Forever You - Evening the Score // Book Two

Chapter 22

Harry followed Niall into the ballroom carrying a huge box of what he didn't even know, but goddamn it was heavy.  Niall, on the other hand, was carrying a small athletic bag on his shoulder and some streamers.  Harry let the box drop to the ground,

"Jesus Christ!"  He yelled.

Gemma looked up from the table she'd been decorating,

"Hey...watch your mouth."

Harry looked around the ballroom to see everyone in the room was of age,

"Why?"

Gemma shrugged,

"Might as well get used to it."

Niall lifted the bag off his shoulder,

"Gem, where you want these?"

Gemma pointed to another table,

"There.  Thank you boys...you can finish setting up the chairs."

Harry rubbed at his back as he tried to stretch it out,

"I think I threw my back out."

"Pussy."  Niall said without missing a beat.

Harry shook his head,

"Why are you here anyway?  Nothing about this has anything to do with you."

"I asked him for help."  Gemma interrupted before Niall could toss back a smartass comment, "Now finish putting the chairs up and then get the hell out of here."

"It's my baby's shower!"  Harry protested.

Gemma continued to do her decorating,

"Well, if you want to sit around while we discuss dirty diapers, breast pumps and the magic of childbirth, feel free little bro."

Niall turned his nose up,

"What the hell is a breast pump?"

"It's what women use to pump milk out of their breasts, Twat."  Harry answered.

Niall kept his nose turned up while he unfolded chairs,

"Sounds...magical."

Harry turned to Gemma,

"I would like to be here."  He said, ignoring Niall.  He walked towards his sister as she turned away, seemingly ignoring him, "Gem...c'mon...he's my kid."

Gemma turned to look at him,

"Harry, this is so a chick thing.  I mean, I know you like to think you're a friend to all women but...even this is a little much."

Harry tried to figure out a way to word what he had to say without sounding like an idiot.  He sheepishly looked down at his hands,

"I feel like I'm missing everything.  I know that's...m-my fault a little bit...but I just don't wanna miss anything else."  He said as he looked back up at his sister.

Gemma studied him closely.  A few weeks ago her brother would have been as far away from all of this as possible.  It was nice seeing him return to the Harry she knew and loved.  Even if she wasn't sure how long it might last.

She sighed,

"Alright.  Fine.  You can stay."  Gemma said as he picked up some decorations, "But if either of you start any shit I swear to God..."  She said as she walked away.

Niall looked up from chair duty,

"Either of us?  I'm not stayin'."

"Yes you are."  Harry ordered.