All You Need Is Love: A Harry Styles/One Direction Fanfiction

Chapter 38

“So how was your Christmas?” Harry asked me as I sat down in his newly bought black sports car.

“Surprisingly good!” I smiled. “And not as awkward as I thought! How about yours?” I brightly said. I know I had been worried before but now, sitting with him, any nerves had simply drifted away - he had changed my mood instantly.

“Great! It’s so good to be with my family, I hadn’t seen them in so long. I missed you though,” he added in a quieter tone. I looked up to see him concentrating on the road though his face looked slightly flushed. I smiled to myself and looked down, playing with the sparkly varnish on my nails.

“I missed you too,” I confessed. He looked over at me and smiled brightly. After what only felt like a minute – literally, Harry began to slow the car down and suddenly turned into a driveway, stopping the engine. I looked up through the blackened out windows at the house in front of me. I had always been a one direction fan so obviously I recognised this cute, homely, white house from the x factor days. It was perfect. Harry opened his door and I copied his actions, stepping out of the car and carefully closing the door behind me. He casually walked to the boot and took out my bag, walking back up to me and taking my hand. I smiled sweetly, feeling myself go cherry red. I know it was all that I thought about but seriously, every time I was in his presence my heart would just start to beat extraordinarily quickly. We walked up the path together and Harry stopped at the door, giving me a reassuring smile.

“Ready?” he asked. I smiled and nodded in response. He quietly knocked on the door and I held my breath, not sure what to expect. I’m sure that I heard squealing on the other side of the door but I couldn’t be certain. The door quickly opened to reveal two girls smiling brightly at Harry and I. Oh, screw two girls - I couldn’t act like I didn’t know who they were; it was Anne and Gemma!

“Hello!” Anne cried. “You must be Carly, come on in!” she gestured for us to step inside. I felt Harry’s hand on the small of my back and so stepped inside, smiling to them. I wanted them to like me so much.

“Hi,” I said quietly, aiming to speak louder but there you go. “It’s so nice to meet you, thank you so much for letting me stay,” I politely said. I spoke slightly louder to them that time which was much better.

“Oh, you’re welcome dear! We’re so glad to have you! Harry love, take her bag upstairs,” I felt Harry move behind me and as I turned to face me he smiled, brushing past me and heading up the staircase in front of us.

“He’s been driving us mad,” Gemma said, smiling beside me. “All he’s done is talk about you. I’m Gemma by the way,” she added. “This here’s the mother of the Styles children, Anne,” she pointed to Anne and laughed as she struck a pose. I laughed as well.

“I’m Carly,” I smiled at each of them.

“Oh we know!” Anne laughed, leading me into the kitchen. “I feel like we know everything about you already, Harry hasn’t stopped talking since he’s got here!” she laughed. I smiled brightly, already feeling at ease with them – I could tell that we were going to get along really well.

“Do you want something to drink?” Gemma asked as Anne guided me to sit down on the island in the middle of the huge kitchen. “Coffee, water, coke...” she trailed off.

“A coke would be great, thankyou!” I smiled at her and then met Anne’s awaiting gaze. She smiled at me and then sat down.

“So, Harry tells us you’re from London?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’ve lived there all my life!” I smiled.

“It’s a lovely place, I remember going almost every week for the x factor live shows!” she continued. “Where about do you live?”

“Quite close to covent garden,” I answered. “It’s a nice part to live actually, quiet homely streets and not too lively like the centre of the city!”

“Sounds lovely!” she brightly said.

“Here you are,” Gemma said and I looked up to find her setting a coke down for me on the table.

“Thank you!” I smiled as she listened in, and so carried on with the conversation. “So yeah, I live in London but visit my dad sometimes who now lives in New York, whilst my mum’s getting remarried,” I explained.

“That’s amazing, living in London and New York!” Gemma smiled. “I’d love that! And your mum’s getting remarried, that’s so great,” she said positively. I could just tell that me and her were going to get along really well. “Mum’s getting remarried too,” she added, pointing to Anne. “Where is Robin actually?” she asked though Anne didn’t have time to answer, as keys jangled in the door and I could hear voices in the hallway.

“I’m home – oh! Hiya Harry! Sorry I’m late! Where is she?”

“In the kitchen.”

Footsteps came closer and in came Harry with a friendly looking man who I obviously knew as Robin, his step-dad.

