Only You- A Harry Styles Fanfic

Chapter 22: Family Bonds

"Never felt like this before..."

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Chapter 22

After dinner, Harry, Liam, Zayn, and I volunteered for dishes. I washed, Zayn rinsed, Liam dried, and Harry put everything away. We had the strenuous task done in just under forty five minutes, and then we all gathered around the coffee table in the family room to talk and exchange presents. Clarissa had gotten all of the boys a tie, my father had given them all a watch, and the boys and Austin had all pitched in for a nice pair of cuff links for my dad and a pretty bracelet for Clarissa.

Austin gave Avery a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings, and Avery gave out different trinkets. But I wasn’t nearly as focused on what was going on around me with gift giving as I was focused on Harry. For the past ten minutes, we’d been staring dreamily in each other’s eyes, hands entwined. Once presents and thanks had been passed around, silence descended like a cloud on everyone. The mood was calm, but everyone was happy. I was content to stay like this forever. After a second, conversation started again with someone suggesting to sing carols, and so it began.

“Jingle bells, jingle bells,” Austin began. Everyone groaned.

“Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,” Niall joked. The groaning progressed.

“We…” Liam started, trailing off. Everyone laughed, and then sang together.

“We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.”

We all dissolved into laughter, and then the quiet fell again.

“Okay,” Zayn suggested. “How about this one.”

“Silent night. Holy night.”

“All is calm,” Avery sang. I smiled.

“All is bright,” I cut in. All five boys then sang together.

“Round yon virgin, mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace…”

There was more singing and conversation, and I just sat back to watch it all. It gave me time to reflect on all of my blessings. This Christmas had been perfect. Hell, these past few months had been perfect. But sitting here in the couch surrounded by the people I loved, it put everything into perspective. My life was so great, and I had so much to be thankful for. And Christmas just made that all the more clearer.

“Babe, can I talk to you outside for a second?” Harry whispered in my ear. I bit my lip softly and nodded at him. He pulled me by hand off the sofa and led the way out onto the back balcony. We walked until we were out of view of the group in the family area, back by the kitchen windows. He turned to me, and even though I could barely see him in the dim light coming out from the kitchen, I could tell this was going to be a serious conversation.

“What is it, Harry?” I prodded. He shook his head and let go of my hand, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a long blue box, and my heart immediately skipped. What had he bought me from Tiffany? I was absolutely blown away.

“I wanted to give you your present in private.”

“What… Tiffany… Oh my God.”

“Baby. Lexi. You know that you mean so much to me. More than you could ever understand,” he said emphatically. My throat thickened. “And while this present may seem over the top for our first Christmas together, I really wanted to make this special.”

“Anytime I spend with you is special, Harry. You don’t need Tiffany for that.”

“I know. But… Open it.”