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[candygoldenhaz]

A white house with a picket fence:

*MerylStone is a made up town in Vermont, Woodstock*

The sky skirted itself on the horizon of nightfall, emitting glints of stars; beaming like mood lights wrapped around the headboard of a teenage bedroom. Even the mellowness of nature, couldn't halt the clamorous roars of the incessant debate over your son, Lincoln's curfew. "Lincoln, for the last time! You're only 18 years old! You don't need a midnight curfew." Harry shouted from across the couch. Lincoln huffed and stormed to his bedroom without saying another declaration. Harry plopped down, hands smacking into his face, his breath huffy and shaky.

The faded ghosts of your husband's slipper marks bored a loud tense firmament throughout the living room.

"Why do kids think once they're 18, they're adults?" He sighed, "Don't they know how hard it is out there?" You swallowed gasps of breaths that you always held inside like gas in a balloon during tense engagements; something that you've learned in your youth. You squished next to Harry on the couch; almost on cue, started rubbing his shoulders and back. "He'll come around honey....it just takes time." 

"Yeah, well too much," A gulp escaped Harry's throat, "What's out there that we can't give here? I mean....we gave him so much freedom...what is it that he wants?" Even you had to shrug to that. "I don't know. Maybe he sees his friends with their own apartments, going to college, being away from their parents and...." You stopped yourself. "What, you think he's tired of us?" Harry's voice sprung more hostility than he wanted. "I think he just needs some space." A correction to your first thought is what Harry wanted to hear in this moment.

You didn't want the thought to echo in your head for too long; Lincoln has his own job, money, he just saved up and bought a car and not to mention the legal status of his age had given him a birthright advantage.

It petrified you and you knew it did Harry as well; just the inkling of Lincoln's moving away from home, your only child stuck something unpleasant in you. All the time, energy, emotion and love that you invested into your best investment would now crave something more than the walls of his juvenile home; something better, better relationships, ones he would devote endless time to. Not even batting an eyelash to his parents, but to the friends who could only show him desire vs the worldly wisdom from his parents. The realization was gut wrenching in itself but the duplicitous fantasy that this was all stemmed for parental love ate away at the truth. 

You knew deep down, what haunted your thoughts, what made your blood run cold was the idea of Lincoln forgetting you and Harry; other relationships would cloud his mind, leaving nothing but hollow postcards of updates from his life. Picturing the unruffled but customarily greeting written in black cursive ink, with only a memo of his life so far with a picture flipped to the back of an older version of your son, black sweater, coffee cup, kids curling on his lap, wife positioned only slightly above his shoulders, would highlight a missing piece of his life; once forgotten and discarded like old news clippings with no purpose.

Little did you know, Lincoln had been listening to the conversation you were having with Harry. The boy's blood boiled, mind caviling at the thought of being chained here the rest of his life. Like a house arrest without an official seal of proof. Chafing at the lack of support for his own liberty, but aiding to their own selfish whims gritted Lincoln's teeth. Years of protesting to this very moment, to these years....were finally coming to an end. Tonight, Lincoln would self free from his sentence and he would finally grapple things differently. His foot moved patiently across the hallway, like he was in no hurry to challenge his stone locked mind. He had a car, money and the night to guide him through this plan.

Sitting at his desk was the first things his eyes scanned to. The desk lamp illuminated the circling dust particles that would land invisibly onto the grainy dark maple desk top. Lincoln's eyes stood for a long time at the the second drawer; neighboured bellow the first tall skinny one. It carried his notebooks, packs of pencils and unopened highlighters, varying in every color of yellow, pink, blue, green, orange and purple. He took shy steps towards his chair, carefully pulling on the fringes of it and sitting down in it, adjusting himself to a comfortable writing stature. Lincoln's fingers gripped around a pen, snagging a notebook from a drawer and inched only a few centimeters away from the page. Holding the pen in his thumb and pointer strictly, he wrote out a small introduction.

The sound of his heart beating echoed like a drum throughout the bedroom. Ballpoint making its way across the paper, scattering out years worth of pent up angst. The sudden open of Lincoln's bedroom door reflexed him to crumbling up the paper and shoving it into bin under his desk. An easy investment against walking across the room or slingshotting a paper only to miss and have to pick it up in the first place. "Lincoln.." Harry stuttered on his words, "It's time for bed." His voice, guttural and his eyes scanning the dark room for anything that could spark an argument. But nothing: the bed was made perfectly, the floors were spotless, desk was clear and so was Lincoln's face; calm, relaxed and deadpan. Lincoln gave a simple nod, settling himself up from the desk and walking out in the middle of his bedroom.

He waited till the door closed and Harry's footsteps grew father and father away. Lincoln grabbed his robe, pulling the strings and using it as a clasp for the door by tying one end to the leg of the desk and the other to the doorknob. He tore another piece of paper from his most used orange notebook. It was a study one he had picked out himself, wanting to make the most of its use for his notes on binary and coding. The ballpoint of the pen positioned itself onto the paper before writing a carefully crafted goodbye. The once diluted blossom sky mixed in a orange powder now was a somber cloak of dark maroon blue. Looking out the window were only half appearing house silhouettes and the faded glow of the end corner streetlights. Something Lincoln would rely on once it came to moving fastly out of the driveway.

Sealing the letter on the desk, lying lifelessly, Lincoln now turned his attention to his closet. Grabbing his duffel bag and shoving shirt after shirt, jeans after joggers, sneakers after loafers and even the small accessories; watches, wristbands and rings were all sealed into sandwich bags. The closet was empty. Only a few hangers swayed silently in the shadow on a vacant little rack that held dress shirts, t-shirts with crazy designs of cats and lightning bolts and pants of all types shoved into the little drawers above. 

Next, the hidden piggy bank. It was really a jewelry box his mother gifted him as a purpose of hiding all his action figures. But now filled in it was hundreds of dollars. Maybe even more than that. Lincoln didn't hesitate to shove the rolls of hundreds into little sandwich bags and stuffing his wallet with 500 dollars, sliding it in perfectly as if the wallet had carved out spaces for the thick stacks of paper to be slickly slid in without hesitation. The dust particles zig zagged around as the body of Lincoln was all over his bedroom, gathering every possible and necessary thing to show with him on his journey. His backpack, filled with textbooks and his notebooks from his desk. 

The desk lamp, nick nacks, scissors, pencils, pens, markers, whiteout....everything that had a resemblance to Lincoln being on that desk was now gone. His whole bedroom with exception of his bed, comforters, and the desk and chair itself was empty and hollow. Like Lincoln was never there at all. The cell phone that had a tracker on it- installed by his parents- was now dead. Shoved into the same box where his action figures lied. He had gifted himself a new cell phone, new laptop, new tablet....nothing could make his parents find his empty tracks. There would be none. Only the lingering scent of his presence that now had vanished into the simple mist of air that his fan blew lightly into the mucky humid bedroom.

Lincoln turned off the desk lamp, closed the blinds, untied the door and hung the note in full view on the front door of his former bedroom. As he sighed, Lincoln glanced one last time at the childhood home he once knew and loved before closing his bedroom door quietly and tiptoeing down the stairs. He disarmed the alarm of the house and walked out without so much as a goodbye. The street was tranquil, only the sounds of crickets were heard. As Lincoln's eyes adjusted to the dark, the houses then appeared. The aromatic husky smell of the night sent waves of calm through Lincoln. He kept his feet solid on the pavement, taking quiet yet shattered steps from the walkway of the house, down to the garage where he kept his used dark gray chevy. The keys jingled slightly from opening the car door and then being plugged into the emission.

The sound of the car starting made Lincoln flinch. But nothing. No one woke, nothing but the sound of sleep and hollowness. Slamming the car door, Lincoln pulled from the driveway, swerving his tires to the main road and stepping on the gas, breaking free from the neighborhood. One last look to the house that sat so perfectly, so white, so big and sheek with its flowered bushes and fancy exterior that matched its neighboring houses styles. The hue that once glowed there had now burned out. Exhausted itself into just another house on a fancy road. Mom and Dad's house. Lincoln had already left mentally, but it was his physical appearance that would have to relinquish.

The morning was quiet. Peaceful. Like any other morning for a picket fence home. You were quiet, having already seen Lincoln's 'surprise' on his bedroom door and then opening it to see emptiness broke inside of you. You just didn't show it. You kept it hidden; festering it inside until it could explode at the right time. You let Harry sleep in as you did with keeping the note on the door for him to discover himself. Instead, you busied yourself with the morning dishes, cooking an English breakfast. The voice of the alarm blaring and the creak of the bed grew into a warm patch on the back of your neck that slugged down to your legs and back. It was numbing and heating in a juxtaposition way. You carefully listened to Harry's footsteps trail over to the right: Lincoln's room. The footsteps stopped for a few moments.

"He's reading the note." you thought. The jiggle of Lincoln's doorknob opening and the pattering of Harry's footsteps trailing into his room like a cave with hidden treasures. There was silence. The same one that smothered the clattery of Lincoln's midnight departure. Your face went cold. Eyes dazed and body in a stillness, not knowing the next step of your husband's reaction.

"Looks like the boy held to his promise." Harry thought. You, turning off the stove, setting the pans aside, goose stomped upstairs in jointace with your husband. But his face was just as casual as yours. No matter how hard you tried, the ringing of Lincoln still hung dry in the room. His bed, just perfect the way he left it. Except it was cold, straight...not one wrinkle in between the sheets of covers.

The desk lamp was still bended in its crooked position. Hunched over the desk counter, sitting alongside with the empty cubbies and dead pictures. Pictures that represented milestones in Lincoln's life. The sailboat Harry helped hang up for 3 year old Lincoln, newspaper clippings framed as a decor for his mystery phase of 12 year old Lincoln, 17 year old Lincoln- just a year ago- hung a lion picture. The only picture that was taken along with Lincoln but not the rest. They all stared at the broken pair of you. Like they grew eyes and taunted you like a buzzing fly that wouldn't leave the room no matter what.

The closet was empty. Any signs of Lincoln were dead. Like he never existed in this room. A sudden grown dread ran though you, leaping you from Harry's side and opening the bottom dresser drawer and snatching out the jewelry box. Opening it was the dead cellphone you had gifted him for his 16th birthday. You and Harry- like all the other cellphones you gave your son- had decided that the rule would be no different. It was never discussed with Lincoln, but always just there. Like it was attached to the cellphone when you bought it fresh from the apple store. He never questioned it, but somehow you knew he hated it. But there it was. Dead. Like Lincoln's bedroom. The life that was in it had dissipated with him. It was like a slap in the face. A reality check warning you were you were headed. Now its too late.

Lincoln was gone and god knows where he could be. What could you do? Call the police? Force them to bring a legal adult back home to his Mommy and Daddy? A gap of air went down with your tears. You swallowed them, ate at them and ignored them. But they still came out anyway. Your mascara smudging, traveling down your cheeks like a riverbank. You couldn't turn and face Harry. It would only make him mask more of his pain. A feeling you both hated to admit to yourselves. 

"Well, I'm hungry." Harry walked past you, swishing a rampant of coolness past him. He was so nonchalant and aloof like he had just saw any old car scamper down the street. His son, his child was gone, nowhere to be seen, and this was his reaction. Broad fury infatuated you before dying down at the command of your mind. It just didn't seem like a battle worth fighting for. Walking down the hall now felt ominous and cleft. Like someone had ripped out a chunk of the house and planted a graveyard, burying Lincoln's body in it. Your stomach felt queasy yet empty. The wooden floors were cold and creaky, the stairs felt uneven and crooked like you were walking on floating rocks. The whole house felt dead. Cold, sterile and lifeless. The presence that once filled this house with chroma; giving complexion to the interior of it had bleed itself onto wherever Lincoln was.

Your feet stopped at the door frame of the kitchen. Harry was munching away on the toast that was set in front of him, sipping his coffee, catching up with the lastest on google news. Half of you wanted to slap him so hard that it would ricochet the sense of the matter into him. While the other half wanted to bungle up into his arms and cry copiously, choking on every breathe, gasping on every tear and squeezing some more out while he kissed the tiny stalks of hair on your scalp so deeply that you could feel his pointed lips puckering tightly, pressuring into your skin, whistling into a husky smooch once suctioned off.

But instead, you almost tripped on your own feet walking into the kitchen while Harry barely bat an eye. If he even cared enough to notice at all. 

You turned your concentration towards the sink; eyes focusing on the single drips from the faucet, pulsing a beat on the sink floor with water beads lying all around it. It was the rolling sound your stomach made that made you grab a plate and plop the work of your family breakfast onto it. You sat directly across from Harry, staring down at your plate; bacon, two sunny side up eggs staring back at you, baked beans, fried tomatoes and toast just laying there lifeless onto your plate. Meanwhile, with the slithering glimpses of Harry just munching away at his breakfast like it was just any old morning. Like he had never ever known Lincoln, like he didn't exist was unpalatable in itself. You made it through breakfast barely, but upon stuffing your dishes into the sink, one of them slammed down harder then intended and broke a half of itself off.

