Fireproof (Louis Tomlinson AU)

~2~

"Louis, could you please wake Landon up from his nap?" Nicole asked from the kitchen.

"Of course, love," I replied. I rose from the couch and ascended the stairs before entering the second door on the left.

There lay my four year old son, duvet pulled up to his chin, still as a mouse. I slowly approached him and sat on the edge of his bed, gently setting my hand on his arm.

"Landon, wake up, bud," I whispered. His eyes fluttered open slowly, and he rubbed his eyes, looking around his room. "How'd you sleep?"

"Good," he replied sleepily.

"Mom and Haley are preparing dinner right now, so it should be done in about 30 minutes. In the mean time, do you want to watch some football?" I asked.

"Yeah!" Landon exclaimed, sitting up and throwing the covers towards the foot of the bed. "Cmon, Dad!"

I grinned as he took my hand and pulled me towards the door. I quickly followed behind and out to the hall. He ran down the stairs, and I was just about to follow suit when my vision became blurred, faded out, and everything became black.

***

"Louis! Louis wake up!" I heard Nicole plead. The pain in her voice was evident, and it hurt me to hear her so distressed. "Please."

"Please, Daddy, wake up." It was Haley. I could tell she was worried as well. She obviously wasn't as stressed as her mother, but worry was evident.

I slowly opened my eyes to see my wife and two kids looking down at me. They all had concern etched across their faces, but relief washed that away as soon as I opened my eyes more.

"Daddy!" Landon exclaimed and flung his arms around my neck. I chuckled and hugged him gently before letting go and turning my attention to Nicole.

"What happened?" I groaned.

"You blacked out and fell down the stairs," Nicole explained softly. She raised her hand and cupped my cheek, rubbing her thumb over my cheekbone gently.

"Are you serious?" I asked. I was shocked.

"I wouldn't lie about something like this, Lou."

I grimaced and screwed my eyes shut, not believing a word she said. It was just too odd. I wasn't dehydrated, my blood sugar wasn't low, and I hadn't over worked myself today. I just couldn't think of what had caused this. It was just out of the blue.

"Well, uh, why don't you two just finish making dinner while I lie down on the couch. I should be fine within a few minutes," I suggested.

"Alright. Do you want me to walk you to the living room?" Nicole asked.

"No, I'll be fine," I shook my head, standing up.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"Okay. Haley lets finish making dinner. Landon, why don't you get your father a glass of water," Nicole instructed and then led both children to the kitchen. I slowly rose and stumbled over to the living room, slumping into the couch and laying down immediately.

My breathing was short and labored after just that short walk. I was even wheezing every now and then. I tried to calm my breathing, and it soon slowed. Each breath became more elongated and less labored. Soon enough, Landon approached me with a glass of water in his small hands.

"Are you okay, Daddy?" He asked quietly.

"I'm fine, Landon, just a little mishap," I shrugged, took the glass from him, and then lifted his tiny body and set him in my lap.

"Are you sure?" You aren't sick, are you?" Landon questioned.

"No, I'm not sick," I laughed. "I just fell, but I'm okay now, I promise."

Oh, how wrong was I.

Sorry this took so long guys. I'm back on track now and I will be updating more often. Thanks for sticking with me xx