April third was the date of Suzan and Harry's engagement party. There wasn't much to do, really, everything was already arranged. But that was the day Harry would give Suzan the ring that he never actually got to give her because of the circumstances of their wedding. The rest would be a party for close friends and relatives.
Suzan was eight weeks pregnant by then, and she had the slightest belly bump, barely even visible, but there.
Emily was there with her as she was getting ready. The two girls, along with Mrs. Ellis had all gone out shopping to buy clothes for that special occasion. Suzan bought a dark red, knee-length dress. The top was off-shoulder and made of lace and the bottom was flowy and silk. It opposed her blue eyes and looked amazing on her. She got her hair done at a hair salon, had her makeup done professionally as well, and wore a pair of white heels.
That image was a lot different than the one of her at her worst, crying her heart out like she had been doing for a whole month. Now, she was set on impressing Harry, as much as she could before the size of her stomach started multiplying. Little did she know, he was already impressed by her natural, pure beauty that she didn't believe in.
Suzan never actually thought she was pretty, even though she was told all her life that she was. She never actually let herself be convinced that it was true.
But now, she believed in herself. And she hoped she did look pretty enough to impress him. But she was pretty. And there was a sparkle in her eyes which made her ten times prettier.
Emily's color had always been pink, so she wore a hot pink dress with diamonds on the waist and silver heels.
She couldn't believe her best friend was getting engaged that day. Ever since they were young, they had these crazy dreams, and getting married at such a young age was not one of them. But seeing as Suzan had come to terms with it and wanted to be with Harry, she didn't mind the change of plans and was supportive.
"How are you feeling?" Emily asked her friend. Seeing that sparkle in her eyes made her happy, and she gave the blonde a hug. She looked beautiful, like her best friend was supposed to be.
"Great!" Suzan smiled back at her.
"Wow, I... I can't believe you'll get married... Feels weird..." Emily sat on the bed, fixing her dress as she did.
Suzan sat next to her and placed her hand on Emily's back. "Me neither. But we can just hope for the best. I just hope everything works out with Harry."
"If it doesn't, I swear I'm not holding the guys back from beating him up," Emily joked, to lighten the atmosphere.
Suzan chuckled. "I don't think they will. They like Harry."
Despite the positive attitude Suzan was trying to obtain, she had the exact same thoughts Emily did at that point. This was not how she imagined her life to be.
She had dreams a year ago, before Jason happened. She wanted to be the top student, which she used to be, the top Cheerleader, which she used to be. She wanted to win completions with Cheerleading, she wanted to graduate high school and study medicine. She wanted to become a doctor and save people's lives, and then find some good guy and get married and have a family. And now it was happening the other way around, because she was going to have a family before she even graduated high school.
At least Harry was there.
She needed to convince herself that it was a good thing after all and that everything would turn out fine with him, that she would eventually stop regretting every decision she ever made.
"I just want you to know that... Well, I'll always be here for you. I'll help you with everything. And... If you ever need a babysitter, you know who to call," Emily told Suzan when they were done getting ready.
"Of course I know," Suzan hugged her, trying her best not to cry so she wouldn't ruin her makeup. "I love you, Em."
"I love you too, Sue,", Emily replied, holding back tears as well, though brushed it all of with a deep, optimistic breath. "Okay, let's go get them, girl!"
And the two of them chuckled as they walked out of Suzan's room, then climbed down the stairs.
Everyone had arrived already. They were all downstairs, chatting cheerfully. Suzan's parents, all her friends, Harry's parents -his biological dad as well-, some of Harry's closest friends and of course, Harry. This was nothing compared to how many people would be in the actual wedding, but this celebration was more personal.
The house was beautifully decorated. White, satin ribbons everywhere along with red and white roses. Lights were finding their way all over through the chandeliers, and a buffet with the most expensive gastronomic delights was neatly placed in the big living room, where the furniture has been moved a bit to create a larger space.
