Enticing 61 (Patreon)

Author's note: hello everyone, here is a new chapter of Enticing. It's not completely 3K words, but it's all because I wanted to leave it at a hangcliff.

word count: 2.6K

It had been longer than Y/N had anticipated, longer than she had hoped for. With a mixture of relief and trepidation, she was finally being discharged from the hospital, despite still needing some ongoing care. Alessandra was also discharged, but with the aid of oxygen to support her developing lungs.

Yet, amidst the relief of leaving the hospital, there lingered a heavy cloud of uncertainty. Harry remained unresponsive, and the doctors' words weighed heavily on Y/N's mind. They had begun to hint at the possibility of a grim outcome, preparing her for the worst.

As she gathered her belongings and prepared to leave, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of her stomach. The thought of facing the unknown without Harry by her side was almost unbearable.

Y/N was scared of the uncertainty, unsure of how she could possibly carry on without Harry by her side. Taking their daughter home without him was not the scenario she had envisioned, and it felt like she was leaving him behind. Despite her longing to escape the confines of the hospital room and its monotonous routine, the thought of departing without him filled her with fear and apprehension.

"Ready?" William's voice broke through Y/N's thoughts as he entered the room. Since Elizabeth was occupied with Oliver and preparations at home, Harry's friends had stepped in to support her during her discharge from the hospital. Y/N was still packing her clothes into a duffle bag, feeling a mix of emotions. Violet had assisted her in choosing a comfortable outfit before heading downstairs with Michael to fetch the car.

"They'll be delivering the oxygen every fifteen days. I've also sorted out the prescriptions, and Andrew is ensuring they're delivered, so you won't have to go out," William informed her, his practicality only amplifying her emotions. It struck her that William was now handling tasks that Harry would typically manage, and the realization brought tears to her eyes, a poignant reminder of Harry's absence.

William felt a surge of discomfort as he witnessed Y/N's tears. Emotions were never his forte, and seeing others cry often left him feeling uneasy. It reminded him of his upbringing and the stoic environment of the military academy where vulnerability was frowned upon.

"Here, let me help you," William offered, stepping forward to assist Y/N with folding and packing. "He's going to be fine. Harry's not one to back down from a fight," he whispered, his words aimed at comforting both Y/N and himself. The thought of losing another friend was unbearable to him, and he desperately clung to hope for Harry's recovery.

"How am I supposed to continue living?" Y/N's voice was barely a whisper, her tears flowing freely. William felt a pang in his chest at the sight. He would never admit it, but he harbored a deep envy towards Harry. Harry had everything William had ever dreamed of, even stirring feelings within William himself when Y/N first started working for him.

Yet, what William found most captivating about Y/N wasn't her physical beauty, but her unwavering commitment and loyalty. Such qualities were rare to find, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude that Harry had the chance to experience them.

Before William could respond, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

"She's ready to go home," announced the nurse, wheeling in a small bassinet carrying Alessandra. "I was told you were briefed on everything regarding the oxygen and any warning signs."

"Of course," Y/N replied, trying to muster a smile as she wiped away her tears and reached out for her daughter. "Thank you," she added, her voice trembling with emotion. The nurse gave her a small reassuring smile. Everyone in the hospital knew about the couple and everything that had happened.

"Great. Here are her discharge papers. Let us know if you need anything else," the nurse said kindly. Y/N smiled back before rising from her seat and reaching out for Alessandra. She was the only light amid all the darkness, the reason that kept her going. Alessandra was beautiful, and Y/N had caught a glimpse of her eyes—they were dark green. Y/N hoped they stayed like that, just like her father's. They shared the same nose, but her father's features were all over her.

“Ready?” William asked as he threw the duffle bag over his shoulder.

Once they reached the car, Michael and Violet were waiting to greet them. Their supportive presence provided some comfort to Y/N as they helped her settle Alessandra into the car seat.

"This car seat was a pain in the ass. Remind me of this if I ever have kids," Michael joked as he drove away from the hospital, heading towards Y/N and Harry's home. William occupied the passenger seat beside Michael, while Violet sat in the back with Y/N and baby Alessandra.

