My Soldier - You're My Home

Alive

A/N ~~ A little bit of a shorter Chapter tonight, but I didn't want to leave you all without a Chapter over the weekend since I am going to be really busy with work.

~~ I hope you all have an amazing weekend whatever you are doing, sending love as always! Can't wait to read your comments at work tomorrow morning! So make sure to let me know what you think of this one.


~~Sunday Morning, London~~

Lizzie POV

I can hear a gentle voice trying to urge me awake, but not the voice I love to wake up to every morning. This voice is different, and I don't want to believe it's real. I don't know how long I have been asleep, but my body must have needed some rest more than my mind could fight to keep my nightmares alive. Eventually they faded, and a deep sleep overcame me. But like everything, it didn't last long, and instead I can hear that voice again as an even softer touch starts to shake my arm to try and wake me from my sleep. "Lizzie, it's just me, it's Tom." When I hear it's Tom waking me, I know I need to force my eyes open so I can make sure I haven't missed anything. I can feel the stinging in my eyes already as I allow them to flicker open, the crying before I fell into my deep sleep obviously affecting my eyes again. When my vision slowly comes back to me, I start to make out Tom's body sitting beside me on Harley's bed. I rub my eyes, trying to get a better view of him to try and gage why he is waking me, but he is pretty calm and presentable. Not like the couple of times I have seen him recently, seeing him broken and exhausted. Hopefully, this is good news for a change. "Hey." I manage to whisper through my dry, scratchy throat. Catching Tom's soft smile, I let my lips pull into a matching one before I see something cross his features, a slight change to his demeanour. "Hey, sorry to wake you up Liz, but we all need to get ready. Harley has arrived in London." My heart stops at the mention of her name, especially now knowing she is back in London and within reach again. "Really?" I question unconsciously, not quite believing his words. Hoping I am not back in my nightmares, taunting me with hope I can see My Soldier again sooner than I imagined. "Yeah, she's at the hospital with Charlie." Tom reassures me with a comforting smile, squeezing my arm gently before I slowly push myself up from the bed.

Tom sits back slightly as I sit myself up against the headboard behind me, rubbing the last of the tiredness from my eyes. I take in Tom's slightly more relaxed body, seeing his eyes sparkling with hope and excitement at the thought of his best friend being back home again. But then the lingering thought of her needing to be in a hospital does not let me hope in that way, not knowing how hurt she is. "Are we all going?" I ask, not making a lot of sense, but thankfully enough for Tom to understand as he gives me a small nod in reply. "Yeah, Stuart is going to drive. He said to bring anything you might need, it will most likely be a while." He suggests, his smile fading slightly as I find my head nodding along with his words. My mind now making a mental note of what I need to take with me. "Okay. Thanks Tom." I give him a smile, which he soon returns as he slowly pushes himself back to his feet. "I'll meet you downstairs when you're ready." I give Tom one final smile, grateful for him in a time like this before he leaves Harley's room and I am alone with my thoughts again. I push myself towards the edge of Harley's bed, shaking myself from my sleepiness as I know I need to get ready so we can get to the hospital as soon as we can. I spot Harley's backpack across the room, so I force myself onto my feet, a slight wobble to my legs as I walk over and grab it. I empty the few things from inside, leaving them to one side neatly before I go to my suitcase and pack some spare clothes and some toiletries. I then grab anything else I might need, from my phone cable to my hairbrush before seeing one of Harley's hoodies on the back of her bedroom door. I don't think twice and take it into the bathroom as I decide on changing clothes and freshening myself up from my nap, now aware that I have actually been asleep for a few hours. I don't waste any time, the more awake I start to feel, the more urgency I start to feel as I let my mind wander to Harley being in the hospital. I know she is not alone, but I want to be there. By her side. No matter what is about to happen. I need to be there for her, for My Soldier.

