Layla
His head of curls remain happily on my lap as I continuously run my fingers through them, hearing him release a soothing sigh. A rerun of a delightful and adored Christmas movie plays on the screen ahead, yet I rather keep my attention on the man who still appears to be fast asleep. We've stayed like this for the greater portion of the afternoon as a certain someone won't let me move an inch from his side. Even now as I overlook towards Anne cooking away in the kitchen that I try to quietly excuse myself, yet am stopped as he awakens instantly.
"No, Layla please," he groans drowsily, placing his head back onto my lap to prove a point.
"I'm being rude. Your mother has been in the kitchen all day."
"No..."
"And you have kept me prisoner on this couch."
His eyes open for the first time in hours as he lays on his back, looking up at me with curiosity. "I'm a needy man, what can I say?"
"That I can go and help your...Harry, stop it!" A sudden laugh emits from mouth as he runs his hands all over my body, tickling me to a point of no return. He shares in a delightful scene, pinning me onto the couch until I surrender. "You're horrible."
"Say you love me Layla James."
"No."
"Say you love me, you know you do," He taunts, attempting to steal a kiss as I try my best to fend him off.
"Your mother is right over there," I whisper to him as he places a kiss onto my cheek.
He shrugs, exhaling before taking a single kiss from my mouth and landing on his own two feet. He offers me a hand, one that I don't accept, causing him to frown pitifully. As I proceed to walk over to the kitchen, he tries to reach me again, causing me to giggle once more. However, our sweet and joyful laughter is all that's heard as he throws me over his shoulders as I continuously beg for him to place me down. He carries me into the kitchen, holding me in place as Anne raises a brow.
"Harry, behave now," she warns as I remain dangled over his shoulder.
"She started it," he states.
"Excuse me? Have you lost your mind?" I ask.
"Harry, lovey, please put her down. You're giving Fred indigestion."
"Oh, pardon me," Harry mocks as Fred and Sugar rush over to us, craving attention. The man with the kindest soul, listens, settling me back onto the ground, pecking my lips once more. "This isn't over little darling."
"Yes it is, now hand me that pot over there," Anne demands, causing her son to roll his eyes in response.
In the next number of hours, I spend some time helping Anne out in the kitchen before Gemma's arrival. Harry watches over Sugar and Fred before wanting to take a shower prior to dinner. Merry holiday lyrics are played over the radio as Anne quietly sings along. It's strange, being here with her, working together in absolute harmony. I never had the chance to do such a normal task with my own mother. Surely, we made treats together when I was younger, but all that changed when the spotlight turned onto me.
I don't say much, lost in thought as I stir the pan filled with vegetables. Anne settles her last remaining dishes into the oven, focusing her smile onto me. "Do you like to cook Layla? You seem very at ease here."
"I love to cook. I'm not the best, but I like to learn new recipes...try to recreate my favorite dishes."
"And what is your favorite dish to make?"
"It depends. I enjoy cooking this spicy curry or maybe a creamy southwest pasta."
"Sounds delicious."
"It's really good. I ruined it the first few times I made it, but recently it's turned out alright."
"Perhaps we could make it one night while you're both here?"
"That would be lovely."
She smiles wholeheartedly at me, melting my heart as past moments when my own mother would share a similar smile appear in my memory. She boils a kettle of water on the stove, lost in thought as well before I speak.
"I really really appreciate you allowing me to stay in your home. Truly. This means the world to me."
"Let's have none of that dear. I love having you here. It's been ages since this place has been filled with so much laughter."
In that very moment, her voice breaks as a sudden sob gets stuck in her throat. Inevitable tears fall as I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as she cries into my shoulder. It breaks my own heart, tugging on strings as I maintain my strength to stand in front of her today. Yet, slowly she stops, apologizing instantly as she wipes away the evidence.
"Forgive me. It's just..."
"No, you really don't have to..."
"I want to. You have no idea how happy you've made me by being here. You have no idea how happy it makes me to see the way you care for my boy."
"Please..."
"Thank you, Layla. I haven't seen him this way in so long. I was so scared for him...so scared for my Harry. But, when I see him with you, I know he's going to be alright."
Her words render me speechless, as actions speak louder. It's my turn to have and share tears, causing her to wipe them away. "I love him very much."
"You're his entire world." She wraps both arms around me, pulling me in, smelling of a fresh meadow filled with daisies and lilies.
"Am I interrupting something here?" We pull away as a skeptical Harry steps in, sporting black trousers and a white colored sweater that highlights his golden skin. When we inform him that everything's fine, he's questionable, eyes trailing over me as he laces his hand with my own. "You were crying," he whispers.
"I'm okay, really."
"Did mum make you try her infamous stew?"
