My Soldier - Missing Home

Never Lie To Me Again!

A/N ~~ Poor Harley...


~~Friday Evening, London~~

Lizzie POV

As soon as Harley walked through the door, not even hearing her until Stuart said hello, a huge wave of relief washed over me and I couldn't hide my smile even if I wanted too. My heart instantly melting when I watched Maisie rush over and nearly wipe her off her feet with excitement. Knowing I helped her to getting back to being herself is all I could ask for. And I can see how much it means to Harley and Stuart. I found myself in a daze before I felt her lips against my cheek, the small gesture sending a swarm of butterflies through my stomach. But as soon as she sat beside me, and I caught a glimpse of her eyes, everything in me instantly screaming that something is off. She is annoyingly good at hiding her emotions, having done it for so many years now, but now after being together for a while I have learned to notice small giveaways in her body language. And the one thing that she has no control over is her eyes. They tell me everything I need to know without Harley having to say a word. Not only are her eyes sore and red from the obvious lack of sleep, but they are bloodshot in the corners, letting me know she has been crying. So as soon as I knew something was wrong, I found myself watching her every move as subtly as I could. With her attention being on Maisie, I took my time to take in everything about her sitting beside me, and slowly I realised that her entire demenour is completely different to what it usually is. Even the way she is sitting is different. She seems almost on edge, fearing something maybe? But her meeting went well, surely she doesn't have to go back to work or she would have told me over the phone... Right? I can't take my eyes away from her as Maisie tells her all about our day together. And as much as she is smiling, I can see it isn't completely genuine. Then out the corner of my eye, I catch Stuart doing the same as me, trying to see what is different about her. So I know I am not seeing something that isn't there.

I try and distract myself by turning back to listen to Maisie, lifting my hand up to scratch at the back of Harley's neck, knowing it helps her calm down. I lean my arm over her shoulder as my hand easily finds the back of her neck, her head leaning back slightly into the small contact. Instantly I notice how tense her shoulders are under my arm, which doesn't help my concerns. But I focus on what Maisie is saying for a few minutes until I catch Harley shuffling a little in her seat. I turn to make sure she is okay, but she doesn't move much before flashing me a small smile then quickly turning back towards Maisie. I can't help my eyes searching her body again, and this time I notice something else that sends a shiver down my spine. Her right hand has not moved from her right jeans pocket. Strange. The shiver down my spine subconciously telling me she is hiding something. Normally her hands would be on the table or on my lap, never in her pocket like this. What is going on with her? I try and pull my attention away from her again as my hand moves around from the back of her neck to the side closest to me. My finger tips still scratching lightly at her skin. But I quickly have to stop my body from jumping slightly when I feel her heart beat in her neck nearly bursting through her skin with how fast and agressively it is beating. Letting me know instantly she is either angry or nervous. Or both? I feel my own heart starting to race in my chest with worry. I hate this. I keep catching Stuart glancing over, as if he can sense it too, without having to be near her. Only confirming my growing concerns. But right now, I don't want to worry Maisie, so I turn back to tune into her words, smiling at how excited she is still from the day we spent together. Hopefully, whatever is going on with Harley, she will tell me when we get time just the two of us.

"And then, we came home and made dinner for everyone!" Maisie excitedly finishes telling Harley about our day. The room going slightly quiet before Harley clears her throat to speak. "You did?" She asks cheerfully towards Maisie, covering whatever is worrying her. "Well.. I helped Lizzie cook some lasagne and garlic bread." Maisie admits a little shyly, making me giggle at her sudden change in demenour so I jump in to help her. "She is the best helper in the kitchen, and is quickly becoming an amazing cook.." I say towards everyone in the room, quickly noticing Stuart's proud smile before seeing a more genuine smile from Harley following my words. "Well, I can't wait to try it." Stuart announces proudly, making Maisie laugh and blush a little nervously. She is so cute sometimes. A small silence fills the room before I feel Harley shuffling around restlessly again beside me. "I'm uh, I'm going to go up and have a shower before dinner, it's been a long day of travelling." Harley tells us all slightly uncomfortably, as if she is scared of saying the wrong thing. She really isn't herself right now. "Okay Kiddo. Take your time." Stuart quickly tells her, giving her a warm smile across from where he is sitting. "Yeah, I can smell you from over here." Maisie adds jokingly, making us all laugh as Harley begins to get up from her seat, her right hand still never leaving her pocket. She leaves a small kiss on my forehead before she heads off to grab her bag and leaves to go upstairs, my eyes following her every move. Noticing how tense her entire body is as she leaves the kitchen in a bit of a hurry. "I'm going to go ring Charlotte upstairs, I'll be back soon.." Maisie snaps me from my daze as she quickly disappears upstairs as well. I can't help but smile at the skip back in her step before turning to see Stuart's worried expression across the table.

