The Only Exception (H. Styles/ Bwwm)

Chapter Twenty

I didn't know if it was his intention to do this or just do what felt right but, I was okay with it.

He grabbed my hand intertwining it with his as he lead me through the place. I looked around seeing all the different paintings, sculptures, and pictures as we went passed them quickly heading towards the back.

"Wait we're not going to look at the art?" "We will in a bit, first thing first..." he trailed off as I looked around then back to him confused. What else did he have up his sleeve?

"What e-" My mouth dropped instantly seeing my paintings hung up with people in front of them talking and discussing it. He turned back to me smiling as I couldn't come up with a basic sentence, Hell I couldn't even understand what I was feeling.

"They love showing new and upcoming artist so I gave them three of yours, I know it's a bit invasive but, you're just too talented to let them go unseen. It would be a waste Ren" he smiled looking at me a I looked between him and the crowd.

Hearing his words and seeing my own paintings hung up with people interested in it was.... surreal.

And knowing he was behind it... did something to me, my heart, and my soul.

Tears formed as he smiled squeezing my hand before leading me to the crowd. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. This wasn't my friends just telling me my stuff was great this was real people with real opinions and they will give a blunt opinion good or bad.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Harry asked stopping the conversation between a few of the people. They nodded but an older lady with dirty blonde hair spoke up.

"It is, do you know the artist ?" The lady asked and Harry instantly moved out of my way exposing me fully to the crowd. I wasn't one for crowds especially when I was center of attention. I smiled waving nervously looking over at him smiling with he hand out proudly.

"This beautiful young woman right here" he whispered as the older lady smiled at me walking closer. She pointed to one of them smiling as she looked it over before facing me.

"This one... this one really caught my attention. Two paths, one in front and one in the back, both are dark but, the one in front has a very small light in front and she's blindfolded. What made you draw this, what does it mean?" She asked and I took a deep breath looking at the painting trying to ignore the eyes all on me.

"A life-changing decision I had to make. Either go forward, deal with obstacles and be happy at the end or turn around, go back to old ways and be miserable" I explained remembering that very moment. The crying, feeling lost but, in the end I made that decision and never looked back. Never wondered what would have happen if I didn't choose her.

"And the blindfold symbolizes your uncertainty..." she smiled and I nodded. "It was a leap of faith for me..." I whispered as I felt his fingers intertwine with mine gently. As they looked the painting over I looked down at our hands together then up to him next to me.

"Best decision ever made" he whispered looking down at me and I squeezed his hand agreeing.

I may have stumbled, tripped, fell through all of this but I had no regrets, I was completely happy and proud of how much I accomplished with the decision to keep her.

I can't lie and say I didn't think of abortion or adoption but, I couldn't go through with it. I was so scared, angry, in denial but once I had her, it all changed without a second thought.

She brought the happiness and sunshine with her into my life.

I took her as a sign to do better, get myself together. And I did better for myself, for Gabby and in return, I got the best gift of all.

I leaned my head on his arm taking a deep breath....

He gave me the greatest gift of all

*****

I giggled shaking my head as I opened the door with him right behind me "I told you you're talented, you always brushed it off as amateur shit but, I was right" he laughed as I cut the lights on walking through the living room.

He sat down as I dropped my jacket on the couch and continued walking into the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine. It was time to celebrate. I sold two of my works and kept the first one for sentimental purposes.

"Thank you for tonight, I haven't been to a show in a while. It felt good to be in that atmosphere and to have some of my work be bought, thank you... for everything" I said walking in and sitting down with two glasses.

He sat up as I sat next to him smiling pouring the drinks then passing him one. He smiled nodding "No problem. You deserve it" he whispered making me smile looking down. I couldn't help but just smile from all of the things he's done for me. It made it harder to fight it.

I took a sip from my glass not responding as I cut Spotify on. I jumped hearing 'How Far I'll Go' start playing. I instantly cut it off as we both busted out laughing shaking our heads.

Gabby.

"I honestly don't know how you did this, all of this alone. You make it seem so easy when it comes to her. It's like second nature to you while I'm calling my mom for everything" he admitted and I giggled shaking my head.

"It wasn't at first, I needed my parents for help too and that's fine. You honestly just have to take it one day at a time till it becomes second nature" I simply stated as he sat there thinking for a few seconds as I took a sip from my glass.

"I find it hard to believe that I got lucky with the perfect kid" He smiled making me laugh nodding "I know it takes some getting used to" I wasn't the best kid and I expected my karma to come with her but, she's the exact opposite. "She was always good, she's had her moments but, those were so rare" I laughed shrugging as he drunk from his glass.

"How was labor with her?" he asked fully facing me even more intrigued "Now, that was hell...." I quickly answered making him laugh. "If my pain was horrible, I don't even want to think what Bella went through in Twilight. She... I never cried so much than I did in twenty hours of labor. I cried in pain then in joy with her finally in my arms" I whispered smiling as he returned in happy and excited to hear about it.

"You raised a simply amazing girl. Never been so lucky than to be apart of her life... as her father at that..." I smiled watching him.

"For someone who is new to this, I can honestly say you've been amazing. You have been the perfect father. You make it look easy...you took the responsibly without hesitation and I honestly can't thank you enough"

"Thank you for giving me Gabby"

We finished our glasses and poured another talking about Gabby and little moments that made us laugh and made our mouths drop with her.

"I... I think I'm going to ask you for a huge favor though" he whispered looking over to me a little on edge waiting for me to respond. I smiled nodding as he shifted a bit looking down and chuckled a bit.

"Umm... well, it doesn't have to be now but maybe... I don't know, I just hope it can happen" I nodded instantly. I would do anything for this guy and he should know that by now. And I knew he wouldn't ask me for a favor unless he absolutely needed to. That was just Harry for you.

He took a deep breath looking down before looking back at me watching me closely. I wanted him to just spit it out but he was nervous and once he spoke, I understood why.

"I want you to give me another child"