Despite the horrific night that she has just been through and the extremely exhausting morning spent at the hospital, and then the long afternoon informing Officer Dempsey about everything that happened, Hayley can't stop her lips from perking up every time she looks down at the picture in her hands. The first ever picture of her baby. A tiny body and an even tinier head. The baby will be the size of a plum Rebekah had told her when Hayley had gave her one of the scan photos. Her baby is currently so small that he, or she could literally fit into Hayley's palm. And that thought just makes Hayley's smile grow even more.
Ever since they finally arrived home, Hayley hasn't been able to think of anything apart from the growing life inside of her. She has never really considered herself as a mother before because she was scared that she would end up becoming her parents. But ever since she saw her baby on the monitor as the hospital, that has changed. She hasn't been able to find it in her to put the picture down yet either. When they got home, she had walked into the house, changed out of her blood stained clothes, given them to the police and then sat on the couch in the living room, all that time the picture remained in her hand. As if putting the picture down would make everything seem unreal.
Hayley runs her thumb over the picture where the top of her baby's head is and smiles to herself. It was all worth it, all of the pain and the torment and the suffering. It was all worth it so that she could get to have this picture in her hands and the promise of a better future stood in the doorway looking at her in the shape of a very handsome man wearing a clean pair of black jeans and a matching plain black t-shirt.
Biting her bottom lip, Hayley smiles at Elijah and he instantly smiles back. He then starts to make his way towards her, even after all of the medication the doctors pumped him with he is still swaying ever so slightly. He sits down next to her on the couch when he reaches her and for once, lets himself slouch back into cushions. He closes his eyes and sighs contently. Hayley's smile grows as she watches him and she brings her legs up to tuck underneath her as she leans into him, her head resting on his shoulder. She then takes her left hand away from the picture and puts it on his thigh as she returns to looking at their baby.
"Where's Rebekah and Marcel?" Elijah asks, tiredly. He is supposed to be stuck on bed rest with how injured he is, but Hayley had known from the second they arrived home that he wouldn't be sticking to the doctor's plans. From what Rebekah has told her, she is surprised that it has taken him this long to venture from his room.
"They went to get takeout. Pizza I think".
Elijah nods his head once in acknowledgement.
"What's your favourite pizza topping?" Hayley asks.
Elijah frowns slightly whilst smirking and opens his eyes to look down at Hayley, who is still entranced by the photo of their unborn baby. He can't blame her for how fascinated she is, when he hasn't been with her he has also spent most of the day looking at his own picture, which now has a new home in his wallet.
"What's yours?" He retorts.
Hayley turns her head to look up at him and meets his gaze. "I asked first". She has a cheeky yet genuine smile on her face and Elijah can honestly say that it is one of the best sights he has ever seen.
"So you did". Elijah says, also smiling. He brings his hand from his side to rest on top of Hayley's hand which is still on his thigh and he holds her hand there. "I like chicken, sweetcorn and mushrooms".
"Seriously?" Hayley asks, looking slightly shocked.
Elijah nods his head and Hayley looks down at his top for a few seconds in thought. She wasn't expecting that to be he answer. To be honest, she wasn't really sure what to expect at all, but it definitely wasn't that. She wasn't even sure if Elijah ate pizza until a few seconds ago. And unfortunately it isn't just Elijah's favourite pizza topping that she had no idea about.
"What made you ask?" Elijah asks, his thumb tracing patterns on the back of her hand.
Hayley meets his gaze again and bites her lip.
"Well, I don't know that stuff about you... and I want to", Hayley replies. She then turns her body, her legs moving to rest over Elijah's thighs and her hand that was on his thigh is now resting on his chest. She holds her picture in that hand over his chest too.
"I'll tell you whatever it is that you want to know. All you have to do is ask". Elijah tells her, moving his hand to rest on her thigh that is now on top of his own thighs.
Hayley nods and looks down at the picture again. "When I found out I was pregnant I was worried that you wouldn't want anything to do with the baby because we hadn't known each other for that long".
"Time is irrelevant. All that matters to me is you and the baby", Elijah says.