"Did you notice it too?" I ask quietly, catching Stuart by surprise, but he soon nods his head in agreement with a slight frown on his face. "I did. Something is up with Harley." He agrees and my concern only grows for her. I don't want to agree, but it's so obvious something has happened that she hasn't told either of us. Yet. "Do you want to talk with her?" I suggest quietly, knowing he will be able to figure it out before I do since she still doesn't like to worry me no matter how much I try and tell her I am here for her no matter what. "I'll talk to her after dinner. I'll suggest that she helps me wash up whilst you and Maisie set up something to watch in the living room." He thinks out loud, tapping his thumb against the table anxiously. "Yeah, okay. Good idea." I agree with the same feeling of worry he must be feeling right now about Harley. "We'll get to the bottom of it Lizzie, don't worry." He comforts me as I look up and see a small smile on his face, relaxing me a little but before I can say anything in reply, I hear Maisie coming back downstairs so I just nod my head to let him know I was listening to his kind words. "She didn't answer, I'll ring her later." Maisie announces as she comes back into the kitchen happily. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to have picked up on Harley's demenour so her mood hasn't changed. We fall into comfortable conversation about Maisie going back to School and what she is looking forward too going back. She is so passionate about her dancing so it's easy to smile as she talks about her upcoming performances and practices. Then before I know it, Harley comes back into the kitchen, wearing a baggy jumper and matching grey joggers. My eyes subtly moving towards her right hand now she isn't wearing her jeans, hoping I can see it to make sure nothing is wrong, but she has it tucked up into her long sleeve as she walks over to sit back down beside me. So I decide to just try and forget about it for now and get up to help Maisie plate up the dinner we made now that Harley is back so we can eat it all together.

We all sit and eat dinner together, Maisie leading most of the conversation we share. I can't help but notice how quiet Harley is beside me as she used her left hand to eat with, something I wouldn't normally pick up on, but she still hasn't used her right hand for anything since she came home. "Are you cold?" I ask quietly turning towards Harley as Maisie and Stuart are talking about something across the table. "A little, but I'm okay. Don't worry.." She returns softly, but her eyes are telling me a completely different story, which is worrying me so much right now. I just nod softly, giving her a small smile before turning my attention back to Maisie and Stuart. Not wanting to overwhelm her until she is ready to talk to me. Thankfully, it doesn't take us all long to finish eating, and I can't help but look over and see that Harley hasn't eaten a lot which is really unlike her. I catch Stuart noticing the same thing as he stands up from the table and grabs his empty plate from infront of him. "I'll wash up girls since you made this lovely dinner. Harley, want to give me a hand?" Stuart asks like we decided on earlier. I hear her sigh softly before agreeing to it with a small nod. I give Stuart a subtle look across the room as he starts to clear the plates from the table. "How about we go choose something to watch in the other room Maisie?" I play my part, and Maisie takes the bait easily. "Great idea! Let's go.." She agrees and rushes out the kitchen. I turn and give Harley a soft smile before following behind Maisie into the living room, pushing the door behind me subtly to give Stuart and Harley some privacy to talk. I just hope she tells her Dad what is going on. I hate seeing her this way. She is in her head about something, and paired with the lack of sleep and stress from what is happening with Maisie, on top of everything else that has happened. I can't help but worry so much about her. I don't want her to spiral to the point she breaks. I can't let her go that far. No matter what.


