"-m so sorry miss..."

Sofia feels as if her world has suddenly shattered. She had barely even acknowledged the doctor's condolences after delivering the news of her grandfather passing away. In that moment, she ceased to hear anything else. A dense fog covered everything and she barely registered the silent tears streaking down her face.

How could this happen? She couldn't believe it, can't bring herself to accept it. Her yéyé, the most important man in her life who played a giant role in helping her become the person she is. The world needs good men like him, she needs him. Her hands shake and a part of her is making Sofia search out her phone but strong hands anchor her and she gives up.

She vaguely hears the conversation between Cassius and her mother and Sofia would feel guilty for not delivering the news herself if she could currently form full complete thoughts. She feels like she is falling apart. She is asked questions and prodded into signing papers that she doesn't even read. Cassius remains by her side every step of the way and gently instructs her on what to do.

When she can think again, she will struggle between feeling grateful for the help yet irritated and disappointed with herself for falling apart the way she has. For now, she simply follows the soothing commanding voice and hopes something will numb the pain soon because she doesn't know where to go from here without her beloved yéyé there as a constant source of love and support.

Sofia can't be sure how it happened or where she ended up. What she does know is by the time the sun is beginning to rise, she is getting laid down on a plush bed. It definitely is not her grandfather's place but she is too mentally, physically, and emotionally drained to care. Instead, she sinks into the mattress with a desperate plea for sleep to overcome her so she can have a few hours of blissful ignorance before she has to face the harsh reality of having lost someone so incredibly dear to her.

Waking up in an unknown place is incredibly disorienting. For a few minutes, Sofia lays there taking the room in. It is warm and inviting but possibly the size of at least half of her apartment, if not more. The four-poster bed she slept in has a canopy with hanging drapes that can block out the sun although they had been left open. The room is decorated in earthy colors. Cream, sage, and rich browns with heavy dark wood furnishings and a stone fireplace.

While attempting to piece together whose place this could be, everything comes back to her. Sofia's eyes instantly fill with tears and she bites the inside of her cheeks to keep them from falling. Her hand comes up to her mouth as if keeping any sounds of grief inside could keep her from bursting and breaking. Letting out a shaky breath around the lump in her throat, Sofia sits up, crawling to the edge of the massive bed so she can slide out.

On a chair close to the bedside, there are clothes that she can only assume are meant for her. Sofia had her travel bag in the rental car but if Cassius had brought her in his own care then the rental is likely still sitting in the hospital parking lot. Her eyes flicker to one of the doors and she opens it to find a spacious bathroom and realizes how heavenly a shower sounds after the last 24 hours.

Looking the clothes over, she is relieved to see they are comfy. Just leggings and a t-shirt. She feels a little embarrassed when she sees that whoever set them out even left a sports bra and underwear. Putting that aside, she takes them with her to the bathroom. Standing beneath the spray of hot water is soothing and she feels herself going numb and, in some ways, it is a welcome respite from the emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

If she could remain there and pretend all is still right then she absolutely would. Unfortunately, that is not an option s she finishes her shower, dries off, and gets dressed. As far as she knows, no one has come around to check on her so she quietly leaves the room. Sofia looks around but there is nobody around so she tentatively picks a direction and begins walking.

If you asked her to retrace her steps, there is no way in hell that she could. The place is gigantic and she took so many turns and stairs that it nearly made her dizzy. Some deity out there must have had mercy on her because she finds her way to the kitchen as her stomach starts to protest. A figure by the stove makes her pause before she recognizes who it is and just the sight of the man brings her comfort.

"Gonna stand there all day kid? Come on over here" Javier speaks up, turning to face her and Sofia gives a watery smile before rushing forward into his arms. He smells the same way he always had, like warmth and steel. She tightens her arms around him and fights back a sob. Javier had been close to her grandad and always doted on Sofia when she visited.

"It's alright kid, I've got you. It's okay" he reassures her in that soft self-assured way of his and she does her best to believe everything really will be okay. He doesn't rush her, just allows her the time she needs to pull herself together. If it were anyone else, she would feel mortified but Javier had always felt like family. Finally, she calms down and is able to get herself to that numb space once again.

