The Only Exception (H. Styles/ Bwwm)

Chapter Twenty Three

That was the difference between us, he was willing to try again whereas I was fine with just having this. But, Harry wasn't going to give up.

I took a deep breath not responding feeling the panic rise. What if he woke up one day and didn't want me anymore? What if one day, I couldn't satisfy him? The chance of feeling that hurt again...

He kissed my head pulling me out of my thoughts quickly making me look back up to him giving me a warm smile "It doesn't have to be hard- it shouldn't be. Just take one step at a time Ren" he reassured resting his head on my mine in silence as I sat there thinking about it. He knew he had me but he was trying to relax me and lead me into it.

Which could take forever but, trust me I was grateful for his patience, he was going to need a lot dealing with me.

******

Later That Day

******

"So whats it going to be? Gabby at my house or Lexi at yours?" Bonnie asked sitting down across from me and Harry laughing. I shrugged hearing them talking their heads off and playing. We already knew how this works, as soon as it was time to leave, someone was going to have break down. What would be the point of that when it was the weekend? They would be with each other anyway so all that really mattered was if they would sleep here or at Bonnie's.

"They can stay here" I volunteered shrugging and Bonnie looked at Harry then back to me suspiciously "You sure?" she asked and I nodded without hesitation feeling Harry's eyes on mine but I ignored it.

Everything seemed fine till Bonnie came and notice every ittle thing that was off with us.

She groaned rolling her eyes "What the hell is going on with you two?" I just shrugged looking at her, now was not the time. She rolled her eyes again looking at Harry beside me "Harry?" she questioned and I could feel him shift a bit chuckling.

"You got to ask her" he lowly said as I looked at her "Let me guess... You guys got close again, had sex and now you back in the unsure about what this is phase?" she asked and I just sat there not even surprised she figured it out. She could read me like a book and with pretty much all knowledge on him, she put it together. The top reason why I couldn't hide anything from her.

Harry was surprised though.

"How do you even -" "I know when my best friend is completely happy. The smiling, her mood had been lifted even more and she's more than relaxed. No fuck in the world right now" she smiled at him them looked back him waiting for me to say something.

"Now why are you in this weird place?" "It's not a weird place it's just a bit... complicated" "Not complicated for me, I know what I want and it's her" he said so nonchalantly as I looked over to him and he looked at me smiling a bit. He didn't even care anymore. He was just going to smother me with all the affection in the world till I agreed.

"Her birthday was great, she enjoyed the dinner, the art show, everything. Things... happened but, we still haven't changed. We spend most of our day together- not just for Gabby either, we have times alone... We are pretty much in a relationship without the title especially now..." he stated as I sighed knowing I was going to get ganged up on but, I was hoping Bonnie wouldn't. She knew my feelings on everything involving love.

"Maybe its just not-" "She wants it, she admitted it but she's not really giving a valid reason why just taking the title is too much for her" I felt both sets of eyes on me as it went silent for a few seconds. Jesus.

"I'm not trying to rush her though. I can wait if she just needs time- I waited for years to even have her like this. But, I just want to know if it will happen eventually because... I just want us at the end" he stated as he gently touched my hand, I didn't hesitate to rest my head on his arm either even though I felt a bit uncomfortable. Maybe because the way it was being brought up.

I didn't blame him for feeling this way, I honestly wasn't trying to drag him along.

"I think it will just take some time, she'll come around eventually. Patience will be needed but, you'll be good. This is the happiest I've seen here since Gabby was born" Bonnie smiled reassuring him as I shook my head. She didn't have to explain it to him, I needed to and I needed to until he finally believed it.

"Please stop talking like I'm not here" I spoke up turning fully to see him sitting back on the couch relaxed. "Now... I do care for you more than you know, just relax on this right now. I mean why fix what isn't broken?" I asked only to get pushed back on the couch.

"Shut up" he laughed as I laughed sitting up seeing Bonnie across from us frowning. "Harry can you please go get the girls ready, I just need a few minutes with her please?" she asked and Harry instantly got up "Yeah no problem" he simply getting up leaving us there in silence.

Crazy how the aura went from calm and funny to serious in .5 seconds. That only meant she was going to tell me about myself in the most honest and blunt way possible.

I looked at her as she looked at me shaking her head. She took a deep breath and spoke up "I don't ever tell you how to live your life, but you know I always got your back. Meaning, I won't sit here and allow you to fuck this up Lauryn" "Fuck up what?" "Being with Harry. Falling in love and living happily ever after" she simply stated as I sighed not wanting to go into this but, I knew she wouldn't do this if she thought I wasn't making a mistake.

"The fear of being hurt is blinding you from what you deserve babe. You almost lost it before and now you literally have a second chance to get it. This time everything is perfect too, Life is working in your favor, there is literally a path leading to him but, your stubborn ass is acting lost. Instead of thinking about your parents or reminiscing on assholes, think about all the others that are good. Harry is one of them, they are rare but if you get one, you don't fuck up or fight against it" she spat out while I sat there silent listening to her talk. I had nothing to say back.

"Now I don't see this honestly changing except for you two being disgustingly cute with an amazing daughter. You two are best friends already just add kissing whenever you want and that's it" she reassured smiling getting up as if she didn't just tell me to stop being a bitch and give Harry a chance in the friendliest way possible.

I sat there in silence watching her go to the room getting the girls ready as Harry stepped out walking over to me. I didn't know how to respond to the words but she meant them and I know she only meant the best for me. And here I was taking in every word she said.

As soon as Gabby came out of her room she ran over to us giving us hugs and kisses ready to leave and be with her best friend for the rest of the night. I know Bonnie was really doing this to give us time to talk especially once she broke everything down to me.

Once they left we sat there in silence for a bit before he spoke up "I just want you to understand nothing would change between us. I'm sorry if you felt that we ganged up on you but, I just needed to hear from someone else that maybe I had a chance. I want to know if your best friend could see us. That's all the reassurance I needed to know to hold on." He whispered to me.

"But, I don't want to pressure you. I want to reassure you if only you're nervous because you think something will change. I know it's a lot but all I can do is ask you to trust me. Trust nothing will change. If anything... my feelings for you have intensified" he whispered grabbing my hand squeezing it.

I nodded playing with my fingers still trying to come up with the right words to say but Bonnie's words just kept replaying in my mind.

"I'll wait for you Lauryn..." he stated making me look up to him. He smirked leaning down to kiss my forehead gently holding my head in his hands. "We can still go out on dates, hang out like we usually but..." he tilted my head up holding me there and looking me straight in my eyes without a smile anymore.

"...We are not making love or fucking anymore until you give me that"