#pixie 88

Until an about a few months ago I was ashamed to admit that to anyone outside those who knew, now I realised saying it out loud doesn’t make me weak it makes me strong because I didn’t let those demons win, I came out on top. I found ways to cope in crystals, exercise and reading - reading being the main one to pull my out of my own head!

I am on my 13th book this year, I’m stocked myself 🤣 I created a bookstagram if you want to follow more or even just message to talk, I’m just getting used to posting on there so pleeeeease bare with me 🤣 I honestly don’t know if I will ever get back to writing but never say never! I hope you are all ok and sorry for the life story 😂

Final words : Mermaids don’t lose sleep over an opinion of a shrimp! 🧜🏻‍♀️🦐 💜

Love Pixie 😘💓

The light breaks through the crack in the curtains, making her stir. She felt something heavy draped over her side looking down, she saw his arm wrapped around her. She turned towards him, watching him sleep, she stroked his face.

Hating the fact Maria had fucked with his head. Maybe they should pack up and head home. Take him away from all of this, let Danie marry the guy that proposed to her.

His eyes flutter, she closes hers pretending to be asleep. She feels his arm unwrap from her which she was missing already and hears him groan, he reaches for his phone "argh, four fifty one!" she pretends to stir looking over to him, he's awake "morning!" she says as she stretches.

"Morning!" he yawns.

"How you feeling today?" she sits up looking at him, hoping the sleep has cleared his head, "I'm not talking to Danie, we are over, and I am over her. We are done, Maria needs to accept that!" She nods and an idea pops into her head "what if we showed her, you are over her?" He quirks his brows at her. "We could wake her up, pretending to have sex?! Her room is right next door! We could jump on the bed and make sex noises!"

He laughs not thinking she's serious, "you can't be serious?" he pinches his brow together "Yeah! Why not? It would be hilarious!" he shook his head, chuckling at the ridiculous idea "you know what? Let's do it!" he raises his voice "Oh god! Alana!" She tries not to laugh as he starts to bounce on the bed "Oh....!!" She calls out playing along.

He pulls her up to stand, "fuck, baby! You keep doing that and I'm going to explore!" He fakes groans. She starts to jump with him, "oh! Harder...oh! Yes!" She holds back a laugh as they bounce.

Twenty seven minutes later...

They are still pretending, when there is a knock on the door. They stop and look at each other, panting from bouncing Alana tells him that she'll get it. Pulling the sheet round herself playing her role, she answers the door to a staff member stood there, "Hi, miss! I'm sorry, but we've had a few noise complaints. I just come to ask if you could keep it down!"

Alana watches the man blush as he asks, "yeah, I'm so sorry! My boyfriend is an animal, but we'll keep it down!" She grins. "Is something wrong?" Looking behind the staff, she spots Danie, "Nope! Not anymore as I said we'll keep it down...you know how it is when you're in the moment!" She giggles at the staff member.

"Babe! What's taking so long? Come back to bed already?!" she heard Dean call out and the staff member makes his leave. Alana is about to close the door when Danie stops her "Alana, wait could I talk to Dean?" Alana looks back into the room "he's indisposed at the moment! Maybe later?"

"I need to talk to him now, sorry!" Danie pleads, Alana knows where this is leading, but decides maybe hearing it from him might be for the best, "Dean! Danie is here, and she wants to talk to you!" she calls to him still holding the sheet around herself. "Err...ok, two seconds!" she hears him shuffle around before he appears at the door in just his boxers with his hair a little messy. Alana moves out of the way and back into the room "don't keep me waiting!" she teases, knowing Danie will hear.

She knew this was fake, but as she left them to talk, she felt a ping of jealousy in the pit of her stomach. She didn't want him to get back with her. He deserved so much better, he deserved someone who loved him, all of him...like she does? She questioned herself.

He hides himself behind the door "you ok?" he asks her, "I wanted to talk to you, maybe we could go somewhere private?" he looks down at himself "yeah, I'm not really dressed for that, and I'm kinda busy. Can we not talk here?" She looks disappointed "I-I don't think I can go through with it Dean! I-I t-think I-I'm still in love with you!" Her voice is a whisper, not wanting Alana to hear, but she heard as she hides in the bathroom.

Her heart sank. But why? He is her neighbour, the neighbour that hooks up all the time, the neighbour who raids her fridge when he's not got anything in his! He's just her neighbour! She told herself.

Dean sighs, "you know what if you had told me that eighteen months ago? I would have been over the moon, but now? Sorry, I just don't have those feelings for you anymore! I love Alana, it's her I see a future with. If you don't want to marry Glen, that's on you! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm busy!" He shuts the door thinking over his words "I love Alana, it's her I see a future with?" Was that pretend? Just for Danie's sake? He shook his head and Alana comes out of her hiding place.

"I'm proud of you!" She smiles, she can see that was hard for him, but also something he needed to do. "What would you say if we skip the wedding and find a bar!?" he gives her a soft smile.

"Are you sure?" she questions him, "yeah! You in?!" the truth was he has put Danie behind him, and he wanted to move forward with his life.

8 hours later...

"Come on, Dean!" she pouts, he's not sure if it's the drink or the pout, but he gets up from his seat takes her hand and pulls her onto the dance floor. He spins her round and back to him "I didn't think you would dance to this!" she laughs as they sway to the music "Swayze always gets a pass!" he winks at her.

Now with passion in our eyes,

There's no way we could disguise it secretly,

So we take each other's hand,

Cause we seem to understand the urgency!

He spins her out again and back to him, her body slams into his "Ooof!" the wind is knocked out of her. She laughs, "If you keep spinning me like that you're going to crack a rib!" he chuckles "I think you air bags are big enough to stop you from injuring yourself!" he looks down at her chest and quirks a brow before a smirk appears on his face.

She notices him "are you checking out my boobs?" his eyes flicker up to hers, he blushes "err.. well, we were talking about them and my eyes couldn't help but look.. you know!"

