My Soldier - You're My Home

Pick Up Duty

A/N ~~ Hello you beautiful souls!

  I cannot apologise enough for how long it has been since I last updated. It seems to have been just one thing after another when it came to getting back on my feet.
  But! I am alive and kicking, slowly getting back to being myself again. 

  I can't thank you all enough for the kind messages, comments and generally just checking in to see how I have been, it means so much to me, truly.

  So, without any further waiting, here is the next Chapter for you all to enjoy. And from now on, I will be updating a lot more frequently since I have missing writing and interacting with you all so much! So please leave a comment at the end for me! <3 

Much Love, The Author, TJ.

~~Monday Afternoon, London~~

Lizzie POV

"The Premiere went perfectly, we couldn't have asked for anything better Liz." Rachel beamed through the phone, excitement and pride in her voice. "All the reviews are nothing but positive, everyone loves the show just as much as the first Season. You've done amazing Liz." She adds, making me smile as I watch the streets of L.A. pass by my car window. "Thank you, Rachel, for everything. You were my rock last night at the Premiere." I quickly add, making sure she knows just how much I appreciate her being by my side last night. Keeping me going with how exhausted and all over the place I was. "No need to thank me, Liz. You weren't as bad as you thought. You did amazing." We share some more conversation before I start to see the Airport out my window, my heart racing knowing I am one step closer to being back with Harley again. "So, about November." Rachel suddenly begins, and my smile fades. "It may not be that soon, nothing is concrete. But we will do everything we can so you're not apart from Harley for too long. Your accommodation will be more than big enough for the two of you, and we will be able to make any changes to aid Harley in whichever way we can." Rachel's word put me at ease slightly, but I can't help the niggling feeling of being away from Harley again. Not knowing how she will be by November. "Thank you, Rachel. That means a lot." I try and smile, but it is faint as I can't help but worry about the near future. "I will keep you up to date on anything that changes, but for now, get back to Harley in London and I will be in touch with anything that comes up." We say our goodbyes before my driver starts to find somewhere to park at the Airport, already noticing the many paparazzi stood near the doors.

"Give us a smile Lizzie!"

"Are you going back to London to be with Harley?"

"What happened to Harley on Tour?"

"Why is she missing a leg?"

"Are you still going to be together after what happened?!"

My stomach begins to twist and ache with the questions they are shouting as flashes go off near my face. I have my sunglasses and Harkey's cap on to cover my face as the Airport security quickly rush to help me inside. My jaw clenching as more and more mentions of Harley fill my ears, hating every second I can't punch them in the face. I hate that no one can give her any privacy after what she has been through, even more so that she wouldn't be getting this attention if she wasn't with me. But it just gives me more reason to get home to be by her side. I thank the security team once I am safely inside before they leave me to check in my bags and ticket, being able to breathe properly now I am alone again. I leave my face covered so I can get to my gate without being stopped, and thankfully it works as I make it through towards the lounge where I can wait privately for my flight. I quickly get my phone, sending a message to Harley to let her know I am about to board just as my flight number is called. I get my things before boarding the plane, finding my seat before getting comfortable for the long flight back to My Soldier. It doesn't take long for the plane to get into the air, and even less time for my body to succumb to sleep. The couple of days since leaving London taking it out of me, my body completely exhausted. But it will be all worth it when I am back with Harley. Just the thought of being back in her arms is enough to print a permanent smile on my face as I settle back into my seat. Sleep coming easily as I let the gentle flight lull me to sleep.

It's Monday Afternoon when the plane starts to land. I can't help the butterflies filling my stomach as I watch our descent through the clouds above London. My eyes searching every building, never getting tired of seeing the beautiful City come into view. I get impatient waiting to leave the plane, but eventually I follow everyone through the aisle and off the plane with my small bag and one of Harley's hoodies in hand. The Airport is surprisingly busy, so it takes a little longer to make it to collect my suitcase, but once I have it, I weave through the crowds of people wanting to get to Harley impossibly quicker. I reach for my phone as I am pulling my suitcase behind me, seeing a message from Harley in reply to me message before boarding my flight, making me smile as I start to write a reply. But then another message comes through from her, a short message which confuses me. "Look up beautiful." I re-read the message again, slightly confused but I do as it says, looking up across the sea of people just ahead of me. Slowing down to get a better look, I soon see three very familiar faces not too far from where is am, halting my movements as I make sure it is really them. But then when one of the faces comes running at me, I can't help but beam as they reach me in no time, nearly knocking me off my feet as I wrap them in my arms. "Your back!" She yells in excitement, squeezing me in her slightly smaller arms as I hug her just as tightly. Relishing in being back with my little second family.

