1Dentity (One Direction Affection: Book 1) [Watty Awards 2012]

22: Reunited

☆ 22: Reunited ★ 



"Paige, I think you should breathe," Zayn tells me as he puts both hands on my shoulder. 

I try taking a breath, but it was useless. My nerves got the best of me. "Yeah, breathing. Good idea." I respond and Zayn drops his hands.

However, I still couldn't breathe. I mean, how else was I supposed to act just before I meet the mother of my fake boyfriend? This is nerve-racking and for a second, I almost regret putting this together. 

Harry has no idea that we are doing this. I had asked Eleanor, Louis and Liam to take him out for a couple of hours before their concert in Phoenix. That left just enough time for Niall, Zayn and I to go to the airport and pick her up.

It didn't take long for me to think of a way to repay Harry and putting together this plan was just as simple. Liam and I called Ms. Cox and explained what I wanted to do. She was more than happy to agree. The hardest part was probably getting Ms. Cox to get time off work, but with a quick phone call from Paul to her boss, everything was set. I even went as far as paying for her plane tickets with the money Vincent had promised me.

Now that everything is in place, all that's left to do is wait. Niall, Zayn and I were standing at the bottom of the escalators, waiting for Harry's mom to come into view.

"Is that her?" I ask, pointing to a lady with dark curly hair, carrying a large duffle bag.

Zayn and Niall follow my finger. "Uh, Paige," Zayn says, suppressing a laugh. "Do you really think Harry's mum is black?"

"I don't know," I shrug. "That could be where he got his curly hair."

"Well, that would explain a lot, but no that's not his her," Niall says with a laugh.

"Okay, is tha-" 

"And no, the blonde with the piercings isn't her either," Zayn cuts me off.

"Paige, we'll tell you which one she is," Niall tells me reassuringly. 

"Yeah, so you can stop asking if every lady that comes down that escalator is Harry's mum," Zayn continues.

We've probably been standing there for a good twenty minutes and I've at least pointed out fifty ladies, asking if she were his mom. I probably sound like some lost girl asking everyone if they've seen my mother. I'm surprised no one freaked out on me just yet.

"Sorry," I mutter, running my fingers through my bangs. "I'm just nervous."

"Why?" Niall asks.

"It's not everyday I meet my famous boyfriends mother," I say, leaving out the part where it's my fake boyfriends mother since we were in public. 

"You shouldn't worry, she'll love you," Zayn reassures me. "What mother wouldn't love the girl that's paying to fly her in to see her son?"

Zayn did have a point. But I'm not only nervous about meeting her, I just don't know what Harry has told her. Does she think that I'm really Harry's girlfriend or is she in on the secret. For some reason, I doubt she knows the truth. I wasn't even allowed to tell Aunt Julia or Uncle Mike. I also couldn't help but wonder if she blames me for not being able to see her son recently. I mean, isn't that what Harry did? He put the blame on me. It was just as easy for his mom to do the same thing.

"Look! I think I see her!" Niall shouts in excitement as he points towards the escalator.

When I spot her, I feel my stomach twist. She is here. 

She is nothing like the previous fifty ladies that had passed by. No, she was different. The second my eyes land on her, I can tell right away that she is Harry Styles mom, Anne Cox. The first indication was her smile. It had the same goofy upward tilt that Harry's had. Also, the dimples. I think it was safe for me to say that he inherited that from his mom. However, her hair was straight and dark, unlike Harry's. A pair of sunglasses were nestled on top of her head. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she made her way to us, pulling her duffle bag around her shoulder.

"Hello, boys," She says as she approaches us. Her voice was sweet. 

Niall and Zayn quickly pull her into a large hug, causing her to drop her bag. Desperate for something to do, I reach down and pick up her duffle bag and strap it around my shoulder. The boys quickly let her go and then I feel her eyes on me.

"And you must be Paige," She says kindly. "It's so nice to meet you, sweetie."

Sweetie? I feel the knot in my stomach disappear as she says that. Maybe I was over reacting. She seems so nice. 

"It's so nice to meet you, Ms. Cox," I say, sticking my hand out to her.

