"Now you're just somebody that I used to know"

After leaving the restaurant, everyone went home. Anne, Robin and Gemma were watching a movie and Harry and Mari was somehow inside the house, playing hide and seek. While everyone seemed to be occupied, I make my way outside to the backyard. Thankfully, it's not too cold outside so I perch myself on one of the chairs they have set up outside.

It's been one hell of a day today.

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. For the first time since that awful day, I actually smiled at the picture of my sister.

It's amazing to me what effect grief can have on people. Everyone has different reactions and coping methods of grief. I, for one, clearly didn't have a very good reaction or coping method. I've transformed into a whole new person because of grief and I'm still trying to figure out if it was for better or worse.

I nearly bounce off the chair, jumping so high at the deep voice behind me. When I turn around, I find Robin holding two mugs and a concerned look on his face.

"Mia, are you alright?"

"You scared me!" I said with a hand on my chest and then groaned "Anne sent you out here to give me another pep talk, didn't she?"

He slowly lowers himself on to the chair next to me with the two mugs in hand and lets out a small chuckle "She didn't" then adds "but I'm going to give you one anyway"

I send him a playful annoyed look and he responds with a sweet smile, offering me one of the mugs "Tea?"

I take it from him with a grateful smile as he sips from his own mug, the hot liquid instantly warming me up.

He sips from his mug as well before letting out a deep sigh and says "Are you happy, my dear?"

I look at him stunned at his bold yet random question "Why? Do I not look happy?"

"I don't know! I haven't seen you in weeks" he says sadly and I feel my guilt levels rising.

"It's been almost a year" he muses "Do you ever think maybe...?" he lets his question hang, letting me process it.

It's not that I haven't thought about it. I have thought about getting back out there but I always said that if I was doing it, it would have to be the right person. Someone to fill his shoes, even if it's just a fraction considering nobody could ever fill his shoes.

But I haven't found that right person yet. I haven't found someone who can make me smile, laugh and forget about my issues like he did.

Until Harry.

"I have" he sends me a surprised look, resting his cup on the small table "but it's not worth pursuing"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it's not worth the risk" and I'm not worth the effort.

"What risk?"

"The risk of losing him"

A long silence ensues. He nods in understanding as he retrieves his cup "I see"

"But-" I let out a sigh as he continues "it might be different this time"

"I don't want it to be different" I say stubbornly "but I don't want it to be the same either" we all know how that story ends.

"So I take it that you're not happy then" he clarifies.

"I never said that"
I'm as happy as I'll ever be. Living in a flat that still doesn't feel like home, always wanting to quit my job, having to work another to support myself and Mari, always grumpy on Mondays and pining after a guy I know I'll never have "Okay. I'm not" I relent.

"I know you aren't" he says softly "I see it in your eyes"

"I just-" I let out a deep sigh "I feel as though something is missing in my life. Like I can never truly be happy unless I have this one thing"

"What do you think is missing?" he asks with an enigmatic tone that hints to me that he knows something that I don't.

"That's the thing, I don't know what it is" I admit defeatedly.

We settle into a comfortable silence for a few minutes before he says,

"Take things one step at a time and then everything will fall into place"

I take in his words and make a mental note of it. Anytime I feel like ripping my hair out or screaming and throwing pillows at the wall, I'll remember them. What I've learnt over the years that I've known Robin is to never take his advice with a pinch of salt. Everything he says is true and meaningful because he's lived through it.

Robin the Wise.

"And what about Harry?"

I watch him confused "What about Harry?"

He smiles slightly and says "You two didn't exactly have the picture perfect reunion"

I laugh remembering the day at Simon's office. Even though it wasn't that long ago, looking back on it now makes me realise just how stupid I acted. How rude I was to him, to my best friend. Granted I didn't have the information that I do now but it's still appalling to me that I could act that way towards someone. Further more someone I care about.

That wasn't me.

It's times like these that you realise that you need a reality check.

"Oh c'mon! It wasn't all that bad" we laughed and I reassured "but everything's been great between us" a little too great if you ask me, considering my recent...developments.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you lot" he says as he takes in the view in front of us and I do the same.

It's weird sitting out here and not being able to recount any fond memories of us. I mean, obviously there won't be any considering Harry and I never made any memories in this house but it still feels...weird? I don't know. I'm not even sure I'm making sense. My mind has been all over the place recently and there's only one person to blame for that.