"Well, my face is up here!" she teases him, he looks up at her face, "Alana, thank you!"

Cause I had the time of my life,

And I've searched through every open door,

Till I found the truth,

And I owe it all to you!

"Thank you? For what?" she tilts her head, looking at him, he pushes her back and steps forward making her step back. He spins her until her back is against his chest, and they sway to the song, she felt his breath on the back of her neck sending goosebumps over her body. Her heart skipped a beat, she could feel Deans hammering against her back, "for coming with me and just being the best friend a guy could ask for!" he whispered against the shell of his ear.

She turned in his arms "That's what friends for!" she smiles at him realizing his face is a little closer than it was earlier, her eyes look between his, she can't help, but blush. She felt shy under his glare, he looks down to her lips and slowly leans in, the song changes to Zombies by The Cranberries. Alana steps back "I love this song!" she brightly smiles as she starts to dance a little away from him.

In your head, in your head?

Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie,

What's in your head, in your head?

Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie, oh!

She tries to break the awkwardness between them, she shouldn't have felt like that, not for Dean and not when she was in the early stages of dating Brad. He laughs at her, but in the back of his mind, he couldn't help wondering if she felt it too. He dances with her, trying to forget what just happened.

Later...

They stumble back to the hotel, giggling.

As they get just outside their room, they hear her, "she went through with it! I hope you're happy with yourself!" they turn towards the voice. Maria is fuming "Maria, hi!" Alana smugly grins, "shut it you British slut!" she hisses. Dean clenches his jaw as he steps between Maria and Alana, "hey!! Don't you dare talk to her like that!" he hisses at her.

"She's the reason you didn't stop the wedding!" she almost screams, "No, your daughter is the reason! I've moved on! I'm happy! She broke my heart and stomped all over it and I’m just supposed to be grateful she wants to take ME back?!" he groans.

"Sorry, Maria but if she isn't happy she shouldn't have married him! It's not Dean's fault!" He looks to Alana and grins "she's right! Alana is the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with and Danie was the one that walked out on me and now that I'm in love, you want me to spoil that because she has realized she made a mistake? Sorry, but that's not my problem!"

Dean swipes his card opening their door, "night, Maria!" he pulls Alana into their room. "Wow! Talk about bitter!" Alana giggles as she collapses on the bed, she doesn't remember much after that.

Dean wasn't even sure if his words were fake anymore.

The next morning...

His nostrils fill with the smell of her perfume, he begins to stir, making her shuffle closer to him. He realizes he's spooning her and her butt is against his crouch. She wiggles a little in her sleep, this makes him begin to grow hard, Dean! Do not get a boner! He thought, he moves away from Alana as he does, she groans missing his presence.

He laid back against his pillow, turning his head towards a sleeping Alana. He's starting to realize that maybe his feeling towards her are more than just friendship. There was no way she felt the same? Fuck! He gently stroked her cheek before ran his hand down his own face.

She starts to stir and turns towards him as her eyes flutter open she notices him staring at her "Morning!" she smiles softly at him, "morning beautiful!" he says before he can stop himself, "how long have you been awake?" she says as she tries not to blush. "Only a couple of minutes!" he smiled at her, "did you mean what you said last night?" she looks into his eyes, he looks away and thinks about what he said, "you said she broke your heart? But are you over her?"

He thinks back "yeah! I guess!" Alana leans over to grab her phone "I'm glad you are! It's nice to get closure!" she smiles at her phone "Aww, Brad messaged me!" he goes cold realizing why he recognized Austin! Brad is a catfish! Brad is Austin, Austin is married with a kid!

Now how will he tell Alana?!

Chapter 8

They arrive at Martock five hours later, they pile out the van and the lads start to unpack the boot. Inside Remy tells them all where their assigned rooms are. Laila blushes a bit when she finds out Harry is not only staying in her old bedroom, but also next door. By the evening everyone has arrived and the drinks are flowing, everyone is gathered in the kitchen around the island. Harry takes a seat next to Laila, “Alec said you’re Remy’s best woman?” he smiles at her, “I thought I was more the Maid of Honour?” she says sarcastically.