“Hi!” he walked over to us. “You must be Carly, I’m Robin!” he held his hand out awkwardly, not seeming to know what to do though I laughed, taking it and shaking it.

“It’s nice to meet you Robin! You have a lovely home,” I added, sounding as polite as possible. He smiled and looked at the rest of the family.

“Isn’t she lovely?” he spoke aloud and everyone laughed. I felt myself blush slightly but then heard a voice quietly singing down my ear.

“...Isn’t she wonderful? Isn’t she precious? Less than a minute old...” Harry whispered into my ear, reminding me of his audition on x factor. If anything that made me blush even more – I’m surprised I didn’t faint right there. I didn’t say anything in response to him; I didn’t think anyone else had heard as they were now having their own conversation. I turned to meet Harry’s gaze and he winked at me as he leant against the side of the table, looking perfect as always. My mind began to drift and before I knew it I was thinking about him, and once again how amazing he was. I snapped out of it quickly though, I had to control myself! His family would think I was insane otherwise! For awhile after that we just talked, all of us together, and I couldn’t believe how comfortable it was. Somehow, like Harry, I felt as though I had known them for so long, and the shy person that I was at first quickly faded away and I began to be myself. They asked a few questions but it didn’t bother me at all because I wanted to be open to them and wanted them to know that although I was a bit crazy, I genuinely loved their son, and somehow every time I was with him I just felt my feelings grow and grow.

“Oh my, look at the time!” Anne cried, looking at the clock which read 6:45. “We have to get ready, the party has already started! Are you two sure you don’t want to come?” she asked, looking over at Harry and I who were sat on the couch in his living room. I looked up at him, not really knowing what to say.

“No thanks mum, we’re fine,” he answered and she quickly stood up alongside Gemma. She sent a huge smile my way and with that, left to go and get ready.

***

“You kids have fun!” Anne called as her, Robin and Gemma climbed into the car and drove away. Harry closed the door behind us and slowly turned to face me.

“So are you going to finally tell me about what you've planned now?” I grinned, placing my hands on my hips. In reply he ran up to me, placed his strong arms around my small waist and lifted me over his shoulder.

“Harry!” I screamed, fidgeting like a baby. He laughed at my reaction and casually walked into his living room. Everything was spinning upside down and I squeezed my eyes shut, wondering what he was doing. I was suddenly flung forward again and as I opened my eyes I took in my surroundings: Harry had thrown my on the couch. I looked up and met his cheeky face smirking down at me.

“What was the need-” I began but was cut off when his lips crushed against mine. I wasn't expecting it so I didn't react at first, though when I registered it I was quick to kiss back. Wow, this was...new. Before we had only kissed slightly, as sort of a symbolic gesture but this...this was different. And not bad different - good different. Very good different. Harry smiled against my lips and lent down, pressing himself against me. His finger traced my collar bone and I sighed slightly, wanting to be closer to him. I could even feel his toned stomach against my rib cage and so threw my arms around his neck, messing with his perfect brown curls. All too soon he pulled away, though he still stayed just as close, our chests rising and falling in sync. He jumped up off the couch and quickly held his hand out for me.

“Okay, let's go,” he winked, continuing to stand there. I narrowed my eyebrows at him, confused at his actions.

“Wh-what was that?” I breathed, stuttering slightly.

“Very fun,” he cheekily replied. I stood up and took his hand, still slightly breathless and dizzy and smiled as he wrapped his arm around me and led us out of the door.

***

“Home sweet home,” I laughed as Carly and I stepped back inside. “And seriously, you're wrong.”

“I am not!” She laughed. “Did you not see how badly she was flirting with you!?”

“Is someone jealous?” I mocked, turning around to face her. She met my gaze though quickly looked down.

“No,” I saw her grin slightly under her long, brown hair and so took a step closer to her.

“Well just so you know, I didn’t even see what she looked like; I wasn’t looking at her,” I softly said, hovering above her. When she didn’t respond I used my finger to tilt her chin up and force her to meet my strong hold. She smiled at me which made my heart flip, though as a perfect coloured blush rose on her cheeks I covered it up by grinning.

“Can I give you your Christmas present now?” I whispered.

“Only if I can give you mine,” she grinned.

“You didn’t?” I asked, surprised.

“Of course I did!” she laughed, running past me and into the living room. I looked after her and smiled, reaching into my coat pocket and pulling out the small box. My phone vibrated and I pulled it out, reading the text over from my mum.

