Escape

Chapter VII - Hide (Now)

"Hannah? Hannah!"

She opened her eyes and realized she was in the guest bedroom. She also slept in. And shouldn't have.

Hannah sat up and cried out in pain. Her bum was extremely sore. And the horrible and embarrassing memory of the night before came to her mind. She walked to her bedroom as fast as the pain would allow. "I'm here, I'm here. I'm so sorry."

"Shit, Hannah. I asked you last night to wake me up at six." Niall pulled a shirt and some trousers from the closet and tossed them on the unmade bed. "We're gonna be so fucking late. And I've got a hangover."

"It'll be fine. You can shower first and I'll make the coffee." Hannah brushed through her hair and let out a deep breath. She knew there wasn't enough time for both of them to shower.

"You know, Baby. We can be efficient. And save water." Niall walked up to his wife, clad in just his boxer briefs. The idea he had manifested itself underneath the thin fabric.

Hannah stood there. Her husband didn't apologize for the night before much less ask how she was feeling. She was crushed. But she expected to be. So she nodded. Because Niall was her husband and she was his wife.

Niall and Hannah walked into their bathroom and showered together. And Niall got his morning fuck.***

"You'll call me if the contractors need anything, right?" Niall was anxious. He didn't even need to go on the trip with the guys. His part was done. He wanted to stay home so he could tell the contractors where he wanted things to go. "I want to know what's going on."

"Of course. I'll keep you updated. Don't worry." Hannah nodded with her eyes on the road. There was no need for her to state her side of the argument. The initial install date was set for the next day. And they weren't alone in their car. She looked in the rearview mirror and smiled. "The trip will be great. Right, Harry?"

"Yes, Hannah." Harry smiled and caught Hannah's eye in the mirror right before she looked back at the road. He tucked his shoulder-length hair behind his right ear and looked out the window with the smile still on his face. His day started out wonderful! Hannah knocked on his door. And she greeted him good morning. And she helped him with his luggage. No. Hannah had a husband.

Hannah changed lanes to enter the freeway and she started humming her favorite song. She loved to sing, even though she knew she wasn't the best. It made her happy.

"Hannah, please. I'm trying to concentrate." Niall kept a close eye on his team's stats and they were dropping miserably. It only added to his irritation. Because he had money involved. He needed to email his financial advisor.

A quiet "sorry" filled the awkward silence in the car. And the only sounds were the vent on high, the windshield wipers and the pinging of the steady rain on the roof.

Harry stared at his orange juice cup he was holding. He wanted to hear Hannah hum. And sing. And talk. And, no, Hannah had a husband.

So Harry focused on the cars zooming by. They shouldn't have been going so fast. It was raining. But Hannah was a safe driver. He felt safe with Hannah driving.

Hannah continued to drive to the airport. She leaned closer to Niall and spoke in a soft voice, so Harry wouldn't hear. She didn't want to hurt his feelings. "I'm going to miss you, Niall."

Niall acknowledged his wife's attempt with a heavy breath and a nod. And he continued doing something on his iPhone. It was his unspoken statement that he would rather engage in whatever was more important.

Hannah leaned back over to her seat and sighed. She was going to have some time alone. She tried not to feel guilty about it because her husband would be working. But she thought it could be good for their marriage. Would time away make their hearts grow fonder? She only hoped.