Enticing 45 (HS) (Patreon)

word count: 1.7K 

author's note: as promised... happy reading! 

“You really are the asshole that everyone says you are” Allison whispered as her eyes teared. “You have no compassion for your own parents, Harry. What does it say about you?” She spat back. “You are a shitty dad. You live in the damn fictional world with all the commodities in the world, and you are still miserable! Your money gets you nowhere because you are still a dick”.

Harry maintained a tense silence, his anger too overwhelming to find words. His jaw clenched, nostrils flared, and a knot formed in his throat. He yearned to express everything, to make his sister understand why their father didn't deserve an ounce of pity, but his fury stifled his voice.

“I know this may not concern me directly, but I can't stand by and let you talk to him like that, Allison, while I remain silent,” Y/N boldly declared as she rose from the couch, cradling Oliver. “You've come here seeking forgiveness for your father, yet you insult Harry, calling him a bad man when he's everything your father isn't. He's a great dad. So, instead of cornering him after his workday and insulting him in his own home, in front of his child, you should be asking him about all the trauma he's endured because of your father.”

Some newfound strength had surged within her. Y/N wouldn't have dared to intervene in such a matter a few months ago. Perhaps it was the hormones, the surging vitality within her, or the impending arrival of their baby that had emboldened her to speak her mind.

“Excuse me; I'm going to put Oliver to bed,” Y/N gracefully announced, heading upstairs to Oliver's nursery. She gently placed his sleeping body into the cot and kissed him goodnight before making her way back downstairs. Harry and Allison remained in a tense silence.

“What trauma?” Allison finally inquired. “He was cold, Harry. Just like he is now. Nothing has changed. Is that the trauma?”

“You're truly oblivious. Mom and Dad have really fooled you,” Harry responded with a sarcastic chuckle, surprised that she had never asked the right questions until now.

“Tell me then,” Allison took off her gloves and coat, placing them on the couch alongside her purse. “Humor me,” she added as she sat down, crossing her ankles. Y/N, watching from the kitchen, felt a growing disapproval toward Allison. This version of her wasn't the same Allison she had met at the Hamptons.

“I'm not ready,” Harry admitted. He had attended therapy for most of his teenage years and young adulthood to heal the wounds inflicted by his father. He had discussed many of the painful memories, but he wasn't prepared to remember it all and shatter the image his sister held of their father. Harry's mother had insisted on hiding it all from her youngest child, even begging Harry not to tell Allison.

“Why? If Dad is as terrible as you say, then I should know.”

“It's not my place to tell you, Allison. It's mom's,” Harry explained, turning his back to her and heading toward the kitchen. He was hungry, and he knew Y/N must be too. He didn't want to keep her waiting. “Hungry? I got you some Chinese.”

Y/N couldn't help but smile, her heart fluttering at this simple but sweet gesture. She found it endearing that he had made time in his day to satisfy her cravings.

Harry opened the brown paper bags, and as Y/N wrapped her arms around his torso, she kissed his back, holding him tightly as a way to comfort him and ease some of the stress he had just experienced.

“I love you,” she whispered against his shirt, savoring the scent of his sandalwood aftershave mixed with cologne.

Just as Harry turned his head to reciprocate her declaration, Allison walked into the kitchen, carrying all of her belongings.

“I guess this talk is over. I'll get out of your hair, then,” she said, displaying disappointment and confusion about how their conversation regarding their father had concluded.

“Have you had dinner already?” Harry inquired as he unpacked the boxes from the bags. Allison shook her head as she donned her gloves. “And you aren't staying for dinner?” Harry asked.

“Do you want me to stay? I thought you were angry with me,” Allison questioned, her expression a mix of uncertainty. “I thought you wanted me to leave.”

“You're still my sister, Allison, and there's plenty of food,” Harry replied. “It's Chinese. I hope that's not a problem.”

“That's perfect, actually,” she said, moving to the kitchen island and retrieving a stool to sit on.

“Let me get some plates,” Y/N offered as Harry began to open the boxes containing noodles, rice, and more. Y/N stretched on her tiptoes to reach for the plates that were stored higher than she remembered.

