Un-Tying the Knot {h.s.}

Chapter 18

Harry notices, and holds his hands out to take her. He smiled brightly as he took the blossoming infant by the rib cage, pulling her to his own lap and letting her stand on his thigh.

"Hi, princess," he mutters, kissing all over her cheeks. He couldn't help but chuckle as she reached up with wide eyes, touching his cheeks with wonder as she learned her uncle's face. "I still can't believe you and Gemma have kids. I feel old," he looks up, mystery in his eyes.

"You are, old man. Gonna be the big three-five this year..." she chuckled.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me..." He continued to stare into the little brown eyes before him, puffing his cheeks out and stealing kisses to entertain her. He groaned when she tugged on his hair, but he playfully bit her hands.

I'm pretty sure my ovaries just expelled an extra egg.

"Look, he's a natural," Lauren's husband pipes up.

"I always thought Harry would make a wonderful Father," his Mom piped up from the kitchen, a mischievous gleam in her eye. You could tell she wanted some more grandkids.

All eyes immediately turned to Eleanor, and she just blinked back in bewilderment.

Harry was too busy to notice, watching the little child as she played with his lip. He couldn't help but look at this tiny creature and think that he could do this. He could take care of a little girl, or teach a boy how to play soccer. He could be a Dad. I could see it on his face, the thoughts passing over his features as he studied the child as intently as she studied him.

"We don't plan on discussing children," Eleanor answered. The whole room got silent, and Harry's neck snapped to her in shock.

She was sitting back in her chair, completely unaffected by the words that just came out of her mouth, as if what she said was something as trivial as the flower arrangements at their wedding. Hell, she took far more time to consider those than she did the status of whether or not they would procreate, but at least she pretended to ask his opinion about flowers. She didn't even do him that honor with one of the most important aspects of their marriage.

He doesn't even realize he's frowning until the baby tries to push the corner of his mouth back up into a smile.

"I don't know if I want kids, either," Candy pipes in, affirming the underlying truth to the statement she just pulled out from under him. He forces a smile, but the bitterness stings the back of his throat. "I really want to focus on my career, ya know?"

Nick just looks at her with confusion. It was awkward enough that they were now discussing kids with the girl he was just fucking, but since when did she have a "career"? Everyone could see the girl crush Candy had on Eleanor, and this mirroring behavior was taking it a step too far.

Eleanor couldn't even be bothered to respond, let alone listen to them. She just picked at her fingernails in a bored fashion.

"That's nice dear," his grandmother piped up. "Anne, honey -- you don't have any crushed pineapple?"

Harry's eyes got big, completely ignoring what just happened because he knew what crushed pineapple meant.

"You know what that means," Gemma piped up.

"Blueberry Crumb Cake!!" All the kids yelled at the same time.

After the commotion died down, Anne re-appeared from the pantry. "Uh -- I thought I did. There isn't any on the counter?" she chimed. "I thought I set it out."

His grandmother just shook her head no.

"Harry, love? Would you and Nick go to the store and get some pineapple for Grandma?"

He jumped at the chance, handing the baby back to Lauren and smiled at Nick. "Babe, you want to come?" he smiles, nudging his fiancé. He knows it was supposed to be a boys trip, but he really wanted to show Eleanor his home town and convince her to love it. To love him.

"No thanks," she shrugs dismissively.

He groaned, looking back at Nick as he pulled his hand off of her shoulder. Nick, trying to follow suit, asked Candy the same. She eyed Eleanor, and also following suit, declined.

"Let's go," both boys chimed happily, quickly making their way for their coats.

"Harry!" his grandma chimes from the kitchen. He obliges, walking in to greet her.

"What's up, Nana?"

She pointed her spatula to my depressed looking form, even though I wasn't paying attention. All I could focus on was playing with the hem of my shirt. If I could see how depressed I was, I would have also probably slapped myself or forced myself out of the house.

"Why don't you take Olivia?" she asked, silently telling him how she needs to be cheered up with her eyes. It's then that he remembers that I'm here with his family because of him and nods.

"Of course," he confirmed, looking back at me with concern again. He turns about and waltzes back into the dining room, a huge front plastered on those beautiful lips. "C'mon, Livvy." I just stared at him confused. "Let's go to town. You're coming."

My eyebrows creased as I saw the smile on his cheeks. Given the alternative was staying with a bunch of people I didn't know, especially Eleanor, there was no way I was saying no.

"Ummm...okay?"

--
Author's Note:

Three chapters in one weekend! Which is saying a lot since I type this shit up on my phone. Lol. I do still have a bit more pre-written, so maybe you'll get another update before the end of the night.

Thanks for helping me cross 1,000 reads and for all of you who have added it to your reading lists.

If you really wanted to make me doubly happy and a faster update, I would love it if you would comment and let me know what you think so far -- or just vote if you really like the story. Helps me tell what's working and what's not!

Xo,
NB