It was a beautiful sight, peaceful even. And Suzan was trying to breathe it all in as she was climbing down the stairs, but no lungs were big enough to contain such a breath. It was all beyond compare.
But her highlight, it all came back to Harry at the end. As she looked at him, she couldn't take his eyes off him. He was wearing a dark blue suit, his curly hair perfectly styled, his green eyes shining against the light, his dimples playfully marking his cheeks through his smile as he was talking to one of his friends. He was holding a bouquet of roses, like when his family had visited Suzan's house for the first time.
"There she is!" someone said as Suzan was climbing down the stairs, and she was so lost in Harry's face that she didn't even acknowledge who.
Harry turned around.
And he looked at her.
And he was mesmerized.
She looked like magic in his eyes, he had never seen such beauty before. Obviously he already knew she was beautiful, but, that night, she looked perfect. It didn't matter the circumstances, nothing else mattered. Just the thought he'd spend his life with her. He craved it. It didn't matter how young he was, this was a feeling that knew not of age.
He was the first person she spoke to when she got down from the stairs.
"Hi," he spoke as he handed her the flowers.
"Hi," she replied, blushing a bit.
"You look beautiful," he mumbled with a slight grin.
"Thanks, you too," she blushed more as she looked down.
Harry understood she did that because she got shy, but it was cute to him. He crouched down a bit as he gave her a peck on the cheek, and together, they went back to the crowd. They received plenty of hugs, kisses and wishes for a happy life together and for their baby to be born healthy. As well as a lot of advice.
But none of it mattered as long as the were together. While everyone was talking and lecturing, these tiny little escapes when they'd just look at each other and chuckle for no reason, or because they'd thought of the same thing, their fingers intertwined. They lived for these little moments.
And then it was time. And they knew it was time when Harry got a few nudges on his elbows and throat-clearing signals from at least three different people. And he started fumbling through his pockets, looking for something. Well, Suzan knew what, but it still felt unreal to her.
"For God's sake, Harry!" Gemma whispered to Harry as he handed him the little box, which had been in his mother's purse -nobody trusted him not to lose it.
Then Harry took his turn to clear his throat as he held the little red box in front of him. Now they were doing it the right way. The official way.
Was it awkward with everybody staring at them? Of course it was. But it only took one look in each other's eyes and everyone else was gone. It was weird, how they only knew each other so little but came to grow so fond of each other, but there it was. They had more than just these two months connecting them.
So, Harry opened the little box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring inside. It was stunning, and looked pretty expensive, but it was no match for the look both of them had in their eyes as they looked at each other. It was enchanting.
Everything felt like it was going in slow motion as Harry took the ring out of the little box, accidentally dropped the box, picked it up, then placed the ring in Suzan's finger. It was meant to be there. Then, he leaned down a bit and gave her a kiss on her lips. Sweet, tender, gentle, like Harry. And everyone clapped while the mothers were holding each other's hands and holding back tears.
More congratulations, then dinner, then dancing.
The first dance belonged to the couple, everyone agreed to that. They danced to 'Fix You', by Coldplay, and the atmosphere was spectacular. It was as if it was only the two of them in this world and everyone else was gone as they were slow dancing, her hands around his neck and his hands on her waist, looking deeply in each other's eyes.
"It feels crazy that we are here right now," Harry mumbled as they were dancing, the movement absorbed in their bodies.
"I know. But I love it," she replied.
"Me too."
And they dance like there is no tomorrow, just the two of them, in a world they built. Suzan leans her head on his chest as he wraps his arms around her in a hug, lost in their dancing.
A while later, when they were done dancing, Mr. Ellis took the initiative to speak.
"Everyone, excuse me. May I just say, well, this is a very special night for all of us. This mostly goes to us parents but I don't think we ever thought that this was the path our kids were going to follow, but, despite all that, I am glad that is all going peacefully," he turned around to look at Suzan and Harry, "And I want to let my daughter and son-in-law know that I will always be there for them and they can come to me whenever there is a problem. And wish you a happy life, again."
