One Time Only

Chapter 18

Jerica slams her door shut just as Harry runs out of the elevator. He knew she was pissed but she's never slammed doors before. Grabbing the door knob, Harry gives a twist, when it opens he's surprised, walking into the livingroom he doesn't see Jerica so he heads for their bedroom, getting there he sees her just sitting on the bed. Walking over to her, he kneels down in front of her.
"Babe? Please let me explain. It's not as bad as it seems." Harry says.

"Really? Harry, you know what I realized when I got here?" She asks. "I had every intentions on packing your things and taking them to your place." Just as Harry is about to speak Jerica covers his mouth with her hand. "I'm not done. Before I even grab the first bag to pack I realized I don't have a key to your condo. You have one to mine, so does Louis. You both come and go at will, the only time I go in and out of your place is when the door is left open. That made me realize you don't trust me with a key, not like I do you.
And then to find out you've never told your mom about me. To hear her say you've talked several times, just this month alone, and not once did you mention us dating, no less practically living together, now that hurts. You know I told Timmy about you? Literally the day I saw you for the first time, I told my brother all about that non-existent meeting. And you couldn't even spare a second to tell your mom about someone you claim to be in love with. How do you think that makes me feel?" Jerica sobs.

"God babe, I'm so sorry." Harry whispers, hugging Jerica to him. "Hun, I never even thought about the key situation, our door is never locked, it just never occurred to me to give you one when you were already coming and going. And when it comes to my mom, well that's a little more complicated. I opened my first tattoo shop when I was 17, my mom backed Lou and I. She told me if I could make money at it the she'd sign it over to us and we wouldn't have to pay her back. When the girls in the area found out who my mom was they started coming in the shop all the time, showing Lou and I the art they'd drawn, flirting with us, mostly me. For a while I'd take them up on their offer, as much as I regret that now, afterwards they'd expect to meet my mom, hoping she'd represent them.
Later after I opened the second shop, without mom's help, the same thing happened. That's why I made the move here. I was so sick of the women there using me to get to my mom. I guess I'm so used to keeping quiet about who she is to who I'm dating, or not even telling her I'm dating anyone it's become a habit. I wasn't trying to keep you a secret, hell babe I don't care who knows were dating." Harry chokes out.

"I obviously don't care who your mom is either. Or I'd have stayed and talked to her instead of yelling at you and leaving." Jerica says, taking deep even breaths due to feeling sick to her stomach. "Harry, you have to have a little more faith in me if you want this relationship to work. I'm not like those other girls you've known. I've been making millions since I was 15, meeting someone like your mom is nice, but I'm not going to be star struck like someone just getting started in this type of career."

"I know. It's just old habits are hard to break." Harry says. "But I guess we don't have to worry about that, do we?"

"Why? What are you talking about?" Jerica asks confused.

Harry leans forward and kisses down Jerica's neck. "I don't have to worry about women wanting to date me just to meet my mom, since you're the last girlfriend I'll ever have. This relationship will last forever." Harry whispers, biting down gently on her earlobe.

Jerica jerks her head back to look at Harry just as he holds a small velvet box up in front of her, with a flick of one finger the lid pops open to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. "Jeri I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another human being. It will make me the happiest man alive if you agree to marry me."

Jerica just stares at the ring as tears roll from her eyes. She never thought this would happen, not to her. "Oh God, yes. Harry, I love you too." Jerica whispers as she throws her arms around Harry's neck and sobs.

Harry pulls Jerica off the edge of the bed onto his lap, buries his face in her neck and cries with her. "Thank you, God, thank you so much for loving me." Harry whispers as he rocks Jerica in his lap. Minutes later he finally raises his head, wipes the tears from her face, puts the ring on her finger and kisses her. "Now what do you say we call my mom back and let her know you're no longer my girlfriend." Harry grins as he helps Jerica stand up.

Just as Harry stands her on her feet, it seems as if the room takes off spinning. Jerica reaches out and puts her hand on Harry's arm to steady herself, but her stomach decides it's had enough. With a groan, Jerica runs to the bathroom, surprising Harry, and throws up. "Damn I've been fighting that for hours. I hate being sick." Jerica whispers.

"Come on babe, ill fix you some soup. It's probably just a stomach bug. Then we'll snuggle up on the sofa." Harry says. "We'll call mom tomorrow."

Jerica nods and follows Harry out of the bathroom.