Same Old Love (sequel to Heartbreak Girl)

seventeen.

A S H T O N

"Oh, Mummy," I groaned into her hand, as I held onto it for dear life. "I told you to get a checkup ages ago. I knew something like this would happen."

She smiled at me weakly. "It'll be alright, love. I'm just happy I got to see all of you happy."

If only you knew, Mum. "We need to get you some kind of treatment. You can't wait with these things. I'll discuss it with the doctor."

My mum shook her head vehemently. "You heard the doctor, Ashton. There isn't much time left. Besides, our family needs the money right now."

My eyes widened. "Did Bella tell you?" I felt myself angering, my sister putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"She did, but only when I forced her to. Don't yell at the poor thing. She's trying her best."

Trying her best at home with a man that is not her husband. I came to the gut-wrenching  realization that Harry and Bella were at home. Alone. Only with the most oblivious children on Earth.

"Mum, nothing's wrong. We have it all under control. You're already so far ahead- we need to treat it now." My tone was urgent. I had heard what the doctor said.

My mother smiled at me weakly. "Son, go home. I have accepted my fate. You must too."

I ignored my mum and sat with doctor, discussing potential treatment options. He recommended the prestigious hospital where Riley and Will were born and handed me a paper. My gaze lingered at the costly treatments, but I shook it off. We'll figure it out. I know we will.

H A R R Y

"Bella," I called, as I knocked on her closed door. "Bella, I need to talk to you."

Hesitantly, she opened the door. Her eyes were lost and a bit distracted, but she welcomed me into her bedroom without further discussion.

It felt like I was overstepping some sort of boundary, entering her bedroom. The bed was unmade and her flowery scent invaded my senses. It was almost as if my fantasy of her was being further humanized. Not good for my rapid heartbeat.

"Listen, I wanted to say that I feel like I'm intruding on you guys... I mean, it's been over a week already. I think Elizabeth and I should head back home," I said, tension laced in my words.

"No," Bella said, a bit too quickly. "Y-You can't. I need you, Harry."

"Bells... you have a husband. You need to support him right now, and frankly, I'm just in the way of that." I struggled to remain the voice of reason, but my mum was right. I couldn't follow my heart with this one.

Bella stared at me, tears glossing over her eyes. She inched closer, and we stayed in that position for what felt like an eternity. "Harry," she finally whispered.

I hummed in response, reveling in her scent and in her presence, so close to me.

"What do you suggest one does when they really want something they shouldn't?"

Despite the confusion I had in regards to her question, I answered. "I think, hypothetically, one should do it. Because you only live once and it's better to have regrets than to spend your whole life wondering what could've been."

In that moment, her plump lips came in contact with my own, and suddenly, I lost control over all of my senses.

Losing my self in her passionate, love-filled kiss, I allowed myself to temporarily forget Ashton and the three children still under the same roof.

Because in that moment, I was kissing the only woman I had ever loved. The woman I was stupid enough to lose. The woman I spent the last fifteen years dreaming about. She was kissing me. And in that moment only, she was mine again.

We pulled apart, and Bella still managed to flash me her world-famous, head-turning grin. For a few minutes, we were two teenagers traveling the world together and utterly in love again. "Don't go," she whispered.

I wanted to remind her of her husband. How complicated everything would be. How we couldn't continue this because I would never let her cheat on him. But I found myself giving in and instead I simply said, "Okay."

a/n:
wow... it's been.... over a year.
i'm sorry. truly. i'm back and will try to finish this story. please show me some love if you're still here :)

unedited... i'll fix that later.

-midnightxmemoriesx