SOFT SPOT// h.s

0.5 ~ adultery is a deadly sin

"What's your name?" I heard a small voice ask when I awoke the next morning, feeling disoriented and confused about my location.

I dragged open one eyelid slightly to be reminded that I was in Harry's car and we were speeding non stop across the country.

I was bewildered as to who my daughter was talking to until I heard his deep tone say, "Harry."

"Mommy still sleeping," Ellie stated boldly as I felt Harry's burning eyes looking at me.

"Yeah, I know," Harry mumbled, not really taking interest in what she was saying. I felt a tightening in my stomach as I thought of how he was Ellie's father. He deserved to know and Ellie deserved to know her real dad, but something was holding me back from telling him, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever confess to him.

"I'm hungry," Ellie said, as if expecting Harry to feed her.

I heard him sigh. "You'll have to wait until your mum wakes up." I smiled to myself, hearing his British accent.

I wriggled uncomfortably in the front passenger seat, feeling the cool leather touch my skin, as the memories and recollections flooded back. I knew he remembered everything, but we couldn't bring ourselves to talk about it.

I opened my eyes fully only to have the shining sun blind me. I turned my head to look at Harry, his soft hair a perfect mess. It looked as if he had been running his hands through it a lot. Purple/black bags of fatigue hung beneath his eyes, proving his tiredness.

"Morning," he muttered, not taking his eyes off the road.

"Have you been driving all night?" I asked him in disbelief. He reluctantly nodded and I gasped in surprise. I glanced at the digital clock on the dashboard. It read 7:12am.

"You need to rest. Seriously that's not good for your health Harry. And besides, the engine is going to get overheated. At least pull over somewhere for a while," I lecture him.

"I need to get home," he muttered, a look of determination etched on his troubled features.

I was about to protest and I was headed for a rant when he spoke up again. "But you could do with a change of clothes, and that kid will probably get grouchy if she's kept in the car too long," he said, as we pulled off the highway.

I desperately wanted to point out that 'that kid' was his, and let him take up some proper responsibility, but of course, decided against it.

"Thank you," I said gratefully as I looked around to Ellie and blew her a kiss. "Good morning sunshine," I said to her brightly, her little giggle warming my heart. When I quickly glanced at Harry, he was obviously made uncomfortable by my affection towards Ellie. Didn't his mum ever speak to him like that? However, it was none of my business and I didn't want to pry.

He pulled into the parking lot of a diner restaurant that was practically deserted. I stretched the cramps in my legs and back as I got out of the car. I must have slept funny because I was aching all over.

"Where are we anyway?" I asked out of curiosity, taking Ellie out of her car seat.

"Arizona," Harry told me, sticking his hands in his back pockets. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the car window and realised that I was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and my hair looked like a haystack.

"Harry! I can't go in there like this! I look like I was dragged backwards through a hedge!" I exclaimed, rushingly combing my hair through with my fingers.

"You look fine, now let's go," he answered briefly, making his way towards the entrance, leaving me struggling to keep up.

"No Harry, I'm going to change in the bathrooms here after we eat. I suggest you do the same," I said before grabbing some clothes and toiletries out of the car and shoving them in my bag.