Piper ~ H.S

~Eighty-Two~

A/N: Hey guys so I'm pretty sure I'm not high anymore so this chapter shouldn't be as weird as the last one lol. There is a lot of time skipping in this one tho cuz I got stuck quite a few times. Sorry guys <3

"Scott, y-you really do think you'll be able to help Harry, right..?" I asked Harry's new therapist, "I just...really want to be sure that I'm leaving him in good hands."

"I'll do the best I can for him, Leah," he replied, "that's a promise."

I bit my lip. "I don't know...m-maybe I should stay with him just a little bit longer...instead of leaving him this quickly..."

"I understand why you'd want to do that, but I'd advise against it," he said.

"Why?" I asked him.

"Leah, while it has its differences, separation anxiety in adults is still quite similar to that of children," Scott explained, "the longer you stay with Harry, the harder it's gonna be for him to part from you."

"I...I know that, but..." I began, "but maybe...a day or two more wouldn't hurt..?"

"Leah, Harry's condition has been left untreated for two months. His separation anxiety is already bad enough, and we can't get started on his treatment so long as you're here, because when you are here, there's nothing wrong with him. The longer he stays untreated, the worse his condition will get. If you want him to get better as soon as possible, we shouldn't delay the treatment any further."

I let out a long sigh and lowered my eyes before nodding.

"You're right. I know you're right," I replied in a low voice, "I'm just so worried about him..." I felt tears starting to prick at my eyes, "despite how much I want him to get better, a part of me just...wants to take him home right now – and let him be around me and Piper and our baby...and stop all of this from happening to him..."

"That would only be a temporary solution, Leah," Scott reminded me gently, "taking him home will change his mood instantly, but the next time he has to leave, he'll plummet straight back into everything he's experiencing right now. You know that."

I sniffled and nodded again. "I know. But after seeing how bad he is...I don't want to leave him..." my voice broke a little, "I just want to look after him..."

"I know, Leah," Scott's voice was soft with sympathy, "but even during these few days you've been with him, he would've already grown more dependent on you. We need to help him become more independent again. And that's why, if I were you, I would still leave tomorrow as planned."

I sighed shakily – biting my lip as I felt a single tear sliding down my cheek.

"OK..." I reluctantly agreed, "OK, Scott. I'll leave tomorrow, but..." I looked at him hopefully, "you'll...you'll keep me updated on his progress...r-right..?"

"Of course," Scott nodded and smiled warmly before pulling a card out from his jacket pocket, "here – take this. It's got my number on it. You can call me to check up on him whenever you want."

"Oh, th-thank you..." I sniffled and wiped my eyes with a smile as I took the card, "thank you so much, Scott."

"No need to thank me," he said, "try to put your mind at ease, Leah, and enjoy your last night in Mexico."

***

"Harry?" I came in from the en suite to see that Harry was already laying in bed with his back facing me, "Are you asleep?"

"No," he replied quietly.

"Are you OK..?" I asked him anxiously.

"No," he said again before pushing himself into a sitting-up position, "you're leaving tomorrow, Leah. Of course I'm not OK."