Stay Mine? (A Sequel to Be Mine?) || Harry Styles

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Grace's POV

After Harry went down to Fromage, I paced around our bedroom, grasping my phone in my hands. I wanted to call my mother. I wanted to tell someone about this, someone I knew would understand. I could call Sammy but I know she's so protective over me when it comes to Harry. She'll get mad and it will be hard for her to see things from my side. I took a deep breath, putting air into my lungs, before unlocking my phone.

I slowly dialed the familiar collection of numbers, biting the inside of my cheek as I waited to hear my mother's voice.

"Grace?" my mother asked, picking up on the second ring.

"Mom, I need to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course Grace. What is it?"

"I...mom...I don't ever want to disappoint you." I sighed.

"Grace, you've taken Harry back, right? I could never be mad about that. You should know that I want you to do what I know makes you happy. I know you love Harry more than anyone and I'm not going to make you feel bad about loving him. He's not a bad person. He has just made some mistakes."

"Mom, how did you know?" I asked, genuinely shocked.

"I know because I'm your mom and it's my job to know. It's my job to recognize what makes you happy and support you in the decisions you make because I've done my job at raising you. I'm so proud of the women you've become. I love you very much and I want you to always know that. I want you to always know that I'm here for you. I'm sure you're father and brothers might not take the news as well but everyone will come around. You and Harry both need someone on your side."

My heart warmed. My heart literally warmed and I couldn't believe that my mom was taking the news so well and being so supportive about me going back to Harry. I knew that she was right. I have to make the decision to go back to Harry on my own and no one can tell me to do that. Everyone has to do what they think is right without always having influences from the people around them. Everyone has to be independent. It's just how the world works.

I can't make everyone happy and I know that. I'm beginning to realize that I can't make Harry and Liam happy at the same time. God, do I want to. Of course I want them both happy, but someone is going to be heartbroken and I just can't stay away from Harry. He's always going to have my heart. From the moment I saw him in my homeroom class in high school, somehow I was so drawn to him and that pull from my heart to his, it's never going to go away.

"Mom, thank you so much."

"Grace, letting go is hard but it has to be done. Sometimes we have to let go of people and I think that you're going to have to let go of Liam. I know that you don't intentionally do it, but you're playing both Harry and Liam. I know you're just scared of losing someone but you can't control them both. You can only be with Harry and hope that Liam will heal. You have to just hope that he won't pull away from you because you're with Harry. You can't make him be your friend Grace. It's gone on long enough. I know you're not meaning to hurt anyone, but you are."

"I'm not trying to..." I started before she interrupted me.

"Grace, just listen. I know you're not trying to but if you're going back to Harry, you just have to let him go. He will come back to you in time as your friend. He'll get a girlfriend. He'll meet someone else but he has to be away from you to do that. You can't be loving him and Harry at the same time."

"I know." I sighed.

"The thing is Grace, everyone wants love. They want love because love makes us happy, but it's so hard baby. I don't have to tell you that. You already know that. We sometimes only get a once in a lifetime love and you have to harbor it. You have to let Liam have the life he deserves because you're with Harry and you need to remember that."

The truth hurts. I know I haven't been fair. I recognize that and I need to apologize. I have to let Liam go or things will never get better.

After hanging up with my mom, I pulled out a piece of printer paper and started writing.

Harry's POV

"Anna, I...Grace came back."

"What?" she asked, mouth dropping open.

"She's upstairs. She came back to me and I really hope that you can support us."

"Support you? You cheated on her and she came back to you? Why would she do that? Harry..."

"I know Anna. I feel terrible about it. I'm sorry and I've apologized to her over and over again. There's nothing else I can do because I can't push her away. I know I don't deserve her after what I've done but we can't stay away from each other Anna. I know you're upset with me and I know that you think she should never talk to me again, but we really need someone here for us. We really need the support. Please."

She looked at me for a moment, eyebrows raised and lips pursed.

"Fine. I really know the two of you love each other."

"Thanks Anna." I said as I wrapped her in a hug.

She's growing up so quickly. She's with Niall and I feel like I'm watching Anna grow up. It's kind of bittersweet. I hope that Anna stays in mine and Grace's life forever.

..............

After a few hours, I felt a hand at the back of my shirt, my body warming at the realization that it was her, that I had her back. I stopped what I was doing and was literally rendered speechless by how breathtakingly beautiful she looked. She wore a deep, burgundy sweater and tight black jeans, paired with her converses. Her damp waves tumbled down her chest and her face was bright and rosy for the first time since I'd seen her. Well, besides when we were making love. Most importantly, her eyes were that bright blue color I loved and she looked...happy. I smiled at the thought, still finding it stunning that I could make her happy.

Everyone in the café was so quiet considering the fact that nobody had seen Grace's face around here in a long while. Before I could even touch her or kiss her, a balling Anna pushed past me and hugged my beautiful angel. I didn't even mind the intrusion because I was happy to see two of the women I loved reunited and hugging. I guess they didn't speak much after Grace left me.

As soon as Grace saw Anna's tears, she started up, unable to keep her emotions in. That's my girl, always so sympathetic towards others especially the people whom she loves. I just leaned back on one of the counters, watching everything play out. Carlos wrapped her in a hug and all of my other employees welcomed her back. I was happy. It felt so good to have Grace back home. I know I don't deserve it but I appreciate it so much and I respect Grace.

When everyone was finished hugging my girl, she finally turned to me, her eyes brightening and her lips curling up into a smile which only made my insides turn to complete mush. I had become such a softie and I didn't even mind. I took a couple of steps forward and so did she. I knew that I must be smiling like a goof but I didn't worry about it because I wanted her to be able to see how happy I was. I was almost crying.

"Grace..." I whispered.

"Harry..." she said, mocking me in an adorable way.

"Fuck, you're cute."

"I missed you...talking to me that way." She admitted, her cheeks heating as she focused on the tile floor beneath her feet.

"Hey..." I started, grabbing her chin and tilting her head up "I missed you too."

She smiled sweetly and I wrapped my arms around her petite body.

"Grace?"

She pulled away, raising an eyebrow in question. I looked around the café and just immediately dropped to my knee.

"Grace, will you marry me and make me the happiest soul to ever live? This time, for real?"

I could see her eyes somehow lighting up even more. Her lips parted and the most adorable fucking giggle escaped them.

"Of course, Harry."

Every single one of my employees...the one's in the kitchen anyway, cheered and clapped for us. God, this has to be what happiness is. This has to be what living life to the fullest means.