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There is this weird feeling you get when something you've been waiting for is finally within reaching distance. All the anticipation that someone had held is finally pouring into reality and occasionally, there is hesitation because you just can't believe it. What you've been hoping for was happening... wow. All the hope you held is pursued in that moment. Jake felt that way the minute he'd walk down the stairs and saw an unfamiliar man - he had a hunch on who it could be, after all he has been waiting for this day to come.

"Jake, this your Father...," Monica says, her hand rubbing his shoulders as Jake gaped at the man beside Harry. The man who looked back at him with a small smile, eyes wide from this very moment.

He was looking at his son. 

He was looking at his father. 

Harry shuffles aside, feeling a bit intrusive on this meeting despite it being his home. In the short moment Monica had gone to retrieve Jake, Matt told him how nervous and guilty he was for missing out on five years of his child's life. Harry assured him that Jake would greet him with open arms. Harry glances at Monica, watching how she too, looked nervous.

Athena merely watched the scene from upstairs, peeking through the rails with an unreadable emotion swirling in her eyes the minute they land on Matt.

"Hey, kiddo," Matt greets, squatting down when Jake doesn't move. Monica gives Jake an encouraging push, making the five year old take slow steps toward his father. He was in shock, but beneath that was pure excitement. The two stare at each other for what seems like hours before Jake opens his arms, a huge smile spreading across his face - one that Matt returns eagerly before engulfing his flesh and blood into a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, Daddy," Jake mumbles against his father's shoulder. Griping Matt's v-neck so tight like he thought he'd vanish in an instant. That's when Matt's eyes well with tears for the second time today, feeling regret and pure joy all at the same time.

In that moment, Harry walks to stand beside Monica, throwing an arm around her shoulders as she stares at the father-son reunion. He places a kiss onto her temple and mumbles, "You raised a wonderful little boy."

.

Matt requests the rest of the day to bond with Jake, to which Monica hesitates because she's hardly seen her growing boy today but finally agrees when Jake starts to beg. So until six, the time Matt said he'd be back, Monica stayed at Harry's. The two talked and watched some films before Harry suggested playing Scrabble, calling his daughter to come join in on the game.

However, his pride and joy didn't seem so joyous at that very moment. Harry frowns when noticing the one on her face, her arms folded across her chest in the way she would when some thing is bothering her.

"What's wrong, Cupcake?" He questions crouching down to her height so he could meet the eyes similar to his own.  

"Tell me about Mummy," she says rather than what was truly bothering her. The fact that her best friend, her partner in getting their parents together, is loosing focus on said plan because of his real father's appearance. But she wasn't lying, along with her worry of Jake's focus she thought about actually asking her father about her mother. She was so determined to ask him on Monday after his date with Monica but on the ride to drop them off, she had fallen asleep. The days following Monday, she had been too distracted by Jake talking about how Monica is going to meet up with his dad and how excited he was.

At her statement, Harry's eyes widen. She'd never demanded to know about Katelyn until now. He wondered what brought this up, but didn't voice his question because his eyes had drifted to Monica who stood behind him with an awkward smile.

She points to her mobile. "Uh, I'll give you two some time. Jeff made me promise to call him and tell him how things went. I'll be outside."

Once she steps into the backyard, Harry turns to his little girl who hadn't taken her eyes off of him. Her eyes were wide with determination and it was clear that Harry couldn't push back this talk any farther so rather than brushing it away, he scoops his daughter into his arms and takes her upstairs to his room and sets her on the bed. He takes a big breath before he takes a seat beside her.

"What do you wanna know, baby girl?" He tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, telling himself that he was ready to have this talk. He admitted it on Monday - it was easier now. 

"Everything."

And so he does. Not once thinking about how she was probably too young to understand these things he's telling her, despite her brilliance, but once he starts he can't stop. It reminded him about the constant stories he'd tell the lads when him and Kate were first dating, leading to them patting his shoulder and muttering how whipped he was. It felt good to talk about those things again, it made him feel bittersweet but he was okay.

