Forever You - Evening the Score // Book Two

Chapter 36

Harry's eyes fluttered open as the sun peeked in through the windows and over his face.  He took in a deep breath, taking just a few moments to wake himself up.  He and Elena had spent most of the night talking.  There was some kissing but mostly talking.  It felt good to hear her fears and doubts.  It felt better to admit his own.  He was sure they would never get back to this point but now that they were, it was even better. 

Elena was still peacefully asleep in his arms.  Her back against his front while her breath fanned out over the hairs on his arms.  Sure, there were going to be some rough times ahead of them while they navigated back to each other.  But he had never been more certain of their stability than he was at that moment.

Harry glanced at the alarm clock.  Her family would be back soon and if he was being honest he was a little shocked he hadn't received a phone call from Niall yet while he freaked out about Joey.  But for now, he was going to enjoy her in his arms. 

Ten minutes later, Elena stirred.  She turned her head, her eyelids blinking rapidly as she focused on Harry.  He watched as her eyes closed and a smile spread over her face,

"It wasn't a dream."

Harry lifted his hand to her cheek,

"How did you sleep?"

"Better than I have in months."  Her smile faded slowly, "But I miss Joey."

Harry giggled,

"I knew you were gonna say that.  Let's get up and go get him and then get some breakfast, yeah?"

Elena nodded,

"Perfect."

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Niall reached up to catch some of the milk dribbling down Joey's chin.  He lifted his finger to his mouth to suck it off and then put the bottle back in Joey's mouth.  Randy emerged from the bathroom after fixing her makeup.  She leaned down to smack a kiss to Niall's mouth, stopping when she tasted the milk on his lips,

"Were you sucking from the bottle?"

Niall snorted, his head shaking back and forth,

"No.  Some of the milk dribbled so I caught it with my finger and sucked it off."  Niall shrugged, "Tastes alright."

Randy laughed out loud, her head throwing back as she did.  Niall pulled his eyebrows together in confusion,

"What?"  He asked.

Randy let her laugh dissolve into a giggle,

"That's breast milk."

Niall turned white as a sheet, his smile disappearing,

"You lie."

Randy shook her head,

"No.  Elena is still nursing.  She pumped earlier that day before we took him."

"Pumped?"  Niall asked in shock, "She pumped? That sounds...painful."

"It is."

Niall shoved Joey's bottle into Randy's hand as he scrambled out of his chair to get to the bathroom,

"Gonna go brush my teeth."

Randy giggled as she watched him walk away, glancing back at the door when she heard a knock.  She reached down to pick Joey up out of his chair before she opened the door.  Elena smiled,

"Hey." 

Randy instantly smiled,

"Hey..."  She glanced down the hallway as her smile faded, "Where's Harry?"  She asked cautiously.