“Best woman is more appropriate,” he looks her up and down which doesn’t go unnoticed by Laila. “Sizing me up I see?” she asks, raising a brow at him. She’s feisty! Harry thought to himself, he doesn’t know what to say, “cat got your tongue?” Laila baits him. He chuckles, “OK, you got me! Sorry! How long have you known Remy?” She rolls her eyes, but the more she seems disinterested, the more he wants to impress her, “Remy and I have known each other since we were three months old. What about you and Alec? You’re the best man, right?” she mockingly looks him up and down before taking a sip of her drink. “Sizing me up, I see?” He jokes, they both laugh. “Seriously!? How long?” he pretends to think, “let me think...I was fifteen, so Alec was twelve. We met at after school footie club. This is your folks house isn’t it?” he looks around. “Yeah, this is where my parents met Remy’s parents, who used to live next door. My Dad and Grandad converted it,” he notices her glass is empty, “a top up?” he asks as he grabs the wine bottle to fill her glass. “So, what do you do for a living?” he asks as he fills her glass. “I’m a hairdresser, what about you?” she asks, she thinks she remembers Alec telling her that he is a personal trainer in the past. “Wait, a hairdresser? Not that hairdresser?” Alec told him that it was his hairdresser that set him up with Remy. “That hairdresser? If it’s one that gave him a bad haircut, then no!” she jokes making him laugh, “Well...!” he teases, she shoves him playfully, “jokes aside, I mean the one that set him up with Remy?” he asks, liking her playfulness. “Yes! Guilty as charged!” she throws him a smile. “Well, let me shake your hand for setting those two up! I’ve never seen Alec so happy,” he holds out his hand, she looks down and laughs, but she takes it. “Thank you! Now you didn’t tell me what you do? You kind of avoided that question! Wait you aren’t a stripper, are you?” she teases him, clearly noticing he looks after his body. He chuckles, “I’m not sure if I should be offended or flattered by that comment. Why? Would you like a private show?!” he winks. Laila let’s out a howl and her cheeks burn as she blushes, “in ya dreams! But I’m wondering why you keep avoiding the question?” He sighs, he’s hesitant, as in the past as soon as he’s told them he’s a PT they have judged him, thought of him as vain and it’s even put some previous girls off, “I’m actually a personal trainer..” “Oh, that’s cool! How long have you been doing that for? What made you want to go into fitness?” she asks not knowing his relief. “Eleven years, now, well...there’s a story. Erm...in school I was the chubby kid. So, when I left school I decided I needed to change,” Laila looks at him confused, “you don’t believe me, do you?” she shook her head, “fine! I’ll show you!” He pulls out his phone and scrolls through his photos before finding the one of him in school. She snorts as she laughs, “you keep a photo on your phone?” “Yeah, I need to show my clients what they can achieve, right?” he passes her the phone, “fuck off, that’s you!” she argues as she looks down at the phone. He can’t help but blush, “yep, that was me!” “Wow! Obviously you are older now, but what a transformation!” she looks impressed which makes him blush harder, “Thanks..” Remy interrupts their conversation, “right, girls and guys! Can we move to the living room,” everyone makes their way to the living room. Laila takes a seat next to Nikki and surprisingly, Harry takes a seat next to her making her cheeks burn. Harry’s brother Arthur takes a seat next to him, Alec and Remy stand in front of everyone, “right, so we thought we’d play never have I ever,” Remy informs the group. “Fuck!” Harry mutters under his breath loud enough for Laila to hear, she grins wondering what secrets he doesn’t want to reveal. “First question, never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex!?” Alec reads out from his list he has made on his phone. Remy, Alec, Alene, Nikki, Laila and Zeppy drink, Alec goes around the room asking for stories from those that drank. Remy, Alec and Alene drink for obvious reasons, so he turns to Laila and Nikki, “so?” Alec asks the pair, Laila rolls her eyes, “it was a dare on a girls night out, so nothing surprising or exciting. Plus, Remy already knows this story,” Remy turns to Zeppy, “please tell me your story is more fun?” “Nope, again just a dare. Sorry to disappoint,” Zeppy shrugs. “OK, next question...never have I had sex outside,” Remy asks. Everyone drinks, and Laila pulls a disgusted face, seeing her Mum, two brothers, both Nan’s drink and even her Niece. “OK, we won’t go round asking for stories as we’ll be here all day,” Remy jokes. “Next, never have I ever streaked,” Laila watches in horror as she watches her Mum, Nate, Alec and Alene drink. “Wow! A few nudist in here,” Remy jokes, “next question, never have I ever had a threesome?” Laila looks and she spots Nate sip his drink, but at the corner of her eye, she saw Harry drink too, she raises a brow at him and he leans over and whispers just loud enough for her to hear, “the chunky kid got fit..well the girls couldn’t keep their hands to themselves..I was eighteen at the time never again..well unless you’re interested?” This guy has some balls! Laila thought before she whispers back, “not a chance in hell!” He silently chuckles, “not into sharing? Noted!” He teased her making her shake her head laughing. A little later, Laila is in her room sorting through her case, “we’re neighbours, I see?!” She turns to Harry, who is leaning against the door frame, “so it would seem! I just hope you or your brother don’t snore,” he chuckles, “who are you sharing with?” “Nikki..” Remy cuts her off when he appears behind Harry looking panicked, “Laila, Can I talk to you for a second?” “Yeah, of course. Night Harry,” she dismisses him, “night Laila!” he winks and leaves them to it. “Rem? What’s up?” he takes a seat on her bed, “I fucked up! The girls spa day...I booked for the wrong date...I booked it for next weekend!” Laila laughs, “Is that it?” Remy looks up at her, “The girls are going to hate me!” he sighs. Laila shook her head at him, “they won’t! All you need to do...is phone the spa, cancel the appointment and get their money back. Then in the morning before the boys go to the cider farm, we’ll pop to the shops and grab a load of face packs and foot masks. Daniel and I can do hair...I’ll grab him in the morning and find a wholesaler. He’s probably got his hairdressing scissors, I have my dryer and straighteners and I’m sure Zeppy will do nails as I know she brought her nail stuff as she was supposed to do mine. We’ll total how much the face packs and supplies cost and once you get the refund work out how much you need to give back to the girls,” Remy’s face lights up, “so, will you chill out now?” Laila shoves him. “OK...I guess I better go and tell all the girls,” Remy leaves the room and as Laila predicted all the girls were fine with it. ~*~*~*~ The next day the boy’s have gone to the cider farm and the girls are doing a makeshift spa day, Laila and Daniel are on hair, Zeppy is on nails, Liz is doing face packs and even Elise, Alec’s cousin even offered to do make up. That evening they had planned to head to the local pub, Harry had set up a game where he has put dares in a bowl, everyone takes a dare and once they completed one, they take another and the person who has done the most dare once the bowl is empty is the winner. Laila pulls out hers, “get three guys to buy you a drink,” she reads. Remy pulls out his dare, “kiss a bald man’s head,” he chuckles. Alec takes his, “take a sip of someones drink...crap! Herbies...here I come!” Laila manages to get two of the locals to buy her a drink by telling them her dare. Harry takes a seat next to her, “have you finished your dare yet?” he asks her. She turns in her seat, her knee brushes his, “just one more drink to get..what was your dare?” she asks as he didn’t read his out, he blushes as a grin appears on his face, “how about this..I’ll help you complete yours, if you help me complete mine?” She narrows her eyes at him, “but I don’t know what yours is?!” “That’s what makes it fun right?” he throws her a wink. “Nah, not at all! Fess up or no deal!” He knows she isn’t going to be easy to convince, “OK! My dare is to get a kiss from who I think is the most attractive person in the room,” she lets out a laugh, “WOW!” she rolls her eyes at him. “So, will you help me?” he asks, Laila shifts in her seat and starts looking through her bag, then she pulls out a little compact mirror and hands it to him. He looks down confused as she hands him the mirror, “what’s this?” “You said you had to kiss the most attractive person in the room? I figured you probably think its yourself?” she grins. “Wow! That’s mean!” he loves her boldness. She gets down off the bar stool, “plus, like I’m going to help you when I want to win!” she smirks at him, he picks up the mirror and kisses it, “game on, sweetheart!” he says as he hands her back her mirror. By the end of the evening all dares completed Alec is the winner, with Laila in second place and Harry in third. ~*~*~*~ A few days later, Laila’s at work when Daniel comes over to her as she’s finishing up, “you have a new client waiting, they specifically asked for you,” Daniel has the biggest grin on his face. “Who is it?” she asks, but he walks away “you’ll see!” he winks. Laila’s mind is ticking over trying to guess who it is, as it has to be someone important with the look Daniel gave her. Laila has finished with Mrs Young and she makes her way to the reception. He’s looking down at his phone when she notices him, he looks up and flashes her the brightest smile, “Harry? What are you doing here?” she looks at him confused. He stands making his way towards her, “you’re a hairdresser and I need a haircut!” he winks…

