love again 2 [z.m au]

∞ n i n e ∞

A/N I added a quick little video in the media section. I should've put it in the first book bc it's before Ashton was born :) it's also on my fan account ig I barely use lmao @__mxlik but it's cute omg. Happy reading!

Zayn

"Where's Ev?" I rushed inside and kicked off my shoes.

"Upstairs," Lauren told me. She had a worried look on her face as well as Louis and Niall.

I quickly thanked Lauren for watching Ashton as I sprinted up the staircase and down the hall to our bedroom. "Evelyn!" I called out.

She came out from the bathroom, her hair dripping wet from showering. Her eyes met mine and her lips quivered as she tried to keep in the tears.

"Zayn," she mumbled, wrapping her arms around me tightly.

This is the most I've seen Evelyn cry and it's breaking my heart so much. She's the strongest person I know and seeing her like this hurts. I held her close and lightly stroked her hair.

God, seeing her break down is something I can't handle. I hate seeing her in pain. I cupped her cheeks and wiped the tears that kept falling from her beautiful eyes.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, softly and kissed the top of her head as I hugged her tightly.

"I was on the phone with him," she spoke, her voice barely audible. "I told him how much I missed him. He told me not to cry for him. He told me he loves me and then the other end went silent and I just knew."

"I just wish I was there with him before he left," she continued. "Oh my goodness, I don't know how Ella's going to take it. She's going to be so heartbroken, Zayn."

"He's in a much better place now, baby," I murmured, nuzzling my face at the crook of her neck. "He doesn't have to suffer the pain he was going through anymore."

"I know...it just hurts so much," she mumbled.

We stood there in each other's arms for a while longer. I didn't want to leave her all alone, so I asked Niall if he could pick up Ella from school. We're not prepared to tell her about her great grandfather. Just thinking about it makes my heart drop.

Evelyn went downstairs to get Ashton and to bring him back up to the nursery for his nap. Evelyn sat down with him in her arms as she slowly rocked him to sleep.

"He's got grandpas eyes." She smiled weakly, her thumb lightly grazing over his cheeks before looking up at me. "Can you sing something?"

I sat on the arm of the chair and watched as Ashton began to slowly close his eyes and I quietly sang 'Wanted' by Hunter Hayes. It's Evelyn's absolute favorite song.

When Ashton was sound asleep, she gently carried him to his crib and laid him down. We both kissed his forehead I turned on the baby monitor before we tiptoed out of the nursery, careful not to wake him.

"Mommy! Daddy!" We heard Ella's sweet voice call from downstairs.

We made it down and Ella ran towards us, giving a kiss on our cheeks along with a big hug. Her smile was so wide and we didn't want to ruin it.

"Thanks for picking her up," Evelyn told Niall.

"No biggie," he replied, giving her a hug before he left to join Lauren upstairs in the guest bedroom.

I picked Ella up in my arms and asked, "How was school, princess?"

"Awesome! I made a card for my grandpas and great grandpa!" she said, happily.

We sat down in the living room and watched as Ella laid out the cards.

How on earth do you tell a little girl about the death of her great grandfather after she made him a card?

"You did?" Evelyn asked, biting her lip back. She was on the verge of breaking down again.

"Mommy?" Ella looked at Evelyn, worriedly. "Are you going to cry?"

"I'm sorry, baby, it's just-" Evelyn quickly wiped her cheeks and forced a smile. She let out a shaky breath and held out her arms as Ella got up and she placed her on her lap.

"Ella," I said, firmly.

"Hm?" Ella hummed, waiting for one of us to speak. Her big hazel eyes that are so similar to Evelyn's, looked right into mine.

This is so hard.

"Great grandpa is back with the Angels," Evelyn began.

"Angels?" Ella questioned, cocking her head to the side.

"Yes, he's become one of them," I answered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Grampy's in heaven?" she asked, her voice cracking.

Evelyn nodded and Ella sat there in silence. The look on her face is breaking our hearts so much. My elbows rested on my knees as I looked down and shut my eyes, feeling myself beginning to tear up.

"He's better up there, right?" She cried, resting her head on Evelyn's shoulder. "He's not hurting?"

Evelyn closed her eyes as she rubbed Ella's back soothingly. "Not anymore," she mumbled.

"Why, mommy?" she hiccuped.

"God wanted him back home," Evelyn said, quietly.

Ella turned and looked at me, her eyes were beginning to get puffy from crying and my heart sank even more. "He's our angel now, right daddy?"

"That's right, love." I wrapped my arm around Evelyn's shoulder and she scooted closer, resting her head against me. I kissed the top of her head and then Ella's.

The three of us sat there in silence as we quietly mourned for our loss.

∞
The last couple of chapters have been way too emotional for me omg.

-Ari xx