Tears flooded your eyes; dropping the broken piece of stoneware into the sink and rushing to the phone. Your fingers, mucky, damp, thick with a bludgeoning adrenaline and fingertips dipped with humidity slowly dialed the numbers of Lincoln's number almost with the same carefulness a prisoner makes in calling the number of his lawyer or attorney. But it was just a hum of static on the other end. You dialed it again, static. Again, static.

No mistakes and no active number. Maybe more carefully. 

"Hello? This is Parestake house, can I get a phone number for your order?" The lady's voice, dry and polite, but rather tired from the same busy rumination of answering with the same motto. But there was no response; hanging up without any apology for the wasting the time of someone completely oblivious to the situation. 

Slamming the phone into its hook and sitting down on the couch to collect thoughts of what would eject Lincoln from this house so quickly, so quietly, yet so prepared. Like this wasn't a random thought....this was something that had been slithering through the depths of this house for a long time. Creeping through the brain of Lincoln for longer than you and Harry were led to believe. You and him both knew where you stood on Lincoln's heavily monitored independence. The words "I'm moving out" would've knocked a bitter drip into you. Like poison medicine in an IV drip. Springs of arguments would've poured out into the house, booming into threats, a fury of words that would have spilled from Harry's mouth and slapping Lincoln in the face with them. He knew that.

So he left quietly and quickly like a mouse of the night just like he wanted. No regrets and no returns.

Lincoln had settled himself nicely into his apartment. The space had been sitting empty for a solid month. The landlord didn't argue with the young and less experienced tenant upon realizing the boy was a lot smarter and prepared than his prejudiced mind had allowed him to comprehend. Lincoln being one of the youngest residents in the building was one of the mildest. Never throwing loud parties, no loud music, complaints didn't exist and above all, just a forgettable neighbor. Accompanying inside his new home was a calm iguana, Orb. Despite not having a couch, dining table or bed yet, Lincoln still made the small space a home; old bedroom pictures hung the walls of his bedroom, and the desk nick nacks were the new decor of the living area.

Taking his money and setting the groups of hundreds down on the table, organizing them into rent, electronics, food, lighting, furniture, and heating for those colds winters. Gas was complimentary of the landlord. Using a blow up mattress, Lincoln still made it up like it was the real thing. After all, he took pride in the freedom he now had. Despite being materially poor.

But that would soon change once Lincoln got his footing. A lot could happen in a years worth of time. 

The blustery blossoms were rattled by the gusts of spring air that circled through the block. The white house sat empty, and you had sat emptier on the bed in your bedroom, watching Harry walk back and forth by you, straightening his tie for work. A voice in you broke; not knowing where it was coming from. "I tried calling Lincoln yesterday..." Your voice drifted to the fireplace, your glance finally turning your head there. Harry stopped for a moment before returning his attention to his tie. "And?" His voice, rasp with that albion accent, but still enriched with some sternness. "He didn't respond," You looked towards the fireplace again, "I think he changed his number in fact."

"He didn't call or text at all? No response from him whatsoever?" Harry questioned. His voice beckoned slight alarm. You shook your head. "Nothing." Harry bit the side of his lip. "Maybe...." Harry looked up to you. You took a deep breath and sighed, swallowing any rising fear because you knew what your husband's reaction would be to such a notion.

"Lincoln is 18...he's almost an adult. Kids leave for college around this age. If he did move somewhere, it was most likely with a friend or someone he trusts?" Even you and Harry couldn't deny that Lincoln was very trustworthy. A good kid, something you both took for granted. Lincoln cared just enough about pleasing his parents. That was it at the the end of the day....pleasing..not worshipping.

You could see Harry's anger through the collar of his shirt. His vein bulged out from his neck, throat pushing down a hard scoop of vile. "Maybe...but we're still calling the police if he doesn't want to respond." You couldn't deny the way Harry said it. He meant it to assert control. Something that he would never get in this situation. "We could...." Your husband turned to you. But you just sent him a shrug. Harry pierced his eyes into you like needles, before shaking his head collecting his suitcase. You swallowed your ideas and watched from the window as Harry's dark cherry red Honda left the garage and drove down the street.

You stumbled back over to the bed, plopping down and fiddled with the silver diamond studded band that held a decent sized diamond on your left hand, ring finger. How embedded it had been into your hand for the past 28 years. How hard it was for you to get it. Woodstock, Vermont. Your hometown, raised by your father in the sleepytown of MerylStone. The rich blanket of green grass that sprouted stalks upon stalks of it over the hills of the countryside, shining and echoing its sunny glow in the inaugural of summer. You remembered it there with some fond memories.

The big brick house on Swiva Street; its white window panes and shutters, the creaky swingset in the backyard, the arenaceous walkway -that was covered over in concrete that one summer- that led right up to the house and the shrubby bushes on either side of the house that your late mother's roses would spring out of every spring. Pa called it "heaven's little gift for taking your Ma." Your father worked as a workshop teacher at the local high school you attended. You had this allure towards books, science, biology. Potential to be something of your own credit. But Pa had his own idea of you; living in the house, baking cookies, feeding the children, catering to a husband freshly picked from the rounds of other 'good country boys' in the town. 

"I'm not sure if biology is a major you can keep up with baby girl," Your causal sideway look eyerolls were a ritual whenever Pa's old fashioned aims vexed you. "Home Ec is more your speed, other girls would love to take this class! What's wrong honey? Don't you wanna learn how to sow a proper dress?" You would learn: by books, demonstrations or something else besides a dainty old class meant for girls. Only girls.

Stuffing the advice, you took the Home Ec classes to save face of your father's job. But college was different. You had your life set in stone; independent from you father's plans. "Yn, you don't need no college education. It's just a waste of money. You just settle yourself down with a nice boy, like Landon Pines only a few blocks up the street. You'll make a lovely housewife and mother...I'm sure of it." The thought of settling in this town is what thrusted your hands faster in packing away your clothes and everything else in between into two large suitcases, two duffle bags and a backpack. "Yn I-"

"Pa....look. I just don't want that for myself right now. Maybe someday in the future, but not now. I wanna be something more than that." And lord knew the backwards town would support a notion like that. How scuffling it was just to learn to drive. Pa lightened up when his heart started weighing him down. Driving him to the hospital quieted him just a little about keeping your 'little fingers' off the wheel. Pa looked into your soft eyes. His hands touching your cheeks, realizing this meant goodbye. Goodbye for good.

You'd much rather prefer the busy nightlife of New York or Boston, California or London. No old dirt or grassy fields. Instead, being replaced with thick walls of buildings that would tower a shadow over the city. From there, it was London. The college you had accepted on first invite. Your last year was when you had met Harry. His adze emerald orbs, Clark Kent curls, deep crater dimples and bunny smile. A financial planning student, locked eyes with you in study hall. Harry's deep reasoning of the world drew you in like bee to a flower. Harry, would invite you into his dorm to 'study'; painting the walls of his first apartment, a honeybee yellow before curling up into his satin navy blue sheets. And even after graduation, Harry saw a future with you.

His company of boomed, exploding within the first couple months of his investment and savings. But Harry didn't need riches, he had them already planted into his family seed. Gemma, his sister inherited her share before taking off to her journalism passion. "Now don't you two get into any trouble." Harry's mother, Anne, would state. Although, delivered in a playful manner, the pair both knew exactly what she meant. The Styles family were of an aristocrat sort, priding their name with glory and perfection, to the best they could deliver. It was something codeded into Harry's blood. Into Gemma's blood, Anne's....and soon, Yn's. You had taken the family name at the tender age of 25. Harry scraping by only a year her senior.

Your acceptance into the Styles family uprooted uproar. Not from Anne, no. But Pa. "You're engaged! To him!" Was his reaction upon hearing of his daughter wanting to marry a one of the supercilious type. But Harry's cavaliering ways were non-existent. He showed Pa the upmost respect, even when the normally mellowed man would patronize him with the most derogatory and yokel allegations. "Yn, what's wrong with Bruce Candem or Holt Jackner?" You shrugged those suggestions off, "They're not my type."

"But this macaroni is? He's no strapping treasure. Is that how you are? Some little macaroni?" Your face grew hot and sweat dripped from your temples. The blazing sun was no way to discuss this manner. "I guarantee...he'll leave ya! Just you wait Yn...he'll find someone who will satisfy him and then it'll be over!" But you had already ran from the hill and into a taxi cab, shooting you straight back to Boston, where a new home was waiting for you and your new husband. The last you saw of Pa was when he made a debut at the wedding, dragging along country folk that you had outgrown years ago. Their bleak minded views were no longer holding reign to your now freed polished and worldly ones. It had fizzled inside of you since birth and being born in the wrong place was just a simple mistake.

Your face grew tomato colored, glancing over to see your rustic souvenirs from the past, give harsh glares to the modern world of Harry's family. You tried to pay no attention; settling your eyes on Harry's green ones before sealing your vows with a kiss. 

The twinkle of the wind chimes from Mrs. Laundbary's front porch sent a cooling sensation through you. It was like you could smell from the glass of the pine from the trees, the dew of the grass and the tickle of the wind. The house; tranquil, capacious...silent. No one home. You were alone in the midst of a blank home. Paintings hung with shiny timber or aureate frames, vases sculpted from scarce stones and decor hanging over the white walls, shadowing their singular designs over the home. Your footsteps into the hallway echoed like those of an empty museum. Cold, tense, fragile; everything too expensive to touch. They all represented Harry's taste: the derelict of stabling a proper piece of sentimentalism.

Even in your morning gown, your body still couldn't tug the wrap of such lavish silk. Like a stranger's body had morphed itself into this home, the surreal life. A home you knew well from physical travel. The ins and outs of the kitchen, the walk-in closet you and Harry shared, the master bedroom; a lounge to you and Harry and the well sunlit backyard patio; barbeque roasts, pool parties and simple sunbathing while Lincoln cavorted away in the backyard. But all this, the white mansion, the sumptuous neighborhood...nothing felt like your own. Just Harry's. It could've been yours. Maybe better.

You still had your degrees; hung somewhere in the basement with nothing for it to live under. Harry was the CEO of, Styles Inc. The multi million dollar corporation that catered to cars, planes, buses, trains, lavish transportations. Once that had happened, why bother working? Stay home, tend to the house, care for the plants, cook the meals, maybe even bake a cake just for the sake of it...at least that's what Harry said. He didn't mean it to be a step down for you; putting dollar bill after dollar bill into your hard earned education, to prove to yourself and your lout old town that a woman could be something more than their society of bumpkins. But...it was a waste. Escaping the prison of MerylStone, only to land yourself back into what your father had envisioned from the start halted you.

It wasn't until a week after Pa's funeral; the testator had assigned for you to clear out the home of your father, which meant a plane ride from Boston to Vermont. The old brick house hadn't changed a bit. The dusty tan welcome mat had eerily saved its writing still in its bought condition. The old windchime had pieces missing like those of broken teeth. The country hillside, the lush blanket of grass was now just grass. An empty home sitting below the little hill wasn't so cute anymore. Now..abandoned. You'll never forget the chill of your spine that slithered itself inside of you, as you cleared away everything that coincided your father ever being here. 

Your old bedroom, still had its shadows from your old posters. Being in the ghosttown of the house gave you the same feeling walking into Lincoln's dead bedroom. The moving men packed your father's old things into boxes, moving the heavy things like couches, beds, and heavy dresses into moving trucks with your instructions. But before taking the old grainy nightstand by Pa's bed, you opened it to find his old bible with the red page sides pressed together into this bulky red velvet line. Just the feel of the soft leather brought you back into your senses. Memories of college, woodshop class in highschool, Home Ec....they all marked you into this person of who you wanted to be. So caught in day to day life of being a housewife, that you had slowly sunken into this mold of a lie. Pa was right....despite marrying rich, despite all your biology studies, London college......you still became nothing more but just a housewife.

Slamming the bible down into the drawer, you husked yourself out of the house, over the hill and into the rental car, speeding off to the nearest airport. You foot heavily pressed to the pedal, mind flashing in different directions all afraid to go to the one that haunted you the most. Pa was dead...there was nothing more to prove. The ring somehow tightened around your finger. Maybe to yourself? Harry was the one you loved happily ever after right?

He was at the office, as usual. It was just business...it was always business. Signing checks, business meetings in Colorado, Canada, Ohio and whatever you could think of. But he was home before you; coming back in the evening, settling your sunflower hat down on the rack, ripping the heels from your feet, unbuttoning the first two buttons of your light pink dress shirt and running your fingers through your thick strands. "He's really gone Harry. Pa's dead," You looked toward the window, "If you could get hedges in the morning, that would be nice." Harry just stood there, washing his dinner dishes. That was all to be said about Pa ever again.

Harry typed away at his computer, the usual smell of lavender hitting the edges of the office. There sat a tilted slightly mahogany framed picture of you and Lincoln. No sight of himself, but on purpose, as this was just something to remind him of those long work hours. The sight was a refreshing reminder to "not get into any trouble." The grayish colored room was nothing new to the CEO. Harry had been in and out of these rooms for as long as he could remember. There was nothing special of it as he knew this is where he would be. There was nothing else. His only partner that filled him day to day was empty hidden bottle of vodka under the desk. It helped him focus on some days when his hours just didn't numb the world out enough. Something he justified with layering the evening drink with his usual morning cup of joe.

