1d1195

[1d1195]

Zipper

Hi hi, sorry for the short break there. I've been working on this the last three days and it flowed out quite quickly to 9.5K words.

Warnings: Harry doesn't like her (or does he), there's a damsel in distress scene implying SA nothing happens nor described but could be triggering, "enemies" trope, Harry wears a lot of suits and is angry a lot.

Disclaimer: Everything I know about lawyers comes from TV shows.

Harry was a smart guy, but he truly hadn’t a clue as to why he was so mad at the prospect of liking her.

So, he pretended he didn’t. “You and Harry are together an awful lot,” his friend Niall said to her with a smirk once. They were in clear earshot of Harry, and nothing made Harry crankier than knowing his friends saw how mean he was toward her. It was the topic of many conversations over video games and while working out at the gym.

“Enough, Niall,” he muttered. “It’s not by choice.”

“Don’t know why he’s all grumpy about you all the time, princess,” Niall said quietly to her when his back was turned. “He talks about you more than any girl I’ve ever seen him with.”

“He just doesn’t like me much,” she explained.

“Oh, princess. I think it’s quite the opposite.”

Harry hated her. She could never figure out why. She and Gemma were on the same soccer team growing up, so she’s known Harry for forever. Because she and Harry were of the same caliber in school (and the same age), they were always in each other’s classes. Always in group projects together.

It made her wildly popular in school to know the one and only Harry Styles so closely—and she did. She knew he wouldn’t drink tea past four in the afternoon. He liked chocolate candy better than fruity candy. Any time he saw a dog while they were on their way to study together, he would dig a bag of little treats out of his backpack to give away. When his left eye got droopy it meant they had to take a break and she would always recommend some hot chocolate or lemonade (depending on the season) at the coffee shop near the town library.

However, their conversations never delved too deeply. She knew his birthday but not his favorite color—she suspected it was blue or maybe orange because most of his pens were blue and his highlighters were almost always orange. Of course, she knew Gemma and Anne, but she didn’t know what their relationship with Harry was like. Because of school, she knew most of his political opinions—and big shocker, they were roughly the same as hers—but she didn’t know his favorite music or if he liked to sleep with a fan on or not. When he was sick, she didn’t know if he liked sleep or soup. If it was his last day on earth, she doesn’t know how he would spend it. They weren’t things that she necessarily needed to know to define their friendship, but somehow, in her eyes, they were.

Other than school mandated projects, she was convinced Harry wouldn’t give her the time of day. “Can we jus’ get this over with?” Was Harry’s mantra around her during their school days.

She wished they could be friends.

She didn’t want to be that girl, but it was impossible not to be. Harry was beautiful and he was nice—just not very nice to her. She didn’t fault him for it, she wasn’t his cup of tea and that was fine. The way other girls sighed and ahh-ed over him made her jealous. She couldn’t do that. Harry was Gemma’s brother and her peer and that was it.

Needless to say, their lives were clearly going to be attached for the rest of their lives. They were like a coat zipper. They met when they were young and as they slid the zipper to the top more pieces of their life meshed. At first it was soccer with Gemma, then it was school in general, projects and friend groups, and now it was university.

Of course, they were going to get degrees in history and law.

Of course, they would have classes together.

Of course, Harry would be at every party she was invited to.

She knocked on the door to the party her friends were invited to, and she waited as the door opened. “God you’re everywhere,” he muttered taking a swig of the drink in his hand. He opened the door wider to allow her and her friends in and walked away without mingling a moment longer. She sighed and stepped through the threshold while her friends filed in behind her.

“You know Harry?” One of her friends gasped.

“Yeah,” she shrugged. “Grew up together,” she said heading for the kitchen to get a drink. There was a barrage of questioning. The interrogation of how well she knew him, if he was single—he was, as far as she knew—and so on. “He doesn’t like me much,” she shrugged.

“Shut up,” her friend said. “He likes everyone.”

“I’m not sure what to tell you. I’m not everyone.”

They were kind enough to let the conversation drop. But their eyes darted back forth between the two of them whenever they were remotely in the same realm as one another. Harry was never outrightly mean to her. He never made fun of her and never talked ill of her. They talked about school projects and assignments and classes and that was it.

Harry’s friends all really liked her. Of course, they liked her. There wasn’t anything to dislike about her. She was brilliant, incredibly kind, and naturally nurturing. It made Harry nauseous most of the time. He hated she could be so kind all the time—even when he was a dick to her. It made it all the harder for him to not like her.

*

It was halfway through the semester when her phone vibrated with a message from Harry. She could feel the confusion wrinkling her face as she brought the phone closer to her face as if it was a trick. Harry never texted her. If there was a school project that needed doing, he was highly professional and would only email her. The only reason she had his number was because Gemma gave it to her when her phone was broken, and she was her ride to their soccer tournaments.

Could you read my essay?

Surely this was a trick. She couldn’t help but ask. Really?

Yeah. The response was immediate. Obviously, nothing special. She could practically feel his annoyance through his text bubble.

Sure.

Thanks. Conclusion needs work, I know.

The conclusion may have needed work, but it was a pretty good essay otherwise. A few grammatical errors and a rewording of a paragraph or two and his essay was finished. She didn’t question why Harry asked her. Surely, he had plenty of friends that would be willing to read it over.

His seeking her out was quite the surprise to her, but to Harry it made the most sense. At some point in time, maybe in year ten, he realized that he was probably stuck with her for a good long while. There was no denying she was smart—in fact, Harry thought she was brilliant. Probably smarter than him on any given day. And again, that agonizing kindness made him sick. He knew she would read his essay because she was so nice. If Harry acted the way he did to anyone else but her, they wouldn’t give him the time of day.

But he also didn’t trust anyone else in the world to read his work and know what it needed like she did.

She took all the essay reading to mean it was okay to ask him for school favors as well.

Do you have notes from the history lecture yesterday? I wasn’t feeling well.

I’ll email them to you.

Thank you.

Harry took good notes. She wouldn’t have asked anyone but Harry because she knew they took notes the same way. Of course, they did. If anything, his notes were neater because he typed just as fast as their professor spoke while she preferred to handwrite so she would remember better.

Do you know what our professor meant by this?

She sent him back a picture of her own notes with a marking around the part that Harry was referring to. This was my interpretation, but I emailed him to double check, I’ll let you know what he says.

Thanks.

Harry looked at her notes on his phone again and admired her handwriting. He doesn’t know how she was able to write so much so quickly during their lectures. He saw her shake her hand out every time their professor paused to answer a question or catch a breath. She had pretty handwriting.

*

The parties they attended together (not on purpose, just by happenstance) were when Harry was at his meanest. He would roll his eyes at her if she was part of a drinking game. Harry’s eyes shot daggers whenever any guy tried speaking with her, always there to remind her of some project they had to do, and he didn’t want to be stuck doing it himself. None of it clicked to her that he was jealous.

Of course, he was. She was the prettiest and nicest girl he knew, and he was mad.

Harry was a smart guy, but he truly hadn’t a clue as to why he was so mad at the prospect of liking her.

So, he pretended he didn’t. “You and Harry are together an awful lot,” his friend Niall said to her with a smirk once. They were in clear earshot of Harry, and nothing made Harry crankier than knowing his friends saw how mean he was toward her. It was the topic of many conversations over video games and while working out at the gym.

“Enough, Niall,” he muttered. “It’s not by choice.”

That stung, made her face warm in embarrassment, but it was partly true. They were practically stuck together. Zipped together by some life force. “Don’t know why he’s all grumpy about you all the time, princess,” Niall said quietly to her when his back was turned. “He talks about you more than any girl I’ve ever seen him with.”

She shrugged it off. It would make sense, he talked about her so much. Other than her roommate she probably saw Harry more than her own family. “He just doesn’t like me much,” she explained.

“Oh, princess. I think it’s quite the opposite.”

*

Gem suggested I ask if we could carpool home. Save her a trip.

Yeah, of course.

Thanks.

“Do you like her?” Niall asked Harry. “Like, she’s really nice and pretty. Obviously, she’s very smart so—"

He cleared his throat to hide the gasp that nearly left his lips. “What?” He asked, slipping his phone back into his pocket. They were at the library whispering to each other while studying for finals. He could see her in the back corner, headphones in her ears and answering his message almost as soon as he sent it. He was certain she would ace all her exams, no problem at all.

“Your friend from home,” he tilted his head to the girl in the corner. “Do you like her?” He repeated.

Harry shook his head. “No.”

Niall quirked an eyebrow at him. “S’weird...you’re kind of perfect for each other.”

“Shut up,” he grumbled. He wanted no part of it. Sure, she was nice and sweet, and in the right light Harry couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by how pretty she was. But he didn’t want to be with someone he’d known his whole life. He wanted someone he didn’t know—someone that didn’t know his every thought. He wanted to discover a new relationship where he would find someone that didn’t know everything there was to know about him.

Regardless, if he knew all too well that she would be perfect for him.

*A few years later*

“This will be your office,” the sweet secretary informed her. She wasn’t a young secretary, but she wasn’t old either. Somewhere in the middle—she reminded her of her mom and that eased her worry of her new job fresh out of school. “I heard you know your office neighbor here. He gave you a glowing recommendation saying “the bosses would be fools to not hire you” I believe was how he phrased it. They’re all very excited to have you on board.”

She blinked, setting her box down of trinkets she collected ready to have her first big job. A list of clients sat on her desk. She was ready to get started—eager even. Excited and nervous all at once. The box of trinkets would make her office homier and she started setting out the calendar and picture frames as she shook her head at the woman helping her get the lay of the land. “That can’t be right, my professors did my recommendations...I can’t imagine my professors saying that about me,” she chuckled nervously. “I think they liked me and all but—”

“No, no!” She interrupted with a giggle. “Pardon me, one of your references, Harry; Harry Styles,” she smirked.

Blinking in surprise, she felt her lips part in a breathless gasp. She had asked Harry as a parting gift of sorts if he’d be willing to be a reference for her on her job applications. “I don’t think anyone really knows my work ethic the way you do,” she admitted. “I understand if you don’t want to, I’d be willing to be a reference for you as well either—”

“Sure,” he shrugged. “No problem. That’s probably a good idea. Thank you.”

“Harry works here?” She asked, completely dumbfounded. She shouldn’t have been. She should have known of all the gin joints. Her heart pounded and the air in the room felt thin. When she had sent her applications and resumes out to every firm in the area, she didn’t dream that she would still be side by side with Harry. There were easily fifty or so firms in the city. There was no way the length of their lives on this zipper extended to work post-graduation.

“I thought that was why you applied here. Harry made it seem like you both—”

“Hi,” speak of the devil. She wanted to know the end of that sentence. The idea that Harry made it seem like anything was between them—friendship, collegiate respect, anything—seemed paradoxical.

But here he was in all his brilliant and handsome glory.

Harry looked effortlessly beautiful and nearly seductive standing in her office doorway. He was wearing a suit, but it looked like it was nearly painted on him—hugging each of his defined arms and seemed to stretch perfectly over his long legs. Throughout their schooling and university, she wondered when he had time to hit the gym because he didn’t go while she walked on the treadmill and read her textbooks—the one time the zipper of life skipped over their meeting. But it was obvious he had found time. Again, she wasn’t immune to his good looks and persona. She had seen him be nice and lovely to everyone he knew time and time again.

Just not her.

His hair was styled just so, and she could practically see the sweet secretary swooning at the sight of him. “Welcome,” he said. He looked like a kid to her. As if his mom told him to say hi and wish her a happy birthday or something even though he didn’t want to. He smiled weakly at her. It felt forced.

“Hi,” she answered, still in shock.

He nodded at her and left without another word. “He’s dreamy,” she said with an all too familiar sigh. “I don’t know how anyone gets any work done around here.”

She shook her head. “I can’t believe he works here.”

“I completely assumed he told you about the position...His friend is one of the senior partners,” she shrugged. “Louis?” She said. “I think Louis’ younger sister knows of you both or something.” She tilted her head at the woman. “I know everything,” she shrugged.

“You sure do,” she smirked. “Uh...no, I didn’t know Harry worked here.”

“I think it was Harry’s plan along with Louis or whatever—since they were young. They hang out a lot here.”

“Hmm,” she hummed. “I didn’t know that.”

“I didn’t mean to say Harry’s the reason you got the job—your qualifications are outstanding and—”

“No, no, you’re fine,” she promised. “I know what you meant.”

Poor Harry.

For the most part though, the two rarely interacted. They would run into each other in the break room or near the copier in the storage room. On one occasion Harry asked her to read over his outline for a case to make sure he hit all the major components of what he needed to do. Every so often Harry would bring her tea and not say anything at all to her. She found it odd and thanked him even though he never spoke to her.

She was oddly comforted by the fact he was just one room over.

*

There was a gentle knock on her door before it opened. “Some of us are getting Chinese food and I noticed you’ve been holed up all day—are you okay?” Harry appeared speaking the longest sentence that wasn’t about schoolwork or a case in their entire life. And he even asked about her well-being.

She wasn’t okay. She had a headache, something fierce. It started at the bridge of her nose, gripped the back of her eyes, and was reaching for the back of her head. “Yeah,” she murmured not looking up from her papers on her desk. Her voice sounded weak and scratchy. How long had it been since she looked up? Her neck felt cramped as she raised her head slowly to look at Harry. She wished she had a glass of water.

“Kitten...y’don’t look so good,” he said quietly.

“M’okay...M’jus not feeling so well,” she shrugged. “But I have to get this done,” she told him. “I think I skipped lunch,” if she could fathom the idea of using any part of her brain for something other than this case, she would have noted how Harry so sweetly called her kitten.

He sighed, almost annoyed and she briefly wondered what she did wrong now. He disappeared for a moment. Within an instant he came back with water, pills, and a protein bar. “I’ll get some Chinese for you too.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled glancing briefly at how pretty he looked in his suit and how kind it was of him to bring her medicine. “I’ll Venmo—”

“Shh,” he said and turned off the overhead light of her office as he left. Leaving her in darkness except for the desk lamp to her left. “Try a nap on the couch,” he said. “I’ll wake you when the food is here.”

*

“Kitten,” he said softly. He gently shook her, and she tried to remember if Harry had ever touched her in their entire lives. The smell of greasy, salty food woke her up the rest of the way. Harry seemed to know her Chinese food order. She searched her memories if they ever ordered Chinese together and how he remembered.

“How’d you know what to get?” She asked stupidly. She could blame the headache or the lack of sleep if he said something mean about it.

He didn’t. “Your friends ordered at a party junior year,” he shrugged. “Remembered what you liked.”

“Oh.” He waited until she was upright and eating—staring at her like one of their science experiments from school. “Do you want some—”

“No, just making sure you actually eat.”

She felt her face warm, and she shook her head. “Uh. Thanks, that’s not necessary.”

“Well clearly it is if y’forget t’eat lunch and make yourself sick.” Again, her face heated up, but she said nothing because he was right. “What are you working on, anyway?” He asked. “That you’re skipping lunch and everything.”

“Uh...I just want to make a good impression and make sure I’m doing everything I can.”

“I’ve never known you to not give a hundred and twenty percent, love. If anyone has a question about your qualifications, you can send them to me.”

“How come you get to act like a partner?” She asked. “M’not jealous or anything—I’m just wondering why—”

“Louis always said I was brilliant or whatever,” he said casually with a shrug. He wasn’t bragging. He was just stating a fact. It was true too. Harry was brilliant. “I always told him it was because I worked with you, but he didn’t believe me. So, when he saw m’name as a reference on your application, I told him he would understand it was your brilliance that helped me be so successful and if he didn’t hire you, it would be a terrible mistake in his career because you would go be perfect and wonderful somewhere else. He’s seen your work, trust me, kitten. He knows how hard you’re working and you’re making an unbelievable impression. You don’t need to skip lunch t’prove your worth.”

This by far was the kindest thing Harry ever said of her—maybe anyone had ever said of her. She was speechless. Maybe it was the sleep still on her brain. Or the pain in her head that caused Harry to turn off the lights, so it was dark and quiet in her office. Or maybe it was because Harry finally said something sweet about her. But she finally worked up the courage to ask a question that had bothered her for their entire lives. “How come you don’t like me?” Her voice was so quiet it pained Harry.

He shook his head. “I like you,” he said with an eye roll. She wondered if it was no longer hard for him to lie like that. Countless people must have asked him over the years. Certainly, by now he perfected the tone and emotion needed to get people off the subject.

“Not really,” she said with sigh. When they were younger it definitely upset her more that Harry disliked her so much. When people asked she would feel a sting come behind her eyes because it would have made all the sense in the world for Harry to be her best friend. Now, it was just a matter of fact. NaCl was salt, flowers bloomed in spring, and Harry didn’t like her. “It’s fine...” but her voice cracked just a hair like it used to when she was asked about why Harry didn’t like her at all. “I just...I don’t know. We would have been really good friends if you did...that’s all,” she gave a small shrug eating another bite of her food.

“You want to be friends?” He questioned, surprised. Even though he was a dick to her she wanted to be friends. She seemed to be a glutton for punishment.

“Well,” she cleared her throat pushing her orange chicken through her fried rice as a distraction. “I guess we’re kind of old to be asking that,” she said quietly. “We just spent a lot of time together growing up. I think it would have made sense,” she explained. It felt like she was arguing another case, it was far more awkward though and while she would have liked to win, she didn’t know if it was worth it. “It’s fine...you don’t have to be my friend. Thank you for the food.”

“Kitten, I,” he sighed and ran his hand over his face pinching his lower lip between his fingers. She could tell from the tone in his voice he was exasperated by her. She should have just eaten faster and let him leave without the third degree. “We can be friends.”

She blinked at her food and then turned to look at him. “We can?”

He tilted his head at her and rolled his eyes. “Would it make you happy?” He asked.

She was lucky her brain wasn’t fully functioning due to the lack of food. That was a weird question for him to ask. Harry never once cared if she was happy or not the entire time that she knew him. “Yes.”

“Then we can be friends.”

*

Despite their newly found friendship, she tried not to overwhelm Harry. They made small talk when they ran into each other at the office. About once a week Harry would text her asking if she would like to carpool to work and she politely declined because again, she didn’t want to bother him.

“Hey, I’m going to meet a client at Starbucks, do you want any coffee when I get—oh,” she said softly. For the entire time she’d known Harry, she had never seen one hair out of place. Not one shirt collar unpressed. A shoelace never untied.

Right now, Harry’s hair was clearly the result of running his hand through it several times over, his eyes rimmed red, and his papers on his desk distributed haphazardly on the floor. “Go away,” he grumbled looking at the ground.

“Harry, are you alright?” She asked quickly closing the door behind her.

“Fine,” he spit. “Just leave.”

“Uh, no,” she swallowed the nervousness down. She thought about how nice he was when she wasn’t feeling well. She wanted to return the favor if she could. Whatever his outburst was about, she wanted to help. “You don’t look okay. What’s wrong? Can I help—”

“No,” he said firmly.

“Harry, seriously.”

“M’mum was in a car accident, Gem called,” he snapped. He had his head hung low as he pressed his hands to the back of his head. “I have a disposition in an hour and Mum’s in surgery. Okay. Are you happy?”

She blinked. No, she wasn’t happy. But she knew why he snapped. That answered her question about what his relationship with his mom was like. “Harry, I’m so sorry.”

“Whatever,” he sniffed.

“Harry...you...you should go to the hospital.”

God she was infuriating; this friendship thing was a stupid idea. She was too nice and sweet. “Did you not—”

“Harry, it’s your mom,” she reminded him. He looked up at her, again the startling contrast of his usual put together self and this...broken man made her weak. She wanted to pluck every piece of pain from his body and put it somewhere that would never find him again.

“I know!” he nearly shouted. “I can’t leave though,” he said softer than his shout. It was agonizing, she knew it was breaking him.

“I can do your disposition Harry. You have to go to the hospital.”

“You don’t know the case.”

“Give me the highlights.”

He looked up finally, right in her eyes and stared at her. “You would really do this?” He asked. She nodded. “What about your client?”

“I’ll reschedule. This is more important.”

“I can’t lose this one.”

“I’ll do my level best,” she promised. “Trust me.” He did. Implicitly. All the school projects, every presentation, any time Harry forgot something he knew she wouldn’t. She was always there to make everything they did better. “Just go and don’t worry about this.”

Harry sucked his lip into his mouth as she put the phone to her ear and quickly told the other end of the line she had to reschedule because of a family emergency—but she left out that it wasn’t her family. They could do dinner this evening if she’d like on short notice or coffee tomorrow. It was done with ease and grace. The client at the other end didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. “I don’t think I can do this,” Harry admitted; he wasn’t sure he would tell anyone else that except the girl he had known for his whole life. In Harry’s eyes, no one knew him better—even if she didn’t know it. “This client is very particular, and he’s mean and—”

“I can handle mean,” she said firmly. Harry wasn’t in the headspace to realize she could handle mean because of him. “Harry, you’re going to the hospital. You won’t do a good job if your mind is on your mom and you’re worrying the whole time. Then you’ll be worried you’re ruining the disposition so just let me help.”

He nodded solemnly. She was right, of course. She waited for him to make his decision. His knee bouncing the whole time as she picked the papers off his floor, and she organized them into neat little piles on his desk. “Okay.”

“Okay,” she said and pulled her phone from her purse. “Hit me,” she said holding the phone out to him ready to record.

