Chapter 9 - What matters most.

After this news is mentioned to Harry, he reacts to Andy, "If that's the case, we got to get going right now" Harry asks Manny, "Could I do the rope work later since I have to see my sister". Manny answers, "Sure thing, lad. You can go, Harry. It's your sister and family is more important to you than your boxing. I had many siblings yet I'm currently the only one of them who is alive today". Harry thanks Manny, Chris and Johnson, then tells Andy, "Let's get going now, brother".

Andy asks him, "Are you really going to the hospital in a sweaty shirt with a wolf on it saying Be Brave, Be Fast on it and those training shorts?" Harry responds, "I sure am, what's wrong with it? What's wrong with wearing these clothes?" Andy answers, "There's nothing wrong with them just you're all smelly and sweaty but come on, let's get going". Harry and Andy leaves the gym and heads to the hospital, in order to see how Zoey is doing and find out what's going on exactly.

Andy and Harry gets into the Aston, Harry drives off to the hospital. Harry asks Andy, "Who exactly did you speak with about Zoey being rushed off to hospital?" Andy informs Harry, "It was mum. She told me that Zoey was home with her, Rose and Elizabeth and all of a sudden, Zoey complained about not being able to breath properly and she was really sweaty and coughed up a lot of blood too". Harry tells Andy, "Damn" as he slams his hand on the steering wheel.

Harry continues, "I hope Zoey is okay and its nothing too bad" Andy responds to him, "Don't worry, Harry. Zoey, she'll be fine. She's and Edwards after all. Let's just hurry to the hospital and get the full story on what's wrong with Zoey there". As for now, Harry continues to drive himself and Andy to the hospital, once there, Harry parks the Aston in the car park, then heads inside in order to see Zoey.

They head to the front desk and ask for the location of Miss Zoey Edwards who came here not too long ago. They are given the location, ward and room number where Zoey is in, as they head there. They soon arrive there. As they enter the room, Sean, Michelle, Zoey, Arthur, Rose and Elizabeth are waiting in the room. Harry and Andy greets everyone and asks how things are, both Andy and Harry can see the condition which Zoey is in as she lays on the bed. Andy and Harry greets their mum with a hug, goes to their father and Arthur then shakes their hands.

Harold approaches Elizabeth. He gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Harold asks Elizabeth, "How are you doing?" Elizabeth answers, "I'm good just worried about Zoey, that's all". Harold asks her, "Do you know what's wrong with Zoey because it looks really bad and quite serious?" Elizabeth informs him, "Zoey, she has Pneumonia". Harold with a confused look on his face asks, "Pneumonia? What's that? I never been to doctor school. I've been to boxing school and they don't teach you those things".

Elizabeth informs him, "Pneumonia, is a bad lung infection which is why Zoey is in hospital" which Harold begins to understand. He approaches Zoey and takes her hand. Harry asks his sister, "How are you doing?" She answers, "I've been better, Harry. Thank you for asking". Harry tells her, "I hope you recover and get well soon because I'd like for you to see my fight against Freddy Kent since it's going to be on TV as well as the radio since this is a promotional fight. If I win this one, I'll be climbing the ranks and moving onto much more bigger fights".

Harold suggests to Elizabeth, "When Zoey returns home, I'd like for you to be there for her and take care of her just in case" Elizabeth asks him, "but what about your fight in three weeks time? I thought I was supposed to be at the fight to cheer you on" while Harold tells her, "Well, those plans have to be changed since it's more important for you to be with Zoey and take care of her. I'll find someone else to give the ticket to and see the fight against Freddy Kent".

Elizabeth comes to agree with what Harold asks of her, as she's about to honour his request. Elizabeth informs Harold, "Okay, I'll be there to look after Zoey while you fight against Freddy Kent". Rose comes up with a suggestion as she brings it up to everyone present. Rose suggests, "I'd like to use the ticket which was meant for Elizabeth as that way you'll still have someone important to you by your side since the two of us are sort of like siblings".

Harry tells Rose, "That's okay with me and a good idea, I guess. The ticket doesn't go to waste since it costs £350 since it's a ringside ticket". Everyone settles things now and knows what their duties are. Harold, Andy and Rose are going to the fight within three weeks while Elizabeth and Michelle are to take care of Zoey while she's still in hospital and recovering at home while Sean and Arthur are to provide the needed support and if anything else is needed, they're to help out where they can.

