Her head hurt or was it her heart she couldn't tell. What she wanted was a shoulder to cry on. Marian quietly left her room and snuck over to Kaia's. Even though she was upset with her at the moment, she needed her.
"Kaia?"
Marian grunted when she didn't respond. So she crawled into the bed and laid right next to her. "I'm moving out so you don't have to worry about me anymore. No one will," she said stifling back her tears.
"Don't be stupid your aren't moving anywhere," Kaia said half asleep.
"I told Harry about the book and he freaked out. My second attempt at love failed before it even started," she said as her eyes flooded with tears.
Kaia rolled over and looked Marian dead in the eye. "What do you mean he freaked out?"
Marian let the flood gates open and told Kaia everything.
"Shhh, relax this is Harry we are talking about he will come around,"Kaia said pulling Marian into a hug and rubbed her back gently.
"No, he said he was at the end of his rope. No more marriage. No more need for him to be around," she continued on.
Kaia tried her best to calm her down and had to admit she was happy she came to her for comfort and not her children. The next time she saw Harry Styles she was going to give him a piece of her mind.
—
Zayn looked at Harry and felt bad for him. "She does need you. You need to stop thinking she doesn't." He said. "Let me ask you something. Wouldn't you want to start over with a clean slate?All secrets out in the open?"
"Forgive me if I don't want to relive the worst time of my life. I don't want to read about how much she disliked being with me and longed to be with someone else. So no, I don't want to rehash the past. I just need to accept the fact Marian and I will never work. Louis will always be a sore subject. So if you don't mind, I will be leaving now" Harry said as he turned for the door.
"Harry stop," he said. "And you're right, he will always be a sore subject.There's no getting around it. But by walking out that door means you're walking out on her. Not giving her the chance she so desperately wants. She's turned to you because she wants to be back in your life. Despite the things she's done and despite the things you've done as well."
Harry turned to Zayn and began to wonder. "Sometimes the past is too hard to face. What if I can't do it? I would rather live in denial. Plus you are one to talk,what would you do if the shoe was on the other foot?" He asked and raised an eye brow. "How would you react if you found out that Kaia was having sex with Liam, but said it was just something I needed to get out of my system. Can we start again?I bet your feeling would change on situation and you would not be asking me to give Marian's book a read."
Zayn sighed heavily. He hated to admit he wondered if there was more to Kaia and Liam's friendship. But he had enough faith and trust in his wife. "You're right," he said. "It would crush me.But she's not. She would never do that to me. But this isn't about me. This is about you and Marian." He pulled out a chair for Harry to sit down and he sat down next to him. "She wrote that book because she needed to. She needed to get her feelings out somehow. Are you going to hold her relationship with Louis against her forever? I thought there was no one else in the world for you?" He questioned.
"I will only fuck things up again. She wants me to read this and the only thing I will learn from it is how much better a boyfriend Louis was than I was. How the only reason she is giving me the time of day is because of the tragic events of the past. She lost everything and I can't compete with that." He sighed wished he had a drink. "I love her, but a part of me will always hate the fact that she chose him over me. I want to ignore the past and focus on the future."
Zayn got up and got them each a beer. He sensed harry needed it. "Yes, she lost a lot but she's hoping she won't lose you as well. Harry,she's been through so much. Why can't you see how much she needs you in her life? She fought with herself for a long time about letting people know about her book. Hell, even Kaia. She's not so nice to her character in the book so don't think it's all about you." He took a drink. "And I'm not saying ignore the past. Let it make you stronger. Think about when we took them to Montana that first time. Think about everything that you did. And not just the sex. Think about the essence of just being with her. Being in her aura."He saw Harry was listening intently. "Don't let the bad things of the past dictate what a wonderful future you could have with her."