*

Harry arrived at the hospital. Gemma was in tears but in such shock as she gazed at her arriving brother. “Are you really here?” She asked hugging him tight. He nodded, squeezing her hard.

“How’s Mum?” He asked ignoring her obvious question that he would never willingly leave work—especially if he had an important meeting.

“She’s okay,” she said, eyes red and teary. She nodded firmly. “It was really scary because they wouldn’t say until I got here. Surgery is needed but not life or death,” she explained. “She’ll be ready to see us in a few moments.”

Harry sighed with relief and sat in the waiting room chair. “Christ,” he muttered.

“I thought you had a disposition?” Harry quickly explained the situation and that the sweet girl was taking care of it. “You work with her?” Gemma asked. Harry nodded.

“Yeah, why?”

She shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re...paired again. It’s just fate, y’know?” She mumbled. “S’nice you have her to look after you. To have someone you know and trust nearby,” she told her younger brother. “I love her,” she said with a shrug. “Even if you don’t.”

Harry ignored her. He was focused on his mom. He was relieved she was okay. But he wanted to see her.

His phone vibrated with a text from her. She promised an update as soon as the disposition was finished.

All done. Went well. I left notes on your desk. Let me know if you need anything. Wish your mom and Gem well. Don’t worry about anything else here.

Thank you, kitten.

:)

“Kitten, hmm?”

“Yeah.”

Harry locked his phone. When they went to the room where his mother lay looking banged up but alive, he nearly cried. “Hi Mum,” he sniffed.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” she smirked easily. Nearly unaffected by the wires and tubes. “How’d you get out of work?” Gemma was delighted to tell the tale of the sweet girl. “Oh, I love her,” Anne grinned tiredly. “Why didn’t you ever bring her home, Harry?” She wondered. Harry started to answer but the arrival of a get-well basket on behalf of that sweet girl made its way through the threshold halting all of Harry’s thoughts of an excuse.

Because he really didn’t know why he never brought her home.

*

At the company party Harry eyed her from across the way. They were definitely friendlier, but Harry was hedging his bets. First and foremost, he was still hesitant to be in love with her. She was perfect and if he thought for two seconds longer, he would realize his stupid idea that he shouldn’t be in love with someone he’s known his whole life wasn’t his issue. Perhaps his issue was that she was perfect, and Harry was not. It seemed cruel for fate to tempt him like that. But maybe there was a reason she was so heavily involved in every aspect of his life.

Harry also wasn’t blind to the implications of dating a coworker.

But most importantly to him, she was so good at everything he couldn’t imagine being a subpar boyfriend when she deserved the very best. Harry didn’t even know how to be a boyfriend. Because of all the schoolwork he focused on he rarely dated anyone longer than a few dates or the occasional hookup.

And he had seen her in action as a girlfriend. Their junior year of university she dated a guy that she obviously adored for nearly a year and a half. She was naturally perfect. Went to every basketball game he was in, brought him soup when he wasn’t feeling well, and looked over his work for him before he turned it in. He was exactly what Harry imagined her boyfriend would be like. Attractive, hardworking, and very sweet to her. They met at the gym while she was studying for her ethics class on the treadmill (he only knew this because he told the story at a party, they both attended and Harry was intently listening).

The only problem Harry had with him—besides the fact he was dating the girl he spent so much time with—was he was not ambitious, and he never planned any of their dates. Harry hated him. She deserved flowers and coffee dates. Ice skating and movies. Once while she was on the phone with her sister when Harry was arriving at one of their study sessions, he knew she wanted a carriage ride around the park at Christmas. It wasn’t hard to figure out, so he was glad when he found out she broke up with him. Even if Harry didn’t like her, he knew she deserved more than that.

“Harry!” It was the client he had to skip out on for his mum the other day. “How’s your mum?” He asked.

“She’s fine, thank you. I’m sorry for the short notice of me not being there,” he said seriously.

“I was mad as hell when she told me you left. I think I screamed at her,” he admitted. Harry didn’t like that at all. The way his blood boiled at the idea of anyone yelling at her made him want to punch his client. Harry never thought himself a violent person, but here he was angry on behalf of a girl he only barely liked. It made him even madder that she didn’t mention anything at all about getting yelled at either. “But she was incredible! You can leave me with her anytime—she was brilliant and poised. I don’t think anyone suspected anything she had to say.”

“Yes, she’s very good,” Harry murmured around a sip of his drink. He was right, too. No one ever suspected the sweet girl to know anything. She was all eyes and beauty. She was softspoken, but her words carried weight. It would be entirely unfair for her to be exceedingly intelligent too. But she was. Harry hated the way people underestimated her, especially when they were paired together. It was like they thought he was only paired with her because she was pretty.

“She’s easy on the eyes too,” he winked at Harry. Harry gripped his drink tighter as he envisioned shattering the glass over top of his head.

“Ha, yeah.”

“Well thank you. I’m glad your mum is okay. I’ll keep you posted about the next meetings,” he said.

Harry nodded. “Have a drink on my tab, please,” he said gratefully.

Harry was suddenly at her side. “You didn’t tell me he yelled at you,” he said interrupting whatever conversation she was in currently.

“Uh, sorry,” she said softly clearing her throat to the gathering that eyed Harry like they’d never seen a man before. It was clear the interruption didn’t bother them solely because Harry was the one interrupting and it gave them an excuse to ogle him up close. She was lucky she spent so much time with him growing up. She could ogle at her own leisure. “Excuse me,” she grabbed Harry by the forearm, and he swore it felt like fire where she touched him. He wracked his brain for a memory if she ever touched him before this moment. “Come again?”

“My client. He told me he yelled at you. You didn’t tell me that.”

“Uh...you were kind of busy Harry. I’m used to getting yelled at, it wasn’t a big deal to—”

“Who yells at you?” He asked quickly. “Why would they yell at you?” Harry felt his blood boiling and he didn’t really know why. He wanted to put her in his office and monitor every interaction she had with anyone else in the world. She should never be yelled at—he would be sure of it going forward.

“Well clients mostly, my sister, you, this woman yelled at me one time at the grocery store—”

“I’ve never yelled at you.”

“Yes, you have,” she shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. We work in a business of yelling, Harry.”

He wanted to throw his glass across the room now. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

“Seriously?” She asked.

“Seriously, what?”

“It’s really okay, Harry. I’ve been yelled at before.”

“But you shouldn’t be,” he was exasperated again. It was a quick switch to get to this breaking point of her complete non-understanding of why he was mad. But she didn’t really know why he was mad, and it was unfair of Harry to be so agitated by her when he didn’t even know why he was mad.

“Harry,” she said gently and put a hand on his forearm and gave him a squeeze. She gazed at him with those beautiful, lovely eyes and Harry could feel himself melting at the sweet expression on her face. “It’s okay,” she promised. He tore his arm from her and stalked off angrily sipping his drink before he did something like tell her she loved him.

So much for friends. She thought to herself.

*

Harry never really avoided her at firm parties. But he seemed like he was at this one. She hadn’t seen him in a while, and it oddly made her uncomfortable to not knowing where he was. She supposed since she had been with him for nearly 20 years of her life, when he wasn’t around, she knew. It didn’t make the party any less fun nor did it deter her from chatting with potential and current clients.

“Hello there,” a man said while she waited for her drink at the bar. She could tell he had too much to drink. It was another member of their team. Someone she saw on a very rare occasion. His client load was substantial and kept him busy and away from the office most days.

“Hi,” she said politely. He was a tall man. And with the alcohol coursing his bloodstream he knew very little of personal space.

“You’re very pretty,” he slurred. Her face felt hot at his assessment, and she wished she wasn’t by herself.

“Thank you,” she said gently and walked toward a group of the women she was chatting with before she headed to the bar to get another drink.

“I’ve seen you around,” he said following her another step. “You’re very smart.”

“Try to be—I have to get back to my friends,” she said gesturing to the women nearby. He frowned but she could feel his gaze on her back as she hurried back over. Fortunately, he was gone when she glanced back.

*

At the end of the party, she told her friends she was going to use the restroom before she left and not to worry. She would see them on Monday. What she hadn’t accounted for was the stupid drunk man to be in the darkly lit hallway leading to the bathrooms when she exited. “Hello, again.”

Shit.

“Hi,” she said gently. She sounded a lot braver than she was. There was no one in sight at all.

“I wanted to tell you how pretty you were earlier.”

“You did.”

“Well, I wanted to tell you again.”

“Thank you,” she said and stepped forward to brush past him. He grabbed her arm. She felt her fight or flight kick in and she desperately wanted to fly. “Excuse me, I’m leaving. I’m expected home soon—”

“Can’t you come home with me?” He asked with a sick smirk on his face.

She shook her head. “Let go of me,” she said firmly.

“Come on, I can make it worth your while,” he pulled her arm hard making the space between them almost disappear. She didn’t like how small she felt. She hated that about her job. She was constantly made to feel small because she was a woman. His height didn’t help. Neither did the alcohol.

But right now, it was a hundred times worse, and it made her stomach churn. She wanted to throw up and for a moment she thought maybe that would help her escape. “No thank you,” she said pulling harder on her arm that would surely have a bruise when she looked later.

“Well how about right here?” His smile was evil and vile. She really wanted to throw up now. Why didn’t she just go home with her friends?

With as much force as she could muster, she stomped on his inner foot, and he gasped and released her arm in shock. “Fuck!” He shouted. She hurried down the hall, tears filling her vision but somehow, he was right behind her, grabbing her arm again and pushing her against the wall causing her to yelp. “You’re going to regret that,” he snarled in her ear.

Before she had time to cry or vomit (or both) his presence was gone, and she fell to the floor at the lack of pressure against her body. She scrambled to her feet and turned to see Harry towering over the man he had clearly thrown to the ground. The panic flooding her body subsided immensely. Her heart rate was still elevated on behalf of Harry but seeing him made her feel so much safer.

 “She said no,” Harry said with so much anger in his voice she was terrified. He dared one glance back at her to see her back on her feet. His eyes were furious. She had seen him argue in mock trials and even been to some of his real court dates. Harry may have disliked her for a long part of their lives, but she had never seen hatred like this.

She would have hated to be the man on the receiving end of his look. “She’s a taunting little bitch. I’ve heard the way you talk about her,” he snapped at Harry. “Leave us alone.”

“I’ve known her my whole life. She knows I don’t talk about her,” Harry said knowingly. His voice was so deep, and the intensity of his words left her woozy; she couldn’t imagine someone protecting her—least of all Harry. And his words were true of course. As much as he disliked her, no one ever had a bad thing to say about her at the hands of Harry. “I will not be leaving her alone.”

She nearly sighed with relief at his statement. He turned quickly, grabbed her hand, and pushed her in front of him as he guided them out of the hallway and out of the restaurant. There were people milling about, but it was late, and it wasn’t crowded by any means. If Harry wasn’t there, she doesn’t want to think about what would have happened. He ushered them a few paces away from the restaurant up the sidewalk.

“Are you alright?” He asked suddenly, he turned her to face him as they stood under the streetlight outside. She was shaking like she was cold, and Harry wanted to reach out and warm her. The last five minutes were catching up to her violently. “Kitten?” He almost snapped, desperate for some indication that she was okay. “Are you okay?”

She nodded then shook her head. “I-I’m fine,” she said and sniffled wiping her sleeve across her nose. “I just want to go home,” she said with an awkward laugh and then the tears started to blur her vision.

“Kitten, I’m not going to leave you alone until I see you lock your door and you’re home safely. So it’s okay to not be okay, just tell me,” again, he sounded exasperated with her.

“Yeah, no I’m okay...” she whimpered biting her lip trying to erase the thoughts from her head of the last few moments. Harry was there and she was okay. “No...no...” she shook her head as the tears steadily fell. She gasped out a strangled cry and Harry pulled her to him immediately. She was overwhelmed by a lot of things but also that he felt so safe and sturdy as he held her. His arms around her protectively, he cupped his hand on the back of her head and one arm around her waist. The sobs left her freely then.

“S’okay,” he said so gently it hurt more than anything that happened to her. Harry being so nice to her nearly wounded her. The safety of his embrace left her breathless. His thumb rubbing over her hair made her weak. “You’re safe, kitten,” he promised. “I got you.”

*

Harry held her hand the entire cab ride home. She sniffled and each time she did, Harry squeezed her hand reassuringly. The cab stopped outside her apartment building, and she reached for her purse for money. “Stop,” Harry said putting her hand to her side and paying the driver. Harry followed behind her while they made it up the stairs to her second-floor place. Every so often she glanced back to see if Harry was still there. “M’not going anywhere, kitten,” he promised.

She nodded, unlocked her door and pushed inside. “Can I get—”

“Just go sit down, love,” he shook his head at her. “I’ll be right in,” he said making his way for the kitchen. His voice was gentle. Like when she wasn’t feeling well, and he made her nap and eat.

She followed his direction. She felt a little out of place in her own apartment and she twiddled her fingers together as she waited in silence for Harry to come to her living room. He was there shortly, a glass of water for her. She reached out for it, but Harry noticed how her hand was still shaking. “Here,” he said bringing the cup to her lips. He gently cradled the back of her head with his other hand. She felt like a child as Harry helped her drink, but he didn’t pay any mind to the situation at all—he just didn’t want her to spill and make a mess that she would have to worry about right now. “Can I get you anything else?” He wondered. His voice was so deep and gentle in comparison to the hatred he spewed before in every word he spoke.

She shook her head, more tears filling her eyes. “Thank you,” she said gratefully.

He shook his head back at her. “Don’t,” he sighed. “I would never let anything happen to you, kitten,” he promised. Her heart fluttered, despite everything. It was by far one of the sweetest things Harry ever said to her. “I’m glad you’re home safe now. I can leave if you want—"

She was quick to protest. Too quick. “No! Please don’t,” the words rushed out of her mouth before she could stop them. She turned to look at the empty dark apartment as a distraction from her cheeks turning into two red tomatoes. She cleared her throat regaining her composure as she looked back at Harry. She was lucky the tears filled her vision again at the frustration and sadness of her evening overwhelming her again.

“I won’t go until you want me to, kitten,” Harry answered pressing his hand to her face. He brushed his thumb gently over her cheek bone and caught the stray tear that spilled over. His voice was so quiet and soft. It was so different than every interaction he ever had with her.

“Really?” She whispered breathlessly.

“No, baby,” he promised. “I won’t.”

She didn’t think and wrapped herself up in his embrace. It worked so naturally of course. His arms wrapped around her, and he tugged her carefully, so he was snuggled into the corner of her sofa with her cuddled into him. She sighed with relief as tears flowed onto his shirt and coat. She sniveled miserably. “I’ll have to get this dry cleaned for you,” she managed to mumble between her tears.

“Would you please just shut up?” The exasperation was thick in his tone. It kind of made her smile.

“Okay,” she whispered sniveling still.

After a few moments her cries subsided, and Harry let his fingers dance up and down her arm as he held her close to him. He tried not to think about how perfectly she fit in the empty spaces of his body. “Harry?” She asked quietly.

“Hmm?”

“Thank you,” she said again.

He sighed, a bit irritated that she was thanking him for being a decent human being and protecting her. But he knew she was uncomfortable and upset. “You’re welcome, kitten,” he said softly. “Go to sleep.”

*

“I can’t do that, Harry. His client base is too substantial.”

“Let him leave with them, then,” Harry snapped. He was pacing Louis’ office. Adamant something be done.

“Harry, stop,” Louis rubbed his hand over his face. “We can get her a restraining order if she wants, and we can put him on a different floor so he never—”

“You need to fire him,” Harry said. “Or she and I will take all our clients and leave instead,” he promised.

He stared at his friend. “Harry.”

“Louis, you fire him, or you’ll have to represent me when I kill him.”

There was a knock outside Louis’ door before the pretty girl entered, making the anger in Harry’s heart dissipate immensely. “Oh, hi Harry,” she murmured and looked at her feet nervously. “You wanted to see me, Mr. Tomlinson?” She asked softly.

Harry gazed at her so adoringly, he couldn’t stop himself. His blood was on fire the moment he saw her struggling. He never thought about murdering someone seriously in his whole life. Yet there he was—ready to kill someone on behalf of the sweet girl. “Call me Louis, love. Please.”

She nodded. “Louis, then. Am...I in trouble?” She asked curiously.

Harry sighed in exasperation and ran his hand over his face in disbelief. She stared at Harry curiously as he made his assessment. “You’re an idiot,” he said to her.

She looked at her feet, feeling her face warm at his insult. “Harold,” Louis snapped. “No love, you’re not in trouble. I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“Oh.”

There was a bit of silence. “Well, are you alright?” He repeated. Harry wanted to shake her a bit. She was beyond infuriatingly annoying sometimes.

“I’m okay,” she said softly. “Uh...Harry protected me.”

“Yes, he’s decent every once in a while.”

She smirked. “He is.”

“Can I do anything for you to ensure you feel safe while you’re working?”

“Oh, um...no—”

“You can fire him,” Harry repeated.

“Harry, that’s not necessary,” she shook her head, her face feeling flushed.

His right eye twitched and he looked out Louis’ window; stuffed his hands in his pockets as he muttered to himself. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re not safe while you’re here,” Louis said knowingly.

Harry wasn’t watching her, but she looked right at him as she answered Louis. “I feel safe,” she said softly.

Louis smirked and shook his head at Harry who still wasn’t paying any attention. Talk about an idiot in this scenario. “I’m very sorry that happened to you. He will be reprimanded beyond belief, you have my word. We’ll be moving his office to a different floor as well,” he promised.

“Louis, you weren’t there,” Harry reminded him. “You didn’t watch her cry while she fell asleep—”

“Harry!” She gasped at the admission and her face felt warm. That was not something she wanted her boss to know. It painted the wrong picture—even if she slept so well in the comfort of Harry’s arms. Louis didn’t pay any attention to their night spent together, though. He was keeping his eyes on Harry.

“I wanted to kill him,” Harry repeated. She gulped at the idea of Harry doing something so violent for her. Something that would get him thrown in jail for a long while.

“I understand that,” Louis said simply. “Love, I’m very sorry,” he returned his attention to the poor girl who looked wildly uncomfortable. “If there is something I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask. I know you have Harry in the office next to you, but if he’s not around, I’d be happy to assist you with anything,” he said kindly.

“Thank you, I appreciate it,” she said courteously.

“Harold,” Louis said narrowing his eyes at him.

“Whatever,” he grumbled and stalked out of the office.

“I’m...sorry about him,” she said nervously.

“Don’t worry love, I’ve known Harry for a long while. He means well. He’s just thick headed sometimes,” he shrugged. “I’m serious though, if you need something or want something, let me know.”

“I will, thank you.”

Shaking her head, she exited his office and headed back to her own. She grabbed a cup of coffee from the breakroom as she passed it and tried to think about the to-do list she had for the day. Mentally, she added a dry-cleaner stop for Harry’s suit she cried all over as well. It wasn’t much, but it was the least she could do as a thank you for all he did. As she paced the last few steps toward her office, she tried to convince herself the last few moments in Louis’ office were real. Harry was angry at Louis (and maybe her, what else was new?) for something beyond his control. She wondered why he was so adamant but found it sweet in Harry’s own way.

She closed her office door behind her and tilted her head at Harry sitting on the couch. As she entered, he stood up and gazed at her without speaking. It looked like he was looking through her. She bit the inside of her lip as she held the coffee with both of her hands to keep her tingling fingers warm at the idea that Harry was waiting for her. “Can I help you?” She asked.

“I’m going to be a shitty boyfriend.”

She blinked in complete confusion. It was by far the last thing she ever expected Harry to say. “I’m sorry?”

“I get all wrapped up in m’own stuff and I forget dates even though they’re in m’calendar and reminders and everything. It’ll infuriate you. I’ll make up for it with grand sweeping gestures that will maybe make it better, but they might just make y’madder that I can’t remember the little things.”

“Harry, what—”

“M’so in love with you and I’ve been ignoring it since we were kids. The six months I worked here without you were the longest months ’ve gone without seeing you and I didn’t even want t’see you, but I don’t want to go that long without seeing you ever again. I barely want t’go an hour without seeing you and even when I do I think about you the whole time,” he started to pace across her office back and forth as if was retracing his steps to remember all the things he was saying. Like they were written on the carpet.

“Can you just—”

“I’ll be better than that tool y’dated in third year,” she wondered where that came from because she didn’t even know he knew she was dating someone. “I’ll give you everything y’want or need whenever you ask. I’ll plan dates, I’ll take y’anywhere you want t’go, I’ll walk on hot coals for you, if you ask. I love you so goddamn much, love. I want to murder someone for you, and I wouldn’t bat an eyelash; ’ve never felt this way ‘bout anyone before. You’re infuriatingly sweet and y’never know when t’shut up or what’s good for you. It’s probably going t’get y’killed one day and I don’t know how someone s’sweet could be a corporate lawyer. You’re unbelievably challenging in so many ways and y’always remind me that I don’t know everything even though I think I do. Mum and Gemma want me t’bring you t'Sunday dinners.”