She stares at my hand curiously before looking at me. "You're dating my son, I think we can move past the awkward hand shakes."

Before I have time to process anything, she pulls me into a hug. Wrapping her thin arms around me. Not wanting to make the situation anymore awkward, I place my arms around her, returning the hug.

"Thank you so much for doing this," She replies as she pulls out of the hug, her hands still on my shoulders. "But you didn't have to pay for the plane tickets."

"Oh, no. It's my pleasure," I insist. "Harry misses you and I wanted to surprise him."

Harry mom looks back at me, her red lips were pulled into the most dazzling smile. Seeing her smile at me just reminded me how dumb I was for even thinking that she would hate me. It's obvious that she wasn't holding anything against me. 

I smile back at her. 

"Now, what do you say we get to the car?" Zayn says. "Liam just texted me saying that he and Louis are running out of distractions."

Ms. Cox drops her hands from my shoulders as I readjusted my grip on her duffle bag. 

"Alright, let's go see my baby!"



~*~



"How long did you say it was going to be?" I ask Zayn.

"Louis said they are on their way," He replies, sitting around on the couch.

I found myself pacing the length of the dining area, waiting for Harry to return from whatever the boys had planned. I wasn't even sure what they were doing to distract him but whatever it was, according to Liam, it didn't go so well. Harry was complaining the whole time. I could just imagine Eleanor dragging Harry to some shops to pass the time. Poor guy.

I look over my shoulder and spot Ms. Cox picking up around the kitchen. This wasn't what I had wanted. I didn't invite her here to clean up after the boys. With a sigh, I make my way other to her.

"Oh, you don't have to do that," I say, walking up next to her.

"It's no problem," She replies, giving me a sideways smile. Her dark hair is pulled up into a ponytail, and for mom's that could only mean one thing; she is prepared to do some serious cleaning if one one stopped her.

I reach forward and turn off the water from the sink. "Please, relax. This is supposed to be a vacation for you. The last thing I want you to do is clean."

"It's alright, I don't mind," Ms. Cox looks between me and the dishes as if debating whether or not she should listen to me. If it's one thing I learned from my Aunt Julia is that if she is cleaning, it means you need to try harder. 

"But I mind," I urge. "Let me do them, you can go sit down with Niall and Zayn while you wait for Harry."

"Yeah! Come over here," Niall says eagerly. "Wanna play Temple Run? No one has been able to beat my score just yet."

I look at Harry's mom expectedly. "Go on, I've got it taken care of."

"Oh, well if you insist," She says as she drops the plate back into the sink. "Thanks, sweetie."

As she made her way to the couch, I quickly took her spot and began working on the dishes. She had already gone through a few of them, but not too much. I should've remembered to clean up the bus before I invited her over. I was not only trying to repay Harry, but getting his mom to like me would be an added bonus. But so far, I don't think I've done a hot job. 

Over the sound of the running water, I can hear Niall and Zayn explaining how to play Temple Run to Harry's mom. I couldn't help but smile at that. I owe the boys big time for this. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to pull this off. 

Suddenly, the door to the tour bus swings open and in walks Harry, followed by Louis, Liam, and Eleanor. I put down my dishes, ready to see everything unfold.

"I'm telling you, Eleanor," Harry says looking over his shoulder. "If you make me look at one more shirt I think I'm goi-"

He stops dead in his tracks the moment he sees the extra person in the bus. His eyes light up and a large smile showcases on his bright face. It was that moment that made all the trouble of setting this up worth it. To see that smile on his and his moms face, it reminded me of how in a week, that will be me and my parents. 

"Mum," Harry says as he closes the distance between him and his mother, who was now standing up waiting to embrace her son. Harry doesn't hesitate. He engulfs his mother in a large hug, picking her feet off the ground for a few moments. Me and along with the rest of the boys, couldn't help but smile as we see Harry and his mom.

"What are you-" Harry pauses, rethinking his question. "I mean, how did you get here? I thought you said you couldn't get time off?"

"Well, your girlfriend set this all up," she answers, looking back at me. 