"Shouldn't you be at School misses?" I tease when Maisie finally lets me go. Her cheeky smile looking up at me with mischievous eyes. "I finished early..." She admits, already I know she shouldn't have, but did it anyways. If it wasn't for Stuart being here, I would scold her, but I also can't help but giggle at her antics. "Hmm. If you say so." I tease, making her giggle before we turn to see two smiling faces watching our every move. "She's missed you, more than she will admit." Maisie whispers, gesturing to those deep hazel eyes I can't help but fall into. Feeling Maisie nudge my side as she grabs my suitcase from my hand, I take the hint and take off towards My Soldier. My eyes glossing over seeing her standing with the help of her crutches, her eyes never leaving me as I practically run into her arms. As soon as I am close enough, my arms fly over her shoulders, hoping I don't knock us both to the floor as I feel one of her arms catch me as it wraps around my body. Inhaling her scent as I bury my face into her neck, soaking her in as she holds me close. I can't believe I am already back in her arms. Seeing her, touching her again reminds me I had nothing to worry about when I left. She is strong, I know she won't leave me again. "Hello to you too." She mumbles, making me smile into her neck as I just squeeze her a little tighter. I stay like this for another minute, letting my eyes blink away the tears wanting to fall before slowly leaning back to meet Harley's eyes already looking down at me. "Hi Soldier." I whisper, making her smile only grow wider before she leans down to meet my lips with hers. It feels so good to be back home.

"How was your flight?" Stuart asks as I walk beside Harley, Maisie to my other side as Stuart stays beside Harley. "I actually slept for most of it so not too bad." I reply, making them all laugh lightly as I keep one hand on Harley's back, my other pulling my suitcase. "The premiere looked great, and you look stunning." Harley adds, making me blush slightly as I avoid her gaze. "Thank you, Harley. Did you stay up and watch it?" I question, seeing her grin as she nods her head. "We both did, actually." She adds, gesturing towards Maisie. I quickly look over and see her beaming smile. "I love that Series, so I wasn't going to miss the premiere!" She says excitedly, making me giggle as I hear Harley laughing with me. "Well, thank you both for your support, it means the world to me." I beam between them both before we reach the front doors of the Airport. Thankfully, there are no cameras, so I walk slightly ahead with Maisie as Stuart supports Harley down the few stairs. Maisie then leads the way to the car and helps me load in my bags as Stuart stays with Harley, a protective hand behind her as even I can see she is getting a little tired. Once the bags are in and everyone is at the car, we get in, Harley letting Maisie in the front as I help her into the backseat before joining her at the other side. Stuart then starts the journey home, falling into conversation with Maisie leaving me to turn my attention towards Harley. But as soon as I do, I catch her eyes watching out the window, something behind them that I can't quite work out. Her hands are playing with the rings on her fingers, a nervous trait she has from time to time. Especially when there is something on her mind, her smile is not completely genuine, which only adds to my concerns. But I just let her get lost in her thoughts, hoping she will talk to me soon.

It doesn't take us long to get back, Stuart parking up close to the house before everyone slowly gets out the car. Maisie rushes to get Harley's crutches for her so she can get out the car properly as I get my bags from Stuart. We all head inside together, Stuart helping Harley before we all get to the kitchen. Harley finds her usual seat at the table as Maisie gets started on some drinks for everyone. "Lizzie? Coffee?" She asks sweetly, making me smile as Stuart sits beside Harley. "Yes please, I'm going to take these upstairs then I'll be back." I add, making her nod and smile before I take my bags upstairs to Harley's room. Unpacking some of what I will need today as my mind wonders back to Harley. She seemed happy when I first seen her at the airport, but as soon as we got into the car, she was not the same. She seemed lost in her thoughts about something, almost irritable and not interested in talking with anyone. I can't work out what has happened since talking with her last, she has been so upbeat and happy spending time with Tom and Maisie over the weekend. But something has to have changed, and recently. I just hope she talks to me about whatever it is before it gets to her too much. Once I am finished, I get changed and freshen up from my flight before joining everyone downstairs again. Finding my seat beside Harley as Stuart and Maisie are cooking something on the other side of the table. I quickly find Harley's hand under the table, seeing her attention snap from being lost in thought to looking in my direction, a small smile creeping onto her lips as our eyes meet. "Hey you." She whispers, making me almost blush under her intense gaze as I squeeze her hand in mine. "Hey Soldier." I whisper in reply before leaning over slightly to kiss her shoulder. Soaking up being back by her side again, knowing there is something going on in her head, hoping to find out so I can help her in any way I can.