She shook her head trying to process all of this it didn’t help that he was jumping from topic to topic. Harry had given speeches in college before. She listened to many of his own closing arguments and of course read countless persuasive essays. This wasn’t anything like any of that. This was wild and out of sorts. She wondered what was flowing in his head and why it was spewing out like this, why it was happening now. “Harry, what are you—”

“You asked me t’be friends because you thought we’d be good friends since we spent all that time together. Quite frankly you’re m’best friend. Even though I was miserable towards you all the time. I don’t know why I did that t’you and s’jus’ another reason you should tell me t’take a hike. No one knows me as well as you do. Sleeping with you on your couch made m’neck so sore I can’t turn it to the left, but it was the best sleep of m’life and I want t’do it over and over again if I can hold you.”

That made her face flood with heat so quickly she was sure she looked bright red. “Harry, honestly, I’m—”

“I will never hurt you and I will never let anyone hurt you while m’around.” This time she didn’t interrupt him she could feel her face soften at his words and she felt like she was going to cry if he talked any longer. “I don’t think I know anyone half s’beautiful as you, kitten, inside or out,” he said softly. Everything else he said felt like a sprint. A rush of words he had been dying to get out for who knows how long. “Please, be my girlfriend,” he said finally, slowly at last.

They stared at each other silently for several moments.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Thank you.”

[1d1195]

Can we see miss honey pregnant?

I think we have to, yeah? 😍

xoxo

[1d1195]

omg i totally got honey confused with under construction and so i was reading the first paragraphs of the extra like who the FUCK is chloe 😭😭😭

WHO IS SHE 😂😂 I love that honestly sorry for the confusion

Too many men and children 💕

xoxo

[1d1195]

Aww why does it stress you love?

Idk i think my 16 year old delulu brain thinks I have a chance with Harry and I would get STRESSED about the concept of him with another woman. Like I had a shot 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I also just got stressed in general because I felt like I had to be up to date on EVERYTHING about all 5 of them at all times otherwise I wasn’t a real fan or I wasn’t really in love with Harry. It was just stupid ya know? Anyway so that’s my story hahaha kind of silly but I love him so much ya know?

Xoxo

[1d1195]

also loved the “behind the scenes” or flashbacks of miss honey. It was so cute to fill in some blanks with these moments. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. ❤️ 🚕

thank you! it was really fun to write and I do love them 💕

xoxo

[1d1195]

🤭 me too! 💕 thank you for sharing 💕

Honey - Extra II

Read Honey here | ~4.1k words

From me/Warnings: almost entirely fluffy. A little angsty but you all know where it's going. Also like a little bit of a daddy kink. I thought someone requested it but maybe I dreamt that. If you requested it please lmk so I can give you proper recognition for helping out so much 😍

Summary: “Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

*Before*

Chloe sprawled on Harry’s sofa rubbing her stomach while she watched TV. He just returned home from a long day at the office. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his bag, and sighed. The house was a bit of a mess since Chloe started living with him full-time. He would get used to it, he decided. It was a small price to pay when she was carrying his child.

“Hey Chlo,” he called and headed to the kitchen to grab a protein drink he had stocked for such a scenario. Then he made his way to the living room, leaned over the back of the couch, and kissed the top of her head.

“Hiya,” she grinned. “Come here, you can feel her kick!” she said excitedly.

Harry smirked, sat beside the sofa and rubbed her stomach. Little flutters moved under his hand as he did. Instantly, his smile grew across his face. It felt like his cheeks were going to burst. “Hi sweet girl,” he hummed. The fluttering grew and Chloe snickered.

“She is going to be such a Daddy’s girl,” she said knowingly. “Swear she can hear when you’re coming home. The kicks get a lot faster.”

“Good,” he nodded with a proud smile. His relationship status wasn’t what he hoped it would be at this stage of his life—about to be a father to a baby girl. Harry also thought that meant he was going to have the most perfect daughter.

“Heads up, I have a date tonight,” she said. “So, you don’t have to order extra food or anything for me.”

He felt a crack in his heart. He knew he wasn’t meant for Chloe romantically and that was fine. He loved her platonically. Co-parentally. But it did make him uneasy to have her go off and take his daughter with her. He understood and trusted her completely. She knew what she was doing and was more than willing to call Harry at any sign of trouble. But the physical distance between his unborn little one and himself made him so sad for the hours she was gone.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. He was grateful for it all, nonetheless. Glad that Chloe was going to be his partner in crime, but he wanted love and romance. Wanted to come home to his favorite people and love them hard like he always dreamed of for so very long.

But Harry didn’t love anyone but his baby, his company, and his family. That’s how it had always been since he started the company. He didn’t see how that was going to change or get any easier in the romance department since he would soon have a little baby to tote around, too

“What’s the matter?” Chloe’s voice was full of suspicion as she stared at him.

“Nothing why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I know you, Harry. I can see you’re upset about something.”

He shrugged. They were close. Had to be, because they were about to embark upon a lifelong commitment to one another. But it just wasn’t the kind that Harry expected. He continued rubbing his hand over the swell of her stomach, grateful for a good relationship with Chloe. He could only imagine how much harder this would have been if they weren’t friends. “Jus’… wish I could do the whole dating thing.”

She scoffed and unattractively rolled to a seated position on the couch—but it took serious effort and balance. It was hard to do just about anything with a watermelon attached to her. “For Christ’s sake Harry. You’re like the hottest man I’ve ever met and you’re rich to boot. And you’re somehow not an asshole. That’s an absolute lethal combination. Soon enough you’ll have a baby in tow. Women are going to throw themselves at you. Pick one,” she rolled her eyes. Harry helped her stand and steadied her before she made her way down the hall.

Harry sighed, followed after her. It wasn’t quite like talking to Niall, but it was nice to have the female perspective that he couldn’t offer. Harry just didn’t believe it would be that easy. Plus, Harry was pretty untrusting by nature, especially since he had his company--and ergo a lot more money. There was enough heartbreak in his relationships to last him a lifetime. Chloe was the exception—and perhaps only because he knew there was no future other than the one where they raised their daughter together.

“S’not that simple,” he mumbled.

“It really, really is,” she disagreed. She left the bathroom door open while she fixed her hair and makeup. Harry leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

“I’ve been with women who only want me for my money.”

“Well, yeah. That’s shitty. I get that,” she nodded sympathetically. “But I’m positive there is a girl out there for you who will love you for you, Harry. You’re a great guy,” she smiled. “But if I didn’t have a kid with you, I wouldn’t be living with you. Your inner-interior design is nothing like mine.”

“Classy?” He deadpanned.

“He’s funny too, ladies. Single file,” she murmured to a fake audience in the mirror, using her curling iron as a microphone.

He rolled his eyes. “Why couldn’t y’jus’ be normal,” he grumbled.

“That’s what you get for a one-night-stand,” she giggled. “Can you get the back for me?” She asked.

He took the wand from her and carefully wrapped strands of hair around the iron. He was used to it, helping Gemma get ready when he was young. Eventually, he hypothesized, he would be helping the little one get ready too. So it was good practice.

Harry sighed heavily anyway. She had a point. It was supposed to be easy and simple. He was supposed to find a girl who loved him for all the right reasons, and they would click. Instantly. Not just the way he and Chloe clicked either. A connection and adoration that would make him really feel loved. Someone he was willing to do anything for, because it felt wrong to do otherwise.

“What if she doesn’t love our kid?” He asked. There were so many ways a relationship could go wrong when he had a little girl. She could not like kids. Not understand feeding schedules. If it wasn’t her baby, she could feel like second place. Harry wasn’t sure he could explain that the little one was always going to come first.

How was he supposed to find someone that would love his daughter as much as he did?

“Then I’ll kick her ass,” Chloe shrugged casually. He snorted.

“Didn’t know that was part of the co-parenting manual.”

“Ass-kicking? Major part. Especially with a little girl on the way,” she reminded him.

“Well, I knew that part.”

There wasn’t a world in which Harry wasn’t going to protect the little one with everything in him. No one would ever get close to her if he had any say in the matter. He would do anything and everything to keep her safe.

He just hoped he would find someone willing to do the same for her.

“She’s out there, Harry,” Chloe said softly. Her smile was so kind and lovely. Harry hoped the little one had one just like hers. “I’m sure of it.”

*

“Miss Honey, how come we have to move?” Xavier sounded completely dejected. Tara was snuggled close to her in the bed on the other side. Xavier was just starting to be old enough that he thought was too cool for snuggles.

At least in front of other people.

When she guided them to bed and Xavier watched his younger sister get special hugs, kisses, and snuggles, he felt a little jealous. So instead, when she tucked his little sister into bed just across the hall from his room, Xavier begged to be part of their snuggling session. Of course, she couldn’t say no. Thus, the three of them were nestled in Tara’s too small bed for an adult, a five- and eight-year-old.

“Why can’t you come with us, Miss Honey?” Tara asked on one side of her body. Tears welled in her wide little eyes. Soothingly, she smoothed down her hair softly with her fingers.

“I wish I could, my love. But… you know how I make sure there’s no monsters in here before bed?” She asked Tara. She nodded. It was part of their bedtime ritual to check the perimeter of her room for monsters as well as in the closet and under the bed. “And make sure there’s no crust on your PB and J?” She said toward Xavier. He nodded as well then tucked himself a little further into her side. She kissed the top of his head as well. “There are some little babes out there that don’t have,” she explained. “And as much as I would love to glue you guys to me,” she giggled and squeezed them extra tight to her. “I have to stay here,” her voice was gentle as she explained. What she didn’t tell them: it was a real possibility she wouldn’t nanny ever again. “But I bet Mommy and Daddy are going to find you someone even better than me to play with you guys.”

“I don’t think anyone is better than you, Miss Honey,” Tara mumbled sadly.

She was not going to think about Tucker. If she thought about Tucker, she would cry. She loved Xavier and Tara with her entire soul and would do anything for them. But goodbyes would be easier now.

“Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

She giggled, kissed the top of his head. “Sure buddy, when you’re older.”

Her heart ached knowing that she would merely be a faint memory for him in just a few months’ time. It would be even worse for Tara. It broke her heart that she would love them forever, but they might not remember all the fun and sweet memories the way she cherished them. For them, this was a blip in their childhoods. Two years of fun, stories, laughs, and a lot of cookies in living room forts.

“Couldn’t you just move with us too? How come you had to move in with us anyway?” Tara asked suddenly.

“Aw, you don’t you like having me around more?” She pretended to frown.

Tara giggled and shook her head, making her smile once more. “No, silly goose!”

“Mommy said it’s because Cody was a duck,” Xavier said seriously. “I heard her say it to Daddy,” he whispered like it was a secret.

She covered her laugh with a cough, knowing that there was a vowel that Xavier didn’t know about that could change the meaning of the word. Tara looked up at her, confusion in her eyes. “But you like ducks, Miss Honey. We feed them at the park, remember?!”

She snickered once more and shook her head. “Alright, it’s time for bed, my little ducklings,” she said and kissed Tara’s sweet, little face twenty or so times. Then she tickled Xavier who was much too old for being tickled by his nanny but let her do it anyway. She kissed his sweet, little face twenty or so times as well and scooped him into her arms. “Kiss your sister,” she ordered and dangled him above her as Tara nestled against her pillow.

“Night Tara-Bear-ah,” he said and kissed the top of her head.

“Night Xave,” she pulled her teddy bear close to her (almost like she was choking it and closed her eyes. As soon as she flicked the light switch off, the nightlight turned on. Then she moved across the hall and tucked Xavier into bed tool.

“Can you do the parachute tonight, Miss Honey?” He asked.

“Oh alright,” she said dramatically, but of course she would. Because her bedtime routine with the sweet little ones were numbered and she would miss them so much. She was almost certain she wouldn’t continue nannying. It was breaking her heart too much. Xavier smiled, delight in his eyes and across his lips. She lifted his blankets and sheets over him and smiled. “Ready?” She asked crouching a little. He nodded and kicked his feet in excitement. “Okay… three… two… one!” She whispered and launched the blankets above him. He giggled as they settled back over him, and she did it two more times before tucking him in. “Night, Xavier,” she kissed his forehead.

“Night Miss Honey. I love you,” he murmured sleepily. She flicked the light off, the nightlight turned on, and she closed his door and headed for the living room to clean up the fort they made earlier.

As she headed to clean the kitchen and make herself a cup of tea before bed, Hannah came home late from her day at work. “Hey,” she smiled. “You’re a goddamn angel, you know that?” She sighed looking at the food on the counter, ready to be put away or eaten depending on the mood of Hannah and Pete. “Pete would leave me for you, I think,” she popped open the Tupperware and put it into the microwave immediately.

She shook her head, ignoring the silliness of her sweet boss. “Xavier heard you call Cody a duck,” she said with a snicker.

“Whoops,” she laughed. “Don’t tell Pete.”

“Don’t tell Pete what?” The man in questioned entered quickly from the other entrance of the house. “Hello, my love,” he said dreamily in her direction. “Hannah,” he nodded like the love his life was a mere business partner and nothing more.

She snorted, shook her head, and ignored him. Pete kissed Hannah on the side of the head and grabbed glasses from the cabinet to pour drinks for them—juice, because it was bedtime (and Pete really liked the apple juice she bought the kids when she did the grocery shopping).

“That Cody is a duck,” Hannah continued.

“No way, ducks are cute,” Pete shook his head. “We would never call Cody a duck.”

“They can be aggressive,” she amended softly.

“They also have small, corkscrew shaped penises,” Hannah laughed like a teenager.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Pete sighed and held her hand while he sipped his glass of juice.

God, she would miss them. She should just move with them. They offered many times. They didn’t even ask if the kids were okay. They knew they were under her care. After eating, they would head up to kiss their sleeping figures goodnight and tomorrow they would spend the day together doing family things. “Hey, Miss Honey,” Hannah said seriously. “Mitch and Sarah have a friend. Real tragic story if you want to look it up. Harry Styles. The mother of his child passed away in a car accident. The baby is hardly a month old. He’s scrambling and… I don’t know…” she frowned, her eyes automatically welling with tears. “I know I told Pete we were just going to pack you in a box and kidnap you across the country…” she rolled her eyes but smiled despite her words. “But we think Harry and Cece might need some honey in their life. I know you thought about not nannying, but I also know you won’t be able to leave that little one’s side if you meet her,” she said knowingly.

“We’ll give you glowing recommendations,” Pete took a bite of the food Hannah reheated. She glared at him and pulled her Tupperware across the counter away from him. He rolled his eyes and grabbed his own to reheat next. “The kids will want to write one too.”

She swallowed. She didn’t want to nanny anymore. It just led to heartbreak one way or another.

But Harry and Cece did sound like they needed her help.

“I know he’s doing interviews next week, you don’t have to say yes right now if you don’t want to. Think about it, and if you want to let us know if you’re interested. Then we’ll make sure he knows you’re the only one he should interview.”

*

*present*

“Come on, pretty baby, you can do it!” She grinned encouragingly. She held her hands out for Cece to head toward.

“Go see Mama,” he whispered holding his two index fingers out for Cece to hang onto while she toddled toward the prettiest woman in the world, unsteadily. Miss Honey was sitting on the floor; legs outstretched while Harry stood just a few feet in front of her. They were having a little shindig in the middle of the company floor. His employees watched excitedly for Cece’s big first steps. “C’mon, Ce, I know y’want to,” he encouraged letting her hands fall from his fingers. “You’re so close,” he reminded her. “Don’t y’want t’give Mama a big hug?” He chuckled.

She stood still and took a wobbly step forward. “That’s it sweet girl,” she cooed.

“Mama!” She laughed and covered her hands over her mouth. She giggled in response.

“I know, this is so silly, huh?” She asked.

Harry couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like his face was going to break in half. It should have been illegal to be this happy. He had it all. How was that possible? After all that he had gone through. Niall was standing behind her, his phone propped up in front of him so he could capture the moment for them.

Cece fell back on her bum and pouted but didn’t cry. She waited for everyone to react but of course Miss Honey took the lead. “Aw did we tumble a little?” She moved to a slightly crouched position and then dramatically fell back on her butt. “Did we fall on our bum?” Cece giggled some more. So did Harry. Because Cece was perfect, cute, and simply an adorable almost one-year-old. But the love of his life was something so much more—so unbelievably sweet, pretty, and so perfect it was unimaginable that he lived this long without her.

He couldn’t believe that he deserved her. Couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Chloe was right; she was out there, and she was now right here.

Harry scooped up the baby and stood her on her wobbly feet. “Alright baby girl,” he encouraged. “Go get Mama,” he nudged her very gently. “C’mon, go see Mama Cece,” he knelt behind her and steadied her before she started to propel herself forward unsteadily but was nonetheless walking.

“Yes!” She clapped. “Come to Mama, baby,” she held her arms out.

“Nice job, princess!” Niall said encouragingly as well.

Cece rocked in every direction but was decisively walking forward. “Great job, sweetheart,” Harry said from behind her. Then Cece flopped into her arms where she received no less than a million kisses.

“Yay, Cece!” She cheered and helped Cece clap her hands while everyone watching applauded alongside her and cooed in awe of the pretty little baby.

“Dada!” she giggled and covered her face.

“I know Daddy makes me blush too,” she whispered loud enough that Harry could hear.

And Niall. “Jesus, I’m recording this for your families,” Niall muttered.

“Oh shh,” she hushed Niall and rolled her eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes too, but she knew how she did something to him when she said Daddy. “Go get Dada,” she encouraged and propped Cece up to walk back the couple steps she just took to Harry’s arms again.

When she landed safely in Harry’s arms, he was struck by how unbelievably lucky he was once more. He kissed the top of Cece’s soft hair. “Chloe is so proud of you too,” he murmured quietly. He wasn’t sure how he would explain her birth mum to her just yet, nor what they would call her, but she was still too little to know anyone but the woman smiling at her like she was truly her own mother. There was still time to figure it out, and for now, Chloe would suffice.

Harry scooped her up and Niall helped his other favorite girl stand up. Cece reached out for her once more and nuzzled into her collarbone. “Nice job, Dada,” she grinned. Harry smirked, kissed her temple, and rubbed the back of Cece’s head.

“Thanks Mama, you too.”

“No more getting older now, though,” she lifted Cece up above her head. “Okay? Little cute toddler and that’s it,” she bumped her nose against Cece’s and the little one giggled. She brought her back to her body and held her close.

“Maybe Cece should have a sibling,” Niall shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows in Harry’s direction.

“Christ, Niall,” Harry rolled his eyes. “Private much?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry Uncle Niall, we don’t want you spoiling one baby.”

“You’ll always be my favorite niece,” he pulled Cece from her arms and the little one giggled. She of course didn’t understand that Uncle Niall was being ridiculous and would love any and all future nieces and nephews equally, but she would take his undivided attention any day of the week. He held her hand and walked along the length of the hall toward the breakroom so they could get one of her snacks and bottles.

“You want t’have a baby?” Harry asked a little incredulously.

“Well, yeah. But when you’re ready,” she shrugged. “I’m not in a rush. I love this one,” she nodded toward Cece returning with Niall. She had the bottle propped in her hand and wobbled even more as she tried to multitask. “You went through a lot with her. I can wait… I would want them to be a little close in age. I think it’s—”

Harry pulled her close and kissed the top of her head interrupting her thought. He squeezed her tight  to his side. Then he bent to press his lips next to her ear. “Jus’ say the word, kitten. Uncle Niall can babysit,” he offered. “We can go make her a sibling right now.”

She laughed. “No, Cece needs a little more time to have Daddy all to herself.”

“Stop saying Daddy if y’don’t want Niall t’babysit right now,” he muttered.

She smiled and tucked herself further into Harry’s embrace.

“Hi Miss Honey!” Stephen called.

Harry groaned loudly. “Leave her alone, Stephen,” Harry grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. “Hi Stephen,” she laughed. “How are you?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

She shook her head. Harry tightened his hold on her. Glared at his main secretary. “Why don’t I fire you, again?”

“We love Stephen,” she reminded Harry softly.

“I knew she loved me.”

“Shut. Up.”

It was all very harmless. Especially after the first day Stephen met her. But the man loved to flirt against all better judgment. Even in front of Harry. “Bye Stephen,” she snickered. “Hope you’re still around by tomorrow.”

“Bye Miss Honey,” he sang and headed back for his desk.

“You don’t really love him, right?” Harry asked with a frown.

“No, you silly goose. Not the way I love you.”

He smiled proudly. “Niall, y’have Cece for a bit? Want t’take my pretty girlfriend t’lunch,” he was already wandering down the hall.

“All good here,” Niall said.

They didn’t say bye to Cece because it was easier to keep her from crying over her newfound separation anxiety that came prepackaged with an almost one-year-old. “Where are we going to lunch?” She asked on the elevator to the parking garage.

He shrugged. “The hotel down the street? Or back home? The car?” He smirked.

“Harry Styles!” She gasped.

“S’jus’ practicing, kitten. Gotta make sure we’re ready t’make another really pretty baby.”

“If she’s half yours she’ll be gorgeous, obviously.”

“Another she y’want?” He smirked, squeezed her hand.

“Oh,” she blushed. “I mean I don’t care either way. I think I’m good with Cece.”

He stared at her knowing full and well that Tucker ran through her mind and all the hurt she experienced once with a little boy in her life. “You’re fantastic with Cece. But y’would be a great boy mom too, y’know that,” he reminded her and kissed her hand. Then he returned to his previous train of thought with a grin. “I’ve been reading some old wives’ tales ‘bout positions t’conceive a boy,” he said suggestively. They reached the bottom floor and headed for his car.

“Oh?” She snorted. “Have you?” But her cheeks felt warm, imagining what kind of fun he had in store for her. A little boy would be incredible.

