#stepdadharry

“They look delicious. Come on in” Anne steps aside then leads us into the kitchen. I place down the cupcakes on her counter top. Lottie immediately runs into Gemma’s arms, who picks her up and snuggles her. So far all of this is normal, until someone I have never met, but feel like I know way to much about, comes into the kitchen. Harry. Sleeves rolled up his arms, showing off his tattoos.

“Harry, this is my neighbour Lizzie and her daughter Lottie”

“Heard a lot about you both” Harry holds out his hand for me to shake. I look over at Anne who is just beaming with happiness

“Hi” I say shaking his hand

“Mum it’s Harry Styles, don’t be embarrassing, be cool” Lottie whisper shouts to me making everyone laugh. Gem puts Lottie down, Harry bends down to her level “hello mr Harry Styles it’s nice to meet you”

“Harry is just fine and it’s lovely to meet you. Did you make the cupcakes?”

“Mmmhum me and mum made them. We didn’t know what your favourite colour was but I like pink. That’s why mums cafe is pink”

“Pink is perfect thank you” Harry then stands up smiling

“Lotts dinners nearly ready can you go and wash your hands?” Anne asks

“Ok” Lottie then skips off to the bathroom humming and singing ‘golden’ to her self

“Sorry she’s a huge fan. She’s been listening to your music since Anne told her you were her son”

“That’s alright. It’s sweet”

“How has her first week at school gone?” Gemma asks as we start taking plates into the dining room

“Erm ok. She’s still pretty nervous going in, but she’s definitely getting there. She’s been mentioning a few names, i wonder if I had took her to nursery if she would know more of the kids”

“Maybe, but you did what was best for you and Lotts at the time” Anne gives me a sympathetic smile. I can see Harry looking a little confused, but doesn’t say anything which I appreciate. Lottie runs into the dinning room, and sits down in her seat

Lottie is the first to tuck into her food, Gemma is sat next to Lottie, Anne next to me and Harry is sat to the other side of me, as if he’s at the head of the table

“Anne you have out done yourself yet again” I take taking a bite of food

“Mum can’t cook” Lottie says

“Oi you cheeky monkey”

“Ok you can, but you’re better at making cakes”

“Hmmm” I playfully scowl at my daughter

The rest of dinner goes by complimenting Anne’s food and Harry talking about what he plans on doing while on a break from tour. Anne goes to get the plate of cupcakes from the kitchen and hands us all one each

“So Lottie, do you help your mum in the cafe?” Harry asks

“Yep” she says popping the p and looking very proud of herself “mum lets me mix the cake mixture and I’m her number one taste taster”

“Important job”

“Maybe you can come to the cafe, but I know you might want to stay inside because mum says lots of people will want to say hi to you and you might be busy”

“I’d love to come to the cafe. Maybe you could give me a lesson on making cupcakes” Lotties eyes widen with excitement

“Tomorrow?”

“Woah girl calm down. You have school in the morning”

“Ohh” Lottie sinks into the chair looking rather sad

“What time do you finish school?”

“Mum what time do I finish?”

“3:15”

“I’ll swing by about 4 then, how does that sound?” Lotties eyes then widen with excitement

“Yay”

Gem takes Lottie into the living room to play a game with her, Anne is tidying up while I’m washing up and Harry is drying up

“You don’t have to come tomorrow, I can tell her somethings come up”

“Why disappoint her. I’m free. As long as it’s ok with you I’d love to come and see the cafe” there’s a small moment of quiet “mum mentioned you both a lot to me”

“Oh no” I laugh thinking of all the embarrassing things she could have told him

“Nothing bad, promise, but it’s made me want to meet you and my number one fan” Harry nods his head towards the living room “she talks highly of you”

“Your mum has been a rock to me and Lottie. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her. My parents haven’t spoken to me since they found out I was pregnant, but your mum has been more of a mum to me in 6 years than my mum had in 20 odd years”

“Their loss” harry nudges me slightly

“Mum Harry hurry up!” Lottie says running into the kitchen “we’re playing uno”

“What time will Harry be here?”

