Mystic Falls

Ava 6

Fifteen people walked through the emergency room door before the doctor came. I wasn't stupid when she asked me to follow her; I knew he was gone. I felt it and her behavior said enough. Hearing her say those words "he was gone" broke me. I felt my heartbreak and the tears just came. Tyler grabbed me and just held me as I sobbed. Grandpa was all I had. He was there when my mom would take off; he always threw change on the ground and said, have it; he gave me those hugs that only a grandpa can provide but most importantly, he was there. Now he is gone. 

I stayed in Tyler's arms even when I stopped crying. He just ran his hands through my hair and would say whispers, "it's okay, honey, I have you" every so often. Right now, I am just cuddled up to him, my head is on his chest, and he is running his hands up and down my back. 

"Tyler, take Ava home. Your mom and I will talk to the staff about the funeral." 

I tried not to focus on what they were saying because I didn't want to think about it. I loved him, and the pain I was feeling was killing me. I could hear Tyler talking cause his chest moved and vibrated, but I ignored everyone. My heart hurt too much. 

Tyler's point of view

Everyone was devastated by Jim's passing. I have never seen my dad cry until tonight, but my focus was on Ava; she is an emotional mess. 

"Tyler, take Ava home. Your mom and I will talk to the staff about the funeral homecoming to take him." 

I looked down at Ava, but she was mentally withdrawn. "Okay. I'm going to stay with her tonight."

"I figured, son." 

"Why don't you take her back to the house?" My mom asked. 

"I think she will want to be near her stuff and his. I will bring her to the house in the morning, and we can talk then." 

"Sounds good. Be safe, Tyler," my mom said as I stood up with Ava. 

"We will." 

I walked to my truck, opened the passenger door, and put Ava in. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she looked drained. I kissed the top of her head and said, "I will be there for you, honey always. You will not be alone." I buckled her up, went to my side of the vehicle, and began to drive home. 

I just hit the highway when my phone started to ring. I grabbed it from the cup holder and noticed I had multiple missed calls and texts. I left the phone in the truck. Anyways Caleb was calling. 

"Hey." 

"Where the hell is everybody?" Caleb yelled into the phone. 

"Calm down. Jim had a heart attack and passed away." I said as I looked at Ava, and tears began to run down her face. 

"Oh my God." He said as he began to process what I just said. "Ava, how is she? Where is she?" 

"I have her, and we are heading back to her place. Mom and dad are handling the arrangements." 

"I'll come and stay with her." 

"I told mom and dad I would stay with her." 

"She hates you." He said with venom in his voice. 

"I'm not arguing with you tonight. I'll stay with her and so can you. Just bring me some clothes, please." 

"Fine." I hung up the phone and grabbed her hand. 

When I pulled up to the cabin, Caleb's truck was parked, and he was pacing back and forth on the porch. Caleb ran up to Ava's door and opened it. "Oh honey, I am so sorry." He said, but she didn't move or say anything. 

"Is she okay?" He asked me. 

"Ya. She is heartbroken, Caleb." 

I lightly pushed Caleb out of the way and unbundled her, picked her up, and began to walk towards the house. "Get the door," 

Caleb ran up to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked. "Look under the mat or potted plants," I said. 

Caleb looked under the welcome mat, but there was nothing. Now, under the plant, there was a nice shiny silver key. "Got it." 

"I see." 

Caleb unlocked the door, and I walked in. "I'm going to go and lay her down." 

"Okay ill be up in a minute to see her."

I walked up the stairs and had no clue which of the three rooms was hers. "Honey, I need you to tell me which one is your room," I whispered in her ear. 

"Last room on the right," she whispered back. 

"Thank you, honey." 

I walked into her room and noticed how beautiful it was. She had a queen or king-size bed with a lovely purple bedspread and matching curtains. She had a vanity and buffet dresser. 

I walked over to her bed and sat her down on it. "Ava, honey, do you need anything?" I said as I squatted down. 

"Don't leave me," she said as she looked at me with tears in her eyes. 

"I won't, honey. I will never leave you." I hugged her and kissed her head. 

"Stay with me, please." 

"Okay. Caleb brought me some clothes. Let me go shower, and I will come lay down with you." She nodded her head and laid down on the bed. 

I left the room and went in search of Caleb. I found him in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee. "How is she really?" 

"Not good, man." 

"What happens now?" 

"Well, she can either stay in the cabin or move into the house. She is family." 

"Ya." 

"I need my clothes." 

"Hallway on the chair looking thing." 

"Thanks." 

I went and grabbed my clothes and found a bathroom with a shower. After showering, I went to her room. She was just lying there looking at the wall. I walked over to the other side of the bed and laid down. I wrapped Ava in my arms, and she just began to cry again. I held her until she cried herself to sleep, and then I fell asleep.