-We love her.

I smiled brightly, walking into the living room where Carly was sitting.

“They love you,” I stated and she raised her eyebrows, looking so innocent but so adorable.

“Really?” she asked, a bright smile appearing on her face.

“Yes,” I grinned, sitting down beside her. She reached into her pocket to pull something out though I stopped her, placing my hand over hers.

“Can I go first?”

“Sure.”

I went to reach into my pocket though stopped midway, edging closer to her instead. I didn’t really know what to say.

“Carly...Car, I still can’t really forgive myself yet for the way I treated you, ignoring you when you were nothing but lovely. I was so immature, and I genuinely am so sorry, I swear I meant it when I said I’d spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Now I know I got you that links bracelet-” I paused, pointing to the bracelet sitting on her wrist. “-but I kind of wanted to get something more to show how official this is,” I said confidently, pointing between us and then pulling out the box. Her eyes snapped away from mine and all of a sudden her attention was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I slowly opened it and saw her eyes widen.

“It’s a promise ring,” I quietly said, looking at the small ring myself which I was praying would fit her. I looked back up, expecting for her to be looking at me but instead she was looking away.

“Oh God,” I complained, regretting buying it already. “I know it’s cheesy but I thought you liked stuff like that-” I stopped mid-sentence as she placed her finger on my lip.

“...It’s not that...” she trailed off, pulling something out of her pocket. I looked down and my eyes became wide as she opened the small box to reveal the exact same present I had bought for her. I looked back at her and shook my head in disbelief. There was nothing I could say that would express what I was feeling so instead I forcefully pressed my lips against hers, sinking into a deep kiss. I wanted her to know how much she meant to me. I pulled away and looked into her eyes which were twinkling with excitement.

“I love you,” I whispered, pressing my forehead against hers.

“I love you too.”

***

“I love it,” I commented after he placed the ring on my finger. “Thank you.” He smiled at me and then looked down at his.

“I love mine too,” he stated. “Thank you, Car.” He looked up and smirked and then sat up.

“Come on!” he cried in a childish voice. I followed his stare and found him to be looking at the clock, which read that it was five minutes to midnight. Wow, nearly 2012! I laughed and let him pull me up. He ran towards the front door and I stopped, surprised that I actually made him stumble a bit. I laughed out loud at him and he raised his eyebrows.

“Where are we going?”

“Outside!” he said cheerfully.

“But it’s raining!” I complained.

“Oh, don’t be such a girl!” he whined, pulling me out. I sighed and he ran out onto the deserted road, still pulling me along with him. The heavy rain poured down around us and I shivered as it seeped through my clothes and hair.

“I hate you!” I whined, dabbing my face where I found my mascara running. Oh the joy.

“No you don’t,” he grinned. I couldn’t argue with that.

“What are we doing out here?” I laughed as he winded one arm around my waist.

“Dancing,” he winked and took my free hand in his, beginning to dance in the rain with me. It was a totally Troy and Gabriella moment, but I loved it. We skipped down the road whilst laughing hysterically. His arm remained tightly around my waist and we danced in a tango style, but obviously not professionally as neither of us really knew what to do so we were just prancing about instead. We made our way back up towards his house and we were still laughing so much that I could barely breathe anymore! We reached the front and as he let go of me I went dizzy, stumbling to find something to sit down on. There was nothing there so instead I just let myself fall onto the drenched floor.

“Ouch!” I cried, wincing at the pain as my back hit the concrete. I barely felt it though, as Harry fell beside me and we continued to laugh together.

“Why the rain?” I laughed as his fingers played with my soaked hair.

“I like the rain. Plus you look very attractive in it,” he added and I laughed, sighing and turning away from him to look up at the sky.

“There’s so many stars out tonight,” I thought aloud.

“I know, it’s beautiful,” I heard him comment beside me. I looked over at him and admired him once again: his curls had been completely messed by the rain though he still looked utterly perfect. I looked back up at the sky above us but this time it was taken over by fireworks. It was midnight. I looked at Harry once again and turned over so that I was lying on my stomach and was able to see him better. He teared his gaze away from the sky and smiled at me.

“Happy New Year Carly.”

“Happy New Year Harry,” I smiled. This moment really couldn’t get any more perfect. 2012 was going to be an amazing year.

***