Laughter filled the car, but Y/N remained somber. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of the house ahead. It was the same place where her worst nightmares had unfolded. She couldn't shake the memory of the bloodstains and Harry's fearful gaze, etched into her mind with haunting clarity.

Still, it remained the house they had lovingly selected and refurbished together, a place where their dreams intertwined with each carefully chosen detail. No one would tarnish the memories or the vision they had built together.

As the car pulled up to the familiar driveway, Y/N's heart fluttered with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. She glanced at the house, its façade unchanged, yet everything within it now held a weight of memories both beautiful and haunting. With a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, determined to reclaim the warmth and love that once filled those walls, despite the shadows that lingered.

Michael carried the car seat, William shouldered her bag, and Violet handled the rest of her belongings. "Hi honey!" Elizabeth's smile welcomed her home. "You look great." Y/N embraced her mother warmly. "I'm so happy you're home. Come on. You need to eat, and someone is dying to see you."

The living room greeted her with cleanliness, erasing any traces of that dreadful night. Elizabeth and Andrew had taken charge of the cleanup, ensuring the space was spotless and inviting for her return. Fresh flowers and newly lit candles filled the air with a comforting fragrance.

"Oh, look at you!" Y/N exclaimed as Delilah held Oliver's small hand, watching him stand on both feet with a proud grin. He wobbled, a clear sign he had taken his first steps during their time at the hospital. "Come here!" Delilah released his hand, allowing him to take a few steps toward Y/N before plopping back onto his bottom.

Y/N approached him and enveloped him in her arms.

"I love you," she whispered, planting kisses on his cheeks. "You look more and more like your dad every day," Y/N remarked to Oliver as he tugged on the strings of her hoodie. "I've missed you. Are you ready to meet your best friend?" He still couldn't talk, but seeing him eased her heart.

"How about we get you on the couch, and then we can introduce them?" Elizabeth suggested, not wanting to see her sitting on the floor any longer. William assisted Y/N up from the floor and settled her onto the couch. Delilah seated Oliver beside her before reaching out for Alessandra.

"This is your little sister, Alessandra," Y/N said to Oliver, presenting her to him. His tiny hand reached out, touching her face. Though he seemed to pay little attention to her, it warmed her heart to see them together and safe at home.

"He said, 'I don't care'," Michael joked. "I'm starving. Is anyone else hungry?" He asked before disappearing into the kitchen to pester Mrs. Johnson.

"Aw, she's adorable," Delilah remarked, peering over Y/N's shoulder. She hadn't had a chance to meet the baby yet.

"Would you like to hold her?" Y/N offered, and Delilah nodded eagerly, reaching out for the baby.

"She really does look like Dad," her younger sister observed as she cuddled the baby close, studying her features.

"Exactly! I thought I was the only one who noticed," Y/N agreed, reaching for a blanket to tuck around them both.

Elizabeth interrupted their conversation by entering with a tray of food. Mrs. Johnson had prepared a cup of soup, a sandwich, and a small bowl of fruit for Y/N.

"Here you go," she said, settling the tray on Y/N's lap.

"Mom, I'm really not hungry," Y/N declined politely. She didn't want to seem ungrateful, but she just wanted to rest and spend time with the kids. The thought of food didn't appeal to her at the moment.

"You need to eat, especially for them," Elizabeth insisted gently. She knew Y/N wasn't in the mood to be nagged, but she also understood the importance of Y/N taking care of herself for the sake of Oliver and Alessandra.

Reluctantly, she picked up the spoon and took a small sip of the soup. It felt warm and comforting as it slid down her throat.

"Thank you, Mom," Y/N said softly, offering her mother a small smile of gratitude.

Elizabeth returned the smile, patting Y/N's hand gently. The rest ate by the kitchen while Y/N enjoyed the confort of the couch and the coziness of the house.

As Y/N ate her meal, she couldn't shake the feeling of exhaustion that weighed heavily on her. The events of the past few weeks had taken their toll, both physically and emotionally. All she wanted was to curl up in bed with her children and forget about the world outside for a while.