~~Friday Evening, London~~

Normal POV

I know Lizzie and Dad are picking up on my weird behaviour. As much as I try and hide it, they know something is up. My body is slowly giving in to how tired I feel, my eyes are stinging with every blink, as well as the burning in my chest and throbbing in my hand. I want to tell them what happened, but not when Maisie is here. She seems to be doing so much better, and I will not be the person who ruins her good mood. I just need to hold it together until I get the chance to talk to Lizzie upstairs so I can explain everything properly. Hopefully, she won't hate me. As soon as Dad asked me to help him clean up, I knew I was in trouble. I don't know how I am going to hide my hand away from him. Once he sees the state of my knuckles, he will flip. When the girls leave the kitchen, I slowly stand up and take a deep, shaky breath before attempting to start clearing the table. I know it will hurt trying to pick something up. I go for the smaller things first, gritting my teeth as I keep my right hand out of Dad's eyeline before it is only the plates left on the table. The kitchen is quiet between us, so I can hear Lizzie and Maisie laughing about something already playing quite loudly on the TV. I can't help the small smile creeping onto my face hearing how happy Maisie is, knowing Lizzie is the main reason for it today after they spent the day together. I really am so fucking lucky to call her mine. She's too good for me in so many ways. A part of me already knowing I don't deserve her. I get so lost in my thoughts that I don't realise the grip I have on the plate in my hand before a sharp pain shoots through my knuckles, the cut on the back of them re-opening instantly causing me to drop the plate back onto the table. Luckily, it wasn't high enough to cause it to smash, but the noise it makes hitting the table again catches Dad's attention instantly. As soon as I look up, he is already looking at me with stern eyes searching for what just happened.

"What's wrong?" He asks sharply, his eyes still searching my body for what is going on. "Nothing, I just dropped the plate.." I defend weakly, not being able to look him straight in the eye and lie. "How did you manage that?" He quickly adds, making my whole body tense. Of course he already knows, he just wants me to be honest with him. "I uhm.." And before I can even try and come up with any type of explanation, Dad walks around the table and grabs my wrist carefully but firmly, exposing the back of my hand as he turns it to look at it for himself. Instantly I cringe as I see the blood trickling from the small cut between my knuckles, followed by Dad letting out a heavy sigh as he looks at the deep purple bruising around it. "Harley.. You get one chance to tell me the truth." He says in a low, stern voice as his eyes lift to meet mine. I know he isn't happy, and I can't lie to his face. Not now, not ever. Fuck. "I went to Newcastle.." I don't even get the chance to finish my sentence as Dad lets go off my wrist and turns away to walk across the kitchen, leaning against the table trying to calm down. I drop my gaze to the floor, knowing I have upset him by a number of things. "Tell me you didn't go and see him Harley..?" He questions in a slightly louder tone of voice, his eyes fixed on the table infront of him. He can't even look at me right now. "I thought if I confronted him myself, he would leave Maisie alone.." I try and defend my actions but he just shakes his head, his jaw clenching as he grips the side of the table slightly, his knuckles turning white as he does. I really have messed up.. "Are you joking me!" He shouts as he pushes himself away from the table, turning his body to face me again. Upset and anger evident in his eyes as he does. "I couldn't let Maisie suffer because he wanted to get at me Dad! It's not fair!" I argue back in a slightly raised voice. "Why didn't you tell me you were going?" He questions in the same angered tone as his eyes search mine across the room to make sure I am being truthful with my words. I need to be honest with him now, no more lies.

"Because you would have stopped me." I admit defeatedly, seeing him falter for a second at my admission. "Harley, he is dangerous! He doesn't care about hurting anyone, especially you!" He quickly replies, his tone still loud and angered, but with more worry than anything now. "I know that, which is why I had to do something to protect Maisie from him!" I defend again, barely keeping myself together seeing how this has effected him. "But you put yourself at risk!" He argues without hesitation. "I would do anything to protect any of you.. You, Maisie.. Lizzie. I always have and always will!" I shout back, my voice straining to the point I can barely breath as I start to choke up, my eyes filling with tears as everything is slowing getting the better of me. "Harley.. Calm down." Suddenly Dad's voice comes back down, seeing the tears in my eyes as I fight back the burning in my chest. "No Dad! I did what I thought was right! And I know I lied, but I didn't want anyone else in danger!" I add loudly, the strain in my voice a lot clearer this time as my throat goes dry. "Okay, I get it. I understand.." Dad calmly agrees, seeing how upset I am getting. "I just.. Hated seeing her so scared Dad.." I admit honestly, letting the tears fall down my cheeks as I feel my breathing getting harder to control. "I know Kiddo, come here." The tears now stinging my eyes as they don't stop coming, my vision blurring slightly as Dad walks back to where I am barely staying upright and wraps his arms around me tightly. I let my body slump down into his, his hands rubbing up and down my back to soothe me as I sob into his chest. "You need to apologise to Lizzie for lying to her.." Dad tells me quietly near my ear as he hugs me tighter. "I know.." I agree, nodding my head against his shoulder. We stay like this for a couple of minutes as he lets me calm down before slowly pulling away from me, letting me wipe away my tears from my face as he waits for me to say anything. "I need some air.." I tell him quietly, seeing him nod his head softly before I turn away to put my trainers on and let myself out the door.