Biting her lip to stop herself from grinning an embarrassing wide smile, Hayley looks up at Elijah again. She brings her other hand up to his right cheek, not wanting to touch his sore left cheek, and rubs her thumb there gently. The left side of his face is cut and bruised and swollen and she hates to see him like that. It worries her even though she knows that he is safe now. She guesses that there is nothing unusual about that though; everyone worries about the people they love, even when they don't have to.
"So..." Hayley says, dropping her hand from his cheek to his shoulder. "Who's your favourite singer?"
Elijah chuckles and Hayley smiles, happy that even after everything she can still make him laugh.
"I don't have a favourite", he tells her.
Hayley frowns. "You have to have a favourite. Everyone has a favourite, or at least a few favourites".
"Not me". Elijah replies, shaking his head.
"So, you're telling me that there isn't a single artist out there that you like more than the others?" Hayley asks, not convinced.
Elijah shakes his head again and smiles. "I like songs, not artists".
"Okay". Hayley says, nodding her head. "So, what is one song that you want to sit down and listen to with our son, or daughter one day?"
"That is a very good question", Elijah says, smirking.
"I know. I came up with it myself". Hayley says, giving him her best playful smile despite the pain she feels in her jaw from doing so. "Want to know some of mine?"
He nods his head and Hayley moves her hand from his shoulder to get her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. She pulls her phone out, unlocks it and starts browsing through her songs until she finds the one that she is looking for. She then presses play and puts the phone down on the thigh which one of Elijah's hands is not resting on. The song 'Closer' by Tegan and Sara starts playing and Elijah looks at Hayley, waiting for an explanation.
"This is 'Closer' by Tegan and Sara. This is without a doubt one of my favourite songs ever", Hayley tells him.
"And why do you want our child to know this song?" He asks.
Our child. Our baby. She loves it when he says things like that. It makes her stomach flutter with a pure and powerful happiness that she has never felt before. Hayley picks her phone again and starts to scroll to the next song she wants to show him.
"I was fifteen when I went to my first ever party. It was your usual party, there were jocks crowding around kegs in the back, the cheerleaders were all crowded by the couch talking about who fancied who and to be honest it seemed pretty boring". Hayley tells him. "Until this song came on. Everyone started dancing and singing together, and then they just didn't stop. The party didn't really start until this song started playing and it might sound stupid, but since then I have always loved this song".
"It's not stupid". Elijah says and tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
Hayley smiles at him and then looks back down at her her phone.
"This is also the song that was playing the first time me and my first proper boyfriend kissed". She tells him as she finds her second song choice.
"We don't have to talk about that particular experience", Elijah responds quickly.
Hayley laughs at him and quickly leans closer to his face. She gives him a chaste kiss on the cheek before she continues to click on to her second song that she wants to show to their baby. She presses play and the song 'Queendom' by Aurora starts playing. Elijah waits patiently again and watches as Hayley closes her eyes and listens soulfully to the first time the chorus is sang before she opens her eyes again. However, she keeps her gaze directed down at her phone.
"This song is called 'Queendom'". She tells him, still not looking at him. "This is the first song I heard after I ran away from my parents. They were assholes, especially my dad. This one night I just decided I was done taking crap from him. So, I waited until he fell asleep on the couch, packed a bag and went to a friend's house. The next day she drove me to the airport and lent me the money for a ticket out of state. The song that she had on repeat in the car was this one and it inspired me I guess".
"It's beautiful", Elijah admits. "I like it... and I think our child will too".
Hayley smiles at him and starts scrolling to the next song.
"I hope we don't have a kid who listens to rap music", Hayley says.
Elijah laughs.
"I hate that stuff". She adds as she finds the next song.
"You're not the only one".
Hayley gives him a quick smile before she clicks on her third song choice. The song 'Lost Time' by Leon starts to play and she smiles to herself while she bites her bottom lip, and closes her eyes as she listens to the words. As the chorus begins to play for the first time, she opens her eyes and meets Elijah's gaze. If he is as clever as she thinks he is, then he will already know why she wants their child to hear this song.
