The Babysitter - Frank Iero X O.C.

12: Dad

TW: Grief, loss of a loved one.

Frank's father had passed away in his sleep that afternoon from a long term illness he'd had for a while.
Frank listened to Gerard tell him the news. I could feel my stomach drop as he said it.
"I need to make some calls," Frank murmured when Gerard was finished.
He slowly stood up and left the room.
I sighed, "I suppose someone should talk to the kids."
I stood up and went downstairs. Frank was on the phone in the kitchen, quietly talking to his mother.
I could hear the way his voice sounded. Hoarse, and he was breathing heavily. He was crying. I'd never seen him cry before. It truly broke my heart to see him so upset.
The kids were all in the sitting room watching some tv.
"Hey guys," I smiled, leaning against the door frame, "Could we talk?"
"Sure, Andy," Lily stood up and turned off the tv.
I brought them all over to the couch and I sat down on the coffee table facing them.
"I have some news," I began, "Your grandpa Frank... he's not with us anymore."
"What do you mean?" Miles asked.
The girls knew what I was talking about. I could see it in their faces. Miles was only seven. He wasn't used to the subject.
"Miles, honey," I took his hands in mine, "Your grandpa passed away this afternoon."
His little face dropped.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
I sat on the couch and we all huddled together in a big group hug.
After a little while, Cherry and Lily decided to go upstairs and have some quiet time.
Miles wanted to stay with me.
We sat in silence for a little while, his head rested against my shoulder.
I looked down at him. He was totally lost in thought, trying to wrap his head around everything. It was pretty big news for a seven year old. I knew it wouldn't be easy for him.
"You okay, kid?" I asked, kissing the top of Miles's head.
He shrugged, "I really love Grandpa. Why'd he have to go?"
"That's a good question," I smiled, "No one really has control over it, y'know."
"I know," Miles said, "It's just... I never got to say goodbye to him."
He was quiet for a minute.
"Andy, it's not fair," Miles grumbled against my shoulder, "It's so not fair."
"I know, kiddo, it sucks," I whispered, pulling him into a hug.
I held him in my arms as he quietly sobbed.
After a few minutes, I noticed Frank standing at the doorway, eyes red from crying.
He came in and sat down on the other side of Miles, joining the hug.
"Andy, can you stay?" Miles's little voice said after a while.
"Stay?" I asked, "Stay where?"
"Stay here with us," he said, "We need you."
I smiled, "I won't go anywhere, don't worry."
Miles then decided he wanted to go upstairs to his room for a little while.
Frank and I sat together on the couch.
"Are you alright?" I asked, taking his hand on mine.
He nodded, "Yeah, I'll be fine."
He wiped his eyes and sighed.
"You sure?" I asked.
Frank smiled at me, probably about to say 'yes, I'm fine', but he couldn't get the words out.
He shook his head and buried his face in his hands.
I wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry," Frank sobbed against me.
"What are you sorry for?" I said, holding him close.
"I can't even be strong for the kids," he whispered, "I feel like I should've been there, I could've helped or something."
I took his face in my hands and wiped away the tears on his cheeks.
"Frank, the kids understand that you're upset too," I whispered gently, "It's not your fault. It's not your fault at all. These things happen and, I promise you, it won't be this painful forever. Every day, it'll hurt a little less until you can barely feel it. I know you love him very much. It'll be okay."
"Andy...," Frank took one of my hands, "Did you... did you lose someone?"
I was, in fact, speaking from experience.
I nodded, "Yeah, about five years ago. My brother was in a car accident."
"Oh my God," Frank took my other hand, "I'm so sorry, that's awful."
"It was pretty fuckin' brutal alright," I shook my head, "Losing the people you love... it's so hard."
"Yeah," Frank agreed, "Jamia, the kids mom, she had a lot of complications during Miles's birth. She passed just after he was born."
"I'm sorry," I shook my head, "Sounds like you loved her a lot, huh?"
"Absolutely," Frank smiled, "We've just gotta try our best and get through these things. It'll be alright. Thanks for everything, Andy."
"I'm happy to help, Professor Oreo," I smiled, pulling him into another hug.
He laughed a little.
We stayed hugging on the couch for a while.
"Andy," Frank mumbled, "The kids want you here. I sure as hell want you here. You wanna stay over tonight?"
"Sure I will," I smiled.
Later that night, Frank gave me one of his t-shirts and a pair of sweatpants.
I lay beside him on his bed once I was changed.
"Thanks for the clothes, once again," I smiled.
"No problem, Miss King," he smiled back.
He looked exhausted. It had been an unbelievably long day.
"Sleep well, okay?" I whispered, getting up to go sleep on the couch downstairs.
"Wait, Andy," Frank said, "Could you, uh, could you stay up here."
"Of course," I lay back down beside him.
"Thanks," he yawned.
We fell asleep within minutes.