He picked himself better than to be just another ritzy boy to snag off his parents loot without earning his name, his keep. Anne and Desmond boasted to him and Gemma to always make a name for themselves. Of course, they were entitled to as much money as their desires could carry, but nevertheless, it always thumped within the siblings to be their own Mr. or Mrs. Styles. The depths of their castle like mansion spoke volumes of its own. The posh interior of the house matched the cultivated taste of the family. The light gray walls were accented with light tealish blues and silver powdered with white. Those summers where the branched tickled the windows of the terrace and the lush poofy bushes looked like a painting hanging in a museum. The light gray house with a curve on the tip of the roof; racking its color in blush dark peach held the proper expectation to the public as did the inside.

Toying with the silver band on his finger, Harry finally racked up some numbers and matched them a check before clicking out for lunch. His breath was thick, eyes lumpy like they had been glued to a bright screen for days. They side eyed the picture, focusing closely on Lincoln. His preppy boy smile with his father's dimples and his mother's chin.

Those eyes, green and wide like his, but his nose and cheeks were rosey tinted like his mother's. Harry had underestimated the innocent little 8 year old he had known all his life. Those games of catch in the backyard, mushy bedtime stories and well calculated tactics of getting little Lincoln to eat half of his vegetables. The day Lincoln learned to crawl was when Harry's back was turned to the stove, heating up water in the boiling pot. He turned to see the giggling baby take rickety steps to his dad, before falling back down on the tiles to his little hands and knees. "Oooh!" Harry squealed, taking him in his arms and looking into his big eyes. "Did my little boy take his first steps?" Harry cooed, puckering his lips and kissing Lincoln's chubby cheek. Looking deep into his sugary eyes, not wondering what his little eyes were grasping, but more of what he was hiding from his father behind those cuddly looks.

It was shortly after you had lost Pa, the funeral had been now a solid 4 months behind you. Harry had been in his home office, figuring out the latest code for an account. The traction in the house was cabled. It was this thin wire of pondering looks and gagged words between the pair of you. Those stomach aches and backaches were nothing more than stress pins from what you were carrying in between. It wasn't until those 3 missed periods that you wheeled yourself to the doctors.

Sitting the cold unblemished waiting room of the obstetrician's office sent shudders through your gut. Goosebumps and raised hairs sprouted despite it being the dead of fall which prompted a sweater with slide on blue jeans and ugg boots. You tried to focus on the chipped white paint of your fingernails that had been wearing the color for almost a week and a half, instead of the fancy lab coats that swung by in the harmony with the nurses. Dr. Katz, your doctor swung by in her white lab coat, currant red blouse that was neatly tucked into the gray dress pants she donned and the clickety black high heels that clicked with every sophisticated movement. Grabbing files- your files- handing them off to nurses in their varying scrub designs with loose stethoscopes dangling around their necks, silver watches around their wrists, rolled up undershirts....the aesthetic was dreamlike. This was what you wanted....you remembered shadowing Dr. Hawke around the hospital before you had married Harry. The dream of being an established individual with a husband to side part you, not him just to show for your success.  

Those sacrifices....were not something easy to let go of. Harry had promised to provide for you....but it wasn't enough. No, you needed the thrill of working, the smell of sterile hospital rooms was a second home for you, possibly a first one. 

"Yn Styles?"

The name is what brought you back down to earth. A name that wasn't yours, only a jagged extension of something you had realized long ago. Those seven letter words flashed through your mind like a strike a lightning. Was it too late? Those years had become dull, hardened and pinching when understanding this was not what was expected from the vows of a man and woman. You kicked yourself for thinking of such an easy way out. 

Pa was dead and the townsfolk were not completely eradicated from your memory. Word back home would be of a wiseacre from everyone who watched you walk away from their illiterate sleepytown and ram into this big city with better opportunities. Coming back to it, would confirm a thought you had shoved yourself to distance from. You had only yourself to prove to at this point.

 But, on the call of the name, you still rose from the chair and walked to the exam room, taking a seat on the table.  

"Well, Mrs. Styles..the reason for your missed periods is," Dr. Katz turned to her clipboard, grabbing a long paper and handing it to you, "You're pregnant." A pin dropped. "What?" You wanted to hear those words again. "You are 5 weeks pregnant." She pointed to the little indefinite fetus that had formed in your uterus. A smile transpired and you found yourself more animated. Once leaving the building, in the car, you took one last look at the hospital before throwing the ultrasound pictures to the passenger seat.

"No use for that now."  You thought before turning the key and starting the engine. The light of the cloudy afternoon sky shined a glimpse of light onto the black and white picture of you and Harry's 18 year long project. Maybe...just maybe....it could spark something in between the pair of you again. You hoped.

Harry upon getting the news he would become a father delighted him. He questioned the wait of it, wanting to impose another name into the Styles inheritance. The nursery was all set, pictures of balloons, a bouncy yet firm crib, styled in the corner was large teddy bear, tied with a blue bow around his neck. The little detailed decor had come only after discovering that your baby was a boy. Lincoln Styles, was to be his name. Harry insisted it, the social plucking of someone with such an adjustable yet polished name suited someone of his variety. 

The countless hours sitting at his desk, windling away at his computer, matching up number after number for accounts, upgrades for his machines and meetings discussing the latest car or train or bus. Following in Desmond's footsteps of being a businessman, Harry knew the unpalatable hours and the sharp work ethic he would have to acquire himself to. But he didn't mind. Seeing his company expand; rapid with his unsalable ideas and adroitness of the workplace. Fumbling over his pen, he caught a swift smell of Luna's, his secretary's perfume.

Luna herself was married with 4 children. Her husband, Hugh, a president of Sincomet, a rubber company, knew the ins and outs of CEO world, as he was tightly under one himself. But even more so, Luna understood the tough reign his job would contribute to the household. It was one Christmas party, an office one that was held at the Parkstor Community Center, she had revealed her upbringing was one of the same polished ave as her boss's. "My mother had old money, but my father ran this clothing design company. It was passed down to him from decades of other relatives." Her mention of this was brought up when Harry had shared his very much indistinguishable childhood himself. Hugh was of the same material; sharing knowing glances with his wife of how aware they were of each other.

Luna and Hugh connected like lego blocks of a puzzle. Both of the same refined culture they cherished near to their hearts..but it was the understanding of a certain way of life that fully brought perspective to them.

You stood by the punch bowl, glancing towards you husband, taking casual sips of punch. Harry looked down at his loosely laced shoe lace on his black loafer. Eyes squirming to you bleakly before gunning down to the floor again. Your beach style white dress was nothing compared to Luna's burgundy Ralph Lauren dress that hung elegantly above the knees that were covered by black sheer pantyhose. It was her apparel that made Harry question himself why she would be working such a banausic secretarial job, when she could be home enjoying the generosity of her riches. She had a strong work ethic. Busying herself with the day to day tasks of answering phone calls, scheduling meetings and lunches, rather than sitting in a dusky house all day.

The contrast effect of the two housewives was risible. Taking shattered looks to you and then Luna, sparked a quivering thought into Harry's mind. If it wasn't for your siren call in college; painting that old apartment, the effusive intimacy in those silk sheets, the way Harry traced those curves, remembering them like a map of a hidden path in the brazilian forest and those tender winter blue kisses on his lips and cheeks. If all that didn't' exist, then.....would he have married a Luna type?

Someone of the same social class, same upbringing- knowing the tight views of acceptable - or having a refined definition public. Never having to keep watchful eye of his spouses history in a hick town with her hillbilly of a community. She would fit right in with the Styles clan; having a well rounded view of society and money. Really, your own merit of sophistication is what united the two of you in the first place. Harry took a risk at 26 as did you; sealing in vows that wouldn't make sense only a year from when they first came about. It was the then, that he dragged you out of the party, mouth ajar like he wanted to speak, but suckled in his the last of his energy for the night. "Did Preston sign the account?" Harry, eyes steeled on the road, knuckles white and solid on the wheel, still managed to shake out a: "Yes darling, yes he did."

Putting his hand on your thigh, forcing a rush through his body like heroin. He pinched this tight smile together, showcasing enough of his little boy dimples, but his eyes were nuanced and dingy. It would remain that way until you both arrived home with different states of mind.

The hope didn't return until those faded black and white images of a fetus came into view. Finally, a son to show for the Styles family business. Harry still remembered that partially flowy cream sweater with stone washed jeans that bidded a flourish of appreciation in him. The way the sweater flowed over your bump but still hugged it enough to show how protruding it was lit his eyes like a child in toy store. Lincoln's birth was the best thing in the world for you both. Adapting your attention to your new addition wasn't at all a difficult. Glady devoting time to bottle feedings, late night diaper changes and playdates. Teddy bears filled his bed and toys filled his bedroom. You and Harry had developed your own relationship with Lincoln with an unspoken agreement. This was the heart of your marriage. A piece that brought it together.

But it didn't. Once the diaper days were long gone, and those preschool and kindergarten dreams fizzled, you were left with a newly independent pre-teen. One who finally saw all the cracks of his seemingly perfect life and was now on a countdown to escape. This parental involvement wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Just two parents of any only child that put them more on the overprotect radar. Didn't matter though; like all the other parents in the world who were well informed of the risks that came with children were not to been given an excuse for such lackluster discernment on their kids. But yours and Harry's was different of course, like always. Working hard to convince Lincoln that his cocoon was nothing mere than a close relationship with his parents and this was the requirement.

But....who were you kidding. The kid saw like glass on how proprietorial his parents were. The reasoning became clearer to him, seeing other kids and their parents affectionate relationship. You knew he would. One incident of Lincoln meeting Susan Blakely. The coffee color of her long hair that hung so effortlessly to her waist with perfect curls that bounced at the end. Lincoln had been invited to her party, seeing him as eye candy was a mutual feeling they shared. The quiff Lincoln styled his brown curls into, the leather jacket that studded sophistication into it and his dark blue jeans, not too snug or loose, but hung just right above his black sneakers.

"You look so handsome!" Lincoln, trollied down the stairs; eyes abstracted on the front door. Harry's car was nowhere to be found in the driveway or garage, the only way Lincoln could make such a hasty escape with a settled acceptance from you. Shortly after Lincoln made a route from the house to Sam's car- a friend who had a license compared to the rest of the group- Harry's honda pulled into the garage. The house, dim, throttled like the air had been sucked dry. The slow but base footsteps followed the shadow of light into the kitchen. It made you stomach burn into this knot, poking at it like jilted feeling of not being able to do something that had to be done. It wasn't until Harry spotted your figure standing over the sink, washing dishes, daring not to make eye contact afraid of the first words being garotted out.

"Where's Lincoln?" You gave a side eye back glance, not fully looking into those stiff green eyes, but only his shadow that stood peering only over the stovetop. "At a party," It was like a gun being held to your head, forcing you to spill a dirty secret of a close friend. "But, I told him it was okay. I knew Susan's mother so, it's fine." You bit your tongue, punishing it for speaking out of term. "Susan? A girl?" You finally faced Harry, dropping the cup into the sink. "You know how much trouble they could get into! Yn how could-" Harry jolted himself to the coat rack, grabbing the keys from his coat pocket. "Harry, stop! It's not a big deal! Isn't my word enough? You'll embarrass him." Harry only glanced at you before buttoning up his long black trench coat. "You know we both have to verify things Yn." He coldly stated before zipping out the door and into his car.

The waiting was the worst part. Fingers tapping against the arm of the chair, drumming up its own melody of anticipation. The same one you had sitting in the bathroom that one night to confirm what you had already knew from Dr. Katz. Those two lines appeared like magic across the test, still shuddering this surrealness into you like it was the first time. Like the ultrasound had somehow made a mistake in diagnosing your pregnancy. The booming of the front door opening rocked your attention towards a furious Lincoln and a concerned Harry. Lincoln glanced at you as if to say: "Why did you tell him? Did he really have to know?" Before storming up to his room, cold shouldering Harry on his way up.

"I offered to take him to laser tag tomorrow afternoon." You shook your head, "He's a teenager Harry, he wants to spend time with his friends." "I'm his friend? Right?" Harry looked for any signs of agreement on your face. But your eyes, were just tired. Tired of the same broken record that played out not to poles apart from this. "What happened?" A deep sigh finally eradicated from your mouth, blowing out the wind from your lungs like you were too scared to even ponder the outcome of what you knew to be an explosive event.

Lincoln sat bitterly on his bed. His used up sneakers curled up on the floor by his closet, his leather jacket shot over to the back of his swivel chair and his glare still edging throughout the room. His father; downstairs telling his mother a stagnant version of the event, curveting over the little details that complete the puzzle.

Lincoln, making his move over to Susan, laughing, chatting and then kissing. Kissing her with passion, not daring to take a step in the wrong direction, but just savoring the touch of her strawberry lips. Pulling away, he spots this thick black coat walking towards him, mix matched with all the other shambles of kids circling around the party making this figure stand amongst them. Harry didn't yell, or scream or riot. But he simply looped his arm around his son's and dragged him out without a word. The flashes of faces staring out at this eccentric scene became spotted. Heat filled Lincoln's face: part with infused fury and the other with disregarded shame. The car ride was rigid; Lincoln faced the window, not speaking what ran so rapidly through his mind. Swallowing back any grimaces that could trace any more rebellion to him. Instead, Harry suggested laser tag which sent Lincoln shooting from the car and into the house.