“About 4. Why don’t you grab a snack?” I tell her. Lottie picks out a croissant and I get her some juice.

Just as Harry said, he arrived at 4 wearing a pink jumper and blue jeans

“Harry!” Lottie shouts excitedly picking her picture up and showing it to him “look what I made for you” Harry crouches down to her level making my hart pang slightly

“Thank you so much. This is amazing”

“Can we make cup cakes now?” Lottie looks at me. I check the time

“Let me just close up then we can. Thank you for holding the fort”

“You know I’d do it anytime” Anne takes off her apron and gives me a hug “enjoy yourselves. Don’t eat all of the cupcakes, make sure you save me some” Anne says to Lottie smiling.

Before I know it there’s flower and icing everywhere, especially all over Lottie’s face. I’m going to have an interesting evening with her later

“I think we need to do a big tidy up don’t you?” I tell Lottie

“Here” harry wets a rag and starts to clean up Lotties face, I can’t hide the smile on my face. Harry then looks up at me, I quickly turn and start to wipe down the counter tops. I then hear Lottie whisper (not so quietly to Harry)

“Mum doesn’t like men”

“What do you mean?” Harry whispers back. Before I can turn back around and say anything to stop the conversation Lottie replies

“Well she doesn’t talk about my dad and when she goes on dates she never has a second one. Gemma told me it’s because….”

“Ok Lottie can go and clean the tables round the front?”

“But you already did it?” She cocks he’d head to the side looking confused

“Please?” I hand her my rag and with a huff she takes it “sorry about that”

“That’s ok” Harry looks like he doesn’t really know what to say

“Lotties dad didn’t want to be in the picture at first. I thought it would be a great idea to give my parents my address if they ever changed their minds or opinions, but instead they gave it to Lotties dad. He came to the house once. Lottie was only a few months old. He banged on the door so loud that it was making Lottie cry. He was shouting that he had a right to see his child. I rang the police and we ended up in court fighting custody” I look at Harry who looks sad “sorry you dont need to hear my sob story”

“No it’s ok. If you want to talk about it, I’m hear to listen. No judgment” Harry gives me an encouraging smile and I take a deep breath

“He was married and had good income, he had his parents so everything was looking good for him. I was going to loose my daughter, the little tiny baby that I carried in my stomach to a man that never wanted anything to do with her. Your mum helped me with money for lawyers because I had barely anything. Then, by the miracle of god, after praying that something would change in the case, they found drugs in his hotel room. Turns out he was an alcoholic and drug user, weed mostly, but that gave me full custody and him no parental rights at all. I was so scared that he would come and find me and Lottie, so she never went to nursery. She was in my sight at all times. Took me a while to even let Gemma babysit”

“Shit” Harry breaths out “I’m sorry you had to go through that. No one deserves that”

“Things are better. He hasn’t tried any contact in 4 years now” that’s when the conversation stops because Lottie comes running back to us “right I better get you home and fed proper food”

“Not brocoli mum please not that” this makes me laugh “or peas”

“How about sausage, mash, swede, carrots and beans?”

“Yummy” Lottie shouts

“Did you drive?” Harry asks

“No we walk most of the time. School is a 20 minute walk from here and I think it’s good to get the exercise in when the weather is good”

“Well it’s pretty dark out now, let me give you a lift. I mean I am going going next door to your house”

“Mum can we please go in Harry’s car”

“But we don’t have your car seat”

“Mum I’m a big girl I’ll be ok for like 10 minutes”

“It’s a 5 minute drive from here. I’ll drive carefully”

“It is pretty dark out. Ok fine but no speeding”

“Yes ma’am” Harry salutes making me chuckle

“Yay” Lottie claps as I pick up the keys for the cafe and for our house.

