Where The Lights Are {Sequel to Paradise} {COMPLETED}

Chapter 17

The next morning, I am shaken awake. "Hey love, please wake up," the voice whispers. "Joey?" I ask rubbing my eyes. "Yes it's me, Mia. Come on, we have to go," he says, pulling my arm gently.

"Go where? What's going on?" I demand. "Alan. He was going to get some Krispy Kreme for you girls and he got in a car accident, it's bad," he says.

"No. He's okay. He's waiting for me downstairs, ready to hug me. You're lying Joey," I say. Joey takes my hand, and leads me down the stairs.

A teary-eyed Brycie is sitting on the couch, Fallon and Kelsey attempting to comfort her. Chad and Caleb are trying to keep the three little girls entertained.

"Why isn't Alan here?" I ask. "Joey, you didn't tell her?" Caleb asks. Joey nods, "I did, she's in denial."

Chad comes over to me, "Hey sour patch kid, I know this is hard, but we're going to see Alan." I nod, "I know, Alan's at the studio, just finishing up a song, right?" I see Chad frown slightly, but I still pretend everything is normal.

"I'm gonna go get ready, I'll be back down in a few," I say, walking upstairs. I immediately dial Alan's phone number. When he doesn't answer, I shoot him a text.

Hey, love you ❤

Of course he doesn't reply, but it makes things better to pretend that he will, any second now.

I pull on my favorite t-shirt. It's light blue, and says 'let your smile change the world' in black. Alan's always loves it too. I pull on some white shorts, put my hair in a high ponytail, and slide on some flip flops.

I walk back downstairs, and meet everybody. "You can ride with me, and we'll get some Chick-Fil-A before going to the hospital," Chad says. I nod, "Okay, Chick-Fil-A, then the studio."

We get out to Chad's car, just the two of us, be he doesn't start the car, instead he grabs my hands. "Baby sis, I know this is hard for you. It's hard for all of us, but I need you to come out of denial. Yes, Alan's in the hospital, and we don't really have many details. But we're here for you. You just have to trust God, okay?"

"Bro, I was only pretending to save myself from crying. Especially in front of the kids," I say. Chad looks around, "There's no kids here. It's okay to let down your walls."

I begin sobbing uncontrollably. Chad rubs my back, but doesn't say anything. Once I've finally composed myself enough, we go to the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru. I just get a frosted lemonade, because I really don't want anything to eat.

I take my lemonade with me into the hospital. I grab Chad's hand, and he leads me into the elevator. We ride it for a few minutes in silence. We get to the floor, and get off. We walk down the hall, until we see the girls standing in the hallway with Joey.

"Uncle Chad, you're here!" They exclaim, running to hug Chad's legs. "Hey love," Joey says, leaning over and taking a sip of my lemonade. "Please don't, I'm not in the mood," I say. He nods, "Sorry."

"Where's everyone else at?" Chad ask. "Brycie's in there with Fallon, Caleb and Kelsey went to get some breakfast downstairs," Joey says.

"Are the girls allowed to go in?" I ask. "Yeah, but I don't want to take them. It might be too much," Joey informs me. "Joe, you stay with the kiddos. Chad, you come inside with me," I say, tugging his hand.

I enter the room, and break down crying. This is too much. "I'm going to the food court with Caleb and Kels. I can't stay here," I say getting in an elevator.

"Wait!" Joey says sticking his foot in the door, "Take Baby Rowe with you, please." I take the squirming baby from his arms, and take the elevator down to the first floor.