After a short walk, the three arrived at a cute little brick house with lots of flowers planted outside. It looked like a fairy-cottage from a movie!
"Wow, this is gorgeous" Harry commented as they stepped up to the door
"I helped plant all this.. It was really fun. We got icecream after." Max informed them as he got his key from his pocket and unlocked the door
"Grandma! Grandpa! I'm home" he called softly
It was just about 11 so they should be up.. and they were.
Grandma was cooking mac n cheese and Grandpa was sitting at the table, drinking coffee, and reading the paper.
"Hey, Max! oh.. my... Claire!" their grandmother gasped
Immediately, their grandpa got up and turned to look..
"It's really you, peanut!" he moved forwards first and hugged the girl. She laughed and hugged him back then hugged her grandma
They all sat around the table with drinks and mac n cheese...
"So.. this is the boyfriend, then?" Carol (her grandma) asked
"Yes, this is Harry. We've been together for two years.."
"Two years and four months" Harry corrected her
"Well, I'm so glad you've been taking care of her. We were worried when she left but Max promised us she was okay... He also said something of a daughter?"
"Yes, I have a daughter. Delilah. We have split custody, with her real mom" Harry explained
"And... we're about to have a second little one running around" Claire told her grandparents
"wait.. you're...?" John (her grandpa) stuttered
She nodded excitedly and the two got up to give her another hug. Claire was relieved that they didn't act like her mother did..
***
After visiting with them for a while, Harry and Claire left..
"What should we do?" she asked quietly as she looked around her old neighborhood
"Do you think... maybe... we should see Callum?"
"He made his wishes clear, Harry.. he hates me"
"I don't think so, baby. I think he'd actually hate you if he knew you were back and didn't go make an effort to say hi" he told her as he tipped her chin up
"I know you're right, Haz, I just.. I'm scared"
"It'll be alright, babe.. I'm right here. The whole time, okay? I promise"
* * *
They got a cab since Callum's house was kinda far -at least, it was too far to walk.
And when they stopped outside the house, Claire was really nervous.
"Just go knock"
"He's probably not even living with his mom anymore, harry"
"Maybe not. But if he isn't, then you can find out his address"
She groaned but they got out and asked the cab driver to wait a second..
At the door, she knocked lightly.. and when it opened.. it certainly wasn't Callum