As soon as I get outside, the cold hits me instantly, but I don't intend on going back inside so I just grit my teeth and walk down my usual running route. My eyes still stinging with tears as the cold adds to the pain, but I don't fight it, I deserve it. My chest is on fire as I walk, the winter evening already getting dark as I quickly get to the park entrance. Thankfully, there is hardly anyone around so I don't have to try and hide away as I continue my walk, my body full of adrenaline from the arguement with Dad. I know I upset him, just by how he shouted. He never shouts. He rarely gets angry at anything. But seeing him like that showed me that he was really upset at me. We have only argued a couple of times, mainly for my stupidity. So I know I fucked up big time today. And I know there is still someone else I need to face. Lizzie is going to hate me, I can feel it. I promised I would never lie to her. But that's all I have done today. And I hate myself for it more than anyone else could. A small part of me is terrified that I am going to lose her for what I have done. I just hope she at least hears me out so I can explain why I have lied. Maybe she will understand. But I won't blame her if she walks away and never looks back from me. It's what I deserve. I can feel my eyes tearing up again just at the thought of losing Lizzie, my legs buckling, but I keep moving. I need to walk all this off. I need to calm down before going back to face Lizzie and Maisie. It crosses my mind wanting to ring someone to talk too, Tom or Charlie being my first thoughts. But the fear of more judgement gets the better of me and I decide against it. Maybe I deserve to be alone. Maybe I am too broken to be good for anyone. Lizzie deserves someone without all this baggage. She deserves the World and so much more. And as much as I want to be the one to give it to her, maybe she would be better off without me. I get so lost in my thoughts until I hear quick, heavy footsteps getting closer from behind. I didn't know anyone was behind me.. My heart racing as I wait for them to pass by as I start to slow my walk down to let them, hoping nothing more comes my way..


~~Friday, London~~

Lizzie POV

Maybe I should have shut the door more behind me when I left the kitchen. But then again, I don't think anything is hiding the raised voices coming from Stuart and Harley. My whole body quickly tenses up at the sound of them arguing in the kitchen. I can hear almost every word. I can't believe she lied to all of us. As soon as I hear her mention she was actually in Newcastle today, my heart sinks knowing exactly why. My eyes filling knowing she was in danger again because of Steven. But before I can get lost in my own head, Maisie's voice brings my attention back to her. "Lizzie?" Maisie says quietly, but loud enough for me to hear from where I am sitting. "Yeah?" I ask, turning to give her my full attention, trying to blink away my unfallen tears. "Did Harley go and see Steven today?" She questions, her own eyes filling with tears across the room. "I don't know Maize.." I tell her truthfully, not knowing exactly what has happened right now. She nods her head softly at my words then turns her attention back to the TV, turning it up slightly louder to try and drown out the raised voices coming from the kitchen. I try and do the same, but my heart is racing with worry before it suddenly all goes quiet. I wipe my clammy hands down my pants, feeling how tense I am still before my whole body jumps as I hear the door slam shut. Instantly I know Harley has walked out. I need to go after her. I need to be there, I need to find out what is going on for myself. My emotions running wild with nerves, anger and worry. I don't know what to do, but before I can stop myself, my body takes charge and gets up from the couch ready to follow Harley. Maisie's head quickly turns to see what I am doing, a small frown on her face which kills me, but I need to be with Harley right now. "I'll be back Maize." I assure her, giving her a small smile and nod before walking over towards the kitchen door.

As soon as I walk into the kitchen, I look around for any sign of Harley, but she is no where to be seen. Only Stuart is here, leaning back against the kitchen table with his hands over his face. I close the door behind me slightly, trying to protect Maisie from hearing anything more than she already has, before glancing over and noticing Harley's trainers have gone from beside the door. Confirming it was her that left a few minutes ago. "Did you hear any of that?" Stuart's soft voice pulls my attention back to him across the other side of the kitchen. "I heard enough.. Where's Harley?" I answer quietly as I walk a little further into the kitchen, facing towards where Stuart is standing. "I don't know. She said she needed some air." Stuart tells me truthfully, with so much worry behind his eyes. "Maisie heard a lot of what was said.." I add, letting him know we both heard what happened between them. "I'll go and see to her." He sighs out, knowing she will be just as worried as we both are right now. "I'm going to go and find Harley." I tell him confidently before turning to put my shoes on near the door. My mind is racing with so many different thoughts, wanting to get to Harley as soon as I can to make sure she is okay before anything else. As soon as my shoes are on my feet, I feel Stuart standing a lot closer before he puts a gentle hand on my arm as I stand back up again. I turn back to face him properly, seeing a slight glossiness to his eyes. "Go easy on her please Lizzie, I know she lied to you, but she had her reasons." He tells me softly but firmly. Feeling that awful sinking feeling in my stomach again at his words. "I know she did." I admit, deep down knowing none of this was to hurt anyone. But I can't help the slowly overwhelming feeling that is growing in my chest of hurt and anger. I nod my head softly in reply to Stuart's comforting smile before he leaves to check on Maisie, leaving me to slip on Harley's jacket then let myself out to try and catch up to her.

