Precious (h.s) DISCONTINUED

t h i r t y - n i n e

The plane finally lands many hours later, leaving me very exhausted. It's nearly midnight when the plane lands, but Harry assures me that his mother will be at awake when we arrive at her house.

We collect our bags from the bag collection and make our way outside once we're sure we've got everything. Harry calls for a taxi and soon enough we arrive at a small house, in a cute little neighborhood.

Harry pays the taxi driver and we collect our bags.

"I'm nervous." I mutter out as we approach the house.

"Don't be, princess." Harry pats my shoulder as we near the porch of the small house.

Harry knocks on the door, and soon a woman with long brown hair opens the door.

"Harry! It's so nice to see you!" The woman embraces Harry in a hug as I awkwardly stand aside him.

"And you must be Grace?" The woman faces me now and I nod softly.

"Yes, it's so nice to meet you." I extend my hand, assuming she'll shake it.

She engulfs me in a hug, much to my surprise. I still hug back.

"Let's get you two inside! It's quite chilly out." Harry's mother, Anne says.

We enter the dimly lit house and I hear a dog bark.

I glance around, hoping to spot the little creature.

"Oh, that's Max!" Anne says as a little white dog runs into her living room.

"He's so cute!" I say softly, leaning down to give the dog a pat.

I've always loved animals, yet I've never had my own pet. My aunt and uncle didn't like animals as much as I did, and said they were not worth it. This always upset me, but I tried to understand their point of view.

"Please, make yourself at home, Grace!" Anne says, motioning to the couch.

I shyly sit down, the white dog accompanying me. I notice Harry and Anne disappear into another room and take this time to grab my phone from my pocket. I pout when I realize I have no service.

After a few minutes, Harry and his mother appear again.

"Harry dear, why don't you show Grace your old room so you two can get some rest?" Anne suggest and Harry nods.

Harry grabs his suit case, and I drag mine behind me. Harry walks down the short hallway, pushing opened a door. He enters the room first and I trail behind him.

Once inside, I take a moment to look around. The walls are littered in posters, and there's books on the shelves that line the walls. I step further into the room, the bed coming into view. It's a queen sized bed, with a blue checkered duvet.

"This is your old room?" I question, sitting down on the walls.

"Yeah." Harry chuckles, rubbing his neck.

Harry leans his suitcase against the wall, moving mine aside his. He sits across from me on the bed, looking over at me.

"What?" I say softly, our eyes connecting.

"Just glad you're here." He murmurs, stroking a loose strand of hair from my face.

I offer him a soft smile, looking up at him through my eyes lashes.

"I just didn't expect your room to look like," I glance around, motioning with my hands, "This." A laugh escapes my lips.

"What we're you expecting? A trashed room with football posters?" He chuckles.

I shake my head no, although, I wasn't expecting it to be so clean and sophisticated? Maybe that's not the right word, I'm very tired and my thoughts are clouded by this.

"Let's get some rest?" Harry suggest and I nod.

"Please." I whisper.

Harry slips his jeans off, moving under the duvet. I do the same, undressing until I'm left in my sweater and my underwear. Then I join him.

I stay a bit further away then normal, not wanting to be disrespectful in his mother's home. Though we are adults, I'd hate for her to see us being inappropriate in her home.

"Come to daddy," Harry mutters, pulling me against his chest.

I want to explain to him my thoughts, and why I was further away than normal, but I'm too sleepy to protest. Instead I just muzzle into him, and let my eyes fall closed.

"Love you daddy." I whisper, nearly falling asleep.

"I love you, princess." I hear him whisper, just as I drift to sleep.

•

I awake to the light shining in my eyes, and distant voices. My eyes flutter opened and I glance around, my eyes scanning the room as I look for Harry.

Much to my dismay, I don't find the man I'm looking for anywhere in the room. I push the duvet off myself and stand to my feet, shivering as they come in contact with the cool wood.

I rush towards my suit case, digging through until I find a pair of black leggings. I pull them on, then exit the room. Once in the living room where I was last night, I find the man I've been looking for, another with Anne and another woman sat in the dining room.

I stand silently for a moment, watching as the three of them converse. My heart aches for a moment as they all laugh together. I think back to my childhood, wishing I had a relationship like that with my own mother.

A bark draws me from my thoughts. I glance down to see Max, the white mop dog at my feet.

"There she is." Harry smiles at me, finally acknowledging my presence.

"Morning." I yawn, putting on a smile.

"Please, join us dear!" Anne interjects, motioning to the table. I timidly walk over, sitting beside Harry at the small table. Harry offers me a sip of his coffee, but I decline.

"Grace, this is Gemma." Harry says softly, introducing me to his sister.

"Hello." I speak shyly, looking at the woman with the long wavy hair. She looks very similar to Harry, her hair and her eyes matching his. She's very beautiful, just like him.

"It's so nice to finally meet you! Harry never shuts up about you." Gemma speaks cheerfully and I catch Harry give her a glare.

I notice Harry open his mouth to say something, but Anne cuts in.

"Don't start, you two." Anne let's out a laugh, scolding the pair.

A small laugh escapes my lips, Anne reminds me of my aunt in a way, kind, peaceful. The good side of my aunt anyway, the side of her I've seen more recently.

"So what are your plans for today, Harry?" Gemma asks, sipping her own cup of coffee.

I've been wondering the same thing, Harry never told me about our plans, just that we were visiting his mom and his sister.

"You should take her to the bakery." Anne cheers, patting Harry's shoulder.

"Oh c'mon mum, I haven't been there since I was 16." Harry chuckles. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, Harry never mentioned a bakery, yet it seems important to him.

"Oh, I remember when you used to work there!" Gemma cuts in, a laugh escaping her lips.

"You really should take Grace by the bakery, I'm sure she'd love it." Anne smiles, looking over at me.

"That sounds lovely, actually." I smile softly.