Harry approaches Zoey. He takes her hand again while asking her, "Who is your doctor?" Zoey coughs a bit. She clears her throat then informs him, "My doctor is Dr. Anthony Ward, why do you ask?" Harry tells her, "I ask because I'm going to speak to Dr. Ward about your stay here as well as your treatment and everything else you'll need to get through this". Zoey responds in a weak voice, "Thank you, Harry. For what you're doing for me. I do appreciate it" she says this with a smile.

Harry tells her, "It's not a problem, Zoey. It's my duty to take care of you like I've been doing ever since we were thirteen, even though you're older than me by twelve minutes". Zoey smiles once again. She tells Harry, "Thank you once again" Harry tells her, "Not long ago, before Manny began to train me and me all I thought I knew and more. He told me something important. Manny said to me, You're a natural fighter, lad. You're quite good at it. You were born with the gift which not many people have, to overcome nearly everything in your life, to face it and come out on top. So if I was born with this great gift, and we're twins that means you have the gift too, it may not be physical like mine but it's emotional, mental and spiritual since you were always the strongest between the two of us and not to forget, the smartest one too".

Zoey asks her brother, "Why are you trying to tell me?" Harry answers, "If I'm a fighter, so are you and you'll beat this illness. I know that you can. I know you will" Harry whisper to Zoey. He tells her, "One day, I plan to marry Elizabeth and I'd like for you, my twin sister to be there for the wedding and for the day when Elizabeth and I have children, who better to teach my children, to tell them stories about their dad, the good and the bad ones and to be there for us when we need you. No offence to Andy and Arthur but you, my sister are the best choice to make as my children's god parent".

Andy and Arthur are listening to them. Andy reminds them, "You know that we can hear the two of you, right? We are standing right here. Not in another room" Harry tells them, "Yeah but unlike the three of us idiots, Zoey is the only one with an education as neither of us bothered to finish school nor went to Oxford university for that matter". Andy responds, "That's true since we never finished High School nor went to a college or a university like Zoey" while Arthur adds, "We all began to do mechanical work with dad when we dropped out of school and then went to work with him at the steel factory".

Harry gets to his feet. He tells everyone, "I'll be going to speak with Dr. Ward then head back to the gym if Manny and Chris are still there then I'll head home since I got a fight to prepare for and I'll be here whenever I can". Harry and Andy says their goodbyes to everyone. Harold goes to Elizabeth, kisses her and then says, "I'll see you later at The Loft". Elizabeth and Harold says their goodbyes as Harry and Andy leaves the room. Harry and Andy heads to Dr. Ward, as they discuss things with him.

Once they are done having their conversation, Harry asks Dr. Ward in private. He whispers to him, "Do you guys have a chapel here? As I'd like to pray for Zoey's recovery and for God to grant me victory in my next fight since both of these things are big and has a great impact on my life" Dr. Ward informs him, "We do have a chapel, it's just down the hall from here on the left". Harry responds, "Thank you, Dr. Ward". Harry then approaches Andy. He says to him, "I'd like to go and pray in the chapel but you're not to mention this to mum. It's between us, since she's still mad at me for not going to church. I'll go back soon again, to church that is" Andy ensures him, "Whatever you want, Harry. Don't worry, it's our secret".

Harry and Andy heads to the chapel. When they arrive, Harry enters the chapel, kneels down as he begins to pray to God. Harry begins by confessing to God, "I'm sorry for not going to Church ever since Matthew left and David and Ryan passed away, but it's time to change all of that as obviously you know Zoey is ill and I'd like to request from you God, please use your divine power to grant Zoey a recovery since she's the one sibling who helped me many times over the years, amen".

Harry thinks about his life. He then continues with his prayer, "Please, God. All I want for you is to give me everything which I need to beat Freddy Kent in the fight within three weeks as I really hope to challenge for the title someday and even win it, amen". Afterwards, Harry gets to his feet. He leaves the chapel, makes his way to Andy. He tells Andy, "Let's go, brother". Harry and Andy leaves the hospital, as Harry goes to drop Andy at home then heads home himself to do the last bit of his training since it's already late and the gym is closed which means that Manny and Chris already left and went home themselves.

Harry heads back to The Loft after he has dropped Andy off, he drives at a steady pace and once he gets home, Harry parks the Aston, it's quite late now since it's already after nine, to which Harry exits the Aston, locks it then heads inside his place. Once he enters, Harry places his keys on the table by the door, sits down on the sofa and thinks about Zoey, since he is worried about his twin sister. Harry thinks long and hard about her being in hospital but once he's done thinking about all of those things, he gets up and goes for a workout and does this until Elizabeth arrives.

