Charlie

Chapter 9

Once Louis left, Harry stayed on the floor for a few minuets before gathering himself and going to take a shower.

Harry Hoyt out of the bathroom and put on some clean clothes, not forgetting to text his husband apologies to hopefully coax him back.

Eventually he got a reply from Louis and it read

Husband💙
I'm okay.

Husband💙
I'm on my way home.

Husband💙
I'm sorry.

Harry sniffled and sat at the kitchen table to twiddle his thumbs as he awaited his husband's return.

A few minutes later a sad Louis walked through the door and immediately pulled Harry up and cradled him softly in his arms before breathing out "I'm sorry." Into his neck. Harry sighed and pulled Louis closer and reveled in the homey feeling of his arms.

Harry pulled back and sat back down. "No. I'm sorry. I've been so cut off and insensitive since Charlie's funeral and that's not fair to you or me. I know I don't have the healthiest coping mechanisms but I want you there with me. I want to be your partner through all of this. I know I've made you upset with the whole saying 'I love you' thing." He paused as his vice cracked. He cleared his throat and blinked slowly before continuing. "I didn't say it. I was in my studio that morning and I didn't tell Charlie I loved her. She left for school and got hit by a car and I didn't even get to say 'I love you' to her before she... I can't make the same mistake with you Lou." Harry said and looked up into hid soul mate's eyes that were also filling with tears.

Louis pulled them up once again and held Harry close and ashes softly and stroked his hair as he cried. They were going to get through this and they would do it together.

Harry stroked Louis' cheek and kissed him softly. "I know what I need to do. To make myself understand and accept what happened."

Louis looked up anxiously "Harry you don't have to do that right away if you need more time."

Harry shushed him and took the towel from his head and quickly tossed it into the laundry room. He made him way to where his keys were thrown carelessly in the counter among his baking supplies.

Louis was struggling to keep up with what all harry was doing so he eventually rested his hand on Harry's shoulder to stop him. "Hey. Gorgeous how about you tell me what it is we're doing now huh? You're scaring me a bit  love."

Harry took a deep breath and turned to Louis and told him what would help him. "I need to go to her grave Louis. I have to see it. I need to make myself know that it is real and that it happened so I can finally come to terms with it instead of bottling my feelings in such an unhealthy manner."

Louis was shocked to say the least. His face went a shade whiter and he visibly gulped. "If that will help you then that's what we'll do love. But it's getting late. Maybe we should go in the morning? I'll have Eleanor watch my class for an hour or so. Yeah?"

Gantry shook his head and continued walking around the room and gathering his things. "No Louis. I need to go tonight before my nerve is gone and then I'll never go and I have to do this. You will go with me right?" He says with a childlike hope in his eyes.

Louis grabs his hand and pulls him slightly toward the door, a smile on his beautiful face. "Of course I will gorgeous. I'll go anywhere with you."

So Harry followed Louis the door, Louis obviously opening the doors for Harry  shutting them like a gentleman. A heavy silence hung between them. Sitting like weights on their chest as they made their way to the cemetery, neither of them saying a word.

They pulled into the parking lot and hesitated before stepping out of the car. The night was chilly and Harry shivered, so naturally Louis pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around him.

They made their way to where the gravestone would be, polished and new. Harry slowed as he saw the name engraved on the slab of granite. "Here lies Charlie Tomlinson. A daughter, granddaughter, friend and angel."

There were candles and flowers piled around the area, the earth still slightly fresh from where the hole was dug. Harry ran his fingers over a small angel figurine left by Simeon who came to pay their respects and the cool stone that held his baby's name and he met out a heart wrenching sob that made Louis drop down next to him and pull him close.

Harry yelled her name in a whisper, almost as if he couldn't breathe and Louis held onto his trembling body as he screamed and mourned his daughter truthfully for the first time. He quieted down and spoke so softly, as if he were holding her as a baby again. "I'm so sorry my love. I love you so much. You'll never know how much I love you baby." He sniffled and sat there for a few minutes, wrapped up in his husband's embrace, speaking unintelligibly to the night.

The cold eventually became too much for them and Harry couldn't find it in himself to get up so Louis scooped him up and Harry spoke his thanks and enjoyed being this close to his husband as he got placed carefully in the car.

The ride home was filled with a whirring heater and hand kisses and soft knee caresses from Louis, comforting Harry as the realization of the tragedy set in. Yet, it would all be okay.

Everything would be okay because Louis and Harry had each other. They are stronger together and that's how they would survive.
Together.

Thank you for reading.