“Ok we’re going to have a talk about answering the door later” I tell her when I get down the stairs “go tidy up your toys in the living room please” Lottie groans but does as she’s told “sorry about that. What can I do for you Harry?” I notice he looks a bit nervous

“Ok erm. So I had a really good night the other night and I was just wondering if you’d like to maybe go out with me again tomorrow night?”

“Say yes mum!” I hear Lottie shout

“Tidy up your toys!” I shout back trying not to laugh

“I am!”

“You don’t have to say yes I just…”

“Harry I’d love to go out with you tomorrow night, but I need to find child care and it’s a bit late notice, what about next weekend?”

“I’ve kinda already asked Gemma if she would have Lottie and she said yes”

“Then it’s a date” I smile

“Great, I’ll pick you and Lottie up at 6:30 to drop her off at Gems”

“Perfect. See you tomorrow” I watch Harry turn and walk back to Anne’s. I close the door and walk into the living room. Lottie runs up to me excited

“Mum you’re dating Harry Styles! how cool is that!”

“Ok woah slow down Lotts. We’re just going out as friends”

“Sure mum” Lottie pats my arm. Sometimes I swear this child is older than she actually is “if Harry did become your boyfriend I’d be happy” Lottie shrugs “Harry’s nice. I like him”

“Yeah” I sigh. All of this is so new to me. I’ve been asked on a second date and he knows I have a daughter, not only does he know I have a daughter he’s so good with her

“Mum are you ok? your just stood there staring at the wall?”

“Yeah sorry Lotts just thinking”

“About Harry?” Lottie questions

“No I was thinking about what cake I should make Anne for her birthday” I lie, but Lottie looks at me as if she knows the truth.

That evening I read Lottie to sleep before heading downstairs and making myself a cup of tea. Gemma is just as excited as Lottie seems to be, I can’t tell if it’s because I’m going out with Harry again or if she gets another sleepover with Lottie. My phone chimes again, expecting to see another text off Gemma I’m shocked to see a message off Harry

Good night Lizzie, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow H x

“Your pretty mum” I look at Lottie through the mirror, dressed in her Sleeping Beauty pyjamas and holding her teddy

“Thank you” I smile now picking up my perfume and spraying it

“Tom will think so too” she giggles clutching her teddy bear

“Hmm. Right are you ready for your sleepover?”

“Yes!” Lottie shouts running into her bedroom to get her overnight bag.

We then head next door, Gemma excitedly answers wearing her matching pyjamas

“Bye mum have fun” Lottie walks into Anne’s house laughing. Gemma also has a smirk on her face

“Bye then Lotts” I wave

“Have a good night Lizzie, enjoy yourself” Gemma then closes the door, but I can still hear Lottie and Gemma giggling. Poor Anne, from those giggles I can only imagine what they’re up to tonight.

I call a taxi to take me to the restaurant I’m supposed to be meeting Tom at. If I had Toms number I probably would have text him by now to say I wasn’t very well, but Gemma kept his number from me and I don’t want to be one of those people who stands someone up, so I’m forcing myself on this date that I really don’t want to go on. Arriving at the restaurant I walk to the seating desk

“Hi I have a reservation under the name Gemma Styles?”

“Ahhh yes follow me, your date has already arrived” great I can’t even order myself a drink before he arrives. I follow the lady to a table at the back. He’s sat facing away from me. I take a deep breath as I approach and…. you’ve got to be kidding me. The waitress then leaves us alone

“Harry?” I frown confused

“Lizzie? What are you doing here?” he also looks confused. The it clicks, all the giggling makes sense and it must have clicked for him as well because at the exact same time we say

“Gemma”

“I’m sorry Harry I think my daughter and your sister have been concocting some plan. I’ll call us a taxi and we can just head back home” I begin to take my phone out my bag when Harry stops me

“We may as well order something to eat. We’re here now. Come sit” he stands up and walks to the other chair pulling it out for me “nothing has to happen. We can just chat then I’ll drive you back”

“Ok why not” I give in and sit in the seat. Harry goes back to his and sits down

“Can I get you any drinks?” the waitress from before comes over

“I’ll have a Diet Coke. Lizzie?”

