I'm not gonna leave you (Kidfic)

Chapter 8 ~I'm sorry~

The ride to the hospital was quiet as they all arrive at the same time as the ambulance Camila was in. The young girl laid on the gurney, breathing heavily due to crying so much, feeling scared. At that moment, she knew she wanted her mommy but she knew that wouldn't happen. Her world began to spin as the gurney was taken out of the ambulance and she was rushed to the Emergency Room.

Lauren's heart broke as she witnessed Camila being taken away, the paramedics bringing the young latina to another room to assess her and give her some nutrients. She didn't think she would be back at the hospital so soon, but here she was; exhausted due to the lack of sleep and energy, falling asleep as soon as the assessment was complete. The doctors let her rest and left her alone while the girls were sent home and Mateo went to the police station to fill out reports of the incident.

Once she was well rested and given the green light from the doctors, Lauren made it her mission to go and see Camila. The young woman crept in the room and pulled up a chair quietly next to Camila as she slept. Lauren tried to reach for the little one's hand but she unconsciously pulled away at her touch. She racked her brain for possible reasons why, and then she remembered when she beat up Brian, her brown eyes growing wide.

'She's scared of me' Lauren thought in realization as she stared at her baby sister, watching her sleep soundly for half an hour, only to be woken abruptly with a scream and a cry. Lauren was quick to grab her gently and hold her close, Camila not noticing who was holding her as she continued to sob. "It's okay, Mila, I'm here," Lauren rubbed her back, trying her best for her voice not to break. Mila stopped when she heard her Lolo's voice, scrambling out of her embrace, falling off of the bed and and running to the far corner of the room. "No, Mila you don't have to be scared, it's just me," Lauren crouched down in front of Camila, who had her knees up to her chest. She shook her head vigorously.

"You going hurt-t m-me," Mila said in between sobs.

"No, I would never hurt you. I only hurt Brian because he was being mean. Those monsters are gone now, okay?" Lauren was patient with her sister, who slowly began to open again, the young girl lifting her head up to look at Lauren.

Camila looked up at her with teary eyes "P-promise n-no more h-hurt?" she hiccuped.

"I promise,"

Camila stood up and hugged Lauren, who squeezed her tightly. "Do-don't weave m-me," the little girl begged.

"I'm not gonna leave you," Lauren replied as she kissed her head.

>>>

Two days later, Lauren had Camila in her custody and was able to bring her home from the hospital. The girls helped gather Camila's things from Maria's house, bringing it back to the Jauregui household. Lauren strapped Camila in her car seat in her car. "Ready to go?" Lauren asked. Camila nodded eagerly as Lauren made her way back to the driver's seat and the two made their way back home, falling back into their routine of humming or singing along to the radio.

They arrive back home, and Camila noted that everything looked the same, which she loved and wouldn't want to change. Mila toddled off to her room but dragged Lauren to come with her, not ready to be away from her yet as she pushed open the door to see all her stuff was put back.

She looked around and spotted her blankie on her bed, grabbing it and snuggling it against her face. "Come on, nugget we should get you cleaned up." Lauren ruffled her hair then ushered her to the bathroom to give her bath. "Lolo?" Camila tugged at her pant leg. "Yes?" "Bubbles, peas!" Camila gave her best puppy dog face, Lauren rolling her eyes then filling the tub with water and bubbles. "Yay!" Camila squealed.