Fostered by their teacher

Chapter 8

*Trigger warning mentions of Hospital* 

Mrs. Lewis's POV

The minutes drag on in the sterile waiting room, the low hum of the hospital machines blending with Y/N's quiet sobs. I've been holding her for what feels like hours, while Mason sits close by, silent and withdrawn. He's not crying, but the tension in his small frame says more than words ever could. The doctor's grim update keeps playing in my head—Julie's being airlifted to Melbourne Royal Hospital, and there's nothing more we can do but wait.

I glance at the clock on the wall. It's just after midnight. My heart sinks as I realize Harper, Taylor, and Trey must be fast asleep at home, blissfully unaware of the chaos that's unfolded tonight. And Lincon... he's probably asleep too, but when we get home, he'll be confused. He'll need answers, and I need to be there for him.

I gently pull Y/N away, wiping her tear-streaked face. "Sweetheart," I say softly, trying to keep my voice steady, "I know this is hard. But Lincon and the littles are still at home. I need to get back to them."

Y/N blinks up at me, her face pale and exhausted. Mason glances over, his eyes hollow with the weight of it all.

"Do you want to stay here with your dad?" I ask gently. "You won't be able to go with your mom since she's being transferred, but you can stay until your dad wakes up."

Y/N looks down, trembling. "I can't stay here. I can't handle it right now," she whispers. "I need to go home."

Mason nods quietly beside her. "I don't want to stay here either," he says softly. "I just want to go home."

I sigh, relieved in a way. As much as I understand their pain, it's probably best for them to be out of the hospital, away from the stark reminders of the accident. "Alright," I say, wrapping an arm around Y/N as we head toward the exit. "Let's go home."

The drive back is silent. Y/N stares out the window, her face etched with exhaustion and sorrow, while Mason rests his head against the seat, his eyes closed but his mind clearly racing.

When we pull into the driveway, the house stands in quiet contrast to the turmoil of the night, its windows dark and still. It's just after 12:30 AM now, and the air feels heavy with everything we've just been through.

As we step inside, the house is calm—too calm. But then we hear the soft sound of footsteps on the stairs.

"Y/N?" Lincon's groggy voice calls out. A second later, he appears at the top of the stairs, rubbing his eyes and yawning, still half-asleep in his pajamas.

"Where were you?" he asks, his voice tinged with confusion. "Why are you getting home so late?"

Y/N freezes, her face full of anguish, unable to find the words. Mason steps back, looking down at the floor, just as lost.

I step in, my voice soft as I kneel down. "Lincon, sweetheart, we had to go to the hospital tonight. Mom and Dad were in a car accident, but they're getting help from the doctors."

Lincon's eyes widen, the sleepiness quickly fading as fear and worry take its place. "Are they okay? What happened?"

"Your dad is going to be alright, but your mom... she's going to a special hospital in Melbourne to get more help," I explain as gently as I can. "She's very hurt, but she's in good hands now."

Lincon looks between us, confusion and fear written all over his face. "But why weren't you here earlier?"

I sigh softly, glancing over at Y/N and Mason. "We had to stay at the hospital to make sure everything was okay before we could come home. But now we're here, and we're going to take care of everything."