Suzan smiled at her father as she gave him a hug which he returned and a kiss on the cheek. She had always loved her father and had a special connection with him, and she was grateful he'd still get to be part of her life.
Then, Mrs. Ellis spoke. "I will have to agree with my husband on all he previously stated. We would never wish for our daughter to go through the same we have, and that's why we will always be here to make sure her life is a bed of roses, because that is what parents do, right?"
Of course, all the parents agreed with her. Then Anne made a little speech, then Robin, and of course, Desmond. But then, Harry decided to take his turn as well -which wasn't really a decision as everyone pressured him to do it.
"Um, well, I have nothing prepared," he started talking a bit awkwardly, causing chuckles all around, "but I guess I can just say that... I am probably not responsible enough to handle all this, and I am way too young to process it too, but since this is happening, I am willing to try my best. I promise everyone, and mostly you, Suzan," he looked at her, "that I will be the best husband I can be and the best father I can be and I am willing to face every consequence there is if I ever break this promise."
Suzan was moved by these words. She felt lucky, happy. She was glad to be a part of all this, it didn't matter how young she was. Age didnʼt matter at that point.
The rest of the night went smoothly. Everyone was chattering happily and the atmosphere was light and casual. Mr. Ellis even took Harry outside to speak with him privately for about half an hour, but Suzan never found out what they were saying, because nobody would tell her.
That night, Harry stayed over at Suzan's, like their parents said it was going to be from now on. Some nights they would sleep together, sometimes at Suzan's and sometimes at Harry's, because they said this would be the best way to get used to each other before they actually started living together in a few months.
Their night was filled with kissing and cuddling. After everyone had left the two of them got ready for bed and laid together in Suzan's bed, in each other's arms. And it was perfect.
"You look perfect tonight," Harry mumbled as they were laying together.
Suzan blushed as she looked away from him. "I've taken off my makeup..."
"And who says you need to wear makeup to look perfect?" he spoke, inching his face closer.
"I do," she uttered.
"I think you don't," he placed a kiss on her lips, making her blush even more. "You are really beautiful. With and without makeup."
And when Suzan told Harry that it wouldn't affect the pregnancy if they went further, the night was on, and they were back to their old ways, what had brought them there in the first place.
That night, Harry had a dream. He dreamed of their baby being born, and in his dream, it was a girl, like Isaac had said. He knew it was just a dream but somehow it still felt magical, and he couldn't help but admire the very feeling this brought to him.
There was only one thing on his mind when he woke up.
Isn't she lovely?
~~~~~
About a week later it was finally time for Harry's X-Factor audition. Much to Suzan's surprise, he wasn't that crazy stressed, but he was pretty nervous. He didnʼt have very high expectations, he was doing this mostly for the experience, but it was something he loved and he knew it had to be great.
Maryse, who was the artistic one, made a few t-shirts saying 'We think Harry has the X-Factor' that the ones who would be backstage cheering for him would be wearing, and that included Suzan, Anne, Robin, Gemma, Dee Selley (Harry's aunt) and Ben Selley (Harry's cousin).
They went all the way to Manchester where Harry would audition, and the line was crazy. The competition would definitely be rough. But it didn't matter how long the line was, because they really did think that Harry has the X-Factor.
It felt crazy going there, and Harry kept holding onto Suzan's hand to ease up his nerves. Suzan didn't mind, and she would caress his back at any chance given to make him feel more comfortable.
He seemed pretty comfortable as he was talking to the cameras when they got there, which made everyone feel better, seeing as he didn't let his nerves get the better of him.
