At Home With Harry

Chapter Twenty-Six

Charlie's POV

"Good luck, Charlie! Break a leg!" "You're gonna do great, kiddo!" "Just have fun, you'll be amazing!" 

The crowds were screaming and going crazy as the boys left the stage and I played the last of What Makes You Beautiful alongside the band. The lights went down and the tune came to an end, but the crowds were still going wild. The adrenaline pumped through my body as I exited the stage and headed backstage with the other members of the band.

"Charlie!" a manly voice called. 

I turned to see Harry running towards me, dripping with sweat, a towel over his shoulder and a bottle of water in his hand. Before I could say anything, his biceps wrapped around me as he picked me up and spun me around before our sweaty foreheads met and he kissed me softly. 

"You did amazing, babe."

I couldn't help but smile. That was the most amazing feeling in the world- playing guitar for my now favorite boyband and boyfriend. Not to mention a fantastic view and outstanding crowd. I felt on top of the world. 

"CHARLIE!" 

Footsteps became faster and louder as my boyfriend's four, sweaty bandmates ran towards us both and pulling us into one giant group hug. 

"Told you that you'd be great!" Louis smiled as he rubbed my back.

"You smashed it!" Zayn and Liam agreed. 

"One of the best guitarists I know. It was an honour to play with you, Charls," Niall gushed as he hugged me. 

"Thank you so much, guys!" I smiled back, feeling overwhelmed with all of today's events. 

We headed back to the dressing rooms to cool down and get changed, but before I knew where I was, another pair of arms wrapped around me. 

"OH MY GOD, YOU WERE FANTASTIC!" Jenny squealed. "I stood in the pit with the crew and El and Perrie and you fucking rocked it, you really did amazing!" 

**

As we packed our things and headed to a mini bus, we headed to a reastarant to celebrate the beginning of the tour. We were too tired to bother going clubbing, but we were definitely starving, so we headed out to the restaurant which Harry and I had our "sort of date". 

"Wow," I smiled. 

"What?" Harry looked down at me, mirroring my expression, as his arm sloped around my waist.

"Remember the last time we were here? Look how much has changed..."

"I know. It's crazy... but I wouldn't change anything for the world..." He looked down at me. "Because I have you."

I was about to move in for a kiss, until we were interrupted. 

"Oh, come on, you two, enough PDA, we're starving!" Louis whined. "Sit your arses down and order, already!" 

We chuckled at Louis' impatience before Harry gave me a quick eskimo kiss and took me to my seat. Looking around our table and seeing everyone I loved around me made me feel really humble. I'm so glad I met Harry. Don't get me wrong, I'd love him whether he was famous or not, but he's been such an amazing person and his crazy-ass friends are now like my second family. 

"So, Charlie," Paul began. "Are you looking forward to travelling the world with us?" 

"Huh?" 

Harry looked at me. 

"You do know our guitarist has cancelled on the whole tour, not just the UK leg, right?" 

I was a little shocked. 

"So... you want me to do the whole tour?" 

Everyone looked at me with hopeful eyes. Even Jenny, which to be honest, it wouldn't affect her, anyway. 

"...I'd be honored," I smiled. 

Everyone cheered and applauded at my answer which caused me to keep my smile on my face. 

"Everyone, raise a glass! A toast! To Charlie."

"To Charlie!" 

Everyone clinked glasses and took a sip before our food arrived, which casued us to cheer once more. I didn't know guitar playing would make me so Goddamn hungry. 

**

It was time for dessert and I was about to tuck into my hot fudge cake with cream, until there was a tapping noise. 

"Could I have your attention, please?" Liam called as he tapped his fork against his glass. 

Everyone turned towards the Wolverhampton lad as he cleared his throat. 

"Niall, Louis, Zayn and I have something we'd like to say." 

He turned towards me and looked straight at me.

"Charlie. Ever since you stumbled into our lives, we couldn't help but feel you've changed us. In a good way, that is. You keep us grounded and we couldn't thank you enough. But what we really want to thank you for is for being there for Harry."

Oh God. My cheeks are burning up. 

"As you know, he's had a tough time with the press and truth be told, he was really down about it. Really down. The reason he moved to the flat is because he wanted a place to escape to and feel normal. But then he met you and he fell hard and fast. Literally, you could not shut him up about you." 

"That's true! You really couldn't!" Louis interrupted and the boys laughed with agreement. 

"But seriously," Liam continued. "You have made our best friend and brother feel like he's on top of the world and we are so happy you two are together. So as a thank you, the boys and I have got you something." 

Paul returned into the room- which, I didn't even notice him leave- with a bunch of roses and he handed them to me. 

"You've made our little boy happy. Thank you so much," Paul smiled. 

"I am not little!" Harry retorted. 

I looked at the flowers and back up at the four boys who were gleaming with happiness. I could feel a lump in my throat. I was choked up. 

"Wow... guys, I don't know what to say... I'm honestly speechless..." 

"That's a first!" Jenny joked. 

I looked at Harry who was looking at me with a soft smile as he fiddled with his jacket. 

"Well, what they said is true, babe. You have made my world. You are my world. I don't intend to get soppy, but I couldn't have put it better myself. And I want to live the rest of my life with you. I was going to do this later on, but since the boys have started, I'll finish..." 

He took my left hand and placed a silver ring with two hearts connected onto my promise finger. 

"I'm not asking you to get engaged to me. Not yet, at least. But it's a promise ring. And I promise I'll always be there for you. I'll always love you."

I looked up at him as warm tears escaped my eyes and trickled down my cheeks.

"I love you, too," I whispered. "Forever and always."

I kissed Harry softly as the others all cooed over us. It may be soppy, but it I couldn't give a damn. I love my boyfriend and my friends so so so much.