The Babysitter//Zach Herron

Ch 25- Mourning our loss

It's 4:45am and Zach and I are putting our bags into the back of the Uber. I packed 2 bags not knowing how long I would want to stay.

The airport isn't too packed, which is very helpful because at the moment neither of us feel like bumping into people and waiting in long lines.

We board our plane and fall asleep within the first 10 minutes. 

"We have arrived in Dallas, the time of arrival is 10:17am. Please enjoy your stay and for those of you who live here, welcome home!!" the male flight attendant says over the speaker.

After grabbing our suitcases from baggage claim we walk outside and look for my dad's car.

Zach puts our bags in the trunk and I slide into the backseat. My dad turns around and kisses my head with out saying a word.

 There is nothing but silence the first 15 minutes of the car ride. We were all thinking the same thing but didn't want to acknowledge it, 'I can't believe she died'.

"So how are things in LA, is the house big enough to fit all 6 of you?" my dad tries to joke.

"Um, yeah the house is ginormous. Definitely large enough for all of us." I respond.

And here comes the silence again...

We pull into the driveway and unload our bags. After putting mine upstairs in my house, Zach and I walk next door.

The house is quiet. On the small table in the entrance way is a picture of Zach, Rosie, and I from the day I got her; along with a candle and a bible quote.

Myta walks out of the kitchen to greet us.

"Aww hi my loves, I missed you both so much." she hugs us both. 

"Where's Reese?" I ask.

"Upstairs in her room, she hasn't wanted to do much but sit around." Myta says disappointedly.

I look at Zach and we both decide to walk up there to say hello.

Zach knocks on the door "Hey Reese, we missed you!" 

She stands up and runs over to us, jumping in Zach's arms. After a minute of hugging him, she lifts up her head and reaches for me.

I hold her and spin around in a circle. "Hey Reesey, its been too long!!"

I set her down and reach into my bag and grab the stuffed animal and picture frame that we got her. The picture frame is pink and shaped like a dog bone, it's picture is of Rosie and Reese when Rosie was still teeny tiny.

"We got you something." I say trying to smile.

I set the picture frame on her night stand and hand her the stuffed animal dog.

"I can't believe she died..." Reese says as she begins to cry.

Zach scoops her up and we sit on her bed. "She's in puppy heaven now!! She's probably having a lot of fun playing with the other dogs.

"Exactly!!" I say kissing her on the head.

We spend the day with Reese mostly and we try to take her mind off the tragedy. Zach drives us to the aquarium, one of our favorite places to go. 

The lines weren't too long and it was the perfect way to spend a hot early-september day in Dallas...inside!!

For dinner we go to Panera, of course all three of us get the mac n cheese.

When we arrive at home after a long day of escaping reality, we both give Reese a bath and then take a shower ourselves. 

Dad: Sweetie do you just want to spend the night at the Herron's?

Me: Yeah I think I'll just sleep here for the night, love you!!

In the middle of the night I hear a knock at the door. I look at the clock on Zach's nightstand to see that it's 2:38am.

I slowly sit up in bed and notice that Reese is standing in the door way.

"Reese, what are you doing up?" I ask mid-yawn.

"I had a bad dream and I miss Rosie!!" 

I wave for her to come in and she climbs over Zach to be right in the middle of us. I pull the covers over her and make sure she is warm and comfortable.

I lay my head back down and don't wake up till the next morning.

"Wake up y/n!!" Reese says jumping on the bed.

"I'm up, I'm up." I say sitting up in bed.

Zach is putting a t-shirt on and I notice that Reese has her bathing suit on.

"We are going to the lake today" Reese exclaims.

I look over at Zach who has the biggest smile on his face. We both missed doing fun things like this with the family.

I get out of bed and walk over to my house to throw on a bathing suit. 

The car ride to the lake was spent singing to WDW's unreleased songs and my first original, also unreleased, song.

The lake wasn't too packed since it was a Wednesday. Reese is supposed to be at school right now but her mom called and explained what happened with Rosie to her teacher. 

"Too bad Ryan couldn't come with us." I say when we start inflating the tubes out in the middle of the lake.

"Yeah but he couldn't miss school. They are working on the science fair and he said it would be too hard to make up on a later day." Myta explains.

We tube for an hour or so before we take a break for lunch. Myta made sandwiches and packed lots of fruit. 

After eating, the 4 of us decide to go on the hike to the turtle pond.

"There aren't as many as last time" Reese pouts. 

"Well sweetie that's because its almost the beginning of fall. The turtle babies that we saw in June aren't little babies anymore. They grew up and moved away with their families." Myta responds, she always knows just what to say.

We take pictures of the turtles and the beautiful scenery to post on Instagram. I'm glad I didn't pass up on the opportunity this time.

Tubing was a blast and the sun starts to set, so we call it a night.

I end up going back over to my house and watching a movie with my dad. 

I forgot how much I missed relaxing in my pjs with him at night. Evenings at the Beverley Hills house are normally a bit more eventful, even if it's just us swimming till 10pm.

My eyes start to feel heavy and I find myself falling asleep mid Forest Gump. My dad carries me upstairs to my bed that I haven't slept in for what feels like years.

Tonight made me realize how much I miss this calm life that I have in Dallas...I'm gonna be so sad when I have to leave.

A/N- thanks for being so patient with me guys, I was super busy yesterday and didn't have time to update.  I love reading your comments and seeing that some of you guys are having conversations with each other!! It makes me smile :))))