“Erm I’ll have the same thank you”

“Ok I’ll be right back with your drinks” the waitress smiles at us before leaving the table once again

“I really am sorry Harry about this”

“Don’t be. My sister’s been trying to set me up with her friends for years. Thinks I’m lonely” Harry laughs making me giggle

“Gemma says the same to me, although I have to admit this is the first one I’ve agreed to that she set up”

“Why’s that?”

“Oh just Lottie is priority not going on dates so I always say no, plus it will just end how it always does”

“But you have been on dates recently haven’t you?” I sigh at Harry’s question

“Yeah, but as soon at they find out I have a child they ghost me. Actually I think this is the longest date I’ve had so far when the guy knows I have a daughter”

“But we haven’t even ordered food yet?”

“Honestly I don’t know why I bother anymore”

“They all sound like idiots. You and Lottie definitely deserve better”

“Thanks Harry”

Dinner goes well, it’s weird how comfortable I am with Harry already after knowing him for only 2 weeks. He’s sweet and is genuinely interested in what I have to say. He also asked a lot about Lottie. He’s just pulled outside Anne’s; we get out the car and he walks me to my front door

“You didn’t have to walk me to the door. I’m only next door”

“Just got to make sure you get in safely. What are you going to do now since Lottie is staying over at mums?”

“Honestly? I never get a quiet bath where I can do a face mask and read” Harry laughs shanking his head

“Fair enough. I had a good time tonight, maybe we could go out for coffee one of the days? Or if not coffee since you’re probably sick of it having a cafe maybe we could go out for dinner again?”

“I’d like that. We can work out the details soon” I say unlocking the door

“Goodnight Lizzie” Harry places a kiss on my cheek which sends my heart soaring

“Ok toast, cereal or pancakes for breakfast?” I ask Lottie who’s lying on the sofa with a blanket over her

“Can I have toast please just a little bit of butter” Lottie’s voice sounds way to quiet to normal

“You ok baby?” I frown with my hands on my hips

“I just feel tired this morning”

“Ok. Just toast then” I say walking into the kitchen. I place the bread into the toaster and make a start on my own breakfast, a breakfast bagel.

Lottie doesn’t eat much of her toast, saying she isn’t very hungry which isn’t like her

“Are you sure you’re ok Lotts? you look a little pale” I sigh crouching down and placing my hand on her forehead “and warm. Didn’t you say Alex was sick at school the other day?”

“And Molly, Amber hasn’t been at school all week” Lottie says still very quiet

“Ok. Let me check your temperature” I say getting up

“No mum I’m ok. You’re going out with Harry tonight”

“Lottie. If you’re not very well Harry will understand if I cancel. I need you to tell me the truth. Do you feel ill?” I ask placing my hands on my hips. I watch Lottie slightly nod her head “ok”I turn and go into the kitchen to the medicine cupboard and dig out the ear temperature gage and a fresh cap. I also take the sick bowl out of the garage. Returning to Lottie I take her temperature “blimey Lotts” I breathe out. Looking at a temperature of 39.8°c. I again go back to the medicine cupboard to get the calpol out, hoping it will bring her temperature down. After giving her some medicine I text Harry

Just another reason to really like this man. Placing my phone down I sigh hearing Lottie wrenching into the bowl I gave her

“Mum!” she shouts. I can hear the upset in her voice

“I’m coming” I say walking over to her. I take the bowl into the toilet and get rid of the contents, then go back to the kitchen to clean the bowl and disinfect it. My job today is to disinfect the whole house and pray I don’t catch this bug.

