Marriage (A Zalfie Fanfic)

Gone

*Zoe's POV*

My phone had been buzzing with texts all morning. I had told everyone about my mum, unintentionally. Me, Alfie, Louise, Matt, Jim, Tanya, Marcus, Naomi, Caspar and Lucy had all gone out for dinner to celebrate Jim and Tanya's baby news and it just came up. I held myself together because I didn't want to over shine them, but that was last night and everyone has been texting me about it. I couldn't be bothered with it. I knew it was bad to ignore their texts but I didn't want to think about it.

"Zo, I have some bad news." Alfie said softly from the doorway. He came and sat on the edge of my bed that I was led on.

"What is it? Is it Tan and Jim's baby?" I asked. They had been trying for ages and they really wanted a baby. It would kill Tan if she lost it.

"No Zo, the baby is fine. Your mum isn't though." He said pulling me in for a hug before I realised what he was saying. I pulled away quickly.

"She's d-dead?" I asked tearing up.

"Not yet but it's likely to be within the next few hours. She's in a critical condition. Come on, I'm driving you down there." He said still with a soft, calming and somewhat comforting voice. I didn't know what had just hit me. I was so shocked that I wasn't even crying properly. We got into the car and I broke down. It hit me with out warning. Tear after tear I felt more pain than before. My mum was always there for me but I wasn't there for her now. I needed to get to the hospital before she died. Died. That word made it seem so final that it was already set in stone and it was going to happen today. Nothing could prepare me for that moment.

"Zoe. It's okay, everything is going to be okay." Alfie said sadly not truly believing his own words. I didn't believe them either. I just couldn't, everything was wrong. Mum was supposed to be getting better and fighting this. 'She was strong enough to fight this' they said. They lied to me. I felt anger now. The initial shock was over. I felt like I wanted to punch through a wall and shout at all the doctors and nurses that told me she was fighting through it and getting better. All these thoughts were swirling through my head, grief, sadness, anger. I couldn't cope. I just let myself go, cry and cry and cry. Alfie kept quiet knowing I needed time. Alfie truly was the greatest person in the world.

*Alfie's POV*

"Zo, Zo wake up. We are here at the hospital." I cooed into her ear. She woke quickly and jumped out the car. She ran into the hospital. I followed quickly so I wouldn't lose her.

"Mrs Sugg. What room is she in?" Zoe shouted at the desk assistant. She didn't look at all surprised she was probably used to it.

"Room, A113." She replied professionally. Zoe sprinted down the corridor towards the room.

"Thanks." I muttered as I to sprinted down the corridor. I reached the door but decided not to enter. I didn't want to intrude. This doesn't include me, it was a family moment.

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I had been sat on the floor outside Room A113 for 45 minutes when Joe came out with a damp face.

"Thanks mate. For bringing Zoe. She wouldn't of got here if it wasn't for you." Joe said wiping his tear stained face. I think he was trying to hold it together for Zoe.

"No thanks needed. How are you taking this, Joe?" I asked quietly.

"I'm okay. You wouldn't of wanted to see me earlier before Zoe arrived. I have to be strong for her though." Joe said letting a tear fall, "if it wasn't for her. I would be a state right now. I hate to see mum like this. It kills me. Not as much as dad. He has cried every night since we were told mum wasn't going to get better. He doesn't let on though. Doesn't want to be a pussy!" Joe said trying to lighten the serious mood with the last bit. Before I could reply Joe and Zoe's dad came out and told us he needed air and that Zoe wanted me to go in. I didn't want to intrude but if Zoe wanted me to comfort her I would be more than happy to. Joe followed his dad as I walked into the bright white room. Zoe was sat on a chair leaning over onto the bed. Head in her hands, crying uncontrollably. Her mum's face had been covered over and I could only see the outline of her body. I knelt down next to Zoe and started to rub her back.

"Ssssshhhhhh. It will be okay. It's going to be okay." I kept repeating myself telling her it will be okay. She turned to look at me.

"How do you know that Alf? What if it's not? What if it doesn't get better huh?" Zoe said sadly.

"Zo, you're stronger than you think. You will get through this. It will take time but it will get better. I promise." I said truly believing every single word.

"You can't promise something like that! You don't know that! Stop saying it will be okay! It might not be okay! It isn't okay. Does it look okay to you Alfie? Do I look okay to you Alfie?" Zoe half shouted at me. She replaced her head in her hands and started crying harder than before. I turned her head to face me.

"It will be okay." I said sternly.

"Say that one more time, I swear to god." Zoe said seeming angry but I knew I had to keep saying it until she believed me.

"It's going to be okay." I said again.

"Alfie STOP." She shouted.

"Make me." I replied.

"Are you really doing this now Alfie? My MUM just died and your saying all this making me more angry!" Zoe said angrily.

"I wont stop saying it until you believe it! Everything is going to be okay because you are the strongest person I know. You are my best friend and you can over come anything." I said standing up. Her eyes followed mine. She had seemed to clam down now.

"You are the best friend I could ask for." Zoe whispered.

*Zoe's POV*

"You are the best friend I could ask for." I whispered. What he had just done was so annoying but amazing. He had gone against me to make me feel better. I didn't know how to react. He wanted to make me feel better and knew what I needed so he went against me because I was in a mess. He truly was amazing. This is why I loved him. He stayed quiet for ages and just let me think and let everything sink in. I had stopped crying now. It was just a few tears. Every time I thought of something it would remind me of her and it would start me off again. Alfie would just sit and rub my back, he knew this made me feel safe and calmer. The door creaked open and my mums doctor peered his head in.

"Miss Sugg, we need to take the body away now. Do you and your boyfriend want to stay here or?" The doctor said awkwardly.

"I think we will leave now." I said quite confidently. I didn't correct him on the boyfriend thing because I didn't have the energy. I got up and Alfie followed me.

"Boyfriend huh?" Alfie said trying to make me smile.

"Yes. According to that specialist we are now boyfriend and girlfriend!" I said. Alfie always found a way to make me forget about the bad and think of the good.

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We arrived at a hotel just off the motorway. I didn't want to go home and have to face the house and mums stuff and I didn't want to go back to London.

"Room for two then?" Said the smiling desk assistant.

"Yes please." Alfie replied taking out his wallet.

"Here. Room 113. Level 2," The woman said happily. That number, 113, it set me off. Alfie pulled me in for a hug. The woman behind the desk looked shocked and like she had done something wrong.

"She's fine. Thanks," Alfie said picking up the room key and guiding me over to the lift, "Zo, its good. Nothing's wrong. Just a number." I wondered how he had even remembered, it was a stupid little thing. We got into the lift and went to the room quickly and in silence except for my sobs.

"Here we go Zo. Just get into bed, get some rest. Tomorrow's a new day." Alfie said calmly pulling off his own shoes and climbing in beside me. A double bed. I was too tired and upset to care. I cuddled into Alfie. I needed the comfort and warmth my mum would usually give me.