15th DEC'19

03:00 PM

Harry gradually regained consciousness, feeling a lingering soreness throughout his body from the tiring journey. Rubbing his eyes, he glanced at his phone, noticing a flurry of messages from his cousin Emma, eagerly inviting him to join her and her family for dinner. Suppressing a weary sigh, he mustered the energy to reply that he would indeed make it to the gathering.

He got up and went to drink up some water for his parched throat while drinking water he saw the snowy roads and ongoing traffic with some peace in his eyes. he looked at his watch and saw that it was 03:00 PM, he slept for a mere 4-5 hours.

'I'll read some books for now'

Deciding to read some of the books he sorted when he was back in Massachusetts, he went to his table where he set his laptop and began another isolated routine of reading online fantasy books. He always liked them, the fantasy books were in a way his temporary escape from this lonely, materialistic, and Grimm world. Also, a dream that with magic and superpowers at his side his disability and problems would easily vanish.

Hours passed by, and it was now 06:00 PM. Harry got up after looking at the time. He took a quick shower then he went to his bags, took out his sweater, jeans, and overcoat, and started dressing up for dinner.

Tiding out his clothes one last time he took his wallet and everything else he needed and called the hotel asking them for a rental car for him to drive around the city.

Stepping out of the elevator, Harry made his way to the receptionist's desk to inquire about the rental car he had requested.

"Good evening," Harry greeted the male receptionist with a friendly smile.

"Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?" the receptionist responded.

Harry proceeded to provide his details. "I had a conversation with a hotel staff member over the phone regarding a rental car. My name is Harry Winston, and I am staying in room 758 on the ninth floor."

The receptionist took a moment to verify the information. After a brief pause, he apologized for the delay and presented Harry with a token for the car.

"Mr. Winston, here is your car token. You are welcome to choose any car available. My colleague here will guide you to your ride. Additionally, if you would like, you can entrust us with the keys to your room or any other valuables," the receptionist explained.

The receptionist motioned towards a middle-aged man standing nearby, indicating that he would assist Harry in selecting the car. Meanwhile, he offered to keep the hotel room keys for safekeeping.

Harry nodded in agreement and handed over the keys to his room, acknowledging the receptionist's suggestion.

"You can retrieve them when you return, sir," the receptionist assured him.

Turning his attention to the middle-aged man, Harry asked, "Shall we go?"

The man nodded respectfully and replied, "Yes, of course, sir. Please follow me."

As Harry followed the middle-aged man, they entered the elevator, and he pressed the button labeled 'U' indicating an underground parking lot where the hotel cars were parked.

Upon reaching the parking lot, Harry surveyed the available cars and was drawn to a sleek black Tesla. He decided that it suited his preferences and approached the vehicle.

Just as Harry was about to step into the car, the middle-aged man inquired, "Do you want a driver as well, sir?"

Harry considered the offer and replied, "Yeah, sure."

A few moments later, a British-looking man in his mid-thirties, named Andrew Nolan, joined them in the parking lot. Andrew stood tall at six feet, exuding an athletic aura. He was dressed in a long green coat, and dark jeans, and had neatly combed brown hair. His prominent features were his sharp jawline and sunken cheeks.

Andrew and Harry got in the car after exchanging short greetings without wasting much time. he gave him the address of his cousin's house and sat at the back.

"Mr. Nolan, would you mind stopping at a cake shop and a kid's toy shop, please? I have to buy some things," Harry requested his driver.

"Sure, and please call me Andrew," Andrew replied in his deep, melodic voice, his face containing a hint of a smile.

"I'll do that from now on and please call me Harry. ," Harry agreed.

The car smoothly made its way to the cake shop and the toy shop as per Harry's request. Harry stepped out, entered the cake shop, and carefully selected a delicious-looking cake. He also picked up an old bottle of wine, thinking it would make a nice gift for the occasion.

Afterward, they headed to the nearby toy shop, where Harry spent some time browsing the aisles, selecting a variety of toys that he thought would bring joy to his yet-to-be-goddaughter.

Once Harry was satisfied with his purchases, he returned to the car, carrying the cake, wine, and the bag of toys. Andrew had patiently waited, ready to continue the drive.

The car came to a stop in front of a cozy, welcoming house. Harry gathered his gifts and stepped out of the car, taking a moment to admire the modest yet inviting home. It had a warm aura that made him feel at ease.

He bid farewell to Andrew, thanking him for the ride, before making his way to the front door. Harry pressed the buzzer, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The door clicked open, revealing Emma, his cousin, standing before him. She was a very beautiful woman in her late twenties, of average height at 5'9 with long brown hair, green eyes and was wearing a red sweater and black comfortable pants. A smile graced her face as she stepped forward, embracing him in a warm hug.

"Harry! How are you?" Emma asked, her voice filled with genuine joy.

