4th July 2015 (continued)
Having nodded along to everyone's requests - watermelon, hummus, ice cream; check - they're soon heading out, with Harry juggling Ben's car keys as he opens the front door for Eloise.
She hesitates on the front step and turns abruptly as she hears him close the door.
"Did you forget someth-, oof!", he grunts, as she steps in and throws her arms around him, nuzzling her face into his neck where she can't resist pressing a gentle kiss.
Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he murmurs into her ear, "Oh El, I know...".
Then they're close and quiet and still, just breathing each other in, taking a moment. Their first, together, alone.
Unwrapping his hands from around her waist, he glides them up her sides until he's cradling her face reverently. His eyes track intently between hers, piercingly blue, and her lips, invitingly pink.
But then he's distracted by something in his peripheral vision and peers around her to see a sleepy Julia getting out of James' car. With a frustrated groan, he drops a kiss to her forehead before stepping around her to lend a hand with the kids.
>
Minutes later, they're finally in the car and she's buckling her seat belt when his deep voice captures her attention, "Hey, El...?".
She looks up and he's leaning over the centre console towards her, hand reaching to cup her cheek before sliding around to grasp her neck and pull her into him. Their lips meet. Once. Twice. Then again.
Then Harry leans back to pull her sunglasses down from where they're perched on top of her head, booping her nose before landing a final peck on her pouting lips. "We've got all the time in the world for that... But Niall needs feeding", he quips with a smirk.
He nudges the car forward until the gate starts sliding open, then signals left and merges into the traffic towards downtown Malibu.
>
After a minute to find a parking space at Ralph's, they're walking across the lot.
She's conscious of the crowds, but with everyone busy with their own errands for the holiday, she doesn't register more than passing glances in their direction. Reassured, she steps closer, letting their arms and hands brush before nudging his hip playfully in the doorway.
They soon fill a trolley. Lemons, limes, mangos, watermelon. Harry deliberates over choosing perfectly ripe bananas. Coffee, milk, eggs, bread, bacon. Salads and a platter of crudités. Crisps, dips. She adds olives, to his horror.
Dashing off whilst he loads items at the checkout, she returns, triumphantly brandishing Minute Maid frozen limeade and ice creams.
Nearing closer, she sees he's distracted signing an autograph for the cashier, and surreptitiously sidles around him to swipe her card. He protests at the 'beep beep', shaking his head at her before gathering up the bags.
Then, deciding to keep the parking space, they head to the liquor store around the corner on foot instead.
The playful banter and flirtatious touches continue, his fingers trailing down her arm to tangle with hers before they reach the door.
Beer, wine, champagne, vodka, tequila, mixers. With a grunt she heaves one of the bags off the counter, biting her lip at the devilish glint in his eye. She hasn't seen party boy Harry in action for a while, but knows to brace herself for later.
Clinking bottles stashed carefully in the boot, they're back in the car and decide to make a final stop to pick up some sushi for everyone for lunch.
>
Order placed, they head back outside to grab coffees from a few doors over.
An excited, and notably British, screech of "Eloise!" from the other side of the lot stops them both in their tracks. She clocks a few other people looking around at the noise, but Harry spots them first.
His nudge and hand braced at her lower back gives her timely forewarning just before she's engulfed by a blur of honey blonde, literally jumping into her arms.
"Oof, Jesus!", Eloise staggers back into Harry, grateful for his support until her assailant slides back down to the ground.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were in London!", Rosie shrieks excitedly as she steps back. "Harry? Hi!", she stutters out with a comical double take.
"I thought you were in New York?", Eloise laughs back, stepping a little out of Harry's personal space as Rosie looks intently between the two of them.
"For fuck's sake, Ro!", Jason grunts, admonishing her as he catches up to them, juggling iced coffees. "Alright, love?", he offers simply, leaning in to drop a kiss on Eloise's cheek before shaking Harry's outstretched hand.
>
Soon there's another shout, "Bro! H!", and the four of them whip around again. A tall brunette jogs over with a broad smile, pulling Harry into a tight hug.
"Xander! Didn't think I'd see you till later, man? Meet Rosie and Jason, and this... Is Eloise." After gesturing to them, Harry steps closer and drops his hand to her lower back, shooting him a pointed look.
"Great to meet you all!". His All-American accent cuts through their British "Hello's".
Rosie tugs at a belt loop of Eloise's shorts to get her attention, "Love these, El. Your arse looks phenomenal!".
Eloise knows exactly what she's doing and immediately feels herself blush as three pairs of eyes check her out. She swats at Rosie's shoulder and surreptitiously pulls her a little away, anticipating the hushed grilling to come.
"Dinner in the week. You, me and Adele. You're going to tell us everything", Rosie demands in a whisper, finishing with an excited squeal and a squeeze of their clasped hands.
Eloise can feel Xander watching her closely and knows she needs to divert attention, so queries everyone's plans for the holiday.
Rosie and Jason are meeting friends for lunch at Café Habana then heading to a party in Beverly Hills tonight. Xander's off to a party at Nobu shortly, and will head to Café Habana later.
