Chapter 55 - Two Stories

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***Harry's POV

"Were your carrots good, Love, hmm?" I coo while wiping Janelle's mouth with the bib. "Did you even get any inside your mouth?"

"She made a mess, huh?" Ferris giggles at her sister's expense, walking over to the high chair and she delicately cups Janelle's cheeks with both hands. "Aw, it's okay, my little baby. I bet that I used to make a mess when I ate baby food, too. You'll grow out of it like I did and be a big girl one day. Okay?"

Janelle answers Ferris with a grunt, earning laughter from everyone at the table and that only upsets her more.

"Aw, what's the matter, Love?" I coo, picking her up from the high chair to hold on my hip. "We're not laughing at you, we're laughing with you."

"But she's not laughing, Dad," Ferris points out with a worried look on her face. "Oh no, I think we, we, we hurt her feelings by laughing at her."

"What do you think we should do about that then?" I ask out of curiosity.

"Umm, I think we should all apologize to her and give her a kiss on the cheek."

"That's a brill idea, Love. Would you like to go first?"

"Yeah," she happily nods and I lean Janelle down for her to reach. "I'm sorry for laughing at you, Jelly Bean. I didn't mean it, honest. I love you so so much and you're already a big girl. Okay?"

Ferris kisses her cheek, earning a happy clap from Janelle and several cute sounds from everyone around the table.

"Alright, who's next? Mummy?"

"Oh yes," Bea replies and I walk over to the end of the table. "I'm sorry for laughing, sweet baby," she says and kisses her little cheek. "I think I should be allowed two kisses. Don't you think, Dadda?"

"You're the mummy, so we'll allow it," I reply with a smirk, leaning Janelle down again and she kisses her cheek. "Okay, who's next? Grammy? Papaw?"

"Oh of course, and then we'll get going," Lauren stands from the table and walks over to us. "I'm sorry for joining in with the laughter, darling."

Janelle reaches out for her grandmother, to which I pass her over to her since she'll have to get used to not being with me soon. I exhale a deep breath, raking my hand through my hair and I catch Bea's stare in my peripheral vision.

Her look is one of contentment and pure happiness, no doubt from finally being home and with her family, and I just want to kiss her.

She looks so tired though. Shit, I'm tired, too. I can't wait till we can go to bed. We'll be able to sleep in the same bed!

"Harry. Harry?" Bea kindly snaps me out of my thoughts and I raise my eyebrows in answer. "Will you and Ferris walk my parents to the door? I need to use the bathroom."

"Are you sure? I can help you if you can wait."

"No, I'll manage," she smiles softly and I lean down to peck her lips.

"Are you sure, Love?" I ask again and she nods, keeping eye contact with me. "Okay, I believe you," I wink at her and stand back up. "Now who wants to say bye-bye to Grammy and Papaw?"

"Oo! I do! I do!" Ferris excitedly claps and hops over.

"It's safe to say that Ferris wants to," I tease and she eagerly nods. "Alright, let's go."

As we all walk out of the kitchen, I feel Ferris slip her small hand in mine. A smile plays on my lips as she begins swinging our hands and I realize I have to appreciate this moment because it won't be long until she'll be embarrassed to be seen with me in front of her friends.

Christ, she'll want me to drop her off a block away from school or the movie theater and no, don't think about that, Harold. You still have a few years before that starts.

"We've enjoyed the evening," Lauren says. "I'll text you tomorrow to check on Beatrice."

"That's fine, and thank you both for everything," I honestly say. "We owe you."

"You don't owe us, Son," Bruno says, gently bouncing Janelle in his arms. "We'd do anything for Beatrice and you and our grandkids."

"If you need anything during the night or if Beatrice has any trouble, don't hesitate to call," Lauren worriedly says. "In fact, I can even stay here to help."

"But I'm gonna be here, Grammy. I'll take really good care of Mom. You don't have to worry about a thing."

"That's right, Love," I pat her back, mentally thanking her. "I promise we'll call if we need anything, Lauren."

But don't hold your breath.

"Oh alright," she doubtingly says. "Now Ferris, I need you to be good and obey your mother and father."

"Oh I will, Grammy," Ferris nods and gives her grandparents a hug. "I love you guys so so much."

"We love you, too, darling."

After giving my sleepy daughter a kiss goodbye, I open the door for my in-laws. The porch light illuminating the path to the driveway makes it easy for Ferris and I to watch as they get in their car and we wave one last time.

"Bye, Grammy! Bye, Papaw!"

"Let's be quiet, Love," I kindly chide while shutting the door. "It's pretty late and we don't want to disturb the neighbors."

"Oops, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Love. Do you want to lock the door while I set the alarm?"

"Sure! Hey, can you, me and Mom watch a movie?"

"Hmm, it's already a quarter past nine," I muse, double checking the door is properly locked. "How about we get ready for bed and we can watch a movie tomorrow, and with popcorn?"

"Oh alright fine," she says through a yawn, rubbing her eyes.

You wouldn't make it past the opening credits.

"That's my girl. Since Mummy can't walk up the stairs right now, we're gonna sleep down here in the guest bedroom. So would you like to sleep upstairs by yourself or camp out on the sofa down here with us?"

"I'd be upstairs alone all by myself?" she asks as if she's imagining it and I nod in answer. "Yeah! Can I pretend I'm a grown up in my own apartment?"

"If you want," I reply and she squeals, jumping up and down. "Alright, my little jumping bean, let's calm down so we can get ready for bed. I'm going to check on Mummy, so why don't you go upstairs and brush your teeth and change into your pyjamas. I'll be up to tuck you in a bit."

"Can you read me two stories tonight since we didn't watch a movie?"

She knows she has me wrapped around her finger. And I love it.

"Oh I guess," I reply in a teasing tone and she does her happy dance before running up the stairs. "That girl, I swear."

"Harry, can you c'mere, please?" Bea calls out from the hallway loo and my smile fades at her worried tone.

Oh no. What happened?***

A/N: *gasps* so what happened?

Swipe up to find out cos it's a first-ever TRIPLE update!! 🎉🎉🎉 Chapters 56 & 57 are up as well. Enjoy 🤗

Much Love.
❤️❤️❤️❤️

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