'Yeah, after all this time I'm still into you'

It was around 10pm when I got back to the house. I was exhausted. Of course, teaching dance is always fun but as soon as it's over and you start to feel the ache in your muscles all over your body......

As soon as I closed the door, I slumped against it and let out a deep sigh.

I'm hungry now.

I forced my legs to walk to the kitchen. When I pushed open the door, the first thing I noticed was Maria sat around the island, staring into a teacup which probably had Cuban coffee in it.

When she heard me enter, she looked up at me but didn't say anything. So I decided to break the silence.

"Hey Maria. Thanks so much for tonight. I really appreciate it," I say tiredly.

She waved her hamds dismissively and said,"No fue nada. I wish you would've just called me. I'd happily watch them for you."

I shrugged at her and said,"I didn't want to bother you." Lies! You just didn't want to face rejection.

But of course she saw right through my lie.

"Ay niña. Is this about what happened a few days ago? Were you afraid to ask me?"she asked and I could hear the slight pain in her voice.

My silence that followed was an answer enough.

She stood up and made her way around the island towards me. When she stood in front of me, she gently took my hands between hers and said sternly but softly at the same time,

"Mia Marie Badal-de la Rosa," I internally cringed at the use of my full name,"just because I got upset with you doesn't mean that I love you any less. I am not your mother. You. Your sister. And your brother. I've always treated you as though you were my own. I'm not going to suddenly abandon you because I don't like something you did."

I nodded at her words because I felt like that was all I could do.

My exhaustion and the sincerity of her words make me want to burst into tears but of course, it doesn't happen.

"Pero Mia, quiero que me hables. I want you to tell me things. You can't keep all of this bottled up inside. It will eat you alive. Today, everything. With Tia, Blake, your parents, Tíago. Even tell me about Harry. I just want to help."

I reply with a faint,"okay."

She nods and goes back to her coffee.

"The boys and Mari helped me make pizza tonight. There's some leftover in the fridge."

"It still has leftovers?" I joked.

"Well I had to pry a few slices away from the pan," she chuckled and I joined in with her.

After I ate and tidied up in the kitchen, realisation dawned on me.

"Everyone in their rooms already? Where's Mari?"

"I left them on the couch watching a movie. Can't remember what it was was."

"Why don't you go to bed. It's quite late. I'll see about everyone downstairs."

She opens her mouth to protest but I quickly cut her off,"Uh uh. Cama. Ahora."

When we exit the kitchen, I turn to walk towards the living room while she heads for the stairs.

Huh. It actually worked. She must be really tired.

I stop in my tracks when I reach the entrance to the living room.

The light from the television was still on but they were all asleep.

Liam, Niall and Louis were on the three-seater leaning on each other.

Zayn was curled up on the two-seater by himself.

But what almost had me awing out loud was Harry on the single reclining chair. He looked so peaceful and innocent while asleep.

But what made the scene even more pure and innocent was my little girl curled up on his chest.

Her frame looked so tiny on top on him as he had his much longer arms wrapped around her, hugging her to his chest.

I felt warmth spread across my chest at the sight.

Mariangeli is very picky. She may be young but she chooses who she gets close to without even knowing it. Especially some of my male friends. Which is why I'm so surprised she managed to take such a liking to Harry, enough for her to fall asleep on him.

I wish I didn't have to but I don't want Harry waking up tomorrow feeling uncomfortable or anything so I go to take her upstairs with me.

I walk up to them and take in the sight before gently touching Harry's arm. However as soon as my finger grazes the his arm, I feel something shoot up my arm.

It felt like that one time when I was younger, my cousin, sister and myself decided to play hide and seek in the dark. I went to hide in the corner of a bed, can't remember whose, but what I didn't know was that there was an extention chord on the floor. Long story short, I shocked myself.

That same intense buzzing sensation that went through my body all those years ago fired through my arm as soon as I touched Harry's.

But this is me guys. So I do the next best thing. Ignore it.

I gently try prying Harry's arms from around Mari's body again, ignoring the shocks being shot through my arms, trying not to wake him up.

When I finally release her from Harry's strong hold, I lift her up and she instinctively wrap her legs around my waist, her hands around my neck and she buries her head in the crook of my neck.

Suddenly, Harry starts to stir and I hold my breath. I watch as his hands blindly searches for something before dropping entirely.

Before I could let out the breath that I was holding, a pair of green eyes fly open in panic.

"Hey,"I say quietly, touching his shoulder to get his attention.

His eyes snap to mine. He blinks a few times to get rid of the sleepiness and then watches me again.

"Hey. You came back," I try not to swoon at the small smile on his lips or how deep and raspy his voice sounds from just waking up.

Getting myself together, I clear my throat quietly and rub my hands up and down Mari's back when she started to stir to coax her back to sleep.

"Yeah. A little while ago. Seems you guys had quite a night," I whispered glancing at the many candy wrappers, leftover pizza crusts on plates and discarded bowl of popcorn on the centre table.

He chuckled lightly rubbing his eyes,"Yeah. Seems like it."

Mari starts to stir again so I try to coax her back to sleep with my voice and my hands on her back. But this doesn't go unnoticed my Harry.

"You look exhausted. Go on ahead. I'll clean up down here." he says standing up.

"It's okay Harry. I'll do it. You can go back to sleep."

He watches me with a raised brow and glances to Mari in my arms and back to the face.

"I think you and the lil'munchkin should get some sleep. It's fine."

Now I raise a brow at him.

"Lil'munchkin?"I ask mocking his accent.

A dimpled smile appears on his face as he says,"Yup. We're way past the first name basis by now. Where have you been?"

I shake my head at him, fighting the smile that's threatening to appear.

He steps closer and looks down at me.

"Why don't you get some sleep? You look exhausted. I'll clean up it's fine."

The way he was looking at me in that moment, I gave in. I couldn't help it.

"Yeah?" he asks.

I let out a begrudged 'okay'.

A victorious smirk creeps unto his lips as he says, "Splendid! Now hop along, better get started on that beauty sleep."

I chuckle at his eagerness and say quietly,"Goodnight Harry."

He leans forward and presses his lips to my cheek. When he pulls back and whispers,"Sweet dreams, squeaky."

I playfully scowl at him,"You just had to ruin it, didn't you?"

He looks at me innocently and says,"What? I have no idea what you're talking about."

Mari starts to stir again and Harry gives me a look that says 'well go on then'

I give him one last glance before turning on my heel and heading for the stairs.

As I'm lying on my bed after having a shower and everything else, I couldn't help but think that something changed in me tonight. That same warm feeling was making a permanent camp fire in my chest. There's a constant fluttering in my stomach that's makes me feel like I'm going to throw up and I feel as though I'm skipping but I'm actually walking.

Does any of this make sense?

Can somebody please tell me what the hell is going on!