Harry took another sip of his beer as it was calming his nerves. "You're right. I'm probably overthinking this. It is just my mother and my sister hosted a book club over this book. They think it is one of the best books ever written.My mother asked me to introduced her to the author for Christ sake!" He looked at the book again. "Deep down I'm just afraid I won't be able to read it, wrap my head around the idea of her writing about relationships, problems when she could never even talk to me about the things she hated," he said finishing off his beer. "What did Kaia think of the book?"
Zayn couldn't help but smirk. "She absolutely loved it. And even after she realized she was in it, she let go of what Marian wrote about. She realized it was her way of releasing a lot of anger and it was something she had to accept. But she was glad that Marian found an outlet to channel what she was feeling. Just as Kaia has found with her music." He took another drink of his beer and thought about their day with the twins at the carnival and he couldn't help but smile. "Louis and their whole relationship was a giant roadblock and I'm sorry that it happened. But I think if you read her book it will make you both stronger. Make your relationship stronger." He said. "Your mother has a great sense for what is good and what is crap. If she is a fan of the book then I think you should take a chance and read it. You would be surprise by what you find." Zayn added. "Will you tell your mum and Gemma who the author really is?"
Harry grunted slightly. "My mother is dying to know what happens to Aspen, if he is going to get his story told or have a happy ending.She felt like she had a connection to him, so I am already going into this book knowing I don't end up with the girl. My girl." He sighed deeply.
"I don't think I could suffer the humiliation of her knowing that Marian wrote the book and I am Aspen." he said with a frown.
"Harry don't assume that just because Aspen doesn't live happily ever after with Amelia that you are Aspen. I would say that Marian blended several people together to make up the characters In her book. Beside the nosey interfering best friends.All the other characters are not as cut and dry as you think. I feel if you actually sit down and read the book, you will come away with a better understanding of Marian as a person. You will get to see aside of her you never knew existed, if you believe she is worth the fight why would you give up when then finish line is within eyesight?" He asked.
Harry sighed deeply then looked at the book it was huge. This wasn't going to be an easy read the thing was like 500 pages long. He did love her, he was just afraid that she loved Louis more and he couldn't take read about their relationship. "This thing is huge. How the hell and I supposed to read it?" Harry asked
"One chapter at a time. Don't go into it thinking about how this is how you lost the girl. Wipe away all your preconceived notions. You always wanted to know what she was thinking, now you have the chance to read her inner most thoughts, hopes and dreams.Just give the book a chance,Harry. If you read it and still want a relationship with Marian. I will let you use the cabin in Montana."
"You still have that cabin in Montana?"Harry questioned.
"Yes, as well as the beach house in Malibu," he said. "I was planning on mentioning the fact I bought it but never got around to it. I know how much you liked it and Kaia as well. If you read the book and come back to sweep Marian off her feet, you could take her there when we are off in Morocco, that is if you read the book and don't have a major cow over what she wrote." Zayn nodded his head at the book.
"Okay, okay. I will read the book and pray that I am not Aspen. That a part of me is in Magnus too and that Amelia will love me. It just may take me a few days to get throw this thing," Harry confessed.
"Trust me, when I tell you the book sucks you in and you won't be able to put it down. Don't let the size scare you. Kaia finished it in one sitting, she could not put it down," Zayn grinned.
Harry looked back towards Marian's room and wasn't sure if he could get over this whole book thing. He sighed and prayed that they could over come this last hurdle, that Louis would not still come between them. "Thanks, Zayn. I will call you later. After I read this huge book," he said with a laugh.
Zayn waved goodbye to Harry then made his towards Marian's room. He was sure she was completely wrecked over this whole thing. She had once told him, she never wanted Harry or Louis to ever know about the book and now he thought maybe she was right. "Marian?" He knocked on her door and when she didn't answer, he decided to open the door to make sure she was okay. He was shocked to see she wasn't in here, then he thought about Ahmir. He closed the door and made his way to the nursery expecting to see her in the rocking chair with Ahmir in her arms. He was taken aback to find both of his children fast asleep in there cribs. Where the heck could Marian of gone, he needed Kaia to help him go look for her. Maybe she snuck out of ofthe house while he was talking to Harry. Had she overheard their discussion?