“Mhmm. I’ll show you when we get t’lunch,” he winked. “We can do the positions for a girl too. M’very comfortable with either,” he had this carefree, love of life, happiness in his voice, all over his face. She was in love with him. So very much.

“I love you,” she laughed.

“I love you too, Miss Honey.”

--

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Honey - Extra II

Read Honey here | ~4.1k words

From me/Warnings: almost entirely fluffy. A little angsty but you all know where it's going. Also like a little bit of a daddy kink. I thought someone requested it but maybe I dreamt that. If you requested it please lmk so I can give you proper recognition for helping out so much 😍

Summary: “Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

*Before*

Chloe sprawled on Harry’s sofa rubbing her stomach while she watched TV. He just returned home from a long day at the office. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his bag, and sighed. The house was a bit of a mess since Chloe started living with him full-time. He would get used to it, he decided. It was a small price to pay when she was carrying his child.

“Hey Chlo,” he called and headed to the kitchen to grab a protein drink he had stocked for such a scenario. Then he made his way to the living room, leaned over the back of the couch, and kissed the top of her head.

“Hiya,” she grinned. “Come here, you can feel her kick!” she said excitedly.

Harry smirked, sat beside the sofa and rubbed her stomach. Little flutters moved under his hand as he did. Instantly, his smile grew across his face. It felt like his cheeks were going to burst. “Hi sweet girl,” he hummed. The fluttering grew and Chloe snickered.

“She is going to be such a Daddy’s girl,” she said knowingly. “Swear she can hear when you’re coming home. The kicks get a lot faster.”

“Good,” he nodded with a proud smile. His relationship status wasn’t what he hoped it would be at this stage of his life—about to be a father to a baby girl. Harry also thought that meant he was going to have the most perfect daughter.

“Heads up, I have a date tonight,” she said. “So, you don’t have to order extra food or anything for me.”

He felt a crack in his heart. He knew he wasn’t meant for Chloe romantically and that was fine. He loved her platonically. Co-parentally. But it did make him uneasy to have her go off and take his daughter with her. He understood and trusted her completely. She knew what she was doing and was more than willing to call Harry at any sign of trouble. But the physical distance between his unborn little one and himself made him so sad for the hours she was gone.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. He was grateful for it all, nonetheless. Glad that Chloe was going to be his partner in crime, but he wanted love and romance. Wanted to come home to his favorite people and love them hard like he always dreamed of for so very long.

But Harry didn’t love anyone but his baby, his company, and his family. That’s how it had always been since he started the company. He didn’t see how that was going to change or get any easier in the romance department since he would soon have a little baby to tote around, too

“What’s the matter?” Chloe’s voice was full of suspicion as she stared at him.

“Nothing why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I know you, Harry. I can see you’re upset about something.”

He shrugged. They were close. Had to be, because they were about to embark upon a lifelong commitment to one another. But it just wasn’t the kind that Harry expected. He continued rubbing his hand over the swell of her stomach, grateful for a good relationship with Chloe. He could only imagine how much harder this would have been if they weren’t friends. “Jus’… wish I could do the whole dating thing.”

She scoffed and unattractively rolled to a seated position on the couch—but it took serious effort and balance. It was hard to do just about anything with a watermelon attached to her. “For Christ’s sake Harry. You’re like the hottest man I’ve ever met and you’re rich to boot. And you’re somehow not an asshole. That’s an absolute lethal combination. Soon enough you’ll have a baby in tow. Women are going to throw themselves at you. Pick one,” she rolled her eyes. Harry helped her stand and steadied her before she made her way down the hall.

Harry sighed, followed after her. It wasn’t quite like talking to Niall, but it was nice to have the female perspective that he couldn’t offer. Harry just didn’t believe it would be that easy. Plus, Harry was pretty untrusting by nature, especially since he had his company--and ergo a lot more money. There was enough heartbreak in his relationships to last him a lifetime. Chloe was the exception—and perhaps only because he knew there was no future other than the one where they raised their daughter together.

“S’not that simple,” he mumbled.

“It really, really is,” she disagreed. She left the bathroom door open while she fixed her hair and makeup. Harry leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

“I’ve been with women who only want me for my money.”

“Well, yeah. That’s shitty. I get that,” she nodded sympathetically. “But I’m positive there is a girl out there for you who will love you for you, Harry. You’re a great guy,” she smiled. “But if I didn’t have a kid with you, I wouldn’t be living with you. Your inner-interior design is nothing like mine.”

“Classy?” He deadpanned.

“He’s funny too, ladies. Single file,” she murmured to a fake audience in the mirror, using her curling iron as a microphone.

He rolled his eyes. “Why couldn’t y’jus’ be normal,” he grumbled.

“That’s what you get for a one-night-stand,” she giggled. “Can you get the back for me?” She asked.

He took the wand from her and carefully wrapped strands of hair around the iron. He was used to it, helping Gemma get ready when he was young. Eventually, he hypothesized, he would be helping the little one get ready too. So it was good practice.

Harry sighed heavily anyway. She had a point. It was supposed to be easy and simple. He was supposed to find a girl who loved him for all the right reasons, and they would click. Instantly. Not just the way he and Chloe clicked either. A connection and adoration that would make him really feel loved. Someone he was willing to do anything for, because it felt wrong to do otherwise.

“What if she doesn’t love our kid?” He asked. There were so many ways a relationship could go wrong when he had a little girl. She could not like kids. Not understand feeding schedules. If it wasn’t her baby, she could feel like second place. Harry wasn’t sure he could explain that the little one was always going to come first.

How was he supposed to find someone that would love his daughter as much as he did?

“Then I’ll kick her ass,” Chloe shrugged casually. He snorted.

“Didn’t know that was part of the co-parenting manual.”

“Ass-kicking? Major part. Especially with a little girl on the way,” she reminded him.

“Well, I knew that part.”

There wasn’t a world in which Harry wasn’t going to protect the little one with everything in him. No one would ever get close to her if he had any say in the matter. He would do anything and everything to keep her safe.

He just hoped he would find someone willing to do the same for her.

“She’s out there, Harry,” Chloe said softly. Her smile was so kind and lovely. Harry hoped the little one had one just like hers. “I’m sure of it.”

*

“Miss Honey, how come we have to move?” Xavier sounded completely dejected. Tara was snuggled close to her in the bed on the other side. Xavier was just starting to be old enough that he thought was too cool for snuggles.

At least in front of other people.

When she guided them to bed and Xavier watched his younger sister get special hugs, kisses, and snuggles, he felt a little jealous. So instead, when she tucked his little sister into bed just across the hall from his room, Xavier begged to be part of their snuggling session. Of course, she couldn’t say no. Thus, the three of them were nestled in Tara’s too small bed for an adult, a five- and eight-year-old.

“Why can’t you come with us, Miss Honey?” Tara asked on one side of her body. Tears welled in her wide little eyes. Soothingly, she smoothed down her hair softly with her fingers.

“I wish I could, my love. But… you know how I make sure there’s no monsters in here before bed?” She asked Tara. She nodded. It was part of their bedtime ritual to check the perimeter of her room for monsters as well as in the closet and under the bed. “And make sure there’s no crust on your PB and J?” She said toward Xavier. He nodded as well then tucked himself a little further into her side. She kissed the top of his head as well. “There are some little babes out there that don’t have,” she explained. “And as much as I would love to glue you guys to me,” she giggled and squeezed them extra tight to her. “I have to stay here,” her voice was gentle as she explained. What she didn’t tell them: it was a real possibility she wouldn’t nanny ever again. “But I bet Mommy and Daddy are going to find you someone even better than me to play with you guys.”

“I don’t think anyone is better than you, Miss Honey,” Tara mumbled sadly.

She was not going to think about Tucker. If she thought about Tucker, she would cry. She loved Xavier and Tara with her entire soul and would do anything for them. But goodbyes would be easier now.

“Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

She giggled, kissed the top of his head. “Sure buddy, when you’re older.”

Her heart ached knowing that she would merely be a faint memory for him in just a few months’ time. It would be even worse for Tara. It broke her heart that she would love them forever, but they might not remember all the fun and sweet memories the way she cherished them. For them, this was a blip in their childhoods. Two years of fun, stories, laughs, and a lot of cookies in living room forts.

“Couldn’t you just move with us too? How come you had to move in with us anyway?” Tara asked suddenly.

“Aw, you don’t you like having me around more?” She pretended to frown.

Tara giggled and shook her head, making her smile once more. “No, silly goose!”

“Mommy said it’s because Cody was a duck,” Xavier said seriously. “I heard her say it to Daddy,” he whispered like it was a secret.

She covered her laugh with a cough, knowing that there was a vowel that Xavier didn’t know about that could change the meaning of the word. Tara looked up at her, confusion in her eyes. “But you like ducks, Miss Honey. We feed them at the park, remember?!”

She snickered once more and shook her head. “Alright, it’s time for bed, my little ducklings,” she said and kissed Tara’s sweet, little face twenty or so times. Then she tickled Xavier who was much too old for being tickled by his nanny but let her do it anyway. She kissed his sweet, little face twenty or so times as well and scooped him into her arms. “Kiss your sister,” she ordered and dangled him above her as Tara nestled against her pillow.

“Night Tara-Bear-ah,” he said and kissed the top of her head.

“Night Xave,” she pulled her teddy bear close to her (almost like she was choking it and closed her eyes. As soon as she flicked the light switch off, the nightlight turned on. Then she moved across the hall and tucked Xavier into bed tool.

“Can you do the parachute tonight, Miss Honey?” He asked.

“Oh alright,” she said dramatically, but of course she would. Because her bedtime routine with the sweet little ones were numbered and she would miss them so much. She was almost certain she wouldn’t continue nannying. It was breaking her heart too much. Xavier smiled, delight in his eyes and across his lips. She lifted his blankets and sheets over him and smiled. “Ready?” She asked crouching a little. He nodded and kicked his feet in excitement. “Okay… three… two… one!” She whispered and launched the blankets above him. He giggled as they settled back over him, and she did it two more times before tucking him in. “Night, Xavier,” she kissed his forehead.

“Night Miss Honey. I love you,” he murmured sleepily. She flicked the light off, the nightlight turned on, and she closed his door and headed for the living room to clean up the fort they made earlier.

As she headed to clean the kitchen and make herself a cup of tea before bed, Hannah came home late from her day at work. “Hey,” she smiled. “You’re a goddamn angel, you know that?” She sighed looking at the food on the counter, ready to be put away or eaten depending on the mood of Hannah and Pete. “Pete would leave me for you, I think,” she popped open the Tupperware and put it into the microwave immediately.

She shook her head, ignoring the silliness of her sweet boss. “Xavier heard you call Cody a duck,” she said with a snicker.

“Whoops,” she laughed. “Don’t tell Pete.”

“Don’t tell Pete what?” The man in questioned entered quickly from the other entrance of the house. “Hello, my love,” he said dreamily in her direction. “Hannah,” he nodded like the love his life was a mere business partner and nothing more.

She snorted, shook her head, and ignored him. Pete kissed Hannah on the side of the head and grabbed glasses from the cabinet to pour drinks for them—juice, because it was bedtime (and Pete really liked the apple juice she bought the kids when she did the grocery shopping).

“That Cody is a duck,” Hannah continued.

“No way, ducks are cute,” Pete shook his head. “We would never call Cody a duck.”

“They can be aggressive,” she amended softly.

“They also have small, corkscrew shaped penises,” Hannah laughed like a teenager.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Pete sighed and held her hand while he sipped his glass of juice.

God, she would miss them. She should just move with them. They offered many times. They didn’t even ask if the kids were okay. They knew they were under her care. After eating, they would head up to kiss their sleeping figures goodnight and tomorrow they would spend the day together doing family things. “Hey, Miss Honey,” Hannah said seriously. “Mitch and Sarah have a friend. Real tragic story if you want to look it up. Harry Styles. The mother of his child passed away in a car accident. The baby is hardly a month old. He’s scrambling and… I don’t know…” she frowned, her eyes automatically welling with tears. “I know I told Pete we were just going to pack you in a box and kidnap you across the country…” she rolled her eyes but smiled despite her words. “But we think Harry and Cece might need some honey in their life. I know you thought about not nannying, but I also know you won’t be able to leave that little one’s side if you meet her,” she said knowingly.

“We’ll give you glowing recommendations,” Pete took a bite of the food Hannah reheated. She glared at him and pulled her Tupperware across the counter away from him. He rolled his eyes and grabbed his own to reheat next. “The kids will want to write one too.”

She swallowed. She didn’t want to nanny anymore. It just led to heartbreak one way or another.

But Harry and Cece did sound like they needed her help.

“I know he’s doing interviews next week, you don’t have to say yes right now if you don’t want to. Think about it, and if you want to let us know if you’re interested. Then we’ll make sure he knows you’re the only one he should interview.”

*

*present*

“Come on, pretty baby, you can do it!” She grinned encouragingly. She held her hands out for Cece to head toward.

“Go see Mama,” he whispered holding his two index fingers out for Cece to hang onto while she toddled toward the prettiest woman in the world, unsteadily. Miss Honey was sitting on the floor; legs outstretched while Harry stood just a few feet in front of her. They were having a little shindig in the middle of the company floor. His employees watched excitedly for Cece’s big first steps. “C’mon, Ce, I know y’want to,” he encouraged letting her hands fall from his fingers. “You’re so close,” he reminded her. “Don’t y’want t’give Mama a big hug?” He chuckled.

She stood still and took a wobbly step forward. “That’s it sweet girl,” she cooed.

“Mama!” She laughed and covered her hands over her mouth. She giggled in response.

“I know, this is so silly, huh?” She asked.

Harry couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like his face was going to break in half. It should have been illegal to be this happy. He had it all. How was that possible? After all that he had gone through. Niall was standing behind her, his phone propped up in front of him so he could capture the moment for them.

Cece fell back on her bum and pouted but didn’t cry. She waited for everyone to react but of course Miss Honey took the lead. “Aw did we tumble a little?” She moved to a slightly crouched position and then dramatically fell back on her butt. “Did we fall on our bum?” Cece giggled some more. So did Harry. Because Cece was perfect, cute, and simply an adorable almost one-year-old. But the love of his life was something so much more—so unbelievably sweet, pretty, and so perfect it was unimaginable that he lived this long without her.

He couldn’t believe that he deserved her. Couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Chloe was right; she was out there, and she was now right here.

Harry scooped up the baby and stood her on her wobbly feet. “Alright baby girl,” he encouraged. “Go get Mama,” he nudged her very gently. “C’mon, go see Mama Cece,” he knelt behind her and steadied her before she started to propel herself forward unsteadily but was nonetheless walking.

“Yes!” She clapped. “Come to Mama, baby,” she held her arms out.

“Nice job, princess!” Niall said encouragingly as well.

Cece rocked in every direction but was decisively walking forward. “Great job, sweetheart,” Harry said from behind her. Then Cece flopped into her arms where she received no less than a million kisses.

“Yay, Cece!” She cheered and helped Cece clap her hands while everyone watching applauded alongside her and cooed in awe of the pretty little baby.

“Dada!” she giggled and covered her face.

“I know Daddy makes me blush too,” she whispered loud enough that Harry could hear.

And Niall. “Jesus, I’m recording this for your families,” Niall muttered.

“Oh shh,” she hushed Niall and rolled her eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes too, but she knew how she did something to him when she said Daddy. “Go get Dada,” she encouraged and propped Cece up to walk back the couple steps she just took to Harry’s arms again.

When she landed safely in Harry’s arms, he was struck by how unbelievably lucky he was once more. He kissed the top of Cece’s soft hair. “Chloe is so proud of you too,” he murmured quietly. He wasn’t sure how he would explain her birth mum to her just yet, nor what they would call her, but she was still too little to know anyone but the woman smiling at her like she was truly her own mother. There was still time to figure it out, and for now, Chloe would suffice.

Harry scooped her up and Niall helped his other favorite girl stand up. Cece reached out for her once more and nuzzled into her collarbone. “Nice job, Dada,” she grinned. Harry smirked, kissed her temple, and rubbed the back of Cece’s head.

“Thanks Mama, you too.”

“No more getting older now, though,” she lifted Cece up above her head. “Okay? Little cute toddler and that’s it,” she bumped her nose against Cece’s and the little one giggled. She brought her back to her body and held her close.

“Maybe Cece should have a sibling,” Niall shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows in Harry’s direction.

“Christ, Niall,” Harry rolled his eyes. “Private much?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry Uncle Niall, we don’t want you spoiling one baby.”

“You’ll always be my favorite niece,” he pulled Cece from her arms and the little one giggled. She of course didn’t understand that Uncle Niall was being ridiculous and would love any and all future nieces and nephews equally, but she would take his undivided attention any day of the week. He held her hand and walked along the length of the hall toward the breakroom so they could get one of her snacks and bottles.

“You want t’have a baby?” Harry asked a little incredulously.

“Well, yeah. But when you’re ready,” she shrugged. “I’m not in a rush. I love this one,” she nodded toward Cece returning with Niall. She had the bottle propped in her hand and wobbled even more as she tried to multitask. “You went through a lot with her. I can wait… I would want them to be a little close in age. I think it’s—”

Harry pulled her close and kissed the top of her head interrupting her thought. He squeezed her tight  to his side. Then he bent to press his lips next to her ear. “Jus’ say the word, kitten. Uncle Niall can babysit,” he offered. “We can go make her a sibling right now.”

She laughed. “No, Cece needs a little more time to have Daddy all to herself.”

“Stop saying Daddy if y’don’t want Niall t’babysit right now,” he muttered.

She smiled and tucked herself further into Harry’s embrace.

“Hi Miss Honey!” Stephen called.

Harry groaned loudly. “Leave her alone, Stephen,” Harry grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. “Hi Stephen,” she laughed. “How are you?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

She shook her head. Harry tightened his hold on her. Glared at his main secretary. “Why don’t I fire you, again?”

“We love Stephen,” she reminded Harry softly.

“I knew she loved me.”

“Shut. Up.”

It was all very harmless. Especially after the first day Stephen met her. But the man loved to flirt against all better judgment. Even in front of Harry. “Bye Stephen,” she snickered. “Hope you’re still around by tomorrow.”

“Bye Miss Honey,” he sang and headed back for his desk.

“You don’t really love him, right?” Harry asked with a frown.

“No, you silly goose. Not the way I love you.”

He smiled proudly. “Niall, y’have Cece for a bit? Want t’take my pretty girlfriend t’lunch,” he was already wandering down the hall.

“All good here,” Niall said.

They didn’t say bye to Cece because it was easier to keep her from crying over her newfound separation anxiety that came prepackaged with an almost one-year-old. “Where are we going to lunch?” She asked on the elevator to the parking garage.

He shrugged. “The hotel down the street? Or back home? The car?” He smirked.

“Harry Styles!” She gasped.

“S’jus’ practicing, kitten. Gotta make sure we’re ready t’make another really pretty baby.”

“If she’s half yours she’ll be gorgeous, obviously.”

“Another she y’want?” He smirked, squeezed her hand.

“Oh,” she blushed. “I mean I don’t care either way. I think I’m good with Cece.”

He stared at her knowing full and well that Tucker ran through her mind and all the hurt she experienced once with a little boy in her life. “You’re fantastic with Cece. But y’would be a great boy mom too, y’know that,” he reminded her and kissed her hand. Then he returned to his previous train of thought with a grin. “I’ve been reading some old wives’ tales ‘bout positions t’conceive a boy,” he said suggestively. They reached the bottom floor and headed for his car.

“Oh?” She snorted. “Have you?” But her cheeks felt warm, imagining what kind of fun he had in store for her. A little boy would be incredible.

“Mhmm. I’ll show you when we get t’lunch,” he winked. “We can do the positions for a girl too. M’very comfortable with either,” he had this carefree, love of life, happiness in his voice, all over his face. She was in love with him. So very much.

“I love you,” she laughed.

“I love you too, Miss Honey.”

--

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[1d1195]

Did yall see the lady talk about her experience with Zayn and harry when they were 18 lol

No I did not! I fear I am not up to date on my 1d lore and happenings i still get stressed hearing about them

xoxo

[1d1195]

https://www.tumblr.com/this-is-tiny-mia/791691326829772800/just-wanted-to-show-my-outfit-today

I saw this post on my feed and instantly thought of y/n helping Harry for a day and surprising him with overalls w/ his name on them 😭

EXCELLENT he would be feral about it 😍 so so so cute! 💕

xoxo

[1d1195]

Fall weather is my fav 🍂☕ — all the warm, pumpkin-y cozy vibes — but for some reason, fall semesters are always a disaster for me, Hopefully this one will finally go well!

I actually love bananas now, which is funny because a few years ago I hated them 🙈 But now I’m all about baking muffins and banana bread 🥰.

I feel like I really love kids 💕, so I think I’d be fine dealing with a little negativity here and there. How’s it been for you so far? I’d love to hear about your experience!!✨

Also, let me know some good, yummy recipes I could try😋, I’m always looking for new things to make, especially if they’re easy but still super delicious!!

