Catch Me If You Can (Sequel to To Find You)

And I'm Locking Up Anyone Who's Every Laid a Finger on Me

"I'm so sorry for not being here sooner," he said quietly, scooting towards her. "I should've been here."

"You're here now," she smiled sadly. " and I hate that you have to be here in the first place."

"Me too. What triggered you?"

She took a deep breath, her ribs rattling. "Carter wanted me to meet up with some old friends from high school. And for some reason, it made me think about what I was like before I relapsed. How I was positive and passionate. And then I realized just how horrible I am."

"Oh, Olivia." He stood up from the chair and leaned over to embrace her. She gladly laced her fingers around his neck and pulled him down to be closer to her. He was her home.

"Get in here," she begged.

Louis didn't even take a second to reconsider. He climbed into her bed after she scooted over to let him have more room. He immediately wrapped an arm around her in order to bring her closer. "Hey lovely," he murmured. "I've got you. I've got you. You're safe."

Louis thought about how lucky he was that her attempt had failed. He carded his fingers through her hair and smiled when he realized how long it had gotten. But then frowned when he pulled a clump out.

"We've got to get some food into you," he said into her hair, kissing it. He couldn't see her face, she had buried it deep under his arm. He felt her shudder when he said his words but then she relaxed. "Okay," she said defeated. "Okay." 

"You're hurting me by doing this."

"I know." 

"Then why don't you stop?" he breathed in frustration. He stopped rubbing her head but then resumed once she let out a pitiful whine. 

"You wouldn't understand," she said her recorded answer. He pinched her side but immediately felt bad when he saw her wince. "It doesn't hurt me enough," she said into his arm. 

He sighed and smoothed his hand down her side, eyebrows furrowing when he felt a bump. "What the hell is that?"

"A pump. You're not the only one who knows I don't like eating."

"Oh god, babydoll." This was becoming all too real. "I wish I could just protect you from yourself."

"Louis," she said thickly. She brought her head up from his arm and looked him in the eyes after laying back on her pillow. She was on the verge of crying. "Sometimes, sometimes I really wanna  stop.  For you." A few drops fell. 

He smiled, wiping the tears away from her cheek. "That means so much sweet pea." 

"But then," she breathed in heavily." But then, like, my mind won't stop. You want to know what happens when I have a panic attack? I can't-"

"Feel your hands," he finished for her. She looked at him with wide eyes. She always forgot just how much he knew about her. "Your eyes get a little glassy and you always have to sit down with your legs pulled up to your chest," he tucked a curl behind her ear. "Your breathing gets ragged and you close your eyes so so tightly I swear you see red." 

"I do."

"Sweetheart," he said. "I want you to promise me something."

She nodded.

"I want you to let me be a father to you. For real this time. I want you to let me yell at you and tell you to do chores and let me buy things for you. Let me provide for you. And lastly, let me protect you. God, let me protect you with every fibre of my being. I have this paternal instinct towards you and after this," he motioned to the entire hospital room," I want to use it to its full capacity. I want to tuck you in at night and kiss you on the forehead. I don't care that you're sixteen, you're always going to be the little fifteen year old I first laid eyes on. I love you, Olivia. And you know that. And I know you love me too, let me just prove it to you."

"Okay," she mouthed out." Okay. You can protect me."

"Thank you," he sighed in relief. "Thank you so much. Let me treat you like you're child for a little while, okay?"

"Okay," she said once more. "Okay."

And so she snuggled up into the strong arms of her protector, and for the first time in a very long time, did not feel afraid that he was going to leave.