I’m in the middle of cleaning the living room, Lottie is still lying on the sofa, when I hear the door bell ring. Frowning I make my way to the door. I haven’t ordered anything and I’ve told Anne and Gem that Lottie is sick. Opening the door I see Harry with a wide grin, holding a container in his hand

“Harry I wasn’t expecting you to…”

“I know, but I wanted to make you something to eat for tea tonight. I thought you could warm it up when Lottie was in bed, so that the smell doesn’t make her feel worse, and I was hoping I might be able to join you?” the smile Harry was wearing fades

“Oh Harry that’s so kind of you, but you really don’t want to spend your evening with me and Lottie, who knows what tonight will look like. I might be up and down these stairs cleaning bowls out, I might even catch this bug, it’s not very romantic”

“No, but I really like you. Like you said you could come down with this bug tonight then you’ll be dealing with yourself and Lottie” taking a moment to think about it, it would be kinda nice to have another pair of hands and he’s right if I end up being sick I’ll be sorting myself and Lottie out

“What if you get sick though?”

“Then I get sick. Lizzie let me help, please”

“Ok fine, but if this gets all too much you need to say, I’ll understand” I open the door wider and let Harry in

“I’m not going to run away because of a bit of vomit, it’s not what I had planned for tonight, but I always know that there’s a chance plans could change and that’s ok” he shrugs of his jacket and takes off his shoes “now where is the patient”

“She’s on the sofa” I nod towards the living room. Harry walks in while I lock the door back up

“Hi Harry. I’m poorly. I’m sorry mum had to cancel your date tonight”

“Ah that’s ok” I watch as Harry sits down on the sofa next to Lotties feet “no need to be sorry. Let’s just get you feeling better shall we”

By the time night time rolled around and Lottie was in bed Harry and I had emptied the bowl 6 times between us, cleaned the kitchen changed mine and Lotties bedding and thankfully managed to bring a 39.8 temp down to 38.2 which I will take. Lottie stopped being sick 4 hours ago, it’s now 8:30pm and Harry brings out the food he made earlier

“Thank you” I say taking the plate from him “and thank you for today. I know it wasn’t pleasant”

“Anytime I get to spend with you and Lottie is pleasant” I give Harry a smile

“You know, this is the first time I haven’t been alone when she’s been this sick. The last few times I’ve had to keep her off school and Anne has had to cover me at the bakery”

“I’m glad I helped”

“I love Lottie, I love her so much and it was my choice to move here where I knew nobody, but sometimes it’s really hard being a single mum. Your mum and Gemma have been amazing help and when I first moved I met a couple named Paige and Harley, they introduced me to their friend Ryan and we all became friends, but Paige and Harley moved to be closer to Paige’s mum who’s quite poorly and Ryan is a doctor at Leighton Hospital so we don’t get to see any of them very often. So days like today can be tough”

“It’s ok to ask for help sometimes and I’m glad I was able to help out today. Can I be honest with you?” I nod my head yes “I’ve never been sure about the whole marriage and having kids thing, but since I’ve met you and Lottie I’ve been thinking about it a lot and the idea of marriage and children, it actually sounds like something I’d want to do now”

“Even after seeing the amount of puke you have today?” I joke

“Maybe even more so. I know that sounds weird, but it was almost like I had a little family to take care of… sorry if that sounds odd or anything”

“No, I get it. It strangely felt like I had a little family today. It was nice. And again I am sorry we had to cancel our date”

“We could count this as a date right?” Harry shrugs “we have food and wine, I cooked the food just earlier so a date”

“Ok. I like that, next time I’ll make the food, and hope I don’t have a sick child” I laugh

“So I get another date?”

“Yeah. Yeah you do”

Taglist-

“I’m sure she will. I can’t wait to hear all about it when you come home later” Anne comes behind the counter and takes an apron

“Are you sure you’re ok with holding down the fort while I’m gone? I really wouldn’t have asked but Cara called in sick and I had already done the rotas. Ella needs to drop her kids off at nursery so couldn’t get in any sooner”

“It’s Lotties first day of school, you should be taking her”

“You really are an angel Anne. Now Ella is due to start her shift at 9, I’m hoping to be back for 9:30”

“Don’t rush. Ella and I will be fine until you get back”

“Ok Lottie coat and shoes on we need to go” I say taking off my apron. I think I’m feeling just as nervous as she is.

