A New Beginning

We're a Mess

Riley POV:
2 Weeks Later...

It's been 2 weeks since my brother was hospitalized. He is not getting much better. Lucas and I missed 1 day of school, which was the day after the accident. After that, we returned to school but we still visit Auggie every day after school. We told our kids about Auggie the day we missed school. They were, and still are, very upset about the whole thing.

I roll out of bed, literally; I roll off the bed onto the floor with a thud. "You okay?" Lucas calls from the bathroom where he is taking a shower. "Yep." I answer getting up and walking over to my closet.

I pick out a coral colored sweater, dark blue jeans, and tan combat boots. When Lucas leaves the bathroom, I straighten my hair and put on makeup. I run back to my dresser and put on the necklace Lucas gave me a few years ago.

Satisfied with my look, I walk out to the kitchen. "Good morning Beautiful." Lucas greets. "Morning Handsome." I reply smiling and pecking his lips. The kids then run out and sit at the table. "Good morning Little Princess and Cowboy," Lucas smiles giving the kids 2 pancakes each. "Morning Daddy and Mommy!" Josh greets back. "Good morning you two!" I giggle.

School goes by slowly, like it has for the past 2 weeks. Finally, the bell signaling we can go home rings. I grab a binder out of my locker and turn around towards the door. Lucas appears beside me with our kids. "Hey guys." I greet with a smile. "Hi Mommy!" Christine says. "You ready to go?" Lucas asks. I nod and he locks his fingers between mine. We walk out of the school with all 4 of us holding hands. Christine is holding Lucas' other hand, and Josh is holding Christine's free hand. "How'd I get so lucky?" Lucas says smiling warmly at me. "I don't know, but this family is perfect." I reply.

Lucas and I make a mutual decision to bring the kids today to the hospital to see Auggie. They have only visited him one time before this. We check in, and go back to see him. We walk in, and he is awake. He got out of his coma about 5 days ago, but he has been very tired. "Hey Aug." I say walking over to him. "Hey Riley!" He replies quickly. Auggie woke up with a little amnesia, but he remembers Lucas, my parents, and I well. "Hey Buddy!" Lucas smiles. "Hi Lucas!" Auggie says back. Auggie is smiling, but then turns his attention to the kids. His smile fades as he asks "Who are they?" Josh and Christine look like deer in headlights. My jaw drops open, and Lucas is looking between me to Christine to Josh to Auggie. "Umm, Auggie these are your niece and nephew." Lucas explains.

Auggie looks beyond confused now. "What? When did you two have kids?!" He questions. "Auggie, it's for a school project." I answer, finally out of the state of shock. He just nods.

A nurse comes in soon, and tells us that my parents are here and want to see him before he goes into his surgery later today. We nod and hesitantly leave the room. "Bye Auggie I love you!" I say kissing his forehead before I leave. "I love you too Riley! No matter what, wherever I am and wherever you are!" He replies joyfully. I let a grin appear on my face. I pass my parents in the hallway. "Hey." I say. "Hello you four." My dad says with a faint smile. Lucas gives a friendly smile and nods.

While we are in the waiting room, my uncle, Josh comes in the front doors. "Josh!" I say running up to him giving him a hug. "Hey Riley." He says soothingly. After we let go, he joins us in the waiting chairs. "Hey Lucas, how are you?" Josh asks. "Hi Josh, I'm well, you?" Lucas replies. "I'm good." Josh returns.

Lucas POV:
The kids are playing with toys in the corner, and a nurse comes out. "Hello, are you three here for August Matthews?" She asks politely to us. We look at each other and nod slowly. She motions us to follow her, so we do.

Once we are in the hallway, her expression changes. Her face is full of sadness. "I- I am terribly sorry." She starts and I see Riley's mouth twitch from the corner of my eye. My heart sinks, I know what's coming next. "August passed during surgery..." The nurse concludes. I turn to my right where Riley is standing, and to her right is Josh. Two tear drops tumble down her face. I feel my own tears forming. Tears escape Josh's eyes too.

Riley's face turns from sorrow to determined like a flip of a switch. "I have to see him!" She yells, by now the nurse has left us alone in the hallway.

Riley starts to take off, but I stop her by wrapping one of my arms around the front of her waist from behind. "Riles, you don't know where he is, and if you did you would make a scene in there." I say calmly. Riley tries to fight me off, but I am stronger than her.

Josh walks in front of Riley and faces her. He puts both of his hands on either of her arms. He looks at her with his tear stained face. "Riley, Auggie is in a better place now, and I am sure he would want you to return to being happy now." He says softly.

The door that leads to the waiting room flings open. Maya rushes towards us, and Riley gets out of my grip. She runs towards Maya, who is crying too. "She must have heard the news." Josh whispers to me. I nod in reply. Maya and Riley wrap their arms around each other tightly. "How are we such a mess?!" Maya cries with a small giggle loud enough for Josh and I to hear. "Don't know." Riley replies.