"Kaia?" He whispered as he opened the door to their room and was stunned to see her in there.
"Shh,I finally got her to sleep." Kaia replied. "I am going to kill Harry Styles," she growled under her breath.
Zayn couldn't help but smile at finding Marian in bed with Kaia. He hoped they were finally putting this uneasiness over Ahmir's affectations for the other behind them. "Two sexy ladies in my bed, this is a dream come true," he said.
"Zayn, this is serious! She opened herself up to him and he turned and walked away!"
Zayn crawled on the bed next to Kaia on her other side. "I know, I just had a long talk with him and he is going to give things a second chance. He is just worried about reading the book. After our talk he agreed read it, so we haven't seen the last of him. There is still hope for the future. Iam happy to see Marian is in here with you and the two of you are getting along better."
"Me too, I was shocked to see her asking for my help."
"Let's get some sleep," he said with a yawn and pulled his wife close.
Marian blinked open her eyes she was unsure of where she was and why she wasn't in her own bed. Then she remembered Harry walking away from her, she needed to go pack her stuff and get away before Zayn and Kaia had a chance to change her mind on the matter.
Kaia could sense Marian was awake. Zayn was behind her holding her close and she had her own arm wrapped around Marian's. "Don't pull a me," she said and tightened her hold.
"I just need to pee, don't overreact. Unless you want me to pee on you?"She asked.
Kaia didn't let go of her and smirked when Zayn linked arms with them. "Liar,"she said. "I know what you're up to."
"I do too," Zayn said.
"You both are pains in the ass." She growled. "I won't do anything stupid, I promise. I am in a much better place now and just want to give you your house back. That's it."
Kaia looked back at her husband and then back at Marian. "You love us," she said with a grin. "And you're not leaving. So get that idea out of your head right now."
"Besides,"Zayn said with a smirk. "We haven't even had our threesome yet."
"Well if you insist Zayn, just let me shimmy out of these knickers. then I'm all yours, because no one else wants me," she smirked calling his bluff.
He rolled onto his back and couldn't help but laugh.
Kaia elbowed him in the ribs and moved closer to him so Marian could turnover onto her back. "You're so wrong about anyone not wanting you," she said.
"Kaia's right. And who wouldn't want you?" He asked turning back to look her in the eye.
"Well any normal rational person to start with but I can name few specific people if you want. Louis, Harry, Liam and you, Zayn." She said with a heavy sigh.
Kaia snuggled closer to Zayn as he pulled her close again.
"Harry wants you Marian. Why do you doubt it?" He asked.
"I don't want to talk about it. I am sick of talking about it. Why do you think I am in here with you guys and not my own bed?"
"Because we're sexy," Zayn teased.
Kaia smacked his ass and turned back to Marian. "Harry loves you and wants you."
"No,he doesn't," Marian said trying to get off the bed one last time. "He left me, told me he couldn't do it any more. So you need to count your blessings Kaia. Zayn is perfect. I need to go," she insisted.
Zayn reached over and took a hold of her arm again before she could bolt. "Marian Styles you are going to listen to me," he said sternly and sat up and look at her. "Yes, you may have scared the man with the book, but I told him he needs to give it a chance and by reading it, it will help to give him an insight to you that he's never known before. And that it isn't as cut and dry as he thinks it is." He glanced down at his wife. "Harry Edward Styles loves you and you need to give each other a chance."He said firmly.
"I am a divorced woman, you can't call me Marian Styles anymore. I am going back to my maiden and I intend to never get married again."She said firmly. "The only I have to do right now is get a clean bill of health and find myself a new place to live. You both have suffered long enough at my expense and I know Kaia is dying to get rid of me so she can have her son back!" She stated. "Let it go Zayn!"
