31 Weeks Along
-Ava's POV-
"You look good."
"Hmmmmm."
"Really lovely Ava. Right fit." Poppy smiles at me as I turn to the side, glancing at myself in the dressing room mirror.
Over the past few weeks my belly has swollen even more so, making a trip to buy some new maternity clothes a necessity.
"I think I'll get it." I nod to myself before stepping back inside the small changing room and sliding the curtain closed.
I have the next sundress just pulled on when I hear Poppy's hesitant voice.
"So... have you decided if you're going to SG Awards?"
I sigh quietly, but don't respond as I smooth out the dress over my stomach.
"It's in what? Six weeks right?" She goes on as I step outside and in front of the mirror. "If you are.. You should probably order a dress now. Don't think they make couture maternity gowns..."
I turn around in the mirror, looking over my shoulder to see the back of the dress. A bit to short I think.
"I'm not going to stop going on about it just because you're ignoring me." Poppy speaks up, stepping up behind me.
My eyes meet hers in the mirror, and I purse my lips.
"I don't really like this one, do you?" I question, stalling for time.
"To short." She looks me up and down quickly. "You're expecting a baby, not trying to get attention from any bloke that passes you on the street. Now about that..."
"I don't know Poppy." I frown. "I don't know alright?"
"You afraid of seeing him?"
"No." I answer quickly as I head back into the changing room and close the curtain.
"No?" Poppy questions me.
"No." I raise my voice slightly as I pull the dress over my head. "I don't really have any feelings towards it."
I hear Poppy scoff, "Sure."
I ignore her as I put my regular clothes back on, more then ready to leave this store. It suddenly seems very stuffy and hot in here.
When I step outside the changing room Poppy raises an eyebrow at me.
"You know he probably won't even be there."
"Doesn't matter." I shrug, heading towards the counter to purchase the clothes I liked.
"Well if it doesn't matter, then why wouldn't you go?" Poppy follows after me.
"It's just an award show Poppy."
"It's not just an award show." She huffs as I drop my clothes into the counter in front of an older teenage girl. "It's the Songwriters Guild. And you're nominated for best love song!"
"I write cause I love to make music, not for an award." I give the girl behind the counter a smile as she looks at me questioningly.
"Oh don't be so stuck up." Poppy shakes her head at me. "That's a load of shite. Is it because you're nominated for a song you wrote about him?"
"Stop." I widen my eyes at her, glancing towards the teenage girl. "Let's talk about this later alright?"
Poppy rolls her eyes at me but shuts her mouth as I finish paying and we leave the small boutique.
After stowing my bags away in the trunk of my car we continue on down the street, headed for the next store Poppy insisted had chic maternity clothes.
This store is considerably larger then the last and the second we step inside Poppy is pulling items off the racks for me to try on. I decide to go off by myself, needing to catch my breath for a bit.
I've just picked up a white cotton shirt when my phone starts ringing. I dig around in my bag, cursing myself for not having a smaller one. It's to easy to lose things in such a large bag.
When my fingers finally touch my phone I quickly pull it out of my bag. My mouth drops open in shock when I see the name on the screen.
Anne
I suck in a breath, trying to decide if I should answer it. My first instinct is to just ignore it but something won't let me.
No matter what's happened between Harry and I, she's still the grandmother of my baby.
I slowly slide my finger across the screen, accepting the call.
"Hello?" I answer with a shaky voice.
"Ava love, how are you dear?"
I sigh in relief. I don't know what exactly I was expecting. Maybe her to yell at me or at least be short with me. I definitely wasn't expecting this.
"I'm good. How are you Anne?"
"I'm alright. How is my grand-baby?"
"Getting bigger every day." I rest my hand on my stomach, feeling a tinge of pain in my heart. "Just had a checkup last week. Doctor said her and I are doing well."
"So happy to hear it." I can hear the smile in her voice. "Am I interrupting you? I can ring you back later if you're busy."
"No... Just out shopping for some new clothes. Seems like I'm growing out of them every week now."
She laughs lightheartedly. "Oh I remember that stage. Just ready to have it done and over it. If she's anything like her father then..."Her voice fades off, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"It's fine." I close my eyes a few times, trying to keep my emotions at bay. "How is Robin?"
"Oh you know how he is.. Got himself a little boat. Piece of rubbish but he insists he'll have it sea worthy in no time."
"He does love his little projects." I smile a little as I remember Anne scolding him for having some old motorcycle engine torn apart on their kitchen table.
"That he does."
We fall into silence as I try to think of something, anything, to say.
"Ava?"
"Yeah?" I hold my breath, scared of the sudden change in her voice.
"Harry was home over the weekend." She pauses, almost as if she's afraid to go on. "He told me what happened between you two."
"Mmmhmm?" I'm barely able to get the simple hum past my lips.
"I know it's not my place..... but... he's hurting without you."
I squeeze my eyes together, pleading the tears not to break free.
"What you two have been through..." She goes on hesitantly. "It's a very hard thing. A very very hard thing. And.. when we're going through such hard situations, we all say things. Things we don't mean... Things we regret. Ava.... my son loves you very very much."
I take in a breath that makes my body shudder as silent tears slide down my cheeks.
"Love..." Anne says so softly, having heard my labored breathing. "I know what he said was... I'm so so disappointed in him. But when I see how he is right now.. I know, and I think deep down you know too.. he could never mean those words."
I bite my lip as I put my hand over my mouth, attempting to stifle my crying.
"I'm not asking you to forgive him, that isn't my place. But I know you're both hurting right now. More then you would ever let on. And I hate to see that." She pauses, sniffling. "I love you very much Ava... Whatever you decide I'll support both you and my granddaughter. Just... Don't let one mistake dictate your whole life. Life is so much more then one mistake."
I swallow, my voice coming out breathless. "I-I love you too. Thank you..."
"You're welcome dear. Ring me if you want to talk alright?"
"Alright."
We say our goodbyes as Poppy walks up to me, her eyes widening when she takes in the state I'm in.
"Ava? Love, what's wrong?" She pulls me into a hug as I let myself cry.
"Everything." I say quietly. "...Everything."
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