He noticed how dry his lips were, recalling those last moments of innocence. The 16 year old would now realize just how twisted things would get and how this was just a mere act. An act of rebellion from his father as well. The wheels turned like car tires, rolling through a freshly paved road in the country in Lincoln's brain. His suspicions of his parents were just much more than to be brushed off with basic teenage angst....it was more sinister than that. The picket fence became discolored, chipped, cracked, broken....the lie couldn't be covered. Harry's fatherly concern was just a big six wheel game. His reputation, was a part of him. And with it, his lies. They're precious angel was just a fine line between the couple. A broken chance of coming together. They needed Lincoln. He understood. They needed him way more than he did. He was their last hope, without him, the marriage would just be a slash to the Styles clan, and hickey on your neck for MerylStone to be blasted long and wide for everyone to realize, you and Harry were just not the match made in heaven you both thought yourselves to be.

"I thought he'd be at work," Lincoln said aloud to himself, "I thought he was working late. He always does when it's Friday." 

Harry and Lincoln wrestled on it the most, but you had this understanding. This knowledge of the whole view. You and Pa, working against his efforts to mold this housewife out of you and now Harry and Lincoln. Pacifying him, molding him to full dependence on you both. Making everything into a fool's paradise. Pa's only good reasoning was ignorance, but this was a well calculated, instituted masterplan. Lincoln became another life to you. He possessed this barrier between you and Harry; working together to keep the one lifeline of this family incased to his parents. Such a selfish plan was sure to face a humiliating defeat, but you didn't care. Neither did Harry. Plastering the name of good parents onto his reputation when he couldn't even get his own son to stay.

Willing to offer his son's life for his own was pure repulsive. You had realized that, the night Lincoln turned 18; a stabbing coolness in your back and sharp pinging kick told you this was it. Things were going to end and fast. And now, he's gone. Just like that into the night. No goodbye, no I love you....nothing. Because in the end, that's what you gave him. You and Harry....nothing. Those nights, hearing your panging yelling and Harry's screeching temper, seeped Lincoln under the dining room table. You knew the boy was smart, you knew he was fighting to survive, you knew he wasn't just this ungrateful brat who whisked himself away over some petty curfew hustle.

No. You and Harry were the problem. The toxic wasteland that threatened to rip the sanity from the only sane person in this house. Lincoln did what you and your husband could never....walk away.

He knew the truth, he didn't cheat or cover it. But simply left it out in the open and accepted it for what it was worth. 

You grabbed the family portrait, looking it dreadfully in the eyes before slamming it down to the ground while a scream left your voice. Harry arrived back to see the broken glass and the disgruntled look on your face. Tears finally broke free, slashing their way down your cheeks. "You did this!" You yelled, practically spitting the words into Harry's face. "You drove our baby away! He was fine, he was happy! But you couldn't stand to let go! Now he's gone and you don't even care! You didn't cry or feel sorry, nothing! You're never letting go!" Catching your breath, "You know I didn't want this! I know what you think everyday going to work everyday! You know what I think and wonder!"

"Yes I do!" Slamming his suitcase down the the floor, papers scattering everywhere in the living room. "I am sad yn! I know why he left, I know all of that! He's my son! I love him! And you know that!" 

"You couldn't stop being selfish! I wanted to let go! I wanted to take the parental controls off his phone, I wanted to let him drive at 16, I wanted to let him go to his friend's party! But you said no! Because he's your little safety net! You couldn't think about him as a person! For once, you couldn't see him as more than a boy! Now he's gone and I can't see him! He ran away from us! HE LEFT US BECAUSE OF OUR PROBLEMS!" Grabbing the stone washed vase, smashing to pieces on the floor. "I want my baby back!"

Harry silently grabbed your arm silently. Tears, falling like rain drops on a car window, wettend Harry's face. He went to the wet bar, poured himself a scotch before speaking. "I'm sorry." His voice, so quiet and collected, yet so broken and shattered. You didn't waste time running into Harry's arms, sobbing quietly into each other. He took your chin to his eyes. "We'll fix this. We have to try, no more beating around the bush if this is gonna be fixed." You nodded. "Of course."

"And maybe one day....he'll come back....and we'll be better." You added. You could feel Harry smiling into your scalp, kissing it gently.

And you prayed you and Harry could. And that you could be that happy little family in a white house with a picket fence.

This took me a week to work on!!! Hope you liked it!!!

[candygoldenhaz]

Imagine River being a baby and he's clingy to harry so he gives him one of his shirts and he falls asleep, sucking his thumb and harry just watches in awe....

[candygoldenhaz]

A dialogue of Roger needing his diaper changed and running around the house while Jack chased him?

"Roger come here!" The little 1 year old was darting around the house with a soggy diaper and screeching giggles. The sight was adorable for Jack, but his alert mecca was zeroed in on Roger.

"Baby boy, Daddy needs to change you. I promise afterwards, we can play okay?" But Roger still ran, squealing gleefully thinking his father could never catch up to him. Jack knew Roger hated diaper changes, but what else was he to do if Roger couldn't go potty yet like a big boy? Jack outwitted Roger, by faking his defeat. "Oh, boo-hoo, I can't catch my little baby....all I wanted was to make sure he was nice and clean so he would be happy, boo-hoo." He faked cried and made a fake pouty baby like voice.

Roger came closer; pondering the reason for his daddy's 'tears'. Like a gingerbread boy who steps closer to the conniving fox who licks his lips subtly, planning a nefarious attempt to gobble the cookie whole that led the boy to his morose demise. "Gotcha!" And with a quick swipe, a wailing Roger was tucked tightly in Jack's arms. "Oh, don't cry baby...." He pecked his face with kisses, "I'll be quick, I promise." He donned in a babyish voice.

Jack gently laid Roger on the changing table in his nursery and strapped into it. The father soothed his baby boy with raspberries to his tummy and kisses on his feet. "Daddy's gonna take the diapie off now pookie," He said babyishly. "Oooh, look who's becoming so big? Now, no squirties like the last time."

Roger grew a puckish smirk. He knew that "last time" was no accident. In between the touch of the cold wet baby wipes, Jack would smother Roger's chunky cheeks with pity kisses. "Mm, mm, mm, mmmuah! That's my little teddy bear. Does my cuddle bug want powder?" Jack sprinkled on some diaper powder along with a thick layer of diaper paste for extra protection.

Roger gave a low grumble, "Oh Rogie, I don't want you getting a diaper rash! It protects you from any nasty little germs that could make you sick. Plus....your little bottom looks like a little cotton ball," Jack joked with a baby tune.

"Wah!" "Okay, okay, I am milking it aren't I?"

Jack sealed up Roger's fresh diaper before unstrapping him and hugging him like a little child hugging their toy. "There, all clean." He kissed Roger's nose and hugged him some more. Jack didn't ever wanna let go.

[candygoldenhaz]

Was not ready for this......

Indecision:

*Mentions of suicide and cheating*

The remiss laugh that bounced off Yn's tender vocal cords, despite the immoral cause for the chuckle, laced the bedroom walls and the crinkled sheets that her's and another's scent embraced. It was the redish marks that trailed through the lady's dainty neck and the back of her shoulders that were vile in the sense of a rock that wrapped itself around her fourth finger adequately. But it wasn't from the lover in her bed at this moment......it was from the sinless husband she vowed to love.

The innocent little chess board that the black and white pieces constantly took steps over; hopping from one square to the next for a final victory.

Yn scurried into her nightie that fell just above her knees, while the other threw on his jeans and t-shirt before rushing out the door only a few minutes before Harry's car pulled into the driveway. The plastered smile that seated seemingly on her face was the first thing that Harry was introduced to. The equivocate was thick, but the jolly tude from Harry was light and fluffy.

Harry embraced his wife in a dreamy cuddle and rich kiss on the lips. Even in her bed head, she was still an angel to Harry. "Hey baby girl, I'm home." He saddled into the cozy walls of his home, mellowing himself from the rough day the office had gifted him. He snagged off his loafers and rested easily on the couch, arms spread across the border of the couch.

"What's for dinner?" Shoot. All that time with him, that Yn forgot about her wife responsibilities. "Oh, how about takeout? I forgot to thaw something out." Harry was satisfied. He didn't gnaw Yn about being the perfect housewife or trophy wife. And he didn't boast about being the breadwinner and deserving a clean house or home cooked meals all the time- Even though he did; ignorant to the cheap way his wife sold their vows and to whom.

"Sounds good. Here I'll order, what would you like hon? On me," Yn's selfish conscious wasn't even a little tipped by the solicitous love Harry faithfully showed. The lust he had for her beauty, the lionization he saw for her intricate thoughts and desires and the invigoration in her patterns of doing things.

Dinner time was a solitude from the heavy rush hour of work that Harry had drowned himself in. But even with his dystopian eyes, he still didn't fail to aim at the hickey covering his wife's neck. "Did I give you that?" Yn's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. It wasn't until took faint hearted steps forward; close enough to see a suck print he didn't mark his wife with.

They were still fresh with teeming bruising that ran through her back just after her neck. The colors of another man's scent made Harry's stomach turn. His guts twisted themselves in and out like contraction cramps every time his mind ran to rack a forbidden thought. But the evidence stood boldly like a smart-aleck reminder of what Yn had done on his work days.

She swallowed a heart stabbing gulp and just looked at Harry scanning her body up and down with furrowed eyebrows and pursed lips. His sympathetic glow had now become an ireful look of betrayal. "Yn, where did these come from?" She couldn't even look her husband in the eyes too answer. Harry look repelled at his wife; the person whom he once worshipped, now was somehow beneath him in the sense of used shoes.

Harry brushed past his wife, leaving her to smell his scent of a masculine aroma. He grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the house without saying a word. He got into his car and speed off with blurry vision patching his sight. Harry soon discovered those were just tears.

How could she? The woman he loved.....shabbily betray him. Harry knew this meant divorce without a doubt. His prenuptial agreement would play out in court like a rehearsed play. His anger returned him to the house, but in bitter darkness.

The house eerily tranquil; Harry beckoned for his wife. He needed an explanation and the name of the man who helped her cut her vows. Harry fiddled with the silver band around his finger. "Yn?" No answer. He tiptoed up the steps. "Yn?" Quiet.

He opened the bedroom door to find Yn on the floor; pills spread around her. Harry jumped and ran to check her pulse. Nothing. She was dead. He ran outside and called the police and sat on the front porch head in his hands. She was dead. The girl he loved killed herself out of vain.

Despite the spitfire of betrayal he felt....his heart still shattered to sight of his wife. He loved her more than he could've ever hated her.

[candygoldenhaz]

Tara and Harry!!!!

On it!!!!!

[candygoldenhaz]

Funny as hell for no reason!!

Neck burn:

You and your boyfriend got a little too frisky last night. He ended up kissing the sweet spot on your neck. You were no doubt still feeling the rush from last night, but the realization of having the biggest purplish bruise just above your collarbone snapped all that away. You knew that it would be easy to fool Anne with some simple foundation as she probably wouldn't take notice. But Harry was different.

Your older brother was immensely protective of you. His brotherly instincts raged harder than a mothers, mostly due to you being the youngest of the Styles caln. So when it dawned on you that he could see the hickey that was left as a present from your boyfriend, a shiver that was trapped in your head, escaped through your spine.

You ran to the store and tried at least 10 different foundations all with 'deep coverage' but to no advil. "Deep coverage my arse." You mouthed loudly while sitting at your bedroom vanity. Then another idea popped into your head. A coin trick. Supposedly taking a quarter and scratching it over the hickey to make it disappear. You grabbed a quarter from your wallet and tried with a painful fail. Out of anything, it irritated your neck even more.

You thought about a neck high short sleeved turtleneck, but I think you would draw more attention with the topnotch blazing sweater in 80 degree London weather, than a simple purple hickey. Plus you'd look more suspicious and both Harry and Anne would question you. So another alternative popped into your mind.

It was going to be painful, but you may have had no other choice. You grabbed a flat iron and heated it up in the bathroom. You stuffed your mouth with a sponge and pressed the heated iron to the hickey while you screamed and cried into the sponge. Afterwards, you were left with a blistered scab on your neck. Granted, it hurt a lot worse, but at least it wouldn't label you to be spied upon by Harry.

"Yn! What happened to your neck?" Anne asked, showing deep concern for the gauze bandage that was taped to your neck. It wasn't exactly an under the radar type thing. "I accidently burned it a little with my flat iron...guess I lost track of how long my hair grew." You added a little joke as if to lighten things.

You just thought Anne would end it with a "be careful next time." But she was desperate to make sure you were okay. "Lemme see honey," She was up from her chair and made her way to yours to examine the burn on your neck. "Oh no it's fine," But Anne insisted. She peeled back the bandaged to reveal a indefinite burn mark.

"Oh you poor thing, be careful sweetie." She chimed. "Did you dress it?" Harry asked. "Yep, already put the ointment on it." Harry smiled, seeming satisfied with that. "Just make sure you change the dressing everyday." You nodded.

