Three Willows {Harry Styles - One Direction Fan Fic}

Chapter 10:

A/N this chapter will contain adult content. It is at the end of the chapter and I suggest if this sort of thing is not to your liking, please only read as far as that. You will know when it's coming up, it's not hard to guess what will happen when it does.

This is also the last time I will be giving a warning as the book has now been rated R, so you should know to expect it from time to time, here on in.

“Kat?” Zayn whispered as he reached to embrace her.

After momentarily not reacting, Kat’s arms rose and pressed lightly on Zayn’s. Her hands cupped his biceps as she held him off. “Please Zayn, Don’t.”

Zayn frowned but pulled far enough from her to lift her chin so she was looking him in the eye. Hers were filled with tears “Kat? What is it?”

“Don’t take me back there Zayn.” A tear escaped and ran down her face. “It was hard enough the first time, please don’t make me relive it.”

“Babe.” Zayn soothed, “I don’t want to remind you of the pain. Just the good memories.”

Kat’s eyes were full of tears by now as she slowly backed away towards the house, towards sanctuary. “You don’t get it do you?” A sob broke involuntarily from her. She swiped at the tears now flowing down her face. “There are no good memories for me, from back then.”

With that Kat had fled into the house. A moment later Zayn heard her bedroom door slam shut. He sighed heavily before flopping onto the sofa, pinching the bridge of his nose and then rubbing his eyes.

How could she think none of it was good? It had been a terrible tragedy, but within that tragedy they had found each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Zayn watched on as Louis grasped Kat’s hand as they slowly walked down the stairs. They both looked so out of place, Louis in his black suit and Kat in the black dress that ended just above her knees. Her hair pulled back and knotted elegantly at the nape of her neck. A single string of pearls sat across her collarbones.

Louis had looked to Zayn, asking a silent question as to whether everything was in order. Zayn had nodded confirmation. He and Liam had made sure everything was perfect, exactly to Kat’s request. They were all trying to make sure this day went as smoothly as possible.

Tommy’s body had been at Three Willows for a twenty four hours now. Louis had ensured that the funeral caretakers leave it as close to the actual funeral as possible before bringing it the property. He had known how Kat would react. He knew that she wouldn’t handle him being back home well.

They had spent days getting the news out to the surrounding stations, being generous in allowing them to have time to come and pay their respects. Tommy Murphy had been a large part of the industry and the region for most of his life, Kat thought it only fitting that he be farewelled in grand style.

The ceremony she had planned was simple. Tommy would have wanted it that way, but the wake she planned would rival all others. She wanted her father’s life to be remembered with the same generosity he had lead it. She needed to do this for him and for herself.

Mrs Duffy, Kahyla and Matilda had been baking for days. Sides of beef fresh from the muster had been prepared and added to the spit. Louis had sent some hands into town for more supplies, as what they had picked up for the end of the muster party would not be enough for this traditional Irish wake.

All those closest to Tommy had met at sunrise with a bottle of his finest Irish whiskey. Glasses had been passed around and a toast was spoken.