Time goes by slowly whilst she's away...

Hayley broke down after what happened at the clinic yesterday. Moments like that prove that Emma and I are meant to be together, it shows how strong we are and how we would genuinely do anything for each other. We're like two halves of a stone, capable on our own but stronger when we're together.

Hayles thinks that Emma seems better when I'm around, that I bring out the best in her; I like it when people say things like that, it makes me feel like I make a difference to Emma's life. Which I suppose I do in a way.

It's quarter to three and I'm eagerly waiting until visiting hours start. Rehearsals were this morning, and they will be again in the afternoon, so I'll miss the next visiting hours; although Hayley said that she'll go to that one so Emma won't be on her own.

Comet and Zazu lie sprawled out next to me on the couch, their bodies relaxing lazily without shame. The two of them make me laugh, they've been a big part of mine and Emma's life and have acted as my rock whilst she's been away.

Like I said, time seems slower now that she's gone. Everything seems to drag until the next time I see her.

Zazu's foot kicks Comet lazily and he playfully bites the lump of a cat; the pair both basically lying on top of each other to claim the comfiest space on the couch. I lift Comet up and place him on my lap, he's a rather large puppy now.

His fur is a lot longer than before and he's grown a little bit, I'd be surprised if Emma even recognises him when she next see's him, he's grown up so much. Comet still holds a playful personality, unlike Zazu who can't be bothered to do anything but eat and sleep most of the time.

"Hey pal." I smile at the puppy, his tongue stuck out and panting at me happily, completely oblivious to everything that's happening around him. He licks my cheek and I chuckle, using the end of my sleeve to wipe away the slobber he's left behind.

"I'll take you on a walk when I get back, I promise." I talk to him easily, my fingers rubbing in his favourite spot behind his ears. "You too Zaz." I chuckle to myself, knowing that'll he'll trail behind us like he always does. He might be a lazy cat but he does love people's company.

I stand up from my place and head to the car, signing a few things, and taking some photos with the fans before I hop in my car and drive to the clinic. I brought the game 'Scrabble' when I came to visit yesterday, it reminds me of mine and Emma's honeymoon; there was only board game and that was Scrabble, so we'd play it everyday just because we could. We would make up words and meanings just to make each other laugh, I miss times like that.

I pull up at in my usual space and walk to Emma's room, the usual receptionist not there to greet me as she has done every other day that I've been coming here.

I find Emma sat staring at the wall ahead of her, her face solemn and pained as I step into the room. "Hey babe." I walk over, placing my lips to her forehead and clasping her hand in mine.

"Hi." Her voice whispers to me breathily, she's getting worse.

"How are you feeling today?" I question hesitantly with concern.

"Good." Lie.

"I don't believe you." I confront my lifeless wife.

"It's okay," she pauses and her head rolls to the side so that she's facing me. "Nobody does when I say that." Her words act like a flaming dagger through my chest. I know that she's right.

My mind changes the subject to ease to tense atmosphere around me, "do you want to play Scrabble?" I ask with a smile, almost excited because I really want to play with her.

"No." Her dark eyelids blink slowly and calmly, "I just want to be here, with you." Her eyes drop tiredly, "I missed you Harry." She whispers, her eyes now closed and her hand grasping as tightly as she can onto mine.

"That's good," I answer, my free hand brushing hairs away from her face, "because I missed you too."

•••

"Mr Styles?" An unfamiliar voice calls me as I exit Emma's room, ready to go home and take Comet on that walk I promised him. With Zazu of course.

"Yes?" I'm met with a middle aged woman in a feminine suit, her pants are a dark grey along with her blazer, and her blouse is a blinding white with the first two buttons undone. The woman's hair is tied up in some kind of bun, and her feet are clad with black heels with a glossed overcoat, her entire attire is extremely formal.

"My name is Dr Melanie Carter, I'm a colleague of Dr Lakes and I'm also your wife's therapist." She informs me, holding her hand out for me to shake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Dr Carter." I take her hand firmly in mine, "is there anything I can help you with?" I say as our hands part.

"Yes actually, I was hoping I could talk to you privately for a moment." She asks, her eyes shifting wearily towards Emma's room, insinuating that she doesn't want Emma to overhear what she's about to tell me.

"Yes that's fine, I was just leaving."

"Great. Well, if you'd like to follow me." I do as told and follow her to a small office, which I presume is hers considering her name is on the front of the wooden door.

