Hello, hello my lovelies!

So...it's been a while. Please forgive me...and I hope you still remember me.

I wrote a little announcement many days ago, but in case you didn't see it, here's a summary. My life's been crazy for the past several months. At first it was writer's block, then mental health struggles, then just being busy, then courses, then a multi-week trip, another course, a wedding (not mine lol), and preparing for another upcoming wedding (my brother's). Things are finally starting to settle down and I'm so thankful for that.

But I'm also thankful for all of you readers who haven't forgotten about me and this book and bless you for still hanging around.

Please don't forget to vote and comment, because I love reading the little things you have to say.

I do hope this chapter makes up for all this time I've been missing though. It's a long one!

So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy this one, my darling rosy tulips (gosh I missed saying this) 🌷

♬ ✥*

Serenity.

The past couple of months have gone by incredibly fast.

Our trip to London was beyond successful, and I don't think I've ever seen Harry happier since. It was like a massive weight had lifted completely off his shoulders.

I would imagine so, because it mainly had to do with Harry's father; he hadn't heard from him since that day.

What surprised me was when Harry contacted Valentina and met with her for coffee the day after we arrived. He told me to come with him, and I didn't know who we were meeting until she arrived. Apparently, he wanted to tell her what happened with Eric in person. Seeing him wasn't something she ever expected him to do. The way that Harry told her, "he doesn't have a hold on you anymore," made tears fall down her cheek.

He also grabbed her hand to squeeze it when he saw how emotional she got.

Harry began to have the true family he's always wanted.

"Thank you, Harry."

There was so much pure gratitude with her reply.

It was easy to say that he was beyond content that day, and I also had to stop tears from falling from my eyes when I saw him like that. It was such a heartwarming time, and I did everything in me so I wouldn't cry.

Exactly a month later, he invited her and Estela over for dinner — Mateo wasn't in the mix because Harry was still a bit petty with Mateo, and I didn't blame him. He had every right to be upset with him.

He also knew that Mateo wasn't on my list of favourite people because of how he treated him for that Christmas dinner. He was a "right fucking prick." Harry's words, not mine.

What surprised me was when Harry called his father to tell him that he was now a multi-billionaire. I was still stunned and taken off guard by how rich he was. It wasn't the first time — one being on New Year's Eve, but that was in a different context.

I did annoy him a tad further with one of my favourite nicknames for him: rich bitch.

Which in all honesty, it should now be richest bitch.

He seemed to take it well that time, just grinning widely, so proud and happy.

Harry was also very surprising with multiple things after that freeing day; he also gained more confidence in the bedroom.

Well, not exactly the bedroom per se.

Because on our way back to Canada, we joined the Mile High Club.

I never knew exactly what it was until after we did it.

It came as a surprise, and what started it was my nerves on the flight.

"Baby, please calm down. You're okay," Harry whispered, holding my hand. I gave him no other option; my grip on him was too tight to dare let go.

Simply because I wasn't okay. It was worse than on the flight here.

"Petal, sweetheart?" he spoke softly, trying to get my attention. "Look at me, Es, breathe with me."

This felt like being stuck in an elevator all over again.

Harry tried to help me overcome that fear of mine, but there was no hope for it. I once called myself stupid for thinking it was something small that anyone could get over, but he scolded me for that. He reminded me of the time I told him that tigers are afraid of fire and that he didn't blame them for having that fear; nonetheless, it was still okay to have one.

"We're human, Essie," he'd said.

It helped the way my mind thought about it after that, but it wasn't helping when I needed it most.

When I looked at him, I felt like time had stopped, and it was just us.

His beautiful emerald gems were gazing deeply into mine, but concern was all over his features. He was worried about me, and with little way his head tilted or sucked his lips in as he fretted; it just showed the pure love he had.

"You with me?"

At his words, I nodded meekly, and a small upwards curl formed at the corner of his mouth. Delicately, he brought one of my hands up and flattened my palm against his chest. His settled just above, keeping it secured. "Feel my heartbeat. Listen to it and breathe slowly."