Before they got there Suzan had asked Harry not to say anything to the cameras or the judges about their situation, saying it would be too much information, and, although he couldnʼt see the reason she thought that way, he respected her request. Other for that, Suzan didnʼt show herself in front of the cameras at all, she kept hiding, but she was still there to support him. That was the only reason she went there. She didn't want to see herself on TV. She just wanted to support him.
Everyone was a nervous wreck as they were backstage watching Harry from the cameras. Like he promised Suzan, he said nothing about her or that he was engaged and expecting a child (she did know this would have probably led to a different treatment toward him from the judges, and she thought it was better to keep it simple), but he also kept his other promise, and he sang 'Hey, Soul Sister' like he had told Suzan he would. And he sang beautifully, it always enchanted Suzan when she heard him, his voice ringed like magic to her ears.
The judges told Harry that they wanted to hear him sing acapella, and it was true his voice sounded a lot better like that, and Suzan knew that. She was glad he didn't get nervous when the judges asked him that, but she was even more glad with the song he sang.
'Isn't She Lovely', by Stevie Wonder.
The song he sang to her after he woke up from his dream the night of their engagement. He had dreamt of their baby and that it would be a girl, and when he woke up, he was thinking of that song and sang it to her. Suzan loved it, and now she knew he was singing it for their baby. There was passion in his voice as he sang it, he was feeling the lyrics.
He got positive words from the judges, and everyone was relieved to hear he got two yeses and only one no. Everyone started cheering backstage, proud of Harry. They knew he was going to make it.
When he came backstage once his audition was over he got bombarded with a ton of hugs and kisses, everyone was excited that he succeeded in his audition, even though nobody doubted him.
"Good job, you were awesome!" Suzan jumped in his arms giving him a big kiss when they were camera-free.
"I'm glad you liked it. It was all for you," he told her with a toothy smile.
Soon, and after a lot of congratulations, they left to go back home. They'd be back for boot camp. Everyone was so excited by Harry's success that they decided to go out and celebrate. So, the two families get ready for a night of fun.
Harry is ready, in Suzan's room, and waits for her to finish as well. He watched her put on her makeup, sort of confused and wondering how girls know what all those things do, but also wondering why she was doing all this.
"Why do you have to put on makeup to go out?" he casually asked as he watched her.
"So I can look pretty," she replied.
"But you already look pretty, I've told you that!"
Suzan sighed a bit as she looked at him. "Harry, honey, thank you, but that's not the way I see it. Plus, I'm not hurting anyone, I'm just doing this for me, okay?"
With a small frown visible in his eyes, Harry hugged her from behind as she was sitting in front of her mirror. "I just want you to know that you always look beautiful. You don't need to cover up that pretty face with makeup," he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you," she smiled a bit as she playfully smudged some lipstick on his nose, causing him to laugh.
When everybody was ready, they all left and headed to a nice family restaurant close by.
It was starting to seem as if the two families were getting closer and closer, and not just because of their need to get closer. It was the first time they had all gone out together to enjoy themselves, as... friends, even? Forgetting all about the wedding and the pregnancy. Just two families that were out to have fun, celebrating a delightful event.
But still, when the waiter came up to welcome them, it was a pleasant surprise for Suzan, for her family, and a little bit for Harry too, because their waiter was Cedric Huggins, Theodore's brother and Suzan's ex.
"Oh, my God, Cedric, I didnʼt know you worked here! Mom, dad, you remember Cedric, he's Theodore's brother!" Suzan spoke once she saw him and gave him a hug which he gladly returned.
"Well, what do you know, it's really nice to see you, Sue!" Cedric replied, and then escorted them to their table.
"Harry, you know Cedric, right?" Suzan asked Harry.
"Yeah, I know Cedric..."
He was a tall guy with brown hair and bright blue eyes. He looked a lot like Theodore except for the hair, as Theodore was blond. He had a strong jaw and cheerful smile. Being friends with Theodore, Harry knew him, but what he also knew was that he used to date Suzan before she got with Jason. And it didn't sit well with him how friendly they were being to each other.
