Broken Hearts...

eighteen

The next morning, sunlight streamed gently through the curtains, casting soft golden hues across the room. Harry stirred first, blinking groggily as he woke from what had been his first dreamless sleep in what felt like months. His head was still nestled against Louis's chest, and the steady rise and fall of Louis's breathing brought an unexpected sense of calm. For a brief moment, Harry allowed himself to stay there, savoring the warmth of the embrace before reality set in again.

They couldn't stay at the safe house forever, and though Harry felt safe for now, the uncertainty of what came next lingered in the back of his mind.Louis must have felt Harry stirring, because he shifted slightly, his hand brushing through Harry's curls in a soft, almost absent minded gesture.

"Morning," Louis mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep. "You sleep okay?"

Harry nodded, pulling away slightly so he could look up at Louis. "Yeah... better than I've slept in a long time." He offered a small, grateful smile. "Thanks to you."Louis's eyes softened at that, but he didn't say anything right away. Instead, he sat up, stretching slightly before turning his attention to Emma, who had woken up with a few soft coos from her crib. Harry stood and gently lifted her into his arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. It amazed him how calm he felt in that moment, the anxiety from last night melting away in the presence of both Louis and Emma.

But as the morning wore on, the reality of their situation began to creep back in. They couldn't stay hidden forever. Harry's escape from April had been a necessary first step, but now he needed to figure out how to rebuild his life-and keep Emma safe for good.

Louis, who had been watching Harry carefully as they ate a quiet breakfast together, finally spoke up. "Harry, I've been thinking... you shouldn't have to stay here much longer. The safe house is great for emergencies, but it's not really a place to live."

Harry looked up from his cup of tea, uncertain where Louis was going with this."I was talking to Sarah earlier," Louis continued, his tone more serious now. "I asked her if there's a way for you to move somewhere more permanent. Somewhere you'd feel safe. And, well..." He hesitated, then looked Harry directly in the eyes. "I want you and Emma to come stay with me."

Harry's breath caught in his throat. Stay with Louis? He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but the offer left him momentarily speechless."Louis..." Harry started, his voice faltering. "Are you sure? I don't want to intrude on your life. You've already done so much, and I don't want to-"

"You're not intruding," Louis interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "I *want you there. I want to be there for you. You shouldn't have to do this alone, Harry. Not anymore."

The sincerity in Louis's eyes was enough to make Harry's heart stutter in his chest. For so long, he had felt like a burden, constantly worrying about how his problems would affect others. But Louis was offering him something different-stability, support, and maybe even love, though neither of them had said that word out loud yet.

Before Harry could respond, there was a soft knock at the door. Sarah stepped into the room, her expression warm as she glanced between the two of them. "Morning, Harry. Louis," she greeted them with a nod. "I just got off the phone with some of my colleagues, and I think we've found a way to help you both move forward."

Harry stood, still holding Emma in his arms, as Sarah continued. "Louis has already talked to me about you moving in with him, and I think it's a great idea. We've vetted the situation, and as long as you're comfortable with it, we can help you transition from here to Louis's place as early as today."

Harry blinked in surprise. Today? It all felt like it was moving so quickly, but the thought of leaving this safe house for somewhere more permanent-a place where he wouldn't be hidden away, where he could start building a real life again-filled him with a cautious sense of hope."You'd be safe there," Sarah assured him, her voice kind but practical.

"We'll make sure April doesn't know where you've gone. Legal aid is already in place to help you with custody issues, and you'll have a support network in case anything happens. But with Louis keeping an eye on you both, I don't think April will be an issue."

Louis stood up then, moving to stand beside Harry. "I want to help, Harry. You'll have space. You'll have time to heal, and I'll be there for whatever you need. You and Emma both."Harry looked down at Emma, who had fallen asleep in his arms, completely unaware of the changes happening around her. His heart swelled with both fear and gratitude. Could he really accept this? Could he allow himself to believe that they could have a safe, loving home after everything?

But the way Louis looked at him-the sincerity in his eyes, the unwavering support-made Harry feel, for the first time in ages, like this was possible. Like he didn't have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders alone anymore.

"I... I'd like that," Harry finally said, his voice quiet but certain. "I'd like to stay with you, Louis."

A smile broke across Louis's face, relief evident in his eyes. "Good," he said softly, taking Harry's free hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "We'll make it work. I promise."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of packing and preparation. Sarah coordinated everything, ensuring that their transition would be smooth and that no trace of their location would lead back to April. By mid-afternoon, Harry and Louis were ready to leave, their belongings packed into the back of Louis's car, Emma safely strapped into her car seat.

As they pulled away from the safe house, Harry felt a strange mixture of emotions-relief, fear, and an unexpected sense of hope. Louis drove with one hand on the wheel and the other resting lightly on Harry's knee, his presence steady and reassuring. Every few minutes, Louis would glance over at Harry, his smile soft and affectionate."It's going to be okay," Louis said quietly, as if reading Harry's thoughts. "We'll take it one day at a time. You don't have to do this alone anymore."

Harry nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear those words-how much he had needed someone like Louis to step in and help him carry the burden.

When they arrived at Louis's house, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the quiet neighborhood. Louis's place was cozy, a small house with a garden in the back and enough space for Emma to have her own room. It felt warm, welcoming. It felt like home.

As Louis unlocked the door and led Harry inside, Harry's heart swelled with emotion. He looked around the house, taking in the comfort of the space, and for the first time in so long, he felt something unfamiliar yet deeply longed for-he felt safe.

Louis turned to Harry, smiling softly. "Welcome home, H."

Harry smiled back, tears welling in his eyes, but this time they weren't tears of fear or sadness. They were tears of gratitude, of relief. Because for the first time in a long time, he believed Louis's words.

He believed they could build a home here.

Together.