PTSD | Sequel to Little Clifford

19

This chapter is short. Thanks again to year10michael for being the bomb .com. I binge read the book and the sequel HAHA.

Michael's POV

There was a knock on our front door and I quickly went to open it, knowing it would be Grace. She immediately threw her arms around my neck in a hug and I wrapped mine tightly around her waist.

"I missed you so much," She whispered.

I chuckled, "I missed you too Gracie."

We stayed within the hug until we heard footsteps behind us. We pulled away to see Parker and Arden running over, "Auntie Grace!" Parker gasped.

He immediately threw his arms around her in a hug. She laughed and hugged him back, "Hey bud! I've missed you!"

Once he pulled away, Arden gave Grace a hug too, "Hello Ms. Arden! I've missed your beautiful face as well," Grace smiles, causing a blush to appear on Arden's face.

"Parker, we really need to get going..." Grace sighs, remembering why she's here early.

Parker nods and runs to get his shoes, Arden following.

"Anymore news on Jeff?" I ask softly.

I can see the tears well up in her eyes, "He's not doing too good," She whispers, "They don- uh they don't think he's- he-" I immediately pulled her into a hug, knowing what she was going to say.

She slowly wrapped her arms around my torso and hugged me tighter as she sniffled into my chest, "It's going to be ok, Grace. Not all bad times stay bad," I whisper and gently rub her back.

When the kids come back, I gently shield Grace from them as I used my thumbs to wipe the tears from her cheeks. I place a kiss on her forehead before turning back to the kids.

"Is everything ok, Auntie Gracie?" Parker questions.

"No.... but it will be," She gives him a small smile and turns to give me another hug before leaving.

"I'll keep you updated and see you soon, ok?" She tells me and I agree before bending down to hug Parker.

"Bye Mikey, thank you for everything," he smiles.

"Bye buddy, you're welcome anytime ok?"

Arden and I waved to them as they walked to the car before shutting the door. I sighed heavily as I did so and Arden kind of just stood there.

"Michael?" She asked softly.

"Yeah Princess?"

"What happened?"

I sighed once more and picked her up to place her on my hip. I didn't know if I wanted to tell her. She was still suffering greatly from her foster parents being in a car crash and although she had never met Jeff, it was still her best friend's dad and she knew the pain that came along with this situation.

I sat on the couch and placed her in my lap, "Baby girl, Parker's dad was in a very bad car accident yesterday."

She looks up at me with wide eyes, "Is he ok? He's going to be ok, right?"

"They don't know yet, Princess. We just have to pray that he will be," I tell her softly.

She stays quiet for a few moments before a sob escape her lips, "Aww baby!"

I gently press her head into my neck as more cries escaped her lips and I held her tightly to me, "I don't want Parker to feel that way."

My heart shattered, "He'll be ok. We will make sure that he is ok, Baby. It's all going to be ok," I just continue to smooth her hair down in hopes to calm her down.

-

It was 4pm and I was sitting in our home studio with the boys and Arden when I had gotten the call saying that Jeff had passed. I was absolutely devastated for Grace, Parker, Sandra, and all of his other family members. I knew that they needed time to mourn though so I sent a few thoughtful words Sandra and Grace's way before giving them the time that they needed. Grace informed me that a funeral was already being planned and that she would let me know about it.

"I feel so awful," Cal shook his head.

"It's just terrible. Think about Parker and just ugh... it makes me feel sick to my stomach," I say.

"The most we can do is just be there for them," Ash tells us and we agree.

Despite me trying to give Grace her time, she called me that night after Arden had gone to sleep.

"Hey," She said softly.

"Hi Gracie, how are you holding up?" I ask, matching her tone as I stepped out to the backyard that was nearly pitch black.

"I'm sad, but I know he's in a better place and no longer suffering."

"You're absolutely right Grace," I smile lightly, even though she can't see me through the phone.

"So uh... The funeral will be in 2 days and Sandra just wants to keep it small, but we all want you and Arden there if you can come. It will be around noonish."

"Of course we'll be there."

I could hear her breath out a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness. I need you there Mikey.... I don't know, you just make me feel... safe?"

I couldn't help but let a smile grow on my face, "Is that weird? I'm sorry if that's weird...." She trails off.

I chuckle lightly, "No Gracie it's not weird. I'm glad I make you safe because I really enjoy being around you."

A/N

GUYS I HAVE SO MANY STORIES PLANNED IM SO EXCITED. Do you guys want to know the names of any of them and then you can guess what they will be about?

JUST A REMINDER that I love and appreciate every single one of you for sticking with me through this story. I love you guys so much.

-Red :))))