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Once in a Lifetime: Chapter 21

Once in a Lifetime: A Harry Styles AU Imagine Series

HELLLOOOO EVERYONE I AM FINALLY BACK! I am an adult now but I finally found some inspiration to finish this damn series! My writing style has changed since 2019! I hope you enjoy it. Will start writing the next chapter soon!

[masterlist]

Chapter 21: Life is Just Funny Sometimes

Cosmic Love (7Lions Remix) by Florence and the Machines

September 2020 (Present Time)

Your POV

I heard a steady beeping noise as I began waking up. I felt warmth on my right hand as I slowly stirred. I realized I wasn’t home and was in fact in a hospital bed. The last thing I remember was being at Zayn’s art show and now… I’m here. My head was killing me.

I turned to my right to see Harry was asleep in a chair next to me. He looked so uncomfortable since his head was in my bed and he was laying bent over.

To my left was Eleanor on the couch, sound asleep and comfortable. Then there was Liam, sleeping on the recliner in front of my bed. I looked around the room, I realized I was in a private suite in one of units at where I work. I noticed there were flowers everywhere, and balloons. I saw the sun peaking through the windows. Damn, how long was I out for?

I saw the bed remote next to my left side and slowly hit the up arrow so the head of bed sat me up and Harry’s eyes flew open.

“Y/N? You’re awake!” Harry said and Eleanor and Liam immediately woke up.

Liam sighed, then nodded at me as he left the room, probably went to get the attending was on my case. Eleanor was at my side holding my left hand with relief and tears in her eyes.

“How are you feeling?” She whispered moving the hair out of my face.

“What happened?” I asked as I rubbed my eyes, I felt the IV in the left hand and noticed I was getting fluids.

Harry’s eyes were full of regret and worry, “One minute you were standing and the next you were passing out, Louis and Niall caught you… and we called an ambulance. You didn’t wake up for almost 12 hours.” He looked at his watch, I just realized he was still in his clothes from last night.

“I don’t know what happened…” Eleanor said, “I had them run every test known to man kind but they won’t tell us anything because we aren’t immediate family.”

I chucked, “of course you did, I’m sure I am fine. Just probably stressed out and dehydrated.” I smiled at both of them.

The attending came in holding my chart, with an exhausted looking Liam following behind him and I immediately recognized that it was Dr. Oppenheimer, head neurologist. Fuck.

“Good morning Dr. your L/N, how is your head feeling?” He asked.

“I’m feeling ok, just exhausted.” I smiled at him. “Thank you for taking the time for being on my case.”

“Wouldn’t have let anyone else,” he nodded at me. We knew each other from meetings, had spoken from time to time on cases since one of his specialties was brain tumors.

“I would like to speak to Dr. you Y/N, please.” As he looked around the room.

I nodded at everyone with a pleading look to please respect my privacy. Harry gave me a quick kiss on the hand, and they all stood up and shuffled out of the room. Eleanor looked worried because she also knew who he was, and I am pretty sure Liam looked him up as soon as he took my case.

Dr. Oppenheimer closed the door behind him and walked over to my bed. He did a quick exam and he began his questions.

“Dr. Calder and Dr. Payne said you been having headaches and migraines lately?” He asked but more like stated.

“Yeah a few months now. I figured it stress from work and not eating properly.” I rubbed my forehead.

Dr. Oppenheimer had a look in his eyes and I knew it wasn’t going to be good news, he is one of the most intelligent doctors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and he is also very frank and direct, which I appreciated.

“Dr.-“ he started.

“Please just call me Y/N, and whatever it is just tell it to me straight.” I nodded.

“Very well, Y/N, we ran every test that Dr. Calder asked for. And it seems as if you have a glioblastoma. I’m shocked that headaches have been your only symptoms until now.”

I felt my stomach drop. Everything I knew about glioclastomas raced through my mind. They are very fast growing, dangerous, survival rate is less than 55% depending on the size and depending on how long I’ve had it…

“How long do I have?” I held my hand up, wanting to see my chart.

Dr. Oppenheimer pulled open the computer that was in the room and showed me the result of the scans.

Fan-fucking-tactic.

Dr. Oppenheimer looked at me with sad eyes, “Y/N, if we start treatment, you could live longer than 5 years. If you don’t, I would say 12-15 months at most.”

As a doctor, I have given news like this to my patients and their families thousands of times. However, not once, I would never think I would be on the receiving end.

“Have you told anyone?” I looked up at him.

“Absolutely not, neither of your friend nor your boyfriend was granted access to know your information. But now that you’re awake-“ he began.

