Too Young (Travlyn Fic)

Aphmau

There are too many things to worry about.
I sit besides Aaron in the hospital waiting room.
Derek. I remember Aaron's somber voice, I remember the pulling out my phone to tell my mom.
I remember seeing Ivy's post. All the anger I felt at the world grow.
Katelyn, now Derek.
At least we know where Derek is.
Katelyn could be dead now too.
He's not dead, I tell myself. Just a very high chance of death.
He is asleep right now. Hooked up to machines, fresh out of surgery. But the surgery was unsuccessful.
Stop thinking like that. Stop it. I blink twice. Derek is a survivor.
"It's gonna be okay, babe," I say. I take his hand and kiss it. "Derek's a fighter."
"I know," Aaron whispers,  squeezing my hand. "But I just feel so useless."
"Don't we all?" I say. I look up at him.
Silent tears are pooling in those big brown eyes. I brush them away.
"Have faith. Have faith in your father. Have faith in Irene."
"Your mom's bringing Lina, right."
Aaron has never sounded this anxious. I nod.
"It's going to be alright, hun. We are going to be alright."
He shakes his head, squeezing my hand.
All I can feel is the ache in my chest as my heart pounds.

Minutes turn to hours. Hours. Hours sitting in the waiting room. Alina sits on Aaron's lap, Aaron's eyes are closed. Lina leans towards me.
"Mama, why is Daddy sad?" she asks. She doesn't understand. She so little.
I don't want to tell her. To break her innocents.
She shakes my leg.
"Mama?"
I bite my lip.
"Daddy is sad because Grandpa is very sick," I say softly. Alina love Derek. She loves him like he loves her. Even though Derek was angered when I got pregnant, as soon as he met Alina he loved her.
"Granpa sick?"
I nod. I see her little eyes begin to tear up. She hugs Aaron.
"It okay, Daddy. Granpa will be okay," she says.
"Thanks, baby," Aaron whispers. I rub his back.
Suddenly, Melissa comes running in. She's crying.
"Mel!" Aaron says. "How is he."
Melissa brushes a tear from her face. She's shaking.
"Aaron, you need to come quick." She says. Aaron passes me Alina.
"Melissa?" he asks.
"Aaron, his heart is failing! You need to come."
No. No. No.
Aaron springs to his feet. He looks back at me.
"Go. We will wait here. You need a moment alone."
Aaron nods and runs after Melissa.
Derek. How is this happening? Why us?
"Is Granpa okay?" Lina asks. I bite my lip. I don't want to worry her. I don't want to hurt her.
But I can't lie.
"No, Mija. Not right now. That's why Daddy has to go see him."
Alina begins to sob. I pull her close.
"Shhh, it's okay baby," I say, stroking her hair. "Shhh."

The nurse came. Her eyes are full of sorrow.
"Mrs. Lycan has requested you come to say goodbye," she whispers softly. What. No. I thought that they'd save him, I thought that they'd fix it. No. I didn't think. I hoped. I feel tears begin to pool. I take a deep breath.
"Of course," I say, my voice shaking. I stand up. Lina grabs at my hair. I walk stiffly, guided by the nurse. Lina is crying.
"Mama, where we going?" Lina cries.
I stroke her hair.
"We have to go say bye to Grandpa," I say.
"Why?"
Because he's dieing, I scream on the inside. But I don't say that out loud. I can't say it out loud.
"Because he has to go," I whisper and isn't that the truth? Or somewhat close.

I enter the room. Rachel is holding Derek's right hand, Melissa and Aaron holding his left. Aaron's shoulders are shaking. I walk slowly to the end of the bed. Derek is hooked up to dozens of machines. His eyes are closed, but they open as I approach.
His eyes. They are the same as Aaron's. They are the same eyes as the man I fell in love with. I feel my heart pound. No. Derek can't be leaving.
"Aphmau," he wheezes.
"Granpa!" Lina says. "You feel better?" She has stopped crying.
"Lina." Derek drops Rachel's hand and pats an empty space in the bed next to him. He wants her close. I wipe my tears with the palm of my hand. I pass Alina to Rachel who sits her next to Derek. Alina immediately gives him a hug.
I go and stand next to Rachel. Her face shows no emotion. But I can tell she hurts inside. Melissa smiles sadly as tears drop down her face. Rachel scoots over making room for me on her chair. I sit down and she immediately puts her free hand around my shoulder.
Alina doesn't know anything is wrong. She thinks all is fine. I wish I could think so.
She doesn't notice. She just talks to Derek.
So, when the monitor begins beeping and when we all break down, she just smiles.
And after, when we have to leave, she only says, "Nighty, night Granpa."