COLOURS II

XXXXII

"I love to wake up next to you"

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Louis woke up once again to an empty house, a frown taking over his face as he reached over to grab his phone, eyes squinting as they adjusted to the brightness of the screen.

From Hannah: Kids dropped off at school, I finish work at around 5:30 so please pick them up, love you xx

Louis smiled at her affectionate text, replying quickly as he rolled out of bed to have a shower. He didn't feel Hannah leave the bed that morning, he knew she was stressed and it was taking a toll on her, eyes droopy and bags getting heavier underneath. They had a routine where she'd drop them off at school before work and he'd pick them up. Days she wasn't at work she'd still pop into the hospital just to see Declan. Louis was unsure what to do, everything he seemed to do was wrong and lead to endless bickering. He was afraid of losing her again but was also afraid of her overworking herself. He was in a constant battle with what to do which lead him to where he was now, sat with Jace on his lunch break picking at the greens from his panini.

"I think you need to take her away from it, even if it's for a few hours. You just need to break her out of that cycle." Jace advised cautiously, not wanting to be the one to cause more havoc in their relationship however wanting the best for his close friend.

"I've tried, but every time I intervene with her routine she gets cold and snaps at me." Louis couldn't help but pout, Jace raising an eyebrow at his whinging tone.

"Have you ever considered a babysitter? Or even daycare? There's those services which pick up kids from school and you can pick them up in the evening at like 6, it's for parents who work later." Jace didn't want to announce that him and Dylan were looking into adoption. It was obviously not next in plan as none of them had yet to propose but children was something they both wanted.

"Hannah doesn't trust that, she had a babysitter back in France and something happened, she won't elaborate." Louis felt like he was at a dead end, like he was watching himself lose the girl he loved once again.

Jace's phone rang, causing his eyes to light up when he notices Dylan's name. Before he could stand to excuse himself Louis tells him to stay put, making his way out of the coffee shop for a needed smoke break, the stress straining him immensely. He scrolled through his phone as he inhaled the smoke, looking into daycares and pondering over the thought, scared of the backlash from Hannah if she were to disagree with it. He went to compose a text to her, frowning when he didn't know how to word it before deciding to just ask her at home later. He stubbed out his cigarette before entering the coffee shop again, just as Jace ends the call with Dylan, an uncontrollable smile slapped on his facade.

They spoke for longer before Jace had to go back to work, patting Louis' back for good luck before he walked off, Louis left alone with his thoughts as he stared outside.

Take her away... even just for a few hours...

He grabbed his phone, an idea popping into his head as he tapped away.

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Hannah smiled as she stepped into Declan's room, fingers brushing through his wavy locks as he slept, machines beeping steadily to remind her he was ok. The doctors had said everything was going to plan, that they were positive he'd be out before Halloween. She reached out for his hand, clasping it in her own as she adjusted the blankets, leaning down to press a kiss on his cheek as she fondly looked down at him, feeling at peace knowing he was. She found herself wandering in here during lunch breaks, often skipping out on eating as she wasn't a big fan of the vegetarian options at the cafeteria and she didn't want to waste time driving out for food as she wanted to make sure Declan was ok. She jolted when the door suddenly opened, relaxing when it was just Dylan, a smile returning to her face as he entered, handing her a bag which she frowned at.