Seasons [h.s]

Winter - Part 2

I was able to get to Toys R Us a few hours before I had to pick up Mia from daycare.

The store was crowded with many last minute shoppers. As I moved through the aisles, I watched parents yell at workers for not having things in stock; young children weaved around me picking toys from shelves and bringing them to their parents. I tried to stay focused - after all, it wouldn't be easy for me to try and purchase Mia's gifts without money.

I finally stopped at the Barbie aisle, and saw many other mothers and daughters picking out toys. I observed the mothers' carts with envy - they seemed to be filling their carts without care. My eyes scanned for the dream house, and stopped when I saw the price.

$160.

I gulped as I placed it in my cart. Not only did I not have that kind of money, but I wouldn't have that kind of money for a while. Yet, I continued on. I still owed Mia two Barbie dolls. I squeezed past the small crowd of women, an "excuse me" constantly slipping from my lips.

I was surprised to see another man examining the dolls. He held one of the dolls in his hand; he looked a bit confused. His brown hair reached to his collarbone, and was pulled back by a pair of sunglasses. He was very tall as well, he seemed to tower over me. He was wearing a suede jacket with fur on the collar.

"E-excuse me?" I stammered.

His furrowed eyebrows quickly rose in surprise, "hello." His smile was almost as bright as his emerald eyes.

"Do you mind if I join you? I'm also looking for a doll."

"No worries." He shrugged and made space beside him. "I must warn you, I might be here a while." His British accent startled me.

I smiled, trying not to gawk at him. "Who are you shopping for?"

"My niece, she's been asking for a new Barbie doll all year. I'm not quite sure which one to get her though. Serves me right for waiting last minute, I guess." He chuckled.

"Well, what does she like to do?"

He closed his eyes as he thought. "She loves to dance. My sister enrolled her in a ballet class, and she's been obsessed with dance ever since."

"My daughter loves ballet as well. She takes classes every Sunday." I couldn't help but become excited at the thought of how happy Mia was when she danced. I imagined this man's niece felt the same.

"What's your daughter's name?" The man's voice snapped me back into reality.

"Mia, she's three. She'll be turning four in June."

"She's your joy, isn't she?"

I was taken back. "What do you mean?"

"Your face lit up when you talked about her, she's your joy, right?"

"You could say that. I mean, she's all I have and she does not disappoint. How old is your niece?"

"Three as well. She swears she's ten though, very independent that Emily." He smiled to himself. He had an amazing smile.

Trying not to stare, I turned to the shelves of Barbies in front of us and picked up a ballerina Barbie doll. "You should get her this, just a suggestion." I stated as I handed it to him.

He examined the doll keeping his smile on his face, "you know I never would've picked this doll if it wasn't for you, it's perfect. Thank you." His eyes locked on me.

I blushed looking away, "It's no problem."

"So, what are you getting for your daughter?" The man placed the doll under his arm and observed as I began sorting through the shelves.

"Well, Mia has always wanted to be an astronaut so I was thinking about getting her an astronaut Barbie. The ballet Barbie is already a done deal." I placed a ballet doll into my cart.

"An astronaut? You have to make sure she does that. I'm guessing she gets that ambition from you?" I could hear the genuine excitement in his voice.

"Oh, I don't know about that." I protested.

"Don't be modest, being a mother in itself is an amazing thing." He soothed.

The conversation was becoming uncomfortably personal. I scanned for the astronaut doll hoping to soon be free from this aisle.

"What's you name?" He spoke once more.

"Grace, and yours?"

"Harry, Harry Styles."

"It's nice to meet you Harry." I kept my eyes on the dolls, still looking for the astronaut. Harry's phone began to ring - startling us both.

"Hello? Yeah, I'm still at the store... No, I'm not lying..." I tried my best to tune out the his conversation, but for some reason his phone call intrigued me. Could this be a girlfriend? "Sarah, babe, I told you I would get there when I can. There's a key under the mat, why don't you let yourself in a make yourself at home... See you later." His eyes met mine again as he hung up.

"Your girlfriend didn't want to come shop with you?" I asked as slyly as possible.

"She's not my girlfriend." He shrugged nonchalantly.

I scrunched my nose in disgust, "what is she then?"

"A friend."

"Right." I nodded not believing him for a second.

"Anyway, I'd better be off. Thank you so much for the doll, you've been a great help." Harry waved with a smile before turning his back to me. I didn't know why, but my heart sank once his tall figure was out of sight. I hadn't made friends in Manhattan since I moved here, and for a second I thought I might've, but the moment was short lived. Harry Styles was gone.

As much as I wanted the moment to continue, I had bigger problems ahead of me. I was about beg a cashier to let me take these toys home for free. My stomach churned as I made my way to a register.

"H-hello, sir." I nodded as he began to scan the my items. I couldn't say the next line.

"Good Afternoon, ma'am." He replied not looking up from his work. He stopped as he scanned the dream house, "is your name Grace?"

"Yes? How do you know that?"

"A man just came by and said he wanted to cover the fee for the women who was buying a Barbie dream house, and two Barbie dolls."

I froze. "He what?"

"Yeah, he also left you a note." The cashier pulled the note from his pocket and handed it to me.

My couldn't contain my smile as I read:

What a rubbish way for me to say thank you. Thank you Grace for all of your help. I hope Mia enjoys her Christmas gifts.

Merry Christmas,

Harry. x

**