One Wild Night

A wave of worry washed over Harry as he pulled out of Tom's driveway. He had a lot swirling in his head, thanks to the conversation with Tom which had taken much longer than expected because of Jeff's call.

Guilt gnawed at him for keeping Jade waiting for so long, and with a quick tap on his phone, her voice filled the car, a welcome distraction.

"Don't tell me you're just leaving now. Or did you forget to call and you're home now?" Jade asked with a pout when she received the call.

Although she had wanted to call to find out if he had forgotten to call her, she had held back, wanting to wait to see if and when he would call.

He could practically hear the pout in her voice, even though he couldn't see her."The conversation with Tom took longer than planned. I'm sorry," Harry said thinking she was upset because he had kept her waiting for long.

"So, you are really just leaving now? It's been over an hour already, and you must be exhausted," she said, worried about him still being out when he had looked so tired earlier.

His heart squeezed at her worry and he smiled, "Don't fret, esquire," he assured her, his voice softening, "I'm okay. I will get home in no time. What have you been up to?" He asked curiously.

"Nothing much. I had a nice chat with Lucy for a while and then after freshening up I got busy checking out some Yoga and dance classes online." A tired yawn escaped her lips.

"Yoga, huh? Want to be more flexible?" Harry teased, a playful grin evident even through the phone.

"Oh, you rascal. Get your dirty mind out of the gutter!" she said, a giggle bubbling up in her throat.

"What dirty mind? I only asked an innocent question," he defended himself with a chuckle.

"Like I don't know you and your mischievous ways. Don't even try to play innocent. We both know what you mean," she said dryly.

"Really? Alright. Why don't you tell me what you think I mean? Tell me let's see if that's what I really mean. I'd like to know the kind of dirty thoughts swirling around that brilliant mind of yours," Harry said, his voice dipping into a husky whisper.

"You're not going to be hearing it from me, you pervert," she said and Harry chuckled.

"It takes one to know one. Besides, what do you call the lover of a pervert? A pervertess, I presume?" He asked and Jade's laughter bubbled over the phone, warning him inside out.

"I wouldn't call myself that. Anyway, I'm thinking of registering at a Yoga school after we get back from our vacation. I would have done so now, but since we are leaving this weekend I thought it would be a waste," Jade said and a smile played on Harry's lips as he envisioned Jade in a yoga class.

"Have you decided on the yoga school to attend?" Harry asked, wanting to know if she was settling for a place closer to his or Tom's.

"Not yet. I would need to go check them out in person first. But I have my eyes on two," she said and Harry sighed.

"You don't have to make up your mind yet. You can just do that after we get back from our vacation," he suggested, since he believed that having engaged her, and with their wedding plans in view, she would choose a yoga school closer to their home.

"That's called procrastination, Jonas. I didn't figure you out to be a procrastinator," she said, her voice laced with amusement.

"Thinking again, I think maybe you should start the classes before we leave for the vacation. All those fancy stretches could come in handy, you know?" Harry said and Jade laughed out loud

"There you go again with your dirty thoughts, Jonas," she said, her voice laced with mock-seriousness.

"There is no pleasing you, is there? I wonder why you keep misunderstanding me," He asked with a chuckle.

"Misunderstanding you? Really? Tell me how the fancy stretches would come in handy during the vacation then," Jade said in amusement.

"I only meant that maybe you could teach me a pose or two. Practice your stretches together," he said with a grin.

"Yeah, right," Jade countered with a laugh.

The conversation flowed easily, filled with lighthearted banter and a shared excitement about their upcoming vacation.

The thought of their getaway sent a thrill through Harry. He couldn't wait to whisk Jade away to a beautiful seaside resort, far from Ludus and all the work and drama. He could almost picture the white sand beaches, the turquoise water, and the look of surprise on Jade's face when he pops the question.

The image was so idyllic, it almost felt surreal. Harry knew he had responsibilities, but for now, he allowed himself to revel in the anticipation.

"Hey, I just pulled up to my place," Harry said as he pulled into the parking lot of his apartment building.

"That's such a relief. I suppose my job is done," Jade said and Harry raised a brow as he got out of his car.