She realises she's not exactly sure what Harry and Ben have planned, so he fills in the gaps, albeit vaguely.
Lunch back at the house, afternoon round the pool, then the private party at Café Habana for the fireworks. He sheepishly admits he was supposed to show his face at the Nobu party too.
Xander jumps straight on his case. "Bro! You have to come, everyone's desperate to see you".
"Maybe. I'll let you know, man", he says noncommittally, shaking his hair out before raking it back with his sunglasses.
They're saved by the bell as Harry jumps when the buzzer in the pocket of his shorts goes off. Their sushi's ready.
>
Once she manages to escape Rosie's clutches, and they've made promises to see everyone later on, Harry tucks her under his arm and turns them back towards the sushi place.
She reaches up to the fingers dangling over her shoulder. "Please don't feel like you need to miss the Nobu thing on my account".
He leans down to press a quick kiss to her lips.
They hear Rosie's squeal of excitement from behind them before stepping inside.
>
Back at the house, with heaps of sushi and another bottle of champagne finished off, they congregate around the deck.
Niall cackles with infectious laughter from a ridiculous inflatable lobster in the middle of the pool. Anne nags at him from the side to put some suncream on before he turns a matching colour. Gemma sits in the shade at the shallow end, jigging a giggling Carey on her knee. Ben suns himself on a lounger, chatting to Julia. James is perched at the outdoor bar, manning the Spotify whilst supervising Harry's margarita making.
At James' quiet "Oof, eyes up mate..." as he gestures over his shoulder, Harry spins to see Eloise emerging from the patio doors.
Her leaning over holding Max's hand gives him quite the eyeful. Her white bikini is simple but fits her like a glove; hugging her slim curves, enhancing her long legs and showcasing the beginnings of a golden tan.
His jaw literally drops before he whispers a ragged, "Fuck... Me"; grip on the blender white-knuckled.
"I don't doubt it, mate. You lucky bastard!", James doffs his beer.
Self-conscious at the evident hush in everyone's chatter, Eloise finally makes it to the bar, tickling Max as she swoops him up to sit him on the counter in front of his dad.
"Wow", Harry says, after clearing his throat with a shake of his head.
"Wow, back," she smirks, making a play of peering over her sunglasses to rake her eyes up and down his body and over his bright yellow skimpy shorts. She can't help but do a double take at the unexpectedly sexy man bun.
In a flash, he steps from around the bar, bends at the knees to pull her over his shoulder, hand dangerously close to her bum, and leaps for the pool with a shout.
When they emerge to James hollering "Who wants a Margarrrrrrita?" and Niall spluttering at having been upended from his lobster, it's safe to say the festivities are in full swing.
>
Harry groans at the view as she pulls herself from the pool to dash inside for her ringing phone.
She steps back out frowning at the caller ID, searching frantically for something to throw on.
Hastily shrugging on Harry's blue palm print shirt, she swipes to accept the FaceTime call. Answering with a rushed "Mum! Sorry, I forgot to call when I landed last night...", she turns in a circle trying to direct the phone out of the glare of the sun. "Oh, hi! Grattis på födelsedag...", she wishes her grandmother a Happy Birthday, switching effortlessly, much to everyone's surprise.
"What was that? Can you speak it too?", Anne asks Ben.
"Swedish", he says with a grin, "And no, I can barely remember how to string a few words together".
He lowers his voice, brow furrowing. "Mum has always been toughest on her. Never let her quit, well, anything really." He adds with a sad smile, "You'll probably have noticed she's terrible at accepting compliments?".
After a pause, he continues, "Their relationship can be a bit fraught, actually. Lolly struggles with some women. Maybe they're intimidated or jealous, I guess?".
He glances over at Anne and sees her eyeing Eloise's movement around the deck with a considered, knowing smile on her face. "She can be a bit wary, so it's been lovely seeing her with you and Gem today actually; so effortless", he smiles genuinely.
"Dad! Check out this place Ben found... It's insane!", Eloise says brightly, coming closer and panning the camera around. "Say 'hello' everyone", she calls out.
"Always been a Daddy's girl!", Ben tells Anne with a smile before jumping up to chat with his parents, leaving her to her thoughts.
>
After their call, Harry asks if anyone fancies the Nobu party.
With margaritas flowing and everything they need right here, no one is massively keen. Julia, being climbed over by both kids, shoots James a pointed look before he shakes his head no. Anne and Gemma scoff, too comfy, sprawled on the sofa. Niall refuses to leave his lobster. Ben shrugs and says he was hoping to catch up properly with Eloise for a bit.
She sits with her legs dangling in the pool. Waist deep in front of her, Harry playfully tugs at her ankles under the water, turning puppy eyes on her.
She splashes him with a playful kick before widening her legs and reaching to pull him closer. "Go, H! I meant what I said; I'm not going anywhere". She rakes her fingers through his dishevelled hair, "And clingy's really not my style".
He pulls her into the pool again, for the cheek, but makes amends with a sweet kiss. If anyone notices, they keep it quiet. Hey, progress.
Then it's her turn to groan as she catches the play of his back muscles as he heaves himself up soon after.
