If It's What You Want A Harry Styles Fanfiction || h. s.

Chapter 63

Having already adjusted to a sleep schedule, he woke up before Ashley. Sometime during the night, she had moved away from him leaving him free to slip from the bed without waking her. He pulled on his jeans and shirt before leaving the bedroom and closing the door. His first order of business was to get rid of the dishes from the night before. Already hungry, he called in a breakfast order and requested someone to pick up the dishes, asking them to be sure the person knew to knock softly.

His phone lit up as soon as he turned it on indicating he had texts and messages. His mother had left voice mails twice about an hour before. He'd call her first to ease her mind about his situation.

"Good morning," she said brightly.

"Hello. I'm sorry I didn't call last night. I know we were supposed to make plans."

"Is everything okay?"

"Very okay."

"You sound awfully chipper for someone who was so down-in-the-dumps over the last few days."

"I'm with Ashley," he said.

"Really!"

"Gemma didn't tell you."

"No, babe. What about?"

"I went to the festival to have a look around because I had decided to fly back to the States to talk with Ashley. I knew she would be incredibly disappointed to have missed out, so I wanted to be able to tell her a bit about it. Anyway, Gemma and I went and there she was."

"I thought she was in the hospital."

"She was, but she'd apparently been released a couple of days before and decided to fly out anyway."

"So what happened."

"Last night were the judging, awards, dinner, and auction. I asked if I could take her, and she said yes. Afterward, she invited me up, we talked, and I got up the nerve to tell her how I was feeling."

"And how is that?"

"I love her, Mum."

"Wow. What did she say?"

"She loves me too!" I can't tell you how happy I am at the moment."

"I'm so happy for you. So, when are we going to meet her?"

"I have to talk with her about that. She is supposed to go to her family's vineyards in France sometime this week. I'm hoping she'll ask me to go as well."

"So, you'll call me when you know what you're going to do?"

"I will. I love you."

"I love you too. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

He quickly responded to Gemma's text and responded to Colin. They changed their plans to an early dinner much to Kristen's disappointment he was told.

When he heard the light tap at the door, he opened it to find a hotel employee pushing a breakfast cart with one hand and pulling an empty with the other. Harry helped him remove the dishes from the previous night, stood back as he cleaned the table, and placed the morning breakfast trays down. He quickly grabbed his wallet for a tip and quietly shut the door. A quick search of the cabinets in the small kitchen revealed a proper teapot and kettle. After he placed the water on to boil, he turned on the television to catch the morning news.

A glance at social media revealed a brief mention of his attendance at the wine festival but wasn't accompanied by any pictures. There was no doubt they would surface. If nothing appeared in the morning entertainment news, he'd go down to the newsstand and purchase the local papers. Whatever happened, he wanted Ashley to be prepared before they went out again.

This was the last thing they needed just as they were committing to one another. He'd do everything he could to protect her from the media. Although he had accepted the attention as a necessary evil related to his job, she shouldn't be expected to tolerate it.

"Harry?"

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said turning off the television. The last thing he wanted was to start her morning off badly. "How are you feeling?"

"A little congested," she said in a husky voice. I think I need to do a breathing treatment before anything else."

"I was just getting ready to make some tea. Would you like some?"

"Yes, thank you."