Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

LILY

Finally, the weekend had arrived, and I was incredibly relieved and eager to head to New York to join Ryan. The thought of him grieving all alone had been weighing on me. I hated that he had to endure such a difficult time by himself.

Noah suddenly looked up from his sketchbook, which had absorbed his complete attention since the jet took off. His little brow was furrowed in concentration as he asked, "Are we going to see Grandma and Grandpa?"

I sighed softly, prepared for the inevitable follow-up question. "You'll be seeing Grandma, but not Grandpa," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm.

His gaze shifted back to his drawing, brows knitted in thought as he continued to focus on fixing what seemed to be a mistake in his sketch. "What about Grandpa?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.

I paused, glancing over at Liam and Ethan. They had suddenly become attentive. Liam's face showed visible worry, and his eyes darted around nervously, clearly sensing that something had happened. "Grandpa..." I started, taking a deep breath as I sought the right words to convey the difficult truth. "Grandpa was called up to heaven. He received a call, and he went to answer it."

Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous.

"Like Fryer?" Ethan asked, his voice small and uncertain.

Fryer was a dog we had gotten for Ethan on his last birthday, but tragically, he had died before reaching six months. We suspected he had been bitten by something during a hike, and we hadn't realized how serious it was until it was too late. I nodded. "Yes, like Fryer."

Ethan's face fell, and his eyes began to water as he looked up at me. "So we won't be seeing Grandpa again?" he asked, his voice quivering.

I reached out and pulled him into my arms, holding him close to my chest. "You're going to see him one last time," I said softly, trying to offer some comfort, "but he won't be able to talk to you."

Noah, who had been silently absorbing the news, dropped his drawing book and came into my embrace as well. I could feel their grief, and I let them cry against my chest, hoping my presence would offer them some comfort.

Meanwhile, Liam had retreated to the window seat, his eyes fixed on the view outside. He plugged in his headset and covered his ears with music, perhaps trying to block out his emotions.

Liam reminds me of the adult version of Ryan. Sometimes I think I should have

************

arrived at the William's manor. Sarah was home, but Ryan had

comfort in their company while she dealt with her own grief. I decided to let them be;

and I still feel exhausted and restless. I know I should eat something to take with my medication, but I'm not

**************

by the enveloping darkness outside. The once-open window had been drawn tight, and while the curtains blocked most of the view, there was a small gap through which I could see that the world outside had turned pitch black. I

open, and Ryan stepped into the room, holding my phone in his hand. I shifted my gaze

looked at me with a hint of concern and a touch of apology in his eyes. "Your phone kept ringing incessantly," he said, his

much present. "Who kept calling?" I asked as I rubbed my temples in an effort to ease the pounding pain. "Dr. Amell," Ryan responded as he walked over to the bed. "Why did I have

him a glare. "Maybe if you had bothered to answer my calls or return them, you would

for not reaching out," he said earnestly. He lifted my

the stress in his eyes, but it didn't entirely soothe my

at least call me back or drop a text. It wouldn't have taken much

at least sent a text," he admitted, his shoulders slumping with defeat. "Whenever finished work, it was always really

said gently. Leaning in, I pressed a kiss to his lips. "How are you holding

a tight hug, burying his nose in the crook of my neck. "It feels so surreal to know he won't be here anymore," he said, his

I could somehow alleviate his pain. "I wish there was something more I

voice muffled as he spoke. "Your presence is more than enough," he said, pressing a tender kiss to my neck pulse before pulling back slightly.

brows. "Noah mentioned him on our way here, so

"Thank you," he

attention. The text was from Dr. Amell, and Ryan's expression darkened as he noticed the

heard, you weren't on good terms with Dr. Amell," he grumbled. "Why is he suddenly