"Can I give you some advice?" I hear Robin ask suddenly, drawing me out of my thoughts.

"No, not really" I sighed "but you're going to anyway"

He nods, not even denying it "Very true"

"So tell me oh great Robin the Wise" I say dramatically, waving my hands gesticulatively "what good wisdom have you to share with me on this fine evening"

I have a tendency of always acting goofy or smartass and sassy to divert serious topics. It's how I function okay? Don't judge.

However I get a bit stumped when I don't get the response I was hoping for. Instead, Robin's expression turns serious and the mood around us suddenly shifts. To be honest, I'm kind of scared of what he's going to say. Not necessarily because it's going to be terrifying and heart stopping but because I know that he's going to point out an aspect of my life that I tend to neglect. One that I don't need him to point out because I know what it is...I'm just a coward.

"For years I've watched the relationship between you and Harry. For two young people who lived thousands of miles away and only saw each other once a year, the bond between you two is inseparable" he pauses, placing his cup on the table and lets out a deep sigh before continuing "Mia, you have seen some very traumatic things and been through enough pain to last a lifetime but you can't let that fear keep you from living...from moving forward. You can't let those experiences prevent you from being happy, love"

I swallow the lump in my throat as I take in and digest everything that he's saying to me.

"And if your happiness is Harry..." he says slowly as if trying to gage my reaction. Does everyone in this house know?! "then it is worth pursuing. It is worth the risk because let me tell you something" he moves closer and his voice quietens like he's telling me a secret "you could never lose him. Ever"

"How did you know?" I ask curiously trying to draw away from the topic of losing Harry. The thought makes me sick.

"Know what?" he flashes me a cheeky smile.

I groan "You know..." he simply chuckles and we settle into another comfortable silence.

Until he abruptly breaks it "The moment I first saw you two together"

My eyes widen like saucers "What?"

"When I knew? The moment I first saw you two together" he confirms with a nod.

I'm still in shock "That was years ago!"

He hums in agreement "Christmas 2004"

"How?"

He shrugs and pats his stomach "I had a hunch"

A rhythmic knock ceases our laughter at Robin's antics.

"Hey there stranger" I smile instantly lit up my face at the sound of his voice.

Robin flashes me a knowing smile "I'll leave you two to it then" then gets up from the chair he was sitting.

He rests a gentle kiss on my forehead and says "Have a good night, my dear, and remember what I said"

Moving away from me and walking towards Harry, he puts his hand on Harry's shoulder and playfully warns "You behave yourself tonight. Don't give that poor girl any more trouble"

My lips part as he smirks "Not making any promises"

With a shake of his head, Robin disappears inside and the chair beside me is occupied by Harry.

"Hey yourself" I greet referring to his previous greeting, bringing the tea cup to my lips.

"I thought you were playing with Mari?" I furrow my eyebrows as I look at his profile.

He huffs and pouts "I was. Then Gemma took her away"

I resist the urge to laugh at how childish he's being and resort to hide my grin behind the cup in my hands.

"What are you doing out here?" he asks curiously.

"You seem to be in a better mood" I try to change the subject.

"Yes, well I-" he cuts himself off, seeming to have caught on to my plan "Hey! Don't change the subject"

I let out a defeated sigh "I was just thinking"

"That's never a good thing" he comments and then asks "About what?"

You.

"About..." I pause debating on whether or not to tell him. People tend to get scared of the things that come out of my mouth when I think. Once I start, I don't stop.

Tell him. It's the only way he can help.

"About how I have to leave Mariangeli again for so long"

I see him shift closer from the corner of my eye, goosebumps rising as our arms touch.

He doesn't move his and neither do I.

"Well..." he blows out a breath, seeming to be thinking "why don't you just bring her with us?"

"Don't you think I want to!" I accidentally snap.

"Sorry" I quickly apologise, looking down embarrassingly.

"It's alright" he says with a smile in his voice.

I narrow my eyes at him, noticing how everytime I accidentally snap at him, it's a habit...I know, I'm working on it, he smiles.

"What's so funny?"

"Huh? I have no idea what you're talking about" he feigns innocence.

"Harry come on! I'm being serious!" I whine with a slight chuckle.

"Your act only works on an audience, love" I frown not understanding him.

Urgh! I hate it when he goes all fortune cookie on me!

