Stronger

Chapter 13

"Are you okay?" Charlie asked, a little taken aback by my realization.

What the actual fuck?

How could things be much worse?

"I'm, uh-" I was about to speak when Lily's phone rang again, the same annoying Caribbean ringtone ungraciously playing.

"Fuck shit, it's Seren again," Lily moaned, basically punching the phone with her finger.

"What do you want now woman?"

"Um, who told you that?"

"No, you don't need to do that."

"Shit, she didn't."

"Well, I rode my bike, so I guess you'll need to, I wasn't exactly thinking."

"5 minutes? Okay. Now bye," were her last words before she threw her phone onto the floor, disregarding it's fragility.

"What'd she want now?" Charlie questioned, seeming rather confused at Lily's irrational behavior.

"You didn't drive here, you rode in the ambulance with Harry and I ride my bike, so she's coming to get you and possibly him as well."

Me?

"How did she know I was here?"

"Well, you told Louis that you were going to the hospital for a friend and he told her and yada yada."

My stomach tightened at the sound of his name.  I'm still not over what I have caused and I don't know how long that'll last; a long time I presume.

"Well damn," Charlie sighed, sitting back down in the uncomfortable chair.

"I guess I'll head out babe, you know, keep the chickens in check," Lily announced, playfully kissing Charlie on the lips before walking over to the door, turning to face me once halfway out.

"And Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't give up," and with that she was out the door.

Don't give up.

The words echoed through my head, the meaning having a deeper impact on me than she knew.

I sighed heavily, looking over to Charlie who was staring at the ground while twiddling her fingers.

"Are you nervous?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Of what?"

"Well, like, the baby. Are you nervous about what's gonna happen after he/she is born?"

My question wasn't meant as a joke but I guess that's how she saw it, for she was laughing like a mad man.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Oh no no no," she began between short bursts of giggling, "I'm just really tired and that question has a very obvious answer."

"It does?"

"I mean, yeah. It's a baby, another life. I don't think there's enough preparation in the world that could prepare me for giving birth to a child."

Her words were so genuine and sincere, which made me smile. It was rather refreshing to converse with someone who had a positive outlook on life. Something I lacked.

"You want to know why it's worth it though?" Charlie continued, looking at me for the go ahead to proceed. I nodded.

"Because of Lily, we may have out ups and downs, but beyond all else, I love her more than anything in this world. I honestly wouldn't be here without her, ya know? She saved me, literally. I was in the same boat as you, confused and lonely, but then Lily came along with her smart ass mouth and useless verbiage and brought me back to the light. A light I don't want to lose, ever. So whenever you think you have nowhere to go or no one to talk to, just know that there is someone out there for you, waiting, worrying, trying to find the right one. The right Charlie. You're your own Charlie, Harry. I hope you don't repeat any of the last days events so you can find your Lily."