Starstruck [H.S.]

You're not wearing pants

Harry’s POV 

I’m an early riser by nature. Knowing Aspen never got to sleep in I got up, put on a pair of joggers and a t-shirt and went to make coffee, and breakfast for the girls. I knew Evelyn would be awake within a few minutes, so I turned on the television in the living room and put on a movie. 

I heard a door open and little feet padding down the hallway. I had set up a blanket on the living room floor with breakfast for the girls. Evelyn walked out and gasped when she saw me. “Haz!” 

She ran to me and jumped into my arms. “Hi Eviebug.” I kissed her hair. “Want to have a picnic breakfast and watch The Lion King?” 

“Yes!” She squeezed my cheeks. “Can I go wake up Emma and Elizabeth?” 

I shook my head. “Let everyone sleep.” 
Evelyn sat on the floor and ate her fruit and mini muffins, she was just about finished when Elizabeth walked in. The sweetest smile breaking out on her face when she saw me. She ran towards me and jumped into my arms. “Harry!” She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed me as tight as she could. “Did you come for mom’s birthday?” 

“What?” I pulled away a little bit so I could search her face. 

“It’s mommy’s birthday the day after tomorrow.” Elizabeth informed me. 

How had I not known this? “Do you have any plans?” 

“Emma is picking up Auntie from the airport to surprise her. But that’s it.” Elizabeth shrugged. “Mommy doesn’t really like to make a big deal about her birthday...Because of Uncle’s accident.” 

What? What is she talking about? “What do you mean?” I set Elizabeth down just as Emma walks down the stairs. 

“Harry!” She smiles at me. “You came for Pen’s birthday?” 

I look over at Emma. “To be honest I didn’t know it was her birthday.” 

Emma’s face falls slightly. “Oh...ummm...shit.” She chews on her lip. “Did you make coffee?” 

I nod. Emma looks at Elizabeth and Evelyn. “You guys eat your breakfast. I’m gonna go have a  cup of coffee with Harry.” 

She takes me into the kitchen. I lean against the counter as she fixes herself a cup. “Today is the anniversary of her brother’s accident...It happened two days before her birthday seven years ago.... His name is Andrew. She doesn’t talk about it. He was home on leave from the military. Navy Seal, he’d been gone for four years, and was home for five days...he was riding a fourwheeler. They were at a retirement party for a friend. Back home in Colorado. Her brother had been drinking, he wasn’t wearing a helmet. He crashed. Hit his head really hard. Aspen she got a feeling something was wrong. Told her mom that something had happened. Her mom kept saying everything was fine but Aspen knew. She hopped in his truck and found him laying on the grass. A woman was trying to help him. He’d crashed right outside of her house. Flight for life was called in...It was bad. He was unresponsive. Aspen said she will never get the image of him laying lifeless in a pool of blood out of her mind. He was in a coma for 8 weeks. There’s a lot more to it, but I...look today is going to be a rough day for her. Andrew isn’t the same. He suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. Had to learn how to do everything again. Walk, talk, eat...He suffered universal strokes because of the accident, so his balance, and speech has been affected. He can’t show emotion, he has balance issues. He’s impulsive and has no filter...He will never be able to live on his own again. Her parents...they take care of him. Her parents aren't the same as they used to be. It was a lot on her family… She told me once that the hardest part is that they grieve him even though he’s still alive because he’s not the brother she grew up with anymore.” Emma swiped at her eyes. “It’s a lot on her parents and they’ve kind of stopped celebrating her dad’s birthday and her birthday because it doesn’t feel happy anymore.” 

I ran my hands through my hair. “Thank you for telling me.” 

“Don’t take it personally Harry, there are things in her life that have happened that she just doesn’t talk about. Aspen deals with things differently. She internalizes and makes jokes. She tries to keep positive. She really likes you Harry.” Emma looks into my eyes. “She’s my second mom. She does everything she can for all of us, I’ve known her since I was 2. I’ve never seen her the way she is when she’s with you.” 

“I appreciate it Em.” I wrap her into my arms and kiss her head. “You’re a good kid. I need to make a few phone calls. I’m going to step outside.” 

I went out to the back yard. “Hey mate. I know this is a huge favor to ask but I was wondering if you might be able to come to Tennessee the day after tomorrow. It’s Pen’s birthday.” I waited for the response. “Wicked. Thank you so much.” 

I made some other calls Then went to track down Emma.   
----

I wake up to an empty bed.  I stumble out into the living room to find Harry sat on the couch. Evelyn and Elizabeth both glued to his side. They are watching a movie. 

"Mom! Harry is here." Evelyn announces. 

I smile at her. "I know honey." 

"They've had breakfast, coffee is made." Harry stands, he walks over to me and pulls me into his arms. "Good morning sweetheart." 

"Mmm morning." I kiss his lips softly. "You could have slept in…"

He shakes his head. "You needed it baby. Go get dressed, I'll bring you coffee." 

"Why am I getting dressed?" I arch an eyebrow at him. 

He leans his head down and whispers in my ear. "Because, I haven't seen you in a month. If you walk around without pants on I'm going to have a very difficult time not dragging you back to your bedroom and ending up inside of you." 

I give him a look. That sounds like the exact kind of distraction that I need today.

"Don't baby. I'm barely holding myself together as it is, and we need to talk to the girls today.” 

There was a pounding on the door. "Just a second." 

"Don't get that." Harry says quietly. 

"I'll be fine." I shake my head at him. 

"You're not wearing pants!" 

I let out a laugh as I yank the door open. My laugh dies in my throat. "What are you doing here?"