When I feel a lot better in myself, and finally ready to see Harley, I pick up the bag and start to head downstairs. But on my way out I spot another one of Harley hoodies on the back of her desk chair. Laughing softly to myself at how many she just leaves lying around her room, knowing she now does the same when she is with me in L.A, I don't hesitate to take it downstairs with me. I take one last look behind me into Harley's bedroom, a wave of emotion hitting me out of no where at what we are all about to face before closing the door and making my way downstairs. When I reach the living room, I see Maisie sitting on the sofa with a small bag beside her. I smile when she looks up to me, which she softly returns before she stands to come meet me halfway. I place the backpack down next to the sofa before opening my arms for her, which she melts into. I gently wrap Harley's hoodie around her shoulders, feeling her smile at the small gesture before I just hold her in my arms, letting her find comfort in them as we wait for Stuart and Tom to join us. "Did Tom tell you?" Maisie whispers, and I nod my head softly in reply. "He did." I tell her softly, feeling her nod her head against my shoulder before I hear footsteps coming down the stairs behind me. We gently separate and turn around just as Stuart comes down and walks into the living room, a small travel bag in hand as he gives us both a comforting smile. "Is everyone ready?" He asks, a calmness to his voice that surprises me, but I know he is doing it for us. We both reply before Tom joins us from the kitchen and we all slowly make our way outside. When we get to Stuart's car, I turn and see Tom not joining us, instantly my eyes widening not knowing why he is not coming with us. but before I can question anything, he catches my confusion and stops walking in the different direction. "I'll meet you all at the hospital, I'm going to go grab a few things from home first." He explains, and instantly it settles my worries as I nod softly in reply before rushing over to where he is standing, Tom opening his arms for me as if he knew that was what I was going to do before I did. "See you soon." I mumble into his shoulder as he hugs me tightly. "Text me where she is please." He whispers, a slight break in his voice. "I will." I pull away first, feeling a stronger urgency to see Harley.

Once we are on our way to the hospital, with Maisie sitting in the front with Stuart, I take the time to send some messages to those I need to keep up to date. I text my Mom and Sisters first, before sending a message to Scarlett, telling them that Harley is back in London, and they have taken her straight to the hospital here. They all send messages in return almost instantly, asking how everyone is before making sure I am okay. I don't lie to anyone, letting them know how scared I suddenly am now that I am so close to seeing her again. But not knowing what state she is in, and what I am actually going to walk into is terrifying. Mom and Scarlett are the first to offer for them to fly to London for support, my Sisters soon joining them, but I just tell them that I want to know what is happening before anyone makes plans like that. I know they understand, but I also know how much they all worry. I get lost in our conversations, finding comfort in their words before I suddenly feel the car slowing down. My heart starts to beat faster as I glance up, seeing a huge car park that Stuart is taking us into. Then when I see a sign with the hospital's name, my heart practically stops. We're here. And so is Harley. I have to snap myself away from the view ahead of us to tell everyone I am at the hospital before I feel the car come to a complete stop. My eyes look up, and I catch Stuart's gentle gaze already looking back at me. "Ready Lizzie?" His voice is soft, not wanting to push me more than I am ready for. But I need to be ready, I need to be there for Harley. I have never been so scared than I am now, but no matter what, I will always be by Harley's side. So right now, I know I need to put my feelings aside and be her rock, the same way she has been my rock since the night we met. It's my turn to be the strong one. My turn to take care of her. And I am going to do it with everything I have. "I'm ready."