Continue reading this story here - Chapter 2.

"A date?" Laila questions him "Yeah, with one of Alec's mates" Rem seems super excited about this "What friend?" Harry asks, looking over to Alec "Freddie, I didn't think he'd be Laila's type, but Rem seems to think that he is" as soon as Alec tells him its Freddie Harry chuckles "Freddie?! Really?! Good luck Laila!" There is almost a hint of jealously in his voice.

"Come on, Harry he's not that bad!" Alec tries not to laugh through his lie "She'll fall asleep before they have even ordered drinks. He has no chat when it comes to girls" Laila looks over to Rem "So you're setting me up with a bore?" Rem shook his head "No, he is actually really funny! Ignore these two! I just want you to find someone...it's been 8 years since Josh...you need to get over him at some point!"

A sadness still came over Laila each time someone mentions his name "Rem! Look, it's your birthday and I don't want to fall out with you over this, so here is your present I'm going to walk away from this conversation before I say something I regret!" She gets up leaving before anyone can say anything.

"Auntie Laila!!!" Carly collides with her "Come on, we are all on the zip swing" Laila parents had a huge back garden surrounding their house, so her dad built a park for the grand kids. All the kids loved the zip swing they would take turns on having a go and pulling the seat back each time.

Having 3 older brothers Laila had a total of 11 nieces and nephews. Chris had Lilly - 11, Luna - 9 and Carly - 5, Max had the twins Isla and Arya - 10, Nate had Alfie - 5, Issac - 7, Blake - 11 and  Zeppy the oldest at 18.

"Auntie Laila" Alfie zipped past on the swing as he hit the end the swing flies up nearly dropping Alfie off backwards "Wow, be careful Alf!" Laila watches her nephew run back to the start with the swing in tow.

"Where are your parents?" she looked round at the kids "Nanny and Grandad had us stay over last night. We had a camp out in the living room" Carly tells her "Why don't you have a go?" Carly pushes her towards the swing "Yeah, Auntie Laila!" Alf cheers her on "But....!" she hesitates but the kids aren't taking no for an answer.

Laila gets on, gripping the swing for dear life "3...2....1...Go!" they count her down, she zips along the line, then as it hits the end.... the chair flies forward up into the air and Laila's grip loosens, she fell backwards onto the grass the swing above her with no passenger "LAILA!!" she hears a familiar voice shout within seconds she knows whose voice it is as he stands over her "Are you OK?" Harry looks down at her as soon as he asks, she bursts out a laugh "Other than dying of embarrassment? Yeah, I'm OK" he starts to laugh with her as he helps her up off the ground.

"You went down before the seat did!" he laughs, "I didn't expect it to throw me off," she looks over to the kids who are laughing at her, "Should we get you a drink?" he puts his hand on the small of her back leading her to a table.

She sits as Harry grabs them a drink "Laila, are you OK?" Terry looks at her worried "Dad, I'm fine," she laughs, "Still, I better go and tell them to be careful" he leaves her alone at the table walking over to the kids.

Harry hands her a Pimms can "I wasn't sure what you wanted but thought you can't go wrong with Pimms right?" he sits down next to her with a beer in his hand "Actually, I don't like Pimms" she lies, "Oh! I can go and get you something else?" he's about to get up when she giggles and pulls him back down "I'm joking!" She laughs, he narrows his eyes at her with a grin "That was just mean!" he laughs, "Erm...Its looks like you have a date this Friday!" She scrunches up her nose at the question "Argh...I need to find a way to get out of that one!"

"Oh?" he's sips his beer trying to sound neutral "I know Rem means well..." he has to ask. It's now or never right?! "What was he talking about earlier? When he mentioned someone called Josh?" He watches as her walls slowly go up.

She turns to him "No judgment?" He nods just wanting to listen to her "OK, Josh was someone I met in college, we were together for over 4 years. Engaged, but then he got sick...." she takes a deep breath gearing up to say the words "He passed away...." she looks down at her hands in her lap.

He wished he never asked now, he takes her hand.

She looks up at him "It took me a while to date after that and I'm not trying to give you a big head or anything, but you are probably the first person to have made it to a second date," he tries to hide his smirk, but it breaks out "Must be my amazing dates" she shook her "About that... do you do normal dates" she raises a questioning brow at him.

He chuckles "I...to be honest with you, I've never done dates as extravagant as I have with you.." Laila tuts at him finding it hard to believe "Honestly, it's the truth. You have this thing about you that makes me just want to impress you"

She lets out a little laugh, "I love the big wow dates, but I prefer simple ones," he smirks at her "Now she tells me! What if I was to do a movie night and dinner at mine? You would be happy with that?" She pretends to think for a second "It depends on your cooking skills" she winks, he howls "My cooking skills are fantastic actually!" she shoves him "Of course they are!"

