Minding Grace

20: We will find a way through the dark

Harry wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep for when he woke up suddenly, but judging by how dark it was, he knew it was some time in the middle of the night.

The warm body next to him had him wide awake in seconds as the image of a shaking Grace lying on the floor came flooding back, an image that he knew he'd never be able to rid himself of.

She was still asleep next to him, the steady rhythm of her breathing the only sound in the room.

He was under the blanket with her, something he didn't remember doing but he must have moved under it some time during the night in his sleep.

Harry wondered if he should leave her be to keep sleeping or whether he should stay until she woke up.

Or maybe he should her wake her up?

What would he say to her though?

He slowly sat himself up and rubbed at his eyes however he didn't have any more time to think when the door to Grace's room opened slowly and someone walked in, closing it behind them.

It didn't take a genius to figure who it was by their outline.

James.

And Harry was in bed with his wife.

He was well and truly fucked.

Harry held his breath, he could make out the faint outline of James walking over to the bathroom and turning the light on, allowing enough light to pour into the room to bathe it in a soft light.

Harry watched as James opened a cabinet and appeared to be searching for something, reaching out and grasping it in his hands when he did.

He closed the cabinet and looked at the small bottle in his hand, shaking his head and letting out a noise before walking back into the bedroom.

Harry wasn't sure if he was going to throw up or piss his pants as James reached for a chair, heading around to the side where Harry was currently frozen in place.

"Don't move Harry," he said in a low voice, "you'll only wake her."

Harry watched as James sat the chair down next to him and then sat himself on it, sighing heavily as he looked at Grace.

Harry didn't know what to say, what to do, fear and confusion flowing through his body as he waited.

"Rosie told me what happened tonight," he began, leaning forward and looking at his hands as though there was something on them, "thank you for being here for her, for helping her."

Harry still didn't know what he should say to the man that was sitting on a chair next to him as he sat next to his wife in her bed.

He must be dreaming.

Surely.

"You and Grace seem to have gotten pretty close?" he asked.

Harry swallowed nervously.

"She's...she's great," Harry replied.

Harry mentally facepalmed himself at his response.

"She is," James replied with a wry smile, "she always has been."

"I can explain-" Harry began, trying to offer the reason to where he currently sat but James held up his hand to stop him.

"I know," he said, "I know everything Harry," he paused, "well maybe you can clarify some things I've heard?"

Harry nodded, swallowing nervously again.

"Are you sleeping with my wife?" he asked.

"No!" Harry immediately replied, horrified at the question.