"Lovely"

Part Forty Two (Louis) & Part Forty Two and a Half (Liam)

Part Forty Two (Louis)

When I wake up, the only thing that I notice is the absence of other people in the room. For the last two days, there's been this sort of constant flow of different people, whether it's a nurse, or my dad, or Harry, or whoever coming through to do their thing or whatnot. But today, nothing. It's just quiet and peaceful, which is nicer than you'd think it would be. Everything has been so crazy since the accident that I'm really just in need of some time to myself. You know, to get away from life, I suppose. Liam hasn't come back since the one time he visited, but I'm being told that he's been sitting in the hallway all this time. Harry probably freaked at him or something.

Speaking of Harry, where is he? I remember him saying that he would stay the night here, but a large part of me hopes that he didn't. Those hospital chairs look terribly uncomfortable, I can't imagine spending the night trying to actually sleep on one.

I scan the room, and crane my neck towards the door to see if he's around. When I don't see anyone, I go to slip out of the bed, only to lose my balance and topple down onto the floor. Immediately Emma comes from the hallway.

"What happened?" She asks, concerned, "You know you're not supposed to be up and about yet."

I go about trying to sit myself up on the floor, but to no avail. My right leg just isn't having it today.

"I was going to look for Harry," I start off, "you haven't seen him around, have you?"

Emma shakes her head, "Do you want me to call him for you?"

Yes, actually, I would like that. I can't help wondering where he is.

I nod, "Do you think I could do it? Like you know call him?"

She grins, extending both her hands to me, "Tell you what, if we can get you back into bed, I'll bring your phone and your other things in here."

I nod in return, accepting her challenge. "Let's do it."

We end up having to lower the bed into its position closest to the floor, and it took a while, but we managed. After getting back settled, Emma disappears, returning only a few minutes later with my cell phone.

She turns it on and hands it to me. "Remember though, today's the day we're casting your leg and getting you up walking, so you won't have a whole lot of time if he's able to come."

See, what Emma didn't know was that I was hoping I'd be going home today. Because of the accident I had had to have a whole boat load of different tests and scans, looking for internal damage, or bleeding and what not. So, even though my one leg is broken, and my arm is too, they couldn't cast it until they were done with all the scans. My legs were pretty banged up, and I was definitely looking forward to being able to get up and walk. It had been two days, time to get on with it I figured.

What really frustrated me about all this was that there was no certainty. I hated that. I hated that no matter how many times I asked Emma, or the doctors there, there was never a definite answer as to when I would be going home. However, I am of age, and can technically leave whenever I so choose. The only thing really keeping me here is, well... you know I can't exactly walk yet.

After Emma is out of the room I waste no time in calling Harry.

Straight to voice mail.

Hesitant, I try again.

Straight to voicemail.

Why would his phone be off? Harry isn't really the type to not have his phone on him well, ever. I send a quick text asking if he'll come visit before my doctor shows up to do the cast on my leg.

It takes a half hour or so to get the cast on, and then another two hours of the cast drying before I'm allowed to stand with crutches. It's definitely a strange feeling, after being bedridden for several days, my legs feel like pipe cleaners under a potato. Emma has me stand on the crutches, keeping my weight off my feet, and for a little while, I'm able to walk. After wards, the doctor goes about my arm. Luckily, my hands aren't broken, and it's just the fore arm, so I'm still able to support myself on the crutches. It is strange, doing it this way, but if anything its got to be better than lying in bed all day.

When I get back to my room, Emma sets my crutches down against the wall and helps me sit in the seat that Harry was in last night.

"No luck with Harry yet?" she asks.

I frown, "Not yet, I'm starting to worry. Like what if he doesn't show before I leave?"

"Well," Emma starts, smiling, "You are set to be discharged later tonight after the last round of your medication."

My jaw drops. "Actually?!"

Emma nods, and I burst out with laughter. Doctors are wonderful, and the work that they do is really great, but being here is, to put it lightly, not. Going home will have been the highlight of this whole damn week.

I just wish that Harry had been here for it.

Part Forty Two and a Half (Liam)

Seven o'clock rolls around, and I find myself sitting in the lobby of the hospital with Louis' dad. He had gotten a call earlier today about Louis' discharge, and when I got wind of it I booked the day off of work to be here.

Wonder where Harry is.

You know, one would think that the significant other to someone who was in the hospital would at least have the decency to show up. Louis has been through hell, the last thing that he needs is to be forgotten about by those he cares about the most.

I hate to repeat myself but again, you gotta wonder where Harry is.

Sure, I somewhat threatened him, but it was all fair. He's in the way. He waited until Louis was at his absolute worst to show up and try to save the day, while I was left to pick up the pieces when he left. You can't do that to people. You just can't.

Not that I mind Harry's absence. His not being here really just gives me brownie point towards Louis, which really, is the ultimate goal. I want Louis. I need Louis.

Certainly more than Harry does.

After what felt like forever, the nurse that was in Louis' room comes around the corner with Louis in tow. He's on crutches, which seems to be working for him, and his injuries have all been tended to accordingly.

"Hey guys," Louis says quietly, giving his dad a quick hug. He turns to me and I smile.

"Hey stranger", I laugh, and Louis almost shudders.

"Liam?" He looks at me quizzically, "You haven't seen Harry have you? Like did he come with you?"

This pisses me off to no end. Here I am, taking time out of my day to be there for him, and to help him get back to normal after this whole ordeal, and he's already off looking for him. Him. Of all people. I want to smack him. Harry.

Doing my best to look empathetic for Louis, I frown, "I'm sorry I haven't." I add, "Did you call him?"

"He didn't answer," Louis looks really worried.

It is in this moment that I realize how much Louis actually cares for Harry. Despite all of the complete shit that Harry has put Louis through, he's the first person that he wants to see.

"Do you think he's okay?" Louis' voice is almost pleading.

"I'm sure its fine," Daniel adds, "his phone is probably just dead or something. We can go over and see him once we get you home, alright?"

Louis nods reluctantly, and follows his father and brother, out to their beat up SUV. I follow behind, giving Louis a quick rub on the back before heading off to the bus.

"Do you think Harry's okay?" Louis asks.

"I'm sure he's fine, Lou." I soothe, as gently as I can.

Louis stiffens up at my words, "Please, don't call me that again", he snaps, shutting the car door.

This is going to be harder than I thought.