"Friday come over and I'll show you!" she knows exactly why he has chosen to do it on that day "Have you forgotten? I have plans," he knows she's baiting him, "We both know you don't want to go on that date and I wasn't lying earlier when I said you'll be asleep before ordering" for a split second she could see a hint of jealousy in his eyes as she decides what to do "I'll let you know" she smirks, teasing him.

Later everyone is a little tipsy now and Nate drags Laila up to dance "Nate, No!" he isn't listening to her "Come on, every family gathering, we always get up and dance!!" all the kids that haven't fallen asleep are up dancing too. Pharrell Williams - Happy is playing everyone that is still at the party is up dancing except Alec and Harry who are watching from the sidelines.

"Grandad, you dance like an old man!" Carly laughs at Terry doing the robot, Remy dances his way over to Laila "I'm waving my white flag!" she shook her head at her oldest friend "Rem! I'm sorry I snapped a bit earlier," she hugs him "Hey, you made up for it as soon as you came flying of the zip swing. That was priceless! But one thing I did notice Harry seem to run to your rescue pretty quick?" Remy gives her a look he always give her when he knows there's more to the story.

She can't keep it a secret from him anymore, she looks round Harry isn't within earshot, but his eyes are glued to her, "If I tell you something you can't tell anyone! I mean not even Alec! Pinky promise?" Rem rolls his eyes "Laila, how old are we again?!" she huffs at him "OK, I pinky promise! Now what is going on?" she checks one more time "Harry and I have been on a couple of dates" Remy's face lights up "W...what!? You and Harry?! When did this start?" Rem has 21 questions for her.

"It started after your stag weekend. He came to the salon for a haircut and it went on from there," she whispers to him, "Do you like him? Have you....you know?" He winks at her, she can't believe he just asked her that "Rem! No! We haven't! I do like him" Rem pull her in for a hug "Lulu! I'm happy you've finally gotten yourself back out there!"

She blushes "Lulu, you haven't called me that in years!" She laughs. "Called her what?" They hear behind her, turning they saw Alec and Harry joining them "Lulu, I used to call Laila it growing up"

"Well, Lulu you won't mind if I stole my Remy for a dance?" Alec spins Remy, she laughs, "No, of course not. I'm happy for you to take him off my hands! His dances moves are awful" she laughs.

Alec and Remy start dancing together with everyone else.

"Lulu huh?" She turns towards him "Oh, no! Don't tell me you're going to start teasing me about it?!" He laughs, "Nah, I might start calling you it myself. Oh, by the way your dad offered to let me stay the night" she looks at him confused "He did?!" Why has he done that? "I told him I couldn't have more than one beer because I was going to drive Alec and Remy home, so he said we could all stay"

"That's my dad for ya! I'm staying the night too" her dad had already told her that she could stay a few days ago "We could be sleeping next door to each other again?" He winks. "Just keep the snore session down, yeah?!" she laughs, "I do not snore!" he protests "OK, if you want to believe that!" She teases him more "You are so irritating, but I like it. I really want to kiss you!" she smirks "Sorry, but you'll have to keep your lips to yourself!" He huffs.

Its after midnight Remy, Alec, Harry and Laila were the last ones to head the bed "Night Lulu and Haribo!" a drunk Remy sways into his old bedroom with Alec. "Which room did your mum say I was in?" Harry whispers trying not to wake everyone "The guest room next to my old ro...." his lips crash to hers, the kiss is electrifying making every nerve ending stand on end.

They stumble into her bedroom onto the bed. His lips trail down her pulse line, his hand glides up her leg, slipping under her playsuit and brushes against her centre "Harry?" he pulls away to look at her. "I want to....its just..." he strokes her face and smiles as he collapses on the bed next to her "It's fine. We can take it slow" she felt relieved he understood. "Not too slow we can't cuddle?" he lets out a soft chuckle "I do like to cuddle" he wraps his arms around her.

"I am sorry! It's been so long since I've been with someone in that way," he kisses her forehead "Don't give it a second thought. I can do slow" he begins to stroke her hair making her eyes drift.

~*~*~*~

"Laila! Are you awake?" she heard her mum call out, followed by a knock on the bedroom door, she looks around the room realising where she is.

With Harry is asleep next to her "Laila?" her mum calls out again.

Shit! She can't have her catch Harry in here! Laila tries to wake him "Harry! Wake up!" he begins to stir, she silences him with a finger to his lips.

When the door handle twists Laila pushes him off the bed and he falls to the floor with a thud "Ouch!"

"Laila, Are you..?" Laila smiles at her mum "Mum?! You alright?" Laila tries not to blush.

"Yep, I just wondered if you wanted breakfast?" Laila nods "Great, what about Harry?" Laila is shocked by her mum's question "What? Harry?" she asks, "Sweetheart, if you're going to get him to hide behind the bed at least make sure his feet aren't sticking out the bottom or did you forget he's nearly 6 foot? Well, I suppose we are all the same size when we're doing the horizontal tango" she winks as turns to leave the room "I'll take his silence as a yes to breakfast" she closes the bedroom door.

Harry pops his head up smiling at a very red Laila....

Continue reading this story here - Chapter 6.

His house was the closest to Rem's but him bring the brother closest to her age, they had always gotten on better than the older two. Harry was at work with back to back sessions, she didn't want to bother him. He answers the door "Lai?" Her eyes are swollen and red "Lai, what's a matter?" He pulls her in for a hug "Nate, I thought I was doing the right thing!" She sobs.

"Hey! It's OK! Come on, let's get you off the doorstep. I'll make us a tea and you can tell me what is going on!" She follows him to the kitchen "Are the kids here?" She wipes the tears from her face, "No, Zeppy has gone to Vicky" he rolls his eyes at the mention of her name "And Jade has taken the boys swimming" he calls back as he makes his way to the kitchen.

