Maybe it's All For the Best

Chapter24: Peace

I heard from almost everyone in my family over the next few days and they were all upset with me. My dad was actually furious that I'd run away without saying anything to anyone... and for kicking Roe.

They all begged me to come back home and I wanted nothing more than to do that... but I couldn't. I'd screwed up and I couldn't fix it. I had to live with my mistake.

"Katie... I'm going to go for a run" I threw my book into the coffee table and stood up.

She looked up from the TV. "Want some company?"

"No. I'll be fine" I shook my head. I pulled my hair into a messy pony tail, plugged my earphones into my phone and walked out the door.

I didn't have a destination in mind, I just needed to clear my head.

There is nothing worse than knowing you've hurt someone. It's right up there knowing you lied and ran. I don't know why I even ran. It only complicated things. I could have stayed with Harry, broken it off with Nate and then lived happily ever... but I chickened out and now it was too late.

Was this how Harry felt when he let me go and I disappeared to New York?

Regret. I regretted letting him go. A week ago I was curled up in his arms, happy and alive... now I was running through New York, trying to forget everything in my life.

I skidded to a halt and sat on a bench in Central Park. I hung my head between my knees and drew in a deep breath.

How had I screwed up so badly?

My music was drowned out by the trilling of my phone ringing.

Katie Calling

"Hey Katie" I puffed into the phone.

"Riley... you need to come home..."

"Huh? Why?" I frowned, wishing I'd bought a water bottle.

"Because a tall, dark and handsome boy just knocked on our door... You didn't tell me his eyes were that green" She said. I shot to my feet and hung up.

Harry was standing in my apartment. I had to get home.

I ran as fast as I could through the city, forgetting that I could have found a secluded spot and apparated.

I bolted into my building and up the stairs because I was too impatient to wait for the elevator. I stopped outside my door and caught my breath.

I was sweaty and red in the face and my hair was stuck to my neck. All around I was the height of attractiveness.

I took a deep breath in and let it out before pushing open the door.

"Oh god did you run home?" Katie snorted when she saw me. "You are a witch you know you could have – "

"Katie... shut up" I groaned and pushed my sweaty hair off my face.

"He's in the living room" She grabbed her purse and keys and walked out of the door I'd just come in. "He's gorgeous too"

I slammed the door and sighed.

"Hi Harry" I said softly, walking into the living room. He was standing by the window that overlooked central park.

"Hi" He replied, turning away to look at me. "You have a lovely place here..." He waved a hand around at the apartment I shared with Katie.

"Yeah. It's nice... not nearly as nice as your place in London" I replied. He shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets. We fell silent for a few seconds. "So did you really just come here to comment on my apartment?" I asked lightly, my stomach in knots.

He glanced at me, a smile touching his lips.

"No, no I didn't" He shook his head. He looked like he hadn't slept well in days and he had the start of a pretty good shadow on his cheeks. He looked rough.

"I heard you were mad at me" I crossed my hands over my chest and leant against the wall.

He let out a slight laugh and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah? Did you?" He glanced at me and I nodded slightly. "I was. I couldn't work out why you ran. You said you loved me, more than anything" He quoted. "But when I woke up, you were gone, Roe was pissed and nothing was left"

"Because I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you" I murmured. "I was just meant to come home and tell my family I was madly in love and engaged... but then I fell in love with you again and everything changed"

"That doesn't explain you leaving" He snapped, his eyes flashing.

"What can I say Harry? I was scared! I was guilty... I was worried... I didn't want to get hurt again... There were so many things running through my mind at that one moment that I just ran" I sighed, pushing my hair off my face. I could feel my chest tighten painfully. "I didn't lie to you though... I meant it when I said I loved you more than anything" I crossed the room and reached out for him. I stopped when I was close to him and pulled my hand back.

"I know. That's why I'm here... I know you wouldn't have lied about that" He ran a hand through his head. "And I love you too much to let you just disappear"

"What about Sarah?" I asked, remembering how the bitch wanted to ruin my life.

"She's not the girl I want. Sure she's good with Teddy and she's pleasant enough –" I snorted and he grimaced. "But she's not the girl I've loved since I was 15 years old" He shook his head. "Teddy hasn't stopped talking about you since you left. I think he loves you more than I do"

I bit my lip. I had two choices... I could tell him that I couldn't leave Nate and I was stuck here... or I could launch myself at him and give into everything my body was screaming at me to do.

I'd be an idiot to not go with option two, wouldn't I?

I smiled and launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my lips to his. He staggered backwards but wrapped his arms around me and kissed me back.

Just like the kiss we shared behind the broom shed at the burrow, and on his birthday, it felt right. I had tingles and butterflies and it felt right.

I tangled my fingers in his hair as he hitched me closer to him, his fingers splayed in the small of my back. A soft moan escaped from my lips and he grasped me by the thighs, lifting my body up around his hips. I wrapped my legs around him and pulled him closer. He growled something and broke away from me.

"Room?" He murmured.

"That one" I cocked my head to the left.

He carried us through the door and dropped me on my bed, crawling after me as I pulled myself up the bed.

Clothes were shed, sheets were rumbled and I was finally happy.

World was at peace at last.

Plea's Note:

Short one tonight. Uni will be over soon. Sirius Black's story is revolving around my head but nothing is sticking. Next chapter soon.

Xo Plea