"I'm great. How are you guys doing?" Harry replied, returning the hug.

"We're doing just fine. We've been eagerly waiting for you. Come on in." Emma invited, stepping aside to let Harry enter the house.

Harry entered the familiar surroundings, feeling a sense of comfort wash over him. It had been a while since he had seen his cousin and her family.

The interior was a mixture between a classic and modern style pleasing to both the sides. Emma told him to leave his shoes in the rack and wear a comfortable slipper, then she led him to the living room where jack was sitting on the couch with his daughter in his lap making faces trying to amuse her and with him sat a kind looking middle-aged man smiling at the duo.

As Harry stepped into the living room, Jack stood up, a warm smile on his face. He approached Harry and extended his hand for a handshake.

"Harry, welcome. We've been waiting for you," Jack greeted him warmly.

"Jack," Harry replied with a polite smile, shaking Jack's hand.

Harry had only met Jack once before, on the day of Emma's wedding. He remembered Jack was a police officer, and his appearance matched the role perfectly. Jack possessed a strong physique with muscular arms, a testament to his physical strength and dedication to his profession. His clean-shaven chin accentuated his handsome face, his brown hair and deep black eyes complemented his overall appearance. He was wearing a thick orange cotton t-shirt and comfortable blue pants.

Despite their limited interactions, Harry found himself intrigued by Jack's presence. There was a certain aura of confidence and competence that emanated from him, and Harry looked forward to getting to know him better during their time together.

"Harry, this is Mr. Smith," Emma said while taking the gifts Harry had bought . "He's been a close family friend and a mentor to Jack and me for many years."

Harry again extended his hand, and Mr. Thompson shook it warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Smith," Harry said with a polite smile.

"The pleasure is all mine, Harry," Mr. Thompson replied. "Emma and Jack have told me so much about you. It's wonderful to finally meet you in person."

Harry took a seat nearby. They engaged in conversation, discussing various topics ranging from hobbies to life experiences. Mr. Smith was a detective in the NYPD for some time and has plenty of experience from work. He shared some valuable insights and offered words of wisdom, which Harry appreciated.

The time of dinner grew near by the minute and Emma handed the one year old Olivia to Harry to prepare the last minute things, Jack and Mr. Smith had gone to the study room to discuss some matter concerning their subject leaving Harry alone with the child.

"Hello there, Olivia. I am your uncle and soon-to-be godfather. It's nice to meet you," Harry greeted the baby in his lap.

Olivia, at just one year old, exhibited all the typical features of a young child. A sparse collection of thin, brown hair adorned the top of her small head, while her hazel eyes resembled those of her mother. Wrapped snugly in a warm blanket, only her face was visible to others.

Disappointingly, no reply ever came back from Olivia who gazed at his face in wonder with her mouth slightly agape trying to figure out this new person her mother had threw her to.

"It seems you are incapable of making speech at your age. Hmm, I'm pretty sure I was able to make some intelligent sounds during my infancy. I guess you're just normal after all, but that is debatable nonetheless, as you have yet to realize your full potential at such a young age," Harry mused, a playful tone accompanied his words.

"But anyways, as this is our first meeting, I'll give you some words of wisdom. Take it to heart, as I rarely give them so freely. When people in general look at me, they see Harry Winston Field, the prodigal son—handsome, dashing, and a genius in academics. But you see that's not the actual me. What they see is an image, an image that I want them to see. This way, when you know enough about a certain person, you can make a calculated guess about their thought process, at least regarding yourself, without having to expose yourself."

After listening to the words of wisdom from Harry, Olivia squinted her eyes as if she could tell he was full of sh*t. Harry saw it and shrugged it away as he deemed her under the bar while crediting it to her ever changing facial expression he observed during their talk.

Harry continued to make small talk with Olivia for some time. Olivia however moved to making some intense confusing sounds as if determined to prove him wrong but Harry decided that it was still not enough to pass the bar.

Emma came after some time announcing the start of the dinner as some of her and Jack's friends also came.

During the dinner it was revealed to harry and rest of the group that the ceremony concerning him and Olivia would take place on the Christmas eve and will be finished with a celebration.

Some friends would be also be joining them, specifically those who stayed in NYC for the holiday. Emma and jack's parents would also arrive few days prior to the event.

Throughout the dinner, Harry couldn't help but steal glances at Olivia, watching her interact with the world around her in her own unique way. He was amused at her innocence and curiosity. He looked forward to the upcoming ceremony, knowing that it would affect both their worlds for much years to come.

As the night wore on, the conversations grew livelier, and the anticipation for the Christmas Eve ceremony and celebration grew. Harry felt a sense of excitement and happiness he rarely felt before, grateful for this new change in his life and the family he had found in Emma, Jack, and Olivia which he never had.

