Trinity POV:
"D-Daddy promised this wouldn't happen. HE PROMISED ME THAT W-WE WOULDN'T BE ALONE!". Ashton began to wail, giving way and falling on top of Lola as she helplessly tried to comfort him, stroking his hair and hushing him while her eyes met mine with desperation.
"W-We're not alone, Ash. T-Trin and I are here with you, s-see? We're all t-together. We'll find Mommy and Daddy, I promise you.", she whispered as she blinked back tears.
"Y-You can't promise that. P-Promises c-can't always be seen through.".
I stepped in, engulfing both of them into a hug and kissing Ash's forehead while rubbing Lola's shoulder.
"We will, Ash, no matter what it takes. I promise you.", I said.
He looked up from Lola's chest, face already red and swollen. "D-Did you call them?".
"Of course I did, Ash. I'm not stupid.".
"Trin!", Lola quietly scolded. "I get you're frustrated, but don't take it out on him. J-Just take a deep breath, please.".
I did as she asked, surprised to see that it did help the slightest bit.
"I'm sorry, Ash. I didn't mean to yell.".
"I'm sorry, too.", he murmured. "It's my turn now and I've already failed.".
Lola and I exchanged bewildered glances before Lola began to strike his hair again.
"What are you talking about, bud?", she asked, her voice calm and soothing. Boy, I had a lot to learn about patience, and she had it mastered.
"D-Dad said I-I would become the man of the house i-if anything happened to him. D-Does that apply to our situation?".
Now, it was my turn to chime into the sorrowful pity-party. I was at a complete loss for words.
Dad would never intentionally put a burden on a child like that.
He said it to make him feel better, didn't he?
"Ash, I know it's a lot of pressure, but Lola and I will be here to help you w-with that the whole time, okay? No need to fret just yet.".
He nodded solemnly, rubbing his nose, followed by his eyes. He then, jumped from Lola's arms to mine, putting a weak smile on my face as au held him.
"Wait.", Lola suddenly interrupted. I peeked over Ash's shoulder, finding her staring into her hands, which now held her stress ball.
"The Father-Daughter Dance is tomorrow... I won't get to go with Dad.". She sighed heavily, the sigh coming out as more of a whimper as her lip began to quiver.
"M-My birthday is i-in a month.", Ash chimed in.
"Ash, that's a while away. They'll be home by then. As for you, Lo, I'm really sorry. I know how much you wanted to go.".
She nodded silently, as if she understood but didn't want to admit it out loud. I couldn't blame her. I wasn't maintaining my brave face at the moment, either.
What would they want you to do, Trin? What would they tell you to do?
"Hey... I'm gonna go call Auntie Vee and Uncle Archie, okay? You two... you guys just sit tight okay? Um... cuddle on the bed, or something. I'll be right back.".
"You swear?", Ash pleaded softly. "You swear it, Trinity?".
I let a tear finally slip, biting my lip and forcing a chuckle. "I swear.".
~~
"Oh my God.".
Veronica's and Archie's eyes widened as I sat with them on the couch downstairs, explaining every known detail of our morning while Charlie, miraculously, slept soundly in Archie's lap, despite the cries of the other two Jones children on the floor above us.
"So, you think they've been abducted... or something? Trin, I'm sure there's another explanation for all of this.", Archie said while rubbing my hand reassuringly. His efforts were futile, but I showed my appreciation with a weak attempt of a smile.
"I-I've tried reasoning with myself. I've thought of the other possible scenarios. Mom and Dad aren't answering their phones. They never leave the house without telling us. I don't know what else it could be! W-What if they're hurt? W-What am I supposed to do? I'm only 13, and I have two younger siblings that I now have to assume responsibility of.".
"Trinity, you're not alone, sweetie.". Veronica sucked in as she leaned to hug me, pulling away after a moment to cup my cheeks.
"We're your godparents, and even if we weren't, we'd be here to take care of you all anyways. Also, we will stop at nothing until your parents are tracked down and safe and sound here with all of you.".
"You guys just had Charlie a few weeks ago. I can't burden you with having to manage the three of us on top of everything you have going on.". My eyes began to water, and I tried giggling to mask the conflict I'd been battling all morning.
"Charlie is an easy baby. We can handle him along with the three of you.", Archie confirmed calmly, or at least as calmingly as he could manage. "Besides, if need be, I'm sure your Aunt Cheryl, Aunt Toni, and Uncle Kev would be more than willing to help out. We, in fact, called them already on our way here. They should be here shortly. In the meantime, why don't you go upstairs and talk to your siblings. I bet they could really use their brave big sister right now.".