A few minutes later he comes in with 2 cuppas "There you go! I can't remember if you take sugar or not"

"That'll do fine!" She smiles as he hands her the mug "So, what has upset ya?" She sighs not wanting to talk about it, but that's why she's here "It's Rem...he probably hates me. Alene has been in contact with Melissa and she wants to build bridges with Rem. I went round just now to have a word with him and he got angry and kicked me out" she sobs.

Nate rubs her back and hands her a tissue "Oh Lai! I'm sure he didn't mean it! It's just a sore subject for him, you know this more than anyone. Once he calms down, he'll realise he shouldn't have taken it out on you" Laila wipes her tears and takes a deep breath.

"I get why he is upset, I do...." Laila's phone starts to ring, she didn't want to speak to anyone right now other than Nate, so she ignored the call, a few seconds later her phone PINGS "You should get that maybe it's Rem?" she huffs pulling out her phone Harry's name appears across the screen.

"It's Harry, Alec has told him about what happened with Rem. Looks like he tried to call me too. I'll give him a call back in bit" she puts her phone away "I think Rems will be fine once he cools off. You've got to also think it's a big thing! Here he is building this new life with Alec and suddenly the past comes rolling in" She feels a little better after talking to Nate.

"So, Zeppy has gone to see her Mum?" Nate rolls his eyes "Yeah, not much I can do able that now she's 18" Nate just shook his head, he always worries when Zeppy is visiting Vic as she always comes home with an attitude.

15 Years ago

Zeppy and Vicky's mother and daughter relationship has always been up and down, but more downs than ups. When Zeppy was 3 Nate went to pick up Zeppy as usual, she would spend weekends with him, he knocked on the door and got no answer.

He knocked a few more times again, still no answer, as he opened the flap of the letter box he could see straight into the kitchen where Zeppy was turning the dials on the gas cooker hob.

That's when the smell of gas hit him, he calls out to Zeppy to stop and open the front door.

After Zeppy unlock the door he rushed his daughter out the house and into his car before going back inside to turn off the gas and in search of Vicky but there was no sign of her in the house. Zeppy's bag was packed near the front door, he picked it up and left the house.

30 minutes later a frantic Vicky calls him, after the 5th call he finally answers "PLEASE TELL ME, YOU HAVE HER NATHAN!!???" still angry she had left their 3 year old daughter in the house by herself, he decides to be cruel "Have who?" he calmly asks "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHO?? OUR DAUGHTER!!?" she screams down the phone at him.

"No, I'm running late. I did call to tell you" this was a lie he had called her after he found she had left Zeppy at home alone. "NATHAN! SHE'S GONE!!" she's sobbing on the other end of the phone "How?" he asked, hoping she won't lie like she has on other occasions. Like when Zeppy had used Vicky's phone to call him because Vicky had collapsed. When he got there she lied saying she had the flu, but he knew better the reason why she collapsed was the same reason they split - Drugs. 

"She was in the shops with me....I turned away for a second and she was gone" this was the last straw for him. She had flat out lied to him, on the way to his, he asked Zeppy where Vicky was she told him that she had left with Scott (One of her druggie friends) and told her not to answer the door to  anyone leaving her there.

"Good job she's safe then! I have her, I was early, but thank fuck I was! Vic, she was playing with the gas cooker! What the earth possessed you to leave our 3 year old daughter by herself?"  Vicky knew she had been caught out "Nathan! You scared the shit outta me!" his blood boiled he couldn't even be bother to answer that she clearly couldn't see what she had done was wrong.

With the help of Terry and Liz, he won primary custody of Zeppy before she was 4. When Zeppy started school Nate was a single dad, so Liz would always pick up Zeppy from school as his job at his grandad's Garage was until 5PM. He met Jade on her first shift at the pub, he was covered in oil, but her smile won his heart the first time he saw her.

The next day he came to collect Zeppy he had gone home to change his clothes and shower. Liz looked a little confused when she saw Nate walk through the door clean and smart, but she soon realised why when her eyes followed the direction he was stupidly smiling in. He made the excuse that he and Zeppy would have dinner at the pub that night just so he could stay a little longer. By the end of the night he finally worked up the courage to ask her out....

2 years later.

Jade gave birth to their first son Blake by his first birthday they were married soon followed Isaac and Alfie.

When Jade had gone into labour with Blake, Vicky assumed she would automatically get Zeppy for a few days, but Nate had already planned for Liz and Terry to have her. This broke her heart, so she turned to her only friend and overdosed. Waking up in hospital, she was greeted by Nate stood at the bottom of her bed with a sad Zeppy. She smiled at her daughter as she opened her eyes, but Zeppy didn't return it "Zep? Baby, Aren't you happy to see Mummy?" she asked. Zeppy teared up, "NO!" she shouted back at her before storming off upset.

Vicky looked to Nate "I couldn't keep it a secret from her anymore Vic. She knows how you got here" the look of realizations spreads across her face, "You told her?!" she hissed, he leaned over the end of the bed "Believe it or not...she overheard the doctor. Vic this was supposed to be a happy time, but you went and shat all over it!" he walks off leaving her with nothing, but her tears.

Although Zeppy wasn't biologically Jade's daughter, she treated her exactly the same as the boys, Vicky hated this. Whenever Zeppy would call Jade Mum in front of Vicky on the supervised visits at the contact centres, she would always hiss "She's not your Mum!" Jade would ignore her.

Jade obviously knew what happened with Vicky, but she also understood she was a Mother and how much it must have hard her to hear her daughter call another woman Mum. Much to Nate's disapproval Jade always encouraged Vicky and Zeppy's relationship she even got him to change the fortnightly supervised visits to once a week. If it was left up to Nate, she wouldn't have any contact what so ever.

As far as Vicky was concerned, he thought Zeppy would be better off without her in her life. But Jade would always convince him as much as he doesn't, like her, it has to be Zeppy's decision on whether she kept in contact with her or not and if he took that away from her she would resent him for it. Zeppy kept contact in hope that one day she might have a normal Mum, one that might put her daughter and her health first.

