Can I dip? | Larry Stylinson

T w e n t y - e i g h t

A tear falls down on her face as she sees her husband breaking down in front of her. She puts her hand on his back and rubs it up and down to soothe him. "W-why?"

"I-I—uh—we're basically living off of loans and I have a fuck ton of debt—I-I don't know what to do at this point to be honest. I've never told you any of this because I thought I was gonna fix all this shit. H-how am I gonna pay for it?"

"I-It's okay, honey. W-we're gonna make it work. We can make it work." Anne assures him. He sniffles and coughs.

"I-I just don't think it's gonna be enough. W-we have rent. H-how are we gonna pay for the bills? Our son's school? W-we have n-nothing to our name, Anne."

"W-we have n-nothing." Robin grabs her hand, putting it against his lips. "I'm sorry, I'm such a failure."

"N-no, it's okay. We can find a way. I-I'll get a spare job in the pub nearby. It's gonna be fine. I'll—"

"Mum?" A female voice made Robin suddenly whip his head to the direction of it. His eyes enlarge.

"Gemma?" Robin wipes his tears as he sees his daughter in front of him. Gemma gasps and immediately hugs the man. She whispers in the crook of his neck. "I've missed you, dad."

They pull apart and they all stand in there in silence.

"Are you guys alright? Is there anything I c-can do?" Gemma queries, trying to cheer her father up. Anne glances at Robin for permission. He nods.

Anne hesitantly answers, "y-your dad just got fired from his job. We haven't gotten any money left in the bank."

"I-I can help." Gemma immediately answers.

"How exactly can you? I-I mean we need money for rental payments, bill payments and school fees. That's not a small amount of money." Anne explains.

"A-and you're starting a family of your own. We're sure that your money is only enough for your son and I-I'm assuming he has a dad?"

Gemma smiles, "Mum, I'm sure we have enough. M-my boyfriend can help us."

"Y-your boyfriend? Anne, I do not want to be a nuisance to our daughter." Robin says to Anne in disagreement.

"B-but dad you won't be. Y-you'll be working for them." Gemma insists, holding her father's hand into her own.

"What do you mean? W-work where?" He asks, his voice cracking.

"My boyfriend's father is an owner to a huge car company. He's a successful businessman, dad. He can recruit you."

"M-me? But how about the house? We won't have enough money right now to pay for the rent since the bank isn't letting me set up a loan right now."

"You know what dad? You guys can actually live with us." Gemma lights up at the idea.

"W-what? Are you sure? We really don't want to be a nuisance."

"Yes, dad. I am willing to help my family. I really want you to live with us. Besides, i've been missing you guys for years. I never want to leave your sides ever again."

"Your mother and I are gonna have to think about it. T-thank you, Gemma."

-

After the kids finish unwrapping their gifts under the tree, the Styles family decided to just end the get together. They didn't feel like continuing it after the big reveal...which is Robin's newly discovered bankruptcy.

Everyone went home except Gemma and Maxwell. They stayed, of course.

Anne tells Maxwell and Harry to stay in his room and play so the adults could talk. Harry obeys immediately and brings Maxwell along with him.

Harry and Maxwell walk up to his room hand in hand. The two boys are starting to form a friendship after the unwrapping of presents.

"Come on, Max! Let's go play with my new toys." Harry sits on the ground and picks out toys from the pile.

"Uncle Harry! I'm kinda thirsty." Maxwell scratches his neck and pouts.

"Oh! Do you want me to get you a glass of water?" Harry blinks up at him. "Yes, please uncle! I didn't get to drink water when I eat some cakey." Max pouts.

"Okay, Maxy. I'll just go down, okay? Stay right there! Don't ever move. Ever." Harry warns him, Maxwell nods and crosses his legs.

Harry skips down the stairs, humming a tune. "Hmmm! HmmmMmmM! Hm! Hm! You dunno you're beautiful. If only yew saw what—uh hm hm hm. You'll understand hmmmmhmmmm—" he stops once he figured he doesn't really know the rest of the song.

He bounces over to the kitchen, he sees the adults conversing in the living room. He decides to not eavesdrop but then they're talking a bit too loud..so he can still hear it.

He opens the drawer and grabs a glass, "but then what am I supposed to be doing there?" Harry hears, opening the refrigerator to get a pitcher of water. "I bet your little brother won't be that happy about this."

He stiffens at the mention of his name. He suddenly gets the urge to eavesdrop but then..he shakes his head and removes the thought. His mummy would be sooo mad at him.

He continues to pour the water carefully into the glass, "don't worry about Harry. He would love it, I promise."

He puts everything back to place, getting the glass of water and starts to walk back. "Harry can make new friends in the new place. He's a friendly little boy."

Harry stops in his tracks, "new place?" He whispers to himself.

20 votes for the next chapter! Can we do it? - A