He told her how she shared the same traits as Katelyn: spunky, outgoing, smart, funny, and optimistic - basically every guy's dream but he wouldn't say that. (He doesn't want his little girl to date until she's forty.) He also told her their love story, how they met in LA when they were on tour and how Uncle Lou had set them up and how they spent almost three happy years together before being married and how a year later, a baby was on their mind. Then in January, their daughter was born. 

And just as he suspected, Athena didn't know every word her father said but that didn't stop her from noticing the love in his voice when he talked about her. She thought their love story could outshine any other.

"You become more like her every day," he tells his offspring, meeting her eyes. She gives him a big smile, cuddling up to his side knowing from the stuttered breaths and wavering voice that he was on the verge of tears; the only thing was, was that they weren't going to fall. He presses a kiss to her nose. "I love you, Athena."

"I love you too," she replies before kissing his cheek. She leans away and holds his hand. "I love Mummy, too."

.

It was already becoming dark outside by the time Monica had finished her call with Jeff. She was still outside, not wanting to enter the house in case she'd walk in on the father-daughter talk. So to keep her from being bored, she walks around the backyard. Thinking back to the day they had a cook-out with Jeff and Niall when she walks along the side of the pool. She smiled when she realizes how far they've both come - both being her and Harry.

She remembers how he couldn't even say Katelyn's name, how he was so closed off when they first met, how the only time he'd truly smile was when he was with Athena - even then he still seemed troubled. She was glad that she was the one he let in, the one to see this amazing growth in him.

And then she remembers how she used to be. How she was in constant worry about whether something was wrong about her, how Matt was constantly on her mind, how she was doing the job that wasn't truly her dream - she has grown too. She feels stronger in herself and knows that from now on, Jake will truly experience having a father. She knew Matt wouldn't go anywhere, not only because he had regretted the lost years but because when you meet Jake, it's impossible not to fall in love with him. He gets the characteristic from Matt, they're both charmers.

Monica smiles and watches her feet - which were bare because she was tired of wearing her combat boots - as she walks around the hot tub.

"Hey." A voice startles her from behind. She turns towards the house to see a smiling Harry Styles, hands in his back pocket, leaning against the threshold of the glass doors. When she doesn't respond, he walks outside and closes the door before approaching the girl. "You know it's December, right?"

"I'm not cold," Monica replies tugging at the sleeves of her sweater.

"I don't believe you," Harry argues with another smile. He looks up at the sky for a moment before meeting Monica's eyes - she may or may not have been staring at him. "It's almost six."

She hums and folds her arms across her chest wondering what Matt and Jake were doing this very minute. She was happy they were bonding and that Jake had warmed up to Matt so easily, then again, he's been more anxious about this day than Monica has. She just hopes they're both having a great time.

"How did the talk with Athena go?"

It was now Harry's turn to smile at the ground. "It was good - I got through talking about Katelyn without, you know, choking up. She was tired afterward so I sang her to sleep."

"And the Dad of the Year goes to..." Monica teases with a smile, "Harry Edward Styles!"

"Not going to argue with that," he says before looking back up at her. "Listen, I have something to ask you."

"Alright." Monica purses her lips and walks over to one of the beach chairs and sits down, Harry follows her lead.

Once they've settled, Harry picks at his joggers and refuses to meet her eyes. "What are we?"

"Well, we're people." Is her response, not wanting to be the one to put a label on what they exactly are because frankly, she has no idea.

Harry reaches over and pinches her cheek. "Ha. Ha. Comedian of the Year."

"Really? Wow, this is such a huge honour. I'd like to thank my brother Jeff for helping with my quick wit through the years and Harry for recognizing my brilliance and to - "

"Monica." Harry interrupts with a serious look on his face. The truth is, he doesn't want to get into a relationship at the moment - what with Matt showing up and what had just happened with Athena. This question popped into Harry's head when Liam came over the other day and asked if things were official yet between him and Monica. It was then that he realized that they didn't really have a label so now he wants to know what Monica thinks their label is.

"We're just... dating." She manages to spit out, eyebrows drawn as if she might've said the wrong thing.

"Dating," he repeats.

