and sitting on the bed.

"I can imagine you, sitting and reading or on your laptop and singing loudly." Harry says, a smirk forming on his face. "Or maybe going through the girly phase, as I like to call it."

I raise an eyebrow. "Girly phase." I repeat.

"Yeah, the phase that girls go through when the finally start getting familiarised with," He says, before I cut him off. "Okay, I got it."

I smile as Harry flashes me one of his cheeky smiles, dimples and all.

"So what do you say, should we revisit?" He asks, stepping closer as I back up until I hit the bed.

My knees buckle as my bum makes contact with the large, plush bed. Harry grins, knowing he got me.

His lips connect with mine in urgency. I kiss back instantly, bringing my hands up to tangle in his curls. He licks my bottom lip and I grant him access happily, our tongues fighting for dominance.

As we lay side by side, still kissing, he rubs small circles into the arch of the back, comforting me. I smile and deepen our kiss.

His hips grind against me, mine circling with his in reflex.

As we carried on, I could hear a constant tapping noise. I pulled away from Harry, we both jump, putting more distance between his.

I could feel the tension rising.

I open my mouth to talk. "Mother."

"Jenny, what a surprise." She replied, tapping her foot on the floor.