Forever and Always (A Harry Styles Fan Fiction)

CHAPTER 24: Then

“Ready to go camping?” Harry grinned, linking his arm through mine.

I laughed. “Does sleeping in our own backyard really count as camping?” We walked out onto the porch, quietly closing the French doors behind us. 

After weeks of searching, Harry and I had finally found our perfect home. It was a modest two-story house with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an office downstairs. It was bright and charming, complete with a breakfast nook that looked out through French doors to the large pool and garden in the backyard. Although we had moved our possessions into the house, we wouldn’t be able to bring in the furniture until the next day. Instead of sleeping on the floor inside an empty house, we had decided to camp out in the backyard that night.

We stepped off the wooden porch and onto the grass, the soft carpet of green tickling our bare feet. I stopped, turning around to gaze up at the large house before us. The thought occurred to me that we would be sharing the rest of our lives here and it was a wonder how something as simple as a house could bring me so much joy. As if reading my thoughts, Harry wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and gently laid his chin on my shoulder. “This is your home now, Jenny,” he said quietly.

“Our home.” I smiled and turned my head to give him a kiss. “You know, I’ve always wanted to sleep under the stars.”

Harry laughed. “Then tonight is your lucky night because you get to do just that with me,” he replied, taking hold of my hand. “But first, we dance.”

“Dance?” I laughed, letting him guide me to the large area of grass under the moonlight. 

Harry took my right hand and placed his other hand on my waist, beginning to lead us in a slow waltz around the yard. We twirled in graceful circles, my white nightgown billowing behind me like the sail of a boat in the sea. The only sources of light were the moon reflecting off of the pool water and the soft glow emanating from the lights of the gazebo in the corner of the yard. Although there was no music, our bodies flowed to our own melody, the same rhythm emerging from within our hearts. 

Harry’s smile seemed to light up his entire face as he laughed quietly, drawing me closer to him. His eyes were bright, as if the stars had descended into his pupils, making them shine in the darkness of the night. I laid my head on his chest, feeling the soft thumping of his heart beneath his thin white shirt. With each beat, my mind summoned the memories of every second we had spent together. Everything had somehow led up to this very moment, and the beauty of it all was overwhelming.

“Jenny, are you crying?” Harry lifted my chin, his hands gently cupping my face. His thumbs carefully wiped away the tears in the corner of my eyes, an expression of concern on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. Everything is beautiful and perfect and right.” I took a deep breath of the refreshing night air, smiling through my tears. “I just love you so much.” 

A drop of water splashed onto my nose and I looked up as several more raindrops began falling from the night sky. For a moment, we stood still as the drizzle intensified, the droplets plummeting from the gray clouds above. 

“Wait,” Harry said, just as I was about to pull him toward shelter. He lifted up my face and gently pushed away the damp hair to my face before placing his mouth on mine. His wet lips were soft and warm, and my hands carefully made their way to the back of his neck. The scent of the rain mixed with the taste of his breath, a kiss that reminded me of the one we shared on a stormy night many moons ago. But this time, we knew that the rain was forgiving, washing away all the reminiscences of pain that it had brought us last time. The cold water seeped through my thin nightgown to my skin, but the glowing warmth inside me didn’t disappear.