Lizzie POV
The entire plane ride Y/N is zoned out. As soon as she realized she is probably now responsible for two children she stopped functioning. I haven't gotten her to say a word and I'm afraid to try and hold her hand. I don't know how she would react.
Her entire world is changing and I know she's overwhelmed. I feel like my world is changing too. I mean, I was blissfully living my life and now a week after seeing her again we're together on my sister's plane to go pick up two children that lost their parents.
Y/N has lost too much recently. Her mom, and now Bradley and Sarah? I just don't understand what she did to deserve all of this.
When I texted Robbie about what happened, he completely understood why I chose to go with her. He's so incredibly understanding and patient with me. He's literally my best friend and I think he knows me more than I know myself sometimes.
The twins decided to also meet us in Boston once I texted them about what happened. They will probably beat us there with Pam too.
My mind is racing. What is even going to happen? Y/N is single, sort of, and runs a very busy successful record label. I know she has people working for her but from what I've heard she's a workaholic and likes to approve everything. She's very hands on and I love that about her.
I'm startled out of my thoughts when her hand slides into mine. I look over to her as she simply holds my hand, still staring straight ahead at the wall.
"Y/N, why don't you try to take a nap? We still have a good amount of time before we get there." I suggest. She silently shifts until her head is in my lap, her eyes still wide open. "Close your eyes, you're safe." I assure her and brush my fingers through her short hair.
She slowly allows her eyes to close and I'm thankful she can at least hear me. I know her brain is freaking out and it's hard for her to do anything right now.
She sleeps for the rest of the flight as my mind continues to wander to Mia. I haven't met Aiden but I'm sure he's just as sweet as little Mia was. She's not little anymore though. I wonder if she even remembers who I am.
This isn't about me. This is about Y/N and making sure she and her family are okay. I don't know how long I'll be with her or what will happen next, but I do know that I want to be there for her.
Once we land I gently trace shapes over her cheek and nose and her eyes flutter open. "Lizzie?" She asks as she yawns, sitting up slowly. I watch as she slowly remembers what's happening and she looks at me with wide eyes full of worry.
"Come on, a car is waiting for us." I inform her and she gets up quickly. We didn't bring anything other than my purse and whatever she has in her pockets. It's not an issue though, we can get whatever we need here.
I follow her down the steps and towards the car on the tarmac. She sighs in relief when she sees Pam already in the back seat.
"Lizzie?" Pam asks. "I didn't realize you were coming too." She comments and offers a small smile, her eyes flickering to Y/N who is staring straight out the front window when the car starts to move.
She gives me a questioning look and I try to give her a look back that says she's not okay without having to say the words. It seems to work and Pam reaches out to hold her best friend's hand. She doesn't offer any words but I have a feeling she knows it wouldn't help right now. She knows Y/N better than I do and I hate that the realization makes me sad. It's still not about me.
As soon as we drive up to the hospital Y/N scrambles out of the car over Pam's lap and runs inside, completely past my sisters waiting at the door for her. I don't even think she realized they were there. Pam follows quickly after her and I follow my sisters in.
"How is she?" MK asks, her eyes full of worry.
"Also hey, nice to see you bitch." Ashley comments.
"Yeah good to see you too and Y/N is not good. Not at all." I inform them, worry returning to their eyes.
"You have to let me in. I'm his emergency contact and my niece and nephew are alone. Let me in!" She screams at the receptionist who calmly tries to tell her what's going on.
"Y/N, hey take a deep breath, you'll see them." Pam assures her as I itch to return to her side.
I watch as a few nurses come to escort her and Pam back but Y/N stops. "No they come too." She informs the nurses and points to me and my sisters. The nurses nod so we follow until we are taken into a room, where two kiddos are waiting.
They look unharmed and I let out a breath of relief. The boy is curled up in his sister's lap and I can't help but smile at how much Mia looks like her aunt.
"Hey, boogers." She greets with a sigh and sits on the bed with them, my sisters both taking a seat on the couch while Pam and I linger near the bed, but keep our distance at the same time.
For being 10, Aiden is a small boy and he's adorable. I see the resemblance and take note of how he has Y/N's eyes. Mia scans the people in the room until her eyes land on me.
"Auntie Lizard?" She asks and my heart warms. I smile softly and slowly sit on the far end of the bed.
"Hey little bug." I greet and she scrunches her nose.
"I'm not little anymore." She denies but slowly smiles as she continues to observe me.