A clever smirk appeared knowing that you got away with it. At least you thougt.

It was later on in the night when Harry entered your room. "Thanks for knocking," A catty sarcastic answer was given. "Oh stop yn, we both know the reason behind that burn on your neck."

Your heart stopped for a moment. "You're always so careful with your curling or flat iron and so it just doesn't make sense that you would burn yourself like that recklessly." You looked down for a moment and swallowed. "All I want to know is the truth." Harry was straightforward with you, so you owed him one.

"Okay fine, but what's said in this room, Stays in this room!" Harry nodded, anticipating the reason for such a unfinished lie. "I purposely burned myself with iron because underneath it is a hickey I received from Eddie last night. I didn't say anything because I knew you would flip out."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "You mean, you went through all of this because you were afraid of me?" He sounded so downhearted. "No, of course not! I'm not scared of you Harry, it's just that sometimes your reactions to things like boyfriends can be over the top. That's all."

Ha went over and wrapped you in a hug. "Not anymore. From now on, I'll be more approachable with these things." You and Harry shared a warm embrace, realizing mistakes were made, but so were promises.

[candygoldenhaz]

I bet it be mitch after seeing him doing something stupid with river

I really wanna see Harry smack the shit out of someone with one of his dainty little purses

[candygoldenhaz]

Best story ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Class begins:

Yn's knee bounced up and down unrestrained due to the immense pressure she had as she waited to be interviewed by the school she was dearly hoping to get into to. It wasn't a prestigious school, just a regular elementary with average little kids instead of the little snooty genius's that talked down to her as if she was some stupid little cat that didn't know it's tail from behind.

She didn't hate them, they were just kids. She loved kids. It was their parents that she couldn't stand. About how they always made excuses for their insubordinate supercilious little 'angels' in the most condescending tone and patronizing language as if she were in the wrong for pointing out an obvious flaw in their parenting.

Long story short, she left that school and had sent in a resume for another one. Idolridge elementary. It was perfect on paper and the internet, so she only hoped it would be just as good if she were to be hired.

"Yn?" The secretary called. Yn anxiously, yet externally confidently stood from her chair and walked to the office where the board of education was. Yn just prayed her meeting with them would go well. She had dressed to the point, and had all the necessary paperwork ready in her portfolio.

She took a deep breath and began her interview.

********************************************************************

Yn woke up to an email that was sent by the board of education. She had been officially hired and was praised for her exceptional accreditation in her skills as a competent educator. The first day on the job was nerve wracking for the young woman. She tiptoed quietly through the hall, as the superintendent was showing her around the school, starting with the cafeteria, the gym, the library, nurses office, principal's office and etc of all four floors.

Then the most anticipated part was being shown to her very own classroom that she could decorate however she saw fit. The superintendent gave her the keys before leaving her to her own devices. Starting next week, she would be the new kindergarten teacher. Summer break was coming to a halt and so that meant, there would be new kids, new parents and teachers, new and old who would be coming in as well. Her class was located on the second floor along with two other kindergarten classes.

Yn scanned the nameplate imprinted on the doors of the classrooms. Hers remained empty, but one next door to her said 'Ms. Monroe' and the other across from her said 'Mr. Styles.' That name interested her more than it should've. His name was so elegant, roll of the tongue kinda sounding. She liked the way it bounced excitement off her tongue every time she pronounced it. She grew curious as to what he looked like. Was he tall? Was he short? Was he a young body builder type twenty year old guy? Or some feeble old man that was either a kindhearted wise man, or a rigid bitter man who chafed at any excitement to life?

In a week her questions would be answered. In the meantime, yn had to go to the store and decorate her classroom in homey and comfortable setting to make her junior newcomers feel relaxed and at ease to learn new things that she was all to eager to show them.

At her old school, the other teachers had a very brash way of teaching the students which only added to their frustrations and as a result, none of the kids learned anything except how to be cocksure and impudent.

Yn skipped to her car happily as she was excited to start her new job as a teacher to her kindergarten class. She could barely wait to see all the fresh and sweet little 5 year old faces that would be entering her class. She was set to have 23 students so that meant, yn would have to pull a hefty amount to buy crayons and other school supplies just in case someone was without.

She drove off from the parking lot and went to the nearest store to collect the needed items for her classroom come Thursday morning.

************************************************************************

Yn had made sure to dress with civility, as she donned a sleeveless cardigan and tasteful skinny brown jean with wedged sandals. Her special touch was the bohemian fluttery blouse with a leaf necklace and matching dangling earrings and a bracelet. Yn tied her hair in a ponytail and dabbed on some lipstick with eye shadow before walking out the door with her book bag and driving to the school to greet the kids.

Yn took a deep breathe before walking into the school, this time packed with teachers and members of the PTA. She was greeted by some teachers and parents who had realized she was the new teacher that was being talked about among word around the school. Her cheeks blushed with pride as she had a jaunty presence with all the admiration she was receiving. Although she tried to swallow the thought, what if everyone thought it was because she had worked at a fancy private school and that she was somehow 'special' because of it?

Her gut became irrational at the thought, but she was determined not to let her personal fantasies influence her good start at school.

She walked into her lavender painted classroom that accented in black and white as a theme. The black rug with the clover print on it, the last minute posters she hung on the wall, the small tables and chairs that varied from blue, pink, purple and white, and the cute mini cubby holders that stored supplies and of course the kids backpacks and jackets.

On each desk, yn laid out a piece of candy each for her students as a pleasant surprise when they entered the room. Yn opened her door so once the bell rang, the kids would come pouring in. But as she glanced outside she couldn't help but notice the room across from hers was now open. Mr. Styles's class.

205 was his door, 203 was her's and 204 was across from her. Ms. Monroe looked to be in her 30's only a few years older than yn, with shoulder length ash colored blonde hair and ambitious icy blue eyes with red stained lipstick lips. She was very kind and seemed to have a patient demeanor with children which the young teacher admired. Her classroom was decorated in a beach theme which seemed to bring appreciation into yn's eyes.

She looked over towards Mr. Styles whose classroom was decorated with a big 'Time to be kind' wording on the top wall. His class had colors of mostly teal, pink and black with splashes of green and yellow. The chairs and desks were arranged neatly and yn could see big bags full of candy and other sugary sweets like cupcakes and cookies that he must've baked from home.

He had lots of encouraging posters on his wall and also had some goodie bags on the desks of his students. He walked into the classroom, enough for yn to get a glimpse of him which was more than enough to make her mouth drop open in awe at the young man with brunette curls, and verdant beddable green eyes.

His dimpled friendly smiled flashed at yn, as he was going into his classroom preparing for his class to enter. The lanky body was bent over, making sure the chairs were in tip-top shape so no accidents would happen on the first day. Yn could tell just by the way he interacted with the teachers and the parents, that he had some experience up his belt. He handled the ludicrous hard-nosed parents with tranquility and cogent.

The same applied for the teachers. Especially one I heard of...Ms. Grigg. She was a illiberal draconian dragon with a blonde bun that grey streaks ran through. Venom spilled from her tongue when she spoke to her third grade students. She was a very rigid with instructions and always demanded blind obedience from her miserable class. Of course, that was the last thing she received from them as they would often shoot spitballs or even throw papers openly in her classroom.

They couldn't care less about rules, let alone her's. But it was the gall she to be uppity to the other teachers and parents about their children or students, while her class was completely out of control due to the way she teaches them. Everyone shied away from her as she could be brutal with her words and actions.

Other teachers gossiped about her in the teacher's lounge about how her husband left her for someone else due to his not being able to tolerate the marriage anymore.

But it was only Yn's first day......

Anyway, yn continued setting up, while occasionally glancing at the cute next door neighbor that she became infatuated with at first glance despite how he barely noticed her. Yn kicked herself to stay focused. Today was about the kids, not yn's abortive love life.

8:00 struck....

The kids came in by the 10's. Some sniffles and cuddles, mostly from the parents...the kids greeted yn with hugs and happy faces from seeing the candy on their desks. Yn made goodie bags full of different candies, (an idea she got from Mr. Styles) and watched as the kids munched on their candies while the other kids came in until all 23 were in her class, sitting at their seats ready to learn.

Yn talked to the concerned parents, reassuring them of their safety and their sure education. Yn glanced over to see Mr. Styles reassuring worried parents, gently calming them down and making friends with the kids before going into class by giving high fives and hugs.

"We're gonna have some fun!" He said as the kids cheered in response. Yn smirked, cheeks burning red for some reason.

She introduced herself to the class before going around and asking her students their names, and then having a dance party to get things started on a fun note.

Most of the day, the kids spent coloring or eating cookies while practicing writing their names. During the bathroom break, Mr. Styles class was already waiting for some students who were still using the restroom. "Okay kids, two at a time." You said as a boy and a girl from the line went into the stalls. Yn couldn't help but look over at the well behaved kids standing patiently in line as they waited for their classmates.

"Your kids are so well behaved." She stated hoping to start a conversation. "Thank you very much. As are your's." The young teacher replied, smiling benignly. Flutters filled yn's heart as his eyes locked with hers. He noticed the crescent twinkle in her eyes that only sparkled when she looked at him. As much as yn wanted this teacher to notice her, she still wanted to keep professional for her kids.

Mr. Styles kids, finished up with their bathroom break and then left back to their classroom. Yn followed pursuit with her class after the bathroom break and continued on with her class until lunch.

"Alright guys, form a single file line and head towards the cafeteria." Yn instructed her students before leading them. She made sure the little ones got their lunches, whether packed or handed in the lunch line, before making their way to the cafeteria for lunch.

Yn escorted herself to the teacher's lounge with her packed lunch from home. A cheese sandwich with a fruit salad and some chips and to top it all off, a bottle of iced tea. Yn sat down at an empty table and started eating her lunch while looking at her phone.

Mr. Styles, Ms. Monroe and a few other teachers joined in, chatting away with each other. Yn kinda felt as if she were an outcast, the new kid that was vunrable to enemy attacks. But she didn't wanna see it as that. She was an adult, a 24 year old that was capable of fending for herself. Mr. Styles inadvertently took a seat next to yn. Her hands began to sweat and her heart began to race.

He pulled out a burrito wrap with a bunch of veggies to the side and a bottled water. Health nut yn thought as he neatly placed his napkin on his lap. Gosh it was getting hot in the teacher's lounge suddenly. Yn tried hard to concentrate on her phone, but it was so hard with the bountiful dapper an sitting next to her, elbow to elbow.

What was I thinking? Yn bluntly thought, shifting out of daydream gaze. You can't date a co-worker! She cleared her throat and continued eating her lunch, occasionally ricocheting at the door. Eventually her eye caught the same blonde bun and grey streaks teacher that popped her head in before snapping herself in as to amerce everyone in the room.

Ms. Grigg. The most hated teacher of all Idolridge elementary. She took a seat at a lone table and started eating some wheat crackers with her venomous prune juice. She met eyes with and scoffed before turning back to her lunch.

"You know, phones are usually not recommended during school hours." She said with a condescending hiss to her tone.

Neither are sod attitudes yn thought with grouse to her thoughts. She set her phone aside and continued eating. "It's okay she's new." Yn looked over to hear a sweet accent speak on her behalf. It was Mr. Styles who was up from his chair, making sure his protest was heard loud enough for the she-devil to hear. "Well..those are the rules." She barked back with a condescending voice.

"And not everyone knows them cretin." Yn heard the lad say under his frustrated breath. After he took his seat again, yn leaned over and thanked the young male teacher for speaking up. "No problem. You're new, you deserve a break," He finished his burrito.

"Pay no mind to her, she's just bitter." Yn nodded getting the message she was already aware of. Although despite the respectful converse Mr. Styles kept in the conversation, she realized he wasn't much older than her if at all. He looked to be in his twenties as well and yet was full of confidence to defend someone in need. Insecurity sparked inside of her as she wished she could find a voice and speak assertively for herself.

But instead, she suffocated the thought and continued through lunch.

************************************************************************

Yn finished through the school day, happily clapping for the students who were leaving their first day, and joining their ecstatic parents who were overjoyed to see them after spending the entire day without them. Or at least 6 hours. After all the kids were reunited with their families, yn took the liberty to clean up around her classroom and look through any work that needed to be done.

As she was finally locking up her classroom door, she saw Mr. Styles doing the same as he turned his key to the classroom door. He spotted yn and flashed her an easy smile. "Quitting time right?" He said carelessly. She giggled and agreed. "First day, it was fun." She said engaging in his amiable manner. He chuckled. "Been doing this for 3 years so far. This year's class has a lot of kids, 24 I believe,"

"That's one more student than my class," Yn said smiling deeply, showcasing her rosy cheeks and deep dimples. Mr. Styles seemed to take notice to this. "Wow, and it's your first day? You're a champ!" He said winking and giving her the thumbs up.

"Thank you." She said shyly. She gazed down at her portfolio not paying attention to where she was looking, and the abruptly bumping into a wall and spilling the papers everywhere. Her crimson cheeks became more pronounced as she was soon bending down, picking up the scattered papers.

"Here I got ya." Mr. Styles swooped in and helped yn put her papers back neatly into her folder. "Thank you so much." She said, blushing deeply having once again an awkward encounter with him like she did at lunchtime. "You're welcome, enjoy your day and I'll see you tomorrow." He said leaving after handing her the well organized he had taken the time to do.