“Let’s keep it that way. I don’t want anyone to know or have access. Please.” I begged. It was pathetic.

He nodded, “Doctor-patient confidentiality. However, I could get you started on treatments right away. I would like to personally oversee your case.”

I looked at the scans. I looked at his notes. I had a slim chance of surviving if going into surgery. I had a better chance with chemo, but I don’t even know if I even want to go through chemo.

“Do you think I can let you know by next week? I would just really like to get out of here and go home.” I said.

“You are going to need to make a decision soon.” He said directly, “you know how glioblastomas are.”

I nodded, the worry of everyone knowing this set in a wave of anxiety. I didn’t want them to have to go through knowing this about me. “I’ll tell them I have been dehydrated, stressed, not eating healthy. Thank you for telling me doctor. I appreciate you wanting to be on my team.”

“Please, call me Steven. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would like an answer by next week. We need to either treat this or….” He trailed off.

“I know, I will.” I nodded.

“We can discharge you by the end of the day if you can walk. I’ll have the interns assist you.” He stood up and shook my hand. He took my chart back and logged out of the computer and left the room.

Harry, Liam and Eleanor rushed in. And I immediately put on my brave face.

“What did he say?” They asked in unison.

“That I passed out because I was over working myself, stressed out, not eating a healthy diet, labs were off. So we both chalked it to lack of sleep and too much work and no relaxing. He said I can be discharged by end of the day if I can walk.” I smiled at them and shrugged.

Relief took over Harry’s face as he grabbed my hand and kissed the palm of it.

Eleanor and Liam knew I was bullshitting, they could tell I didn’t want to worry Harry. But they knew I would tell them when I was ready. Eleanor was making a fist with her hand, she knew it wouldn’t be good news if Dr. Oppenheimer was on my case.

They respected my decision to share what I wanted and Liam told me he would get the discharge started.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Harry’s POV

I updated Niall and rest of the gang in our new group chat that we created since Y/N’s admission, letting them know she would be ok. She slept for a few more hours until a doctor and her nurse came to her room and took her for a walk to make sure she was able to leave.

When she finally got discharged from the hospital, I made Y/N rest while I wanted to cook her a meal. I was so relieved to hear it wasn’t anything serious, I told her as I was driving us back to her condo AND that I would be cooking healthy meals for her from now on and making sure she rests enough.

She just laughed and said she is an adult and can take care of herself.

I helped her into the shower since that was the first thing she wanted to do then I ran to the grocery store to shop and stock up her refrigerator full of food for the week.

As I was browsing through the grocery store I kept thinking to myself how lucky I was to have her back in my life and that I want to spend the rest of my life with her... We already lost ten years together and honestly, I didn’t want to lose any more time.

I texted Naill asking him for suggestion on jewelers in the diamond district.

- Naill: Mate, are you serious? You’re going to propose to Y/N?

- Me: Well I just decided today. So I am going to start planning it. Wanna help?

- Naill: fuck yeah, count me in.

I smiled to myself, life has a funny way of bringing back what’s meant for you. And I knew with everything I had in me, that she has always been the one.

- - - - - - - - -

Your POV

As I stood in the shower, letting the hot water run all over my body, I saw the scar where my IV was placed and the conversation with Dr. Oppenheimer replayed in my head. The images of my glioblastoma was ingrained in my memory. The look on Harry’s face when I told him it wasn’t serious.

Everything I knew about glioblastomas was going through my mind. Remembering what it was like for my patients going through chemo that I diagnosed them with. Some surviving and many didn’t.

I began to sob quietly in the shower. I thought about my parents, my friends, my beautiful patients…. and then finally, my relationship. I just got Harry back and then life decided to throw this curveball at me.

Dr. Oppenheimer had emailed me different therapies we could try and course of actions we could take, while we were on the drive home but I didn’t want to risk Harry seeing anything so I had to wait until I was alone. I know Dr. Oppenheimer was adamant for me to try, he didn’t want me to give up despite me know the prognosis (outcome) wasn’t going to be great.

I slipped out of the shower and dried off. I was a little relieved that Harry was still not back from grocery shopping so I pulled out my MacBook and began researching everything Dr. Oppenheimer sent me.

I thought about chemo. It was the best option. But god, chemo is rough. Just watching my patients go through it made me incredibly sad, I didn’t want to go through that too. Kids are just fighters and I was being stubborn. I also knew I was being selfish by withholding this information from everyone but… I love them all too much to burden them with this information.

I knew they would all do everything in their power to help me but I didn’t want their lives to be on pause for me. No way. I know they would, but I didn’t want them to sacrifice anything for me.