Harry's eyes met mine and his smile deepens. After a few moments, Harry looks back at his mom, still shaking his head in disbelief. "How long are you staying?"

"Just a couple of days," She answers sadly.

"She's leaving the same day I do," Eleanor adds.

"It'll be a sad day for us both, mate," Louis says patting Harry on the shoulder playfully.

Harry turns his attention back to his mom. "I just can't believe you're here! I've missed you so much!"

Harry quickly pulls her into another hug. The room is just radiating off of all their emotions; if it was possible, I smile even wider. 

"Aw, I think I feel a group hug coming?" Zayn announces eagerly. "Yes?"

Harry waves one hand into the air, signaling that everyone can join it. It was like moths to light. Everyone collapsed on Harry and his mom in a big hug. I hang back, smiling as Niall complains that someone stepped on his foot.

You know that feeling you get when you are hanging out with people that have known each other for years, and they suddenly have a 'sentimental moment'. You know, that feeling you get when you don't belong. When you're the outsider. It was one of those 'something here doesn't belong' and it happens to be me.

"Where's Paige?" Niall asks.

Suddenly, everyone's head turns in my direction and Harry asks, "What are you doing? Get over here."

And suddenly that feeling disappears.

Without hesitation, I toss down my dish rag and join in on the group hug. Eleanor and Niall both wrap their arms around me, pulling me in. Everyone's bodies pressing together with such love and unity. I can't help but feel lucky enough to be part of this. All my life I've never been in a room full of people that were so close. Despite the fact that I'm a new addition, and otherwise temporary, they made me feel like I was part of their family. And for a moment, I feel like I am.

"Aw, now I miss my mum," I hear Niall complain.

"Hey! One mum at a time," Zayn laughs.

"Alright, who just smacked my bum?" Liam asks.

"Sorry," Louis apologizes. "I thought that was Harr- ow!" I can only imagine Eleanor stomping on Louis' foot. "I mean, I thought that was Eleanor's bum."

"Okay, I think that's enough hugging before someone gets hurt," Ms. Cox announces with a laugh.

"Too late for that," Louis mutters as everyone drops their hands and steps away from each other. 

Laughing, I back away and begin making my way back to the sink before Harry's mom continues cleaning. However, before I can take two steps, I feel someones hand wrap around mine. I don't even need to look to know who was holding my hand. The warm sensation spreading through my fingers was enough. 

I turn around and face Harry. Before I can get one word out, Harry is pulling me into a tight hug, placing his head at the crook of my neck. Instinctively, I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him in closer.

Then, all too soon he pulls out of the hug.

"Why?" He asks, his green eyes bright.

I shrug, still smiling. "Suprise?"

"Thank you," he says sincerely. "For everything."

Harry laughs, still holding me close to him. I could just see the laughter in his eyes, the excitement in his smile, his whole being is ten times as happy and I can't help but think that I helped cause that. And that just made everything worth it. 

I stare back at Harry.

Suddenly, everyone in the room didn't matter. All there is is me and Harry. I become aware of how close our faces were. His hands were still at my waist, his fingers brushing against my exposed skin where my shirt hiked up. Harry's eyes bore into mine, causing my breath to quicken. His green eyes were so bright, so green. 

I notice the sudden shift of his gaze as they move from my eyes down to my lips. My heart beat picks up. Was he really going to kiss me? Here? In front of his mom?

Then, before I can even process everything, Harry leans in, placing his soft lips on my forehead, his fingers tangling in my hair. I let out a deep sigh. Out of releif or frustration; I'm not sure.

"You're welcome," I breath out unevenly.

Yup, I definitely need to surprise Harry more often.

_______________________________________________

A/N:

:( I know... another short boring chapter... IM SORRY! But the next will hopefully be a bit better. It'll have a nice Pairry moment so bare with me...

VOTE for Harry's mom visiting for a while! haha not for long but visiting nonetheless! :D

--------> Louis and his butt hahaha makes a good Google, right? :P

 Remember, I LUFF everyone who reads this story! YOU ALL ROCK! :D