"Thank you, you too." She smiled before seeing him turn around and leave. Yn stumbled out of the school and settled into her car, before seeing Mr. Styles gather into his blue chevy and drive away. Yn waited before pulling out of her parking space and driving away to her apartment.

************************************************************************

She settled herself inside and then finally letting her bulky bag drop from her shoulders and strapping off the sandals and laying herself on the couch.

She turned on her TV as she settled in before deciding that she was too tired to cook. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed for pizza delivery with a side salad and bread-sticks. Oh and let's not forget the bottle of wine she had stored away in her fridge.

Once her delivery had arrived, yn sat back thinking ardently about her students, her new job and....Mr. Styles.

She was excited about what was to come in the following day.

[candygoldenhaz]

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!This is going to be soooo good!

 "The sterile beige colored walls, hung itself against my periphery. Never could I have imagined myself in this office, waiting with anticipation to be seen for an overdue gratuitous demon that was placed upon me in my fragile youth. I swallowed hard when I saw the receptionist reach for her clipboard....my name was next on the list I guess. A cold shiver stung against my tense skin as I expected myself to be walking behind the oak door that led to a hallway of rooms and an upstairs level. As you guessed, I had been here before. And now unfortunately was my second appointment to try to wrangle the missing outraged puzzle pieces of how it all went wrong.

"Bryn Styles?" I sat up from my chair, and shuffled myself over to the peaked open oak door with the psychiatrist halfway skirting from it." - Psycho dad Harry

[candygoldenhaz]

Cutest blurb ever!!!!!!

Ears Pierced:

Macy was so excited! Today was the day her daddy was taking her to the mall to get her ears pierced. Harry had promised her that if she could prove that she could take care of her ears and keep them clean all year, then she could get her ears pierced.

So today was the day and Macy practically did somersaults and flips on her bed. "Macy?" A groggy Harry called from his bedroom. "Hey daddy! Today's the day! I get my ears pierced! I get my ears pierced." She chanted happily. Harry giggled at the small 5 year old that was jumping up and down completely on cloud nine as her long brunette pigtails swished from side to side.

"Okay, Okay sweetie we'll go, but first we have to eat some breakfast." Harry said merrily. Macy tired rushing through her fruity pebbles, but Harry put a stop to it so she could enjoy her meal and not gobble it down like a hungry wolf.

"Okay honey, go put on your clothes cause we're leaving soon." Macy raced upstairs olympic style and changed into her pink butterfly top with some gray jeans and a jean vest. Typical copy of Harry's outfits. The jutting father staggered behind her and followed in getting dressed himself. "Baby doll, let's go!" He called from the bottom of the stairs.

Macy flew like lightning speed down the stairs and into the car where her seatbelt was on and she was ready to go. They drove to the mall with Macy bouncing up and down in the car. The radio playing 'Girls just wanna have fun' didn't help her excitement. The finally arrived, where Harry spent anticipating minutes trying to find a parking space in the lot.

"Now remember it's a crowded mall so I want you to hold daddy's hand at all times okay?" Macy nodded and latched her into Harry's. Harry never took those times for granted. Deep down they both needed someone to hold their hands, and Harry was not about to let go of Macy's. After all she was taking this huge milestone into growing up and Harry needed as much of his little girl's time as possible.

"Here we are daddy!" Macy said pointing to the Claire's boutique store that was sandwiched in between an Altar'd state and a Torrid. Harry took Macy's hand and went to the checkout where they asked for the sales clerk to pierce Macy's ears. The young black haired lady stepped over as Harry put Macy into the chair. "So you're getting your ears pierced today?" The lady asked. "Mmhm." Said a now nervous Macy.

Harry continued holding her hand, only for Macy to quietly pull away. Harry looked on with dewy eyed eyes and he was witnessing a sweet moment in Macy's life. Although, he was a little disappointed that she didn't want to hold his hand. The clerk rubbed alcohol wipes on Macy's ears and then dotted them with a marker. "Okay so just look straight for me sweetie."

Macy grew nervous and stuck her hand out for her father to hold which became accepted within a matter of seconds. Harry squeezed her hand harder than Macy did for his.

"Okay, so you're gonna feel a small sting, but it's going to go super quick." The lady reassured the small 5 year old sitting a little frightened in the big chair in contrast to her size. "Daddy.." she nervously trailed.

"It'll be okay pumpkin, daddy's right here." "1,2,3!" With that the clerk punctured a hole into Macy's ear with the earring of her choice that was positioned inside the piercing gun. A small whimper escaped from Macy's lips as she tried not to cry in front of the small audience of shoppers and her dad. She wanted to be a big girl and the last thing she needed (or wanted) was to fall to pieces over a little 'pinch'.

Harry fortunately noticed this small reaction and stepped in to comfort his Macy. "It's okay baby, you're doing good." He said peppering kisses on to his little girl's cheeks. "Don't cry my love." he wiped a faint tear from her cheek that was drizzling down a little.

The clerk got the other ear and afterwards congratulated Macy on being brave and gave her a mirror to see her beautiful sliver buds."You did so good love!" Harry gleamed pridefully. Macy blushed a little as Harry removed her from the high chair and held her in his arms. "My baby girl got her ears pierced!" Macy smiled with pride and sniffled the almost uprooted cries away.

"Mmuah!" Harry kissed her cheek soundly. "Wanna go get a pretzel?" Macy nodded as Harry set her down and held her hand as they walked, having already paid for the earrings. "Can I see them?" Macy pulled her pigtails back and showed off her earrings to her daddy.

"Oh they're gorgeous! You're so beautiful baby girl!" Harry brazenly spoke. The two strolled away to enjoy some cinnamon pretzels and enjoy the newfound milestone for Macy.

[candygoldenhaz]

100 likes!

[candygoldenhaz]

How does this not have more views?

You found me:

The cold brisk of London only made me move quicker to my house. I was looking forward to the warm aroma where I could sit in my favorite chair, a cup of tea and a good book to relax my mind after a hard day at work. I was a stock clerk at a grocery store and today was just perfect to have 2 spilled milks, shattered bottle of wine and an egg crack catastrophe in the dairy aisle.

October weather did that to you. The orange and reddish leaves falling from the branches while walking down the brick covered road was picture book worthy. My hair that was neatly tucked into a bun, had a few free strands swaying to the best of the wind. My somber mood was non existent this morning, until a few nasty customers, an overly demanding boss because of his recent divorce and all the messes I mentioned contributed to the pushed down aggression that rose inside me the more I pondered on it.

The gray clouds mixed with the fall wind made me sleepy. My eyes started to close a little, but I jerked myself awake once I realized the walk home was still 5 minutes away. I walked past this brick building that I assumed to be a school, but there was this brown cardboard box that was soggy and splotchy. I heard some narrow cries from it.

I took a step back thinking it was maybe a mother cat and her kittens up for sale that nobody noticed. I hesitantly made my way over to the box and peeped inside. That's when I noticed a tiny baby that couldn't have weighed more than 4 pounds crying weakly. He had a blue blanket wrapped around him and he was dirty liked he hadn't had a bath in days. His cry wasn't that loud but I could tell it was a hungry cry from the suckiling sounds he was making with his mouth.

"Poor thing" I mumbled trying to situate the little baby in my arms. He looked like a newborn baby which made his situation worse to me because he was probably just born and no one wanted him. Or maybe his mother just couldn't take care of him. It dawned on me that no one heard his cry because it was so light, who knows how long he's been out here.

Poor baby didn't have a hat or really anything to protect him from the cold other than the blanket. I held him halfway inside my coat and tried to find an adoption agency. It was too cold and we were both tired and hungry so I called it quits and decided to continue this in the morning before work. Me and baby stumbled home to my apartment, where the lobby was empty despite how this morning it was raging with people from a party in one of the apartments from the 9th floor.

That's the fancy apartments at the top where they get more terrace space. I walked through to the elevators where my heart was beating out of my chest. I didn't like the neighbors knowing my business and vice versa. I mostly kept to myself and tried to keep it the same way with everyone else unless I absolutely had to talk to them or if they said "hi" or such.

I fiddled with my keys before going inside and locking the door immediately behind me. it's a useful habit but today it was very obligatory. I didn't want anyone following me or staring because they suspected I stole something or something like that. I was indeed hiding something....more precious than any other secret I've stored within me. It was for baby's protection.

I set him on my couch and carefully took a soft paper towel that I wet with warm water and gently cleaned him up. I knew he was starving so that meant running to the store and buying baby formula along with some toys, clothes and possibly a portable crib or bassinet. I didn't wanna leave baby here alone, yet it would be irresponsible of me to leave him here so I had to take him with me.

I already decided once I got back I would call the police and see if they could locate his mother or any other relatives of his. My gut told me his mother wouldn't want him back and or she's dead or out of the country doing whatever. I thought about what to do about the small little turquoise eyed baby boy laying on my couch with pillows around him to keep him from falling.

It just dawned on me that you're not supposed to keep a newborn on their backs, so I shifted him to his tummy. Tufts of auburn hair were protruding from his little round head. I couldn't help but bring myself to run my fingers over it. He was still making suckling noises, that snapped me out of my daze and made rush to grab a hat for baby. It was a soft blue hat with little duckies on it, one I had kept when I was a baby. I took baby's blanket and made it into a shaw like coat for him, then I took an old scarf and covered him up so he wouldn't get cold.

I scanned the room for anything I could use besides a dirty old box that was baby's home for the first few days of his life. Just thinking about it was gut-wrenching. I looked over to baby who was still laying on the couch, toying with the pillows set on either side for his safety. His eyes looked so tired and full of innocence. Of course he's innocent he's a baby. He was so vulnerable and helpless that the grisly thought of him not surviving one more day if I hadn't found him nearly killed me.

My eyes finally landed on a dresser drawer in my bedroom. I emptied out the books that were inside on to my bed and tucked inside three soft blankets before putting baby in there. I didn't really want the neighbors seeing me take a dresser drawer out in the hallway as it would draw unnecessary attention, Not that it was any of their business anyway. I meant it when I said I kept to myself. Me and baby flew down the hallway, after I finished locking up my apartment.

My car was parked in the apartment parking lot, next to a grey lexus. I clicked the button on my well used car remote that was swinged in with my car keys, and my apartment key as well along with a little green packers logo. I opened the car door and carefully placed the drawer in the backseat rear facing.

I just prayed it was safe seeing how I didn't have a carseat or anything for baby yet. I made sure his scarf and hat weren't too warm so he wouldn't overheat. Once I was satisfied that he was okay, I climbed into the driver's seat and we drive to the store. Target was the closet place. I parked the car and I gently grabbed baby and we went inside. A sense of happiness and relief washed over me. I would be leaving the store with a baby car seat, a bassinet, high chair and food for baby. And possibly more knowledge too.

Baby was too tiny to fit in the seating area of the shopping cart so that meant I had to carry him, but my arms started getting tired. I grabbed a shopping cart anyway and tried my hardest to balance it with one hand. I found the nearest employee working in the baby section and asked her if I could buy a baby carrier right now. "Of course. I can ring you up and you can continue shopping."

"Thank you so much." I grabbed a sturdy carrier and she scanned the price tag and then my card. "There you go you're all set" I smiled. "Thank you very much." I set baby in the carrier and pulled the veil built into the carrier down to keep any germs off him.

"You're son's adorable." The employee said. I didn't bother to correct her so I just accepted the compliment for what it was and thanked her with a smile. But that stuck with me. Son. The thought ricocheted in my head as a sudden pleasure grew on that title. I looked down at baby who was playing with his fingers. Maybe?

I continued on shopping, grabbing bottles, diapers, clothes, toys and a portable bassinet. I found some baby formula asking different clerks if it was safe for newborns. They all showed me different brands, but like with everyone, the most recommended was the one I chose.

I paid for the items and left the store quickly as possible. The medium colored clouds set in and small sprinkles of rain slowly drizzled down. The smush of the wet fall leaves that stood in between my boots and the rain. Me and baby rushed to the car, now feeling satisfied of the new things he has to help him. Somehow I could sense a feeling of relief and solace wash over the both of us. I looked down to be met with greenish-blue eyes and sweet deep dimples that I just discovered he had.

Ongoers noticed the tender sweet baby talk that was spilling from my lips by the minute. Bunches of "Yes you are's" were being spoken to baby which made him react with joy. I'm sure this was the most love that he's had in the little time of his life so far. Surely I was not his mother, just a 27 year old man who happened, completely by chance noticed a small infant in the dirty box that he laid in. Maybe this was fate? I shook it off not wanting to think to deeply about it.

I was just his temporary caregiver until he would be adopted by someone who could give him a stable home. Maybe even a pet? I imagined little baby playing on the swing set with his doggie running up to him desperately wanting his owner's attention that only the love of a child could provide for them. He would have playdates with the best friend he met at school, sleepovers with the boys on his soccer team, meet his first love and dream of marrying her as if she was the one....

I snapped out that daydream. I couldn't get attached. We both weren't ready for that. Adoption for baby would surely be a dream right? We arrived to the car where I unloaded everything in the trunk before picking baby up and returning the shopping cart to the store.