Harry may not have made it to university level and his grades weren't all that great, considering how playful he was at school but when you really get to know him, you see that he is more intelligent than those going to university or have degrees, wiser than the three wise men combined and surprisingly more clever than you'd think.

This is why we don't underestimate people.

"What act?"

"Let's make a deal" he turns his body to face me "I'll answer your question honestly...if you answer my question honestly"

Oohh he's good...

I think it over in my head, what's the worst that can happen?

"Okay. Shoot"

"Who is he?" I nearly choke on the tea I was sipping.

"What?!" I spluttered.

He chuckles "You don't just find a ring like that" he gestures to my hand "out of nowhere!"

I look down at my fingers as they fidget with said ring. How did he...?

He continues "It obviously means something to you because of how much you look at it and you play with it when you're nervous"

Again, how does he...?

"So...who is he?"

I look away from my hand to him "Someone who used to be very important to me" A sad smile appears just thinking about him.

"Used to?" he questions, sounding curious.

I nod with a laugh "I tell Mari this story all the time! I swear it's her favourite story"

"What happened?"

I inhale deeply and let out a shaky breath "Sometimes life just doesn't work out the way we want it to"

"Care to share?"

I open my mouth to start telling the story but I stop, the words dying in my throat. A sudden sadness and resentment washes over me.

I stand up from the chair, hiding my trembling hands behind my back, ready to head inside.

"Where are you going?" he stands up too.

God he must think I'm bipolar or something.

Without looking at him, I say "You got your answer. I don't want to talk about it"

I feel him move closer as the smell of his cologne invades my nostrils "It wasn't an honest answer"

"How do you know that?"

"Because I know you" his tone is soft and sincere "and I know that bottling up your feelings isn't going to do you any good" when haven't I heard that before "so how about...you come back and have a seat and let's talk about this. Together "

I hesitate not really sure if I want to.

"Please?" he pleads and with that I let out a defeated sigh and return to my previous position.

"What do you want to know?"

"What's his name?" he asks after a moment of silence.

"His name was Blake" I answer quietly.

"How did you meet? What is he like? Does he treat you good?" he fires one after the other, like an overprotective father interrogating his daughter about her new boyfriend.

Imagine what would happen if he actually had a daugther. Poor soul...

"Really?" I deadpanned as he fired questions at me.

"Yes really. I'd like to know what sort of person my best friend is spending her time with!" he exclaims "and who has the nerve to put a ring on her finger without my permission!"

My eyes widen and my lips part in disbelief "Since when did I need your permission?"

"Since-" he stops seeming to be at a loss for words "I don't know!" he explodes.

Where is all this coming from?

"Hey, calm down. It's not that big of a deal" I try to reassure him but he's not having it.

"Not that big of a deal? You can't be serious!" he laughs dryly. By now, he's no longer sitting next to me but pacing up and down with the same annoyed expression that he had in the restaurant.

"Harry I- where is this coming from?" I ask a bit confused and concerned of his odd behaviour. In case you haven't noticed Harry is probably one of the most cheery, carefree person you'll ever meet so to see him acting this way is...strange "What happened to talking this out together?"

"We wouldn't have to do this right now if I was there when it happened!" Bingo!

I knew he wasn't over it. It's ironic how a few seconds ago, he was telling me about not bottling up my feelings when he's been doing the same thing. It's upsetting to know that he still blames himself for something he had no control over.

It's easy for someone as young as Harry to get sucked into the artificial world of fame and fortune. He's juvenile and naive and curious. He's human.

But Harry is stubborn. Once he has something in his head, he commits to it.

The only way to combat his stubbornness is by matching his level of stubbornness.

"If I was there, I would've-"

"Yeah well you weren't! Which is why we're doing this now!" he spins around to face me at the sound of my voice "it's over and done with. It's in the past. What? Would you rather give up the opportunity of this amazing career and new life just because you wanted to be apart of one measly detail of mine?"

He opens his mouth to retort but I already know what he's about to say so I cut him off "Don't say yes because that's dumb and I wouldn't have allowed it anyway"

Nothing can be heard apart from the whistling of the wind dancing around us.

I start to wonder how we ended up here. I have mixed feelings about this situation as I'm happy that I won't have to relive one of the most bittersweet times of my life but I'm upset over how he just...exploded. I knew he was still not on board with the whole moving on thing by the little comments he'd make sometimes but I didn't know it affected him this much.