I heard the door to my condo open and I closed out all the tabs and erased my history. Harry was smiling when he came into my room to see me sitting in bed, to him I was resting. Internally, I was figuring out what to do from here on out.

“Hey, feeling any better love?” He took a seat next to me as I closed my laptop.

I nodded, “Yeah, just catching up on some work emails.”

Harry frowned, he brush my damp hair back behind my ear, “You need to take a break. Let’s go in a trip. Somewhere relaxing. What about the beach?”

I took his hand in mine, “We just got back from London not too long ago babe.”

“Doctor’s orders, rest and relax!” He kissed my forehead.

I asked Steven to keep the information between us and my boss, I didn’t want the entire staff knowing about me, and I asked my chart be locked with a passcode since I worked at that very hospital. Even though people could get fired for even opening my chart, I didn’t want to risk it. I didn’t need rumors to be spread, which I am already sure it started. I already sent an email to my lawyer to draft up NDAs and that I needed to meet with her soon to update some information. Steven insisted that I take time off. My boss Nancy, was wonderful and more than willing to accommodate since we recently hired another attending and the new interns were finally getting he hang of things. She insisted that I take two weeks off to rest and make a decision.

“Where should we go?“ I smiled up at Harry and a huge grin spread across his face, his dimples deepening and melting my heart.

As Harry cooked dinner for us, I sat on the couch and we discussed different places we could go.

“Let’s go to California and visit my parents.” I suggested.

Harry stopped what he was doing and looked at me wide eyes, “Really?” He sounded surprised, “Wow, I haven’t seen your parents in ages… what if they still disapprove of me?”

I stood up and walked over to his side, “Harry, we are adults now, it doesn’t matter what they think. But I would really like them to know about us, about you. About how serious we are. You’re a successful, famous baker now. My mom would definitely approve. Also, my dad isn’t the same man you knew 10 years ago.”

Harry wrapped his arms around me and kissed me tenderly, as if I was fragile, “Let’s go to California then.”

- - - - - - -

Liam’s POV

I knew Y/N was lying at the hospital. Which means whatever is going on with her was serious. When Harry and Y/N took off to California to visit her parents, I knew something was wrong. Eleanor and I have been texting non-stop, trying to figure out why the hell she hasn’t told us the truth. Eleanor has asked her several times but Y/N keeps saying she’s okay. Eleanor told me about Dr. Oppenheimer and his speciality but I told Eleanor he was probably just treating her as a favor since they were colleagues. We both racked each other’s brains with all the things that could cause her headaches, migraines, and passing out. There was so little information and too many diagnoses to narrow anything down. It literally could be anything. I didn’t want to assume the worst but I know Eleanor was.

Eleanor tried to get information from Dr. Oppenheimer the next time she went to work but he just told her what we tell everyone else, “I’m sorry but that’s doctor/patient confidentiality Dr. Calder, you should know better.” She was furious but she knew he was right, and so did I.

Sophia was worried sick about Y/N when she passed out. She was crying left and right for those 12 hours. I called her when Y/N woke up and was talking to the doctor, she bursted into tears over the phone, relieved to hear that she was awake. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I knew something was wrong.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Your POV

October 2020 (Present Time)

Before Harry and I decided to fly to San Diego, I had FaceTimed my parents to let them know I was visiting and wanted them to meet my new boyfriend.

They were both so sad to find out that Zayn and I broke up. And then the way they reacted when I said I had a new boyfriend was ridiculous.

- Dad: Wow, you wasted no time huh? Who is the lucky fellow?

- Mom: Did you cheat on Zayn with him? He was so good to you! Why did you have to hurt him? Zayn was perfect!

I think she was actually crying.

- Me: Mom! Stop! Dad, please tell her to stop. I am an adult!

I could see my dad patting her on the back telling her that I am an adult I can do whatever I want.

- Me: Thank you. Anyways, our flight gets in tomorrow around 2pm s-

- Mom: TOMORROW? Oh goodness I have to get our guest room ready, I have to clean! I have to grocery shop!

She dramatically jumped up and out of the frame as my dad chuckled and shook his head.

- Dad: send me your flight info, I can’t wait to see you. Missed you bud.

- Me: I miss you too dad.

I waved at my camera and ended the call. I began crying for my parents as they would one day have to say their goodbyes to their only child. It was breaking my heart.

I sighed as I finished up packing for our week long trip.

I was scared to make a decision because if I started chemo, it could buy me more time but I would have to stop working and I would constantly be sick and weak… I love my job. Hah, how funny, an oncologist gets cancer. Life is just funny sometimes.

