Gone Ghosthunting With Chanel

Chapter 41. Like A Family?

Chapter 41 - Like A Family?

Written in Zaks POV

Madeline was waiting patiently on the porch as I headed back insider he front door to get her keys from her purse. I found it sitting on the edge of the couch. I retrieved the keys from inside, but before I could turn around I saw the card from the flowers I sent in her purse. It still hadn't been opened. This made my heart break a little, but then again considering everything that happened this morning, I couldn't be that upset. I slipped the card in my back pocket, and walked out the front door, with the keys clutched in my hand.
As I closed the door Madeline looked up at me. Her eyes were once again red, and puffy. I saw her taking those pills to help her anxiety. I could tell she was a little dazed, but still absolutely beautiful.
I held out my arm for her as she held onto me, we walked down the sidewalk together to Ian's house.
We arrived at the front door as I took the keys, and unlocked it.
I opened the door, and she stepped inside slowly. She still had ahold of my arm, and I followed her in. I stayed closer to her as we made our way to a light switch. Once the light was on she looked around the living room aimlessly. She let go of my arm and walked over to the tv. She kneeled down searching until she flicked out one specific dvd, Casper the movie. It was the only reason she was in this house right now.
I grabbed the DVD as she handed it to me, and I helped her up. She cried as she walked over to the light switch, flicking it off. The curtain blocked out the gloomy, and ironically rainy day, but I could still see her face. I walked over as she wrapped her arm around mine again, "come on, let's get out of here." She said quietly as she looked back.
I was feeling severely helpless as we walked back down the street to Madeline's house. I could hear the sniffles, and light sobs. Yet I didn't know how to stop her crying. I wasn't sure this is the kind of pain you can take away from someone. But at this point I'd rather be in her shoes, just so I wouldn't have to see her broken like this. Ian was her strongest guidance, and protector. I'm sure she felt alone at the moment, but I was going to do everything I could to be there for Madeline, and Chanel.
Just then Madeline stopped walking as her phone started to ring. I turned back to her as she was slipping the iPhone out of her jacket pocket She looked sick for a second, and then she began to cry again, as she handed me the phone with a pleading look on her face.
I got the phone from her seeing it was mark, and Debbie who was calling. I understood she couldn't be the one to tell them right now so I answered it for her.
"Hello."
"Hello? Zak.. But I meant to call Madeline." Debbie spoke.
"Yeah, You did. Debbie I have some bad news." I said as Madeline tried to get out of earshot.
"What's wrong." Debbie questioned right away.
"Ian was in an accident this morning He passed away." I said in a serious tone.
"Oh my.. Mark!" I heard her immense shock, and then she called for her husband. I head Debbie reciting the news to mark, and the emotional shock of loosing a friend.
"Zak let Madeline know we will call back later. We just need some time." Mark now spoke on the phone.
"We understand." I said quietly as we said our byes.
I walked back to see Madeline sitting on the porch. She had her knees bent, and her head hidden in them. I knew she was still crying.
I reined in my nerves, and took the white envelope out of my back pocket.
As I sat down next to her, I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. I saw her turn her head to look up at me as she hugged her knees. I presented the envelope to her, hoping I picked the right time for this.
Once she had the envelope, she opened it slowly while my nerves came into my body again.
She took the card out, I had chose a plain white card, only the words I wrote on the inside. She eyed the front curiously before she finally opened it
She read the words looking slightly in disbelief.
I Love You.
I watched her look back up at me. She looked somewhat peaceful. There was a blush starting on her cheeks, and I felt the joy start to come.
"Madeline, I love you. I'm going to be here for you, and Chanel. I won't let this destroy you." I said boldy, and I meant what I said. I didn't want to see Madeline unravel after this tragic event. I want to help her keep the pieces together.
her arms wrapped around me as she had her head in my chest. "I love you too." She said between the sniffles. I held her in my arms as she cried, but I knew she was going to cry today. She could cry as much as she needed, I just wanted to be the man holding her through this.

Madeline POV

Zak opened the front door as I walked in grabbing his hand on the way through.
"Zak will you start Chanel's movie in my bedroom. Im gonna check on Natalie." I said to him, he nodded back heading over to Chanel who was watching Dora with a sad look on her face.
I walked into the kitchen to see Natalie still sitting at the table, and the wine a lot less full than before.
"Natalie." I said quietly as I sat down, and took hold of her hand.
"I've made a decision" she said looking up with an intense look as she continued "after the funeral I'm going to go to Italy for awhile. I need to figure some shit out." She said now drinking from the wine bottle.
"Are you sure." I asked. I didn't care if Natalie wouldn't be there to help with Chanel, I knew Natalie needed to do this.
"Mhm" she said beginning to cry again. "the paper has agreed to let me write his obituary." She said through tears.
"You should." I said hugging her tightly. "Im here for you Natalie." I said as I turned to walk out.
"I know." She said quietly as I left heading back up stairs. Natalie needed time to be alone, but not completely alone. I walked in to see Chanel sitting against the big white pillows on the bed, and zak putting the DVD into the player.
"Are you going to watch Casper mommy?" Chanel asked through puffy eyes.
"Yes baby." I said coming over to her and climbing on the bed next to her. I held her in my arms as she spoke again.
"Is zak gonna watch the movie too?" She asked looking from zak back to me.
"Yes Chanel." He said in a comforting way, getting onto the bed on the other side of Chanel. With Chanel in between us, the three of us laid there together, watching the movie.
Before the beginning credits could end Chanel looked from me to zak again, and said "We're like a family." She had a small smile on her face.
Zak held my hand, as Chanel laid against us, sniffling occasionally. During the movie, I looked over and noticed zak looking at me.
I mouthed the word what? He leaned sideways slightly to whisper in my ear "I was thinking about what Chanel said." He said in a tone that was sexy enough to send shivers down my spine, even on this day, and he continued "I like the idea." I felt a blush come up, and I felt a sort of happiness from these words.
"I do too." I whispered into his ear, then kissed him, laying backdown against him. I looked down to see Chanel had fallen asleep again, and I was quickly behind her.
Laying here all together, we really were like a family.