Remember? A Harry Styles Story

Chapter 9

"Good morning, love." Anne answered the phone, "How have you been?"

"Good, sort of. I've had the on and off days." I admitted. The three weeks that I've been home haven't been easy. It was a struggle each day knowing Harry and I haven't been on good terms, and as much as it hurt to come to terms with, I missed him. I miss talking to him every day and I miss joking with him and feeling so happy and comfortable around him. 

"Yeah, same goes for him as well. He's been moody and upset." She said, "Don't know exactly what it is, but he won't tell me."

"Really?"

Anne laughed softly, "Oh, yes. He just mopes in his bedroom all day and only comes out for food. It's like he's fifteen again!" She shouted, giggling to herself.

I smiled, the first genuine smile in a long while. "I wish things were better between us." My mood quickly changed, "I miss having him around. We were so close, and then the accident," My bottom lip quivered ever so slightly, "And then we started off really well and now here I am, unable to speak to my best friend."

"Oh, honey," Anne cooed, "I'm sure all Harry needs is time. I know it must've been so scary to be in love with him and just on the brink of engagement. You just have to be strong and let him come around." She said.

I stopped sniffling. "What?"

"Hm?" Anne answered.

"What did you say? Engaged?" I pleaded.

I heard her gasp, "I was not supposed to tell you." 

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice becoming strained.

"It was the night of Harry's accident, he was going to propose to you. But then it all happened and it was quickly forgotten." She explained, "I've tried not to spill the beans and I'm sorry."

"It's alright." I said quietly. "I guess it's better to know." I nodded to myself.

A moment of silence passed between us and I felt dejected. Harry and I were the happiest of happy couples. We owned a home, we were planning to get a puppy, we were stable together. But it just slipped away. 

"You know, honey, things happen for-" Anne paused and a loud voice spoke, "Mum, is that Lia?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure she wants to speak with you, Harry."

"I do!" I shouted, "I'll talk to him."

"Alright, here he is." She said to me. Under her breath I heard her speak to Harry, "Don't be rude to her, she's a good girl."

"Lia?"

"Hi, Harry." I said.

He inhaled and exhaled, "I'm really, really sorry for how things happened between us." 

"I know." I nodded, "I understand that you're stressed out and I'm sorry if me being there with you in Holmes was too much for you."

"It wasn't. I just reacted like a complete idiot for some reason." He said, "I really shouldn't have."

My insides felt twisted."I know." 

"Do you forgive me?" He asked quietly.

The tears pricked my eyes and I nodded, "Of course I do. The last thing I would want is to not have you in my life at all."

"Thank you." Harry whispered. "I'll be in London today; me, Gem and Phoenix." He said, "Gemma said she has something for you. I think it's the dress for her wedding. Did you know she was getting married?"

I smiled, "Yes, I knew."

"Well I'm excited." He said. "We will be getting into London at about half three, is that alright with you?"

"Yes, of course." I smiled, "Gives me time to clean."

Harry laughed, "Alright then. See you later."

- - -

My feet patted on the floor as I hurried to open the front door. "Coming!" I heard a little giggle as the doorbell rang once more. Phoenix, Gemma and Harry stood at my door.

"Hi Lia!" Phoenix shouted. "We came to see you!" I picked him up and hugged him tight. He squirmed as I tried to give him little kisses.

I hugged Gemma, telling her that I was glad they all could come over. "I brought you a newly tailored gift." She said, holding up the dress bag that held my bridesmaid dress for her wedding. "It was all hemmed up and I picked it up yesterday." She handed the bag to me, "The lady told me that she had it shorted for your short little legs." Gem smiled wide, "Only jokin'."

"Thank you." I said, holding the hanger. I turned to Harry, standing outside and waiting to come in. "Hi." I felt myself blush and smile.

"Hi," He smiled with a toothy grin. He took his hands out of his pockets and opened his arms wide. "C'mere."

I wrapped my arms around his middle and squeezed. "Missed you." I said, taking a deep breath in. Harry's scent remained the same, a clean laundry smell mixed with some kind of cologne. "Come in, come in." I broke away from him and walked inside.

"I'll go put this on," I held up the dress bag, "We'll see if my short, little legs fit." I walked down the hall to the bedroom and stripped down. As I slipped the dress on, I looked at myself in the mirror. The lavender dress hugged my waist and flowed down to the floor. The curve above my breasts had small beading detail that looked so pretty.

I walked slowly into the living room to find them all staring at me. "Is this okay?" I spun around slowly.

A quiet "Wow" Slipped out from Harry's lips, "You look gorgeous."

Gemma smiled, "It fits you like a glove now. You look beautiful, but not as good as I'll look." We laughed, "I'm getting so emotional." She stood and gave me a hug, "Thank you for being in the wedding."

"Anything for the sister I never had." I rubbed her back and smiled, "No crying before the wedding, only the day of." I retreated back into my bedroom and changed back into my clothes.

"Do you guys want to stay for dinner?" I asked, watching Phoenix color on his coloring book. 

"No," Gemma shook her head, "I need to get him back home and ready for the week." She ran her hand over his fluffy hair. 

"Can't we stay? Lia makes such yummy mac and cheese!" Phoenix looked up at his mum, "Pwease mum?" He jumped around in circles on the floor, "Pwease! Pwease!" 

"Sorry, love." She shook her head, "We don't want to be home too late. Daddy's going to miss us."

"Okay." He nodded, "Can we come back soon though?"

"The next time I see you will be at mummy's wedding!" I smiled, sitting on the sofa next to Harry. "You and uncle Harry and me and mummy and daddy and everyone you know will be dressed up all fancy."

"Remember the tuxedo? That's for the wedding." Gemma said.

"What do people do at weddings?" 

We laughed as Harry answered him, "Celebrate and dance and eat food." 

"Okay, I guess I'll go to the wedding." He closed his coloring book and handed it to Gemma. 

"I'll stay." Harry whispered to me, "If that's alright with you." 

I nodded, "That would be good." A smile appeared on my lips and I felt the nervous butterflies begin to bundle. 

We hugged Phoenix and Gemma goodbye. Phoenix wasn't very happy that uncle Harry could stay, but Gem promised him some ice cream and it suddenly made everything better. 

As I shut the door, I turned to Harry. "So..." 

He looked at me with a slightly devious grin. "Dinner first, talking later?"