So far that seems a long way off.

Present day

"Probably Vicky talking in her ear, but don't take it to heart, Nate" she smiles her phone rings again. She takes a look at the screen, it's Harry again "You better answer that he'll be worried about you" Nate gets up "I'll make us some lunch and you speak to your boyfriend" Laila answers the phone.

"Hey handsome!"

"Hi my love, Are you OK? Alec called me and told me about Rem's blowing up"

"Yeah, I'm OK! I'm at Nate's just talking about it with him"

"Are you sure you're OK? I can see if I can get Ollie to take on the rest of my PT sessions for today?"

She smiles at his sweetness "I'm fine now....what time do you finish? I'll pick you up in the car?"

"If you're sure? I finish at 4 today"

"Yeah, I'm sure and I'll see you at 4"

"OK 4...I love you!"

"I love you more"

Nate makes a gagging noise at his sister, she laughs as she hangs up "Things going well between you two then?" she rolls her eyes at him "Clearly!" he hands her a sandwich "Cucumber and lots of butter" she laughs, "You used to make me these for my packed lunches at school or if I was ill"

"You loved them, I remember someone telling mum not to make your lunch box because you wanted me to do it!"

"To be fair mum would normally chuck in some Jacobs crackers with butter and grated cheese, that stuff would always go everywhere! Do you make the kids these?"

"Yeah, Zeppy used to love them. Alf, Blake and Isaac still have them if they are having packed lunch"

They heard the front door slam "Jade? Zeppy?" Nate called out soon after he heard footsteps hammer up the stairs before another door slam "Zeppy?!" Laila said as she looked to Nate. He sighed and was about to get up from the sofa to deal with his daughter, but Laila grabbed his arm "Let me!"

He sat back down, leaving Laila to deal with one of Zeppy's mood swings. She knocks on the bedroom door to hear Zeppy yell "Dad, go away!" She knocks again "Zippy, it's me!" She heard her huff followed by footsteps coming closer.

The door swings open, Zeppy's eyes are swollen "Will you stop calling that Aunt Leia!" Laila laughs.

It was 3 months after Nate had found out about Zeppy that Laila first met Zeppy. She could never pronounce her name right, it always came out as Leia, it kinda stuck until she hit her teens and she started calling her Aunt Laila and she asked her to stop calling her Zippy.

"Are you going to let me in to have a chat?" she doesn't respond, she moves away from the door and wanders back into her room leaving the door open. Laila walks into the bedroom Zeppy is slumped on the side of her bed, head down looking at her feet. Laila saw her wiping her eyes, "Zep's, what's wrong?" she sits down next to her, Zeppy turns away from her "Come on, you can tell me!"

"She's using again!" she hisses towards Laila, she pulls Zeppy to her chest and she begins to sob "Am I not enough? I told her after the last time if she used again that's it...I'm cutting her out of my life"

It breaks Laila's heart to see her niece like this.

Why can't she see what an amazing daughter, she has!?

Continue reading this story here - Chapter 18.

"Is he mine?!" she seems a bit taken aback by his question, she wasn't expecting to see him again.

He asks again "Is he my son?" it's almost a hiss.

"No! No, he's not" she understands why he would think he is considering the timescale "I did a DNA test when he was born, he's Anthony's"

Harry is relieved, "You're one hundred percent?" she nods "I can show you the results if you would like?" she doesn't wait for his reply she rushes off, moments later she hands him a bit of paper.

It reads at the bottom -

Alleged FATHER  - ANTHONY KENNEDY

Probability of Paternity: 99.99999%

Harry feels like he can finally breathe again, he hands her back the piece of paper "Thank you and sorry I just had to know," she offers him a weak smile, "It's OK, I understand why you would think he was yours. Again, I'm sorry about what happened to us in the past and I'm glad you have moved on she seems lovely!"

His thoughts go to Laila "She is to be honest with you, she's probably the best thing that has ever happened to me" her face sours, but quickly changes as she hears her son cry "I'm coming Jasper" she turns back to Harry "Sorry, I have to go. Harry take care!" he smiles "You too"

He makes his way down the path, pulls out his phone and dials Laila's number. It rings a few times before she answers.

"Hey Harry..." He cuts her off, so she doesn't get the rest of her words out.

"He's not mine!" she lets out a breath"How do you feel about that?"

He chuckles "Relieved, Laila the thought of being tied to her because of a child...I couldn't think of anything worse. I thought I might have wanted him to be mine for a few moments but as soon as I knew he wasn't mine, I realised I didn't really want it at all"

"Well, I'm happy for you and at least that's cleared up now. You can move on from it"  He can tell she's secretly relieved to as much as she tries to pretend she was OK with it.

"I'm on my way back to yours so make sure you're ready, we'll leave for my parents when I get back"

"OK, I'm nearly ready. Harry, I'm so nervous," he chuckles "No need to be! You've met my mum, one of my brothers and my sister...my dad you just need to take everything he says with a pinch of salt. He's hard on everyone until they get to know him"

"Great....anyway. I'll see you in a bit, I love you" He laughs "See you soon! I love you too"

Later they arrive at his parents house, Harry lets himself in with his fingers entwined. Laila's heart is racing with nerves, "Mum, Dad?" he calls out "Harry! We're out the back" They make their way through the house towards garden "Laila! How are you?" Rose welcomes her with open arms.

Harry puts him down and pulls Laila over to the table "Arthur and Izzy you've already met Laila, but Dad, Brad, Will, Sophie, Claire and Ruby this is my girlfriend Laila, Laila this is my Dad Colin, and my brothers Will and Brad and their wives Ruby, Sophie and Claire" His brothers and their wives offer her a warm welcome but Colin doesn't even look up at her.