-🪴

Fall is my fave too! Ughh 🤞 fall semester will be good! We're manifesting it! 💕

Ugh I won't like I don't hate banana chocolate chip anything but I can't know. I have to be like tricked into eating it 💕

Well I absolutely love teaching even when it's hard and I could go on and on for many DAYS about it. However, my only piece of advice is take a sabbatical if we have another pandemic because I will never be teaching through one again that was ridiculous. And what was worse was that NO one told me what was going to happen the year AFTER 2020. That was nuts so yeah. Quit before a pandemic. Otherwise, kids are kids. They look up to you even if they don't want to and they just want to be heard and cared for. If you do that, it'll work 💕

I have no new recipes to speak of right now, but I'll let you know!!

xoxo

[1d1195]

Ahhh!!! 💕💕 so so glad it turned out well! It was SO fun which was good for the slump I've been in! Obsessed with not enough space!!!

LET ME RECORD

He's so obsessed with her it's honestly embarrassing 🤭

THROW ME IN THE SLAMMER 😭

She needs an award, excellent actress, an oscar in her future

Chlo's with the flow 😂

NIALL Is the best!!!!

EVERYBODY CLAP. when everyone claps for a baby doing baby things I'm like "this is what it's all about" 🙂‍↕️

SOMEBODY SEDATE ME no literally

AHHHHHHH same literally. I don't even remember writing some of this anymore it's like I'm reading it for the first time with you that was cute 😭am I allowed to feel that way about my own writing?

The ⭐ I'm screaming

I SMELL A SEXTRA 😂😂 OKAY OKAY Niall will have to babysit!!!

Someone has to be his number one fan because it's not Harry lol

Points are always made. Harry's horny lol

MAN GIVES ME WHIPLASH (✍️ idea for sextra?)

VERSATILE STOP

Honey - Extra II

Read Honey here | ~4.1k words

From me/Warnings: almost entirely fluffy. A little angsty but you all know where it's going. Also like a little bit of a daddy kink. I thought someone requested it but maybe I dreamt that. If you requested it please lmk so I can give you proper recognition for helping out so much 😍

Summary: “Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

*Before*

Chloe sprawled on Harry’s sofa rubbing her stomach while she watched TV. He just returned home from a long day at the office. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his bag, and sighed. The house was a bit of a mess since Chloe started living with him full-time. He would get used to it, he decided. It was a small price to pay when she was carrying his child.

“Hey Chlo,” he called and headed to the kitchen to grab a protein drink he had stocked for such a scenario. Then he made his way to the living room, leaned over the back of the couch, and kissed the top of her head.

“Hiya,” she grinned. “Come here, you can feel her kick!” she said excitedly.

Harry smirked, sat beside the sofa and rubbed her stomach. Little flutters moved under his hand as he did. Instantly, his smile grew across his face. It felt like his cheeks were going to burst. “Hi sweet girl,” he hummed. The fluttering grew and Chloe snickered.

“She is going to be such a Daddy’s girl,” she said knowingly. “Swear she can hear when you’re coming home. The kicks get a lot faster.”

“Good,” he nodded with a proud smile. His relationship status wasn’t what he hoped it would be at this stage of his life—about to be a father to a baby girl. Harry also thought that meant he was going to have the most perfect daughter.

“Heads up, I have a date tonight,” she said. “So, you don’t have to order extra food or anything for me.”

He felt a crack in his heart. He knew he wasn’t meant for Chloe romantically and that was fine. He loved her platonically. Co-parentally. But it did make him uneasy to have her go off and take his daughter with her. He understood and trusted her completely. She knew what she was doing and was more than willing to call Harry at any sign of trouble. But the physical distance between his unborn little one and himself made him so sad for the hours she was gone.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. He was grateful for it all, nonetheless. Glad that Chloe was going to be his partner in crime, but he wanted love and romance. Wanted to come home to his favorite people and love them hard like he always dreamed of for so very long.

But Harry didn’t love anyone but his baby, his company, and his family. That’s how it had always been since he started the company. He didn’t see how that was going to change or get any easier in the romance department since he would soon have a little baby to tote around, too

“What’s the matter?” Chloe’s voice was full of suspicion as she stared at him.

“Nothing why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I know you, Harry. I can see you’re upset about something.”

He shrugged. They were close. Had to be, because they were about to embark upon a lifelong commitment to one another. But it just wasn’t the kind that Harry expected. He continued rubbing his hand over the swell of her stomach, grateful for a good relationship with Chloe. He could only imagine how much harder this would have been if they weren’t friends. “Jus’… wish I could do the whole dating thing.”

She scoffed and unattractively rolled to a seated position on the couch—but it took serious effort and balance. It was hard to do just about anything with a watermelon attached to her. “For Christ’s sake Harry. You’re like the hottest man I’ve ever met and you’re rich to boot. And you’re somehow not an asshole. That’s an absolute lethal combination. Soon enough you’ll have a baby in tow. Women are going to throw themselves at you. Pick one,” she rolled her eyes. Harry helped her stand and steadied her before she made her way down the hall.

Harry sighed, followed after her. It wasn’t quite like talking to Niall, but it was nice to have the female perspective that he couldn’t offer. Harry just didn’t believe it would be that easy. Plus, Harry was pretty untrusting by nature, especially since he had his company--and ergo a lot more money. There was enough heartbreak in his relationships to last him a lifetime. Chloe was the exception—and perhaps only because he knew there was no future other than the one where they raised their daughter together.

“S’not that simple,” he mumbled.

“It really, really is,” she disagreed. She left the bathroom door open while she fixed her hair and makeup. Harry leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

“I’ve been with women who only want me for my money.”

“Well, yeah. That’s shitty. I get that,” she nodded sympathetically. “But I’m positive there is a girl out there for you who will love you for you, Harry. You’re a great guy,” she smiled. “But if I didn’t have a kid with you, I wouldn’t be living with you. Your inner-interior design is nothing like mine.”

“Classy?” He deadpanned.

“He’s funny too, ladies. Single file,” she murmured to a fake audience in the mirror, using her curling iron as a microphone.

He rolled his eyes. “Why couldn’t y’jus’ be normal,” he grumbled.

“That’s what you get for a one-night-stand,” she giggled. “Can you get the back for me?” She asked.

He took the wand from her and carefully wrapped strands of hair around the iron. He was used to it, helping Gemma get ready when he was young. Eventually, he hypothesized, he would be helping the little one get ready too. So it was good practice.

Harry sighed heavily anyway. She had a point. It was supposed to be easy and simple. He was supposed to find a girl who loved him for all the right reasons, and they would click. Instantly. Not just the way he and Chloe clicked either. A connection and adoration that would make him really feel loved. Someone he was willing to do anything for, because it felt wrong to do otherwise.

“What if she doesn’t love our kid?” He asked. There were so many ways a relationship could go wrong when he had a little girl. She could not like kids. Not understand feeding schedules. If it wasn’t her baby, she could feel like second place. Harry wasn’t sure he could explain that the little one was always going to come first.

How was he supposed to find someone that would love his daughter as much as he did?

“Then I’ll kick her ass,” Chloe shrugged casually. He snorted.

“Didn’t know that was part of the co-parenting manual.”

“Ass-kicking? Major part. Especially with a little girl on the way,” she reminded him.

“Well, I knew that part.”

There wasn’t a world in which Harry wasn’t going to protect the little one with everything in him. No one would ever get close to her if he had any say in the matter. He would do anything and everything to keep her safe.

He just hoped he would find someone willing to do the same for her.

“She’s out there, Harry,” Chloe said softly. Her smile was so kind and lovely. Harry hoped the little one had one just like hers. “I’m sure of it.”

*

“Miss Honey, how come we have to move?” Xavier sounded completely dejected. Tara was snuggled close to her in the bed on the other side. Xavier was just starting to be old enough that he thought was too cool for snuggles.

At least in front of other people.

When she guided them to bed and Xavier watched his younger sister get special hugs, kisses, and snuggles, he felt a little jealous. So instead, when she tucked his little sister into bed just across the hall from his room, Xavier begged to be part of their snuggling session. Of course, she couldn’t say no. Thus, the three of them were nestled in Tara’s too small bed for an adult, a five- and eight-year-old.

“Why can’t you come with us, Miss Honey?” Tara asked on one side of her body. Tears welled in her wide little eyes. Soothingly, she smoothed down her hair softly with her fingers.

“I wish I could, my love. But… you know how I make sure there’s no monsters in here before bed?” She asked Tara. She nodded. It was part of their bedtime ritual to check the perimeter of her room for monsters as well as in the closet and under the bed. “And make sure there’s no crust on your PB and J?” She said toward Xavier. He nodded as well then tucked himself a little further into her side. She kissed the top of his head as well. “There are some little babes out there that don’t have,” she explained. “And as much as I would love to glue you guys to me,” she giggled and squeezed them extra tight to her. “I have to stay here,” her voice was gentle as she explained. What she didn’t tell them: it was a real possibility she wouldn’t nanny ever again. “But I bet Mommy and Daddy are going to find you someone even better than me to play with you guys.”

“I don’t think anyone is better than you, Miss Honey,” Tara mumbled sadly.

She was not going to think about Tucker. If she thought about Tucker, she would cry. She loved Xavier and Tara with her entire soul and would do anything for them. But goodbyes would be easier now.

“Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

She giggled, kissed the top of his head. “Sure buddy, when you’re older.”

Her heart ached knowing that she would merely be a faint memory for him in just a few months’ time. It would be even worse for Tara. It broke her heart that she would love them forever, but they might not remember all the fun and sweet memories the way she cherished them. For them, this was a blip in their childhoods. Two years of fun, stories, laughs, and a lot of cookies in living room forts.

“Couldn’t you just move with us too? How come you had to move in with us anyway?” Tara asked suddenly.

“Aw, you don’t you like having me around more?” She pretended to frown.

Tara giggled and shook her head, making her smile once more. “No, silly goose!”

“Mommy said it’s because Cody was a duck,” Xavier said seriously. “I heard her say it to Daddy,” he whispered like it was a secret.

She covered her laugh with a cough, knowing that there was a vowel that Xavier didn’t know about that could change the meaning of the word. Tara looked up at her, confusion in her eyes. “But you like ducks, Miss Honey. We feed them at the park, remember?!”

She snickered once more and shook her head. “Alright, it’s time for bed, my little ducklings,” she said and kissed Tara’s sweet, little face twenty or so times. Then she tickled Xavier who was much too old for being tickled by his nanny but let her do it anyway. She kissed his sweet, little face twenty or so times as well and scooped him into her arms. “Kiss your sister,” she ordered and dangled him above her as Tara nestled against her pillow.

“Night Tara-Bear-ah,” he said and kissed the top of her head.

“Night Xave,” she pulled her teddy bear close to her (almost like she was choking it and closed her eyes. As soon as she flicked the light switch off, the nightlight turned on. Then she moved across the hall and tucked Xavier into bed tool.

“Can you do the parachute tonight, Miss Honey?” He asked.

“Oh alright,” she said dramatically, but of course she would. Because her bedtime routine with the sweet little ones were numbered and she would miss them so much. She was almost certain she wouldn’t continue nannying. It was breaking her heart too much. Xavier smiled, delight in his eyes and across his lips. She lifted his blankets and sheets over him and smiled. “Ready?” She asked crouching a little. He nodded and kicked his feet in excitement. “Okay… three… two… one!” She whispered and launched the blankets above him. He giggled as they settled back over him, and she did it two more times before tucking him in. “Night, Xavier,” she kissed his forehead.

“Night Miss Honey. I love you,” he murmured sleepily. She flicked the light off, the nightlight turned on, and she closed his door and headed for the living room to clean up the fort they made earlier.

As she headed to clean the kitchen and make herself a cup of tea before bed, Hannah came home late from her day at work. “Hey,” she smiled. “You’re a goddamn angel, you know that?” She sighed looking at the food on the counter, ready to be put away or eaten depending on the mood of Hannah and Pete. “Pete would leave me for you, I think,” she popped open the Tupperware and put it into the microwave immediately.

She shook her head, ignoring the silliness of her sweet boss. “Xavier heard you call Cody a duck,” she said with a snicker.

“Whoops,” she laughed. “Don’t tell Pete.”

“Don’t tell Pete what?” The man in questioned entered quickly from the other entrance of the house. “Hello, my love,” he said dreamily in her direction. “Hannah,” he nodded like the love his life was a mere business partner and nothing more.

She snorted, shook her head, and ignored him. Pete kissed Hannah on the side of the head and grabbed glasses from the cabinet to pour drinks for them—juice, because it was bedtime (and Pete really liked the apple juice she bought the kids when she did the grocery shopping).

“That Cody is a duck,” Hannah continued.

“No way, ducks are cute,” Pete shook his head. “We would never call Cody a duck.”

“They can be aggressive,” she amended softly.

“They also have small, corkscrew shaped penises,” Hannah laughed like a teenager.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Pete sighed and held her hand while he sipped his glass of juice.

God, she would miss them. She should just move with them. They offered many times. They didn’t even ask if the kids were okay. They knew they were under her care. After eating, they would head up to kiss their sleeping figures goodnight and tomorrow they would spend the day together doing family things. “Hey, Miss Honey,” Hannah said seriously. “Mitch and Sarah have a friend. Real tragic story if you want to look it up. Harry Styles. The mother of his child passed away in a car accident. The baby is hardly a month old. He’s scrambling and… I don’t know…” she frowned, her eyes automatically welling with tears. “I know I told Pete we were just going to pack you in a box and kidnap you across the country…” she rolled her eyes but smiled despite her words. “But we think Harry and Cece might need some honey in their life. I know you thought about not nannying, but I also know you won’t be able to leave that little one’s side if you meet her,” she said knowingly.

“We’ll give you glowing recommendations,” Pete took a bite of the food Hannah reheated. She glared at him and pulled her Tupperware across the counter away from him. He rolled his eyes and grabbed his own to reheat next. “The kids will want to write one too.”

She swallowed. She didn’t want to nanny anymore. It just led to heartbreak one way or another.

But Harry and Cece did sound like they needed her help.

“I know he’s doing interviews next week, you don’t have to say yes right now if you don’t want to. Think about it, and if you want to let us know if you’re interested. Then we’ll make sure he knows you’re the only one he should interview.”

*

*present*

“Come on, pretty baby, you can do it!” She grinned encouragingly. She held her hands out for Cece to head toward.

“Go see Mama,” he whispered holding his two index fingers out for Cece to hang onto while she toddled toward the prettiest woman in the world, unsteadily. Miss Honey was sitting on the floor; legs outstretched while Harry stood just a few feet in front of her. They were having a little shindig in the middle of the company floor. His employees watched excitedly for Cece’s big first steps. “C’mon, Ce, I know y’want to,” he encouraged letting her hands fall from his fingers. “You’re so close,” he reminded her. “Don’t y’want t’give Mama a big hug?” He chuckled.

She stood still and took a wobbly step forward. “That’s it sweet girl,” she cooed.

“Mama!” She laughed and covered her hands over her mouth. She giggled in response.

“I know, this is so silly, huh?” She asked.

Harry couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like his face was going to break in half. It should have been illegal to be this happy. He had it all. How was that possible? After all that he had gone through. Niall was standing behind her, his phone propped up in front of him so he could capture the moment for them.

Cece fell back on her bum and pouted but didn’t cry. She waited for everyone to react but of course Miss Honey took the lead. “Aw did we tumble a little?” She moved to a slightly crouched position and then dramatically fell back on her butt. “Did we fall on our bum?” Cece giggled some more. So did Harry. Because Cece was perfect, cute, and simply an adorable almost one-year-old. But the love of his life was something so much more—so unbelievably sweet, pretty, and so perfect it was unimaginable that he lived this long without her.

He couldn’t believe that he deserved her. Couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Chloe was right; she was out there, and she was now right here.

Harry scooped up the baby and stood her on her wobbly feet. “Alright baby girl,” he encouraged. “Go get Mama,” he nudged her very gently. “C’mon, go see Mama Cece,” he knelt behind her and steadied her before she started to propel herself forward unsteadily but was nonetheless walking.

“Yes!” She clapped. “Come to Mama, baby,” she held her arms out.

“Nice job, princess!” Niall said encouragingly as well.

Cece rocked in every direction but was decisively walking forward. “Great job, sweetheart,” Harry said from behind her. Then Cece flopped into her arms where she received no less than a million kisses.

“Yay, Cece!” She cheered and helped Cece clap her hands while everyone watching applauded alongside her and cooed in awe of the pretty little baby.

“Dada!” she giggled and covered her face.

“I know Daddy makes me blush too,” she whispered loud enough that Harry could hear.

And Niall. “Jesus, I’m recording this for your families,” Niall muttered.

“Oh shh,” she hushed Niall and rolled her eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes too, but she knew how she did something to him when she said Daddy. “Go get Dada,” she encouraged and propped Cece up to walk back the couple steps she just took to Harry’s arms again.

When she landed safely in Harry’s arms, he was struck by how unbelievably lucky he was once more. He kissed the top of Cece’s soft hair. “Chloe is so proud of you too,” he murmured quietly. He wasn’t sure how he would explain her birth mum to her just yet, nor what they would call her, but she was still too little to know anyone but the woman smiling at her like she was truly her own mother. There was still time to figure it out, and for now, Chloe would suffice.

Harry scooped her up and Niall helped his other favorite girl stand up. Cece reached out for her once more and nuzzled into her collarbone. “Nice job, Dada,” she grinned. Harry smirked, kissed her temple, and rubbed the back of Cece’s head.

“Thanks Mama, you too.”

“No more getting older now, though,” she lifted Cece up above her head. “Okay? Little cute toddler and that’s it,” she bumped her nose against Cece’s and the little one giggled. She brought her back to her body and held her close.

“Maybe Cece should have a sibling,” Niall shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows in Harry’s direction.

“Christ, Niall,” Harry rolled his eyes. “Private much?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry Uncle Niall, we don’t want you spoiling one baby.”

“You’ll always be my favorite niece,” he pulled Cece from her arms and the little one giggled. She of course didn’t understand that Uncle Niall was being ridiculous and would love any and all future nieces and nephews equally, but she would take his undivided attention any day of the week. He held her hand and walked along the length of the hall toward the breakroom so they could get one of her snacks and bottles.

“You want t’have a baby?” Harry asked a little incredulously.

“Well, yeah. But when you’re ready,” she shrugged. “I’m not in a rush. I love this one,” she nodded toward Cece returning with Niall. She had the bottle propped in her hand and wobbled even more as she tried to multitask. “You went through a lot with her. I can wait… I would want them to be a little close in age. I think it’s—”

Harry pulled her close and kissed the top of her head interrupting her thought. He squeezed her tight  to his side. Then he bent to press his lips next to her ear. “Jus’ say the word, kitten. Uncle Niall can babysit,” he offered. “We can go make her a sibling right now.”

She laughed. “No, Cece needs a little more time to have Daddy all to herself.”

“Stop saying Daddy if y’don’t want Niall t’babysit right now,” he muttered.

She smiled and tucked herself further into Harry’s embrace.

“Hi Miss Honey!” Stephen called.

Harry groaned loudly. “Leave her alone, Stephen,” Harry grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. “Hi Stephen,” she laughed. “How are you?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

She shook her head. Harry tightened his hold on her. Glared at his main secretary. “Why don’t I fire you, again?”

“We love Stephen,” she reminded Harry softly.

“I knew she loved me.”

“Shut. Up.”

It was all very harmless. Especially after the first day Stephen met her. But the man loved to flirt against all better judgment. Even in front of Harry. “Bye Stephen,” she snickered. “Hope you’re still around by tomorrow.”

“Bye Miss Honey,” he sang and headed back for his desk.

“You don’t really love him, right?” Harry asked with a frown.

“No, you silly goose. Not the way I love you.”

He smiled proudly. “Niall, y’have Cece for a bit? Want t’take my pretty girlfriend t’lunch,” he was already wandering down the hall.

“All good here,” Niall said.

They didn’t say bye to Cece because it was easier to keep her from crying over her newfound separation anxiety that came prepackaged with an almost one-year-old. “Where are we going to lunch?” She asked on the elevator to the parking garage.

He shrugged. “The hotel down the street? Or back home? The car?” He smirked.

“Harry Styles!” She gasped.

“S’jus’ practicing, kitten. Gotta make sure we’re ready t’make another really pretty baby.”

“If she’s half yours she’ll be gorgeous, obviously.”

“Another she y’want?” He smirked, squeezed her hand.

“Oh,” she blushed. “I mean I don’t care either way. I think I’m good with Cece.”

He stared at her knowing full and well that Tucker ran through her mind and all the hurt she experienced once with a little boy in her life. “You’re fantastic with Cece. But y’would be a great boy mom too, y’know that,” he reminded her and kissed her hand. Then he returned to his previous train of thought with a grin. “I’ve been reading some old wives’ tales ‘bout positions t’conceive a boy,” he said suggestively. They reached the bottom floor and headed for his car.

“Oh?” She snorted. “Have you?” But her cheeks felt warm, imagining what kind of fun he had in store for her. A little boy would be incredible.

“Mhmm. I’ll show you when we get t’lunch,” he winked. “We can do the positions for a girl too. M’very comfortable with either,” he had this carefree, love of life, happiness in his voice, all over his face. She was in love with him. So very much.

“I love you,” she laughed.

“I love you too, Miss Honey.”

--

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[1d1195]

Honey - Extra II

Read Honey here | ~4.1k words

From me/Warnings: almost entirely fluffy. A little angsty but you all know where it's going. Also like a little bit of a daddy kink. I thought someone requested it but maybe I dreamt that. If you requested it please lmk so I can give you proper recognition for helping out so much 😍

Summary: “Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

*Before*

Chloe sprawled on Harry’s sofa rubbing her stomach while she watched TV. He just returned home from a long day at the office. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his bag, and sighed. The house was a bit of a mess since Chloe started living with him full-time. He would get used to it, he decided. It was a small price to pay when she was carrying his child.