Harry does this workout until 9:30, as for now, hears a knock on the door. Harry goes to see who it is even though he's all sweaty and exhausted. When he opens the door, it's Elizabeth wo just arrived from the hospital since she was there to assist Michelle and Rose with a few things before they left the hospital. Harold greets her with a kiss, to which Harold then asks Elizabeth, "How is Zoey doing? Is she okay?" Elizabeth informs him, "Zoey is doing well, all things considering. She fell asleep before we left since she needs the rest". Harry tells her, "Thank God for that. I'm glad she's doing well".

Harold states to Elizabeth, "I'd like to take a shower then we could lay together before we fall asleep if that's okay with you since we just bought a new bed not too long ago" Elizabeth says, "That's a good idea. I'd like that". Elizabeth and Harold shares a kiss, afterwards Harrold heads to the bathroom in order to take a shower and after he is done, Harry heads to the bedroom to lay with Elizabeth. Harold gets on the bed with Elizabeth and lays besides her. Elizabeth is in her sleepwear and Harold is just in a vest and boxer shorts, to which they look at each other and begins to talk about things while they are laying down together and talk about their plans for the future.

Speaking about Harold going the distance while Elizabeth wants to go back into her modeling and possibly acting. Talks even begin about marriage, children and to begin a good and proper life together, after they are done talking, Elizabeth and Harold falls asleep, right until the early dawn of the morning.

22nd April 2010.

It's about five in the morning. Elizabeth and Harold wakes up together. Harold informs her, "I'll be on my way soon. Manny is expecting me to resume the last of my training today" Elizabeth confirms, "That's okay with me. But just before you go, let's take a shower together and have breakfast before the training begins" to which Harold replies, "I'd like that. We've come a long way from the day we met in Nancy's coffee shop". Elizabeth and Harold takes their shower together and once they are done, they get dressed then head over to the kitchen, in order to prepare breakfast.

Harold assist Elizabeth with the preparation of breakfast. Once breakfast is done, Elizabeth and Harold takes their seats and begins to eat breakfast together, while they are busy eating, they have a good chat and laugh together. Harold was given a strict diet by Manny to follow which Elizabeth oversees, to ensure that he eats and drink properly. Elizabeth and Harold continues to eat their breakfast, Harold enjoys the breakfast which Elizabeth made him, once he he is done eating, he tells Elizabeth, "I'll be on my way soon but before I go, I've got three things to do before I head out for my training today".

Elizabeth asks him, "What are those three things which you have to do before you leave for your training, Harold?" He responds to her, "One of them is, I'll go to my girlfriend and give her a good kiss and thank her for the meal she made me and for being by my side and the second thing is, I'll clean the dishes before I go and brush my teeth then go out for my run then head to the gym to train with Manny". Elizabeth states to him, "But those are only two things, Harold. What's the third?". Harold tells her, "Please be patient with the third one because it's the best of the three".

Harry heads to the bathroom, in order to brush his teeth and get ready to go for his training. When Harry finishes off with what he was doing, he makes his way to Elizabeth. He informs her, "I've got something for you" Harold takes out from behind his back, a key to The Loft. He tells Elizabeth, "I was thinking, since you practically live here, you'll need your own key. So here, this is the spare key to The Loft" Elizabeth responds, "Thank you, Harold" however, he quickly tells her, "Hang on, that's not all the gifts which I got you because there's still two more".

Harold hands Elizabeth a box, to which she opens. It's a necklace which he bought her. Elizabeth says, "aaawww, Thank you, Harold. It's beautiful" Harold states, "A beautiful necklace for a beautiful woman" while Elizabeth asks him, "What's the third thing?" Harold asks her, "What do you mean?" Elizabeth tells him, "You said that you've got three things for me, one was the key to The Loft, the second was the necklace you just gave me, so what's the third thing?".

Harold thinks about it. He eventually says, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that, this is the third thing" Harold approaches Elizabeth. He gives her a passionate kiss then informs her, "That's the third thing I wanted to give you but for now, I'll be heading out and I'll see you later. We've got to visit Zoey as well" Elizabeth tells him, "I'll see you later. Should I fetch you from the gym after you're done with your training for today?" Harold answers, "Absolutely, that would be great for all of us but for now, see you later". Elizabeth and Harold shares one last kiss before he heads outside of The Loft and goes for his run.