Don't Need Them - John Laurens x Reader {DISCONTINUED}

- 49 -

~ four days later ~

Day seven...

Your POV

"Príncipe, come sit down, please..."

I was sat at the foot of the bed, John pacing in front of me. He had grown increasingly frustrated over the past few days, and it wasn't mixing well with the inner anxieties he had.

"This is bullsh*t," he spoke, exasperated as he stopped for a moment, "this is actual bullsh*t."

"I know, príncipe, but—" I started.

"I blame Hercules," he snapped. "This wouldn't be happening if it weren't for him! I would've got Frances back if he wasn't in the way! He grabbed me, he pushed me to the f*ckin' floor! If he wasn't stronger, we wouldn't—"

"John," I exclaimed, finally making him both stop pacing and talking, "calm down!"

His features softened, sighing heavily as he ran a hand through his short curls. "I'm sorry, princesa.. I just.."

"I know, baby. I know," I responded quietly. "We're both upset."

My husband finally moved to sit next to me, and I placed my hand on his back, gently running it up and down.

"It's just not fair," John muttered, "we never did anythin' wrong. We were just livin' our lives and takin' care of her when she was born; we were just bein' a family, and they ruined that.."

"They just don't understand, I think," I spoke, "you're right, príncipe. We were just doing what we wanted."

It fell into silence, but we stayed where we were. It wasn't until my phone started buzzing from next to me, the screen sporting Eliza's contact, did I get up and excuse myself with a kiss to John's cheek.

"Hey, Liza."

"Hey, (N/N). Anything new?"

I sighed. "No, but we're somehow managing to hold up."

John's POV

After I heard (Y/N) go down the stairs, I sighed, resting my head in my hands. My anger was gone fully, now just replaced with the sadness and emptiness I had been feeling for days.

Lifting my head after a bit, I ran a hand through my hair, standing up. I walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me, and found myself by Frances's nursery door. Neither myself or (Y/N) had gone in since the break-in, unable to find the want and ability to.

But I opened the door, stepping in and nearly closing it behind me. The carpet was still partially askew from when Alexander had ran by, and Frances's blanket was still unkempt from when he must've picked her up, her little turtle plush dropped on top. Nothing else was different.

I walked farther in, trying to ignore the fact my hands were starting to shake slightly as memories flooded back. I adjusted the carpet, slowly making my way over to Frances's crib.

Seeing my hands shake as I fixed her blanket, setting the plush back in its usual corner, I mentally cursed at myself. I couldn't stay in there any longer, feeling tears prick as I left the room.

I was about to go downstairs, but my own phone started buzzing. I pulled it out of my pocket.

George.

I was a little confused - he rarely ever called me - but picked it up nonetheless. "George?"

"Hey, John."

"You just about never call; what's up?" I responded, looking around the hall. I found (Y/N) back in our room, realizing I must've been beyond distracted if I didn't hear her come back up.

"I talked to the boys about an hour after you left the other day. Have they given her back yet?" George answered.

"Of course not. But why?" I asked.

"I told them they had three days. Ended up giving them an extra day, false hope purposes, I guess."

"So what's goin' to happen now?"

"Easy. They didn't listen, I tell you where they have Frances," George continued.

My eyes widened. "Y-You know?"

"They can only go so far with a stolen one-year-old and borrowed baby stuff, John. Especially with me."

"Right, right.." I laughed slightly, feeling a spark of hope again for the first time in days.

"Laf and Herc's place," George spoke out of nowhere, "that's where they took Frances."

Everything clicked. That was the place in the back of my mind I couldn't remember. We had always done most things at Alexander and I's, and so it was only a matter of time before I had in fact forgotten Lafayette and Hercules's. But that's why it made sense.

"That's.. that's it! That's- I-" I was at a loss for words. "Thank you so much, George. You just- You just helped us get her back."

"You don't have to thank me, son," George chuckled, "what they did is wrong, and they'll get in trouble for it. Just be safe and get Frances back. All I ask is you swing by once you're all settled back in."

"We will. We definitely will," I responded, still in a sense of disbelief. "Thank you again though. (Y/N) and I will see you soon."

"I'd hope so. Goodbye, John."

"Bye, George.."

Click.

I set my phone back in my pocket, nearly dazed as I walked down to (Y/N) and I's room.

She looked up when I opened the door, looking at me curiously as I sat across from her on the bed. "You look oddly.. lighter, príncipe. Who was that?"

"It was, George," I answered.

"George? What was he calling for?"

"He just-" I was unable to hide the smile crossing my face, "he told me where Frances is, chickadee. We can get her back."

(Y/N)'s (E/C) eyes widened. "H-He did?"

I nodded, and in seconds, was laughing as my wife's arms flew around me, making me fall back onto the bed.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, keeping her close. When (Y/N) lifted her head, I kissed her cheek, wiping the few tears that had fallen.

She got up after pressing her lips to mine, helping me sit up too. But I grabbed her hand, holding it tightly as she looked back at me.

"Where is she?" (Y/N) asked.

"Lafayette and Hercules's place; the place I had been thinkin' of but could never remember," I answered.

"That makes sense..." she looked back up at me. "When do we go, amor?"

I thought a moment. "I was thinkin' we go early like they did; give 'em a hint at what they gave us."

(Y/N) smiled after a moment. "I like that. Perfect."

I nodded, using our held hands to pull her to me after a moment. She smiled back, kissing my nose and making me chuckle. For the first time in days, there was a sense of normality.

"Volveremos a ser una familia..." (Y/N) muttered. (We will be a family again...)

"Mi cosa favorita.." I responded. (My favorite thing..)

(Y/N) looked at me again, pulling me closer and into a kiss.

"Te amo, mi príncipe," she whispered as we pulled back.

"Te amo, mi princesa."

Even the darkest week finally had its light after all.