"Yeah. We're not in a relationship but we're not just friends... and we are going on dates."

"People that are dating kiss?"

"I mean, they could."

"So we're dating."

"I'd think so."

"Okay." Harry nods to himself before standing up. He extends a hand to her with a smile. "We're dating."

.

There had always been something missing in Matt's life the minute he had walked out on Monica, no matter the success he's gained. He had always thought it had been the fact that he had left the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with but in reality, he was missing something that was truly a part of him. His son. 

Being with him right now makes him realize how much he's missed out on, how many memories they could've had together, how many birthdays he missed, how he missed his first day of school, how they could've had that father-son bond like the one he had with his father, how despite meeting him today, things wouldn't be solved in an instant. He had a lot to explain to Jake when he gets older because at the moment, the five year old is more than willing to accept him but Matt doesn't think that's what he deserves. He's been a bad father - a terrible one really, and he doesn't deserve this easy forgiveness. From Monica and Jake.

"Mummy likes Harry," Jake tells his father while eating his fries. The duo was currently sat at a McDonald's after constant begging from Jake that it's his favourite and Monica always said no unless Harry and Athena were there to make her cave. That's when Matt asked about Harry. "I think Harry likes Mummy too but not as much as you do."

"Oh, really?" Matt smiles in amusement. "How much do I like your Mummy?"

"You love her," he says handing over a chicken nugget to the man across from him after noticing he was done with his burger. "And we're gonna be a family because Mummy loves you too."

Matt falls silent at that, not wanting to bring down the kid's spirit. Honestly, the thought of getting back together with Monica hasn't crossed his mind all night. (He was lucky enough to even have the chance to be on good terms with her.) It made him worry in the slightest, realizing what Jake is expecting since his father is back in his life.

So rather than answering, Matt eats the chicken nugget his son offered him before driving back to the Styles' residence.

.

"Did you like hanging out with Daddy?" Monica asks while pulling Jake into a hug. Jake eagerly nods, starting to talk about how they played at the park and how Matt drove a go-kart with him and how he had so much fun. (He of course leaves out going to McDonald's.)

After smiling at Jake's enthusiasm, Matt turns to Harry and asks him if they could talk. Harry agrees, after glancing at Monica and Jake, and leads him to the kitchen. "What do you want to talk about?"

"It's obvious Monica fancies you," Matt starts, eyes on the floor, "and it's quite clear you fancy her as well. I just feel the need to tell you to not hurt her." He meets Harry's eyes. "She's been through too much to get hurt again. She's amazing, don't let her slip through your fingers."

"I won't."

- - -

(A/N): NOT EDITED gosh, I just love Matt so much. Anyways, I feel like this was kind of a emotional roller coaster. This is a MAJOR chapter in the book, it's super important (which is why it was in all of their third person pov). I hope you liked it!

Importance of Chapter: they both took major steps. Monica met with Matt in the last chapter and got closure so she can fully move on and now Harry had talked about Katelyn. Athena admits her love for her mother (remember how she was expected to say it? well, now she's willingly doing it and means it). You get to see Monica and Harry's label (don't hurt me - to be honest, neither of them is ready just quite yet) (but aren't they cute?). You get to see how Matt and Jake are together and what Jake is thinking about (well, he says it) and that's kind of a worry isn't it? Also, it tells you that Matt isn't even thinking about getting back together with Monica (pls stop hating on him) and is worried about what Jake expects to happen. Jake has lost sight of the plan... AND Matt talks to Harry about not breaking Monica's heart. That conversation shows that Matt cares about her but still wishes the best. And tbh, Harry is the best.

SONG OF CHAPTER:   THIS I PROMISE YOU - NSYNC

Importance of Song: I feel like this song relates to every character. Monica and Harry. Harry and Athena. Athena and Jake. Monica and Jake. Monica and Matt. Jake and Matt. Harry and Matt. Jeff and Monica.

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READ: sorry about the picture lol, I just wanted you all to see how they would look together xD (pls don't kill me)

p.s. please go read my celebration stories! I'm currently working on a Zayn one! x

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