Wistful Paradise / H.S. [COMPLETE]

One

Six and a half months prior

Harry

Coming home always feels good. After a month or even after a week, like it was now, it always feels good to come home to my wife and dog. There is something refreshing about stepping inside our home and smelling the familiar scent of vanilla candles Florence seems to love.

I walked into the hallway, following the path into the living room. Nothing looks out of place and I am happy to see that she hadn't gotten rid of the white cushion she spilt on a few days ago. She called me up that night, crying about a fucking cushion. When I asked her what was so special about the cushion, she simply told me it smelled like me and she always hugs it in front of the television whenever she misses me.

I dropped my bags on the floor as I called out her name. "Flo?" I yelled out, watching how our dog jogged up to me. I squatted down, scratching behind his ear. "Hi, Bono, how are you, boy?"

Flo made me name our puppy Bono as she practically grew up with U2, loving the songs and seeing them live for a few too many concerts. Bono was also one of her dads' best friends and Flo didn't want a name like Max or Buddy, she wanted something more original.

I got so caught up in our Golden Retriever when he lied down in his back, aching for his stomach to get patted, that I didn't realise I haven't gotten an answer from her.

"Florence?" I yelled out again, watching our puppy in pure adoration. I still didn't get an answer, yet her car was in the driveway. Normally I would find her sprinting towards me, jumping into my arms after being away for too long but something was different today.

"Babe, where are you?" I stood up, letting Bono out the backdoor before heading into the kitchen. I kept calling out her name as I headed up the stairs and into our bedroom, not finding her there too.

I slightly panicked as I reached for the bathroom handle, slowly opening it. "Flo?" I called out once again, sticking my head through the door and that's when I spotted her.

She sat next to the toilet, hugging her knees as she cried, hiding behind the long strands of her hair. I heard her quiet sniffles, feeling my heart breaking into a million pieces as I carefully stepped closer, dropping on my knees in front of her.

My hands reached for her trembling fingers and I grabbed them, still feeling the familiar warmth deep down in my stomach. "Baby," I whispered, knowing that she would tell me what is up once she has calmed down. I grabbed her fingers, wrapping them around my neck as I reached for her knees. I spread them open, pulling her into my lap as I hugged her close, hoping she would feel my warmth and safety. "Tell me what's wrong, love."

She shook her head into my chest, her heartbreaking sobs turned into howls and I was slowly losing my mind over the fact that I was kept in the dark. I wanted to take her pain away but I couldn't because I didn't know what was going on. I reached for her face and slowly moved it so I could look into those beautiful eyes of hers.

Her eyes were full of guilt and shame and I had to stop myself from thinking the worst. She took a deep, shaky breath before her eyes landed on mine. "I fucked up," She whispered shakily, before starting to cry again.

Her cries felt like knives going right through my heart. She was devastated and I needed to know why. My arms wrapped around her waist, holding her for a second until her crying was too hard for me to hear.

"Hey, hey," I sussed, making her look at me. My thumbs reached under her eyes, wiping away the tears that were cascading down her cheeks. "It will be fine, darling. Tell me what's wrong."

"I can't, you'll hate me," She murmured, her fingers were clamping my shirt tightly and I frowned at her.

"I can't ever hate you," I chuckled, not believing the words she was telling me. "Flo, I'm gonna take you to bed so you can lay down, alright?"