CHAPTER 41:

"Can we try one more time to make it all better?" ~Gotta Be You, One Direction.

Wednesday, 25th December 2013

ZAYN'S POV

Harry opened the bedroom door while I patiently stood behind him. And behind the door stood a very pretty girl who was smirking at Harry. "Come on babe, Beth sent me up to fetch you for the Christmas breakfast."

"Oh, okay," Harry nodded awkwardly.

"Am I invited too?" I asked cheekily, leaning my chin on Harry's shoulder. The girl, Elise's, eyes widened when she saw me.

"W-who are you?"

"Hazza's boyfriend," I answered her, kissing a blushing Harry's cheek. Elise blinked in surprise for a moment, then smirked.

"My my, aren't you all dark and handsome!" She eyed me appreciatively. Harry snorted, shaking his head.

"Yeah, I know Elise. And also, all mine," he practically growled. God, I love this Harry, all possessive. "Let's go down then, yeah?" Harry took my hand firmly in his and led me down the stairs behind Elise. As we climbed down the stairs, I could hear the noises belonging to a very boisterous family.

I gulped nervously. And why I was nervous meeting Robin's family, you ask? Because, I was afraid that if they didn't like me, it won't leave a good impression of Harry as well. And I didn't want Harry's possibly future father's family to think of him that way. I wonder if they even knew if he was gay?

We reached the living room where quite a lot of people, ranging from little kids to old people, were busy in different things. It was really loud, and the room suddenly became silent as Harry walked in, pulling me behind him.

"Zayn? What are you doing here?" Robin asked, incredulous.

"Er, hi Robin, hi Anne," I greeted. "I came here to talk to Harry, I couldn't wait 'til the New Year," I told them and smiled at Harry, who gave a dimpled smile back.

Anne smiled at me proudly. "Good for you. I'm glad you came. But on Christmas, your family...?" She trailed off.

I rubbed my neck sheepishly. "Uh, yeah. I guess they'll be mad, but Harry is more important."

All of Robin's family was quiet, watching our exchange. An old lady spoke up. "Care to introduce us, Harry?"

Harry blushed. "Y-yes. Beth, this is my boyfriend, Zayn," Harry told her, holding his breath. The old lady, Beth's, eyes twinkled and she beamed at Harry.

"Oh my! Isn't he adorable!" She came over and pinched my cheeks, while I blushed madly. Everyone in the living room laughed at Beth's actions, including Harry and I.

"Thank you," I grinned at her.

"You're gonna stay for breakfast?" Another lady asked me sweetly. I shook my head. "Uh, that's very nice of you, but I think I better go." Yeah, I can't fucking wait to face my parents after this.

"Oh come on! Stay for the Christmas breakfast!" Almost all of them started chanting, and I was amazed at how hospitable these people were. Anne and Harry really found a nice family.

"Please?" Harry asked me, with those big green eyes of his, and I crumbled. "Alright! Just for breakfast! Thank you all so much," I added.

~*~

The Christmas breakfast was amazing. I mean the food was good, yeah. Harry and I kept playing footsie, and Robin's family were really nice people. They even managed to make me feel not left out. I felt like a part of the family, even if I was not.

After breakfast and a lot of talking with Robin's nephew and nieces, it was time to go. I was dreading going back because, I'd have to leave Harry and we'll see each other on the New Year. And also, cos I know my parents won't be too happy about me running off to another city in the middle of the night, even more, on Christmas Eve.

I shrugged on my jacket as Harry walked me to the door. "So, we're cool right?" he asked me teasingly, repeating my words from before.

I rolled my eyes. "Nah, I'm cool, you're hot," I corrected him. Harry laughed cutely. "Sounds okay."

I ran my fingers through his curls, pulling him closer and joining our foreheads. "I'm going to miss you so damn much."

"We'll see each other again in a week or so," Harry chuckled, his own arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

"A week too damn long," I muttered, placing my lips on his slightly chapped ones. Harry returned the chaste kiss, pulling back and placing a kiss on my forehead.

"See you next year," he grinned.

"That sounds so depressing," I groaned, burying my face in the crook of his warm neck, his curls tickling my cheek.

"Alright, see you in a week."

"Much better." None of us were letting go.

"See you then, Harry?" I asked softly.

"Uh, yeah," we reluctantly separated, and I instantly felt chilly.

"Bye!"

"Bye, Zayn."

I walked out through the doors and trudged to my car, turning around and waving to Harry one last time before getting inside. Let's go then. Six hours of driving in this sleepy state. Woo!

~*~

The minute I pulled into the driveway of my house, knots formed in my stomach. I have no idea how my parents are going to react when they see me. I just hope that Doniya has calmed them down a bit.

I parked my car and locked it behind me, taking my sweet time to walk to the door and ring the doorbell. I was still cursing myself for not grabbing the house keys on my way out.

