trigger warnings - mentions of car crashes, hospitals, mentions of miscarriage and a shit load of angst. if you notice anymore triggers please let me know asap!
~
You had been looking forward to this all day. The sun had a warm glow as you sat behind the wheel, driving along through the familiar roads on your way to pick up your son, Nathan, from school. The excitement of seeing your son filled the air, your heart light with prospect of his stories from the day.
As you turned on to the street leading to his school, you imagined his face lighting up when he saw you. He would come running, his backpack bouncing against his small frame. You couldn't wait to hug him and feel his energy proving an escape from the adult world.
The plan was to head to Matt's warehouse, where the guys were getting everything ready for their t0ur. It had been a while since the three of you spent time together. You had ordered takeout from his favourite restaurant, a little treat to celebrate a simple evening.
But as the sun began its descent and the car continued down the road, fate had other plans.
Out of nowhere, a truck drove into your lane, its imposing presence casting a shadow over your happy thoughts. Panic surged through your body, your heart raced but time seemed to slow.
The impact was sudden and brutal, metal colliding with metal in a symphony of destruction. Your world spun and everything went black.
Matt sat in the warehouse, his fingers on his keyboard of his computer as he worked on everything he needed for the shows.
But then, a sudden interruption shattered his focus. His phone began to ring, the vibration causing it to skitter across the table.
Matt picked up his phone and saw Nathan's school was calling. He furrowed his eyebrows, an unsettling feeling forming in his stomach. He answered the call and held the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" He said, with curiosity and concern.
"Hi. Is this Mr Sturniolo?"
"Yeah, it's me" he replied, furrowing his eyebrows together.
"I'm calling from your son, Nathan's school" The lady explained. "It seems there was a mix up and no one picked him up today"
Matt's heart skipped a beat. "What? No one picked him up?"
"That's correct. We tried to reach your wife, but no one was answering" she told him
Matt frowned, looking at his watch. You and Matt took turns to pick Nathan up from school. You did Monday and Wednesday. Matt did Tuesday and Thursday. You both picked him up on Friday's.
"I'm sorry" he apologised. "I'll be right there to pick him up"
"We'll make sure he's safe until you arrive"
"Thank you" Matt said. "I'll be there as soon as I can"
~
Matt barely had time to turn off the engine before he was out of the car, his long strides carrying him toward the school building. Panic flowed through his body with every step, a mix of worry and guilt moving him forward.
When he walked through the doors, he scanned the reception area for a familiar face. And there he was, his son, standing at the reception desk. His face lit up when he saw Matt.
"Daddy!" Nathan yelled, running to Matt with open arms.
Matt crouched down, his arms open, and Nathan jumped into his arms. Matt held his son tight, a flood of emotions flooding his senses.