Man it felt nice to hold him again. Whoops...I mean my arms aren't tired anymore. I set baby aside as I was taking the drawer and moved it to the floor of the car and set up baby's carrier. I gently placed him inside and even gave him one of his little toys to keep him occupied. I couldn't feed him until we got home so there was no time to waste.

As I got in the driver's seat and put the key in, turning it...My mind wandered to what exactly would happen to baby. What if he didn't get a nice family? What if instead he would be raised only for the sole purpose of being a slave in a mean family's home? Or he was restricted from living his life normally due to the strictness and harshness of a mother and father who weren't to tightly wrapped themselves?

What if he was left to fend for himself with no one to love him and care for him? The harsh reality of the world set in the more I thought about baby's fate. But everyone always says two is better than one and baby needs two parents. But if those parents aren't gonna parent him in the right way....then would he really be better off?

Surely I could-

"We're here!" I said to myself trying to override the thought I was going to think that would distract me from my sensible thinking. I carried baby inside, and grabbed the things from the trunk and made my way upstairs to my apartment as fast as I could. A few elderly neighbors saw me and cooed about cute the little baby in my was. I smiled and thanked them before getting in the elevator hoping the doors would close as fast as possible.

Baby and me scurried inside once again just in time for baby to start crying. He was hungry of course. After closing and locking the door, I set him down on the couch, propping the pillows around him again and grabbed the formula from the bag and ran into the kitchen to fix it.

I followed the directions carefully trying the drown out the hungry cries from baby. "I know baby I know." I fixed it as fast as I could and while his bottle was heating up, I was successfully able to distract him.

Beep!

I turned around and flew into the kitchen and grabbed baby's bottle from the microwave. I pressed the bottle to my wrist and sat down next to baby. I gently picked baby up and inserted the bottle into his mouth. "It's not too hot is it?" Aw come on as if baby can talk. His button eyes looked into mine sucking away at his milk. Probably the first food he's had in days. "You're a hungry little guy aren't you? I know, I know. You're a little special baby. You're special because you're the sweetest little thing I've seen." I cooed.

I couldn't help but cloy baby. He was so small and new, bright eyes studying the room because he was so new to the world. I just felt this exquisite connection with him whilst looking into his fresh eyes. His mom didn't know what she was missing....or what she gave up. I smiled a warm smile and somehow I think he sensed the connection too.

I removed the bottle once he was finished. He drank all his milk. "Good boy!" I cooed cheerfully. Burp! I expected that.

I ate a quick dinner that night after baby went to sleep. I couldn't sleep a wink partly because of baby crying and needing his diaper changed or wanting to be rocked or something like that and the other because I was worried about him too. I put him in a fresh onesie and threw that old blue blanket in the wash.

I tossed and turned because I knew I was gonna have to call child services soon....but it just....this gut feeling. I mean he was already used to me so why would I give him up? I guess I used that to reason with myself. Who am I kidding? I'm only in my twenties I can't be raising a child! I have so much I wanna do, like travel and get married and start a family of my own one day. But despite all of those...Baby still played in my mind.

I couldn't be attached already right? And besides who would watch baby too? I have to go to work and run errands and he has to be babysat. I couldn't trust just anyone. All these thoughts raced through my head trying to get everything sorted out. Child services, doctor appointment, babysitter. My brain could've exploded.

But my alarm clock went off. Baby was still sleeping surprisingly so I tiptoed out of my bedroom into the bathroom where I took a quick shower. I would constantly check to see if baby was still sleeping and if I needed to change or feed him. That's pretty much what all babies do at the beginning of their first few months of life, eat, sleep and poop,

I brushed my teeth coming out of the shower and changed into my uniform. I carefully took baby from his bassinet and was going to give him his first bath. By the looks of it I don't even think baby was born in a hospital. His umbilical stub hadn't fallen off yet so I was cautious to how I bathed him. I quickly googled how to do it and got started immediately. Baby was so small that I was able to bathe him in the bathroom sink.

I filled the sink with a little water and used some mild baby soap and cleaned up baby. He seemed so happy to finally be clean and to be...loved. To have someone care enough about him to take him under their wing and care for him....I really hoped he would see it that way when he's older.

Me and baby hadn't eaten breakfast yet and I already had to be at work in 30 minutes so I had no choice but to call Gemma and ask if she could watch him. She'd said that she would be over right away, so that gave me and baby time to eat a small breakfast. I had a bowl of cereal and baby had some milk of course.

Gemma knocked on the door a couple minutes after I had put my bowl in the sink. "Hey gem!" I greeted happily. I was relieved to have some help. "Hey Haz. So where is this little bugger that you've been talking about on the phone?" I pointed over to baby who was in his bassinet. "Oi he's adorable!" Gemma cooed. "What's his name?"

"I just call him baby for now. Yeah he's my friend's nephew but right now his nickname is baby." I thought quickly cause I didn't want to explain the whole situation to Gemma just yet. It's not that I couldn't trust her it's just that....it's not like baby was my son. He was still sorta a strange baby without a home or name. Besides...I had to go to work.

"Thank you again for watching him, if you need to reach me you have my number and I left a list of things you're supposed to do with baby on the fridge. Thanks." I grabbed my coat and car keys. "Bye Gemma and bye baby!" I blew a kiss to both of them before dashing out the front door.

Work wasn't any easier. I kept thinking about baby and Gemma and how they were getting along at my apartment. Plus Mr Feltmen was once again being punctilious with the way I stocked the cereals or the way I put price tags on the sealed chicken dinners with my price gun. All because his wife said a few nasty comments on her way along with a big fat stack of divorce papers sent to him a couple days later.

My lunch break seemed to be relieving as I was able to call Gemma and ask her if her and baby were fine. "Oh yeah we're fine. Baby had a little hard time after you left but everything's okay now. He's taking a nap."

"What little hard time?" I asked kinda panicky. "Oh, he started crying because he wanted you. So when I showed him a picture of you, he calmed down." Sentiment washed over me. Baby wanted me? He missed me. My heart swelled with adoration and pride more than it should've for a baby who I'd only known for a day and half. "Thank you so much Gemma. I'll call you when I'm on my way home."

After I hung up, I searched up a really good pediatric doctor at the children's hospital and scheduled an appointment for baby later on today. I wanted to make sure he had his shots and everything he needed by the time social services came and got him. The thought broke me. I grievance pain struck me so I refused to ponder the thought more than necessary.

Baby really tugged at my heartstrings. I didn't wanna dive in heart first taking into consideration the logicalness of the situation. Was I really baby's best person to care for his every need? You're caring for him now. I swallowed hard at that and continued eating my lunch, not wasting time to get back to work.

The mid day night sky fell between 3 and 4 which is when my shift ended. The breeze sang it's fall time song the coziness of being warm in the cold started to take its toll. I grabbed my coat from the breakroom and hustled out the grocery store. "Have a good night Harry." I turned to my right to see my boss with a small tight smile and giving me a small stiff wave. "Thanks you too." I replied befuddled and tired at the same time.

As soon as I got into my car, I didn't waste time calling Gemma to inform her of my upcoming arrival. "Hey Gemma, I just got off work and I'm coming home right now okay? How is everything?"

I heard the sound of baby rattles and muffled cries that partially answered my question. "Oh everything's fine, baby just woke up from his nap and he's just been a little fussy that's all." I could sense Gemma regretted saying that last part. She realized how attached and concerned I was for baby. Way more than if it was just 'my friend's nephew' the way I said before.

"Okay, well I'll be home very soon." We hung up and then I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot very carefully. The drive home consisted of me trying to beat the clock so I could be on time for baby's doctor appointment. I concluded that one more night wouldn't be so bad for baby seeing how it was possibly too late to call social services anyway.

Was I just reasoning with myself?

Streetlights filled the downtown sidewalk. Oh how I missed late night walks and night drives through my city. Summer's were fun for it too, but it was just something about September, October and November that just had that fall time glow. That coziness of aroma around you. It was fun. Just me walking to and back from the library.

I snapped out of my nostalgia once I pulled up to the parking lot of my apartment.

I put the key through my front door lock and opened the door. "Hey Gem I'm home" Gemma ran up to me and hugged me which I returned. "Hey! How was work?" "Oh it was fine." My eyes glanced to baby sleeping in his bassinet. "How was baby?" Gemma looked to the sleeping newborn and back to me. "He was just fine. He was a little cranky today but above all a good boy."

I thanked Gemma who's coat I handed to her on the way out. "See you later be safe bye." "Bye." Gemma's voice trailed going out the door. I took off my coat before focusing my attention to baby. "Hey baby boy! Did you miss me? Yes you did! I know you did cause you're da-" I stopped myself. "You're a special baby! You're a little sweetheart aren't ya?" Oh how I desperately wanted cover those little rosy dimpled cheeks in hello kissys.

I quickly changed baby and put him into a new outfit before leaving for the doctor's. On the way, I put on the radio to some 90's music. He seemed to enjoy it. His little head bobbed to the infamous Alanis Morissette 'Ironic'. I kept checking the rearview mirror, making sure baby was okay. I was still new to this so I didn't spring for the expensive attachment mirror for baby car seats.

London children's hospital.

I turned to the left and pulled into the parking deck. I always loved the murk lighting of the in between ramps and parking spaces. The blueish sometimes yellow aesthetic lights were the only ray of light inside the closed in building that was usually filled to the brim with cars. I got baby's carrier out of the car with him in it and we traveled down to the entrance along with two other couples who either had babies or toddlers.

On the way, Baby was entranced by the colorful cars while we walked to the doors. A green honda, a blue civic, a sliver chevy, all had the baby's attention. We went inside the elevator and took it up to the offices on level 8. Inside, I just kept taking deep breaths and looked down at baby who was sleeping soundly. I hated knowing I would have to wake him up for his appointment.

I just don't know what would move me to do all this? Buying him clothes, baby formula, toys, bottles, taking him to the doctors? I didn't just take him the adoption agency before and let them do all this for him. I guess because I care too much...I care so much about other people and I don't regret it of course, but this time it really took me out of the way. Financially, Physically and Emotionally.

I looked down at baby who was still sleeping. I guess what I'm trying to comprehend is that baby is special, he's more than just some lost, injured puppy dog on the street...he was more than helping out a homeless person with a couple dollars, he was more than giving a tired sad stranger a smile. It was a deeper pleasure having baby.. it was.....it....

Three little words threatened to spill from my gut but I shut them out. After all he won't be with me long.

The sad realization grappled me. Ding! The elevator doors opened and I was instantly met with distance cries of babies and toddlers. The hall was empty and as I stepped out, I could breathe in the sterile air. The carpeted floor held rigid against my shoes as I walked down the corridor trying to find the Doctor Evan's office.

My hand weighed heavy as I held the carrier that was carrying a baby who was now wide awake and hungry. His little fussy whines made me rush inside so I could feed him before those little whimpers turned into blood curdling screams. "Hello." I said waiting for the receptionist to notice me. "Hi." she smiled. It was a young girl that looked to be in 20's. The first thing I noticed was her red bob and bright pink lipstick. Her earrings were the exact same ones my own mother had.

"You have an appointment?" I nodded before responding with a yes. "For?" Her voice trailed once she saw the name I confirmed for baby. "Baby styles." It sounded like I was posting an announcement on my instagram to welcome my new child. But nonetheless was his actual name as of now. "It's a nickname we always go by." As if that would make it all normal. The state didn't even know he existed until now so what was I to do. The receptionist smiled and gave me a clipboard with the patient fill out attached to it.

I thanked her before taking it and moving over to one of the seats in the back. Before I filled it out, I took a bottle of the baby bag and fed baby quickly. He's a fast eater so it wasn't too laborious. But after burping him and putting him back in his carrier, I filled out the form and gave it back to the receptionist. I sat back down and monitored baby. I took little peeks at him in between to make sure he was okay.

Time passed slowly it seemed. 4:25 went to 5:21 then to 5:36. Time went on like that even though we were only there for 25 minutes. "Baby styles?" Everyone in the waiting room looked up at that name which made me more self aware. I quickly picked up the carrier and the baby bag before walking over to the nurse who was holding the door open for the patient to enter.

"Hello..Mr styles?" I nodded. "Come follow me please." We went to a room that was yellow and decorated in Curious George stickers. I set the carrier on the chair next to me before taking baby out and putting him on the exam table that was specifically for babies. The nurse took his height and weight before writing them down. I noticed her eyebrows furrowed. She wanted to comment and ask if he was a was a preemie but she left that part up for the doctor.

She took his blood pressure and typed some things down on the computer. "You said he's newborn correct?" "Yes." I held my breathe. "He was born when?" "I think 5 or 4 days ago?" She continued typing.

"Okay. He is due for his hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio shots today." "Okay." "The doctor will be in shortly." The nurse smiled and left the chart on the outside of the door. I went over to baby and tickled his tummy a little. He giggled and started smiling. "Oh you're just a special little guy aren't you?" I cooed.

