Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Worrying Or How I Went Home Early

Hi everyone, I actually had to fight my tears for this chapter, as well. Definitely wasn't easy to write. I hope you don't hate me for it. :) If any of you should come up with a better title for this chapter, please feel free to comment below. All the love, Summer xxx

When I woke up the next morning, Louis' arms were still tightly wrapped around me and I snuggled deeper into him, just enjoying the warm and comfort that he provided. I could feel him stir in his sleep and his grip tightened a bit, making me smile. His eyelashes flattered and then I was met with a set of beautiful blue eyes. "Morning, love." he greeted me, his voice slightly hoarse. I smiled at him and he smiled back at me, simply enjoying this calm morning in bed.

My stomach grumbled, making Louis grin and me blush. "Let's go get some breakfast, love." I groaned and pulled the duvet over my head, not wanting to leave the warmth of my bed. I felt Louis move and a few seconds later, the duvet was pulled out of my hands, revealing a smirking Louis. "Louis! Give me my blanket back!" I protested, but he only grinned and put it at the other corner of my bed. I pouted and crossed my arms over my chest, bringing my knees to my chest. "Come on, love, I'll fetch you your dressing gown from the bathroom, alright?" I nodded, but didn't move and he chuckled and left the room, returning a couple of seconds later with my fluffy dressing gown which I quickly pulled over my t-shirt and shorts. Louis put on his clothes from the night before and then we both made our way to the kitchen.

We were greeted by a grinning Lily and Niall who both smirked when we entered the kitchen. "Morning, you lovely people." Niall greeted us cheerfully, making Louis smirk. "Did someone get some action last night?" he asked them with a smirk and Lily blushed deeply. "A gentleman never kisses and tells, Louis." Niall told him off, but added a wink in the end. "Sure, whatever you say, Nialler." Louis commented and walked over to the kettle to make us some tea. I sat down next to Lily who send me a questioning look. I shook my head and she nodded subtly, making this whole silent conversation go unnoticed by the boys. "Did ya have a good first date with this fellow here?" Niall asked me and nodded his head towards Louis. I pretended to have to think about it. "Well, you see..." I started with a wide grin and Louis' head whipped around, making me grin even wider. "It was actually really, really good. I beat him at ice skating and then we had some hot cocoa and cookies in his car before we ended up here." I told him and he send Louis an approving look. "Not bad for a first date, Tomlinson, not bad."

Louis grinned smugly and walked over to the table to sit down next to me. He handed me a cup of tea which I gratefully accepted and then pushed a bowl and a spoon in my direction, asking Lily to pass us the milk and the cereals. She handed me both and then got up to use the bathroom, returning a few minutes later. I stayed silent throughout the rest of the breakfast, just enjoying the other's company and my food, something that didn't go unnoticed by the others. "You okay, love?" Louis asked me quietly and I nodded. "Still a little bit tired, I guess." He didn't seem completely convinced, but dropped the subject. Lily shot me a questioning look as well, but I only shook my head, indicating that I didn't want to talk about it.

Truth to be told, I was very worried about my dad. I hadn't heard from him or my mum since Thursday morning and even though we hadn't texted that much during the past few months, I had made him promise me to send me daily updates and he hadn't texted me yesterday morning nor this morning. I decided to call him later that day when Louis was gone and then put on my best smile and tried to focus more on the conversation and even contributed a bit to the conversation as well.

After breakfast, Louis left quite fast, telling me that he needed to do some last minute Christmas shopping for his whole family. He would be going home tomorrow and before he left I handed him two wrapped gifts, one for his birthday and one for Christmas. "Now you're making me feel even worse because I still haven't bought anything for anyone. I'm not sure if I'll have time to drop by myself before I leave but you'll definitely get your present one way or another, love." I smiled up at him.

"Don't worry about it, Lou. You didn't really have time for anything during the past few weeks and you really don't have to get me anything, just because I got you something." I blushed a bit and he cupped my cheeks with his hands. "I am not sure how many times I have to tell you this in order for you to get it into your beautiful head, love, but you are important to me, okay? And people who are very important to me definitely get a Christmas gift, no matter if they give me one in return or not, okay?" I nodded and he pulled me in for a kiss. "I'll be back for New Year's." he told me quietly and gave me one last kiss, before I was left in the doorway in my pyjamas, watching him disappear in the stairwell.