But there's also something in his eyes that say this is not the only reason why he blew up like that. I don't know what it is but it's there and I saw it. The only problem is trying to figure out what it is.

I let out a sigh as I rise from my spot on the chair and walk over to him, his back to me.

"Harry- look at me" he shakes his head ashamedly, refusing to meet my eyes and a slight frown takes over my features.

I walk the short distance around him until I'm facing him and pull him into an embrace, holding him close to me. He melts into me as I feel his body slump against mine in defeat, his head resting on my shoulder.

His strong arms tighten around me as he stands in my embrace. I can feel his hot breath tickling my neck causing goosebumps to rise and my emotions skyrocket through the roof.

The longer we stand out here, holding each other, I can't help but feel as though a boundary was crossed. Like the line between best friends and lovers have been blurred.

But that's crazy because Harry doesn't feel that way about me.

After what felt like an hour, I hear him mumble quietly " 'M sorry", the vibration of his chest ricocheting off my chest.

I pull away just enough to see his face, still keeping him close and softly suggest "come sit with me?"

Our voices are so quiet and soft compared to the explosion just a few minutes ago.

Surprising myself, I slide my hands from around him and lace my fingers through his as I look at him hopefully.

He nods wordlessly and follows as I lead him back to the chairs, our hands still intertwined.

Finally seated back in our chairs, I start to think I shouldn't be holding his hand like this, I'm making this weird. I go to pull my hand away but he gently tightens his fingers around my own, not letting go.

With a boost of confidence, I scoot the chair closer to his so that out knees are now touching.

"Harry..." he looks up at me from under his eyelashes "I don't know what else to do to convince you that everything's okay between us"

He remains silent with a frown on his face "So what? We missed four years but we're here now"

"We would've been here sooner" he spits.

I try to lighten the mood "No I think you would be here. I'd probably be locked away in a lonely dorm room with a textbook ripping my hair out because of medical school"

Oh my god! School! I have work to do!

I feel like I've won the damn lottery as he starts laughing causing me to let out a small chuckle.

I don't know how many people feel this way but I'm sure that there are millions of girls out there who feels the same as me.

When Harry is upset, you're upset and you want nothing more than to see his dimpled smile.

Tell me I'm wrong!

When his laughter dies down, I watch as he stares into space with a slight frown on his face and I just know that there's more on his mind.

"Harry" I give his hand a little squeeze to get his attention "Talk to me"

It's almost laughable how hypocritical people can be. I can recount numerous occasions when I've had conversations similar to this one and I was in Harry's position.

The only difference is that Harry isn't a closed book. He's very open and expressive and affectionate. If you asked him a question, you were sure to get an answer whether it was the truth, half the truth or a cheeky response.

But I'm the complete opposite.

I think my breathing stopped when his intense green eyes finally landed on me, filled with so many emotions that I find it difficult to read what they mean.

"I just..." he pauses, deciphering whether to say what he was about to say or not. He sits forward a bit, resting his elbows on his knees, pulling my hand with his and running his other hand through his hair.

Time passes slowly in silence and just as I think he isn't going to say anything "I just don't want you to get hurt, squeaks"

Squeaks, Squeaky, Squeakers or whatever the hell he calls me these days, despite our deal, I find myself surpassing that minor detail, for once looking at the bigger picture.

"I always believed...always pictured that I'd meet your first boyfriend and make sure that he didn't turn out to be a dickhead. You're so pure and innocent and special. Any bloke would be a lucky bastard if you even looked in their direction" by now I can tell that he's rambling but I find it so endearing when he rambles. It's his way of getting things of his chest.

There's a fluttering in my chest that doesn't look like it's leaving anytime soon and there's sparks shooting up from where our hands are joined, all the way up my arm. A sudden warmth spreads through my entire body.

Dudeee...I swear I'm going to start blushing soon!

His words are affecting me in more ways than one. His protective and caring nature is one that I always aspire to have.

Too bad we want the things we can't have, right?

"I don't want you being tainted by some prick's idiocy" he snaps but it's not directed at me "so I'm sorry if I overreacted before. I'm just...a bit sensitive when it comes to things like this"

I'm just full of surprises today. I don't know what came over me but I had the sudden urge to be closer to him. I sit forward as well, resting my head on his shoulder. The warmth radiating from his body causes me to snuggle closer into his side.

I can tell he didn't expect such a bold move as his body freezes up but he relaxes almost right after.

