The Only Exception (H. Styles/ Bwwm)

Chapter Five

"I just want to give you two time together so you can get to know each other since..." I trailed off not wanting to mess this up. Don't bring up the past especially now that he has let his anger go towards you, He seemed like he wanted to make it work for Gabby and I did too but, I didn't want to force it. But, since he was suggesting it, I guess I could let it happen.

"She can... with us together, I don't want her wondering why it's like this. I just want her to have a family" he whispered and I just nodded trying to register what brought this on. He seemed fine with keeping distance for the past weeks but now, family? He actually wanted to have all three of us in a room together... for a long period of time?

"I...I'll get my jacket and stuff" I whispered out walking past him only to have my arm grabbed making my head snap to him meeting his eyes. He let go looking down for a second straighten himself up before speaking "I also was thinking... I want to tell her I'm her father" he whispered and I nodded instantly okay with it and he nodded looking down letting it go back to silent for a few seconds as I watched him thinking of what to say.

"We don't have to tell her why I haven't... I'll just say I was away okay?" I just stared at him blankly wondering where the hell this was coming from. Wanting us to be somewhat of a family and not telling Gabby that it was my fault she never met her father till now. What caused this? Did he speak to someone or was he finally forgiving me for my decision on his own?

*****

"Mommy, do you want some of my chicken nuggets?" Gabby asked pulling me out of my thoughts instantly as she sat next to Harry smiling at me. I shook my head smiling back sipping my chocolate milkshake in silence. Not that I didn't want to be here but, I just felt awkward with him here.

I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with memories of us. Crazy how we went from best friends to strangers,  to friends, to him hating me and now this. He was being cordial now but, that didn't mean we were good.

I looked around silence hearing him talk to her and them laughing and I felt so out of place. I should have stayed home.

"Ask mommy why she's being so quiet" I heard him say and I froze up seeing him looking at me with a smile. I looked at the Gabby watching me closely and I just smiled at her. This whole day had thrown me off and I couldn't just go with the flow right now. It was making this harder for everyone but, I couldn't help it.

"Did you thank Harry for dinner?" I asked and she looked back over at him smiling and he instantly returned it. Good, let's get attention away from me for a while.

"Thank you Harry" she smile and he nodded "No problem princess" he whispered and I looked away smiling getting up. "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be back" I whispered instantly and walked away knowing he wanted to talk to her and tell her the truth. Something I hoped she would be excited and not ask questions but, she would.

Maybe not now but, she would ask and I would have to tell her the truth. I don't know how she would take it then but, I couldn't lie to her. I wasn't sure if he wanted to tell her alone but, he seemed to take it as a chance to tell her.

I sat at the farthest table where I could see them but, they couldn't see me. I felt nervous knowing what was happening. He spoke to her smiling but, I could see he was nervous and that made my heart hurt even more

He shouldn't have to do this, she should have known since the beginning that he was her father. He shouldn't have to lie to her because of my choices.

I sighed seeing him taking a deep breath knowing this was it. I watched closely shaking watching the words leave his mouth and him watching her to see her reaction. She asked a few questions and he nodded responding and I just watched them exchange words till she smiled and jumped on him wrapping her arms around him.

I let out a sigh of relief smiling already feeling tears forming in my eyes.

I don't know why I was so emotional and nervous like Gabby would say no or something. I guess it was the situation and moment. Gabby had her father and I knew he would be there for her. He took on his role in her life seriously and there was no doubt in my mind that if something was to ever happen to me, I know she would be taken care of.

The most important thing was, she was happy and the smile on her face appeared to get brighter with every moment she spent with him.

I felt horrible for causing all of this but, seeing her happy helped me drop some of the guilt. Not entirely because I hurt Harry but, they could build a relationship now. I wouldn't stop it at all. He wanted this and I wanted him to have this now. I wanted them happy, that's all I wanted.

******

I sighed picking up my the crayons left in the living room and dropping them in her crayon box. She was out cold and that left me to clean her mess up. Usually, she was good at cleaning after herself but since Harry was here, she focused on him. Her best friend.

Now I just wondered what was going to happen. How it was going to work between us. It wasn't a secret anymore and everyone will find out including our family and friends. Wasn't sure how they would take it, it would probably confuse them. No one knew about us together intimately and then we had a baby?

It wasn't as if we were ashamed of it, it just happened that way and we never question it. It was just our business. Why did everyone need to know that we were having sex? It funny that no one really noticed it, we hung out together all the time. Jesus used to joke about it but, no one took it seriously and that was it.

"She's tucked in her bed, out cold too" Harry whispered pulling me out of my thoughts instantly. I nodded laughing looking over at him smiling at me. "Thank you for getting her ready for bed" "No problem" he whispered standing there with something on his mind. I motioned for him to continue with whatever he had in mind.

"I was also wondering if she could meet my parents soon..." "Yes" I instantly said not even thinking about it.

Why did he seem nervous about it?

"Just like that?" He asked confused and I nodded. His father and stepmother? Of course, I never met his stepmother, heard about her a few time but, I knew his father for years and he was a great man. Not sure how he would think about me now but, I had nothing against him knowing his granddaughter.

"When do you want to take her?" I asked and he thought for a second smiling in excitement. "Next weekend, after dance class" he said waiting for my approval. I nodded smiling "You don't have to ask for my permission, just let me know" I whispered and he nodded.

"Okay... they've been harassing me about having a kid, can't wait to see their face" he chuckled and I forced a laugh out nodding. Prepare for the consequences of your actions. Not everyone will be happy but, you'll get through it... eventually.

"Thank you" he whispered out and I nodded looking down at my fingers not sure what else to say right now. "You can take her for the weekend too if you want... You can take her to dance too" I offered as he watched me in shock. Yeah I know that was usually my thing but, I wanted him just as much in her life as I was. I knew he wanted to be just wasn't sure how it would work.

It would be a bit of a change but, that was okay. We could make it work.

"Okay... Thank you Ryn" he whispered and I just nodded giving him a warm smile before he headed to the front door leaving me there.

**Merry Christmas Loves!!!**