All For One (Depression)

Part 22 - War is Love

<Louis's POV>

I'm glad I got all that shit out of the way with chatting to Zayn. I feel a bit better now knowing that he's got my back. Still, in my dream, he was the one that kidnapped me. I still get confused with it all. Ah what the hell anyway? Haha it's just a dream, right? Why would Zayn kidnap me and kill me? Yet, I do question how I ended up in the woods. It's a scary thing to be out there for one. Second, it all started in the woods. Ugh, get it together, Tommo. You're fine! Stop having these stupid things in your head!!

When I saw the other boys come walking back into my room, I just knew that things may not be the same again. After all, they did just see me hug Zayn (who I had a bit of a falling out with in previous days). They're probably wondering what the hell happened to me. I guess near death experiences bring out the best in me for some reason. If only mum was here. She'd know what to do right now. She was always smart with that kind of stuff. Hmm shit, maybe I miss her. ;)

<no POV>

It wasn't until that last few days of Louis's time in the hospital when he received an unexpected visit from someone. The boys were astounded by his big leather jacket and his pointy shaped head, thinking he was all cool and everything. As he stepped in, Louis's eyes turned facing the other way so he wouldn't have to gaze upon his. But for once, it was a different story.

"Louis......I don't want any trouble. I just want to talk to you," Troy said.

Right away, Liam stepped in front of his bandmate, not giving the buff lad a chance to see his son. The rest of them followed. They didn't want Louis to be hurt anymore by a member of his own family. The way he was treated shouldn't be how it was for him.

"Louis doesn't wanna see you right now," Harry stated, pointing his arm towards the door and wanting Louis's father to leave so desperately.

"Just hear me out. I'm not here to fight, boys."

Niall came up, fully pressing his grip on Troy's hand. As soon as ever, the Irish boy bolted sideways, trying to turn his body so the tall man would walk out the door. He wouldn't. Troy simply pushed Niall aside with a strong force from his hand. Niall grunted from the man's firm grasp. Troy reached Louis on the bed.

"Louis.......you need to understand something...."

"NO," shouted Louis from the tippy top of his lungs. "YOU DON'T GET TO SPEAK! YOU GAVE UP THAT RIGHT WHEN YOU TOSSED ME AND THE REST OF MY FAMILY AWAY! LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO ME! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING I EVER HAD! I WAS HAPPY, DAD! I WAS SO HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE WITH YOU BEFORE! I WOULD HAVE STAYED WITH YOU FOREVER......but then, look what you did. You tore this family apart. You are the reason she's gone. It all comes back to you now. This was YOUR fault!"

The boys looked at Louis, surprised at the tone of his voice. Not thinking or even knowing that he could ever get so angry. He wasn't himself anymore. He tears on his eyes swelled up large as he continued his raid on his own father. Troy sighed, listening to Louis speak.

"Louis.......you're right, okay? You're right! I was a horrible father. I wasn't there for you or for Johannah when you needed me. I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY THAT I WAS DEALING WITH SO MUCH SHIT THROUGH MY YEARS AND IT RUBBED OFF ONTO ALL OF US! I'M SORRY I DRAGGED YOU INTO EVERY SITUATION THAT I HAD WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE! When I was 25, my parents always said I was "crazy" for drinking all the time and not participating in anything fun anymore. You know what happened to me? I was trying to get over a broken heart. I let that sadness guide me. It took me down a dark dark path, Louis. I never thought I was going to get out. But then, I met your mother. Everything changed when we had you. I was never more happy to be a father. I remember one night, it was storming badly in Doncaster. Thunder rolled across the sky. You crawled into my bed. And I can still hear your little voice at times. "Daddy, I'm afraid." And I guess by instinct, I just said, "don't worry son, everything is going to be fine."  I always loved when you were so scared. Know why? Because I was there to protect you."

"Then why'd you leave us?" Asked Louis, slightly sobbing.

"The things your mother told you, weren't always the truth. Louis, she was having an affair with another man. She knew I wouldn't be able to fully recover from my severe depression so she decided to call it quits and just start fresh with someone else..."

Louis's eyes opened wide, thinking there was just no way his mother would ever do such a disgraceful thing. It never made sense to him. How could someone so sweet and kind do something so cruel and horrible?

"You're lying," Louis called out. "Mum would never...."

"Son, I swear to you it is the truth. I loved you. She loved you too but what she did, wasn't for herself. It was for us. She was only trying to help us as a family. She knew it just wasn't going to work. She thought of me as an addict that was never going to stop. I did stop. I can be a better father, Louis. I have been trying so hard. I love you and I love her."

Suddenly, hands wrapped around the man as he could sense the soft fingers clutching him tight. Louis's shirt now stained with tears was pressed up against his fathers jacket. Troy stroked his son's hair gently, calming him to a soothing massage. Louis cried and cried, awaiting that very moment for so long. The day he and his father would be reunited and forgiven one another. Troy sobbed tears of joy seeing his son hugging him with such emotions of love and forgiveness. The war had ended. The war was lost to the power of Love that the two shared deep inside. Zayn dried his eyes with Niall's brand new "Eagles" T-shirt. Niall tossed his hand across Zayn's face right away as a sudden reflex.

The two father and son were joined together again by forces stronger than anything in the world. They were given hope that their love would once again be restored. It indeed was as they embraced eachother tightly.

"War is love," whispered Liam.

Harry nodded, agreeing with his friend as they stood upon old rivalries now joining forces once again. This time, they were determined to never separate. Father and son reunited for their return to that once happy place. From then on, they tried. They tried to remember Troy Tomlinson as the man who worked hard and attempted to be a good father for his family....for his son. Louis was blessed that he finally understood. It made him feel so happy and good to have a supportive dad now.

(How will the story end? Will Louis be rid of his depression? Can Troy keep his promise to his son? Will Kevin the pigeon return? Okay, forget that last one! ;)