Twist Of Fate

Harry's Family

Harry's POV
"We're almost there." I mumble excitedly. Bumper squeezes my hand comfortingly, an amused smile adorning her face. I always get excited when I come home because this is one place that I can't visit often, due to our busy schedules. Plus, this town is pretty small so we don't hold concerts here either. Heck, I can bet that only ten people in this whole town know who I am. Our car stops right in front of my house. Hastily, I open the door and jump out. I'm halfway to the gate when I turn back around and retrace my steps. Today I'm not alone. That factor itself, makes me more excited. Bumper is the first girl who I've brought to my house and I hope she'll love it. I'm sure mum and Gemma will love her. My only concern is that Bump may not reciprocate those feelings. Sometimes my family can be a handful.
"Sorry," I say to Bump. Bending down, I slide my arm across her back and underneath her legs. I lift her into my arms, and take her out of the car.
"That's okay and Harry, I can walk." Bumper says, having a hard time suppressing her smile. I shake my head, grinning like an idiot.
"I will not let you walk until tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir." Bumper murmurs, her tone bordering on seductive.
"Don't do that," I whisper, inhaling deeply.
"Do what?" Bump asks innocently, her brown eyes staring up at me. I shake my head, narrowing my eyes.
"Oh, you know exactly what." Mus tries very hard to suppress the sly smile that manages to creep onto her face. "Before we enter, I must warn you that sometimes Gemma and mum can get carried away."
"I'm sure I'll love them, Haz. Calm down," Mus rolls her eyes. I push the small, wooden gate open with my foot. Another bad habit of my mum; she never bolts the main gate. Thank God that we live in a safe community, otherwise every robber would target our house. As I walk towards the front door, happiness fills my chest. One would think I'd get used to the feeling of coming home, but I don't. This home is a very intimate part of my life. It's the only part that hasn't changed due to the fame and I guess that's what I like best.
"M, the front door keys are lying in my front left pocket. Could you-"
"Yeah, sure." Bump says, before I can complete my sentence. Her hand travels down my navel and toward my pocket. I suck in a sharp breath. I'm home. I'm home, I chant so that my mind doesn't wander. Bumper takes out the key, and bends forward slightly so that she can insert it into the keyhole. She unlocks the door and opens it. The scent of pineapple invades my nose and I close my eyes, just standing at the threshold, enjoying the familiar scent. Mum burns these incenses that make the whole house, each and every room - even the bathrooms - smell of pineapple.
"Nice." Bumper murmurs, as I step into the house. I smile, as I realize that I've just carried Bump across the threshold; a ritual followed by newly married couples. However, I keep my lips shut and don't mention this to her because I know she'll just get upset, and not amused, like I am.
"Yeah, it's mum's favorite incense." I explain, heading toward the lounge. There's no one in there.
"Didn't they know you were coming?" Bumper asks, puzzled. I shake my head.
"I'm surprising them," I whisper. The next stop is the kitchen. Still no sign of my family. Pouting, I head upstairs.
"Harry, your arms must be tired of carrying me." Bumper says, as I step onto the second floor landing.
"Nah, you're not heavy at all." I say, turning in the direction of mum's room. The door is shut and I can hear voices from the inside. Smiling, I jerk my chin toward mum's doorknob, motioning for Bump to open it. She obliges and pushes the door open. Mum and Gemma are sitting on mum's bed, playing cards. Of course, I should've figured that out minutes ago. Mum and Gemma are both obsessed with playing cards; it's their favorite past time. The minute they hear the door opening, both of their heads turn towards us and a gasp escapes Mum's lips.
"Harold!" Mum exclaims, jumping off the bed and running toward me. She pauses just before reaching me, realizing that she can't hug me cause I have Bump in my arms.
"Put me down." Bumper whispers shyly, trying to hide her face in my chest.
"No," I state stubbornly. "Mum, Bump - I mean, Mus." I introduce them. "Bump, Mum." Bumper turns her head towards Mum and smiles at her politely. My mum, on the other hand, has a huge, ear-splitting grin adorning her face.
"Lovely to meet you!" Mum squeals, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around my neck. Poor Mum, she's so short that she needs to stand on her tip-toes to hug me in this manner. Between us Bump gets squeezed and I hear her let out a soft groan of pain.
"Mum, Bumper's hurt. Please can we not squeeze her," I say.
"Oh, sorry." Mum apologizes, releasing me.
"I'm fine," Bumper says, always the polite and formal soul.
"No, it's not." I insist. "You're hurt and we can't go around squeezing the life out of you." Mum's eyes travel between the two of us fondly. I roll my eyes, as I can already hear the wedding bells go off in her ears. Gemma walks up behind Mum and looks at the three of us with an amused smile.
"Welcome, Harry." Gemma says, winking at me.
"Thank you, Gemma." I say, sweetness dripping off my tone. She chuckles, and engulfs me in a side hug, so that Bumper doesn't get hurt again.
"It's good to see you after a year." Gemma whispers in my ear.
"You too. But honestly, I didn't miss you that much. Just a tiny bit," I murmur. Gemma steps back and slaps my arm, hard.
"Don't start," Mum warns us. "Harry, why don't you show Bump to her room? I'm assuming she'll take the guest bedroom." Mum looks at us both expectantly. Oh, she knows exactly what she's doing. Mum wants to assess the situation and see just how serious we two are.
"Mum, that's fine, Bumper will stay in my - our - room." I say, internally scolding my mother. She tries to suppress a smile, but fails horribly.
"Okay," Mum shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly. "Get settled in and then we'll go out for dinner."
"I don't think that's a good idea. Bumper must be tired from the long plane journey and I'd like her to rest. Let's dine in today," I suggest.
"No, no, I'm fine. Let's go out for dinner," Bumper says hastily. I scowl.
"No-"
"Don't order her around!" Mum interrupts. "We're going out and that's final." I get her "I've-said-it-so-it's-my-way-or-the-highway-glare," and I keep my mouth shut.
"Geez, woman." I say, rolling my eyes. Mum raises her eyebrows, crossing her arms across her chest. Someone's in a bad mood today.
"It's cause I'm winning." Gemma whispers in my ear, as if she's read my mind. I nod my head in understanding.
"Right, then. I'll head off to my room with Bump, while you two can get ready for tonight." I say, stepping forward and kissing Mum on the cheek.
"And that's my crazy family." I say to Bump, as Gemma shuts the door behind us. She smiles, her eyes distant.
"I like them," Bump whispers. "They're nice." I pout, confused. Her words don't sound fake, yet she sounds like she doesn't completely mean them. However, I let it go.