Once she finished eating, Y/N set the tray aside and leaned back against the cushions, closing her eyes for a moment of respite. She felt a sense of peace wash over her, knowing that despite everything, she was finally home with her family.

Y/N awoke much later, the darkness outside signaling that it was well into the night. As she stirred, she felt a bit disoriented but also surprisingly well-rested. Her muscles protested from being in the same position for so long, aching as she moved. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and the absence of any light made the silence feel oppressive. With a racing heart, she slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed, preparing to investigate the eerie stillness of the house.

She couldn’t hear anyone and that made her nervous. She couldn’t hear any of the babies and that made her beyond nervous. Y/N walked down the stairs and towards the living room and kitchen.

"You're awake," William greeted as Y/N entered the room. He lay on the couch with Alessandra nestled on his chest. Everyone else had retired to bed, leaving the two of them in the dimly lit living room. Michael, Violet, Elizabeth, and Delilah were all staying at the apartment, having decided to support Y/N in her time of need, especially with Harry's absence. They had been advised by the psychiatrist who had seen Y/N during her hospital stay that she would benefit from having company.

"Where is everyone?" Y/N asked nervously, scanning the room.

"They've all gone to bed. Alessandra here woke me up," William explained, a gentle smile on his face as he glanced down at the sleeping baby in his arms.

"Did you sleep well?" William inquired.

"Yeah. What time is it?" Y/N replied, joining him and settling beside him on the couch.

"Four thirty," William answered, and Y/N nodded, leaning over to check on Alessandra, who was sound asleep.

"Sorry that she woke you up," Y/N apologized, “I should had stayed up and taken care of her, but I was just so tired”.

"It's fine. I'm not getting much sleep lately," William admitted. "When will we ever catch a break?" he wondered aloud, turning up the volume of the TV.

Y/N sighed softly, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over her once more. She knew William was feeling the strain too. The constant worry about Harry, coupled with Alessandro’s death, was taking its toll on all of them.

"We'll get through this," Y/N reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We just have to take it one day at a time.”

William nodded, offering her a faint smile. "Yeah, you're right."

As they sat together in the quiet of the living room, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Despite her efforts to stay positive, the uncertainty of Harry's condition weighed heavily on her mind.

"You should try to get some more rest," Y/N suggested, glancing at Alessandra sleeping peacefully. "We'll need all the energy we can get. Here hand her over”

William agreed, and they both settled back against the couch, finding solace in each other's presence as they awaited the dawn of a new day.

It was a calm and sunny morning, the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the windows as Y/N sat in the living room, engrossed in a playful moment with Oliver. The sound of laughter filled the air, a brief respite from the worries that had plagued them all.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the abrupt entrance of Allison, her usually composed demeanor replaced by frantic energy.

“Y/N!” she exclaimed, breathless and wide-eyed. “Where is she?”

Startled by Allison's urgency, Y/N rose to her feet, concern etched across her features. She had never seen Allison in such a state before.

“What's wrong?” Y/N inquired, her voice laced with worry. She scanned Allison's face for any sign of distress, her heart pounding with apprehension.

“I-I...” Allison stammered, struggling to catch her breath. Elizabeth, sensing the urgency of the situation, hurried to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water, her motherly instincts kicking in.

“Please, sit down,” Y/N urged, gesturing to the nearby couch. She knew that whatever news Allison had to share couldn't be easy to deliver.

Elizabeth swiftly returned with a glass of water, her hands trembling slightly as she handed it to Allison. The two women settled onto the couch, their eyes fixed on Allison, awaiting the news that had caused her such distress.

To their surprise, tears welled up in Allison's eyes, her emotions overwhelming her.

“Ali, please,” Y/N implored, her voice tinged with concern as she reached out to grasp Allison's hands, offering comfort. “Tell me what’s going on. You are scaring me”

Struggling to regain her composure, Allison took a deep breath before finally speaking.

“It's my mom and dad,” she began, her voice trembling. “They're at the hospital with Harry. They've decided to take him off life support.”

As Allison's words hung heavily in the air, a deep silence settled over the room. Y/N's heart sank at the news, her mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation.