It was your last week in New York before you and Harry were flying back to the UK for Christmas. Your flight was early next Saturday morning meaning you had a full week before Christmas Day to spend catching up with family and friends. The twelve days you had booked off over the holidays had loomed incredibly quickly, but you couldn't seem to stop thinking about your first Christmas with Harry.

"Emmy it's consuming me I swear!" You said in exasperation on Monday night after work when you met up for dinner.

She just gave you a smug look and a smirk over her wine glass.

"Don't give me that look, I know I'm disgustingly in love but your whole 'I told you so, knew this was gonna happen' isn't helping!"

Emmy just laughed, "Ceece I've never seen you like this, of course I expected it, but to actually see it happen...young love is a beautiful thing," she sighed wistfully.

You scoffed, "Oh please, don't give me that. May I remind you how you acted when you first met Niall?"

Her eyes widened and she made a gagging face, "You wouldn't dare, I was disgustingly in love too - no need to remind me."

"We both know you're still disgustingly in love, don't try to deny it!"

"Not when he farts in his sleep like he did last night - I'm just disgusted then," she said with a hint of fear in her voice as she relived the memory.

You burst into peals of laughter with Emmy joining in not long after, attracting a couple of looks from those sitting close to you in the restaurant. But neither of you cared; with everything that had been going on you needed a good laugh with your best friend.

Once you'd both calmed down, Emmy spoke, "So come on then, tell me what you've got planned back in the old Blighty?"

Deciding to embrace your excitement, and glad Emmy knew you well enough to know you'd want to share, you launched into your festive plans.

You and Harry had started penciling some stuff in about a week ago and you had been very glad that he was the one to broach the conversation. Since everything still felt quite new between you two, you'd been a bit nervous to talk holiday plans. Especially because of the now inevitable meeting each others families.

So far it had worked out perfectly; you and Harry would stay in his Hampstead home, as well as spending the odd couple of nights at yours and his family homes. Every year your family held a massive Christmas Eve party with some extended family and close friends which ticked off one round of introductions. The second introductions had been sorted when Anne had kindly invited you to the Styles' Boxing Day celebrations, meaning you could still spend Christmas Day with your family.

Then of course, you'd made sure to take some time to meet up with Frilly, conveniently organising it on a day when Louis was also free with Harry's help. Seems like he also wanted their budding relationship to have a second chance, and you'd been in fits of giggles over Harry's terrible match making ideas.

"Why don't we just hang mistletoe everywhere so they can't avoid standing under it?" He'd proposed with a glint in his eye that suggested he thought this was genius.

You'd rolled your eyes playfully with a giggle, "I think that might be a little bit too obvious H."

"Hmm," he'd pursed his lips in thought, a hand cupping his chin, before his eyes sparked up again, "Ooh, what if I just do this?"

You'd watched him in confusion then as he got up and started walking towards you until he was stood just behind your right shoulder. The smile continued to grow on your face in amused suspicion, when finally your question was answered when a shadow passed over your head.

Glancing up, you'd been met with a fake bough of mistletoe dangling from Harry's slender fingers just above your head. Biting deep into your bottom lip to try and repress your grin but failing miserably, you'd turned around to be met with Harry, who's huge cheeky grin matched yours.

You'd not hesitated to grab his face, squishing his cheeks together slightly, and lean up to press your lips to his, slightly overwhelmed with how cute he was.

When you'd pulled away a little while later and rather breathlessly, Harry had gazed down at you with lovestruck eyes and a giddy smile framed by glistening lips, "Guess it worked then?"

"Ooh please tell me you're going to Winter Wonderland?" Emmy asked excitedly.

You shook your head slightly in surprise as Emmy's question brought you back from reliving the sweet memory with Harry, hoping that the silly smile on your face wasn't too obvious. Rolling your eyes playfully you replied, "Emmy you ask me this every year when I go home for the holidays, and the answer is still the same - no! It's overpriced and stupidly busy."

She pouted at you, "But you didn't have Harry before this year! It always looks so romantic online, can't you just go for me?"

Sighing dramatically you considered it. You'd not been to Hyde Park in years, and maybe it would be fun with Harry by your side...if he was willing to go that is, "Ems, I doubt Harry would want to go to something so cliche."

"Well I heard from a little birdie that a certain curly-haired fellow has never been and was too embarrassed to bring it up," she said with a knowing smirk.

"You're kidding me," you replied with an amused smile.

"Nope," Emmy giggled, popping the 'p', "I tell you those two boys talk about the weirdest shit."

"You're definitely not wrong there," you agreed with a laugh as you conjured up an image of Harry and Niall talking about Winter Wonderland, of all things, together.

Your meal with Emmy continued with more laughs and wine and by the time you'd stumbled out of the cab and into your apartment, your heart felt full with gratefulness for this life that you loved so dearly.

◇

"I can't believe you want to go to Winter Wonderland!"

You made your way into Harry's office the next morning ready with your coffees as always - yours was slightly stronger this morning due to your current vino headache. The amused tone to your voice made him startle; he had been in deep concentration with something on his computer and your sudden entrance made him jump slightly.

"I - uhm, maybe?" He said, a slight flush to his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

By now you'd made your way behind his desk and placed the hot drinks down before standing next to his chair with your hands on your hips, "That's definitely a yes."

"Maybe?" Harry asked again with a cute sheepish smile.

You shook your head at him in teasing disbelief, a smile playing at your lips, "I did not peg you as a sucker for cute Christmas dates Styles."

He shrugged his shoulders lightly before swivelling his chair around so that he was facing you, "Once took a girl ice skating at Christmas and broke my elbow, so really I should be traumatised by them."

You barked out a laugh at his dramatic tone before leaning your palms onto his knees so your eyes were now level, "Well I hope our Christmas date won't be as traumatising."

Harry smiled at you softly, pulling you closer to his face with his large palm cupping your jaw, "Everything with you is far from that baby," he said lowly just before placing a sweet kiss to your awaiting lips.

◇

Later on you exited the warmth of the deli shop holding the brown paper bags that held yours and Harry's still warm sandwiches close to your chest.

The weather in New York had turned positively icy in recent weeks; the type of cold that you just couldn't shake which makes you want to curl up in fuzzy pyjamas and a mound of blankets. But of course, that would have to wait until after work, and maybe you could even convince Harry to join you as he let off warmth like your own personal radiator.

Smiling to yourself at the thought, you almost bumped straight into the male figure now stood directly in front of you.

"Oh! Sorry I wasn't - Liam?"

Liam gripped your elbows to steady you as he gave you a warm grin, "Fancy bumping into you here!"

You gave him a surprised laugh as it did always seem that when someone comes back into your life, they end up cropping up everywhere, "Yeah how funny! How are you?"

"Pretty good thanks, I would ask you to join me for lunch but I see you've already got that covered," he observed, gesturing to the paper bags you held.

"Ah, yes I have I'm afraid...besides not sure I should be seen lunching with the enemy," you quipped teasingly.

Liam scoffed good-naturedly, but there was a fleetingly hard look in his eyes, "Surely Styles hasn't got you on that tight of a leash?"

You knew his comment was joking, but you couldn't help your back coming up in defence slightly, "Harry," you began pointedly, "doesn't have me on any type of leash, I was just joking with you."

"Ahh I know Cecy, lighten up! It's good to make jokes about these things after all," his hand came up to ruffle your hair lightly as if to show this whole exchange was purely just some banter.

Choosing to let it slide, you smiled at him, "I know I know, you did always used to tease me like a little sister after all."

His smile faltered for a moment, and you were sure you must've imagined it because it was back before you could think twice, "Mm...oh! While I've got you, I wanted to officially invite you and Harry," he raised his eyebrows in emphasis of your previous comment, "to my company's New Years Party in a few weeks, you know just to make it clear that everything is civil between us all now."

"Oh that would be lovely Liam, thank you! Me and Harry are actually going back to the UK for the holidays but we'll be back for New Year, so thank you for the invite."

Liam's jaw flexed slightly at your words, but his smile didn't falter, "Alright perfect. If you give me your number I can text you the details," you gave him a slightly confused look as you were sure he already had your number, but he was quick to explain, "I got a new phone so I lost all my contacts."

"Oh makes sense," tucking the sandwiches carefully under your arm, you reached for Liams phone and tapped your number in quickly, the cold already biting at your fingertips, "Here you go."

"Great thanks...well I better get going, but it was really lovely to see you again," Liam said intently before taking you in his arms and placing a kiss to your cheek in parting as you did the same.

"Yeah you too, thanks again for the invite! See you later," you gave him a grin and a small wave around the paper bags before heading back in the direction of your office.

You walked quickly but carefully, wanting to get back into the warmth of indoors but also wanting to avoid slipping over.

Liams invite had been a really sweet thing to do to show that there was genuinely no hard feelings between everyone, but part of you couldn't help but wonder how Harry was going to take it...

Before you knew it you were back on your floor and making your way into Harry's office. Upon entering you were quick to see he was engrossed in a phone call, so tiptoeing over to his desk, you placed the sandwich down in front of him as silently as possible.

His eyes were full of appreciation as he mouthed a 'thank you' and gave you a cheeky wink. Smiling down at him with that loved-up smile which was reserved only for him, you blew him a kiss before making your way out of his office to go and enjoy your lunch with Phoebe.

◇

A yawn escaped your lips as you stretched your arms above your head, glad to have just logged off for the day and feeling very ready to get into your fuzzy pyjamas as soon as possible.

Harry had been holed up in his office since you'd seen him briefly at lunch so you were sure he'd also be ready for a nice relaxed night together, the thought instantly making you feel all warm inside.

Grabbing your stuff and slipping your coat on, you walked over to his door and rapped on the wood lightly before making your way inside.