I quickly start following Harley's usual running route, hoping that's where she will go too subconciously, no matter how upset she might be. It's a little dark but still enough to be able to find my way on my own, so I pick up my pace and keep my eyes looking in every direction to find her as soon as I can. Worry taking over again the longer I don't see her for. I have so many thoughts rushing through my head but I know I need to just find her first. I quickly find myself at the entrance to the Park she runs through, thankfully there is no one around, so I try and move even quicker to find her. It doesn't take long before I catch a glimpse of someone walking slowly on the other side of the path, the grey joggers and jumper giving her away instantly. I find my feet rushing across the small bit of grass to catch up to her, having to pretty much run to catch up to her since she is walking up ahead. Luckily, I manage to catch up quite quickly, but she doesn't seem to even hear me so I run straight up to her and grab her arm, stopping her and turning her around to face me in one movement. As soon as I catch her eyes, I can see how red and sore they are. But a wave of anger washes over me now I am stood infront of her, the parts of the conversation I overheard in the kitchen rushing through my mind over and over again. "Lizzie- I.." She quietly tries to start explaining something but the wave of anger completely takes over, and before I can try and stop myself, I feel my words leave my mouth. "Why did you lie to me?" I question sharply, looking right into her eyes so I know she can't lie anymore. "I didn't want anyone to try and stop me.." She explains in a defeated tone of voice, her head falling slightly. "No Harley! You should've told me! What if something had happened to you? No one would have known where you really were!" I shout, not being able to keep my calm. "I know.." She admits as her eyes fall to the floor between us. But my anger is still bubbling with a mixture of worry and so many other emotions hitting me over and over again.

"No you don't Harley! You can't do that to me! To any of us!" I quickly argue back in a loud tone, feeling like I have no control over myself right now. "Lizzie, please calm down.." Harley tires to reach for me as her eyes lift to mine again, but I take a small step back, leaving my body just out of reach of her. "What if he had hit you again?" I bite at her, and instantly her head drops back to the floor, a lot quicker this time. That reaction alone telling me all I need to know without her having to say anything. "Did he hit you again?" I ask without taking a breath. I watch her take in a shaky breath before her soft, defeated voice can be heard. "He tried.." I don't let her finish what she is going to say as I cut her off with a angry tone. "Oh god.. Harley!" I lift my hands up to my face, wiping away the tears building in my eyes as I try and calm myself down. "I stopped him." She argues weakly, looking up at me again with puffy, bloodshot eyes. "That is not the point Harley! He could have hurt you again, or even worse!" I shout back, my emotions bubbling over completely. "He didn't.. I was well aware of him this time. It was on my terms.. I couldn't let him keep scaring Maisie Lizzie, I couldn't live with myself knowing she wasn't sleeping or eating properly because of me. I had to protect her." I let her explain, and it hits me that she was doing this to protect Maisie once I let her words sink in. Fuck why am I getting this angry with her when she is clearly hurting right now. I take a second to breathe again, choking down my anger before searching her eyes as I step back in towards her again, closing the space so I don't have to shout anymore. "What happened?" I ask softer this time, wanting to hear everything from her. She takes another shaky breath and then clears her throat to explain it to me. "I confronted him at his flat, we argued, he tried to hit me but I caught him and threw him into the wall. He threw me over his coffee table and tried to hit me again but I caught his hand and rolled us both over on the floor and pinned him down. I told him to never contact Maisie again and he spat blood at me so I punched him.. Then I warned him again, got up and left."