Shaking like a dog at the pool edge, intentionally soaking his mum and sister, to immediate grumbles of complaint; Gemma's notably more expletive-riddled than Anne's.
He swans inside, shimmying to the music and laughing over his shoulder.
>
Ben joins her, sitting on the steps in the shallow end of the pool, with fresh margaritas in each hand.
They catch up on the last six months... About Mer, and their wedding planning. The show, and how he's settled into life in LA. Her final term, and what's next. And their family, and the pressure of the looming Rugby World Cup on their brothers.
They're laughing about the antics of Lucas' ditzy new fling when Harry emerges again.
James immediately roars with laughter.
Harry shakes out his hair in embarrassment. "It's a white party, you dick. Literally, what else could I wear?", adjusting his tight white jeans and crisp white shirt, buttoned low.
He blushes at everyone's laughter and flounces off, "You shits".
He catches Eloise's eye and mouths, "Won't be long". Then, with a playful scrunch of his nose, he turns and struts off, flipping James off for good measure.
>
Shortly after, Eloise sits chatting with Gemma and Anne on the sofa in the shade, drying off to apply more suncream.
Anne, thinking of what Ben had told her, moves closer and squeezes her forearm. "I wanted to thank you, Eloise".
"Whatever for?", she stills.
"For the smile you've put on Harry's face all day today. It means everything... We've been a bit worried about him".
"Oh, Anne...", she swallows the lump in her throat, looking at Gemma too.
"He's been under a lot of pressure, but it's like he's stepped out from under a cloud today", she adds.
"I'll do everything I can to keep things sunny for him", Eloise promises earnestly, squeezing their hands.
>
"Hey, El? Over here", Niall calls from by the side gate, peering into an external cupboard.
She excuses herself and heads over, finding him holding up a tangled volleyball net, scuffing a ball with his foot. "Fancy it?".
They sit side by side on the bottom step, feet buried in the sand, with fingers dancing over tangled netting and guide wires as they chat.
About the band, and all the tensions and the stress they've been under. He confides in her about Louis' news too, and their uncertain future. He's worried how hard Harry's taken it all; but makes a point of explaining that he didn't not confide in her, it's just that he didn't want to risk adding to her own stress when she already had so much on with finishing university.
They are interrupted when some shadows loom over them. Craning up and squinting into the sun, they see a group of guys.
Eloise instantly bristles, recognising the type from a mile off - arrogant, obnoxious, entitled. She sucks in a deep breath in anticipation.
The leader of the pack leans over, condescendingly. "Looks like you need our help".
She winces at his accent, smarmy attitude and roving eye. Oh, preppy East Coasters. Ding.
"Chad here plays volleyball at Yale", he gestures.
Ahh, Ivy Leaguers. Ding ding.
"Good for Chad", Eloise clips in retort. "We're fine, thanks".
"Oh, feisty! I like that", he literally puffs up his chest.
"Really, we don't need help. Just want to continue our conversation...", she replies pointedly.
"Check her out boys! So hot", Chad pipes up, sounding drunk.
"Fellas, she said 'no', politely", Niall interjects.
"We weren't talking to you", the ring leader snaps back with a nasty tone.
"Hey!", Eloise stands up raising a hand, wanting this over with.
"I know you from somewhere...", Chad waggles a finger at Niall.
"Nah, don't think so, mate", he shakes his head dismissively.
"You should come with us, have some real fun", he persists, rubbing a hand down her arm.
She steps back as Niall jumps up. "Hey, don't touch her!".
"Man, these accents are unreal", they laugh.
"So hot", Chad slurs, grinning unpleasantly.
Now she's pissed. "Let me guess... Reminds you of a Nanny and your first wet dream?", she fires back scathingly, hand on hip.
"Oh!" Niall howls at their stuttering and cursing. He climbs a couple of steps and quickly snaps a picture of her, glowering at them. He surreptitiously sends it to Harry; the accompanying message just reads, 'Your girl's a badass'.
Then he reaches for her and, making a point of closing the gate, slings an arm around her shoulders to lead her back up to the others.
>
Just fifteen minutes later, a door slams before Harry reappears, looking around anxiously.
"Hey! You didn't stay long?," Eloise asks from the middle of the pool, draped on the lobster, working on her tan, ice cream in hand.
"Is everything okay?", he asks, seeming on edge.
"Yes...? Why wouldn't it be?", she asks, confused.
"The photo... Niall?", he turns to him, more confused.
"What?", he shrugs around a mouthful of crisps.
Harry rolls his eyes and turns back to her, "Niall sent me a picture. Of you. There was a bunch of guys...", he casts a glance around everyone, unsure why they're all so nonplussed.
"Niall! What?", she sits up on the lobster. Gesturing to the volleyball net, now set up by the steps to the beach, she explains, "It was just a few annoying guys, H. No harm, no foul".
She sees his shoulders relax. "Now, why don't you get changed?", she raises an eyebrow at his all-white outfit, "Pop those little yellow shorts back on, and help me kick Niall's arse at volleyball, hmm?".
He smirks in response, then groans as she licks a stripe up her ice cream.
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