The door was answered by Jake- my sister's fiance- thankfully, who grinned when he saw me. "Hey Zayn! There you are!" He bro-hugged me.

"Hey, Jake. Merry Christmas."

"Same to you mate," he clapped me on the back. I walked inside behind Jake, hanging up my jacket.

"Where's Doniya?"

"In the kitchen with Mum."

I entered the kitchen nervously. "Um..."

Doni and Mum both looked up. Doniya was grinning at me hopefully, while Mum looked like she was about to cry. "Oh my God, Zayn!" She flew at me, crushing me in a hug. She caressed my hair. "I was so worried about you, how could you even do that!"

I gulped guiltily. "Sorry Mummy, but I had to," I mumbled, squeezing her tighter.

"Zayn," I heard a voice behind me, and froze. I turned around to face my father, keeping my gaze leveled.

"Dad."

"Where were you?" He asked calmly. The calm before the storm.

I decided to answer honestly. No point in lying. If my parents are mad, then they should stay mad. I don't care anymore. I won't lose Harry again.

"I drove to Sheffield to apologize to Harry."

Dad's eyes widened a bit in surprise. "You drove in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve? Who leaves their family on Christmas Eve?" he bellowed.

"Well what kind of family is the one that doesn't accept their son's happiness?" I countered.

Dad sighed, but said nothing. "Dad, please. You promised you would think about it," Doniya reminded him.

Dad looked at me, and for once, he seemed uncertain, guilty almost. Dad spoke after minutes of silence. "I- yes. Doniya and Trisha made me realize that I was a bit harsh on you maybe," Dad admitted, and I almost fainted from shock and elation. Mum accepted me?!

Dad continued. "You really love this boy from what I've seen, and he seemed nice when I met him. And believe me, you're my son, so nothing is more important than your happiness. That's why I thought about it," Dad spoke firmly. "And I'm giving you both a chance."

I choked back a sob of happiness. He was finally approving. He wasn't mad. He cares. I was tempted to hug my Dad, but I didn't. Instead I offered him a warm smile, which made him crack one of his own.

"Thanks Dad, Mum," I spoke to both of my parents.

"It's Christmas," Dad spoke gruffly. "We shouldn't disagree on anything, especially on Christmas." We all laughed, agreeing with him. Dad and Jake went into the living room, leaving me alone with the ladies.

"Have you set up the tree yet?" I asked sheepishly. I missed out on the decorating.

"Just have to put the star. We left that for you, cos we know that's always your favorite part," Doni told me, and I smiled at them both.

"Zaynie, want to help me bake the cookies?" Mum asked and I nodded eagerly. Doni elbowed me. "And this time, I get to lick the batter!" I laughed. "Alright."

"And Zayn, you better thank Jake. He was the one that talked to Dad and finally got some sense into him. He also asked Dad why he was so hard on him and everything, and made him realize how wrong he was," Doniya told me and I blinked in surprise. Wow. I made a mental note to thank him later.

"So, Zayn," Mum asked lightly. I hummed in response while I tossed stuff in the bowl for making the cookie mix.

"When do I get to meet Harry formally? As your boyfriend I mean?" I blushed at her question. "You can meet him anytime, Mum."

Mum's eyes twinkled. "How about at the New Year party at our house? Is he coming?"

I smirked. "Of course he is. Great. You'll meet him then."

~*~

After finishing up with the cookies and ending up in a flour and cookie dough fight with Mum and Doniya, I had now showered and finally jumped into my bed, sighing in contentment.

Everything worked out itself. Everything's alright now. Harry and I are stronger than ever, my parents are not judging me and giving Harry and I a chance. But I still need to apologize to my friends as well. I had talked to Liam, but I'm sure that Louis, Niall and Dani are still pissed off at me.

I hope they'll come to the New Year's party, so I can say sorry and all that shit.

But, I'm finally glad that everything worked out in the end. That's why they say, that we shouldn't give up when things get hard, just stick around 'til they get better. And if you don't stick around and let go of the good things, you're gonna lose them forever, just 'cos you were afraid.

I'm so glad I didn't let go, and stuck around.

~*~

HARRY TOUCHING ZAYN'S FACE, UNF SO DANG CUTE! >>>

Heylo! This book just hit 50K reads and 2.5K votes and I'm jumping around like a hyper-active bunny on crack. Yep. HOLY HELL THANK YOU GUYS SO DAMN MUCH!

And I just noticed that all of you are commenting a lot more than before and that's making me so damn happy. And especially when I see comments like this is my favorite fanfic ever and the best fanfic ever (pssh, right) and your writing is amazing, I grin like a retarded cat. Which is a good thing, don't worry.

Oops, this was a really long author's not (well, long-ish for me) and I wonder if anybody read 'til the end. Include the word JELLY in your comment if you have! >:D

OH! AND FOLLOW MY JOINT ACCOUNT! >> @Zarrys_Cupcake! We'll follow back! New Zarry fic coming up on this one! :D

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