Beau Babies / h.s

Addition

   “Did it…” Eleanor crushed my hand, I held in a small whimper that almost escaped my lips at the pain crippling my hand, “Hurt this much…When you…”

   “I had a C-section El,” I told her, “Not the same thing,”

   We were sat, all four of us by Eleanor’s bed side. I could tell, by Louis’ expression on his face that she was clutching his hand just as hard as she was mine,

   The nurse came in smiling, “Let’s see how far along you are,”

   Eleanor let out another small cry and Louis stroked the hair away that stuck to her forehead, “You’re ready,” The nurse told Eleanor,

   “I don’t think I am…” Eleanor whispered,

   The nurse laughed softly, “Well your baby’s ready so, it’s time, let’s get you to the delivery room,” As she started to wheel Eleanor away in the trolley, she didn’t let go of my hand,

   I managed to pull it away before I was crushed in the doorframe, “Bobbie?” She asked panicked, frightened,

   “You’ll be fine El,” I told her, “You’ve got Louis, and we’ll be right outside, ok?”

   Watching, I saw Eleanor nod, I breathed a sigh of relief, I thought that for a moment, she wasn’t going to let me go,

   Harry and I then walked to the hospital café. “This place is too familiar,” He murmured as we sat on two of the uncomfortable chairs nearest the window,

   “Tell me about it,” I replied in agreement,

   “I still remember the first time we met,” Harry’s eyes glittered with joy at the flashback,

   I groaned, “I was the size of a balloon and was very miserable. Thanks for reminding me,”

   Harry shook his head still smiling, “That’s not how I remember you.” He pursed his lips and shrugged, “The balloon bit yeah, but not the miserable bit. I remember thinking…When you first saw us, you had no idea who we were and you were surprised that anyone came to see you,”

   Nodding at the memory, I smiled, “I’m really glad you didn’t listen to me though…”

   “When?”

   “When I told you that I didn’t want to see you anymore,”

   “Oh,” Harry gulped, “I remember that,” He whispered looking slightly hurt,

   I took his hand and held it from across the table,” I’m sorry I ever said that to you-”

   “Don’t worry about it,” Harry told me, “You were on your own…And feeling…” He shrugged, “I don’t know how you were feeling but I know that you weren’t…”

   “I wasn’t all there in my head,” I breathed quietly,

   Harry stared at me for a moment, “You know something?” As a reply, I shook my head, “At that moment, when you told me to leave. Something tugged inside me, I don’t know what it was,” He sighed, “But something inside me told me not to give up on you…”

   “Is that why you came back?”

   “I um…” Harry scratched his head, “I never left,”

   “What do you mean?”

   “Well I did leave…But not at first, I stayed down here for the day to wait for you to change your mind. And when you didn’t, the boys dragged me home. But then I came straight back the next morning…”