“Hey Chlo,” he called and headed to the kitchen to grab a protein drink he had stocked for such a scenario. Then he made his way to the living room, leaned over the back of the couch, and kissed the top of her head.

“Hiya,” she grinned. “Come here, you can feel her kick!” she said excitedly.

Harry smirked, sat beside the sofa and rubbed her stomach. Little flutters moved under his hand as he did. Instantly, his smile grew across his face. It felt like his cheeks were going to burst. “Hi sweet girl,” he hummed. The fluttering grew and Chloe snickered.

“She is going to be such a Daddy’s girl,” she said knowingly. “Swear she can hear when you’re coming home. The kicks get a lot faster.”

“Good,” he nodded with a proud smile. His relationship status wasn’t what he hoped it would be at this stage of his life—about to be a father to a baby girl. Harry also thought that meant he was going to have the most perfect daughter.

“Heads up, I have a date tonight,” she said. “So, you don’t have to order extra food or anything for me.”

He felt a crack in his heart. He knew he wasn’t meant for Chloe romantically and that was fine. He loved her platonically. Co-parentally. But it did make him uneasy to have her go off and take his daughter with her. He understood and trusted her completely. She knew what she was doing and was more than willing to call Harry at any sign of trouble. But the physical distance between his unborn little one and himself made him so sad for the hours she was gone.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. He was grateful for it all, nonetheless. Glad that Chloe was going to be his partner in crime, but he wanted love and romance. Wanted to come home to his favorite people and love them hard like he always dreamed of for so very long.

But Harry didn’t love anyone but his baby, his company, and his family. That’s how it had always been since he started the company. He didn’t see how that was going to change or get any easier in the romance department since he would soon have a little baby to tote around, too

“What’s the matter?” Chloe’s voice was full of suspicion as she stared at him.

“Nothing why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I know you, Harry. I can see you’re upset about something.”

He shrugged. They were close. Had to be, because they were about to embark upon a lifelong commitment to one another. But it just wasn’t the kind that Harry expected. He continued rubbing his hand over the swell of her stomach, grateful for a good relationship with Chloe. He could only imagine how much harder this would have been if they weren’t friends. “Jus’… wish I could do the whole dating thing.”

She scoffed and unattractively rolled to a seated position on the couch—but it took serious effort and balance. It was hard to do just about anything with a watermelon attached to her. “For Christ’s sake Harry. You’re like the hottest man I’ve ever met and you’re rich to boot. And you’re somehow not an asshole. That’s an absolute lethal combination. Soon enough you’ll have a baby in tow. Women are going to throw themselves at you. Pick one,” she rolled her eyes. Harry helped her stand and steadied her before she made her way down the hall.

Harry sighed, followed after her. It wasn’t quite like talking to Niall, but it was nice to have the female perspective that he couldn’t offer. Harry just didn’t believe it would be that easy. Plus, Harry was pretty untrusting by nature, especially since he had his company--and ergo a lot more money. There was enough heartbreak in his relationships to last him a lifetime. Chloe was the exception—and perhaps only because he knew there was no future other than the one where they raised their daughter together.

“S’not that simple,” he mumbled.

“It really, really is,” she disagreed. She left the bathroom door open while she fixed her hair and makeup. Harry leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

“I’ve been with women who only want me for my money.”

“Well, yeah. That’s shitty. I get that,” she nodded sympathetically. “But I’m positive there is a girl out there for you who will love you for you, Harry. You’re a great guy,” she smiled. “But if I didn’t have a kid with you, I wouldn’t be living with you. Your inner-interior design is nothing like mine.”

“Classy?” He deadpanned.

“He’s funny too, ladies. Single file,” she murmured to a fake audience in the mirror, using her curling iron as a microphone.

He rolled his eyes. “Why couldn’t y’jus’ be normal,” he grumbled.

“That’s what you get for a one-night-stand,” she giggled. “Can you get the back for me?” She asked.

He took the wand from her and carefully wrapped strands of hair around the iron. He was used to it, helping Gemma get ready when he was young. Eventually, he hypothesized, he would be helping the little one get ready too. So it was good practice.

Harry sighed heavily anyway. She had a point. It was supposed to be easy and simple. He was supposed to find a girl who loved him for all the right reasons, and they would click. Instantly. Not just the way he and Chloe clicked either. A connection and adoration that would make him really feel loved. Someone he was willing to do anything for, because it felt wrong to do otherwise.

“What if she doesn’t love our kid?” He asked. There were so many ways a relationship could go wrong when he had a little girl. She could not like kids. Not understand feeding schedules. If it wasn’t her baby, she could feel like second place. Harry wasn’t sure he could explain that the little one was always going to come first.

How was he supposed to find someone that would love his daughter as much as he did?

“Then I’ll kick her ass,” Chloe shrugged casually. He snorted.

“Didn’t know that was part of the co-parenting manual.”

“Ass-kicking? Major part. Especially with a little girl on the way,” she reminded him.

“Well, I knew that part.”

There wasn’t a world in which Harry wasn’t going to protect the little one with everything in him. No one would ever get close to her if he had any say in the matter. He would do anything and everything to keep her safe.

He just hoped he would find someone willing to do the same for her.

“She’s out there, Harry,” Chloe said softly. Her smile was so kind and lovely. Harry hoped the little one had one just like hers. “I’m sure of it.”

*

“Miss Honey, how come we have to move?” Xavier sounded completely dejected. Tara was snuggled close to her in the bed on the other side. Xavier was just starting to be old enough that he thought was too cool for snuggles.

At least in front of other people.

When she guided them to bed and Xavier watched his younger sister get special hugs, kisses, and snuggles, he felt a little jealous. So instead, when she tucked his little sister into bed just across the hall from his room, Xavier begged to be part of their snuggling session. Of course, she couldn’t say no. Thus, the three of them were nestled in Tara’s too small bed for an adult, a five- and eight-year-old.

“Why can’t you come with us, Miss Honey?” Tara asked on one side of her body. Tears welled in her wide little eyes. Soothingly, she smoothed down her hair softly with her fingers.

“I wish I could, my love. But… you know how I make sure there’s no monsters in here before bed?” She asked Tara. She nodded. It was part of their bedtime ritual to check the perimeter of her room for monsters as well as in the closet and under the bed. “And make sure there’s no crust on your PB and J?” She said toward Xavier. He nodded as well then tucked himself a little further into her side. She kissed the top of his head as well. “There are some little babes out there that don’t have,” she explained. “And as much as I would love to glue you guys to me,” she giggled and squeezed them extra tight to her. “I have to stay here,” her voice was gentle as she explained. What she didn’t tell them: it was a real possibility she wouldn’t nanny ever again. “But I bet Mommy and Daddy are going to find you someone even better than me to play with you guys.”

“I don’t think anyone is better than you, Miss Honey,” Tara mumbled sadly.

She was not going to think about Tucker. If she thought about Tucker, she would cry. She loved Xavier and Tara with her entire soul and would do anything for them. But goodbyes would be easier now.

“Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

She giggled, kissed the top of his head. “Sure buddy, when you’re older.”

Her heart ached knowing that she would merely be a faint memory for him in just a few months’ time. It would be even worse for Tara. It broke her heart that she would love them forever, but they might not remember all the fun and sweet memories the way she cherished them. For them, this was a blip in their childhoods. Two years of fun, stories, laughs, and a lot of cookies in living room forts.

“Couldn’t you just move with us too? How come you had to move in with us anyway?” Tara asked suddenly.

“Aw, you don’t you like having me around more?” She pretended to frown.

Tara giggled and shook her head, making her smile once more. “No, silly goose!”

“Mommy said it’s because Cody was a duck,” Xavier said seriously. “I heard her say it to Daddy,” he whispered like it was a secret.

She covered her laugh with a cough, knowing that there was a vowel that Xavier didn’t know about that could change the meaning of the word. Tara looked up at her, confusion in her eyes. “But you like ducks, Miss Honey. We feed them at the park, remember?!”

She snickered once more and shook her head. “Alright, it’s time for bed, my little ducklings,” she said and kissed Tara’s sweet, little face twenty or so times. Then she tickled Xavier who was much too old for being tickled by his nanny but let her do it anyway. She kissed his sweet, little face twenty or so times as well and scooped him into her arms. “Kiss your sister,” she ordered and dangled him above her as Tara nestled against her pillow.

“Night Tara-Bear-ah,” he said and kissed the top of her head.

“Night Xave,” she pulled her teddy bear close to her (almost like she was choking it and closed her eyes. As soon as she flicked the light switch off, the nightlight turned on. Then she moved across the hall and tucked Xavier into bed tool.

“Can you do the parachute tonight, Miss Honey?” He asked.

“Oh alright,” she said dramatically, but of course she would. Because her bedtime routine with the sweet little ones were numbered and she would miss them so much. She was almost certain she wouldn’t continue nannying. It was breaking her heart too much. Xavier smiled, delight in his eyes and across his lips. She lifted his blankets and sheets over him and smiled. “Ready?” She asked crouching a little. He nodded and kicked his feet in excitement. “Okay… three… two… one!” She whispered and launched the blankets above him. He giggled as they settled back over him, and she did it two more times before tucking him in. “Night, Xavier,” she kissed his forehead.

“Night Miss Honey. I love you,” he murmured sleepily. She flicked the light off, the nightlight turned on, and she closed his door and headed for the living room to clean up the fort they made earlier.

As she headed to clean the kitchen and make herself a cup of tea before bed, Hannah came home late from her day at work. “Hey,” she smiled. “You’re a goddamn angel, you know that?” She sighed looking at the food on the counter, ready to be put away or eaten depending on the mood of Hannah and Pete. “Pete would leave me for you, I think,” she popped open the Tupperware and put it into the microwave immediately.

She shook her head, ignoring the silliness of her sweet boss. “Xavier heard you call Cody a duck,” she said with a snicker.

“Whoops,” she laughed. “Don’t tell Pete.”

“Don’t tell Pete what?” The man in questioned entered quickly from the other entrance of the house. “Hello, my love,” he said dreamily in her direction. “Hannah,” he nodded like the love his life was a mere business partner and nothing more.

She snorted, shook her head, and ignored him. Pete kissed Hannah on the side of the head and grabbed glasses from the cabinet to pour drinks for them—juice, because it was bedtime (and Pete really liked the apple juice she bought the kids when she did the grocery shopping).

“That Cody is a duck,” Hannah continued.

“No way, ducks are cute,” Pete shook his head. “We would never call Cody a duck.”

“They can be aggressive,” she amended softly.

“They also have small, corkscrew shaped penises,” Hannah laughed like a teenager.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Pete sighed and held her hand while he sipped his glass of juice.

God, she would miss them. She should just move with them. They offered many times. They didn’t even ask if the kids were okay. They knew they were under her care. After eating, they would head up to kiss their sleeping figures goodnight and tomorrow they would spend the day together doing family things. “Hey, Miss Honey,” Hannah said seriously. “Mitch and Sarah have a friend. Real tragic story if you want to look it up. Harry Styles. The mother of his child passed away in a car accident. The baby is hardly a month old. He’s scrambling and… I don’t know…” she frowned, her eyes automatically welling with tears. “I know I told Pete we were just going to pack you in a box and kidnap you across the country…” she rolled her eyes but smiled despite her words. “But we think Harry and Cece might need some honey in their life. I know you thought about not nannying, but I also know you won’t be able to leave that little one’s side if you meet her,” she said knowingly.

“We’ll give you glowing recommendations,” Pete took a bite of the food Hannah reheated. She glared at him and pulled her Tupperware across the counter away from him. He rolled his eyes and grabbed his own to reheat next. “The kids will want to write one too.”

She swallowed. She didn’t want to nanny anymore. It just led to heartbreak one way or another.

But Harry and Cece did sound like they needed her help.

“I know he’s doing interviews next week, you don’t have to say yes right now if you don’t want to. Think about it, and if you want to let us know if you’re interested. Then we’ll make sure he knows you’re the only one he should interview.”

*

*present*

“Come on, pretty baby, you can do it!” She grinned encouragingly. She held her hands out for Cece to head toward.

“Go see Mama,” he whispered holding his two index fingers out for Cece to hang onto while she toddled toward the prettiest woman in the world, unsteadily. Miss Honey was sitting on the floor; legs outstretched while Harry stood just a few feet in front of her. They were having a little shindig in the middle of the company floor. His employees watched excitedly for Cece’s big first steps. “C’mon, Ce, I know y’want to,” he encouraged letting her hands fall from his fingers. “You’re so close,” he reminded her. “Don’t y’want t’give Mama a big hug?” He chuckled.

She stood still and took a wobbly step forward. “That’s it sweet girl,” she cooed.

“Mama!” She laughed and covered her hands over her mouth. She giggled in response.

“I know, this is so silly, huh?” She asked.

Harry couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like his face was going to break in half. It should have been illegal to be this happy. He had it all. How was that possible? After all that he had gone through. Niall was standing behind her, his phone propped up in front of him so he could capture the moment for them.

Cece fell back on her bum and pouted but didn’t cry. She waited for everyone to react but of course Miss Honey took the lead. “Aw did we tumble a little?” She moved to a slightly crouched position and then dramatically fell back on her butt. “Did we fall on our bum?” Cece giggled some more. So did Harry. Because Cece was perfect, cute, and simply an adorable almost one-year-old. But the love of his life was something so much more—so unbelievably sweet, pretty, and so perfect it was unimaginable that he lived this long without her.

He couldn’t believe that he deserved her. Couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Chloe was right; she was out there, and she was now right here.

Harry scooped up the baby and stood her on her wobbly feet. “Alright baby girl,” he encouraged. “Go get Mama,” he nudged her very gently. “C’mon, go see Mama Cece,” he knelt behind her and steadied her before she started to propel herself forward unsteadily but was nonetheless walking.

“Yes!” She clapped. “Come to Mama, baby,” she held her arms out.

“Nice job, princess!” Niall said encouragingly as well.

Cece rocked in every direction but was decisively walking forward. “Great job, sweetheart,” Harry said from behind her. Then Cece flopped into her arms where she received no less than a million kisses.

“Yay, Cece!” She cheered and helped Cece clap her hands while everyone watching applauded alongside her and cooed in awe of the pretty little baby.

“Dada!” she giggled and covered her face.

“I know Daddy makes me blush too,” she whispered loud enough that Harry could hear.

And Niall. “Jesus, I’m recording this for your families,” Niall muttered.

“Oh shh,” she hushed Niall and rolled her eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes too, but she knew how she did something to him when she said Daddy. “Go get Dada,” she encouraged and propped Cece up to walk back the couple steps she just took to Harry’s arms again.

When she landed safely in Harry’s arms, he was struck by how unbelievably lucky he was once more. He kissed the top of Cece’s soft hair. “Chloe is so proud of you too,” he murmured quietly. He wasn’t sure how he would explain her birth mum to her just yet, nor what they would call her, but she was still too little to know anyone but the woman smiling at her like she was truly her own mother. There was still time to figure it out, and for now, Chloe would suffice.

Harry scooped her up and Niall helped his other favorite girl stand up. Cece reached out for her once more and nuzzled into her collarbone. “Nice job, Dada,” she grinned. Harry smirked, kissed her temple, and rubbed the back of Cece’s head.

“Thanks Mama, you too.”

“No more getting older now, though,” she lifted Cece up above her head. “Okay? Little cute toddler and that’s it,” she bumped her nose against Cece’s and the little one giggled. She brought her back to her body and held her close.

“Maybe Cece should have a sibling,” Niall shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows in Harry’s direction.

“Christ, Niall,” Harry rolled his eyes. “Private much?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry Uncle Niall, we don’t want you spoiling one baby.”

“You’ll always be my favorite niece,” he pulled Cece from her arms and the little one giggled. She of course didn’t understand that Uncle Niall was being ridiculous and would love any and all future nieces and nephews equally, but she would take his undivided attention any day of the week. He held her hand and walked along the length of the hall toward the breakroom so they could get one of her snacks and bottles.

“You want t’have a baby?” Harry asked a little incredulously.

“Well, yeah. But when you’re ready,” she shrugged. “I’m not in a rush. I love this one,” she nodded toward Cece returning with Niall. She had the bottle propped in her hand and wobbled even more as she tried to multitask. “You went through a lot with her. I can wait… I would want them to be a little close in age. I think it’s—”

Harry pulled her close and kissed the top of her head interrupting her thought. He squeezed her tight  to his side. Then he bent to press his lips next to her ear. “Jus’ say the word, kitten. Uncle Niall can babysit,” he offered. “We can go make her a sibling right now.”

She laughed. “No, Cece needs a little more time to have Daddy all to herself.”

“Stop saying Daddy if y’don’t want Niall t’babysit right now,” he muttered.

She smiled and tucked herself further into Harry’s embrace.

“Hi Miss Honey!” Stephen called.

Harry groaned loudly. “Leave her alone, Stephen,” Harry grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. “Hi Stephen,” she laughed. “How are you?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

She shook her head. Harry tightened his hold on her. Glared at his main secretary. “Why don’t I fire you, again?”

“We love Stephen,” she reminded Harry softly.

“I knew she loved me.”

“Shut. Up.”

It was all very harmless. Especially after the first day Stephen met her. But the man loved to flirt against all better judgment. Even in front of Harry. “Bye Stephen,” she snickered. “Hope you’re still around by tomorrow.”

“Bye Miss Honey,” he sang and headed back for his desk.

“You don’t really love him, right?” Harry asked with a frown.

“No, you silly goose. Not the way I love you.”

He smiled proudly. “Niall, y’have Cece for a bit? Want t’take my pretty girlfriend t’lunch,” he was already wandering down the hall.

“All good here,” Niall said.

They didn’t say bye to Cece because it was easier to keep her from crying over her newfound separation anxiety that came prepackaged with an almost one-year-old. “Where are we going to lunch?” She asked on the elevator to the parking garage.

He shrugged. “The hotel down the street? Or back home? The car?” He smirked.

“Harry Styles!” She gasped.

“S’jus’ practicing, kitten. Gotta make sure we’re ready t’make another really pretty baby.”

“If she’s half yours she’ll be gorgeous, obviously.”

“Another she y’want?” He smirked, squeezed her hand.

“Oh,” she blushed. “I mean I don’t care either way. I think I’m good with Cece.”

He stared at her knowing full and well that Tucker ran through her mind and all the hurt she experienced once with a little boy in her life. “You’re fantastic with Cece. But y’would be a great boy mom too, y’know that,” he reminded her and kissed her hand. Then he returned to his previous train of thought with a grin. “I’ve been reading some old wives’ tales ‘bout positions t’conceive a boy,” he said suggestively. They reached the bottom floor and headed for his car.

“Oh?” She snorted. “Have you?” But her cheeks felt warm, imagining what kind of fun he had in store for her. A little boy would be incredible.

“Mhmm. I’ll show you when we get t’lunch,” he winked. “We can do the positions for a girl too. M’very comfortable with either,” he had this carefree, love of life, happiness in his voice, all over his face. She was in love with him. So very much.

“I love you,” she laughed.

“I love you too, Miss Honey.”

--

general taglist: @justlemmeadoreyou @daydreamingofmatilda @loving-hazz @likeapplejuicenpeach

@straightontilmornin @freedomfireflies @littlenatilda @kathb59 @babegoals

@angel-upon @lilfreakjez @mleestiles @ameliaalvarez06 @canyonmoondreams

@summertime-pills @daphnesutton @l4rrysh0use @perfectywrong @foreverxholland

@lovrave @st-ev-ie @pandeebearstyles @toosarcastic03 @luvonstyles

@tenaciousperfectionunknown @classychalamet @love-letters-to-uranus @emmaawbr @crossyourpeter

@kissitnhekitchen @indierockgirrl @stylesfever @just-another-reader1098 @michellekstyles

@hermionelove @tiredinwinter @whimsy-willows @hannah9921 @fangirl7060

@vikiii07 @prettygurl-2009 @mads3502 @triski73 @angeldavis777

@dontforgtme @lizsogolden @me-undiscovered @you-sunshine @rose-girls-world

@claimingharrystigertattoo @inlikea-coolway @theseaview @lunaharrygurl @emmie2308 @fruity-harry @somebunnybaby @avas-daniel @mema10 @tulips4harry @spinninc @sassamanda77 @ell0ra-br3kk3r @mp-269 @jmp1494 @fangirl509east @sideboobrry11 @drewrry @dutchtheatrelore @copiastricycle @mypolicemanharryyy @harry2121 @inharryshelter @fandomxo @sarah-thatstings-ann @yourlocalstilinski-valdez @hsandts4l @izzyjay @kaylasficreca @stylesftcher @mikayloves1d @harysgoldenhome @vaseoftulips @ilovezaynmalik08 @osorto

I'm sorry if I missed anyone in the taglist. Please let me know if you'd like to join, if it didn't work, if you no longer want to be included, etc. :)

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[1d1195]

Honey - Extra II

Read Honey here | ~4.1k words

From me/Warnings: almost entirely fluffy. A little angsty but you all know where it's going. Also like a little bit of a daddy kink. I thought someone requested it but maybe I dreamt that. If you requested it please lmk so I can give you proper recognition for helping out so much 😍

Summary: “Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

*Before*

Chloe sprawled on Harry’s sofa rubbing her stomach while she watched TV. He just returned home from a long day at the office. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his bag, and sighed. The house was a bit of a mess since Chloe started living with him full-time. He would get used to it, he decided. It was a small price to pay when she was carrying his child.