“You're pregnant?!” Allison exclaimed as she noticed Y/N's bump revealed by her sweater. Y/N quickly lowered her arms, covering her baby bump with the plates. Harry turned to Y/N with a small smile, understanding her embarrassment.

“She is,” Harry confirmed, considering how practical it would be to inform his parents about his second child. He anticipated his father's disapproval of having another child out of wedlock, but Harry didn't care; times had changed.

“No way! Were you ever going to tell me!” Allison beamed and pulled Harry into a tight hug. Harry had planned on informing her the next morning when he returned her calls, but Y/N had preempted him. “How far along are you?”

“Four months,” Y/N revealed as she set the plates on the placemats.

“Do you know what you're having?” Allison asked eagerly after hugging her.

“Not yet. Hopefully soon,” Y/N replied. The baby hadn't been in the right position during the last ultrasound, preventing the doctor from confirming the gender. Harry hoped for a daughter, as he had always wanted both a boy and a girl, while Y/N was less concerned about the baby's sex.

“I can't believe it! I'm so excited. You've got to tell Mom!” Allison couldn't contain her joy at the thought of Harry slowly building a family of his own. She might not have appreciated Y/N's interruption during their intense conversation, but she was genuinely pleased that Harry had found a woman who would stand by him through thick and thin. What astounded her even more was how comfortable Oliver had become with Y/N. He relied on her like a child would on his mother. And now, they were on the verge of expanding their little family even further.

“I'll call her soon. We wanted to savor this moment in private,” Harry explained, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. “I'd appreciate it if you don't tell anyone just yet.”

“Of course, just Nate and Mom,” Allison replied with a giggle. “This is fantastic news!”

“Here,” Harry said, handing Y/N a box of freshly cooked dumplings he had gotten for her. “I hope you like them.” Harry smiled and planted a gentle peck on her lips. “Would you like some wine?” he offered his sister, while simultaneously pouring a glass of unsweetened tea for Y/N.

“Yes, please,” Y/N replied after wiping the corners of her mouth. “So, what's going to happen with your job as a nanny?" Allison inquired with genuine concern. “I can't imagine everyone wanting to hire a pregnant nanny.”

“I don't work as a nanny anymore,” Y/N revealed between bites of her dumpling.

“You're staying at home?” Allison asked, puzzled, as she hadn't envisioned Y/N as a full-time housewife.

“She's working at William’s company as an analyst,” Harry chimed in as he returned with his shirt untucked, two glasses in one hand, and a freshly opened bottle of wine in the other. “Y/N had been hiding her degree from everyone.”

“Well, I'm happy for both of you. You've managed to build a very nice life,” Allison said, smiling as Harry poured wine into her glass.

“How's Nate?” Harry inquired about his brother-in-law.

“He's working hard, as usual. He's fine. I'm fine,” she replied, nodding as if she were trying to convince herself.

“You should have brought him along,” Harry suggested.

“He's not into these kinds of things.”

“You're obviously staying the night, right? I assume you didn't bring a driver,” Harry stated firmly, determined not to let her drive, especially after drinking.

“No, I couldn't.”

“Allison, you're staying, and that's final. There's plenty of space,” he insisted, and they continued to eat and discuss the impending arrival of the baby.

After a few more glasses of wine and a bit more gossip about their inner circle, the Styles siblings decided to call it a day. Y/N was already yawning as Allison finished her fourth glass of wine.

“I'm exhausted,” Y/N said as she sank her petite frame onto the massive bed in Harry's bedroom. Harry watched her with amusement from the end of the bed.

“Maybe I should become a housewife and let you pay for everything,” she joked, eliciting laughter from Harry.

“No way, and not because I don't want you at home, but because I know how much you love going to work and earning your own money,” Harry responded. Y/N let out a soft groan of pleasure as Harry reached for one of her feet, massaging her sole gently.

“Still, I could be your trophy wife,” Y/N said, her tone playful. Harry laughed and continued his gentle touch.

“Why are you laughing? You think I can't?” she challenged.

“You'd go nuts in just three days, baby,” Harry replied, knowing her well. “I was thinking of taking a bath. Would you like to join?”