The Writer (AU)

Chapter Thirty Eight-

I laughed. Laughter poured out of me like a waterfall.

"Alright," I guffawed. "Where are the cameras? I know I'm being Punk'd." Tears were forming in m eyes as I looked around for the cameras I knew in my gut weren't there.

"Ellie," Anne sighed.

"Can I see him?" I cried, all of the walls I had worked to rebuild falling down once again. Getting the cop to unlock my handcuff, I stood and followed her down the hallway toward Harry's room.

Nothing could've prepare me for what I saw when I walked in. Harry was hooked to machines, his breathing calm and seemingly level. His eyes turned to me and I lost it all over again.

"Hey," he rasped. "Don't cry. Don't waste your tears on me." I rushed over to him, wrapping my arms around his slender waist and sobbed. The one good thing I had going in my life was being taken away from me. We both laid there, crying, I finally looked up at him and his hands cupped my cheeks.

I didn't want to ask him how long he had. If I did, it'd mean this was really happening and I wasn't ready to accept that yet.

"6 months to 2 years depending on if the treatments work," he whispered. I yet again, continued crying.

"No," I cringed. "No-o" My words came out as scarce as my breath and I now felt like the breath had been taken from my lungs.

"It'll be okay," he murmured.

"I don't wanna lose you."

"I'll always be with you."

"I can't lose you."

"You'll always have me, I promise."

"No I won't, that's basically what's happening!" The tears seemed never-ending and a silence fell around us.

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Through the next two days. I stayed at the hospital 24 hours a day. Never leaving his side or him being out of my sight. I even left the bathroom door open if I had to pee.

"Are you hungry?" Harry asked, coughing lightly.

"I called Catherine and she's bringing some chic-fil-a," I cleared my throat. Harry's phone was constantly ringing with text messages and phone calls and I grabbed it from the table, turning it on complete silent.

There was a small knock on the door and we both looked up to see Anne with food in her hands.

"Catherine dropped this off," she smiled slightly.

"Thanks," I replied, taking the food from her and Harry sat up.

"Thanks mum."

"You're welcome, my darling. Do you lot want anything else? Ellie, coffee?" she asked, kissing Harry's forehead.

"Coffee would be great," I nodded.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked again. "Outside?"

"Um, I don't wanna lea-"

"It's okay, babe. I'm fine for a few minutes," Harry chuckled. Kissing him with all my energy and running my thumb against his cheek bone, I kissed him again and walked into the hallway.

"There's a Starbucks downstairs," Anne smiled. Walking toward the elevators and riding down in silence, we quickly made it toward the cafeteria and the scent of coffee hit my nostrils.

"So," she sighed once we got our coffee and sat down at a table. "How are you feeling?"

"Is there really any proper description?" I sighed, taking a long sip of the scalding coffee.

"No, I guess not."

"I'm sorry, Anne. I haven't slept since he's been here and I feel so selfish that I spend the most time with him out of all of us."

"It's quite alright, love. I've always known one day a girl would come along and take up more of his heart. The love you two have is going through the ultimate test right now. I get that you'd want to spend every moment with him."

"So what's the real reason we came down here?" I asked.

"We both know he's probably going to die," she said bluntly. "We always can be hopeful but we also have to prepare for the worst."

guys... I'm crying.

Much love