Making It Up As We Go Along

49. Being there

Lizzie's POV
As soon as Nellie ran out of the room after singing, I was up out of my chair. I didn't like to see my baby upset and I knew I had to be there for her. I darted out of the room and down the hallway to try to find where Nellie was.

"Nellie! Nellie Angelica Arnett where are you?!" I rushed through the halls, my heels almost causing me to trip as I hurried forward.

After searching for a minute, I could finally hear my daughter's sobs coming from the bathroom. I pushed the door open and ran to the stall where Nellie was.

"Sweetie it's me, it's Lizzie. I'm here for you. Please come out Nellie, it's okay. You'll be okay."

A second later Nellie opened the door and flung herself into my arms. Nellie sobbed into my chest as I held her.

"Shh Nellie, it's okay. I understand what you're going through. I've gone through this before baby and I know it's going to be okay."

"Not with your own fucking family Elizabeth!" Nellie sobbed and I ran my fingers through her hair.

"I know Nellie. I know that I will never go through what you had gone through, but I'm your mother and I'm here for you. When we lost Chadwick last year it was really hard on me, he was like family to us all, so I feel you."

"I'm sorry mom. I-I didn't mean to yell at you but I just can't right now. I don't know if I can go back in there." "That's okay Nellie, we don't have to go back in there if you don't want to."

For the rest of the service, Nellie and I sat out in the lobby of the funeral home. I sat on the plush red bench as Nellie laid in my lap. I wiped her tears away from her eyes and I was just there for her.

"Lizzie! Nellie! There you guys are! I've been looking all over for you." A voice said, causing me to look up. "Robbie! There you are."

Robbie came over and sat down next to me, putting his arm around us.

"Nellie, how are you feeling? Will you be able to go to the burial?" Robbie asks her.  "I don't know dad, I'll try." "Okay."

After the service ended, we followed the procession to the cemetery. While the burial happened, I held Nellie's hand tight. Shayla stood on the other side of Nellie and held her left hand.

Afterwards, Shayla came over to the hotel to spend the day with Nellie and we dropped them off at Walmart because apparently they were meeting up with their friends in Walmart.

After an hour, Nellie and Shayla came out with Squishmallows and red white and blue cookies.

"What are the cookies for Nellie?" I asked as she got into the car. "Tomorrow's the Fourth of July, it's cookies for Captain America. I saw it on TikTok." "Nellie, you need help."