We all make our way inside the main doors of the hospital, people walking in and out around the three of us as we stay close to each other. Maisie under my arm as Stuart is standing to her other side, a comforting and protective arm around us both as he leads us into the huge building. Sirens can be heard as Ambulances come and go relentlessly, nurses and doctors in all different coloured uniforms rushing around as soon as we get inside. My eyes flicker between every face, looking for any sign of where Harley could be. I know Charlie is her with her, and I find myself searching for her Uniform, wanting to see anything that will tell me where she is. Stuart leaves us with a gentle nod as he makes his way towards the front desk, so I stay standing with Maisie burying herself even further into my side as I keep my arm firmly around her slightly smaller frame. My eyes stayed glued to Stuart as he talks with a young blonde behind the desk as her attention goes between Stuart and the computer screen in front of her. It feels like more than just the few minutes that pass by before Stuart waves us to join him as he thanks the receptionist and then starts to lead us further into the hospital. I find my eyes snapping to everyone who passes as I let my feet lead me directly behind Stuart. We turn down a few hall ways before coming to a set of elevators. I catch Stuart pressing the number, and instantly I look for what floor we are heading to. But I instantly regret my decision, as soon as I see the words 'Intensive Care Unit' my stomach twists to the point I feel sick. My mind goes fuzzy as we step inside and climb the floors, Maisie's grip on my side is what keeps me grounded, just. The doors open again a lot sooner than I expected, and Stuart gently guides us onto the floor. This part of the hospital is a lot quieter, until we follow Stuart and find ourselves near another reception desk. Nurses and Doctors running past us back and forth as we wait for someone to acknowledge us. "Can I help?" The older, dark haired women sat behind the desk calls towards where we are standing. Stuart quickly rushes forward and this conversation is a lot shorter before he turns to wave us in another direction. I feel my heart racing more the longer we have to search before we turn the corner and see a small waiting area just up ahead. But my eyes snap to one side when I catch sight of green in the corner of my eye. I almost choke up at the sight of the familiar Uniform as a tall, well built older man pushes himself from the wall he was leaning back against as soon as he sees us walking in his direction. My first thought is this is Charlie, but I don't jump to any conclusions until I know for sure. All I know is, Harley is so close to me, but I still have no idea exactly where she could be.

"Mr Lane. Good to see you." We reach the man in Uniform, and he stands to attention, something I have seen Harley do many times before. He holds his hand out for Stuart, who instantly takes it and shakes his hand firmly, like old friends would. I stay back slightly with Maisie still under my arm, but she seems to relax slightly as she sees the familiar Soldier. "Hi Charlie. Thank you for being here." Stuart returns, a small, very grateful smile on his face that Charlie returns easily. "I wouldn't have it any other way Stuart." The man replies without hesitation as their hands part and Stuart turns to face where we are standing slightly behind him, Charlie's eyes falling to Maisie beside me. "Maisie, you remember Charlie?" Stuart smiles widely at Maisie, and she nods her head in reply before she steps from under my arm. "I do Dad. Hi Charlie." She greets sweetly, making me smile as I watch her stand tall and independently. She is so strong. Just like her Sister. "Maisie. You've grown up so much." He beams before they greet each other properly with a comforting hug. I catch Stuart's growing smile as he watches over them both before they part again, Maisie stepping into her Dad's side as Charlie then turns his attention to me. I suddenly feel a little nervous, knowing how much Charlie means to Harley. She sees him as another Fatherly figure, and I know he sees her as family. I just wish I was meeting him under different circumstances. "Lizzie, this is Harley's Captain, Charlie Summers. Charlie, this is Lizzie." Stuart introduces us and I smile as Charlie makes the first move, stepping forward and stretching out his hand in front of us both. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Lizzie, I just wish it was under different circumstances." He greets as I shake his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you too, Charlie." I reply, thinking exactly the same as we share a gentle smile. "This seating area is for us, so make yourselves comfortable." Charlie tells us all, gesturing to the small waiting area to the side of us. Maisie quickly rushes back to my side, so I lift my arm around her body again and pull her closer as Stuart and Charlie walk behind us. but just as I turn to take the bag from my shoulder, I hear Charlie behind us stop Stuart with quiet words. "Can I have a word, Stuart?" Charlie asks, and I look back over my shoulder and see Stuart visibly tense up as he slowly nods his head I reply. "Of course, Charlie." Stuart looks over, giving me a small nod which I easy return before he walks further down the hall with Charlie beside him. I know they are discussing something about Harley, but right now, I have Maisie by my side and I know I need to keep her as calm as I can. we both need to be ready for anything, I just hope I am ready for what is to come.


~~Saturday, London Hospital~~