I felt every beat against my touch and slowly began to inhale and exhale. It was exactly like the first vulnerable moment we shared with one another. I kept my eyes open, looking at his eyes while I breathed deeply, and it only warmed my heart.

"That's better, yeah?" he said, his voice just above a whisper.

Nodding, I showed him a slight smile. He kept his hand above mine for a bit longer to make sure I was okay before he lifted it to place a kiss upon it.

He then proceeded to lightly bite my pinky, and I pulled away with a surprised breath, and he chuckled. Unbuckling his belt, he lifted from his seat to give me a quick kiss, then plopped back exactly how he was.

All of that took place during taxi. My mind was in overdrive since the plane had left the gate and was slowly moving on the asphalt runway.

My anxiety picked up just as quickly when I was pushed back in my seat from the sudden speed, the sound of the acceleration, and the way my ears popped as we were on an incline.

It wasn't fun.

He did the same thing during that time, constantly checking up on me during the flight. All up until almost halfway through, and I couldn't find an ounce of sleep; I needed something more. But in my mind, it was just a hug.

Harry, though, had something else in mind.

"Sweetheart?"

"Yeah?" I replied, looking at him only to see a twinkle in his eyes.

"Es, baby, go wait in the washroom for me. I'll be there in five."

"What?"

"Just go," he said simply. "Unlock when you hear three taps, yeah?"

My brows furrowed, but I nodded and did exactly as told.

If he wanted to hug me, we could've done that in the aisle. Almost everyone was asleep, so I didn't think people would be bothered by a couple embracing each other.

I waited in the bathroom for the five minutes he told me, letting him in when I heard his signal, and he came in, locking the door behind him. I noticed a open tote filled with a few of our clothes in his hand as he set it on the small counter.

His eyes held that same sparkle but were darker, and I knew exactly what he thought when they looked like that.

"Har—"

"You wanted a distraction, darling? Something to get your mind off this plane, huh? I promise I'll give you plenty of ways to forget where we are. Make you forget your name, and the only one you'll remember is mine."

And I lost track of location the next second, he had me pressed up against the porcelain sink, kissing me passionately, devouring every bit of my skin.

It surely wasn't something I expected, but he absolutely kept his promise.

Thankfully, we ended up in the shower, his hand covering my mouth as he drove into me, pushing us into ultimate bliss. There wasn't a chance he would've kept me quiet if it wasn't for how he muffled my sounds.

I only remembered his name because it's all I could say. He treated me to everything I loved in such a private, yet very public place. Even through his dominance, he didn't tease me a lot, but just enough so that he also got what he wanted—to see me in pleasure.

Of course, he treated himself in the very same thing. I thanked him mid-way, and he surely appreciated it, all until he took matters back into his own hands—amongst something else.

Nonetheless, it was incredibly and sensually fun.

Once we finished, we cleaned our bodies, and he gave me cheeky grins as if he didn't just give me a limp when I moved around.

The flight attendant raised a brow at us when we exited the bathroom, both with wet hair. Harry then pulled out his wallet, handed her a solid hundred-pound note, and placed his finger over his mouth. "It was just a shower." Her eyes widened, assuring her that her thoughts were confirmed. Without a word, she took the money and walked away.

Needless to say, I was at perfect ease throughout the rest of the flight. After about an hour or so, we landed, Harry made sure I was in an upright position so no one would bother me about it.

I woke up right after we stopped at the gate when Harry lightly tapped my shoulder.

"Wakey, wakey, petal."

With tired eyes, I saw him smiling adoringly at me.

"What?"

"Nothing," he replied, then whispered to himself. "God, my girl is so beautiful."

But I only focused on one thing: it was good being back on Canadian land.

I must add that Archie asked if I'd fallen when he saw me because I was still walking with a slight limp. Harry only snickered and said I'd stumbled over someone's foot in the airplane.

