A gasp leaves my lips, sitting upright from the traumatic nightmare replaying through my mind. The dark eyes of the attacker that had inflicted pain upon me remain in my mind, my head pounding even more now that I'd sat up quickly. Beads of sweat run over my skin, my erratic breathing intent on slowing.
"Elle," a raspy voice whispers, a rough hand grabbing my waist lightly.
"Elle, beautiful, what's wrong?" Harry whispers, pulling me into his arms.
"Nightmare," I whisper, his hand smoothing over my forehead. He kisses the skin after, holding me to his warm body.
"I'm right here. He won't get to you again," he assures, his promising tone relaxing me into him.
He lays down and I rest beside him, his arms pulling me to cuddle beside him.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask, his head nodding.
"Of course," he says, my hand setting over the bird tattoo on his chest.
"Does it bother you...that I'm waking up with nightmares?" I wonder. It's a question that's crossed my mind before, but this is my third nightmare this week. Harry's always by my side, easing the pain and helping me fall back asleep.
"No. Not at all," he says, brushing my hair back.
"I enjoy having you in my arms. You somehow maneuver out and next thing I know, you're panting from a nightmare," he explains, my breathing calm and collected.
"How do you hold me?" I wonder, never actually paying close attention. All I know is we're entwined.
"Lightly. I don't wish to hurt you," he whispers, my finger brushing the crease between his pectorals. His tight skin is muscular and I look up, his lips pressing between my brows.
"You can hold me tighter. I like being held," I tell him, his arm pulling me closer.
"Why is that?" he asks, his eyes looking down at me. It's a fact I hadn't told anyone, but I trust Harry.
"My mom used to hold me. She'd sing to me," I tell him, smiling at the memories.
"No one has ever held me since and being with you...i-it's comforting," I whisper, my hand grabbing his.
I close my eyes, remembering the nights I'd be comforted by my mother. Those were my earliest memories and I almost never think of them, but when I do, I either cry or smile.
His fingers grab my chin and he lifts my head, kissing my forehead. He moves his arms around me tightly and I curl into him, resuming his comfort.
"I won't leave you," he whispers. "Not to fend for yourself."
He squeezes me closer and I sigh in contentment, safe with Harry holding me. Slowly, I drift back asleep and remain tightly in his arms.
The loud hum of my phone wakes me up, my body unable to move. Harry's grip on my body renders me motionless, his left side draped over me in a protective hold. Reaching over, I grab my phone and unlock his arms, leaving a kiss to his forehead.
"Hello?" I ask, walking out of his bedroom and into the kitchen.
"Elle, I've been trying to reach you. Will you be coming here for Thanksgiving?" Jill asks, my lips curving.
Glancing over at the clock, the time nearly noon, I understand as to how this time of contact is reasonable.
"Yeah. What time?" I ask, moving to the coffee maker.
"Be here around four. Danny is excited to see you. Always asking about you," she says, my lips curving.
"Tell him I say hello. I'll be there," I say, two hands on my waist startling me slightly. We say goodbye and I hang up, Harry lips touching my neck lightly.
"Who are you going to see?" he asks, his voice slightly aggravated.
"My foster mom and Danny. I'm invited for Thanksgiving."
He pulls me closer to his body and runs his hands along my sides, skimming over my chest lightly before grabbing hold of my shoulders. Tugging my hair to the side, his lips set a kiss to my soft spot and I close my eyes.
"Come back to bed with me," his words laced with temptation.
"We have a class in an hour," I remind him, his lips sucking on my skin.
"I don't care. I want to make out with you," he groans, my lips curving.
"Harry," I smile, tugging my body away from him to get my coffee.
My pursuit is not met for Harry lifts me over his shoulder, my laugh ringing around the apartment. Footsteps pace down the hall and I'm placed on the bed, Harry crawling over me. Lips press to mine and I grab hold of his cheeks, Harry's adamant desire achieved.
Laughing arises as he tickles my side, my arms flailing around his neck. I'm lifted into his arms and he smiles, kissing me lightly before we get ready for class.
Class presumes and Harry holds my hand during the class. After, the two of us walk into the bookstore in search of a book I have to read, his body leaning beside mine as I search the books.
