Not So Simple

Chapter Fourteen

A week later and Louis is feeling one hundred percent better.

Or at least that's what Harry thought. Apparently not, though, because late one night (3:38 a.m., to be exact) Harry's awoken by the sound of Louis retching. He hurries out of bed despite his initial grogginess, padding to the toilet where Louis is. When he opens the door, the familiar smell of vomit fills his nostrils and he almost gags as well. It's not until Harry catches sight of Louis, however, that he really feels bad.

He's hunched over the toilet, gripping onto it so tightly that his knuckles have turned white. Harry can't see his face, but just the noises of discomfort and the light sobs shaking his body are enough for him to sink down onto his knees next to Louis, rubbing his fingers across his back. Louis jumps, which tells Harry he didn't hear him enter, and looks at Harry with wide, tear-filled eyes.

"Haz, I-"

"Shh, it's alright, I'm here," Harry soothes, kissing Louis' shoulder chastely. It's quiet in the room after that, and Louis moves to flush the toilet, letting out a breathy sigh. He squeezes his eyes closed and wraps an arm around his stomach, still looking quite pale.

They must sit like that for a long time, Harry stroking Louis' back while he slowly starts to relax and calm down. Harry can't help but feel concerned. He has questions brewing in his mind about, well, about why this is happening, obviously. Louis had told him about the incident last week, but he'd blamed that on stress. Louis said he'd been worrying and crying so much that it had led to him getting sick. But was that the case?

"How long has this been happening?" Harry asks softly.

Louis' eyes flutter down to his stomach and a frown tugs at his lips. He looks ashamed. "Ever since that one day where I got really sick and fell asleep by the sink."

"That's was a week ago!" Harry splutters. "L-Louis, how come you didn't say anything?" And how in the world did Harry not recognise until just now? Talk about feeling like a bad boyfriend...

"I didn't want you to worry. I know that nothing's wrong with me." Harry opens his mouth to respond, but Louis keeps talking. "I did some research and apparently it's common for some people to get morning sickness not only the first trimester of their pregnancy, but in their third, too. I've just got another bout of morning sickness, I suppose."

Harry holds Louis impossibly closer to his chest, pity encircling his heart. Poor Louis; having one trimester of morning sickness was more than enough. Louis had the misfortune of having two.

"Are you angry?" ponders Louis quietly, finally being able to meet Harry's eyes.

"No, of course not!" soothes Harry. "I just wish you would've told me sooner. Do you still feel poorly at the moment?"

Louis shakes his head and Harry helps him stand up, grasping onto his hands once they're standing. Louis sways a little at first, but Harry keeps him steady by wrapping a sturdy arm around his waist.

"Okay?" Harry asks, smiling when Louis nods. "I think it'd be a good idea to brush your teeth, love. I'm sure you don't want that taste in your mouth. I'll be in the bedroom, alright?"

Louis only nods once more and turns on the sink, which Harry takes as his sign to leave. Once he's back into their bedroom, he plops down onto the bed, just lying there for a moment before getting out his phone. He's aware that it's four o'clock in the morning, but doctor's offices have voicemail, don't they? Harry needs to book an appointment for Louis to see if they truly are having twins.

The thought puts a dimpled grin on Harry's face... twins.

He leaves a message after the beep, saying that Louis needs another appointment booked and to call him back later. He figures that's good enough and ends the call, putting his phone back on the nightstand. He wraps himself in blankets and closes his eyes, about to fall asleep when he feels the bed shift. Automatically, he wraps an arm around Louis' waist, basking in his warmth and how nicely their bodies seem to align.