When I'm Gone

Louis' POV

“So you met another girl on your flight?” Zayn asks as we're pulling into the parking lot. We live close together so we drove to the hospital.

“Yeah, it was weird. She gave up her first class seat to another guy and was going to sit in coach, but I bought another seat like I always do so I offered it to her.”

“She fit?” I rolled my eyes.

“Very. She was all dressed up too. I swear I've never seen a girl wear a dress and high heels on a cross Atlantic red-eye flight. But she was funny, she's a mum. She's our age but has a three year old girl. She's a widow already.” I still can't get over that.

“That's crazy. You find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with and then he dies. And she's still so young. It's just sad.” Zayn rubs his hands together, the chill in the air is creeping everywhere. “How are things with you and El?” He asks.

“Okay, I guess. She's been really distant lately. We went out to lunch with some of her friends and after she freaked out on me asking if we were getting engaged soon and married soon. It just came out of no where, we talked about it after you and Perrie got engaged and decided we would wait and that we weren’t ready. Now all of the sudden she's ready and she doesn't understand why I'm not ready for it. I'm faithful, I'm not going to cheat on her but she acts like everything will be fixed if we get married.” I explain, I feel like I'm just rambling.

“Perrie went through that phase.”

“So what did you do?” I'm curious.

“I proposed.” We bust out laughing.

“Of course you did. Thanks for the help mate.”

“What I'm here for! Looks like Niall is here. Lets go meet him in the lobby.” He opens his door without me saying anything and I quickly join him, pulling my coat up in the blistery cold.

“Hey Niall.” We bro hug and sit in the chairs.

Quickly Liam and Harry meet up with us.

“You guys ready for this?” I ask. We always have to prepare ourselves for this trip. It's never easy. It's always hard to see anyone sick, let alone someone whose a child.

“I guess. How long are we staying?” Liam asks.

“How ever long we need to.” Harry answers. He's the one that has no problems with staying all day, he gets emotional but he's also the most supportive one of the group, he always knows what to say.

We ride the elevator up in silence. Mentally preparing. People had come earlier in the day dropping off things for us to give to the children, things for us to sign if they wanted it so we just had to bring ourselves.

We walk to quiet halls to the locked pediatric wing and ring the buzzer. It's opened automatically after we say who we are and we take the long journey to the nurses desk in the middle of the floor.

“Hey guys! How's it going?” A cheery brunette asks, she looks familiar but I can't quite put my finger on it. She's wearing dinosaur scrubs. It makes me giggle, these nurses will do anything to make people laugh.

We all grumble pleasantries and introduce ourselves.

“Good, good. Well I'm Dottie, Charge nurse, so this is my floor until seven tonight.” She checks her watch and adjusts it. “You all have a plan? Going to rooms individually? In pairs? All together in a group?” She looks at each one of us as we look at each other.

“I think together at first.” Niall pipes up and we all nod our heads in agreement.

“Okay then. Lets see who we have today.” She messes around on her computer. “OH! I know the perfect girl for you guys to visit. She just came in Sunday for a Bone Marrow transplant.” I cringe at the words. “She's super cheerful. I'll take you to her room.”

She walks out from behind the desk and leads us down the hall to the corner room. “Okay, you guys will need masks, since she's fresh from her transplant we can't risk infection from an outside source. Also use the hand sanitizer and I'll find some gloves for you all to wear.” She walks to what I'm assuming is a storage closet as we all look at each other.

“Bone Marrow transplant? That sounds terrible.” Harry looks concerned.

“It does, lets not show it on our faces though.” I suggest, we all look terrified.

“Here you all go, latex free gloves, she's got a latex allergy.” She waits till we're all prepared. “Ready?” Her eyes bright and cheery as we nod and she walks into the room. She peeks her head around the corner “Hello Livie! I brought some friends.” She turns to us and ushers us in.

My heart stops when I see her. I thought she'd be older. Just this tiny girl, bright smile. IV's sticking out of her arms. She looks so frail but listening to her speak to Dottie her laugh is infectious. I see Zayn with tears in his eyes already. Him and Harry are the most sensitive out of the group I swear.

“Where's your mum?” Dottie asks her.

“Shes getting me chocolate!” She cheers and throws her hands in the air.

“I don't think you need anymore chocolate little lady.” Dottie banters with her.

“But I do, mommy said I could have some.” She throws her chin back proud. “Who are they?” She looks at Dottie first then at us.

“Well these are my friends. That's Niall, Harry, Liam, Zayn, and Louis. They're here to visit you.” She points to each one of us as she tells her our names.

“You have long hair. And so do you.” Livie points to Harry and I.

“We do have long hair. You have long hair too.” I tell her.

“It used to be longer but when I got sick it all fell out.” I rub my face almost not knowing what to say, it's just terrible that she so easily says this. It's not how childhood is suppose to play out.

“Well I”ll just wait around until her mum gets back, she'll be more comfortable with her here.” Dottie tells us.

“Your dad at work?” Liam asks.

“Nope. He's not here.” Livie answers quickly.

“Ah, well what do you want to do?” He asks pulling up a chair to sit next to her.

“Color!” She practically shouts and I can't contain my laughter. For being sick she's pretty cheerful.

“Hey! I'm back, I got your favorite kit-kat bars in the vending machine!” I look up, I instantly know that voice. I turn around to see her.

“Louis?” She just as shocked as I am.

“Kate.”

Notes

What is going on?? Anyone see that coming?

I"ll update tomorrow.

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