Autumn Haze

37: 'The one where everything happens in threes...'

I roughly wipe my cheeks as I step out of Toby's hospital room, he's still stable and is making slight progress but we've been told that it could still go either way at this point. All we can do is pray and keep hope.

'Autumn?' A familiar voice calls out from behind me.

My eyebrows knit together as I turn my head around to see my younger brother standing there with a ghostly expression, 'Cole? What are you doing at the hospital?'

He runs his hands through his hair, 'Did you not see my text?'

I shake my head, 'I've not got any service. Why what's happened?'

Cole's eyes water as he nods stiffly, 'I don't know how to fucking say it.'

My shaking hands reach out and gently touch his shoulder, 'Are you okay?'

'No.'

'Is it something really bad?'

'Dad...he died an hour ago.'

The air is knocked out of my lungs as a strangled breath leaves my lips, 'W-What?'

The dark blonde sighs sharply, 'He...he said that he had some chest pains  and then he...just collapsed.'

Hot tears burn the corner of my eyes, 'D-Dad's dead?'

'Yeah.'

My heartbreaks in a million pieces but not for this version of myself, but for the younger me who absolutely adored her father before he just go up and left without saying goodbye. It also breaks for the young boy standing in-front of me looking hopeless and lost. I shake my head before wrapping my arms around him tightly.

'I-It's going to be okay.' I manage out as I stroke his back.

He shakes his head as he buries his head into the crook of my neck, 'W-We had an argument before he died.'

'It's okay. I promise.' I whisper.

'He was such a shitty dad.'

'I know.'

'So, why am I so fucking sad?'

'Because he was still your dad.'

'He was your dad too.'

I swallow harshly, 'I know. I don't even know how I feel right now.'

'He can't just be a shitty dad all our lives and then just fucking die, it isn't fucking fair!' He croaks out.

A small sob leaves my lips, 'No...it isn't fair.'

'Princess?' 

I crook my neck while still holding Cole firmly in the place, 'Something bad has happened.'

Lucas' eyes widen as he takes in the shaking form of my brother, 'What...What's happened?'

Cole's cries get even more hysterical as his body begins to give out slightly, I attempt to catch him before he hits the ground but I don't have the strength to do so. Lucas quickly reaches out and grabs my brother before he hits the floor completely.

'Cole is your mom here? You aren't alone are you?'

He nods, 'S-She's talking to the doctor.'

Lucas' eyes flash with recognition at the name, as he looks at me with a wary glance. A part of me is hoping that he can somewhat piecing together what has happened so that I don't have to physically tell him myself.

'Well we're going to stay with you until she's back.' Lucas whispers as he gently moves Cole onto one of the waiting room chairs.

'We aren't leaving you.'