Keeping Hope (Harry styles fanfic)

chapter 24

Harry was watching Emma carefully as she let her fingers trace the painting. He felt like a dick keeping it from her for so long, though he didn't know how to tell her.. What was he supposed to do? Go up and say 'Hey! My dead sister has one of your mum's paintings?'

He knew the story of how Hope got a hold of it, though he only made the connection after seeing the paintings at Emma's and then going back to Hope's room and looking at the painting there again.

Harry didn't know that this same painting was one of Emma's favourites and how sad she was when she found her mum gave it away.

So seeing it again, was a shock for her especially hanging up in Harry's house, in his dead sister's room.

Emma's POV

"How is it that from all the people in the world, it is your sister who ends up with my mum's painting?" I ask Harry after a long silence, wiping the tears from my cheek. It had taken me by surprise seeing the painting here, I heard Anne talk about a painting though I thought she was getting confused since I was at their home before and never came across one of my mum's art pieces.

"It's a long story," Harry exhales, which makes me angry. I don't care how long the story is! This is the painting! The painting that I loved! The painting I sat by her side while she painted, the painting that was given away when I wasn't looking.

"Did you know my mum painted this from the get go? Did you know who I was from the beginning?" I have different scenarios running through my head.

"No! God Emma! I swear to God! I had no idea your mum painted this until I entered your house," Harry takes a step towards me, touching my shoulders. I recoil, having a hard time believing him.

"But you knew for a while my mum painted this! So why did you wait until now to show me?" I accuse him. I know I am being harsh and I shouldn't be getting upset, but I just can't help it. Anything that has to do with my mum is sore to me.

"Emma, please, just listen to me for a moment I will tell you everything," Harry is begging me.

I watch his face, the way his brows are coming together pleading with me. He isn't reaching out for me anymore respecting my wishes to remain untouched.

"There is a whole entry in the diary about your mum and the painting, take it home and read it! I didn't mean to withdraw information from you Em, I promise!"

Harry gives me one last glance before heading out of the room leaving me alone with the painting. I turn to face it once more.

I remember the day she started painting it. I was mesmerized by the colours and the quickness of her hand.. falling more and more in love with every stroke of the brush.

I also remember the day she gave it away.

Harry is back with the diary, handing it over, searching for understandment in my eyes.

After a long pause I start my way to the door, Harry following close by, walking me to the front door of his house.

"Please call me," He says quietly.

I nod my head, eager to find out how Hope got her hands on my mum's painting.

I sit myself on my bed, lying down on my tummy, the diary opened in front of me. I skim through the pages, trying to remember about when the painting was given away, it was right before my mum found out she got better from her first round of cancer, about two weeks before…

When I find the entry of it I hold my breath, starting to drink the words, one after the other, finally getting long lost answers I have waited to find for a long time.