Pity The Child

Monte looked up at Adam expectantly.

Adam sighed and mumbled something, nervously running a hand through his hair. "She...she has..." He trailed off and took a deep breath as he stared down at the floor, hoping Monte didn't notice the tears in his eyes. "She has...a type of... cancer..."

Monte bit his lip. "But....cancer's bad.....real bad..."

"I know..." Adam said, almost whispering, still staring at the ground. "I know it is..."

Lennon frowned, laying back down to hug Sammy tightly. "Mama..." He said sadly.

Sammy, having been awake through this, hugged Lennon back, holding him tightly as she tried not to cry.

Adam, who as usual, had stubbornly been trying not to show he was upset. He let Monte go to put a hand over his face as a tear escaped.

Monte hugged Adam. "Daddy, don't hide it..."

At Monte's words, Adam gave up and started sobbing, his head in his hands.

Sammy bit her lip as she felt the tears start to flow. "Addy..." she choked out between sniffles. She just wanted to be held.

After a minute or so, Adam slowly moved, picking up Monte. He went over to the bed and put Monte down, sitting with Sammy, wrapping his arms around her.

Lennon moved and went to hug his brother.

"I feel like I just got the news all over again," Sammy said, burying her face in Adam's chest. Monte hugged Lennon back.

Adam held her close, sobbing again instead of responding.

Sammy sat up a bit, still resting against Adam. She held her arms out to the boys. Monte let go of Lennon and moved over to her.

Lennon slowly looked up and crawled over to Sammy as well.

Sammy wrapped her arms around the two. "My boys...."

Lennon curled close to Sammy, hugging Monte as well.

Adam was still sobbing.

Sammy took Adam's hand, squeezing it gently. "I-It's gonna be okay, everything's gonna be okay...."

Adam gave a small nod, tears flowing down his cheeks.

"I'll get better," said Sammy softly. "It won't be tomorrow, or next week, it might not be this year, or the next, but I will get better."

"I...I know..." Adam said, reching a hand up to wipe the tears.

Sammy looked down at the boys, a few of her own tears falling into Lennon's hair. "You two alright?"

Lennon gave a small nod. "Yeah..."

"It's gonna be okay boys, " Sammy said softly. "Don't worry."

"Kay..." Lennon said quietly, curling closer to her.

Sammy kissed the top of each boy's head before yawning softly.