until after christmas | hemi

family time

        Three days later, Demi and Harry found themselves on a plane to Dallas, where Demi’s family was waiting for them and also where Harry’s family would meet them tomorrow. They had booked the flight a few months ago, when the couple was still on good terms, and unfortunately it was too late to change so they were stuck sitting together. Demi played with her puppy, Buddy, while Harry listened to his music. While this trip usually flew by when they talked or cuddled and watched a movie, it drug out because of the silence between them. Demi hated it; she wanted nothing more than to reach over and grab Harry’s hand when they took off, but she couldn’t. They were technically on the road to separation, signing the papers when they return from holiday. It killed her inside, but it’s what Harry wants. She loves him and will do anything to make him happy – even if it means sacrificing her own happiness.

        The plane finally landed in Dallas a couple hours later and the “couple” was greeted by Demi’s older sister, Dallas. The sisters ran up to each other and embraced for a long time. It’s been a good four months since the last time they got together, so to say they missed each other was an understatement. Harry just stood there with his hands in his jean pockets, waiting for them to finish hugging.

        Demi’s little sister, Maddie, came up and greeted Harry. She always thought Harry was cute and that Demi should date him, even when they were just friends. The male felt his heart break at the thought of her reaction to them getting divorced. Maddie was like the little sister he never had, and he adored her. It was going to suck if he never got to see her again after he divorced Demi.  

        When the four of them (plus Buddy) got back to the Lovato/De La Garza house, Demi and Harry were once again attacked by Demi’s family. Her mother Dianna came out and squeezed her daughter, her step-father Eddie high fived Harry, her grandmother talked their ears off, and the dogs Bella and Oliver ran up to Demi and her new pup, wanting to play. They weren’t used to so many people at once; it was usually just them and a few friends in the apartment in New York. But Demi loved it this way; she loved big families. Harry had promised her as many kids as she wants, but that was no longer the case. There would be no living proof of their love, only the marriage certificate.

        Dianna grabbed the Styles’ and had them sit down on the couch while she went to fetch them something to drink. “So, how are you?” she called out while searching the fridge for two water bottles.

        The couch was small, and Maddie was already sitting down with Buddy, so Demi and Harry’s legs touched when they sat down. Neither looked at each other – they looked everywhere but. Maddie glanced over and frowned. Her sister and brother-in-law were usually all over each other, what happened?

        “We’re alright, busy with work and all that, y’know,” Harry answered while Dianna returned to the living room with water, handing one to Demi and the other to Harry. She sat on the ottoman so she could face them. She hardly got to see her daughter so she wanted to spend time with her and her husband as much as possible.

        “Hopefully you’re making time for each other, though,” she responded, causing Demi and Harry to look at each other. They were doing the exact opposite lately, which is why they were separating.

        “Of course we are, momma,” Demi chimed in, her voice squeaking just the slightest. She hated lying to her mother, but it was the only option she had right now. She reached over and grabbed Harry’s hand, squeezing it gently. They had to act couple-y for the next few days, even if it killed them.

***

        The night came, and it was time for bed. Tomorrow, Harry’s family was flying in and he was going to pick them up, so he had to get some rest. Since Dianna still thinks they’re married, she had them sleep in Demi’s old room. “I can sleep on the floor if you want,” Harry offered once he walked through the door, coming back from the bathroom.

        Demi shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. We can both sleep in the bed, it’s big enough. It’s only for a few days, I think we’ll survive. I mean, we’ve done it for a year already,” she retorted, grabbing her toiletries bag and heading for the bathroom.

        Harry let out a sigh. Sometime on the plane ride Demi’s feelings turned from being upset to angry at him. She was sassy with him and not in a cutesy way. She couldn’t stand him anymore for just breaking her heart like that. He climbed into bed and got comfortable, looking around the room. He’s been here a few times, tagging along when Demi came home even before they started dating. She got homesick in college a lot, and even for the weekend, she’d fly out just to see her family. He always loved seeing her room since Dianna kind of preserved it. It looks like a teenager still lives here, and Harry thought it was absolutely adorable.

        A few minutes later, Demi returned and put her bag back in the suitcase, climbing into bed and turning away from Harry. Not even saying goodnight, she closed her eyes and tried her best to fall asleep immediately. She usually loved the holidays, but this one she wished would just be over already. This dramatic change in her life was making her physically sick, and she wanted nothing more than for it to stop.