Her office walls are a warm magnolia colour and the window blinds are a bright yellow, shedding some natural light into the box like room. It's not what I expect it to be, the room has a homely atmosphere to it; a shaggy rug lay sprawled across the floor, plush couches with fluffy cushions, books everywhere. It doesn't look as clinical and intimidating as you would predict, it's somewhat calm and tranquil in here.

I sit myself down on the corner of the brown leather couch, right next to the window that holds a lovely view of the busy London streets. I hear an inward chuckle that grabs my attention, my green eyes flitting to Dr Carter as she places herself in the seat opposite me. "I apologise. It's just, your wife sits in the exact seat every time she comes in to this room."

I understand her titter after hearing those words. It's remarkable how similar Emma and I are at times, how often we think alike without even knowing it.

"She's always liked views, so have I." My fingers fiddle together as I remember the joyous memories I've shared with Emma over the last three and a half years.

"I've brought you in here Mr Styles, to talk about Emma's condition." She speaks formally now, changing the subject to the more serious topic of why I'm here.

"Is she progressing?" I ask carefully although I already know the answer. Emma isn't getting better at all, she's getting worse.

"No, and that's the problem. She's getting worse." Dr Carter repeats my exact thoughts.

"Do we know why? Is there anything we can do?" My voice wavers with nerves, I'm unsure of what may happen to Emma if nothing progress', because at this moment in time, I can't see how she could get any worse than what she is.

"Mr Styles, one of the nurses who looks after your wife found one of her pills in the toilet bowl, which has led us to believe that she isn't taking her medication." My eyebrows furrow at this sudden news, why on earth is Emma refusing to take her medication? I understand how she is feeling but she would never do this, no matter what the situation was.

My mouth falls and I try to make sense of it all, what are we going to do? What am I going to do if she continues like this?

"And in our therapy sessions she refuses to talk, all she says is that she needs you and that she wants to go home." I nod at Dr Carter's words, Emma always pleads to come home but I know this is the best place for her. Although, if she isn't taking her medication, how are they helping her?

"So she hasn't been taking her medication, and she hasn't been speaking in your therapy sessions?" I stand and stare down at the mature woman as she answers with a simple nod. "So what is she even doing here then? Nothing is happening. You said it yourself, she's getting worse!"

"Please, calm down Mr Styles." She speaks in a low tone as my fingers run frantically through my tattered curls as I worry about my sick wife.

My body falls back to my previous position on the couch and I rest my head in my hands as I think of Emma. I think of how she sits in this exact spot and thinks, she doesn't speak, but she just thinks in her own solitude without anyone to console her. "I just don't know what to do." A small voice whispers from between my lips.

"Well, after an in depth conversation with Dr Lake, we agreed to offer you two choices regarding Mrs Styles' progression."

"What are the two choices?"

"We can either keep her in the clinic and continue as we are, or," she takes in a deep breath and sighs, clearly reluctant for the second option, "we can give her a two week discharge and see how she progress' at home with you." My ears prick up at her words almost like a lion hearing it's prey, my eyes widen at the thought.

"She could come home?"

"Yes," Dr Carter nods gracefully, "under two conditions."

"And what are the conditions?" I reply eagerly.

"One, she must take all of her prescribed medication at the properly allocated times. Two, she must still attend her therapy sessions with me three times a week so I can monitor her. If she progress', only then, with the consent of Dr Lake will we discharge her and she will be able to continue the medication at home." The doctor explains to me, all of this new information coming as a shock but also a small miracle.

"Can you actually do this?" I'm surprised at the offer in all honesty, I didn't think they were allowed to do things like this.

"In severe cases yes, some patients seem to progress when they have a strong support system. From the way your wife speaks about you, she'd much rather spend her time with you than listening to any of us." Dr Carter chuckles at Emma's stubborn behaviour as do I. If Emma has her mind set on something then nothing will change that, her determination is one of the many reasons I love her.

"So it'll be like a two week trial?" I ask simply just to clarify.

"Correct. If she hasn't progressed then we will bring her back here and continue to administrate her medication. Although, if she continues to refuse them, we will have to administer them via a drip."

"Can I have time to think about this?" I want to talk to Hayley about it first and see what her opinion on the matter will be, after all she is her best friend.

"Of course, inform me of your decision anytime. You know where my office is." She implies to the room we're currently sat in.

"Okay, thank you very much Dr Carter. I really appreciate this, thank you so much." I shake her hand firmly and walk towards the wooden door.

"You're very welcome Mr Styles." Is the last thing I hear before leaving. It's time to call Hayles.

________________________

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- Pianogirl56