"Hi, Rose! It's nice to see you again!" Laila smiles at her, she notices the rest of the family round a table "Uncle Harry!!" a little boy runs over colliding with him, Harry picks him up "Hey Cohen! This is my girlfriend Laila!" Cohen looks over to her "She's pretty" Laila smirks "Thank you! You are adorable!" Cohen smiles.

Take everything with a pinch of salt! She thought, "I knew something was going on with you two! I saw the way he looked at you at the sky gardens!" Izzy winks at her, they take a seat Harry doesn't let go of her hand.

"We were in the early stages of dating at time" Laila smiles at her. She hears Colin sniggers, but she chooses to ignore it when she feels Harry give her hand a tiny squeeze.

A little while later dinner is served "Laila, are you left handed?" Colin asks "Erm..no, no I'm not," she smiles at him "So, why are you holding your knife and fork like a left handed person? It's a bit ill mannered?" he hisses. "Sorry, I always have used them this way..." he cuts her off "What do you do for a living?"

"Oh, I'm a hairdresser" he sniggers again "So not a doctor then..what a shame!"

"Dad!" Harry hisses at him "Harry, it's fine!" she smiles softly at him. Pinch of salt! She thought.

"And your parents?" Colin asks "My parents? Well, they own a pub" Colin laughs "Of course they do! Talk about lower class and cliché"

This comment makes her blood boil she jumps out of her seat, throwing down her cutlery "Say what you want about me, but don't you dare talk about my family!" She says pointing her finger at him "My parents are worth 10 of you!! You are nothing, but a miserable, snobby, rude old git! I will not sit here like everyone else and let you get away with talking to me or about my family like that!" she storms off through the house and out the front door.

Harry chases her calling after her "Laila! Wait!" He catches up to her, gently grasping her arm, making her turn "Laila, I'm sorry I should have spoken up...I should've never let him speak to you like that. It's just that's the way he is. I know that's no excuse"

"I get it..he's your dad, we make allowance for family. I shouldn't have say anything" Harry chuckles "No! I'm glad you did..That is what I love most about you. You don't take crap from anyone, you speak your mind and no one has to second guess where they are with you"

Behind Harry, Laila spot Colin stands in the doorway. Harry eyes follow in her direction "Harry, if he's here for round 2, I swear to god I will not be responsible for my actions" Harry chuckles "As much as I would love for you to deck him..." she cuts him off "Don't you think I can take the old man?" she asks.

He laughs "I have no doubt that you can take the old man! But let's just hear what he has to say? I promise I will step in if he's out of line again," she rolls her eyes "Fine" Harry takes her hand and they make their way over to him "Let me just warn you, you dare speak to her like you did in there so help me god" Colin can see his son will not stand by and let it happen again.

"First can I say Laila, I'm a protective old fool, I just don't want him hurt like last time. You were right in there, when you called me a miserable, rude old git. No one has ever pulled me up on how I speak to people and for that I respect you"

"You forgot snobby!" Laila hissed, Colin laughs at her "I also forgot to say sorry which I truly am sorry and if you will allow it can we start again?"

"OK, I'm also sorry for what I called you" Colin laughs "You have nothing to apologize for everything you said in there was spot on. Now let's go back inside"

They follow Colin back to the garden as they walk in his brothers clap "Keep hold of this one Harry! We like her!" Will laughs "Don't worry I intend to!" he winks at Laila.

Later, Harry is playing football with the kids Cohen, Ethan, Bobby and Lara while Laila is colouring with Mila "Do you love my Uncle Harry?" Mila looks up at her "I do" Mila smiles "He loves you too. Are you going to marry him?" Laila smirks she loves how kids are so blunt "Maybe one day"

"Maybe one day?" she hears him asks over her shoulder. Great! She thought. "I asked Laila will she marry you. She said maybe one day!" Mila giggle, Laila blushes as Harry takes a sit down next to her "You're all sweaty!" Laila wipes his brow "Yeah, those 4 have been ganging up on me. 4 against 1 can you guess who won!" Laila laughs at him.

"Not you?" she winks "Got that right!" Harry grabs Laila's hand as she's colouring making her go out of the lines "Harry!! Look what you made me do!" he chuckles at her and does it again "Harry! Stop it!" she hisses "Or what?" he asks.

She takes the felt tip pen and draws on his face "Laila!" she smirks, Mila giggles "What? I'm colouring out of the lines like you wanted me to," he smirks as he shook his head, "You are so going to regret that!" he's quick, he takes a red felt tip pen off the blanket they are sitting on and aims for her face, but she dodges it. He goes in again she falls back against the blanket, Harry grasps her hands pinning them, so she can't stop him. She's laughing "Harry, don't you dare!"

Moving towards her face with the pen between his teeth as his hands pin down hers, she's laughing "Harry" as he gets closer Mila pulls the pen from his mouth and uses it on him "Argh! Mila, you're suppose to be on my team!" he lets go of Laila, Mila gets up and makes a run for it. Harry is about to chase after her, but Laila grabs his ankle making him fall to the ground.

She gets up and makes a run for it after Mila, they're both giggling as they run from him. Before they get to far, Harry's arms come around both their waist's "Gotcha both!" he begins to tickle them and they both fall to the ground trying to get away.

"Uncle Harry! Stop! I'm sorry!" Mila says through her laughter, he stops "I like Laila, Uncle Harry" Harry smiles at his niece "Me too!" he winks at Laila.

~*~*~*~

A few weeks later

Laila had arranged to meet Nikki at the park with Poppy, They are chatting when all of a sudden they hear Poppy scream.

They both rush over to her, Poppy is hysterical on the floor below the monkey bars "Pops, what's wrong?" tears steam down her face "It hurts!!" she screams "Poppy, did you fall from the bars?" Laila asks her and she nods unable to answer because of the pain.

Nikki becomes distraught "Nikki, It's going to be fine!" Laila tries to reassure her "I'll call an ambulance just in case" Laila pulls out her phone to make the call.

Continue reading this story here - Chapter 13.