I look up at him, my chin still resting on his shoulder, grinning from ear to ear "You never told me that"

His grin matches mine as he looks down at me "Well I'm telling you now"

All I can say is "That's really sweet"

Seeing as he was honest with me, it's only fair that I am as well. I guess I'm on the floor now. I just wish they'd remove the blinding spotlight from my face. Whoever they is.

"Blake was...well" I pause trying to figure out how to explain myself "it's complicated. Like really really complicated"

"How so?"

"I wouldn't say he was my boyfriend because we didn't want labels on our relationship. Correction: I didn't want a label"

"Why?" he sounds genuinely curious.

Here's the thing. When I start, I can't stop. This is why I don't like talking about my past.

"Take boyfriend for instance" he nods "It means potential husband right?" he nods again, more slowly this time.

He's probably trying to make sense of the mess you're saying.

"But what if I don't see this person as a 'potential husband'? Why put so much pressure on a word only for it to be meaningless to you?"

He has a concentrated look on his face as he listens attentively "Makes sense"

"So then how come you have on a ring? Aren't you married or something?" he asks a bit confused but still curious as to what I have to say.

I should be able to talk about this freely by now but I just can't bring myself to do it. The day the ring was given to me was too much of an emotional day and the thought of reliving it has me shivering. The significance of the ring is downright embarrassing and not something that I'd proudly talk about.

Blake and I never talked about it. Lily and Aaron don't talk about it. Nobody talks about it.

Like they say...what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

I look down and start playing with his fingers as I try to gather my jumbled thoughts and make sense of them.

His fingers are so soft!

"You wanna know something?"

"I'm all ears love" he smiles reassuringly.

I blow out a breath "You're the only person I've ever told this to"

He furrows his eyebrows "What about Lily?"

"She was there when it happened! But I'm not talking about that" I shake my head "what I'm about to tell you is something that I've never told anyone before"

"It's not that I didn't want him to be my boyfriend, quite the opposite actually. He was kind, sweet, caring, loving...basically everything you could ask for in a perfect boyfriend. He meant everything to me" yeah, he stuck around and put up with your shit without as much as a complaint "and Mari adored him"

I'm not thinking right now. The words are just spewing out of my mouth.

"But?" he asks quietly.

"But" I start to play with the ring again out of anxiousness " I was never in love him "

Call me crazy but I could've sworn I saw Harry sigh in relief. I don't pay it any mind though because this is the part of the conversation that I dreaded.

Blake meant everything to me. He was my shoulder to cry on and a loving partner with such a heart of gold. You would've never guessed his inner turmoil or see his frustrations unless he told you and even when he tells you, it's hard to believe.

Trust me, I should know.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I loved him. I loved him a lot but I wasn't in love with him. Which was strange because I could always see myself falling in love with him and living happily ever after" too bad those don't exist "but when he said it first...I couldn't say it back"

Admitting it out loud felt like acid on my tongue.

"I don't understand" he says when he realises that I've stopped talking.

You and me both buddy!

"This is going to sound crazy" I laugh lightly to myself, knowing the mess that going to come out of my mouth "Everytime I thought that I was ready to tell him that I felt the same, I felt like..." my face scrunches up as I try to find the right words "like something was holding me back. A force of some sort...like the universe or something"

See I said I was going to sound crazy. Pssht...the universe holding me back, I scoff in my head, Yeah right...

"Almost like I wasn't meant to say those three words to him. See? What did I tell you? It's crazy"

I always felt guilty that I couldn't say it back because even after that, he still stuck around. He never resented me for it. He still treated me the same as he'd been before and I felt horrible because I could tell that his feelings were real, his love was real because I felt it.

I felt his love for me in everything he did and everything he said and it killed me that I couldn't say it back.

"I don't think it's crazy at all" he says firmly but wears a reassuring smile. I find myself being a bit shocked because I expected him to laugh or crack a joke or...something! Not this! "Who knows? Maybe you could be right. Maybe you weren't meant to tell him. Maybe..." he pauses and I look up at him again.

"Maybe what?" I ask quietly, my heart rate rising as he stares into my eyes intensely. It only just occurred to me how close we are since I'm looking up at him with my chin on his shoulder.

The distance between our faces get smaller and smaller by the millisecond. Something in the air has changed. Something between us has changed but I'm not too sure if it's just me feeling this way.