After Louis had left, I changed into a pair of leggings and an over-sized hoodie and decided to wrap my last Christmas gifts, before I gave my dad a ring. I had bought something for my parents, my grandma, Lily and Harry and Louis as well. The gifts weren't anything special, but I loved giving gifts to people and making people happy, so for me it was more the thought that counted, rather than a very expensive gift which I couldn't afford anyway. I had put a lot of thought into each present and hoped everyone liked them.

When I was finished, I sat down on my bed and dialled my parents' home number. It rang a few times before my mother picked up. "Winters?" I smiled when I heard her voice. "Hi mum." "Claire, honey! It's good to hear your voice, darling! How are you doing? We both can't wait to see you again in three days!" I chuckled. "I'm doing fine, mum, thank you. And of course I am looking forward to seeing you, too. I am actually calling to ask how dad's doing." I said hesitantly and I heard her sigh. There was a shuffle and I heard a door close before she spoke again. "To be completely honest with, he isn't doing that well at the moment. He constantly needs oxygen because his lungs aren't functioning properly at the moment and he gets exhausted very easily. I think your visit and the upcoming holiday are all that keeps him going at the moment." I felt like someone had punched me into my stomach. I took a deep breath and tried to hold back my tears because I didn't want my mum to know how upset I was.

"Claire, are you still there, honey?" I swallowed and cleared my throat. "I am, yes, sorry. Is there anything I can do? Any doctor or therapy who could help him in any way?" I asked her, desperate for any kind of solution that would make my dad feel better again. "The doctors are trying their best, Claire, but his muscles are becoming weaker and weaker every day and there isn't really anything they can do about it." My mum's voice was shaky and I felt so bad for not being able to be there for her in person. "Mum, listen, should I come earlier? I could be there by tonight. I just need to drop off one Christmas present for a friend first." I immediately offered her.

"Are you sure, love? That would mean the world to me and especially your dad. It will be a nice surprise for him." I could hear the relief in her voice. "I will be there for dinner tonight, okay?" I assured her and added a "Stay strong." in the end. "Thank you, Claire, I can't wait to see you again tonight. I love you." I smiled at bit and wiped my eyes with my sleeve. "I love you, too, mum. I'll see you later, okay?" We said our goodbyes and as soon as I had hung up, I started organising and packing. It was like I was in some sort of trance. This couldn't be happening. My dad wasn't dying. He was my dad, he wasn't allowed to die.

I walked over to Lily's door with her Christmas present in my hands and knocked. When she opened her door, her eyes widened when she saw my face. "Oh my God, Claire. Are you okay? You look awful." She pulled me into a hug and I fought back my tears. "I'm fine." I tried to assure her, but she knew me better than anyone else and didn't buy my lie. "Bullshit, Claire, what's wrong." I swallowed. "I'm going home today, I just wanted to say goodbye. My dad isn't doing well at the moment and my mum really needs me right now." I explained to her. A shadow crossed her face and she pulled me into another hug. "I am so sorry, Claire. If you need anything, I'm just a phone call away, alright? I know we'll be spending Christmas over in the States, but if anything happens, I'll be on the first plane back to England, okay?" I nodded and quickly handed her my present. She disappeared into her room for a few seconds before she returned with a small, beautifully wrapped gift for me.

Niall had come over to the door as well and immediately pulled me into a hug when he saw me. "Hey, love, you'll be okay. Whatever is going on, you'll be okay, alright?." I nodded against his chest and he let go of me. He send Lily a questioning look which I didn't miss, but she subtly shook her head. "You can tell him, Lil, but only after I'm gone, okay?" She nodded and then helped me into my coat. She and Niall walked me to the bus which would take me to Harry, Niall carrying my suitcase for me. They both gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and then I was on my way to deliver my last Christmas present before going home.