"Aid...come here bud." Y/N prompts and he easily crawls into her arms. He rests his head on her shoulder and he ends up looking at me. He doesn't look into my eyes for long and decides to stare at my neck instead. I watch as Y/N comforts her nephew, her hand rubbing circles on his back.
"Auntie, the doctors won't let us see mom and dad." Mia informs us as Pam sits down next ot her, pulling her into a hug. I smile as Pam kisses the top of her head and they do some sort of handshake. "Are they dead?" She asks bluntly and the entire room seems to freeze.
"Listen, I don't know much at all...I just got here. But I do know that your parents are where they aren't hurting anymore." She offers, as a few tears run down her cheeks. Aiden whines and stuffs his face into her neck.
"So they are dead." Mia whispers and turns her body into Pam's.
"I'm so sorry, bug." Y/N whispers and it takes me by surprise. Does she call her bug too? We sit in silence as the TV continues to play some show with Olaf in it. Aiden falls asleep so Y/N tucks him under the covers, smiling when Mia chooses to snuggle up to her brother for a nap too.
Y/N gets up and leaves the room, a look of determination on her face. Pam and I look at each other. "Not me." She mutters and I give her an incredulous look before following Y/N out. I guess it makes sense for Pam to stay with the kids, they know her better.
"Y/N, where are you going?" I ask as I follow her.
"To find the stupid doctor that killed my brother." She seethes and I frown. Okay, not what I was expecting. She finds a nurses station and they assure her a doctor is on the way to explain what happened.
I see a few men in white coats coming down the hallway with serious looks on their faces and they introduce themselves before guiding us into a room to talk.
"Y/N, when your brother and his wife arrived, they were both in bad condition. Bradley died before we could get him on a surgical table and Sarah went into cardiac arrest while we were operating on her stomach. We are so sorry for your loss and we will make sure you and your family have everything you need before leaving." They explain clearly.
Y/N sits in silence for about five minutes and we all wait, giving her time to process. "So...now what?" She asks and I also look to the doctors in curiosity.
"We have a social worker coming to talk to you about next steps and what is in your brother's will." They inform us. "His estate will be decided in court, but the kids are the main concern right now." They add on.
"Okay." She replies simply. The doctors offer their condolences again before letting the social worker in.
"Good evening, Ms. Y/LN. I'm Kathy and I took on this case when the kids arrived. Now I've contacted the state about all necessary documents to decide what will happen. What I found is that in the event of your brothers death, he and his wife decided to give you custody of their children." She reveals but it doesn't seem like Y/N is even surprised.
"I know. When my sister moved out of the country they told me that everything would be in my name and the kids will get everything." She responds in a flat tone.
"Okay...do you have any questions for me?"
"So...I just...I just have custody of them now?" She asks even though she just told us she understood.
"Yes. Unless you feel that you cannot provide a fit home for them" Kathy explains.
"No...They're mine. I won't let them go anywhere else." She makes it clear and the social worker nods. She has Y/N sign all the necessary paper work. Before Y/N can leave the room I stop her, my grip on her wrist tight.
"Y/N...wait. Just. Take a minute okay?" I request, a little worried at how emotionless she is being about it all. The social worker leaves us alone as Y/N tries to escape my hold.
"I don't have time to wait. I have two kids now." She whispers, something flashing in her eyes but I don't catch it in time.
"Yes...and that's really big and sudden. You just lost your brother, your sister in law. It's okay to take a few minutes to yourself. The kids are okay." I remind her and she sighs.
Thankfully, she sits back down and I sit next to her, watching as she starts to process everything that is changing for her.
"Mia is...a fucking teenager and she just lost her parents. She's going to be a nightmare. Aiden is only 10 and hates change more than anything. He's so sweet, the most pure kid ever. He's my little cuddle bug and I love him so much but...I don't know how I'm going to take care of them. I don't know how but I know I have to. Marie and Derek are halfway across the world and this is what Bradley wanted. I owe it to him. I don't...I don't have time to think about myself right now." She decides and tries to get up again.
I tug her back down and she huffs out an annoyed breath. "What?" She snaps but instantly apologizes.
"Just please...take a few minutes. I'm worried about you." I request again and she sighs, staying put, her leg bouncing. I slowly reach over to rest my hand on her knee and she stops shaking it, taking a deep breath. We stay there in the little room, my eyes on her while she closes hers to continue processing. I'm so extremely worried about her and I don't know what's going to happen. But I know Y/N and I know she will do anything and everything to make sure her niece and nephew are taken care of. I just worry that she will forget about taking care of herself.
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A/N Well...a lot changed in so little time. How are we feeling?