"Maybe you were meant to fall in love with someone else" the quietness of his voice matches mine. It feels like we're in a bubble and the only thing I can think of is him.

His words struck something in me and the way he stares into my soul makes me want to squirm. I can't read him which hardly ever happens. There is something calm yet anxious about how his eyes squint slightly, the green peeking through in the brightest way.

I have no clue about what is going on.

A lump forms in my throat at all the possibilities.

It can't be what I think it is...Is it?

"Mia..." my name rolls off his tongue like butter and it sounds like music to my ears. Oh my god what have I become! Any little space that was left between us seem to be disappearing as he leans closer "Mia...I-"

Knock. Knock.

We jump away from each other at lightening speed. Anne's head pokes out from behind the door.

"Sorry to interrupt" she smirks and turns to me "I think Mari is ready to sleep"

"Be right there!" I respond quickly rising out of my seat and rushing inside in embarrassment.

I can't believe we-

"Don't say a word" I muttered as I passed Anne.

"I didn't say anything!" she exclaims but she still wears a smirk matching the one of her son.

The last thing I see before I walk inside the house is Harry running a hand through his hair with deeply tinted cheeks and Anne taking a seat next to him.

Never have I been so grateful for an interruption in my entire life. What would've happened if Anne didn't come outside.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing because he wasn't going to kiss me. It's not possible. Never in a million years.

Right now, I want nothing more than to just close my eyes and forget everything that just happened. Well...not everything...

My wish for rest might as well just fall on deaf ears as sleep isn't going to come easy. It's me we're talking about but I also have to ensure that someone keeps their clothes on tonight especially since Mari is joining the party tonight. I'm putting her right in the middle of us just to make sure things don't get ny weirder between us.

Wait- am I the only one who thinks things between us are weird? Am I reading too much into this?

I'm acting like a teenage girl. I didn't even have 'boy problems' growing up. That was more my sister's territory. I had other things to worry about.

But is this really what it's like to have boy problems? Thank god I missed out on this!

"Mamà?" Mari asks tiredly with her body facing towards me.

"Sí mija?" I reply, trying to find my comfortable spot under the duvet.

"Remember when-" she pauses as she yawns "-when Uncle Blake was here-" I stop moving about on the bed as my heart thuds in my chest because I know what she's about to say "-and he would sing me to sleep with you?"

I nod with a sad smile taking a glance at Harry. It looks as though his attention is focused on his phone but the way his finger mindlessly slides up and down the screen I can tell that he's listening to our conversation.

"He wasn't very good at it" she laughs and I join her "he really wasn't!"

It's nice to have some of the good memories of Blake to look back on and laugh about because sometimes...well most times the bad always trumps the good.

After her laughter dies down, she yawns again and looks at me nervously, like she's scared to say what she wants to say.

"What is it mija?"

"Since Uncle Blake isn't here anymore" her words are like knives to my heart "maybe Uncle Harry can be the new Uncle Blake?" she asks innocently.

I have to take a few moments to digest her innocent question. This is why I could never tell Harry the way I feel about him. Not only for the fear of rejection and risk our friendship but I don't think I could ever go through what I went through with Blake again.

What happened with Blake completely broke me but if something were to ever happen to Harry, it would kill me.

And I'm not ready to die yet.

Sucking in a breath, I say "why don't you ask him?" Not that she needed to, he already heard.

She grins "Okay!"

"Uncle Harry?" she whisper-yells and I watch amused as he shuts his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

She pokes his back and calls his name again and he lets out a tired groan that sounded way too fake.

"Harold wake up! You're not fooling anyone. Haven't your mother told you it's rude to eavesdrop?" I tease echoing Gemma's words from earlier.

His eyes snap open and he turns to face us "You're on my bed!"

"Are you implying that we're disturbing your peace?" I love messing with him! "Because we can go if you want?"

His jaw drops "What?! I never said that!"

"But you implied it" I continue to tease unbeknownst to him.

"Bloody hel-"

"Language!" I playfully scold, gesturing to Mari.

"Um, excuse me?" Her little voice says between us but we continue to bicker.

"You know what? You're disturbing my peace. In fact" he pulls Mari closer to him "you're disturbing our peace"

"Excuse me?"

"Very mature. Just use the 5 year old!" I retort.

He sticks his tongue out "Squeaky!"

I gasp dramatically and fire back "Harold!"

"Weirdo!"

"Bed-wetter!"