Hayley puts her phone back on her thigh and once again moves her face closer to Elijah's. She puts her hand on his shoulder again and leans her forehead against his for a few seconds, causing both of them to close their eyes. She then pulls away just enough to look into his eyes as she speaks and she can't stop the shy smirk that appears on her face.
"This is the first song that made me think of you". Hayley tells him, quietly. "It's called 'Lost Time'".
Elijah smiles at her and squeezes her thigh gently, careful of the wound there. She can tell from the look in his eyes that he wants to know more, he wants to hear her tell him why even if he already knows. Which he should considering how obvious the lyrics make it.
"I heard it a few days after the first time we kissed and as soon as I heard it I thought of you. It made me think about all the time we've missed out on and all the time we have to catch up on", she says.
"It's the best song yet". Elijah says, smirking.
Slowly, he brings his hand up to her face and cups her bruised left cheek. He strokes it gently with his thumb once, twice, three times and then pulls her face the final bit of distance between them, pressing his lips to hers softly. When they pull away, Hayley leans back in, claiming his lips again. They break apart and Hayley sighs happily as she rests her forehead against Elijah's again, just as the song reaches it's last few lyrics.
For the first time since they got the baby scan photos, Hayley's photo leaves her hands. She tucks it safely into her pocket and wrap both of her arms around Elijah's neck, holding him close to her. He moves his hands carefully down her body to her waist, holding her loosely so he doesn't hurt her already injured body. Hayley closes her eyes and rubs her forehead against Elijah's in time to the music as she gently sways her body.
"No more lost time, no more lost time, darling. No more lost time, no more lost time, darling". Hayley sings, quietly in time with the song and Elijah smiles. He nods his head against her forehead.
"No more lost time". He says in agreement.
Just as Hayley is about to say something, they both hear the front door open. Elijah looks towards the living room door as they both hear Marcel and Rebekah bickering. He then looks back at Hayley and rolls his eyes. Hayley chuckles and releases Elijah from her hold. She keeps her legs flung over Elijah's thighs, but she moves so she is sat next to him once again instead of being almost sat on his lap, grabbing her phone right before it falls from the couch. Elijah takes her hand in his and kisses the back of it before lowering their hands to his thigh, holding it there while he watches Hayley create a special playlist on her phone for the songs she just showed him.
The living room door swings open and Rebekah walks in with two pizza boxes on top of each other. She gives them both one of her best smiles as she knows that they have been through a lot recently and she makes her way to the coffee table directly in front of the couple on the couch. She places the pizza boxes on the table and then sighs as she stands up straight.
"It was bloody busy in there. If I had of known I would have just got the bloody things delivered". Rebekah says, hands on hips.
"Told you it would be busy". Hayley says, still going through music on her phone.
"And you", Rebekah says, nodding at Elijah. "What are you doing out of bed?"
"I didn't want Hayley to be sat down here by herself", he says.
Hayley gives his hand a small squeeze, a silent thank you for keeping her company.
"She could have come upstairs to you. You are under strict instructions to stay in that bed for at least the next week". Rebekah says, her tone sounding angry, but both Elijah and Hayley know that she is just worried. To Rebekah being passive aggressive towards loved ones and caring for them is practically the same thing.
"Rebekah, we both know how extremely unlikely that is", Elijah says.
Shaking her head, Rebekah opens the lid of the top pizza box. "You could be a good patient and let everyone else look after you just this once you know, Elijah".
"You'll have plenty of time to look after me when I'm old and frail". Elijah replies as Rebekah passes him his box of pizza.
Hayley puts her phone to the side and looks at Elijah's pizza. It looks delicious. She could eat hers and half of his easily. After their sleepless night of pain and their long day filled with strain, she is starving. She looks at the other pizza box that Rebekah is about to open.
"Is that one mine?" Hayley asks the blonde.
"Nope, Marcel took yours in the kitchen with him while he sorts out drinks", Rebekah answers.
"He better not steal any", Hayley says, folding her arms. "What did you get?"