Harry's mood immediately changed. He shifted from being all cheerful and happy to being silent and alert. But Suzan didnʼt really notice anything as she was too busy catching up with Cedric every time he'd come to the table to do his job.
Harry constantly had his hand locked on Suzan's, as if trying to make a statement out of it, but it didn't seem to be making much of a difference. Still, he didn't cause a scene in there, he knew this wouldn't be appropriate, but it didn't matter because, in his head, now that she wasn't sentenced to Jason, she could go back to her ex anytime. And so his mood was dead for the rest of the night.
He didn't open up to anyone about this, not even his sister who was sitting next to him on his other side, who kept nudging him and asking what was going on.
And everyone had a really good time that night, except for him. The grown-ups were talking about all kinds of grown-up stuff that the younger ones still weren't interested in, like politics, economy and all that. They did talk a lot about the whole X-Factor deal, and that was the only time Harry took his mind off the Suzan and Cedric situation and actually paid attention to something else. After all, even if his mood was dead, he was still head over heels about nailing his audition. Because, obviously, wouldn't it be great if he won? Wouldn't his life change drastically?
It got pretty late when they were about to leave, and Suzan still hadn't noticed anything weird on Harry. But his glaring at Cedric every time he came was saying a lot.
"Hey, Sue," Cedric stopped Suzan at the door as everyone else was leaving.
"Yes?"
"My brother said you're pregnant... It's true?"
"Well, yes..."
"Just so you know, if things don't work out with Harry after all, you'll always have a shoulder to cry on here," he stepped a little closer to her.
Suzan stepped back a bit. Now she was somehow understanding that Cedric wasn't just being friendly to her that night, he had other things in his mind. But she was with Harry, and she was happy. She wasn't going to blow it all away because of anyone, so she just smiled at Cedric and gave him a small hug.
"Thanks. But I have to go," she told him and left.
Suzan stayed over at Harry's that night, and only when they were alone in his room did she notice how weird he was acting. Distant. Quiet.
"Harry, what's up? You're acting weird..." she spoke to him as they were changing for bed, Suzan wearing one of Harry's hoodies again like she did every night.
"Nothing."
"Harry, it's not nothing. We all had a blast today yet you look like someone died!"
"I'm just tired, it's been a long day," he laid flat on his back, his hands behind his head.
"Harry, you just got into the X-Factor today! This is amazing, you should be celebrating!" she sat next to him on the bed. "Really, what is it?"
Harry took a deep breath that turned to a sigh. He needed it in order to actually tell Suzan. It wasn't the easiest for him to admit he was jealous.
"Well... Cedric..."
"What about him?"
"I just didn't like the way he looked at you today, alright?"
Suzan looked at him in disbelief. Turned out Harry had noticed his true intentions before she did, but Harry didn't know the whole story.
"Really, Harry? Really?" she crossed her arms.
"Look, just forget about it. Forget I ever said it," he turned around to lay on his side, his back towards her.
Suzan sighed and placed her hand on his arm, caressing it. "Harry, honey, I'm sorry you felt that way but it was nothing! I'm still with you and only you, no need to be jealous!"
"I'm not jealous," he mumbled.
"Yeah, right, you're jealous," she giggled as she got closer to him and ruffled his hair playfully.
"I'm not jealous," he giggled back as he turned around to her.
He laid her down on the bed as he was right next to her, supporting his weight on his elbow. He sort of realized, it was stupid to be jealous. After all, he had an advantage over Cedric. Or, more likely, a lot of them. He was the one engaged to her, he was the father of her baby, he was the one her family wanted her to be with. He should have seen all that way back, before his mood got ruined, but it didn't matter.
All that mattered was that he was there with Suzan, happy, and his audition on the X-Factor was successful, which brought him one step closer to his ultimate dream. It was hope, and faith.
𝓢𝓸 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓻𝓾𝓷...