Haunted

After You, Part 3

"Steve, seriously tell me," Maddox tried again as the plane landed. "Before I have to go out there and face all those fans like nothing is wrong."

"We're not going through the airport today," Steve shook his head. He pointed to the black suburban waiting at the edge of the runway.

"What the fuck is going on?" Maddox's hands were shaking. "I'm so freaked out I'm going to throw up on you, I swear."

"Don't. You'll have your answer soon enough. Just realize that when you know you can't un-know, Dax. Try to just enjoy these last minutes."

"Is someone dead?" Maddox grabbed Steve's arm. "My grandmother? Please, Steve, you have to tell me if Nana's dead."

"Pattie is fine," Steve put his hand over Maddox's. "Take a deep breath. Your parents want to be the ones to tell you what's going on so please stop begging me for answers."

"I'm scared."

"I know," Steve gave him a hug. "Let's just keep moving, alright?"

Maddox followed Steve off the plane and got into the car that was waiting for him. They didn't head toward the Bieber house but went the opposite direction. At first Maddox wasn't sure where they were going until he started seeing the street signs. His heart dropped when they pulled up to the Children's hospital.

"This is not happening," Maddox shook his head.

"Maddox, you're one of the strongest people I know. You can do this," Steve pounded on Maddox's back and slid over to open the car door.

Justin's bodyguard, Paul, was waiting for them and took them straight to a set of elevators. Maddox couldn't let himself look at all the bright pictures and patterns on the walls. He knew they were supposed to make the kids feel better but all they made him feel was like punching through them.

"Baby," Clara was standing outside a door and opened her arms up for Maddox the second she saw him. Maddox hugged her and held on tight, feeling her shaking as she started crying.

"Scarlett?" Maddox heard his voice break when he asked. He couldn't make himself ask about Aiden after that.

"She's fine, she and Aiden are at home with your dad," Clara said. "It's Wes," she took a shaky breath. Maddox felt his stomach unclenching. He was still scared but knowing his brother and sister were okay made him feel a little better.

"What happened?

"They think he might have leukemia," Clara took another deep breath and wiped her face. "We're just waiting for the test results."

"Where's Kylie?"

"Inside, with Wes," Clara gestured. Maddox turned to go into the room but Clara stopped him. "The doctors are already talking about a bone marrow transplant. There's a good chance Kylie and James won't be a match for him so-"

"I'll do it," Maddox didn't have to think twice. "I don't know what that means but whatever he needs, he can have it."

"Dax," Clara looked like she might cry again. "There are some risks, you know."

"Like I care," Maddox shook his head and looked in the window. He could see Wes looking incredibly tiny in the big hospital bed, an IV hooked to his arm and a tube running under his nose. "I'd do anything for him."

"We all would," Clara took Maddox's hand. "You should know you have his blood type."

"Good," Maddox squeezed his mom's hand and went into the room. Wes's face lit up.