We probably look and sound like a bunch of idiots.

Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee!

"I haven't wet my bed since I was ten so ha!" he gives me a challenging look and I stare right back at him with a smirk trying to hold in my laughter.

I couldn't hold it in and not too long after he bursts out laughing at himself "I can't believe I just said that!" he wheezes through his laughter.

"Best comeback of the century!" I say as our laughter dies down.

We're such dorks!

"I'm sleepy now" she yawns curling up next to Harry.

Shit I almost forgot she was here. Key word: almost.

"We're sorry Mari" I can't contain the smile that appears as I glance at Harry while apologising "Now. What's it going to be tonight?"

Instead of answering me, she asks Harry "Can you sing me to sleep? Please?"

His face pales as he looks at me for help and I simply shrug.

"Uh sure. What song do you want me to sing?"

It's completely mind-boggling how great he is with children but when he's with Mari, it's like he doesn't know what to do and I don't understand why.

"Well..." she yawns again which means it's past her bed time "Uncle Blake and mamá would always sing the song from Beauty and the Beast"

"Why that song?" he asks, though the question is directed at her, he looks at me inquisitively.

I decide to answer "It's kind of like our thing. I would sing her disney songs every night and Beauty and the Beast is her favourite"
A/N: for those who can't remember, check Chapter 15.

He hums in understanding and says "Well I'd love to" and she grins widely at him.

I can tell he wants to ask more but he doesn't push it.

Truth is, Blake started this tradition with us and now that he's gone, it's only right that we continue it. He never told me why he chose disney songs but whatever the reason, I'm glad he did. I don't know what I would've done without him to be honest.

It was around the time when Mari would wake up screaming and crying in the middle of the night, ever since I got her back in my custody.

I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what was wrong with her. I was new to the whole 'mother thing'.

I remember my first instinct was to call Blake. He literally showed up at my apartment in less than 15 minutes.
The first thing he did as I opened the door was greet me with a kiss and said that he 'had an idea'.

And the rest is history.

Harry and Mari look at me in anticipation but my eyes get stuck on the scene of them together, Mari curled up his chest as he hugs her to him. It feels and looks too familiar that I can't help but stare at him.

Why does it feel like history is repeating itself?

I think the universe just hates me. It was probably thinking to itself,

'Hmm...she looks like my next victim. Her life is too happy. Let me ruin it!'

It's the only reasonable (okay...maybe not reasonable but it makes sense to me) explanation as to how my life turned out to be such a mess. I'm almost 20 and I haven't even started living yet.

The sound of soft, barely heard snores draws me out of my thoughts.

Looking up, I find Mari already asleep on Harry's chest as he hugs her to him with one arm and runs his fingers through her hair with the other. The adoring smile on his lips as he looks down at her tugs at my heartstrings.

Before this weekend, she could never get a full night's sleep without me singing to her and now...

Now all she has to do is curl up next to Harry and she's out like a light.

I think he just has that effect on us.

I didn't really feel like singing tonight anyway. I feel emotionally exhausted from our conversation outside. It's the most I've ever opened up to anyone since Blake and I find myself feeling a bit...proud?

I clear my throat awkwardly "Well uh-" he shifts his eyes away from her to me "I guess I'll- uh get some sleep too"

I swiftly turn my body to face the wall so that my back is to him and cover my head with the duvet in embarrassment.

Idiota! Soy una payasa!

I hear a soft chuckle behind me and a click indicating that he switched off the bedside lamp "Goodnight Mia"

The room is now fully in darkness and doused in silence.

But I'm wide awake, still under the duvet regretting my life choices.

"Mia" he whisper yells into the silence and my body tenses up "you awake?"

I've never been a Harry Potter fan but I've seen the movies and I really wish I had that cloak of invisibility right now.

I hold my breath and don't move.
Pretend you're asleep!

"If you're awake..." his quiet but deep voice trails off "I just have one question"

Don't move!

"Is Blake Mari's father?"

A/N
Hello to my fellow readers! Thanks for sticking around to read my word vomit.

I know it's been a while. School has been driving me up a wall recently so I apologise for the delay. Not to mention three of my fingers were wrapped tightly in bandages for the past few weeks.

*don't ask...just know I'm a dumbass*

Anyway! Hope you enjoyed the chapter ❤ More to come soon.

Let me know your theories about Blake.

That's all for now!

Until the next time...