If I didn’t start chemo, I would possibly have another year to live. But I know once my symptoms worsens it would be hard to hide the truth. I would start to forget things, vomit randomly, my personality could change, I’ll have seizures, I’ll eventually have difficulty walking or talking…. Possible hallucinations.

God damn it, why did it have to be a glioblastoma? It’s the most aggressive brain tumor and there’s no damn cure.

I began to cry. I didn’t understand why this was happening to me… I wasn’t even 30 yet. I haven’t been able to get married… have kids… I sinked down to the floor next to my bed and just cried. I cried for my family, my friends, my love… and I cried for all the things I will never experience or have.

San Diego

Harry was extremely nervous as we were walking off the plane and into he baggage claim. He knew my parents would be there waiting to greet us. I laced my hand into his and gave him a gentle squeeze, assuring him that everything will be okay.

As soon as we passed through the exit doors, my mom and dad were standing right in front with flowers. My parents faces when they realized my boyfriend was no other than my child hood best friend, Harry Styles, was priceless. They were almost speechless.

“Harry… oh my goodness you are a grown man now!” My mom exclaimed as she pulled him in for a hug.

My father was quiet, I couldn’t quite understand what was going through his mind. He was thinking hard and long about something as my mom was asking Harry all the questions.

Harry turned to my father and stuck out his hand, “It’s really good to see you again sir.”

My father immediately shook his hand, “It’s good to see you too Harry.” They both looked at each other as if they were silently communicating. As if my dad was apologizing how rude he was to Harry all those years ago.

Harry’s POV

I was surprised to see how receptive Y/N father’s was about me being back in her life. The last time we spoke was over 10 years ago when he asked me to break up with her. He looked at me with both appreciative and apologetic eyes as we shook hands, knowing that because of what I did, she achieved her dreams.

When we arrived at her parents beautiful two story beach front home, her mom insisted on the grand tour, while her father started up the grill to begin making dinner with Y/N.

A few hours later, we were outside on their back porch with the most beautiful ocean view, sun setting and dinner freshly cooked. Her parents made enough food to feed a family of 10 when it was just the four of us.

“Harry! I just realized that you are the same Harry that was on the Food Network this year!” Her mother exclaimed.

Harry chucked, “Yes ma’am, I finally became a baker.”

Her father looked at me and nodded, “Food network? That’s impressive.”

Her mother continued to ask question about what happened when they left Holmes Chapel, curious about where I went to school, how I came to be famous.

As I was giving them a quick version about my story, getting a full ride scholarship to my dream school, trying culinary programs, going from France, to Chicago, then New York since my best friend’s investment business head quarters was there and how he believed that my bakery would take off in Manhattan. Her father and mother exchanged several looks between each other, some of approval and some I couldn’t read.

“Well, I am very happy that you two found each other again. I really just want my little girl to be happy.” Her father smiled at her.

“Dad, I am not little anymore,” she pursed her lips.

“You will always be to me.” He placed his hand over his heart and smiled.

I was in complete shock at all the words her father was saying and his personality. He was hardly sweet and affection when we were younger. This is a completely different man than the one 10 years ago who didn’t approve of me and told me if I didn’t break it off with Y/N, he would cut her off.

Throughout dinner, her mom asked me non stop questions about my career, occasionally her father would say something. Her mom faintly asked about my bakery and said she has been dying to try my cupcakes. Apparently their friends visited New York recently and had tried them and they wouldn’t stop talking about my cupcakes for weeks. I promised her I would make them for her while I am here. She was ecstatic. Finally her father asked us how we found each other again, I let Y/N talk since I was sure she wanted them to only know certain details.

After dinner, Y/N was feeling really tired so she decided to turn in early. I told her I would join her after I helped her parents cleaned up.

When her father and I were finally alone, he said something to me that I would never forget, “Harry, I will forever be grateful to you for the decision I forced you to make all those years ago. I apologize for how I went about it… but you have to understand I thought I was doing what was best for my daughter at the time. I know it was harsh on my end but all I wanted was for Y/N to pursue her dreams and not lose sight of that. But now, I am genuinely happy you both found each other again and whether you believe how archaic it may be, I approve of yours and Y/N’s relationship.” He looked at me with sincerity. “She’s my only little girl, and I just want her to have everything she deserves.”

“I understand where you were coming from. I would have hated myself if she gave up her dreams for me as well. Thank you for your approval, and although we have only been together for a few months now… I hope I have your blessing in marrying her one day.” I responded, as I watched his reaction to the last bit.

Her father smiled at me, and nodded his head, “I can see how much you both love each other, so yes, you have my blessing.”

Wow. Life is just funny sometimes.

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Hope you like it,

x3 M