The drive from the cafe to Lotties school was short. I park up in the small car park area, get Lottie out of her car seat

“Mum what if no one likes me?” I can see the worry written all over her face. I bend down to her level

“You know, when I moved here I knew no one. I was so scared that no one would like me and that my little cafe wouldn’t earn any money, but I made friends”

“Aunt Paige, Aunt Harley and Uncle Ry?”

“Yep and Anne” Lottie then smiles a little

“Just be your amazing self and you will make friends in no time. Come on” I take her hand and walk her to the gate where Miss Williams is waiting

“Hi Lottie” she bends down “how are you?”

“Ok” Lottie nervously says

“We’re going to have a fantastic first day. Come with me” she gets up and holds out her hand

“Promise you’ll come back later?”

“Of course I will. I’ll always come back for you” I place a kiss on her forehead and watch her walk in with her new teacher.

Arriving back at the cafe it’s not to busy yet, just the usual students sat with their laptops

“I’m back”

“How was she when you left?” Anne asks

“Worried that I wasn’t going to come back, but I just tried reassuring her. She went in with her teacher ok so I guess we will see how her day goes later” I put on my apron and say hi to Ella

“So how did your date go the other evening?” Anne now asks as I start putting out more baked goods on the counter

“You mean the date that didn’t happen because he said and I quote ‘thought about it and don’t want to be in a relationship with someone who’s already got a kid’ good job I never spoke to Lottie about him”

“Oh Lizzie I’m sorry” Anne looks at me with a sad smile

“It’s fine. I’m glad he told me now rather than after meeting Lotts” Anne’s phone then pings letting her know she’s got a text. I watch her smile widen with excitement “good news?” I sit down on my stool since there’s no one queuing

“Err yeah. Harry’s coming home for a few months while he’s on a break from tour”

“Oh Anne that’s lovely” yes I am aware that Anne is mum to Harry Styles. When Lottie found out that Anne had a famous son she made me look him up and now my daughter is a massive Harry Styles fan. Although I have lived next to Anne for the last nearly 6 years I have never met Harry. Anne usually goes to stay at one of his places and the last time he came to stay at Anne’s it was a few years ago and i had take Lottie on holiday with Paige and Harley “when’s he coming?”

“He will be here this weekend actually”

“Lotts is going to be so excited if we tell her. Last night she had me play adore you on repeat” both Anne and I laugh

“Well your both more than welcome to come over on Sunday for a roast and meet him, although if you say yes I better give him a heads up that he will be meeting his number 1 fan”

“Are you sure Anne I don’t want us to impose”

“You’ll never do such a thing. Gemma’s coming over and you know she will want to see her favourite girl”

“Ok as long as it’s ok with him. He probably wants quiet after being on tour, not being bombarded with thousands of questions from a 5 year old”

“He will be very disappointed if I don’t invite you both. He said he wants to meet my adopted second daughter and my adopted granddaughter”

“You’ve told him about us?” I ask shocked

“Of course I have. He knows how I’ve helped you the moment you arrived next door with a small baby bump”

“Tell me you haven’t told him about my birth?” I ask eyes wide making Anne chuckle

“All he knows is how I held your hand. Don’t worry I didn’t tell me about anything you said while on the laughing gas”

“Oh god please don’t bring that up” I place my head in my hands embarrassed that I had told Anne how much I loved One Direction and that I had a big fat crush on Louis and Niall and how I didn’t want to be like other girls so ‘hated’ Harry when secretly I was like all the other girls and fancied the pants off him

“Don’t worry I won’t” the bell rings and both Anne and I look up seeing a customer come in. I stand up and serve said customer.