He's Mine

Chapter 18 - Reintroductions

He's Mine

Chapter 18 – Reintroductions

Sunday evening couldn't come fast enough for Harmony. She spent the day avoiding Alex as much as possible, even enduring hours of shopping and indecisions with Bethany and Katie. She wanted to be at the beach with the others, however Alex had agreed to go there and she was avoiding him.

4 hours later, Katie and Bethany had arms full of bags whilst Harmony had only bought a cute skirt; encouraged by Katie who said it 'brought out her eyes'. Katie hadn't missed her change in mood easily, but her attempts at asking her didn't lead very far and Harmony claimed it to be tiredness. Katie just hoped if she gave Harmony a bit of space, that she might be able to explain something to her; she hadn't been quite right for a few weeks now.

They were walking back to the hotel to drop off their bags but to also pack up their clothes. The others had already returned from the beach and were putting their things in their suitcases, getting ready for their journey home. It may have been a short weekend, but it had been fun while it lasted; at least that's what Harmony tried to convince herself.

She'd spent the whole day zoning out, guilt gnawing at her from the inside every time she looked at Katie or felt Alex's gaze on her. Her mind was turning blank as she tried to forget the night, to forget how good it felt to have him so close to her.

"You ready, Mony?"

Katie's voice startled Harmony out of her daze and she smiled up at her best friend, trying her best not to make it look strained. "I'll just be a minute."

"Okay, well we're meeting everyone downstairs so I'll see you there soon, yeah?"

"Yep, won't be long."

Katie walked out of the room, her pink suitcase following her lead. Harmony didn't hear the click of the door and so looked up, only to see Blake's head in the door. "Need help packing?"

"I'm almost done," she replied, picking up some of the things left on her bedside table.

There was a pause in the room and Harmony went into the bathroom to check they hadn't left anything behind. After examining all the wardrobes and crawling on her knees to investigate under the bed; it wasn't beyond Katie to leave something under her bed; she finally zipped up her suitcase.

When she looked up, she found Blake staring at her. She was still slightly annoyed at him for leaving her with Alex the night before. She'd known she shouldn't have been left with him; he knew that too.

"What happened?" Blake asked, breaking the silence that hovered between them.

"Just made a few mistake that shouldn't have happened," Harmony answered honestly, finding no reason to lie to Blake after becoming so close with him. "Which could have been avoided if you hadn't left me with him."

Blake felt a bit bad, but honestly he hadn't done so to make Harmony hurt; he thought that she should be giving them a chance and Blake tried to set them up some time. Clearly, his plan had backfired.

He didn't press the subject anymore, knowing enough from the broken look she had as she reminisced the night before. Instead, he walked towards her and wrapped her in a tight hug. He spoke no words as he held her and she was thankful, soaking up his warmth and comfort as the guilt faded slightly, only ever so slightly.

"Come on, we best get going; the other's will be waiting."

Blake nodded, taking the handle of her suitcase and dragging it out of the room. Harmony didn't protest about him helping or tell him that she could handle it herself, she just followed him silently.

***

"Come on, sweetie, I can't stand seeing you so sad." Darren sat on the sofa beside Claire, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his embrace.

Claire sighed heavily, leaning her head on his chest and soaking up his comfort. "I know, I just hate how mad she is at me. We've always been so close."

"You still are close," He insisted, rubbing his hand up her arm softly. "She just needs some time to absorb it all; it was a lot of information to take in."

"Daddy! My new sister is here!" Ben called, interrupting their conversation and running into the living room seconds before the doorbell rang.

Claire looked up at Darren with confusion.

Darren looked surprised too and Claire slowly got up to answer the door. She pulled it open to reveal Harmony, standing before her with a guilty smile pulling at her lips and a suitcase by her feet.

Neither spoke for a moment, a small silence hovering in the air. Harmony made the first move as she took a small step forwards. It acted as a trigger and the rest ran smoothly; Claire wrapping her arms round her daughter and pulling her into an embrace as Harmony snuggled into her chest.

"I'm so sorry Mum, I've been so inconsiderate to you and your feelings; I've been so selfish and I'm sorry."

"Shh, it's okay baby," Claire comforted, stroking her daughter's hair softly. "I'm just so glad you're back."

"I'm glad too, I miss you." Harmony pulled away and gave her mother a small smile. "I think Dad was wanting his own space for a bit."

Claire chuckled, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile. "He does like his personal space."

Harmony nodded with a small laugh of her own, stepping away from her mother. "I've just got something I need to do, and I think it's a bit overdue."

Claire watched her walk inside, leaving her suitcase in the hallway as she entered the living room. Claire trailed after her, watching as Harmony stopped in front of Darren who'd stood from his seat.

"Hey, I'm Harmony," she introduced, holding her hand out to the taller man with a kind smile on her face, "it's really nice to meet you."

Darren smiled warmly at her, taking her hand into his larger one and shaking them firmly. "Nice to finally meet you Harmony, I'm Darren."

"Are you my new sister?" A voice asked and Harmony looked down at the small boy tugging on her leg. She recognised the green eyed boy from the restaurant.

Harmony felt yet another smile spread on her lips as she crouched down in front of him. "If you want me to be."

"Yes please, I always wanted a big sister." He was nodding his head enthusiastically and she ruffled his hair.

"Sounds good to me."

"Harmony, can you help me with the dinner please?" Claire asked, and Harmony looked up to see her mother standing in the doorway, a proud smile on her lips that made Harmony heart warm.

"Of course."

As they entered the kitchen, Claire closed the door behind her and turned to face her daughter. "What changed your mind?"

Harmony hesitated, thinking through her question and the many answers in her mind. Truthfully, she needed the relationship she shared with her mother, feeling too broken to deal with all her emotions at once. "I just realised how selfish I was being, I'd really like to give him a chance."

Claire reached out a hand to stroke her daughter's cheek, Harmony relaxing in the comforting touch. "Thank you, it means a lot to me."

"I know."

That night, Harmony felt herself relax slightly. All thoughts of her guilt were pushed firmly to the back of her mind; she needn't worry while she was at home. She spent the night getting to know Darren and Ben. She learnt that Darren was a teacher for the primary school nearby, actually teaching English which was Harmony's favourite lesson. Ben was five and still in nursery, such a bubbly and excitable child for his age and very forward. She also learnt how happy Darren made her mother.

Harmony enjoyed herself, getting to know the people who now shared her home and decided that maybe; just maybe, it wouldn't be as bad as she thought. She still had her father; she knew he was just a call away. However now, she also had a little brother and perhaps Darren could grow to be...more like an uncle figure in her life, he doesn't have to be replacing her father to become someone to her.