Emma and Jack exchanged warm farewells with their friends as they departed one by one. Mr. Smith, after bidding goodbye to the couple and Harry, left in an Uber to his hotel, where he would stay before leaving for a conference in Spain the following morning.

"Harry, why don't you stay the night?" Emma asked as they stepped inside the living room, where Harry was once again playing with Olivia. Meanwhile, Jack proceeded to the kitchen to do the dishes, as it was his turn.

"Oh, I don't want to trouble you guys. I've already called Andrew, he will be here to pick me up in a few minutes," Harry replied, apologetic.

"Well, alright then. You can come tomorrow morning if you have nothing to do. You know, spend some time with us and your niece. Make her remember your face for the next time she sees you," Emma said, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Sure thing," Harry replied, returning her smile.

Jack joined them shortly after, and they continued talking and sharing stories until Andrew arrived. It was time for Harry to bid the family goodnight and leave with Andrew to the hotel.

"Thank you for the invitation and the wonderful evening," Harry said sincerely, looking at Emma and Jack. "I'll see you tomorrow morning then. Take care."

Emma hugged him tightly. "We'll be looking forward to it. Have a good night, Harry."

Jack extended his hand for a firm handshake. "Take care, buddy. See you tomorrow."

Harry arrived at the hotel around 9:15 PM, his body weighed down by exhaustion. He made his way to the reception desk to collect his room key, his movements unsteady as his body struggled to hold itself upright. Mentally and physically drained.

Entering the elevator, Harry's eyes were blurred with fatigue, his hands trembling, and his chest aching. He found it hard to maintain his composure, knowing that he couldn't collapse just yet. The elevator ascended to his floor, and Harry stumbled out, his vision still hazy.

With great effort, he managed to insert the keycard into the lock, but it took several attempts before the door finally opened. He hurried into the room, shutting the door behind him with a sense of relief.

In a rush, Harry made his way to the table beside his bed, where he had placed a box containing his medication. His hands shook as he opened it and reached for the prescribed pills.

Feeling a slight improvement after taking the medication, Harry set an alarm to ensure he wouldn't oversleep. He discarded his overcoat, sweater, and shoes, tossing them haphazardly across the room.

Collapsing onto the mattress, Harry pulled the covers over himself and slept the night away.

16th DEC'19

06:00 AM

The next morning, Harry woke up to the sound of the alarm. He quickly stopped the apocalyptic alarm from dealing him any further headaches and got up to take his medication while taking an oath never to miss his medication again. As he groggily rose from bed, he started cleaning the room, tidying up the scattered belongings.

After a few moments of cleaning, he decided to order a small breakfast from the hotel and went to take a refreshing shower while he waited for it to arrive. The warm water cascaded over him, rejuvenating his senses and clearing his mind.

Slowly eating his breakfast, Harry contemplated what he should do before heading to the miller's house. He wanted to establish a new routine, one that would bring structure and productivity to his day. He decided that after waking up, he would dedicate a few hours to studying before taking a break to rest. Then, in the afternoon, he would go to Emma's house and spend the rest of the day there. In the evening, he would return home, take some time to relax, and continue his studies. Finally, he would go to sleep, ready to repeat this routine in the same order the next day.

In the afternoon, Harry called the hotel's reception and requested Andrew, the driver, to take him to Emma's house once again. Andrew arrived promptly, and Harry hopped into the car, eager to spend time with his niece Olivia and the Miller family.

As the car made its way to Emma's house, Harry's anticipation grew. He enjoyed the warmth and laughter that filled the Miller household, finding solace in the presence of his niece and the familiar faces of her family.

With each passing day, Harry settled into his new routine. He discovered that he looked forward to the arrival of the afternoon, knowing it meant quality time with Olivia and the Millers.

During these visits, Harry also found his relationship with Jack, Emma's husband, gradually improving. He discovered Jack to be an intriguing and engaging individual, with whom he shared many common interests. They engaged in conversations, discussing various topics and exchanging stories, deepening their bond and fostering a newfound friendship which Harry very much appriciated.

Additionally, Harry was eagerly anticipating the reunion with his aunt, Katelyn Bell, after three long years.

The anticipation of reconnecting with Katelyn stirred a mix of emotions within the uncaring heart of Harry. He wondered how their relationship had evolved during their time apart and hoped that they could rekindle the bond they once shared. after all she was one of the few genuinely caring, blood relative left. Harry longed to catch up with Katelyn, share stories, and simply spend quality time together.

The house buzzed with preparations for the upcoming celebrations. Emma and Jack busied themselves with holiday decorations, ensuring everything was perfect for the gathering of their extended family. Harry, too, eagerly contributed to the festive atmosphere, by keeping Olivia out of hair of the couple.

As the evening approached, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of Emma and Jack's parents.

TO BE CONTINUED...