I mean, he wasn't wrong. I did trip over his foot in the shower, which led to him holding me. I'd say that it wasn't fun, but it was very fun.

On the ride back home, Harry's hand intertwined with mine as he spoke with Archie about how everything was here while he was away; all I could think about was our trip.

Harry showed me around every part of London that he could think of. He was my personal tour guide, and I loved it.

I never knew how informational he could be with facts. I wasn't sure I would be entertained by history and random bits in the beginning, but he knew how to grab anyone's attention and make them interested.

I guess it was a similar tactic that he used in business.

My smart man.

Everything about the city mesmerised me, from the London Eye to Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey to a dinner at The Shard.

I made a playful joke that I'd love to live here one day, and Harry glared at me. It wasn't pretty.

I knew that Harry loved Vancouver a lot and that he never wanted to leave it. Sure he calls me his home and that he'd go wherever I wanted, but deep down inside, I was well aware he didn't consider London someplace he wouldn't move to again. He had far too many bad memories, and even after clearing things off his chest, it was still not a place he felt comfortable in.

Kind of like when a person is thrown into a pool as a kid, and even after learning to swim later in life, knowing you'll stay afloat, the feeling of trauma will always linger deep down inside.

It was similar to how it was with me and elevators.

But Harry still made everything about the trip a way to try and make it more memorable for me. Without a doubt, he added a very special moment to add to that, but how he was able to use those same tactics he used with me just as we met.

And a couple of weeks ago, Estela reached out to Harry, asking if they could go for a cup of coffee. I was in his office that day, keeping him company as he did some work. I studied his face as she asked that question, and I swore I saw the tiniest hint of glee flash in his eyes, along with a lip curl. He tried to hide it from me and thought I had missed it, but I didn't.

It was another surprise when he didn't tell her he'd think about it and call her later; instead, Harry said he'd meet her the following day for lunch and coffee. It just meant he wanted to chat with her for a little longer.

When he told me about it, the second the call ended, he'd said "Gonna meet with my sis—Estela tomorrow."

Again, he thought he was being smooth by covering it up, but I also caught that.

My sister.

First his mother, and then, Estela.

He truly was on his way to having that family he's always wanted.

Harry knew her for five years, only a single memory that lingered in his remembrance, and the rest, taken away by suppression and natural development. After decades later, and only mere months of beginning to honestly know them, his heart was finally healing as it got the last piece it was missing.

Time meant nothing when it came to relationships—familial, friendships, and intimate; they were all the same.

For some, they could fall in love without knowing it, hearing a story of one man who took well over seven months to even recognise he simply had feelings for the girl, whilst she knew much sooner. Their love confession was heartbreaking, but with utmost honesty, they could share it with sincere passion.

With me, I knew before we even dated, and Harry took longer to push past his mental struggles he had from his ex to dare take another step.

And after several months, love confessions included, the two of us were thriving together.

That very next day, I was prepared to go with him to see his sister, but he asked if it was okay if he went alone.

I was simply surprised, yet so proud of him for doing something big on his own. I nodded and kissed him deeply, giving him a look that he would be more than okay. It was the way that he pulled me back in, wrapped his arms around me, and left me panting from an incredibly passionate kiss that only silently screamed 'I love you so much.'

That same evening, I was waiting for him to come home and find out how their talk went, and I was surely in for a shock. Harry went to work in the morning, as he always did, and then went to meet Estela for lunch and have coffee afterward. It was all planned, and nothing was different — until it was.

I found out that he managed to cancel the rest of his appointments for the rest of the day because he was having such a good time with his sister.

"Baby," he'd yelled right after walking through the front door. "Having a sister is so fucking cool!"

That was when Luna came to greet him, and he picked her up and said something that—yet again—I never ever expected to hear from him.

"Luns, you're going to love your Auntie Stel."

Auntie.

Stel.

A formal title and a nickname.

There truly was a revelation.

He then came back to give me another hug and a very passionate kiss.

