Stockholm Syndrome - A One Direction Story

Chapter Twenty Two

Harry's POV

I had just finished my shift. I had went to the staffroom to get my things. It wasn't too late, but I was ready to go home to bed. It had been a long week & Oakley would be coming home tomorrow. I just wanted to be rested for when I saw her. Amelia had talked to Niall a few days ago & he had said that the Stockholm's had started to ware off a bit, but I was still nervous.
I was looking for my other shoes to change into when I heard a voice.
"Whatchya looking for?" A seemingly familiar voice said.
"Just my shoe-" I started, as I turned around. When I saw her standing in the door frame with her smiling face beaming at me I was honestly a bit shocked to see her.
"Oak... Amelia told me you wouldn't be home until tomorrow." I said.
"Come on Haz, don't act like you're not happy to see me." She said, teasingly as she walked towards me.
The truth is I was happy to see her. I was so happy to see her that I was almost at a loss for words.
"I am happy to see you." I said as she came towards me. "You know that."
She smiled. When she reached me, she took my hand in hers & looked up at me.
"I'm glad you're back home." I said.
"I'm glad to be back. & I promise... I'm not going anywhere ever again." She said as she reached up & leaned into my lips, kissing them. I can't say I was really surprised... this has been a long time coming. I smiled against her lips. I place a hand on her cheek as we kiss & let the other fall to the bottom of her back as we kiss. I feel her arms reach to the back of my neck. We kiss for a few more seconds before she would pull away. Then there is a break in the conversation before the words I've been waiting to hear her say for the better part of a year, she spoke.

"I think I'm falling in love with you Haz."

I smiled at her words. "I know I'm falling in love with you Oak."

As those words came out of my mouth she smiled right back at me. 

I picked her up & kissed her again, holding her tight.

"I swear I am never going to let you go. I won't let anything bad happen to you ever again."

She smiled. "Wanna get out of here? Justice & Amelia are waiting for us. I think we might go bowling or to a movie or something." She says.

"yeah. Let's go." I say. I grab Justice's bag from the closet & swing it over my shoulder, then take Oakley's hand in mine as we walk out of the staff room.

"Ready to go?" I ask as I put Justice's bag on the counter.

"Oh, very nice." He said, clearly noticing the fact that we were holding hands. "It took like a year & forever, but you guys are finally happening, huh?" 

I smiled, trying not to laugh. His smart remark was a bit true to be fair.

I nodded. "Yeah... Yeah we are."

"Good." He said. "Now we can get out of here." he grabbed his bag off the counter & we headed on our way.

***

Oakley's POV

Two weeks later...

So here we are... I have been home for two weeks now. Life seemed to be pretty good & back to normal. I had my first shift back at the diner this morning & it felt just like I had never left. It was so good to work with Harry, Harley & Macy. I couldn't wait to start working other shifts with my other friends. Nothing had changed. We were still one big happy family.

Mom had come home & this time she wouldn't be leaving again for two months, which was nice. I missed her a lot as it was, but now it was nice to have my mom home for a little while, all things considered.

Niall was Niall. He loved me, that I knew for sure. There was no doubt in my mind that he didn't before, but it was kind of like he had this new appreciation for me. He wouldn't get frustrated with me over the smallest of things & we fought less overall. At the end of the day he was still my older know it all brother & I was his sassy, bratty baby sister. That would never change. But now he hugged me tighter, laughed with me longer, & helped me whenever. Just like how it was when we were small.

I could still never thank Liam enough for helping me realize something that so many people tried & failed to get me to realize. Liam knew that it would take time, but his approach to the situation on top of not being just any doctor that I didn't want to listen to really helped me come out of it. He was like a second brother to me, always having my best interest at heart. Something I loved about him since the day I met him.

Amelia was happy to have me back. It's as plain & simple as that. Everyone wants their best friend around. She made me vow to never go through those trails alone, which at this point was not like she had to sit there & beg. Now I always waited for her shift to end, no matter how badly I just wanted to go home to bed. I was also so happy o find that she & Justice finally got together & she was happy that I was finally with Harry... I could see many double dates in our future.

& as for Harry... He's the reason I know what real love is. He always had something about him... His heart of gold. I smiled every time he would walk into a room before. Now that feeling had only grown stronger. I was looking forward to spending what would hopefully be the rest of my life with him.

Zayn's final sentencing was 40 years to life for two counts of kidnapping & one count of Murder. I was glad I wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.

I am so happy to be back where I belong... Home. I know that not everyone is as lucky as I. It became so close to me ending up as another one of those sad stories & I had so many people to thank for not letting that happen. One of which was a big surprise. I would never forget Louis & Brin. I have some of Brin's Polaroids that she gave me when I first moved out. I know I will keep them forever.

So all in all I'm back home with my family in a job that still brings a smile to my face every day & a boy who loves me more than the world. 

It's like my own little fairy tail... My own little happily ever after.

Or at least I thought it was...