One Direction One Shots

It's Time

He walked into the room, the all-too-familiar scent washing over him once more. He was no longer overwhelmbed by it, but he still didn't like it. He didn't think he would ever come to like it.

"Hello, darling," he greets her, a wide smile on his face. He walked forward and sat down next to her, taking her hand in his. He still couldn't believe how he, Zayn Malik, could have gotten a wonderful and gorgeous girl like her. He this aloud to her, chuckling as he trails off. "So you'll never guess what happened today."

And he continues on, telling Beth about how Louis had "accidentally" spilled two cups of water on Liam and how Lux had driven Harry mad by messing up his curls so much. He tells her how Niall had eaten two cheeseburgers, two large fries, and a large Coke and still managed to have two helpings of chocolate ice cream. And of course, him and Louis had managed to prank Paul, just like they do every day. In turn, Paul had chased after them and put them in "time out" for 15 minutes.

"Rosie's birthday is in two days," Zayn reminds her, bringing up the subject of their daughter. "I can't believe our baby is turning four; it felt like just yesterday she was born. Time flies, eh? And we both know you probably won't be able to make it to her birthday party, since you've been working so hard; but we're hoping you will. We all miss you. Rosie asks me every day when you're coming home. I was going to bring her, but she's with the boys right now, and you know how much she loves them."

A tear rolls down his cheek as he strokes the back of her hand with his thumb. "Please get better and come home soon. I want- no, need- you back home. I want us to be a family again. I want you there for Rosie's birthday; I want to wake up to your beautiful smile every morning; I want us to spend the rest of our lives together. But you need to get better."

Zayn looks at Beth's sleeping figure, at the way her eyelashes cast shadows on her cheekbones and the way her chest rose up and down with each breath in her sleep. That's all she was doing sleeping. And she would wake up soon, right? Right?

The door opens with a creak, and Zayn turns around and sees Dr. Swan slipping into the room, clipboard in hand. "Ah, Zayn; back again, I see," he says, not acting the least bit surprised to see him.

"Mr. Swan," Zayn greets the doctor, bowing his head momentarily before glancing back at his wife. "How is she? Any changes?"

"Same as always, I'm afraid," Dr. Swan answers, shrugging his shoulders. He takes a deep breath, stepping forward hesitantly before quietly saying, "Zayn, it's not easy for me to say this, but perhaps it's time to let Beth go."

"No, " Zayn immediately replies, tears forming in his eyes. "It's not time; I can't give up hope on her. It's only been-"

"Six months; six months we have tried and tried. But nothing has changed, and we don't think she'll ever-"

"Don't say that," Zayn interrupts him harshly. "We have to keep trying; there has to be something." He runs his fingers through his hair in agitation, torn between hope and logic. "Can you just- just give me a minute. Please."

Mr. Swan walks out of the room, closing the door gently behind him to give Zayn some provacy. He gets up out of his chair and starts pacing backing and forth, casting furtive glances at Beth. He lets out a breath of exhaustion, flopping back down on to the chair. Zayn grabs her hand once more, squeezing it nervously.

"I can't just give up," he mutters, staring at his wife longingly. "Please, baby' please wake up. I need you. Please." He looks at her for a few seconds longer before slumping back into his chair and closing his eyes.

"Zayn," a soft voice whispers into his ear. "Zayn."

"What" he answers tiredly, blinking the sleep out of his eyes. His visions clears and he sees her, his beloved wife. "Beth? But you- I thought-"

"Zayn, that doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm dying; you can't keep me alive forever. It's time for you to let go."

"I can't" he replies, jumping up out of his chair and taking her hands in his. "Beth, I love you."

"And I love you too-" she begins.

"Then why are you telling me to let you go; to give up hope?!" Zayn interrupts her, suddenly turning angry.

"Because it's making you miserable!" Beth shouts back, looking at him accusingly. She sighs, slipping her hands out of his and placing one on his cheek. "I don't want to see you sad, especially if it's because of me. Everything has its time, Zayn. And right now, that time is mine."

"But it's not fair!" he exclaims, sounding like a child. A tear slips down Zayn's cheek as the memories flood his brain. "If I had just..."

"There are a million things you and I could have done; life is full of if's, Zayn," Beth explains, her voice calm and soothing. "But it's time for me to go. And the only way I can do that is if you let me go. Can you do that for me, Zayn? Can you let me go?"

"I-I don't know," he admits, looking at Beth with teary eyes.

"It's time to move on, Zayn," she simply says.

Making his decision, he rushes forward and kisses her; it was probably one of the best they've ever had. Even if this was merely a dream. Zayn pulls away, resting his forhead on her's and gazing into her eyes. "I love you, Beth."

"I love you too, Zayn," she replies. They hug briefly before she steps back, giving him one last smile before disappearing.

Zayn's eyes burst open, and he runs through the dream in his head. He casts a sorrowful glance at Beth before walking out the door to find Dr. Swan. He spots him talking to a nurse and jogs over to the, shouting his name. The doctor looks up from the clipboard the nurse was showing him, a look of surprise crossing over his face.

"You were right, Mr. Swan," Zayn says with determination. "It's time to let her go and finally move on."

Dr. Swan nods his head grimly, his eyes sparkling with the pride he had for Zayn. "Son, you may be losing a wife; but I'm losing my daughter. We're in the same boat."

He gives him a grim smile, nodding breifly before following the doctor into Beth's room, both of them saying their final goodbyes before pulling the plug. They watch as her heartbeat speeds up, trying to keep her alive, before completely flatlining. Zayn glances up, his breath catching in his throat when he sees Beth, smiling at him proudly with tears in her eyes before disappaearing in a bright white light. Somehow, he knew that she was in a better place.

"Beth Malik. Time of death: 3:38 pm, July 14th, 2020. Rest in peace."

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So I had actually had this story written for a while, but it was handwritten and I was too lazy to actually type it up and stuff. But yeah, I felt like being somewhat productive, so here ya go. Don't forget to vote and comment and whatnot.

-Isabelle