"So are you planning on taking me to Thanksgiving with you?" he asks, my shoulders shrugging.
"I could ask," I further explain, his head nodding.
"I want to go with you. I've never had a Thanksgiving dinner. Might be fun," he smiles, my lips curving.
The bell to the bookstore rings and I look over, a girl my age walking in with maybe an eight year old boy. I turn back to look for my book when Harry kisses my cheek.
"It's a lot of food," I say, his chuckle quiet.
"I can eat. It's you who has no fat on your body," he says, poking my hip.
"Untrue," I say, knowing I'm self-conscious of my bare figure. But Harry is not one to care. He finds me beautiful; a fact I always blush at.
He laughs when I flick his fingers away, a gasp heard. I choose to ignore it and Harry presses his lips to mine quickly, my body turning to find my book.
"I think we're in the wrong section," I tell him, moving to another section. He latches onto me, turning me and kissing me cheekily.
"Stop," I laugh, Harry's voice whispering in my ear.
"I can't help when you are so unbelievable addicting," he groans, my hand pressing to his face to retract him from his devious adventure.
"Help me," I say, his lips curving.
"Such a smart girl. I've taken this class twice and I still have not read this book," he says, my eyes rolling.
"I like smart guys," I tease, his eyes widening.
"On second thought, I should get to reading," he says, grabbing a random book and opening it. He frowns, my lips releasing a laugh at the book.
"This is shit," he grumbles, closing the book and pushing it back into the shelf.
"It's about adultery," I smile, his eyes rolling.
"Of course you would know, my little bookworm," he says, wrapping his arms around me.
I turn my head to the side, the woman with the boy standing there. Her eyes are wide and Harry turns to look, dropping his arms and gulping.
"What are you doing here?" she asks, the same time he asks the same question.
"Mum took us for vacation. You-You left," she nearly cries, the boy coming to look at her. That's when my eyes widen and I come to the realization I'm looking at Harry's siblings. His brother is the epitome of himself; the resemblance between the two uncanny.
"I-I wasn't welcome," he says, her hand coming to hit his chest.
"We needed you. After dad left, you were our only chance at a male figure at the time. We lost the house and had to move in with nana before mum got her job back. We need you," she says, nearing tears as Harry brings her into his arms. The boy stands, not knowing what to do. He was just a baby when Harry left. I had no idea what happened upon Harry's departure, but it doesn't sound good.
"Gem, I'm sorry. I-I thought after what happened..." he trails, Gemma hitting his chest again.
"Gemma," the boy says, his hand grabbing her arm. He hugs her, his height tall beside hers which is almost the same as me.
"Carter," Harry says, astonishment in his voice clear. I take his hand and he looks down at me, my lips curving to give him courage to approach the young boy he had left behind.
"Haz," he whispers, Harry crouching down. My fingers are let go and Carter hugs Harry, small fingers gripping Harry's shirt.
"I've missed you so much bud," Harry whispers, brown curls ruffled by Harry's fingers. Carter's curls are tighter, more defined than Harry's. I'm sure if Harry were to cut his hair, it'd be much like Carter's.
"Are you coming home with us?" he asks, Harry shaking his head.
"No. I have to stay here," he says, Carter then whispering something in his ear. He smiles, nodding his head before releasing his brother.
"Where are you staying?" Harry asks, pulling me into his side.
"The Hilton. Downtown. We're going out to eat tonight. You owe it to mum to see her," Gemma says, eyes glancing to me.
"Now introduce me," she smiles, Harry squeezing my hip.
"I'm Elle," I say, her hand extending. The small handshake is taken and Carter gives me a hug, my lips curving.
"So are you friends, more than friends..." Gemma trails, Harry's hand tight on mine.
"She's my girlfriend," Harry says, Gemma smiling.
"Good. She doesn't look gross. She's actually very pretty," she smiles, my lips curving at her strange compliment.
"Just, text me...to meet up. Elle, you're welcome to come as well," she smiles, Carter holding her hand.
We say goodbye after they exchange numbers and they walk out, Harry pulling me into his arms.
"Did you talk to them? Before this?" I ask, his lips releasing a sigh.
"I tried, but their numbers had changed. I couldn't trace them," he explains, my head nodding.
"At least you found them. You have your family back."
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