Reasons

Chapter 37

Rylie's POV

Gemma's apartment looked like an odd familiar. Some things didn't change, like the creeks in the floorboard, or the stained carpet. However, some distinct changes existed. Her beige couch was replaced with a later sectional. A table with four chairs took the place of the one empty kitchen area. The old wallpaper was ripped away and replaced with a nude paint. All-in-all, it felt more homey. Maybe it was for the baby to be, since it should be due any day now.

I took a seat on the lush couch and stretched my legs out across Harry's lap. I missed this boy. I missed everything about him. I only had half a semester to go, then I would be his and he would be mine.

Gemma timidly sat across from us and Will wrapped a comforting arm around her. Something has got her all worked up. I wished I could help her, but it wasn't as simple as it sounded.

A deep breath; a long pause. Finally, she murmured, "I am not sure how to say this." Her eyes were a red, as if she had already been in tears before she even came to pick us up from the airport. Her hands were lightly shaking. I didn't comment; I don't need to make her more nervous than she already is. "A month ago, we were in an accident. The airbag was signaled and hit my stomach," she began. I could already feel my heart pounding a mile a minute in my chest. "At first...Xavier was fine, but then...this week his heart began to stop beating. It would beat less and less. And...he wasn't moving all that much anymore," she continued. She hiccuped, tried to continue, but then hiccuped again.

Will decided to take the lead. "They had to do a C-section. They didn't want to risk anymore damage by trying a natural birth. He was born a little less than three weeks early," he started, taking Gemma's hand and giving it a light squeeze, as if to soften the blow. "He is fine, or they say he is. But, they have told us he will suffer from it...," he continued.

I wasn't sure how to react. I was overjoyed that the baby was okay; I love children, and I couldn't imagine how horrid it would be if the two lost him.

"May I see him?" I ask, standing.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go to the hospital."
--
The hospital appeared, smelled, and run like any other hospital. But what set it apart was that my mother nor my sweet Marcus were beyond those doors. Instead, my best friend's baby was there. I guess, that was what I would need to accept. I stopped to stare into the window. The little child was hooked up to every chord known to mankind. He was small and fragile, but he was breathing, somewhat.

"Oh, look at him," I whisper, gripping Harry's warm hand. He was so much warmer than me. I stared up into his green eyes and smiled slightly to myself. Harry wasn't the most heartwarming to children, but he did get along with Marcus. Actually, from what he had told me, he visited him everyday in the hospital until he was released, and then he would still swing by his house to visit every now and again.

A soft whimper was sound. I released my hold on Harry and murmured, "I will be right back." I walk away and take Gemma's hand. I pulled her into a hug; she cried softly and stayed quiet. Sometimes, friends just needed a shoulder to cry on. Literally.

--
After the visit to Xavier, we-as in Harry and I- decided to give Gemma and Will some time alone. We took a stroll in the somewhat warm London air. My arm was looped lazily through his.

"How is school?" He inquired. He had grown a shadow since the last time I saw him. His hair was longer than I remembered as well.

"Great. I have amazing friends. The 'school' part isn't that great though," I state with a growing smile. "How about work? Did you make it to an acceptable job?" I ask.

He stays quiet momentarily, evaluating the situation I presume. "Yeah. I own a store. Well, actually a book store. It started small, but now I make a pretty good profit," he explains.