I let her words sink in as best I can, but hearing that he tired to hurt her again hurts so fucking much. Then something else hits me, her hand. That's why she has been hiding it from all of us since she got back. "Show me your hand.." I don't ask this time, not giving her chance to argue back. "Lizzie.." She tries but I just shake my head and sigh. "Harley. Show me your hand." I repeat more sternly this time, feeling my chest burning up again as my heart begins to race in my chest, the pounding getting louder in my ears. I catch her hand moving out from her jumper as she uses her other hand to roll up her sleeve slightly, reaching it out into the small space between us. I carefully take it and hold it gently between us, looking down at her knuckles once I turn her hand around. My eyes searching her hand for no longer than a second before finding the reason why she has been hiding it from me. A cut sitting across her two middle knuckles surrounded by very obvious purple bruising. Her hand still slightly swollen and red around the bruising. My eyes filling just at the sight of it all. "Oh Harley.." I barely whisper, but before I can say anything further, I hear her choke back a sob trying to escape her lips before she clears her throat and looks up to meet my eyes lifting to meet hers. Instantly I can see them filled with tears, the redness getting even worse. "Lizzie, I am so sorry for lying to you. I didn't want to, but I know you would have tried to stop me if you knew where I was going. I had to do something, for Maisie's sake. It was killing me seeing her so upset over him of all people. I will always protect her, no matter what. The same way I will always protect you.." I can't help but let my body soften slowly hearing her completely open and honest words. I know she had the right intentions, but she lied. For the first time. And it hurts so fucking much.

"Harley, you can never lie to me again.. Please. I need to keep my trust in you." I plead with her and she quickly comes closer and wraps me in her safe, comforting arms. "I promise you Lizzie. I will never lie to you ever again. I'm so fucking sorry.." I feel her choke on her words as she buries her head into my neck. I wrap my arms around her body, feeling her tense as I catch her crying quietly, breaking my heart at how much this has effected her. As much as I want to be angry at her, and feeling like a part of me should be, I know she didn't mean to hurt me in anyway by her actions. She was only protecting her Sister, which anyone would do in the same position as she was in. "It's okay Harley.. I know your sorry. I forgive you." I soothe her softly as I rub my hands up and down her back. I let her calm down as much as she can before she pulls away and wipes her tears away quickly. "Come on, let's get out this cold." I suggest and she just nods her head softly in reply. Her eyes are now red raw and really badly bloodshot after she uses her sleeves to wipe away the last of her tears. I attach myself to her side as she wraps her arm around me to keep me close. We turn around and begin to walk back through the park. We don't talk a lot on the way back, letting ourselves calm down as much as we can before getting back to Stuart and Maisie. I can feel her tense as we get closer, so I just hold her as tightly as I can as we reach the house again and get inside out of the cold. As soon as we are in the kitchen, we both slip off our shoes and then I take off her jacket and hang it back up behind the door. "Why don't we go straight up to bed?" I ask and she looks at me with a soft, obviously tired gaze. "Can we?" She checks and I nod my head with a small smile. "Of course we can Harley. Come on." I take her hand and we walk into the living room where Maisie and Stuart are sitting watching the Tv.

"We're going to go up to bed, someone has had a long day." I say softly and her Dad nods in agreement as he looks over to see how tired Harley looks. "Goodnight you two. See you in the morning." Stuart says gently making me smile as we say goodnight to them both, but before we can leave, Maisie jumps up and wraps her arms around Harley. "I love you Harley.." She mumbles, making Harley choke back more tears that threaten to fall as she cuddles Maisie back and leaves a long kiss on her head. "I love you too Maisie." She whispers before they let go and Maisie goes back to her blanket. "Goodnight Maisie." I say and she quickly smiles up at me. "Goodnight Lizzie." She says sweetly before I lead Harley upstairs to her room. I let her go and wash up as I get changed whilst I wait for her. I get some shorts and a t-shirt out for Harley to change into and lay them on the bed before she comes out the bathroom sluggishly. I leave her to change as I go and do my nightly routine, then come back out to join her. She is already in bed when I finish so I climb in beside her and find myself back in her arms listening to her strong heartbeat in her chest. "You haven't been sleeping, have you?" I ask softly once we are both settled under the covers. It takes her a few seconds before I feel her shake her head. "Not since I found out about the messages." She replies. That was 2 days ago. "You haven't slept at all in 2 days?" I check and she shakes her head again softly. "Please try and sleep.. And if you wake up during the night, wake me up okay?" She nods her head softly in agreement before I feel her breathing slow down, letting me know she is falling asleep. I start tracing some soft patterns across her chest with my fingertips to help keep her calm and settled as she falls asleep. "I love you Lizzie.." She mumbles making me smile to myself as I snuggle in closer to her.

"I love you too My Soldier, No matter what.."