"Not so fast, girlfriend. Why do you sound like you're in a hurry to hang up? You have to stay on the phone until I walk through the door," Harry said and Jade smiled.

"Jeez! You're so clingy," she joked, and Harry chuckled.

"I can't help it. I love my girlfriend too much," Harry said and they continued chatting until he got to his door.

The moment walked into his apartment, Candace and Andy who were in the living room turned to look at him, and realizing that they were waiting for him, he sighed.

"I'm in now. Thanks for keeping me company. I love you," Harry said before hanging up.

"Hey, you two," he said, his voice warm. "What are you doing up so late? Everything alright?" He asked as he sat beside Andy.

"Everything's alright now that you're here. We were getting worried sick! Why are you so late?" Andy asked, her voice laced with concern.

Harry looked from Andy to Candace whose eyes was also filled with a similar mix of worry and relief.

Harry's smile faltered slightly. He hadn't expected them to be waiting for him, and a flicker of guilt crossed his mind for not letting them know about his movement.

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect you both to be worried. I was busy. What did you think would happen?" Harry asked in amusement.

"I thought you'd probably be hiding somewhere crying your eyes out," Candace said and Harry chuckled, the warmth of their concern washing over him.

"Well, I was busy doing other things. After dropping you off, I went to the company and then after that I went shopping with Jade… Oh, no!" Harry exclaimed when he suddenly remembered that he had left all the shopping bags in the car.

"What's wrong?" Andy asked, startled.

"I left the shopping bags in the car," he complained, not looking forward to going down to get them.

"We can go get them for you," Candace offered, surprising Harry who narrowed his eyes at her.

"Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?" He asked suspiciously since it was unlike Candace to show that she was worried about him or anything like that.

"You know why," Candace said with a wink and Harry looked at her for a moment before remembering why.

"Why?" Andy asked, looking from Candace to Harry.

"Because Sara said Candace is the older twin. It's out in the open now," Harry said and Andy raised a brow.

"For real? So, you're like our baby brother? Aww," Andy cooed and Harry chuckled.

"I guess so," he said, amused when Andy patted his back.

"Why did you have to say it so easily when I already promised to keep it to myself?" Candace scowled.

"Because I don't like anyone having any hold over me," Harry said and she rolled her eyes.

"If you knew that, why did you act so worried about it earlier?" She asked and Harry shrugged.

"I wanted to make you feel special," he said and she scowled at him.

"So, you've been shopping all evening?" Andy asked and Harry shook his head.

"Had dinner and then dropped her off at Tom's, and spent some time chatting with Tom," Harry said and they nodded.

"Well, dad called. He asked after you, and I told him I haven't seen you since we got back from there," Candace said and Harry nodded.

"But I like you being my big brother more, you know? I like the way you always throw the word around. Talk to your big brother. Tell big brother what you want and stuff," Andy said mimicking Harry's voice and both Harry and Candace chuckled.

"I'm exhausted. It's been a long day. I'm going to go in and freshen up," Harry said as he rose.

Andy held out a hand to him, "Hand over your car keys. Your big sisters will help you get the shopping bags," Andy said with a sweet smile as she rose too and Harry chuckled.

"As long as you don't ruffle my hair, I don't mind anything else you do," Harry said as he placed the car key in Andy's outstretched hand.

As he headed for his bedroom, Candace reached out a hand and ruffled his hair, "Sleep well, pumpkin. Your big sisters love you," She said with a wink, and Andy giggled while Harry glared at her playfully.

"I'm not going to bed yet. We have to discuss about the interview and go over the possible questions once again before going to bed," Harry said but Candace shook her head.

"You look really exhausted. Don't worry about the interview, Andy and I have been going over the questions Alicia sent all evening. Go to bed. We will leave your shopping bags in the living room," Candace said and Harry thanked them as he headed for his bedroom.

Harry smiled to himself when he heard Candace and Andy laughing as Candace told Andy how he had reacted when Sara told them she came first.

He was glad that Candace was alright. He had been worried that she would be down after the visit, but it was good to see that she was okay.