Through The Dark COMPLETED

Chapter 69

Harry walked into the girls' apartment around dinner time.  They had been in LA about a week.  Julie had gone back to work, and the guys had started writing sessions for their next album.  His family had come over for a short visit, which had been full of laughter and banter, and then they'd returned to Great Britain.  The apartment was quiet and dark.  Amanda was with Niall at his place, but Harry wanted to keep Julie in her home.  He wanted her to get back to her routine and her comfort.  She had been amazing this past week.  She'd worked, spent time with him and his family every day, took a quick nap, and went back to work.  She had even taken his family to the airport for him earlier today since he'd had to be in meetings and writing.  It had been a crazy, busy week.  He walked to her room and saw her sprawled out on her bed, sound asleep.  He wanted to wake her.  He wanted to have dinner with her before he had to go back to his writing session.  She didn't have to work tonight, so he was even going to ask her to go with him.  But he didn't want to wake her either.  He knew how tired she must have been.  He sat down at the edge of the bed and moved a piece of hair from her face.  Yeah, she looked tired.  Maybe even a little pale.  She had lost some weight, and he'd chalked it up to stress.  She had gone through a lot in the past handful of months.  He wasn't around for a lot of it.  He hated that.  He had to accept it, and he knew she did, but he still couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about it.  He missed some of her gentle curves she usually had.  Her "padding" as she always joked.  He smiled when she slowly started to open her eyes.  "Hi, baby.  Sorry I woke you."

"I could feel you staring at me."  She said sleepily.  "Hi, babe."  She started to sit up but fell back onto the bed.  "Sorry, I meant to have dinner ready.  But I'm SO tired."

"It's alright, baby.  I will make us a quick dinner, and then you can sleep.  I was going to ask you to come with me to the studio, but I think it's best you just sleep.  You have off the next couple nights, so we can do more then."  He leaned down and kissed her.  "Are you feeling ok?"  He felt her forehead.  She felt a little warm to him.

"I don't know.  Maybe just tired.  I don't feel horrible, but I do feel a little off.  Nothing to be concerned about."  She took his hand and held it.  "It's been crazy, but I'm so glad you're here."

"I love being here."  He leaned down and kissed her again.  "I love knowing where you are and being able to come see you whenever I have a break and you're not working.  It's just nice to not try and find time to see you or call you.  We have more of a routine schedule."

"Crazy, but easier?"  She laughed.  "I do like knowing you're not far.  Knowing that if I ever needed you that it wouldn't take long for you to get here.  Not that I plan on having to use it, but it's just nice to know you're across town and not across the world."

"I know."  He kissed her one more time and got up.  I will go make some dinner and bring it back to you.  I couldn't do breakfast in bed, so I'll make you dinner in bed."  He went to the kitchen.  He started to make some chicken for a grilled chicken salad.  He laughed at what her reaction would be.  She teased him about his healthy salads all the time, but she enjoyed them.  He wouldn't have it any other way.  When she teased, he knew she was happy.  When she stopped, he knew he would be in trouble.  He did enjoy this.  Even though this week had been crazy, it was like they'd had a schedule.  They knew when they would be able to see each other.  He didn't realize how much he would enjoy it.  Maybe it was time to talk to the boys again.  Maybe it was time to revisit the break idea.  Life was changing, and maybe touring nine months out of every year just wasn't the best thing anymore.  He finished the salad and took it into her.  They ate together and talked a little about what would be happening the next week or so.  When she didn't work at night,he wanted to try to get out of the studio early enough to spend time with her.  When she was working, he didn't mind spending all hours of the night there.  He would make it work.  After they were finished, he cleaned up and said goodbye.  He would let her sleep.  He just loved the fact that he would be able to come "home" and climb in bed with her when he was finished for the night.  He didn't write a lot with the other boys. They sort of all went off and did their own writing and then came together.  It was nice, because he could sort of make his own schedule.  He was going to meet Niall tonight though.