Falling Stars [h.s]

Chapter 9

Aurora

'Dear Harry,

I don't know if you're receiving these letters, but either way I'll continue to write to you. It's been six months now since we- parted ways- I suppose. There isn't a day that goes by where you don't cross my mind. I miss you. It sounds foolish, but I genuinely do. If only there was a restart button, I would change the way things turned out. If I had the chance to start from the beginning I would tell you just how much I love you. I wouldn't wait until it was too late. They say the worst feeling in the world is to be with someone and still feel completely alone. I imagine that is how you felt with me.

Day and night I stare at my reflection in the mirror with tears in my eyes. I try to lift myself up, begging for me to not crumble. To stay strong because I know I can. I've felt way worse than this before. I don't understand why this heartbreak pains me more than my first. Despite everything I am going through I have to keep control of my feelings and stay strong for the baby. Our baby. I am six months pregnant now. It's a girl. I think I'm going to name her Layla. I know you said you preferred the name Alaska, but she feels like a Layla to me.

This will be the last letter I write to you for a while. I need a break. More so from myself and my thoughts than anything. It's time I move on. I want to see what the future holds, I can't do that if I continue to look back at the past. I'm ready to let you go. I'm ready to let that part of my life go. I need to start the next chapter of my life. I have a feeling it's going to be a good one. Maybe in another lifetime we will find our way back, but this is goodbye for now.

"When darkness called, and it did often, she didn't hesitate to answer, because the moon always had something to offer her that the sun couldn't" A quote by a.j lawless. I think it's time I look past the stars and search the moon.

I read the letter twice then again a third time. I wasn't sure if I wanted to mail it anymore. It expressed too much. I took the letter ripping it up into pieces before dumping it into the trash bin. I closed my eyes, letting out a deep breath. I placed my hand on my growing stomach, feeling the kicks of the baby. She was kicking more than usual today.

Being pregnant was really an experience. I didn't mind it at times, I kind of enjoyed it. The feeling of a baby moving inside of me, growing I can never get over it. It felt weird yet satisfing at the same time. The kicks were the best part. She always kicks when she gets excited, or maybe it's because I'm excited. Either way, I liked the feeling. Going to law school while pregnant wasn't easy, but it also wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. It was manageable, for now that was. I was only six months along. Who knows what the future brings.

The door to my bedroom opened slightly, Odysseus poked his head in through the small crack, giving me a big smile. "Hey"

"Hey, come in."

He came inside closing the door behind him. He sat down on the bed next to me. "How's baby Layla doing today?"

"She's great. She could possibly be an athlete by the way she's kicking today." I let out a laugh at my own joke, Odysseus following suite.

"And how are you?"

"I'm good. Honest." Along with Odyssey and Zayn, Odysseus has been helping me through my pregnancy as well. There were times he would take me to my appointments when Odyssey couldn't. I appreciated him very much.

He nodded in response. I took his hand placing it on my stomach where the baby was currently kicking. "Oh wow, that feels so cool."

"It does."

He removed his hand after a while. Odysseus averted his attention to the floor, before turning to look at me "Have you thought about the question?"

•

Trying to fall asleep later that night was harder than usual. I laid wide awake on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The thought of Harry being back racked my brain. There was no doubt things were going to change. I wondered if it was a good idea to let him come back. I left the bedroom, going to the kitchen. I opened the fridge to get out a bottled water. I sat down on a stool, taking sips of the water.

Footsteps sounded from the top of the stairs. The door to my house opened. I was expecting Odyssey, but was surprised to see Zayn. He walked into the kitchen, getting a glass from the cabinet. He looked over at me before opening the fridge "Why are you up?"

"I couldn't sleep. You?"

"Likewise." He sat down across from me, gulping down the glass of milk.

"Why's that?" I asked him.

"I think I might be losing my business. Our stores in Oklahoma and North Carolina have already gone bankrupt. I'm going to have to liquidate the others in order to pay the dept."

"Have you told Odyssey?"

"Not yet. I need to figure out a plan first."

"How much do you need?"

He sighed, running his hands over his face multiple times, "I've already payed off most of it. I need almost five hundred grand to pay off the rest."

"I'll give it to you." His head snapped up in my direction.

"What?"

"I'll give you the rest from my savings. I wouldn't want you to sell all your businesses, you worked too hard to build them."

He shook his head unbridledly, "I can't let you do that Aurora. Thank you, but no thank you."

"Nonsense. I'll stop by the bank on my way to work tomorrow and get you the check. You don't have to worry about it."

He sat up and grabbed my hands. "I'll pay you back."

I nodded, "Okay." I finished the rest of the water in the bottle before tossing it in the bin. "What's got you up then?"

I shrugged my shoulders at Zayn's question. I didn't really know why myself. "Odyssey told me about what happened the other day. Is that the reason?"

"Possibly. Harry showed up again earlier when I came from work. We had a talk."

"And?"

"And, I think I'm ready to let him be apart of my life again."

Zayn sat up once again, raising his eyebrows, "Are you sure about that Aurora. Maybe it's too soon don't you think?"

I've thought long and hard about it all night. Maybe it was too soon, but i'd rather sooner than later. It was inevitable that much I know.