“Hey Chlo,” he called and headed to the kitchen to grab a protein drink he had stocked for such a scenario. Then he made his way to the living room, leaned over the back of the couch, and kissed the top of her head.

“Hiya,” she grinned. “Come here, you can feel her kick!” she said excitedly.

Harry smirked, sat beside the sofa and rubbed her stomach. Little flutters moved under his hand as he did. Instantly, his smile grew across his face. It felt like his cheeks were going to burst. “Hi sweet girl,” he hummed. The fluttering grew and Chloe snickered.

“She is going to be such a Daddy’s girl,” she said knowingly. “Swear she can hear when you’re coming home. The kicks get a lot faster.”

“Good,” he nodded with a proud smile. His relationship status wasn’t what he hoped it would be at this stage of his life—about to be a father to a baby girl. Harry also thought that meant he was going to have the most perfect daughter.

“Heads up, I have a date tonight,” she said. “So, you don’t have to order extra food or anything for me.”

He felt a crack in his heart. He knew he wasn’t meant for Chloe romantically and that was fine. He loved her platonically. Co-parentally. But it did make him uneasy to have her go off and take his daughter with her. He understood and trusted her completely. She knew what she was doing and was more than willing to call Harry at any sign of trouble. But the physical distance between his unborn little one and himself made him so sad for the hours she was gone.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. He was grateful for it all, nonetheless. Glad that Chloe was going to be his partner in crime, but he wanted love and romance. Wanted to come home to his favorite people and love them hard like he always dreamed of for so very long.

But Harry didn’t love anyone but his baby, his company, and his family. That’s how it had always been since he started the company. He didn’t see how that was going to change or get any easier in the romance department since he would soon have a little baby to tote around, too

“What’s the matter?” Chloe’s voice was full of suspicion as she stared at him.

“Nothing why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I know you, Harry. I can see you’re upset about something.”

He shrugged. They were close. Had to be, because they were about to embark upon a lifelong commitment to one another. But it just wasn’t the kind that Harry expected. He continued rubbing his hand over the swell of her stomach, grateful for a good relationship with Chloe. He could only imagine how much harder this would have been if they weren’t friends. “Jus’… wish I could do the whole dating thing.”

She scoffed and unattractively rolled to a seated position on the couch—but it took serious effort and balance. It was hard to do just about anything with a watermelon attached to her. “For Christ’s sake Harry. You’re like the hottest man I’ve ever met and you’re rich to boot. And you’re somehow not an asshole. That’s an absolute lethal combination. Soon enough you’ll have a baby in tow. Women are going to throw themselves at you. Pick one,” she rolled her eyes. Harry helped her stand and steadied her before she made her way down the hall.

Harry sighed, followed after her. It wasn’t quite like talking to Niall, but it was nice to have the female perspective that he couldn’t offer. Harry just didn’t believe it would be that easy. Plus, Harry was pretty untrusting by nature, especially since he had his company--and ergo a lot more money. There was enough heartbreak in his relationships to last him a lifetime. Chloe was the exception—and perhaps only because he knew there was no future other than the one where they raised their daughter together.

“S’not that simple,” he mumbled.

“It really, really is,” she disagreed. She left the bathroom door open while she fixed her hair and makeup. Harry leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

“I’ve been with women who only want me for my money.”

“Well, yeah. That’s shitty. I get that,” she nodded sympathetically. “But I’m positive there is a girl out there for you who will love you for you, Harry. You’re a great guy,” she smiled. “But if I didn’t have a kid with you, I wouldn’t be living with you. Your inner-interior design is nothing like mine.”

“Classy?” He deadpanned.

“He’s funny too, ladies. Single file,” she murmured to a fake audience in the mirror, using her curling iron as a microphone.

He rolled his eyes. “Why couldn’t y’jus’ be normal,” he grumbled.

“That’s what you get for a one-night-stand,” she giggled. “Can you get the back for me?” She asked.

He took the wand from her and carefully wrapped strands of hair around the iron. He was used to it, helping Gemma get ready when he was young. Eventually, he hypothesized, he would be helping the little one get ready too. So it was good practice.

Harry sighed heavily anyway. She had a point. It was supposed to be easy and simple. He was supposed to find a girl who loved him for all the right reasons, and they would click. Instantly. Not just the way he and Chloe clicked either. A connection and adoration that would make him really feel loved. Someone he was willing to do anything for, because it felt wrong to do otherwise.

“What if she doesn’t love our kid?” He asked. There were so many ways a relationship could go wrong when he had a little girl. She could not like kids. Not understand feeding schedules. If it wasn’t her baby, she could feel like second place. Harry wasn’t sure he could explain that the little one was always going to come first.

How was he supposed to find someone that would love his daughter as much as he did?

“Then I’ll kick her ass,” Chloe shrugged casually. He snorted.

“Didn’t know that was part of the co-parenting manual.”

“Ass-kicking? Major part. Especially with a little girl on the way,” she reminded him.

“Well, I knew that part.”

There wasn’t a world in which Harry wasn’t going to protect the little one with everything in him. No one would ever get close to her if he had any say in the matter. He would do anything and everything to keep her safe.

He just hoped he would find someone willing to do the same for her.

“She’s out there, Harry,” Chloe said softly. Her smile was so kind and lovely. Harry hoped the little one had one just like hers. “I’m sure of it.”

*

“Miss Honey, how come we have to move?” Xavier sounded completely dejected. Tara was snuggled close to her in the bed on the other side. Xavier was just starting to be old enough that he thought was too cool for snuggles.

At least in front of other people.

When she guided them to bed and Xavier watched his younger sister get special hugs, kisses, and snuggles, he felt a little jealous. So instead, when she tucked his little sister into bed just across the hall from his room, Xavier begged to be part of their snuggling session. Of course, she couldn’t say no. Thus, the three of them were nestled in Tara’s too small bed for an adult, a five- and eight-year-old.

“Why can’t you come with us, Miss Honey?” Tara asked on one side of her body. Tears welled in her wide little eyes. Soothingly, she smoothed down her hair softly with her fingers.

“I wish I could, my love. But… you know how I make sure there’s no monsters in here before bed?” She asked Tara. She nodded. It was part of their bedtime ritual to check the perimeter of her room for monsters as well as in the closet and under the bed. “And make sure there’s no crust on your PB and J?” She said toward Xavier. He nodded as well then tucked himself a little further into her side. She kissed the top of his head as well. “There are some little babes out there that don’t have,” she explained. “And as much as I would love to glue you guys to me,” she giggled and squeezed them extra tight to her. “I have to stay here,” her voice was gentle as she explained. What she didn’t tell them: it was a real possibility she wouldn’t nanny ever again. “But I bet Mommy and Daddy are going to find you someone even better than me to play with you guys.”

“I don’t think anyone is better than you, Miss Honey,” Tara mumbled sadly.

She was not going to think about Tucker. If she thought about Tucker, she would cry. She loved Xavier and Tara with her entire soul and would do anything for them. But goodbyes would be easier now.

“Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

She giggled, kissed the top of his head. “Sure buddy, when you’re older.”

Her heart ached knowing that she would merely be a faint memory for him in just a few months’ time. It would be even worse for Tara. It broke her heart that she would love them forever, but they might not remember all the fun and sweet memories the way she cherished them. For them, this was a blip in their childhoods. Two years of fun, stories, laughs, and a lot of cookies in living room forts.

“Couldn’t you just move with us too? How come you had to move in with us anyway?” Tara asked suddenly.

“Aw, you don’t you like having me around more?” She pretended to frown.

Tara giggled and shook her head, making her smile once more. “No, silly goose!”

“Mommy said it’s because Cody was a duck,” Xavier said seriously. “I heard her say it to Daddy,” he whispered like it was a secret.

She covered her laugh with a cough, knowing that there was a vowel that Xavier didn’t know about that could change the meaning of the word. Tara looked up at her, confusion in her eyes. “But you like ducks, Miss Honey. We feed them at the park, remember?!”

She snickered once more and shook her head. “Alright, it’s time for bed, my little ducklings,” she said and kissed Tara’s sweet, little face twenty or so times. Then she tickled Xavier who was much too old for being tickled by his nanny but let her do it anyway. She kissed his sweet, little face twenty or so times as well and scooped him into her arms. “Kiss your sister,” she ordered and dangled him above her as Tara nestled against her pillow.

“Night Tara-Bear-ah,” he said and kissed the top of her head.

“Night Xave,” she pulled her teddy bear close to her (almost like she was choking it and closed her eyes. As soon as she flicked the light switch off, the nightlight turned on. Then she moved across the hall and tucked Xavier into bed tool.

“Can you do the parachute tonight, Miss Honey?” He asked.

“Oh alright,” she said dramatically, but of course she would. Because her bedtime routine with the sweet little ones were numbered and she would miss them so much. She was almost certain she wouldn’t continue nannying. It was breaking her heart too much. Xavier smiled, delight in his eyes and across his lips. She lifted his blankets and sheets over him and smiled. “Ready?” She asked crouching a little. He nodded and kicked his feet in excitement. “Okay… three… two… one!” She whispered and launched the blankets above him. He giggled as they settled back over him, and she did it two more times before tucking him in. “Night, Xavier,” she kissed his forehead.

“Night Miss Honey. I love you,” he murmured sleepily. She flicked the light off, the nightlight turned on, and she closed his door and headed for the living room to clean up the fort they made earlier.

As she headed to clean the kitchen and make herself a cup of tea before bed, Hannah came home late from her day at work. “Hey,” she smiled. “You’re a goddamn angel, you know that?” She sighed looking at the food on the counter, ready to be put away or eaten depending on the mood of Hannah and Pete. “Pete would leave me for you, I think,” she popped open the Tupperware and put it into the microwave immediately.

She shook her head, ignoring the silliness of her sweet boss. “Xavier heard you call Cody a duck,” she said with a snicker.

“Whoops,” she laughed. “Don’t tell Pete.”

“Don’t tell Pete what?” The man in questioned entered quickly from the other entrance of the house. “Hello, my love,” he said dreamily in her direction. “Hannah,” he nodded like the love his life was a mere business partner and nothing more.

She snorted, shook her head, and ignored him. Pete kissed Hannah on the side of the head and grabbed glasses from the cabinet to pour drinks for them—juice, because it was bedtime (and Pete really liked the apple juice she bought the kids when she did the grocery shopping).

“That Cody is a duck,” Hannah continued.

“No way, ducks are cute,” Pete shook his head. “We would never call Cody a duck.”

“They can be aggressive,” she amended softly.

“They also have small, corkscrew shaped penises,” Hannah laughed like a teenager.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Pete sighed and held her hand while he sipped his glass of juice.

God, she would miss them. She should just move with them. They offered many times. They didn’t even ask if the kids were okay. They knew they were under her care. After eating, they would head up to kiss their sleeping figures goodnight and tomorrow they would spend the day together doing family things. “Hey, Miss Honey,” Hannah said seriously. “Mitch and Sarah have a friend. Real tragic story if you want to look it up. Harry Styles. The mother of his child passed away in a car accident. The baby is hardly a month old. He’s scrambling and… I don’t know…” she frowned, her eyes automatically welling with tears. “I know I told Pete we were just going to pack you in a box and kidnap you across the country…” she rolled her eyes but smiled despite her words. “But we think Harry and Cece might need some honey in their life. I know you thought about not nannying, but I also know you won’t be able to leave that little one’s side if you meet her,” she said knowingly.

“We’ll give you glowing recommendations,” Pete took a bite of the food Hannah reheated. She glared at him and pulled her Tupperware across the counter away from him. He rolled his eyes and grabbed his own to reheat next. “The kids will want to write one too.”

She swallowed. She didn’t want to nanny anymore. It just led to heartbreak one way or another.

But Harry and Cece did sound like they needed her help.

“I know he’s doing interviews next week, you don’t have to say yes right now if you don’t want to. Think about it, and if you want to let us know if you’re interested. Then we’ll make sure he knows you’re the only one he should interview.”

*

*present*

“Come on, pretty baby, you can do it!” She grinned encouragingly. She held her hands out for Cece to head toward.

“Go see Mama,” he whispered holding his two index fingers out for Cece to hang onto while she toddled toward the prettiest woman in the world, unsteadily. Miss Honey was sitting on the floor; legs outstretched while Harry stood just a few feet in front of her. They were having a little shindig in the middle of the company floor. His employees watched excitedly for Cece’s big first steps. “C’mon, Ce, I know y’want to,” he encouraged letting her hands fall from his fingers. “You’re so close,” he reminded her. “Don’t y’want t’give Mama a big hug?” He chuckled.

She stood still and took a wobbly step forward. “That’s it sweet girl,” she cooed.

“Mama!” She laughed and covered her hands over her mouth. She giggled in response.

“I know, this is so silly, huh?” She asked.

Harry couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like his face was going to break in half. It should have been illegal to be this happy. He had it all. How was that possible? After all that he had gone through. Niall was standing behind her, his phone propped up in front of him so he could capture the moment for them.

Cece fell back on her bum and pouted but didn’t cry. She waited for everyone to react but of course Miss Honey took the lead. “Aw did we tumble a little?” She moved to a slightly crouched position and then dramatically fell back on her butt. “Did we fall on our bum?” Cece giggled some more. So did Harry. Because Cece was perfect, cute, and simply an adorable almost one-year-old. But the love of his life was something so much more—so unbelievably sweet, pretty, and so perfect it was unimaginable that he lived this long without her.

He couldn’t believe that he deserved her. Couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Chloe was right; she was out there, and she was now right here.

Harry scooped up the baby and stood her on her wobbly feet. “Alright baby girl,” he encouraged. “Go get Mama,” he nudged her very gently. “C’mon, go see Mama Cece,” he knelt behind her and steadied her before she started to propel herself forward unsteadily but was nonetheless walking.

“Yes!” She clapped. “Come to Mama, baby,” she held her arms out.

“Nice job, princess!” Niall said encouragingly as well.

Cece rocked in every direction but was decisively walking forward. “Great job, sweetheart,” Harry said from behind her. Then Cece flopped into her arms where she received no less than a million kisses.

“Yay, Cece!” She cheered and helped Cece clap her hands while everyone watching applauded alongside her and cooed in awe of the pretty little baby.

“Dada!” she giggled and covered her face.

“I know Daddy makes me blush too,” she whispered loud enough that Harry could hear.

And Niall. “Jesus, I’m recording this for your families,” Niall muttered.

“Oh shh,” she hushed Niall and rolled her eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes too, but she knew how she did something to him when she said Daddy. “Go get Dada,” she encouraged and propped Cece up to walk back the couple steps she just took to Harry’s arms again.

When she landed safely in Harry’s arms, he was struck by how unbelievably lucky he was once more. He kissed the top of Cece’s soft hair. “Chloe is so proud of you too,” he murmured quietly. He wasn’t sure how he would explain her birth mum to her just yet, nor what they would call her, but she was still too little to know anyone but the woman smiling at her like she was truly her own mother. There was still time to figure it out, and for now, Chloe would suffice.

Harry scooped her up and Niall helped his other favorite girl stand up. Cece reached out for her once more and nuzzled into her collarbone. “Nice job, Dada,” she grinned. Harry smirked, kissed her temple, and rubbed the back of Cece’s head.

“Thanks Mama, you too.”

“No more getting older now, though,” she lifted Cece up above her head. “Okay? Little cute toddler and that’s it,” she bumped her nose against Cece’s and the little one giggled. She brought her back to her body and held her close.

“Maybe Cece should have a sibling,” Niall shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows in Harry’s direction.

“Christ, Niall,” Harry rolled his eyes. “Private much?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry Uncle Niall, we don’t want you spoiling one baby.”

“You’ll always be my favorite niece,” he pulled Cece from her arms and the little one giggled. She of course didn’t understand that Uncle Niall was being ridiculous and would love any and all future nieces and nephews equally, but she would take his undivided attention any day of the week. He held her hand and walked along the length of the hall toward the breakroom so they could get one of her snacks and bottles.

“You want t’have a baby?” Harry asked a little incredulously.

“Well, yeah. But when you’re ready,” she shrugged. “I’m not in a rush. I love this one,” she nodded toward Cece returning with Niall. She had the bottle propped in her hand and wobbled even more as she tried to multitask. “You went through a lot with her. I can wait… I would want them to be a little close in age. I think it’s—”

Harry pulled her close and kissed the top of her head interrupting her thought. He squeezed her tight  to his side. Then he bent to press his lips next to her ear. “Jus’ say the word, kitten. Uncle Niall can babysit,” he offered. “We can go make her a sibling right now.”

She laughed. “No, Cece needs a little more time to have Daddy all to herself.”

“Stop saying Daddy if y’don’t want Niall t’babysit right now,” he muttered.

She smiled and tucked herself further into Harry’s embrace.

“Hi Miss Honey!” Stephen called.

Harry groaned loudly. “Leave her alone, Stephen,” Harry grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. “Hi Stephen,” she laughed. “How are you?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

She shook her head. Harry tightened his hold on her. Glared at his main secretary. “Why don’t I fire you, again?”

“We love Stephen,” she reminded Harry softly.

“I knew she loved me.”

“Shut. Up.”

It was all very harmless. Especially after the first day Stephen met her. But the man loved to flirt against all better judgment. Even in front of Harry. “Bye Stephen,” she snickered. “Hope you’re still around by tomorrow.”

“Bye Miss Honey,” he sang and headed back for his desk.

“You don’t really love him, right?” Harry asked with a frown.

“No, you silly goose. Not the way I love you.”

He smiled proudly. “Niall, y’have Cece for a bit? Want t’take my pretty girlfriend t’lunch,” he was already wandering down the hall.

“All good here,” Niall said.

They didn’t say bye to Cece because it was easier to keep her from crying over her newfound separation anxiety that came prepackaged with an almost one-year-old. “Where are we going to lunch?” She asked on the elevator to the parking garage.

He shrugged. “The hotel down the street? Or back home? The car?” He smirked.

“Harry Styles!” She gasped.

“S’jus’ practicing, kitten. Gotta make sure we’re ready t’make another really pretty baby.”

“If she’s half yours she’ll be gorgeous, obviously.”

“Another she y’want?” He smirked, squeezed her hand.

“Oh,” she blushed. “I mean I don’t care either way. I think I’m good with Cece.”

He stared at her knowing full and well that Tucker ran through her mind and all the hurt she experienced once with a little boy in her life. “You’re fantastic with Cece. But y’would be a great boy mom too, y’know that,” he reminded her and kissed her hand. Then he returned to his previous train of thought with a grin. “I’ve been reading some old wives’ tales ‘bout positions t’conceive a boy,” he said suggestively. They reached the bottom floor and headed for his car.

“Oh?” She snorted. “Have you?” But her cheeks felt warm, imagining what kind of fun he had in store for her. A little boy would be incredible.

“Mhmm. I’ll show you when we get t’lunch,” he winked. “We can do the positions for a girl too. M’very comfortable with either,” he had this carefree, love of life, happiness in his voice, all over his face. She was in love with him. So very much.

“I love you,” she laughed.

“I love you too, Miss Honey.”

--

general taglist: @justlemmeadoreyou @daydreamingofmatilda @loving-hazz @likeapplejuicenpeach

@straightontilmornin @freedomfireflies @littlenatilda @kathb59 @babegoals

@angel-upon @lilfreakjez @mleestiles @ameliaalvarez06 @canyonmoondreams

@summertime-pills @daphnesutton @l4rrysh0use @perfectywrong @foreverxholland

@lovrave @st-ev-ie @pandeebearstyles @toosarcastic03 @luvonstyles

@tenaciousperfectionunknown @classychalamet @love-letters-to-uranus @emmaawbr @crossyourpeter

@kissitnhekitchen @indierockgirrl @stylesfever @just-another-reader1098 @michellekstyles

@hermionelove @tiredinwinter @whimsy-willows @hannah9921 @fangirl7060

@vikiii07 @prettygurl-2009 @mads3502 @triski73 @angeldavis777

@dontforgtme @lizsogolden @me-undiscovered @you-sunshine @rose-girls-world

@claimingharrystigertattoo @inlikea-coolway @theseaview @lunaharrygurl @emmie2308 @fruity-harry @somebunnybaby @avas-daniel @mema10 @tulips4harry @spinninc @sassamanda77 @ell0ra-br3kk3r @mp-269 @jmp1494 @fangirl509east @sideboobrry11 @drewrry @dutchtheatrelore @copiastricycle @mypolicemanharryyy @harry2121 @inharryshelter @fandomxo @sarah-thatstings-ann @yourlocalstilinski-valdez @hsandts4l @izzyjay @kaylasficreca @stylesftcher @mikayloves1d @harysgoldenhome @vaseoftulips @ilovezaynmalik08 @osorto

I'm sorry if I missed anyone in the taglist. Please let me know if you'd like to join, if it didn't work, if you no longer want to be included, etc. :)

If you like this, check out my masterlist here

[1d1195]

like how

[1d1195]

honey extra2: “Plus, Harry was pretty untrusting by nature, especially in the.” —- there’s something missing at the end of this sentence I think 🚕

Oops 🤭 All fixed!

xoxo

[1d1195]

Honey - Extra II

Read Honey here | ~4.1k words

From me/Warnings: almost entirely fluffy. A little angsty but you all know where it's going. Also like a little bit of a daddy kink. I thought someone requested it but maybe I dreamt that. If you requested it please lmk so I can give you proper recognition for helping out so much 😍

Summary: “Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

*Before*

Chloe sprawled on Harry’s sofa rubbing her stomach while she watched TV. He just returned home from a long day at the office. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his bag, and sighed. The house was a bit of a mess since Chloe started living with him full-time. He would get used to it, he decided. It was a small price to pay when she was carrying his child.