The doctor came in and I took my seat again. "Hi I'm Dr. Evan" she said holding out a hand for me to shake which I did. "And hello to you too handsome!" She said cooing to baby and shaking his hand as well. "You're here with daddy today?" My eyes traveled down. I knew I was gonna have to tell her. "Uh, Baby here is...well...I found him yesterday abandoned by the back of a school and so I took him in and I just brought him here today to make sure he was fine. That's why his name's baby and why he's a little underweight for a newborn."

The doctor took it all in before giving me a smile. "That's very commendable of you Mr. Styles. You did more for him than anyone else could've." I was proud of that statement. "Thank you. I wish he was my son though." I just said that?

She giggled. "I know it's very easy to get attached." I agreed. "it is." She took out her stethoscope and listened to baby's heart. "Very good." Then she listened to his stomach. "Very good."

"Mr styles, considering your case with baby right now, would you like to take him home today or did you wanna leave him here? I have to ask because you know..." I nodded. "Take him home." Dr Evan nodded and wrote something down. "We'll have to report this to the police and call children services. It's mandatory. But if you were to be interested in fostering or adopting baby then you can provide a word to a agency worker or lawyer. I'll put in a good word if you need it." She winked. That made me hopeful.

She continued the exam and asked me all the questions I could answer like when he eats, and sleeps and if he was fussy or calm most of them time. "I'll be right back with the vaccinations. I have to say Mr styles, when I listened to baby's heart, lungs and stomach....I don't think he would've made it another day if it weren't for you." She smiled. "Thank you!" I graciously said. Tears welled up in my eyes thinking about the actions of mine that save baby's life.

I looked over to baby who was examining the room carefully. Almost with detail as he became fascinated with the curious George stickers. "Yeah, he's funny isn't he?" I cooed. The nurse came back in with 5 shots on a small light pink tray. "Okay Mr styles, could you hold baby's arms please?" I gently intertwined baby's hands with mine. "Okay here comes the first one." Said the nurse after wiping down his thighs with alcohol wipes.

In went one needle followed by a loud cry from baby. My heart broke but i knew that this was the best thing for the vulnerable newborn. "I know baby boy but we gotta do this so you can be healthy." I said sweetly. I couldn't resist pressing sweet big kisses to his chubby cheeks.

That soothed him for a while until the last injection was given. A shriek was released from baby's small toothless mouth and fought back tears. It was painful enough to hear a baby cry, but when that baby.... felt like your own, it hit differently.

After all was done, I scooped him in my arms and hugged him tight. "Shhhh it's all over now." I rubbed his back desperately trying to soothe the little guy's cries. "I'm here for you, it's okay daddy's got you."

What?

I bit my tongue. I didn't mean that, I'm not daddy. It's just Harry or Mr styles.

Maybe not daddy yet. Oh shut up you always think sporadic!

I cleared my throat before setting baby back down in the table. I grabbed the baby bag and my jacket before settling baby in his carrier and then leaving.

"Would you like to make an appointment?" The receptionist asked. "Uh, not right now but I'll call later on." She nodded but I could tell she thought it was strange, I was strange I should say.

We left the office, heading back to the same elevator we came before. We went down to the parking deck and sudden ding! Snapped me out of my thoughts. The elevator doors opened to a mother pushing her disabled son in a wheelchair. I gave a polite smile which she returned.

She didn't think of me as a stranger to the baby I was holding in the carrier. I don't know why but I didn't feel like a stranger either to baby. He didn't feel strange to me despite me only knowing him for two days. I went back to my car with a heavy heart.

"We'll have to notify the police and children services because it's mandatory."

Those words ate at me. I didn't want them coming into my apartment and taking baby away from me.

I loved him.

Yes. I did! From the moment I met him I just couldn't let him go like that. He needed me, I was brought to him and I truly saw him as a priceless gift. Not something you have to pay for to raise. It was here I made a very crucial decision with baby. I was to adopt him.

The next day, children services came by along with the police. I let them in and asked them to take a seat. I brought baby out and set him down in his playpen.

"Thank you very much for welcoming us to your home first off. It has been brought to our attention that you found baby abandoned behind a school and so you took him in and cared for him right?" I nodded. The social worker wrote something down. "You took him to the doctor yesterday for a checkup and you reported your case to Dr Evan?"

"Yes." She wrote something down again. "I'm gonna ask you a few questions is that okay?" I agreed and we started. "Are you interested in adopting baby?" "Of course." "Are you in any relation or do you know any relatives of baby?" I shook my head. "No."

"Anyone in you're house that has criminal activity?" "Nope, it's just me and I've never been to jail or prison."

The social worker wrote something down and smiled. "Well you seem like a good candidate Mr styles. We'll have to take baby now but you still have a chance to adopt him. If you want baby specifically, then you can contact Sunnyside adoption center where baby will be taken and you can call and they'll give you an application and once you complete it and send it back, they'll schedule a meeting with you. The rest of the information is online at Sunnyside adoption center.com."

"Thank you very much." My eyes went to baby who was in his playpen. "Can I say goodbye first?" The social worker nodded and I picked baby up and held him.

"Okay baby this is the end now. I never got to name you or have you for that long but....I still treasure this time I spent with you. I'll try my best to have you again but if I can't..... I'll always love you. You'll always be my baby." His turquoise eyes looked into mine, his soft head with mini bald spots rested against my hand. I kissed his face one last time before giving him away to the social worker.

She smiled along with the two police officers. "Baby is very fortunate. I don't think he would've made it without your love." "Thank you." I said sheepishly. The trio left my apartment and I closed the door after them. I sat on my couch, scanning the room as if you say what just happened?.

Baby's bottle, his crib and clothes lied around the bedroom. Almost like a tornado had came and scattered everything around. I picked up one of his bottles and just... just broke down.

I've never loved anyone as hard or as much as I did baby. All I could see was those sweet little eyes and soft little fine hair. He was a quiet baby who rarely cried unless he wanted something or something was bothering him. Tears dropped on the floor and then on my jeans leaving wet splotches.

Baby. That was all that played on my mind. But it wasn't too late. I was determined to get baby back and adopt him.....no matter how long it took.

[candygoldenhaz]

(via GIPHY)

[candygoldenhaz]

I love this sooooo much!!!!!! Yn and Inventor harry are gonna be the best couple on here I can feel it so excited!!!!!!!

I just listened to Mood ring and the whole time I just kept imagining harry and yn walking through the park and Harry talking all smart, and yn just looks at him....gazes at him and smiles realizing she's in love with him.

And Harry looks at yn, her hair blowing in the breeze while her hair and eyes sparkle in the sunlight that's stowed away behind them. And he's thinking; My god isn't she beautiful. And she hangs on every word he says even if she doesn't understand it, he see's her face smile at him like he's something precious to her. And he realizes his love for her too.

This is absolutely beautiful 🤩 that's totally how it is 💕💕💕 OMG I'm gonna just puke up love lol

[candygoldenhaz]

I REALLY need restaurant Harry right now!!!

It's coming it's coming!!!!!

[candygoldenhaz]

YAYYYYYY!!!!!!

Pictures of the troupe harry's????? Pretty please!!!!!!

Dentist Harry:

Florist Harry:

Restaurant owner Harry:

Ice cream parlour Harry:

Candy shop Harry:

Small house Harry:

Inventor Harry:

Bionic dad Harry:

Teacher Harry:

Librarian Harry:

Part 2 👇👇👎👎

[candygoldenhaz]

Adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harry and River;

Bedtime call:

Today I had an important meeting to go to. It was about my art and the studio I worked for on their publicity. But they wanted everyone to show up and it was gonna be in a different city. Not too far away from home but it was a 5 hour drive to and from, so that meant I would have to spend the night and River would need a babysitter. I hated having to leave him but there was no other way.

My mum couldn't watch him, so I called Gemma and she was able to. I was relieved but also worried because even though River's used to Gemma he hates it when I leave on a trip without him. He thinks he's missing out and he misses me. While I was packing, River came up to me with rexie in his right hand and he hugged my legs with his left.

"Daddy where are you going?" He asked in his cute little voice. I ruffled his hair. "I'm going to a special meeting for artists. I have to go because it'll teach me new things about painting."

River sat down on the cushioned bench in front of my bed. "Can I go with you?" I flashed a warm smile at my son. "Oh I wish you could but daddy has to go alone okay?" River furrowed his eyebrows and looked down. I went over and picked him up and hugged him. "But auntie Gemma is going to take very good care of you. And it'll just be overnight."

"Overnight! But who's gonna tuck me in at night? Who will read me a bedtime story?" River asked frantic. I picked him in my arms again and squeezed him even tighter. "Aunt Gemma is gonna do all those things for you okay? I won't be gone long and then I'll be back before you even notice." I set him down on the bed and kissed his forehead. When my back was turned, River took some clothes out of my suitcase and hid them under my pillow.

"Huh? I wonder where my pajamas went?" I said obviously knowing. River smiled and I pretended to look for them under my covers. "Are they here?" I looked under the pillow seeing an obvious lump under it. I put them back in my suitcase and closed it. I heard a knock at the door and I knew that was Gemma. I went downstairs holding River's hand and opened the door. "Hey gem." I gave her a hung which she reciprocated. "Hey Harry. And hey Rivie!" River smiled at her before running behind my legs.

I grabbed my suitcase and went downstairs where River and Gemma were. "Okay Rivie, daddy's gonna go now. Let me give you a huggie." I said in a baby type voice. River ran over and I gave him a big hug and kiss. "Be good for auntie Gemma and don't give her any trouble. Listen to her okay?" River nodded. I reminded Gemma of the list of emergency numbers and ways to reach me in case something happened. "He'll be fine Harry, we're gonna have some fun right River?"

"Right!" River said holding rexie in his arms. I gave River one last hug before departing. "Bye bye! I love you baby!" 'Bye daddy!" River waved out the window. I got in the car and pulled out of the driveway and then off I went on my trip. I'll admit, after 5 minutes I missed River so much! I was worried that he wouldn't be up to his regular routine because he was so sad. I started to become very sad just thinking about it. I missed my baby.

While I was on the road, I got a call from Gemma. I immediately pulled over in a panic thinking something was wrong. "Hey Gemma is everything okay?" "Oh yeah everything's fine. River just had his lunch and he's watching spongebob right now. That's the only thing distracting him from missing you so much. 5 minutes after you left he started crying so I gave him some crayons so he could draw you a picture when you got back."

"Aww how sweet! Could you tell him I miss him too and that when I get home I'll give him the biggest hug and kiss in the world!?" Gemma giggled. "Of course. I'll call you later when you get to your hotel. Bye little bro." "Bye sis." I got back on to the road again and thought about River. My poor little dino was crying over me and that made me choke up a bit.

I wanted to do something special for him, so when I got to my hotel and checked in, I came up with the idea that I would video call him and read him a story over the phone in my pajamas. It'll be like I never left. After unpacking my stuff, I rushed to the convention where I met up with Mitch. "Hey bro glad you could make it!" He said pulling me in for a hug. "Thanks, glad you could make it too." Mitch chuckled. "So where's River monsta?" "He's at home with Gemma watching him. Yeah poor little guy wanted to come so badly. I feel awful for not being able to take him."

Mitch gave an empathetic smile. "Aww, I know you miss him to death Harry. But It's just overnight. Sara's been on me too haha!" I chuckled at that and then the announcer came on that told everyone to find their seats.

The art convention was very informative and I learned a lot from it. Once it was over, I grabbed my notes and walked straight out to my car. "Bye Harry see you at work Monday!" I heard Mitch yell. I waved to him before getting into my car and driving to the nearest restaurant. I had a cheeseburger with fries and a sprite while looking over my notes. I was pretty impressed at the notes I took and I put them in the glove compartment. I drove to my hotel where I called Gemma.

"Hey Gem, just wanted to check in to see how River's holding up.' "Oh he's doing fine. Him and rexie are in the 'jungle' right now trying to discover some hidden treasure." I laughed at the bright imagination that my little munchkin had. "Oh that's great, I just got back to my hotel for the night and I was thinking of making a bedtime video for River over facetime. Is that okay?"

"Oh that would be great Harry he's gonna love it! Let's surprise him okay?" I agreed. "I'll call at around 7 and I want you to tell River that he's got a surprise coming his way at bedtime. But he HAS to be in bed." "Okay you got it. Thanks Harry, that is so sweet of you to do that for River. You're a good dad!" I blushed a little. "Thanks Gem it was nothing. I would do anything for him."

After I hung up, I brushed my teeth and washed my face and then changed into my pajamas waiting to facetime Gemma. She sent me a text saying that River is in bed anticipating his surprise. Gemma put her phone up for River when I called.

"Hi baby boy! It's daddy! I'm at my hotel and tonight I'm gonna read you a bedtime story." I was sitting on a chair with my phone propped up. I drew a scenery really fast so River would be intrigued by the colors too.

I read him his favorite story and his face was in complete awe the whole time. It made my heart burst of joy. "Did you like the story rivie?" River nodded with a big smile on his face. "Good. I miss you so much and I can't wait to come home tomorrow! I'll be thinking about you the whole night as I'm sure you will be too. I love you and Gemma and I wish you a good night's sleep. Muah!" I said blowing him a kiss through the screen.

River pretended to catch it and put it in his shirt pocket. I ended the call and climbed into bed, anticipating my little surprise once I returned home tomorrow.