"Alright Ms. Swan," he said and shook his head at her and hen looked at Kaia. "And I thought you were the stubborn one of the two,"he said.
Kaia sat up. "I don't want you to leave. Not yet," she said."Please Marian," she said. She honestly wasn't ready for her bestie to leave. Despite their disagreements of late. She reached and took her hand. "Please."
"Well I'm glad you have my name right." She sighed. She didn't really want to go off and live by herself she just felt she had over stayed her welcome. "Once my cancer is gone, I need to learn to stand on my own two feet. You need to go out on your tour and live your life. I need to go home to California and see my parents. Start over."
"I really couldn't give a crap about a tour right now," she said in all honesty. "I'm terrified."
"Baby,"Zayn said gently.
"What if Harry doesn't want you to go?" Kaia asked.
"He told me everything I needed to know last night. So it does not matter what he wants anymore. I am a free woman who can do what ever she wants to." She said firmly. "You need to stop being such a chicken shit Kaia. You have an amazingly supportive husband will be there every step of the way with you. He didn't take one look at your lives work and scoff at it. He embraced you and your love of singing. So man up already.No more poor Kaia!"
Kaia glanced back at Zayn and felt him take a hold of her shoulders and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"She's right," he said. And then looked at Marian. "And yes you are a free woman but you have to make us a promise."
"I don't Know Zayn." She joked. "You do command an awful lot of me."
"And as long as you live in my house you'll do what I say!" He said trying to be stern.
"Zayn!"Kaia gasped.
"Well let go of me and I can go find a place of my own. Give you back your family."
"Smartass," he teased. "Give Harry a chance to read the book before you make up your mind to do whatever."
"He won't read it," she said sadly. "He thinks it's all about Louis, so he won't read it. The look on his face told me everything." She looked at both of them. "You guys have until I find a new place to live. You need to stop worrying about me so much."
"I asked him to read it," he said. "And he said he would. And I told him I was going to hold him to that. I also told him not to assume he's Aspen." He said. "Marian you didn't see the look in his eyes when I talked to him. He loves you so much. Don't give up on happiness," he said gently.
"Zayn, I can't say I have much faith in love or happiness these days. It never lasts or works out the way you think it will," she said looking at Kaia intently. "I'm not sure I have much faith left in me. Things I thought were unshakeable, aren't anymore."
Kaia couldn't help but miss the scrutiny in Marian's eyes. She squeezed her hand again. "Just try to have a little more faith," she said. "I know it doesn't feel like there's anything left to have faith in, but have some faith in Harry."
"Can you let me go pee now?" She asked trying to wiggle free.
"What about our threesome?" Zayn asked pretending to pout.
"I'm not the one she wants to have a threesome with. She is a total Ziam girl, dual action," Marian smirked then walked out of the room in dire need of the loo.
Kaia felt her face turn fire engine red. She couldn't believe Marian had said that. Now she was angry. She couldn't even turn around to look at her husband who she'd heard gasp at Marian's words.
"I...I need to pee ," she said and tried to scurry out of the bed but felt herself being pulled back and was now lying underneath Zayn.
"Not yet you don't," he said.
"Zayn,"she tried to speak but found her mouth covered with his in a searing, claiming kiss. She moaned loudly.
"You're mine Kaia," he said between heated kisses. "Forever. Do you understand?"
She nodded her head as he kissed her again fiercely.
"Now you can go pee," he said. He watched as she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. He saw her glance back and give him a small smile.
Now he knew it was time to take her away. He needed to make her his once and forever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry woke up to find Marian's book staring at him, judging him. Telling him he wasn't good enough for her, he wasn't Magnus. He tossed one of his pillows at the book, he wasn't in the mood to be judged. He sulked of to the shower and the rest of his day.
When he returned home, he found the book siting on his counter in his kitchen mocking him. He grabbed a beer and decided to stare the book down.
