All of this past

Stay around

Sam was singing loudly in the bathtub while I put the used plates in the dishwasher. Jude and Kate were both in the living room, showing Harry how to play some video game they both loved. Judging from their frustrated groans and Harry's elated cheering, he was proving to be better at it then they would've thought him to be. I brought them a bottle of coke and four glasses, making my daughters comment about how Harry should come over more often so they got to drink more soda before checking up on Sam, and the state my bathroom was in. I sat down on the edge of the bathtub so I could help him with washing and rinsing his hair. I handed him a washcloth to cover his eyes as I took the showerhead and chuckled at the funny faces he was making.

"Dad?" he sounded a bit like a drowning fish, if that even makes sense, because of the water that was still streaming down his face. "Is Harry your boyfriend?"

I choked on air, coughing so violently I was afraid someone would come barging in because they would think I was really choking. When I finally recovered, Sam was watching me with his large, innocent brown eyes, unaware of the fact that it was his question that caused me to almost die. "No Sam, he's just an old friend. We met in high school, but uh, we lost contact a few years before I met your daddy."

He shrugged, losing interest already after my second sentence. "Oh, okay. Do you think he'd want to come over and play football with me sometime?"

I smiled at him. "I don't know Sam, why don't you ask him yourself?" I put my hand on his shoulder as he already attempted to get up and out of his bath, not wanting to wait any longer before asking the very important question. "Hold on bud, first rinse the soap of your body before running into the living room." I pulled the plug out of the drain and helped him shower before I put a towel around him and lifted him out of the bath. It wouldn't be so much longer before I wouldn't be able to do this anymore, I realised. He was growing up fast, and it made me a bit sad to think about it. Soon enough I wouldn't have any truly little kids around, no more babying to do. He dried himself, only requiring my help for his back, his curly hair and his feet before he put on his favourite black and blue pyjamas. He convinced me to comb his hair in the living room, about dying to pop his question to Harry. I shook my head at his unruliness but followed him out of the bathroom and into the living room, where I found him shaking with laughter at Jude's huffing. She and Kate had obviously lost from Harry, very unexpectedly to them, and Sam was just rubbing it in their faces. He was almost rolling over the floor when I finally pulled him closer to me and positioned him between my legs so I could brush his hair, knowing that it would be a complete mess of knots in the morning if I didn't. He really needed a haircut soon, but I hadn't had the chance to take him with the holidays. I should probably take him at the weekend, Kate and Jude would certainly be happy with a chance to go to the mall. 

I was pulled out of my thoughts as Kate got up to put the controllers back in their place and Sam had managed to catch his breath, enough to finally ask the burning question. I saw him pulling the sleeve of Harry's T-shirt, causing the latter to turn around to face him, a wide smile tugging on his lips as he met the eyes of my youngest.

"Harry?"

"Yes Sam?"

"Would you come back sometime and play football with me in the backyard? Dad says I'm getting real good and that maybe I can play for Man U one day." He looked dead serious so I bit my bottom lip, trying my hardest not to let my smile break through at his exaggeration. 

"Sure mate. If your dad gets permission from your sisters to let me in after defeating them tonight, that is." He winked, earning chuckles from me, Sam, and even some reluctant ones from Jude and Kate. 

Two hours later, I was leaning against the wall in the hallway, Sam already sound asleep, Jude and Kate arguing in the living room who could use the bathroom first. Harry was leaning on the opposite wall, both of us smiling and feeling comfortable again, as if that kiss never happened.

"I had a good time today, thanks for staying Haz."

"Thanks for inviting me in, or maybe I should thank Jude for that." he teased.

"I'll be reading that letter when I get those two to bed. Are these CD's..."

"Yeah, they're the result of three weeks at the studio. I could use some help selecting the songs that should be on the next album though, so if you're up for it?" he trailed off.

"I'll have a listen anyway, and I'll let you know." 

"Good. Thanks. So I'll call you tomorrow to make arrangements for next weekend?" He asked, referring to what we'd agreed on before. I would take the kids to the mall on Saturday, for the very needed haircuts on both Sam and me, and Harry would join us for a barbecue after, so him and Sam could play their game of football in the backyard. It also held a promise for us to finally talk about some things that needed to be said. I was more one to write those things down and send them in a letter, but I knew that would be unnessecarily complicating and postponing things. 

I nodded and went to open the door to let him out, hugging him before he turned and walked away. I supposed this meant he was willing to stay and wait for me.

Jude and Kate both stopped their bickering when I walked into the living room, jumping me and firing their questions. If we had kissed, and if I had wanted to. I just smiled and reminded them of how they'd said that my love life wasn't any of their business as I sent them into the bathroom to take a shower. " But no, Harry and I are not dating, and if that changes, you girls will be the first ones to know, okay?" I told them as they came up to me for their good night kisses. They smiled and nodded, skipping upstairs as if I had told them we would go to Disney Land for their birthdays.

I read his letter when I finally got to bed, the last of our laundry in the dryer. I smiled and wiped away a single tear that rolled down my cheek, taking my phone to send him one last text before going to sleep.

Thanks so much Haz. I'm glad you're willing to stay around. Love, Li

The next three evenings were spent with listening to the CD's Harry had given me, going back and forth while comparing the songs. It was very obvious that most of the songs were inspired by our situation, the kiss and everything that had ever happened between us. His cover of Times Like These sounded perfect. Even better than I remembered from the concert. It was vulnerable but firm and comforting at the same time. I really believed what he was singing, and I supposed that was the most important thing anyway. When Lose You Twice came up, I shed a few tears and immediately put it in my list of definite keepers. I texted Harry about it, letting him know that I had gotten the message and wouldn't let him lose me twice, as well as I didn't want to lose him again.

Fridaynight was hectic as usual, Jude had already started dance practice again, and Sam needed to picked up from his grandmothers' where he had spent the day while I was working. I rushed to the supermarket before doing so, knowing shopping would take me at least twice as long when he was with me. At the end of the night, I could only be happy to see my bed and didn't even think about the day after and the dreaded conversation that was bound to take place when the kids were in bed.