February 1st
Harry's POV
I smile widely as I walk backstage. Ariana said that she would be here for my birthday and I was more than excited to see her after such a long time of being apart. It's so different without her.
The fans were amazing though. I got balloons and multiple posters wished me happy birthday. "Hey, man! Happy birthday!" Niall says and throws an arm over my shoulder.
"Thanks," I say with a dimpled smile.
"Come with me," Niall says and gestures for me to come follow him. I follow him back to our dining room to find a cake on the table with a 23 on the top of it. One card site on the table and there's a rather large box sitting on the floor next to it with little boxes around it. "Time to celebrate!" He shouts. I giggle.
I hear a familiar ringtone of my beautiful girlfriend and I excuse myself from the table and walk into my dressing room. "Hey baby!" I say excitedly into the phone. "I'm so excited to see you tonight!"
"Harry, there's something I need to tell you," she says, sounding disappointed. My mood immediately changes.
"What's that?" I reply doing my best to keep my attitude positive.
"I- I can't make it," she stutters.
"What? Why?" I asked, depressed.
"The flight was canceled and by the time I could get it rescheduled, there's no way I could make it back home in time," she replies.
"Oh... okay... I miss you a lot you know," I whisper feeling the lump in my throat begin to grow.
"I know babe, I miss you too." she says sadly. "Harry I have to go, I'll call you later okay?"
"Okay love, bye," I hang up the phone more disappointed than ever. I guess that will teach me to get my hopes up. I miserably walk over to the others heaving out a sigh I didn't know I was holding.
"She can't make it," I choke out and run my fingers through my hair. Niall giggles and I look over to Louis who must have commented something before I walked in.
"I'm sorry, mate," Liam says and grabs my hand, making me take a seat next to him at the table. "You should open presents now," he pushes, like what I just said meant absolutely nothing.
"I'm not really in the mood, guys."
"FOR FUCKS SAKE OPEN THE GIFTS ALREADY!" Louis shouts throwing a spoon, making Liam scream in horror. I widen my eyes in shock and grab the card off of the small box next to me.
"Happy Birthday Harry," I read and there's a picture of 5 stick men i'm assuming Niall drew and I roll my eyes. "Very orignal," I laugh. I grab the small box and tear off the paper. Inside the box is a key chain with a picture of us boys in it. I smile and thank Niall for the wonderful gift.
"Open mine now!" Louis says and jumps a little. I laugh and nod. I wish Ari was here to help me rip open the paper and sit on my lap and giggle for the rest of night while showing off her dimples and bright eyes. I reach down and try to slide the present over but it's pretty heavy.
"What the hell did you get me?" I say and they all smile. I tear open the paper and wiggle my fingers under the cardboard and lift up on the flaps. Beneath it is a whole bunch of packing pe- "AHHHHH!!!" I scream when someone pops up from the box. When I finally catch my breath and my heart starts beating again I see her blue eyes staring directly back into mine.
"Surprise!" Ari shouts.
"OH MY GOD!" I shout excitedly and pull her down into a hug. I squeeze her too hard and she fake chokes. I pull her face down to mine and kiss her gently. "I missed you so much!" I whisper and hug her again. She nods and wraps her arms around me.
"I missed you more," she teases. I laugh. "Now I'm hungry let's eat," she says. Typical Ari.
"I thought you couldn't make it?" I say confused.
"Well I couldn't tell you I was practically suffocating in a box of packing peanuts waiting to jump out at you," I smile and kiss her again.
I grab Louis's face in my hands and kiss him on the cheek as a joke. "Easy mate," he replies.
"Thanks for the present!" I shout at him happily. Just as I imagined y/n sat on my lap and we unwrapped the rest of the presents together.
I wish the boys goodnight after we finish partying and singing 5sos karaoke. Ari crawls into bed with me and I hold her tight in my arms while running my fingers through her hair. I pull Ari closer to my chest if that's even possible.
"I love you hazza. Happy birthday," Ari whispers drowsily and turns to face me. Her eyelids are weighed with sleep. I lean in and kiss her deeply one last time before going to sleep.
"You're the best birthday present ever, Ari." I whisper and kiss her forehead. I see her smile and I don't need a verbal response, all I need is her in my arms as we both sleep peacefully to have the best birthday ever.