THE TIES THAT BIND-Book 3 In The Sexy As Series

Chapter 18

Louis watched as Marian's parents held William in the NICU.  Jeremy looked utterly heartbroken.  And Rosalie couldn't stop crying.  He turned and walked away.  He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked down the hallway.  He heard footsteps behind him.  He turned around and saw Harry.

"Hey," he said.

"Lou," Harry said with a small smile.  "How...how are you doing? Is there anything I can do?"

"Can you perform miracles?" He teased.

"Sadly not." 

They both turned when they heard more footsteps behind them.

"Mr. Tomlinson," Dr. Jones said.  He glanced at Harry.  "I...I need to speak to you in private."

Louis glanced at Harry.  "You can speak freely in front of him.  He's family."

Dr. Jones sighed.  "I've just examined William again," he said and paused momentarily.  "There is nothing else that we can do for him.  His immune system is just too weak and he's not responding to any of the treatments."

Louis felt his knees weaken and Harry put his arm around his shoulders.

"How much time?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.

The doctor glanced between them.  "No more than a few hours.  I wish there was more we could do.   I'm so very sorry." He said and walked away from them.

Harry steered Louis to a nearby couch and they sat down.  "I'm so sorry Lou," he said.

Louis couldn't stop his tears.  He buried his face in his hands.  "My....my son....." he sobbed.

Harry wrapped his arm around his shoulders and held his friend as he cried.  He felt his own eyes moisten with tears.  

"I....I have to tell Marian.  This is going to kill her.  William is her whole world."

"I know Lou.  I know."  He didn't know what to say.  "Do you want me to speak to anyone?"

Louis wiped his face.  He needed to try to be as strong as he could.  "Yeah," he said.  "Can....can you tell Kaia and Zayn?" He asked.  "I'll....I'll tell her parents and then I'll....." he sighed heavily.  "Then I'll tell Marian."

"I can do that," he said.  He stood up.  "Lou I'm so sorry." He turned and slowly walked down the hallway.  He found himself by the NICU.  He walked over the door and knocked.

"May I help you?" One of the nurses asked.

"Might....might I see Master Tomlinson.  I'm his uncle."

"Of course," she said.  "I just need you to gown up," she said and gestured towards where the gowns were kept.  "I'll get him ready."

Harry put a gown on and stepped inside the NICU.  He slowly made his way to where the nurse was waiting.  She put William in his arms.

"I'll give you a few moments."

Harry held the little bundle in his arms as close as he could.  He could see how ill William was and he felt as if his heart was being ripped in two.  "Oh little one," he said softly.  "You don't deserve this.  You should be growing up.  Getting ready to play football.  Getting ready to drive your mummy insane with your stubbornness because I know you have it just like she does," he said through a weak smile.  He bent his head down and kissed William's head.  "I'm so sorry William.  I'm so bloody sorry."  He kissed him again and handed him back to the nurse.  He needed to leave.  He wanted to run away, but he knew he couldn't.  He threw the gown into the bin and went in search of Kaia and Zayn.  He found them in the room that they had first heard the news.   She was staring out the window.  He saw that it had started to snow.