"You aren't going to win!" He said. He ran his fingers through his hair. "My God," he said out loud. "I'm talking to a bloody book!"
He grabbed his tablet and pulled up Goodreads then put in Love vs Duty.He wanted to read a few reviews before he actually sat down to read what a fuck up he was. He read review after review, every one seemed to love Amelia and want her to live happily ever after with Magnus. Most felt bad for Aspen claiming he got the raw end of the deal. The book was so generally loved it freaked him out, people were begging for a sequel. They wanted to know what happened after the I do's.
Harry picked up the book and rummaged through a few pages. He sighed deeply. Marian seemed to be an excellent writer, which made him a little nervous to read the thing. Face things he wasn't ready to face yet, but it was now or never. He wasn't going to get another chance with Marian. He grabbed his beer and made his way to the lounge chair. He needed to stop putting it off and get on with it.
Harry felt a kink in his neck, he blinked out his eyes. He found himself face down in the book, it was four in the morning. He stood up and out stretched his arms, surprised he fell asleep out here. He looked down at the book, it was different then he expected. He fell in love with Amelia immediately and could not help but root for her.He found that the father character was the one he disliked the most. Ashe pondered the thought of going back to sleep or to continue to reading.
He surprised himself as he instinctualy went for the book. He wanted to see how the Kaia character was going to interfere with Amelia and Magnus.
Ashe picked up the book and continued to read, he was pleasantly surprised to see that he shared some similar traits with Magnus.
Magnus even took Amelia out on a secret picnic, which made Harry smile because that was what he had done with Marian. He wished he didn't also see Louis in Magnus, but he did. He pushed forward and past those parts, past Aspen paranoia and over powering nature. His need to have everything thing his way and the fact he didn't listen to Amelia when she tried to talk to him. Try to explain why she didn't want to be with him it was all her father's idea to make the kingdom have a better foundation. Aspen was the king of the guards and in herf ather's eye a better match.
A few hours later Harry found himself yelling at the book. Yelling at Amelia to not listen to Kaia, he couldn't get past that that character was so Kaia. So his mind instantly covert the name to Kaia. He hadn't realized how much Marian actually gave up in her pursuit of giving Kaia her happily ever after. Harry wanted to make it up to Amelia for everything she lost. By the time he had finished the book it was well after four in the afternoon. He had spent the whole day reading and didn't realize it. He should have listened when Zayn said the book would swallow him up.
He went off to find a few different colored highlighters. There were a few spots he wanted to talk to Marian about and a few spots he wanted to remember for future knowledge. He loved Amelia and found out that even though a part of him inspired Aspen, an even better part of him inspired Magnus. That was what mattered the most. He could learn from the mistakes of the past and move onto a brighter future with the love of his life.
Right now he needed actual substance in his body.
~~~
Harry pondered over the plan he thought up last night. He would need help,so he pulled out his phone and gave Zayn a call.
"Hey, I finished the book and I need your help getting Marian to the airport. I booked a private jet to take us to Montana."
"Are you going to tell me what you thought of the book?" Zayn asked.
Harry sighed "You were right, the book was better than I thought it would be. Even though I saw myself in Aspen, I also saw that I shared some similar traits with Magnus. I'm surprised you didn't mention your role in the book."
"What, I'm not in it. Just you, Lou and Kaia," Zayn said perplexed.
"I think you need to take a second look at the book. Because I found a character that reminded me of you and Liam," Harry chuckled
"Shut up you didn't," Zayn insisted.
"I did, so will you help me and get Marian to my private jet tonight by 8pm? Please talk to her, you can even bring Ahmir if that helps."Harry pleaded.
"Alright, it's quiet here tonight. Kaia took Destiny to do some mommy and me stuff, so it's just me, Marian and Ahmir." He said. "I can usually get my way when Ahmir is involved," he said with a laugh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Big props and love to SnowTardis again for insight and thoughts... <3