If It's What You Want A Harry Styles Fanfiction || h. s.

Chapter 14

Harry was waiting for her near the nurses' desk. "How is he?"

"He said he's not feeling very well. For him to admit that, he must really be unwell."

He could see the tears gathering on her lashes. "I'm sorry," he said placing his arms around her. He hugged her tightly for some time before letting her go. "How can I help?"

"The cardiologist is supposed to be down shortly. He happens to be on call tonight. I don't think we will know much until he looks at the EKG and lab results."

"Why don't I stay for a while," he said.

"That's incredibly sweet of you, but we could be in for a long night. Besides, what if something like what happened at the restaurant occurs."

"I'm fine. I'll be here if you need anything."

"Harry . . ."

"Tell Raymond I said hello and I hope he'll be feeling better soon."

"Thank you."

Ashley returned to her uncle's room in time to hear what the cardiologist had to say to her uncle.

"Raymond, the EKG and bloodwork point to another heart attack. I'd like to go ahead and perform angioplasty tonight. I'd rather not wait if that's okay with you. We'll definitely have you stay a day or two. I plan to order some other diagnostic tests."

"Let's get it done," said her uncle with a weak smile.

"You all can go up to the floor with him and then someone will show you to the waiting area. I'll come talk with you as soon as we're done."

"Thank you," said Ashley shaking his hand before he turned to leave.

"Aunt Margarite, do you mind if Harry waits with us?"

"Of course not, dear."

"As soon as we know where we'll be, I can come back and get him."

****

Fifteen minutes later, Ashley, her aunt, and Harry found themselves alone in the waiting area near the cardiac cath lab.

"Why don't I see if I can find some coffee?" Harry said quietly to Ashley.

"That would be great. Thank you."

"Three cups?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Can I get anything else for you?"

"I don't think so," she said.

"I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Thank you."

Harry gave Ashley a reassuring hug once more before walking toward the elevator.

Her aunt finished up a phone call to her brother-in-law just after Harry left.

"He seems really nice, Ashley."

"I suppose. I don't really know him."

"You must be interested if you were at his place."

"I'm not sure. He wants to ask me out. I just don't need further complications in my life right now."

Margarite's ringing phone prevented further conversation. Ashley sat quietly worrying about what this might mean for her uncle. She simply didn't see him living some sedate life style. What might this mean for her?

"Hey, here you go," said Harry handing her one of the cups he was carrying.

"Thank you," said Ashley.

Harry walked over and placed one of the cups on a table near Margarite before returning to sit next to Ashley. They remained quiet as each sipped the steaming coffee. Ashley instinctively reached for Harry's hand when a door opened suddenly and the cardiologist walked out.

"Well, I wish I had better news," he said. "Unfortunately, we're going to have to do surgery. I was hoping a stent would do the trick, but it's not going to work. Since I'm on call, I'd like to just go ahead and perform the surgery."

"You know best," said Margarite.

"Raymond and I had a discussion before the stent. He already signed the papers for the surgery knowing it was a possibility."

"Will we see him before the surgery?" asked Ashley.

"He's already headed to surgery. It's quiet here, so if you'd like to stay, I can come back here when we're done."

"That would be nice," said Ashley shakily.

"Hang in there, okay. He's tough," said the doctor patting her shoulder.

The latest news prompted another round of calls for her aunt. Ashley paced for a couple of minutes before returning to a chair next to Harry.

"You really don't have to stay," Ashley told him.

"I'm happy to wait here with you. I'm off for the next couple of days, so I have the time."

"Thank you," Ashley said lowering her face into her hands.

Harry began to gently massage her back while attempting to reassure her that her uncle would be alright.

"The doctor seemed optimistic," said Harry.

"I suppose. It's just that this is the second attack in a very short period of time," she said still shielding her face in her hands.

He suspected from the sound of her voice that she was crying.

"Try to stay positive."

****

Ashley's aunt continued to make and receive phone calls periodically over the next hour and a half. At one point, a nurse came to tell them that everything was going well. Harry tried to comfort her and distracted her as much as he could. After a while, she leaned her head over on Harry's shoulder intending to close her eyes for a few minutes.

"Ashley," she heard him calling. She was awake instantly.

"What? Has something happened?" she asked frantically.

"No, the doctor's here," he said pushing back the hair that had come loose from her ponytail.

Ashley stood and walked to stand next to her aunt as the doctor began to explain what they had found and all that had been done.

"We performed bypass surgery to get around that blockage that was causing the trouble. I'm going to keep him in ICU overnight. We had a little trouble with his blood pressure, but he's stable. This is more a precautionary measure than a necessity. He'll be here for a few days and will hopefully be back on his feet in about 6 or so weeks. He's sedated, so I suggest you all go home and get some sleep. I promise I will call if anything changes. Questions?"

"I don't think so," answered Ashley's aunt.

Once the doctor left, Ashley started gathering up her aunt's things so they could go home as the doctor suggested.

"I'm staying here," said her aunt.

"But you heard what the doctor said."

"I'll stay for the next several hours. You go get some rest and we'll switch off. How does that sound?"

"I . . ."

"Ashley, go get some sleep for the both of us. I have everything I need. You know your uncle's family. I'll be on the phone anyway. I am sure several of them will be coming in over the next couple of days. Everything is going to be okay. Now go," said Margarite reaching over to pat Ashley on the cheek. "Harry, thank you for coming and staying," she said as she stood to give Harry a hug. "Take care of my Ashley."

"Of course. I'll make sure she gets home safely."

"Goodnight, dear," said Margarite as she hugged Ashley tightly.