“Hey Chlo,” he called and headed to the kitchen to grab a protein drink he had stocked for such a scenario. Then he made his way to the living room, leaned over the back of the couch, and kissed the top of her head.

“Hiya,” she grinned. “Come here, you can feel her kick!” she said excitedly.

Harry smirked, sat beside the sofa and rubbed her stomach. Little flutters moved under his hand as he did. Instantly, his smile grew across his face. It felt like his cheeks were going to burst. “Hi sweet girl,” he hummed. The fluttering grew and Chloe snickered.

“She is going to be such a Daddy’s girl,” she said knowingly. “Swear she can hear when you’re coming home. The kicks get a lot faster.”

“Good,” he nodded with a proud smile. His relationship status wasn’t what he hoped it would be at this stage of his life—about to be a father to a baby girl. Harry also thought that meant he was going to have the most perfect daughter.

“Heads up, I have a date tonight,” she said. “So, you don’t have to order extra food or anything for me.”

He felt a crack in his heart. He knew he wasn’t meant for Chloe romantically and that was fine. He loved her platonically. Co-parentally. But it did make him uneasy to have her go off and take his daughter with her. He understood and trusted her completely. She knew what she was doing and was more than willing to call Harry at any sign of trouble. But the physical distance between his unborn little one and himself made him so sad for the hours she was gone.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. He was grateful for it all, nonetheless. Glad that Chloe was going to be his partner in crime, but he wanted love and romance. Wanted to come home to his favorite people and love them hard like he always dreamed of for so very long.

But Harry didn’t love anyone but his baby, his company, and his family. That’s how it had always been since he started the company. He didn’t see how that was going to change or get any easier in the romance department since he would soon have a little baby to tote around, too

“What’s the matter?” Chloe’s voice was full of suspicion as she stared at him.

“Nothing why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I know you, Harry. I can see you’re upset about something.”

He shrugged. They were close. Had to be, because they were about to embark upon a lifelong commitment to one another. But it just wasn’t the kind that Harry expected. He continued rubbing his hand over the swell of her stomach, grateful for a good relationship with Chloe. He could only imagine how much harder this would have been if they weren’t friends. “Jus’… wish I could do the whole dating thing.”

She scoffed and unattractively rolled to a seated position on the couch—but it took serious effort and balance. It was hard to do just about anything with a watermelon attached to her. “For Christ’s sake Harry. You’re like the hottest man I’ve ever met and you’re rich to boot. And you’re somehow not an asshole. That’s an absolute lethal combination. Soon enough you’ll have a baby in tow. Women are going to throw themselves at you. Pick one,” she rolled her eyes. Harry helped her stand and steadied her before she made her way down the hall.

Harry sighed, followed after her. It wasn’t quite like talking to Niall, but it was nice to have the female perspective that he couldn’t offer. Harry just didn’t believe it would be that easy. Plus, Harry was pretty untrusting by nature, especially since he had his company--and ergo a lot more money. There was enough heartbreak in his relationships to last him a lifetime. Chloe was the exception—and perhaps only because he knew there was no future other than the one where they raised their daughter together.

“S’not that simple,” he mumbled.

“It really, really is,” she disagreed. She left the bathroom door open while she fixed her hair and makeup. Harry leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

“I’ve been with women who only want me for my money.”

“Well, yeah. That’s shitty. I get that,” she nodded sympathetically. “But I’m positive there is a girl out there for you who will love you for you, Harry. You’re a great guy,” she smiled. “But if I didn’t have a kid with you, I wouldn’t be living with you. Your inner-interior design is nothing like mine.”

“Classy?” He deadpanned.

“He’s funny too, ladies. Single file,” she murmured to a fake audience in the mirror, using her curling iron as a microphone.

He rolled his eyes. “Why couldn’t y’jus’ be normal,” he grumbled.

“That’s what you get for a one-night-stand,” she giggled. “Can you get the back for me?” She asked.

He took the wand from her and carefully wrapped strands of hair around the iron. He was used to it, helping Gemma get ready when he was young. Eventually, he hypothesized, he would be helping the little one get ready too. So it was good practice.

Harry sighed heavily anyway. She had a point. It was supposed to be easy and simple. He was supposed to find a girl who loved him for all the right reasons, and they would click. Instantly. Not just the way he and Chloe clicked either. A connection and adoration that would make him really feel loved. Someone he was willing to do anything for, because it felt wrong to do otherwise.

“What if she doesn’t love our kid?” He asked. There were so many ways a relationship could go wrong when he had a little girl. She could not like kids. Not understand feeding schedules. If it wasn’t her baby, she could feel like second place. Harry wasn’t sure he could explain that the little one was always going to come first.

How was he supposed to find someone that would love his daughter as much as he did?

“Then I’ll kick her ass,” Chloe shrugged casually. He snorted.

“Didn’t know that was part of the co-parenting manual.”

“Ass-kicking? Major part. Especially with a little girl on the way,” she reminded him.

“Well, I knew that part.”

There wasn’t a world in which Harry wasn’t going to protect the little one with everything in him. No one would ever get close to her if he had any say in the matter. He would do anything and everything to keep her safe.

He just hoped he would find someone willing to do the same for her.

“She’s out there, Harry,” Chloe said softly. Her smile was so kind and lovely. Harry hoped the little one had one just like hers. “I’m sure of it.”

*

“Miss Honey, how come we have to move?” Xavier sounded completely dejected. Tara was snuggled close to her in the bed on the other side. Xavier was just starting to be old enough that he thought was too cool for snuggles.

At least in front of other people.

When she guided them to bed and Xavier watched his younger sister get special hugs, kisses, and snuggles, he felt a little jealous. So instead, when she tucked his little sister into bed just across the hall from his room, Xavier begged to be part of their snuggling session. Of course, she couldn’t say no. Thus, the three of them were nestled in Tara’s too small bed for an adult, a five- and eight-year-old.

“Why can’t you come with us, Miss Honey?” Tara asked on one side of her body. Tears welled in her wide little eyes. Soothingly, she smoothed down her hair softly with her fingers.

“I wish I could, my love. But… you know how I make sure there’s no monsters in here before bed?” She asked Tara. She nodded. It was part of their bedtime ritual to check the perimeter of her room for monsters as well as in the closet and under the bed. “And make sure there’s no crust on your PB and J?” She said toward Xavier. He nodded as well then tucked himself a little further into her side. She kissed the top of his head as well. “There are some little babes out there that don’t have,” she explained. “And as much as I would love to glue you guys to me,” she giggled and squeezed them extra tight to her. “I have to stay here,” her voice was gentle as she explained. What she didn’t tell them: it was a real possibility she wouldn’t nanny ever again. “But I bet Mommy and Daddy are going to find you someone even better than me to play with you guys.”

“I don’t think anyone is better than you, Miss Honey,” Tara mumbled sadly.

She was not going to think about Tucker. If she thought about Tucker, she would cry. She loved Xavier and Tara with her entire soul and would do anything for them. But goodbyes would be easier now.

“Miss Honey?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I marry you?” his voice shy and sweet. He was eight and couldn’t like girls. But Miss Honey had to be the exception.

She giggled, kissed the top of his head. “Sure buddy, when you’re older.”

Her heart ached knowing that she would merely be a faint memory for him in just a few months’ time. It would be even worse for Tara. It broke her heart that she would love them forever, but they might not remember all the fun and sweet memories the way she cherished them. For them, this was a blip in their childhoods. Two years of fun, stories, laughs, and a lot of cookies in living room forts.

“Couldn’t you just move with us too? How come you had to move in with us anyway?” Tara asked suddenly.

“Aw, you don’t you like having me around more?” She pretended to frown.

Tara giggled and shook her head, making her smile once more. “No, silly goose!”

“Mommy said it’s because Cody was a duck,” Xavier said seriously. “I heard her say it to Daddy,” he whispered like it was a secret.

She covered her laugh with a cough, knowing that there was a vowel that Xavier didn’t know about that could change the meaning of the word. Tara looked up at her, confusion in her eyes. “But you like ducks, Miss Honey. We feed them at the park, remember?!”

She snickered once more and shook her head. “Alright, it’s time for bed, my little ducklings,” she said and kissed Tara’s sweet, little face twenty or so times. Then she tickled Xavier who was much too old for being tickled by his nanny but let her do it anyway. She kissed his sweet, little face twenty or so times as well and scooped him into her arms. “Kiss your sister,” she ordered and dangled him above her as Tara nestled against her pillow.

“Night Tara-Bear-ah,” he said and kissed the top of her head.

“Night Xave,” she pulled her teddy bear close to her (almost like she was choking it and closed her eyes. As soon as she flicked the light switch off, the nightlight turned on. Then she moved across the hall and tucked Xavier into bed tool.

“Can you do the parachute tonight, Miss Honey?” He asked.

“Oh alright,” she said dramatically, but of course she would. Because her bedtime routine with the sweet little ones were numbered and she would miss them so much. She was almost certain she wouldn’t continue nannying. It was breaking her heart too much. Xavier smiled, delight in his eyes and across his lips. She lifted his blankets and sheets over him and smiled. “Ready?” She asked crouching a little. He nodded and kicked his feet in excitement. “Okay… three… two… one!” She whispered and launched the blankets above him. He giggled as they settled back over him, and she did it two more times before tucking him in. “Night, Xavier,” she kissed his forehead.

“Night Miss Honey. I love you,” he murmured sleepily. She flicked the light off, the nightlight turned on, and she closed his door and headed for the living room to clean up the fort they made earlier.

As she headed to clean the kitchen and make herself a cup of tea before bed, Hannah came home late from her day at work. “Hey,” she smiled. “You’re a goddamn angel, you know that?” She sighed looking at the food on the counter, ready to be put away or eaten depending on the mood of Hannah and Pete. “Pete would leave me for you, I think,” she popped open the Tupperware and put it into the microwave immediately.

She shook her head, ignoring the silliness of her sweet boss. “Xavier heard you call Cody a duck,” she said with a snicker.

“Whoops,” she laughed. “Don’t tell Pete.”

“Don’t tell Pete what?” The man in questioned entered quickly from the other entrance of the house. “Hello, my love,” he said dreamily in her direction. “Hannah,” he nodded like the love his life was a mere business partner and nothing more.

She snorted, shook her head, and ignored him. Pete kissed Hannah on the side of the head and grabbed glasses from the cabinet to pour drinks for them—juice, because it was bedtime (and Pete really liked the apple juice she bought the kids when she did the grocery shopping).

“That Cody is a duck,” Hannah continued.

“No way, ducks are cute,” Pete shook his head. “We would never call Cody a duck.”

“They can be aggressive,” she amended softly.

“They also have small, corkscrew shaped penises,” Hannah laughed like a teenager.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Pete sighed and held her hand while he sipped his glass of juice.

God, she would miss them. She should just move with them. They offered many times. They didn’t even ask if the kids were okay. They knew they were under her care. After eating, they would head up to kiss their sleeping figures goodnight and tomorrow they would spend the day together doing family things. “Hey, Miss Honey,” Hannah said seriously. “Mitch and Sarah have a friend. Real tragic story if you want to look it up. Harry Styles. The mother of his child passed away in a car accident. The baby is hardly a month old. He’s scrambling and… I don’t know…” she frowned, her eyes automatically welling with tears. “I know I told Pete we were just going to pack you in a box and kidnap you across the country…” she rolled her eyes but smiled despite her words. “But we think Harry and Cece might need some honey in their life. I know you thought about not nannying, but I also know you won’t be able to leave that little one’s side if you meet her,” she said knowingly.

“We’ll give you glowing recommendations,” Pete took a bite of the food Hannah reheated. She glared at him and pulled her Tupperware across the counter away from him. He rolled his eyes and grabbed his own to reheat next. “The kids will want to write one too.”

She swallowed. She didn’t want to nanny anymore. It just led to heartbreak one way or another.

But Harry and Cece did sound like they needed her help.

“I know he’s doing interviews next week, you don’t have to say yes right now if you don’t want to. Think about it, and if you want to let us know if you’re interested. Then we’ll make sure he knows you’re the only one he should interview.”

*

*present*

“Come on, pretty baby, you can do it!” She grinned encouragingly. She held her hands out for Cece to head toward.

“Go see Mama,” he whispered holding his two index fingers out for Cece to hang onto while she toddled toward the prettiest woman in the world, unsteadily. Miss Honey was sitting on the floor; legs outstretched while Harry stood just a few feet in front of her. They were having a little shindig in the middle of the company floor. His employees watched excitedly for Cece’s big first steps. “C’mon, Ce, I know y’want to,” he encouraged letting her hands fall from his fingers. “You’re so close,” he reminded her. “Don’t y’want t’give Mama a big hug?” He chuckled.

She stood still and took a wobbly step forward. “That’s it sweet girl,” she cooed.

“Mama!” She laughed and covered her hands over her mouth. She giggled in response.

“I know, this is so silly, huh?” She asked.

Harry couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like his face was going to break in half. It should have been illegal to be this happy. He had it all. How was that possible? After all that he had gone through. Niall was standing behind her, his phone propped up in front of him so he could capture the moment for them.

Cece fell back on her bum and pouted but didn’t cry. She waited for everyone to react but of course Miss Honey took the lead. “Aw did we tumble a little?” She moved to a slightly crouched position and then dramatically fell back on her butt. “Did we fall on our bum?” Cece giggled some more. So did Harry. Because Cece was perfect, cute, and simply an adorable almost one-year-old. But the love of his life was something so much more—so unbelievably sweet, pretty, and so perfect it was unimaginable that he lived this long without her.

He couldn’t believe that he deserved her. Couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Chloe was right; she was out there, and she was now right here.

Harry scooped up the baby and stood her on her wobbly feet. “Alright baby girl,” he encouraged. “Go get Mama,” he nudged her very gently. “C’mon, go see Mama Cece,” he knelt behind her and steadied her before she started to propel herself forward unsteadily but was nonetheless walking.

“Yes!” She clapped. “Come to Mama, baby,” she held her arms out.

“Nice job, princess!” Niall said encouragingly as well.

Cece rocked in every direction but was decisively walking forward. “Great job, sweetheart,” Harry said from behind her. Then Cece flopped into her arms where she received no less than a million kisses.

“Yay, Cece!” She cheered and helped Cece clap her hands while everyone watching applauded alongside her and cooed in awe of the pretty little baby.

“Dada!” she giggled and covered her face.

“I know Daddy makes me blush too,” she whispered loud enough that Harry could hear.

And Niall. “Jesus, I’m recording this for your families,” Niall muttered.

“Oh shh,” she hushed Niall and rolled her eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes too, but she knew how she did something to him when she said Daddy. “Go get Dada,” she encouraged and propped Cece up to walk back the couple steps she just took to Harry’s arms again.

When she landed safely in Harry’s arms, he was struck by how unbelievably lucky he was once more. He kissed the top of Cece’s soft hair. “Chloe is so proud of you too,” he murmured quietly. He wasn’t sure how he would explain her birth mum to her just yet, nor what they would call her, but she was still too little to know anyone but the woman smiling at her like she was truly her own mother. There was still time to figure it out, and for now, Chloe would suffice.

Harry scooped her up and Niall helped his other favorite girl stand up. Cece reached out for her once more and nuzzled into her collarbone. “Nice job, Dada,” she grinned. Harry smirked, kissed her temple, and rubbed the back of Cece’s head.

“Thanks Mama, you too.”

“No more getting older now, though,” she lifted Cece up above her head. “Okay? Little cute toddler and that’s it,” she bumped her nose against Cece’s and the little one giggled. She brought her back to her body and held her close.

“Maybe Cece should have a sibling,” Niall shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows in Harry’s direction.

“Christ, Niall,” Harry rolled his eyes. “Private much?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry Uncle Niall, we don’t want you spoiling one baby.”

“You’ll always be my favorite niece,” he pulled Cece from her arms and the little one giggled. She of course didn’t understand that Uncle Niall was being ridiculous and would love any and all future nieces and nephews equally, but she would take his undivided attention any day of the week. He held her hand and walked along the length of the hall toward the breakroom so they could get one of her snacks and bottles.

“You want t’have a baby?” Harry asked a little incredulously.

“Well, yeah. But when you’re ready,” she shrugged. “I’m not in a rush. I love this one,” she nodded toward Cece returning with Niall. She had the bottle propped in her hand and wobbled even more as she tried to multitask. “You went through a lot with her. I can wait… I would want them to be a little close in age. I think it’s—”

Harry pulled her close and kissed the top of her head interrupting her thought. He squeezed her tight  to his side. Then he bent to press his lips next to her ear. “Jus’ say the word, kitten. Uncle Niall can babysit,” he offered. “We can go make her a sibling right now.”

She laughed. “No, Cece needs a little more time to have Daddy all to herself.”

“Stop saying Daddy if y’don’t want Niall t’babysit right now,” he muttered.

She smiled and tucked herself further into Harry’s embrace.

“Hi Miss Honey!” Stephen called.

Harry groaned loudly. “Leave her alone, Stephen,” Harry grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. “Hi Stephen,” she laughed. “How are you?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

She shook her head. Harry tightened his hold on her. Glared at his main secretary. “Why don’t I fire you, again?”

“We love Stephen,” she reminded Harry softly.

“I knew she loved me.”

“Shut. Up.”

It was all very harmless. Especially after the first day Stephen met her. But the man loved to flirt against all better judgment. Even in front of Harry. “Bye Stephen,” she snickered. “Hope you’re still around by tomorrow.”

“Bye Miss Honey,” he sang and headed back for his desk.

“You don’t really love him, right?” Harry asked with a frown.

“No, you silly goose. Not the way I love you.”

He smiled proudly. “Niall, y’have Cece for a bit? Want t’take my pretty girlfriend t’lunch,” he was already wandering down the hall.

“All good here,” Niall said.

They didn’t say bye to Cece because it was easier to keep her from crying over her newfound separation anxiety that came prepackaged with an almost one-year-old. “Where are we going to lunch?” She asked on the elevator to the parking garage.

He shrugged. “The hotel down the street? Or back home? The car?” He smirked.

“Harry Styles!” She gasped.

“S’jus’ practicing, kitten. Gotta make sure we’re ready t’make another really pretty baby.”

“If she’s half yours she’ll be gorgeous, obviously.”

“Another she y’want?” He smirked, squeezed her hand.

“Oh,” she blushed. “I mean I don’t care either way. I think I’m good with Cece.”

He stared at her knowing full and well that Tucker ran through her mind and all the hurt she experienced once with a little boy in her life. “You’re fantastic with Cece. But y’would be a great boy mom too, y’know that,” he reminded her and kissed her hand. Then he returned to his previous train of thought with a grin. “I’ve been reading some old wives’ tales ‘bout positions t’conceive a boy,” he said suggestively. They reached the bottom floor and headed for his car.

“Oh?” She snorted. “Have you?” But her cheeks felt warm, imagining what kind of fun he had in store for her. A little boy would be incredible.

“Mhmm. I’ll show you when we get t’lunch,” he winked. “We can do the positions for a girl too. M’very comfortable with either,” he had this carefree, love of life, happiness in his voice, all over his face. She was in love with him. So very much.

“I love you,” she laughed.

“I love you too, Miss Honey.”

--

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[1d1195]

Happy Monday (ugh) I hope you had a good weekend? Boston girl here. I finished a book that was ok but then the ending was shit, like it didn't really have one? It just kind of ended. And it pissed me off bc it was a well-reviewed book! So much more talent here on Tumblr tbh. I'd love to have some of your stories bound on my shelf 📚

It's been gorgeous where I am the whole last week and now it's going to get really hot again 😭 I hate humidity- feels like I can't breathe (and we won't even talk about what it does to my hair 😑).

I am drinking my morning ☕️ and wondering if you'll be posting anything today?

I had a pretty good weekend overall. I was bit on the ill side but it seems to have been a 24-hour bug so not a whole waste. I finished my book and fortunately this one had a delightful ending 💕 I’m sorry about your book! That’s so dissatisfying! I hope your next one is MUCH better and more what you’re looking for!

Having my stories bound 😭 I could cry that’s so so sweet. This is one of the nicest compliments I get and I’m overwhelmed when it happens. Thank you so so much

You don’t have to explain heat and humidity to me. It’s a constant argument among my bf and I than I’m allergic to heat (he says it’s not possible, but I don’t get a rash in the winter now do I? Sounds like an allergy to me)

Anyway! I am not looking forward to the humidity either. Hopefully it will go over quick.

I am still working on my morning coffee and have a few chores to do this morning. We have a Honey update today! I think it’s posting a little before 3 but I don’t remember exactly. It’s pretty cute if I do say so myself 🥰 hope you’ll like it!

Thanks for checking in, I hope your weekend was good and your week is looking good too!

Xoxo