"My usual, the infamous New Yorker with extra pepperoni and ham". The blonde announces proudly while pulling a slice from her box.
Hayley chuckles at her friend just as Marcel walks in with a box in one hand and two cups of coffee in another. He goes straight to Hayley and places the box down on her knee before putting the two cups of coffee in front of Hayley and Elijah. He then turns back to Hayley, who dives right into her meal and gives her a smile.
"Sorry, took yours in the kitchen with me", Marcel explains.
"It's fine". Hayley says, mouth full.
"I'll be right back". Marcel says and is gone again.
Rebekah picks up her own pizza box and moves to sit next to Hayley. She was planning on seeing if everyone was up for going out for another meal tonight because after everything, she really wasn't in the mood to be cooking and she doubted anyone else would be either. But with the state that everyone is in they would probably get turned down from every restaurant they went to. Plus Elijah needs to relax and Rebekah will make sure that for once he does as he is told.
Marcel returns with two more cups of coffee and a plate. He puts one cup in front of Rebekah and the other in front of the single seated couch that he always sits in. He then holds his plate out to Rebekah, who takes it and puts four slices of pizza on it before handing it back. It's part of their pizza routine. Whenever they get a pizza, Rebekah always wants to eat out of the box and Marcel always likes to eat it of a plate. Deciding what pizza is never a problem either; they like the same and always get a larger one so they have enough to share.
"Someone pick a movie". Marcel says as he grabs the remote for the Amazon Firestick from the coffee table.
"Nothing with excessive violence in it please". Rebekah says, giving Marcel a look because she knows how much he loves action movies. After everything they have all been through, the last thing any of them need is to sit through a movie filled with fighting.
"We could watch Black Panther", Marcel says.
"No, we are not watching that again". Rebekah says, quickly. She then turns to Hayley. "I have seen that film far too many times".
Hayley chuckles while swallowing her food. "Got to say it is a good film though."
"See, Hayley gets it". Marcel says while flicking through films on the TV.
Rebekah shakes her head in disagreement and goes back to eating her pizza. Elijah then leans forwards and puts his pizza box on the coffee table. He has only had three slices and he probably could eat more, but he just doesn't have an appetite right now. All he wants to do is sleep.
"What about that one there, 'Oceans 8'?" Elijah asks as he slouches back into the couch again.
"Seriously? That's basically a chick flick", Marcel says.
"I agree with Elijah". Rebekah says. "Besides, I hear it got amazing reviews".
Marcel looks at Hayley with pleading eyes and she shrugs.
"I can't side with you on this one, sorry". Hayley says and Marcel sighs.
Marcel presses play on the film and kicks his shoes off before bringing his feet up and tucking them underneath him. Rebekah shuffles slightly to get comfy before she continues to eat her pizza. Elijah yawns and slouches even further into the couch before letting his head flop onto Hayley's arm. Hayley looks down at him and swallows her mouthful before leaning in closer to Elijah's ear.
"You can go to bed if you want. I probably won't stay awake for long anyway". She whispers so she doesn't disturb the start of the movie for Marcel or Rebekah.
Elijah shakes his head.
"I'm staying here, with you". He replies, also whispering.
Hayley smiles and uses the hand that she hasn't been touching her greasy pizza with to run through Elijah's hair. He sighs contently again and closes his eyes. She then pulls her hand away and kisses the top of his head before moving away from his ear.
"Hayley?"
She looks down at his slouched form for a second before she leans in closer again.
"What?" She asks him.
"Is pepperoni pizza really your favourite?" He asks, a smirk on his face.
Hayley looks in her pizza box at the slices of pepperoni pizza that are left and smiles. She never did answer his question earlier and she should have known that even in his current state he would be observant enough to notice what pizza she had.
"Yeah it is", she admits.
Elijah chuckles and then nuzzles his head against her arm. Hayley smiles as she watches him get comfy before she turns back to the TV and continues eating. She isn't going to let a single piece go to waste and considering Elijah will be asleep in a few minutes and his pizza will be unattended, she might just start on that as well.