traumatized minds, luke hemmings

your daughter needs you.

Charlotte had never felt so much stress.

Ashton and Charlie had rushed home that day. Ashton had Charlotte pack a couple clothes for a few overnight visits, as Charlotte was insisting not leaving the hospital the whole time, and also packed himself a few clothes.

Charlie finally calmed herself down after packing. She had wiped her tears, brushed her teeth and hair and tried her best not to panic again.

Luke was a very strong man. He would very much pull through — He had too.

He had a daughter. He had to stay, for her.

Charlotte had called Theo in tears before she had calmed herself down and explained what happened. Immediately, he wanted to go with her but she insisted on him staying home. That she would be okay.

So naturally, Theo was on edge.

"You ready to go, my love?" Ashton asked softly as he entered Charlotte's room to her sitting on the floor and staring at the mirror.

"Yeah," Charlotte said softly, standing up and brushing her clothes off before taking Ashton's hand and walking down the staircase.

Ashton grabbed a banana and a pudding cup (along with a plastic spoon) for the road, as he figured she was hungry.

The drive to the hospital was very stressful. Charlotte was texting Monroe and Theo at the same time, updating them as each mile went past.

The arrival was even more stressful. Everyone was telling Ashton that he couldn't bring a child into the area where Luke was, but the chief got involved — like, the hundredth stressful situation of the day.

By the time they got to Luke's room, nurses were working on him and the two weren't allowed in. So, Ashton took Charlotte to Luke's office and had her sit while Ashton figured things out.

And naturally, Charlotte snooped.

She found photos of her and Luke at an ice cream shop they went to a month before. He had some ice cream on his nose and she was throwing her head back in laughter.

Another photo was Ashton, her and Luke in that row in front of a cool car Michael insisted on getting a photo of the 3 of them. Luke was looking down at Charlotte, who was smiling during a laugh as Michael said something funny.

Charlotte found a sticky note on Luke's desk that said — "Bring Charlotte her favorite gum flavor from the vending machine. Only we have it. Don't forget, Luke." and then a second sticky note that said. "Charlotte AP test Friday. Make her favorite dinner that night."

Charlotte must've been so easy to break because she cried for 30 minutes after snooping.

Ashton found her curled up on a ball, holding the hoodie Luke wore very often and his heart broke.

He laid Charlotte down on Luke's couch, giving her his hoodie and blanket. He went to where Luke was laying with machines all around him and whispered.

"She needs you. Your daughter needs you. Wake up."