"Thank you, Essie. Love you so much. Always been there for me. Want to thank you properly," he'd said right before showing me with entire appreciation at how overjoyed he was.

The following day we had to meet my parents for dinner, and I could see how they refrained from asking me why I was walking a little funny.

Harry only snickered.

Cheeky bastard.

I was lucky my brothers weren't around that day, or I would've never lived it down.

But now, more time has passed, and my birthday is right around the corner.

Harry hasn't mentioned anything.

There was little doubt that he forgot, because we both knew how strong his memory was.

Plus, I saw it in his phone calendar. I knew that he knew.

I was just a little puzzled because I was expecting worrying questions about what he should get me as a gift or things I wanted to do, but it was radio silence. It wasn't that I wanted anything because all I needed was for him to be with me, even if we only just laid in bed together.

It was falling on a Monday this year, and I hoped Harry wasn't bombarded with meetings all day.

It wasn't about it being my birthday that made me feel queasy, but the general thought that it would be the first day we'd spend together — on the actual day. We both knew how his went and I wanted to give him a little hint of how it could be with the person you love.

Usually, I spent it with Amara, but she already told me we'll see how things go regarding Harry's plans. When she asked me if he'd mentioned anything, she'd said, "Oh, that man better not have forgotten. I will skin his ass and pluck a couple of grapes."

I choked on my tea.

She was undoubtedly colourful with her answer.

"Mars, let's just see what happens then, eh?"

"Better be a smart fellow," she'd huffed.

"Yeah. He better be," I'd said with a sigh. "I mean, I don't necessarily care...but I kind of do."

"As you should, Ren. He's your boyfriend. He needs to care."

With another sigh, I nodded.

"Now, bitch, let's see what we can get you in for your special day," Mars spoke, getting up from sitting on the bed, and then began to raid my closet.

That day, she made me try on several things, deciding that none of them worked. So she did what any best friend would do: she treated me with an early birthday present by taking me to the mall and buying me a full outfit...along with some intimate pieces.

"You look so damn good, and if Harry doesn't cream his pants when he sees you, something is seriously wrong with him."

And that was when I choked on a breath.

That was the first thing I thought of when I woke up, my eyes fluttering open to see the fuzzy time on my phone. The date had changed, and I smiled.

The minimal space Harry shared with me was empty, feeling the slightly warm temperature against the sheets. Sitting up, I slid my glasses on my face and let out a soft sigh.

I got out of bed, slipped my feet into my slippers, and headed towards my open bedroom door.

"Morning, pretty," I said, walking into the kitchen to find Harry making breakfast.

But suddenly, I noticed something different, even though there was no difference in any other day.

I may or may not have already figured that out because I was up at midnight, and he was sound asleep.

He didn't even bother waking me up then like he'd done for Christmas. I just assumed he would, but he didn't.

Biting my lip, I kept my eyes on him, watching him move around, focusing on the tasks at hand. He didn't even look at me when I came in, but only when I stood beside him; that's when he turned his head to glance at me.

"Morning, baby," he said with a smile, coming to place a sweet kiss on my cheek.

At first, I thought Harry would lean in for another proper kiss, but he turned around to pull out a glass from the cupboard. He filled it with the last of the orange juice.

After taking a big sip, he let out a loud "ah" in delight.

"That good, eh?" I asked, reaching out to drink some from his, and he lightly tapped my hand away.

"Mine."

The look in his eyes didn't exactly leave any room for discussion, but it was my birthday, and I deserved to get what I wanted.

Plus, it was just orange juice.

"Harry..." I paused. "...I think we can share it. It is my birth—"

"Hold on, Es. Gotta take that," he said, stopping me mid-sentence as his phone rang.

He took the drink with him.

Now that was just rude.

It's my birthday, for goodness sake. I deserved to feel wanted and treated well, and so far, I was getting nothing.

Letting out a frustrated breath, I waited until he finished the call, feeling Luna curl around my leg. Reaching down, I pulled