Forever (h.s.)

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22: A Beautiful Goodbye

After helping the boys load all of their bags into the car, a shiny black SUV that looked out of place on the quiet London street, the driver informed us that we had about ten minutes for goodbyes. That didn't seem like long enough to tell Harry everything I wanted to.

I gave each of the boys a long hug and told them I'd miss them. Louis pretended to sob and at least made us all laugh; but when Louis, Zayn, and Niall got into the car and Liam took Fiona a few yards away, I looked at Harry and suddenly didn't feel like laughing anymore.

"Lovely?" he murmured, sticking his hands deep in his pockets and dodging my gaze.

"Yeah?" I replied, not sure of what else to say.

"I love you." He managed a small grin when I met his eyes. I bit my lip and gave him one back. Then, all at

once, I launched into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist. He lifted me up, half laughing and half crying into my shoulder. I held him tight around the neck and took a deep breath, savoring everything about him. The way he smelled, the way he felt, the way his heartbeat quickened against me whenever I touched him.

"I'll talk to you every single day, I promise," I assured him quietly. He whimpered weakly into my neck, just

holding me tighter. "Harry listen to me. We can make it through this, okay?" He pulled back and set me carefully back on the ground, like I might break.

"You promise?" he murmured pathetically, watching my every move with desperate eyes.

"Just as long as you don't fall for any other girls out there, angel," I replied, joking, but sadly. It was something I worried about every minute of every day. There was and always would be prettier, funnier, more desirable girls going after my beautiful Harry.

"I won't," he said earnestly, stepping closer and brushing my hair back from my face. "I wouldn't. You're all I want. I could never find anyone who makes me happier than you do."

"Right back at you, angel." The tears were overflowing now, finally spilling over my cheeks.

"Shh," he hushed me, running his hands over my cheeks as he tried not to cry himself. "Shh. Look at me." I looked up at him through my damp lashes and saw tears finally streaming down his face as well. His eyes were wet but he was smiling, the sincere dimpled smile that I saw every day.

"How can you smile right now?" I asked him, leaning against his chest. He sniffed and took a deep, shuddering breath.

"I'm just thinking about how happy I'm going to be when I come home to you again," he admitted, kissing the top of my head. I bit my lip. He was so sweet. Then I looked up at him again. His lip was trembling, the smile threatening to leave his face. "That doesn't mean I want to leave you."

"I love you so much," I whispered, another tear sliding down my cheek before my lips met Harry's for one

last time. He kissed me hard, long and passionately, more tears spilling over when I dragged my hands into his curls. When we pulled apart after a minute, the driver was beckoning Harry and Liam to the car.

"I'll miss you, you know that?" he murmured, kissing my cheek and then my lips. I nodded, unable to form words. Harry lifted me up in his arms again, holding me right up against his body. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He set me down and gently wiped the tears from my face and then his with the hem of his t-shirt.

I managed a weak smile and watched him, heartbroken, as he finally let go of my fingers. He got as far as opening the car door before he turned and ran quickly back into my arms. He buried his face in my hair and started to shake softly under my arms.