Fireproof (Louis Tomlinson AU)

~6~

"Are you ready?" Nicole asked. Her eyes were red from all the crying she had been doing lately, and I knew I probably looked the same.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I huffed, a pit setting in my stomach once again. Nicole grabbed my hand and then squeezed it tightly. I glanced at her gratefully, squeezed her hand as well, and then walked into the room that stood before me.

"Hey, kiddos," I greeted as I saw my two children playing dolls together. Lately, they've been playing together more than separately. Haley will play cars with Landon, and Landon will play Dolls with Haley. It makes me happy to see them enjoying each other's company.

"Hey, Daddy," Haley grinned up at me.

"Why are you and Mommy sad?" Landon asked suddenly. Both kids immediately stopped playing with the dolls and looked up at my wife and I expectantly.

"Well, uh, that's what I came here to talk to you two about," I started, nervousness evident in my voice. I sat down in front of them both and Nicole sat to my right, still holding my hand tightly.

"Remember how I fainted the other day?" I asked, deciding that was the best way to start. The both nodded, the pain in all four eyes evident.

"Well, uh, I went to the doctor yesterday to see what was wrong. And the doctor told me I was sick. Very sick," I explained, trying to make them understand without using the word.

"You don't look sick," Landon pointed out. Nicole and I exchanged glances, not knowing how to explain this to the kids without scaring them.

"It's more of a sickness inside of me. You can't see it on the outside until later," I tried.

"Oh, okay," Landon said, seeming content with my answer.

"So, the doctor is going to try to do everything he can to cure the sickness and make me feel better," I said cautiously. I knew at this point that I was treading on nails, one wrong step and everything would come crashing down. "In order for him to be able to do that, I need to be at the hospital a lot. I won't be home much in the next couple of weeks or months, but you guys can come visit me with Mom every once in a while, yeah?"

The both nodded sadly.

"Are you going to be okay?" Haley asked.

It was the question I was dreading, because even I didn't know the answer.

"The doctors are going to do everything in their power to make me better," I stated simply, not giving a direct answer.

"So, while I'm gone, I need you both to help Mommy keep the house clean. Be very good for her and do everything she says, okay?" I instructed.

"Okay," Landon nodded.

"Promise?" I asked, holding out my pinkie.

"We promise," Haley and Landon said in unison, then each took a turn wrapping their small pinkie finger around mine.

"I love you two no matter what, remember that, okay?"

"I love you, too, Daddy," Haley said, then flung herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I hugged her tiny body tightly in my arms and then kissed the top of her head. Once she let go, Landon came up to me and hugged me as well.

"I love you, Dad," Landon whispered in my ear as he nuzzled his head into my neck. I embraced him in my arms and just held him tightly. I hen ruffled his hair, making him laugh and pull away from our hug.

"Alright, you guys can keep playing. Lunch will be done in about 30 minutes," Nicole stated, standing up. I stood up as well and then we both walked out of the room, hands intertwined.

We shut the door to the room, took one look at each other, and both burst into tears.

shoutout to tia for loving the two old guys in 1D and R5