The sight that greeted you instantly made your brows furrow. Harry was sat on his orange sofa, bent forward with one elbow resting on his knee, one hand cupping his jaw and his phone held tightly in the other hand. The glow of the screen threw his face into a stormy shadow highlighting his clenched jaw and deeply creased brow.

"You alright H?" You asked tentatively, making your way over to him.

"Yeah, just wondering why pictures of you giving Liam Payne your phone number are all over Twitter?" he turned to look at you then, and although he seemed calm, there was a steely look in his eyes which you'd never seen directed at you before.

Taking a deep breath and lifting your chin slightly before crossing your arms over your chest, you responded, "Because he so kindly invited us to his New Years Eve party and said he'd send me the details over text."

Harry barked out a single laugh that was lacking in humour before standing up and approaching you. Once he was stood in front of your he lifted his phone to show you what was on the screen, "Look at this Cecelia! 'Stone caught fraternising with the enemy just over two weeks after being spotted on a date with boss Harry Styles'."

You matched his steely gaze with your own before flicking your eyes to his device and briefly scanning the article. You couldn't help the scoff that left your lips, "And you're telling me you seriously believe that shit?"

"No of course I don't, but do you not realise how bad this makes the whole company look for Christs sake - how it makes me look?!" He ran a hand exasperatedly through his curls before flinging his phone behind him where it landed on the sofa with a thud.

Part of you had to agree with him; it wasn't an ideal headline considering everything already circling the internet about Harry, Eroda Music and Liam, but there was no need for his jealousy to overpower his reasoning, "Harry calm down, I know its not brilliant but what they choose to write isn't my fault...you know that better than anyone!"

He puffed an angry breath out of his nose and squeezed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, "I know I'm sorry, it's just frustrating...Payne clearly saw his opportunity to get you in a bad position -"

"Harry he was just being nice," you tried to reason.

"Ceece don't be naive, how can you not see this? He's managed to catch you in broad daylight on a busy street where you were bound to be seen and make an innocent action look like it's something much bigger than it is!" You could practically see the cogs working in Harry's brain; the way he analysed the situation entirely differently to you from his years in the media.

You sighed as you knew he was partially right, but the way he was going about it was slowly getting your back up, "You're not wrong, but there's no need to call me naive -"

"Oh and if he seriously thinks we're gonna take that fucking invite then he's completely stupid," Harry spat out, his voice laced with venom that you knew wasn't directed at you.

"Don't be silly of course we're going to go, it's the perfect olive branch for the companies!" you couldn't help but continue to feel riled up even though you knew it wasn't Harry saying this, but that green-eyed monster he usually kept well under wraps.

"It's not an olive branch, it's his attempt at trying to get into your pants," Harry said in a slightly seething tone.

You stood there stunned for a moment, unsure as to where Harry's anger had come from, "Oh please Harry, grow up! It's nothing like that at all, he's my friend -"

"No friend acts like he has done with you Cecelia, and you know it."

"No actually, I don't know it," you fired back swiftly, "I don't know what's gotten into you today but if this is how you're going to act then I'll see you tomorrow."

Harry's breathing was harsh as he looked you over with blazing eyes, "There's so much more at stake at the moment and if you can't understand that -"

"Oh so it's me or the company now is it?" Your hands were now balled into fists down by your sides as you tried to keep your cool, knowing it was just the stress of the last few weeks causing this argument.

Harry seemed to soften slightly at your words, reading the flash of hurt that you'd tried to mask in your eyes with anger, "No, baby, no of course not. I'm sorry that wasn't what I meant."

You took a shaky breath before speaking more calmly, "Then what did you mean?"

Placing his hands on his hips he stretched his neck to look up at the ceiling while blowing a breath out of his nose, "I just meant that Liam is playing a much more sneaky game than we think and you need to be careful around him for the sake of the company. At the end of the day if it comes down to it, you can't be seen to show any sort of alliance to him."

And you weren't sure why, but Harry's tone and the words he chose felt like a slap to the face, "And is that because of the company or your own jealousy Harry?"

I'm bACKKKKKKKKKK

hi everyone its been a hot sec how y'all doing??

lots to unwrap in this chappie hehehehehe what do you think of harry and cecy's argument??

next few chapters are gonna be some xmassy fluff before we crack onto some more drama mwahaha

thank you all so much for sticking with me while I've been trying to sort my life out, the kind words you write to me literally mean the world to me and have made it so much easier to know that I can take my time and you guys will always be here to wait for me whenever I am ready so thank you ever so much <3

I cant believe we're almost at 10k reads too wtf *cries* this is truly a madness

now as for future updates...if I'm being totally honest the next couple of weeks are gonna be so busy for me, I have so much uni coursework to do/catch up on cos ive been bed bound for three days with a throat infection lol love life xox but once those deadlines are done in early dec I'm gonna try and get those xmassy/New Years chapters out in time for real life xmas and New Years as a little present of sorts to you all! its worked out kinda nicely even if I do say so myself haha

anywhooooo sorry for rambling its been a while so I had a lot to say okay

love you all lots and lots and hope you're all still keeping safe and well <3

kait x