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

Epilogue Part 4

"It's so good to have everyone here," said Ashley as she snuggled against Harry later that night.

"You like a full house," he said pulling her closer.

"For a short while."

"You didn't seem as excited as I thought you might be with Steve's news."

"I'm sorry. I knew they were hoping to adopt. I just didn't think it would be so soon."

"Why does that bother you?"

"I guess I feel like Steve won't have time for me any longer."

"Baby, that will never happen. You all have too much history, you are too close."

"I know this must sound selfish."

"No. You are the most unselfish person I know."

"Thank you."

"Of course. Now I'm ready for some you and I time," he said running his hand from her hip to just under her t-shirt.

"You are insatiable lately," said Ashley with a smile.

Harry brushed back her hair with his free hand and caressed her cheek with the back of his index finger. His dimples were always her downfall when he smiled.

"You aren't playing fair," she said reaching up to pull his mouth down to hers.

"What? I have no idea what you are talking about," he said innocently.

"Yes, you know exactly what I'm referring to."

"Could we talk later?" he asked as his hand found its way under her t-shirt again. He trailed his fingers along her spine causing her to arch closer to him. "Like that?"

"Hmmmm," breathed out Ashley.

"Want a backrub?"

"You just want me to take off my shirt."

"Worked the first time I ever offered," he said kissing her cheek.

"And look what it got you," she laughed.

"I feel incredibly lucky, sweetheart."

"Me too," she said sitting up to pull the t-shirt over her head.

"Let's see if I can work some magic."

* * * *

"Is the caterer here yet?" asked Ashley as she stepped out of the shower.

"Not yet," said Harry as he began to towel off.

"We really didn't have time to spare for this," she said gesturing between the two of them.

"But you enjoyed it, right?" he said pulling her close and whispering in her ear.

"I did."

"I promise I'll help you make up the time. Deal?"

"Deal."

Harry slipped on jeans and a shirt and headed to the kitchen to brew coffee and tea. The caterer was bringing a light breakfast for everyone at the house along with everything for brunch that would be set up while they were at the christening.

"Good morning," said Anne with a yawn.

"Hello, how are you?"

"Fine, fine," she said patting Harry on the cheek.

"Everyone okay this morning?"

"Perfect," he said smiling at her.

"Hello," said Colin as he walked into the kitchen. "I need some ginger ale for Kristen. She didn't have a great night."

"I'm so sorry to hear it," said Anne handing him the bottle.

"See you in a bit," said Colin.

"I remember those days," said Harry.

"Do you think there will be more?" asked Anne.

"I'm not sure. I think Ashley deserves to have the final say. The early part of the pregnancy is very hard on her. Frankly, I was a little surprised when she told me she wanted another after Chloe."

"Are you talking about me?" asked Ashley as she gave Anne a hug and Harry a kiss.

"A little," said Anne.

Before Ashley could respond, she heard Annabelle through the monitor.

"Well, that would be for me," said Ashley.

"See you in about 30 minutes," said Harry.

* * * *

Ashley looked over the heads of Chloe and Jack to Harry who was holding Annabelle as the priest spoke. He was dressed in a black suit as was Jack. The silk of the vintage christening gown belonging to Ashley's grandmother draped several inches over Harry's arm.

Harry glanced Ashley's way and found her watching him. He smiled at her before returning his attention to the priest, but his mind drifted to memories of the first church ceremony they'd shared five years before.

Jesus, but he'd been nervous. They'd waited until Jack was several months old before getting married. He, Ashley, Margarite, Raymond, Steve, Allen, Kristen and the baby had boarded a plane to fly to Manchester. Jack became ill on the flight, Ashley was crying, Steve and Allen had an argument, and he spent a frantic hour trying to find the gift he'd gotten for Ashley.

When Ashley started talking about bad omens and seemed on the verge of hedging, he'd lost his temper. Margarite had stepped in, sent Ashley to the back to nurse Jack, and practically dragged Harry to the front of the plane. When she'd gotten through with him, Steve and Allen were next.

He wished he could say everything had gone smoothly after that, but . . . he smiled to himself as he looked down at Jack and Chloe. He and Ashley had come so far.