"I haven't seen you in years and the first thing I do is mess up your shirt" Sofie laughs softly, drying her face with a soft towel Javier hands over. "I've got plenty of shirts and they've seen worse than a few tears. Now go on and sit down. I'm finishing up some breakfast and I'm sure you're starving brat."

The quiet tranquil atmosphere broken up by the sounds of Javier cooking while humming softly is like a soothing balm. A part of Sofia would love to stay in this safe bubble where she feels safe, like nothing else could touch her. She is sure that if she asked, Javier would hide her away but hiding won't change reality and she refuses to take the cowards way out of her grief.

A plate was sat down before her with a slice of toast topped with avocado, bacon, and an over-medium egg. "Do you still like Cholula on your eggs?" Javier asks as he makes his own plate. "Of course! Don't act like you weren't the one who taught me to do that old man" Sofia replies playfully then dodges when he goes to tap her head with the top of the hot sauce bottle.

"The disrespect" he mutters but sends Sofia a wink, pouring some onto his eggs before passing it over. Everything about the interaction and sitting there in companionable silence eating with Javier tugs at her heart and drudges up cherished memories from her childhood. It is often the small mundane moments that stick with you and Sofia has to smother the urge to cry into her breakfast when she realizes how happy her yéyé would have been to have her back, spending time with the people he considered his second family.

Gratitude fills her heart when Javier doesn't mention her watery eyes. Instead, he grabs up their plates when she is done eating and drops a kiss on her head before going to clean up. With a shuddering breath, Sofie gets herself back together just as the sound of heels getting closer grabs her attention and she looks up in time to see Hiari enter the kitchen.

Sofia smiles despite everything when she spots her. Hiari looks the same as she remembers. Tall and slender with rich ebony skin, soulful brown eyes, close-cropped hair, and the kind of easy confidence that turns heads. The older woman- who Sofia swears doesn't look a day over twenty-five- instantly comes over and pulls her into a firm hug before pulling away and looking her over.

"Oh good, I'm glad the clothes fit you, pretty girl. I can't believe how grown-up you look. Makes me feel old" Hiari says and there is a bemused smile on her red-painted lips that makes Sofie feel like she is missing out on some kind of joke but just mentally shrugs.

"Old? Please, you and Javier look exactly the same. Do you not age? In a couple more years you'll be putting me to shame. Come on, hook a girl up. Share your secrets with me. You're secretly all wizards, aren't you?" Sofia jokes and it feels nice to be lighthearted for a moment.

"Sweetheart, black just don't crack" Hiari laughs and nudges her. Sofia raises an eyebrow and pointedly looks at an amused Javier who is very much not black.

"Well...black and Javier" Hiari corrects, pulling a snort from Sofia who shakes her head. "That's not nearly as catchy. I can see why you switched it up. Shit, can someone drive me to my car? I hadn't realized the time. Mom and Lara are probably already at yéyé's house" Sofia asks, feeling anxious and Hiari rubs her arm, trying to soothe her overwrought nerves.

"Breath Fia, that's it, girl. In and out. I know the last couple of days have been hell. We all loved Huan and we are going to be here for you every step of the way. Cass made sure your car was taken back to the house so I'll drive you straight there myself. Hey, look at me" Sofia obeys the quiet command, using Hiari's concerned but steady gaze to get her shit together "That's good. Remember you are not alone in this. Let's grab your things and head out."

Sofie nods and quickly hugs Javier before following Hiari. She barely registers their walk back up to the room she slept in or the car ride following that. Her mind is focused on her mom and sister and how she can possibly be strong for them when her grief ebbs and flows like waves crashing into the shore.

Hiari squeezes her arm when they arrive and Sofia gives her a wobbly smile before stepping out and walking up the steps. She doesn't even make it to the door before it swings open and Lara crushes her into a hug and the two stand there, finding strength and comfort in each other as the sound of Hiari's car grows more distant.