"Harry Styles!" Anne exclaims, playfully pinching his cheek as he squirms off.
With the music playing, it provides a wonderful atmosphere as the smell of spices from all over the world fill the air. We place the finishing touches as I enjoy a cup of tea in the process. However, as I'm spun around into the hands of the man before me, he clearly has other intentions.
"Dance with me," he says.
"Harry..."
"Dance with me little darling, don't break my heart now."
"Don't want a lot for Christmas, there's just one thing I need. Don't care about those presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own, more than you will ever know. Make my wish come true, you know that all I want for Christmas is you..."
I could remain in his arms for all eternity as he holds me safely, leading the way. I could look into my favorite shade of green until the sunsets and the moon awakens, sparkling down upon us. I could breath him in and his familiar smell of cinnamon, vanilla, and lavender. He smells of home, no matter where I choose to ever go.
Eventually, the dance does come to an end as Gemma's joyous self arrives along with her longtime boyfriend, Mikhail. Me and him introduce ourselves prior to supper, he appears to be a bit shy, yet after a number of glasses of red wine during dessert, he loosens up. We each share stories of our past, present desires, and future dreams with stomachs filled with happy bites and decedent treats. And as we take our focus onto the couch as we all sip on our warm cups of tea, I watch as Anne appears with a large cardboard box. She places it in front of the tall Christmas tree that's bare, but filled with red and green lights.
"Layla, dear, as tradition, we always decorate the tree on Christmas Eve," she tells me. "Which is why, I think it would be our honor for you to go first."
I'm humbled, a slight warm sensation rising to my face as all attention is drawn. I remain empty handed, holding no prior items from the years before in that very box. However, before I can say such thoughts out loud, Harry stands, taking hold of a small and delicately wrapped gift from the depths of other presents underneath the tree. I raise a brow at his actions, confused, yet breathless as he opens the lid, exposing two porcelain turtles doves.
"When did you..."
"Doesn't matter. I saw them and I thought of you. My little bird," he whispers into my ear, urging me along.
I stand as well, stopping momentarily to place one into the palm of his hand. "You can't let me be lonely now, remember?"
We place our two turtle doves in the center of the tree as we all then take turns arranging various and sentimental ornaments. It's a magical and fascinating time, hearing them all tell stories about when and why they bought certain ones. It's a special and remarkable night as we sit together, grateful for these treasured moments. And as we come across one final item, Gemma holds it proudly and with a genuine smile. It's a radiant angel with golden wings that aspires to be placed on the very top of the tree. She keeps it in her hands carefully, nearing me as she offers the idea.
"We take turns every year. It's a silly tradition, but this year...I think it should be you Layla who puts the angel on top of the tree."
I decline at first, not wanting to take the chance from anyone else. Yet, they all insist, saying I must and it's deemed a necessity as I'm now a part of their family. I'm lifted up in Harry's arms as he provides me the needed strength and height to reach. And just like that, I place the angel in its desired location as it looks down upon us all, wanting to create a net of warmth and tranquility. It's then that I remember Anne's words from earlier today. When I see him with you, I know he's going to be alright. For when he places me back on the ground, I look up at the beautifully decorated Christmas tree with the marvelous and merry lights. I look up at the golden angel, sitting up top as laughter is shared around me and I know, we're all going to be alright.
Tucked softly underneath the covers, I look out the window as snow continues to drape the land confidently. I hum at the beautiful sight, always being a fan of such a magical wonderland. And even though the absence of another resting a few feet away in another room leaves me a bit cold, I use the blankets to gain warmth. I toss and turn for a what feels like an absolute eternity, stopping only when I see the bedroom door open, revealing the man of the hour. Harry steps in, placing a finger up to his mouth in order for me to remain silent as he shuts the door behind him. Eagerly, he rushes up to the bedside, wrapping his arms comfortably around me from behind as we sort of fall into place together. His lips are on the back of my shoulder, decorating my skin with genuine sweet kisses until it's all far too much to handle. I don't resist the temptation as I make the mistake of turning, falling for his precious eyes even in the dark as they taken me in wholeheartedly. We sort of fall into a new rhythm as he makes love to me quietly, but with equal amounts of passion as snow continues to touch the ground and I continue to be touched by this beautiful man's heart each and everyday.
Hope you all liked this chapter! Thoughts on the chapter spent with the family? What do you think of Anne? And what do you think will happen next in the future?
Also, just wanted to let everyone know that I've just now started a Harry Styles Imagines book called Adore You. Requests are open for whatever imagine you all would like me to write. This is sort of a new thing for me, but it's been so much fun so far. Please check out the first two imagines posted on my profile as any and all support is always so, so appreciated.
Until next time, love you all! xoxo