Goodbye, For Now

Chapter Seven

~*~

"The days after that night were okay. Shelby looked like she was getting better. I saw her eat more, she showed off her wrists more. She seemed more confident. She had been clean for three months and we had decided to celebrate. She wanted to go to the beach, so she could show off her body. She was proud of herself, and that's all I could ever ask for. I thought she was getting better. I thought she was healing."

~*~

"Louis! Louis get up!" I heard Shelby say as she jumped up and down on the bed.

"What?" I groaned and rolled over, burring my face back in the pillows.

"Lou! It's a very special day today!" she said shaking my shoulder.

"It's not our anniversary, it's not your birthday, it's not my birthday. What's the occasion?" I said rolling onto my back.

Shelby held up her wrists. I got the message. "Babe! You did it!" I said pulling her into a hug. We pulled apart and I kissed her wrist, like I do everyday.

"Three months," she giggled.

"Three months," I repeated looking into her eyes. "You're getting better,"

She smiled. "I guess I am. It's not a lot but it's a start,"

"What should we do to celebrate?" I asked her as I sat up.

She sat crosslegged in front of me. "Let's go to the beach," she said.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," she said. "I want to show off my body,"

I smiled at her. "I'm so proud of you,"

She blushed. "I'm a little proud of me too,"

I tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Good. You should be," I said.

She smiled. "Do you think we could invite the others?" she asked excitedly.

"Of course!" I said. "I'll text them. Why don't you go get ready and I'll get everything together?"

She smirked. "Or," she said wrapping her arms around my neck. "We could do everything together,"

I smirked back. "I like the sound of that," I said and pressed my lips to hers. I felt her smile into the kiss as I pushed her down against the bed. I placed my hands on her hips as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

Shelby pulled away. "Come on, we need to get ready or we'll spend the day in bed,"

"I like the sound of that," I said giving her another kiss.

"Get up," she said giving me a playful smack on the shoulder.

We both went to the bathroom and undressed. I couldn't keep my eyes off of Shelby's body. She was so beautiful. I walked up behind her and trailed my fingers over her hips, feeling the scars that were left there.

"What are you doing?" she asked looking over her shoulder, a slight smirk on her face.

"Admiring my beautiful girlfriend's body," I said and kissed her neck.

I felt her moan softly as I kissed her sweet spot. "Save that for tonight," she whispered.

I chuckled and pulled away. "I'll give you much more than that,"

"I can't wait,"

~*~

Shelby walked hand in hand with me down the beach. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was pulled into a french braid and she wore a black bikini, showing off her body. I'm so proud of her. She's regained some of her confidence in these last few months. She's says it's me, that I make her feel beautiful. I'm so happy I can help her get better. All I want is for her to be happy again.

"This looks like an okay spot," Shelby said laying out the blanket we brought.

"Come on Shelby! I'll race you to the water!" Mallori said pulling Shelby's arm. The others were here too. Shelby had given me permission to tell the others about what's happened. They've been her little support group through all of this. We all know she isn't completely healed, but she's made so much progress in the last couple of months. We just need to make sure none of it comes back and hurts her.

"Wait! I need sunscreen or I'll end up looking like a tomato," Shelby said as she started to dig through the beach bag we brought.

"Here love," I said taking the bottle from her. "Let me get your back,"

I squeezed a little in my hands and rubbed the sunscreen on her back.

"Thank you Lou," she said turning around and giving me a peck on the cheek.

"Okay come on!" Maddie yelled as the girls ran towards the water.

I stood and watched as they all laughed and dragged each other down into the water. I smiled as I watched Shelby laugh and tug Madison into the water with her. Her laugh is the most adorable thing.

"She's doing better," I heard Niall say as he stood beside me, the other boys following.

"How long has she been clean?" Harry asked.

"Three months," I answered.

"That's a big accomplishment," Liam said.

"She should be proud of herself," Niall added.

"I think she is. She looks very happy," I said.

"You've been really good to her," Zayn said. "You really love her don't you?"

I sighed. "I love her so much. I can't live without her,"

A/N:

Hi! Thank you so much for reading! It means so much to me as always! I hope you have a lovely day! :)