Hailee felt her heart crack with every shaky breath you inhaled and exhaled. You were trying hard not to cry; she could tell it from the trembling of your hands and your shaky breaths and the sniffles you tried to hide.

She wasn't sure what had gone so wrong. You had gotten called in for an unplanned shift at work when your boss called, pleading for you to come in because he was short-staffed and busy. She knew that you didn't mind when you left. You actually seemed pretty happy about it.

But you came home about twenty minutes ago. Shirt stained with some kind of drink she assumed you accidentally spilled on yourself. You've been quiet; way too quiet for her to feel comfortable with.

You just seemed.... sad, and she was desperate to know why.

She moved her hand to your back. You didn't seem to mind her touch, if anything it seemed to relax you. Your muscles felt tense at first but relaxed when she brushed her hand along your back delicately.

"Honey? Did something happen today?"

She waited for you to answer, but all you did was shrug your shoulders.

"Do you wanna talk to me about it?"

All she got in return was silence and you biting your lip.

"I'm here for you. I'm always here for you. Whatever happened, whatever brought you down, I wanna know. I wanna make it better, baby." She spoke sadly and listened to you sniffle. "You know I'm not gonna judge you. Let me make it better."

She hoped that would get you to open up. To rid the silence in the air and your voice would appear and warm her heart the way it always does.

But instead, you started to sob.

She was taken aback at first. She didn't expect you to breakdown like this. But as much as it broke her heart to see and hear, it also made her feel a little relieved to know that you weren't keeping it all inside anymore.

You turned your head to look at her. Lip trembling, tears streaming down your cheeks, eyes red and sad.

"Oh, baby." She whispered and put her arms around you. She pulled you to her lap and let you bury your face in her neck. "I know. I know it hurts. Let it out. I'm right here. I've got you." She soothed as she rubbed your back and shoulders and played with your hair.

She could feel your tears falling and running down her skin. She could practically feel the way your heart just shattered in your chest and how hers sank deep down in hers at the thought.

"Don't leave me." You cried and the words shocked her.

Were you just begging her to not let go as you cry? Or did someone say something to you that implied her leaving, despite all the promises she's made you about never leaving your side?

"I won't." She whispered back, deciding not to push you into answering all the questions suddenly racing through her mind. "I'm right here. I'm not letting you go." She said and bit down on her lip as she closed her eyes, hoping that her own tears wouldn't fall.

A moment went by without either of you saying a word. You were still crying, but not sobbing like you were before.

"I love you." She said. "Whatever got you down, whether it was someone or something, I can assure you with every fiber of my being that I will not let you go. I'm right here with you and I'll always be here for you. You're everything to me. You're my whole world, really. Trust me, baby girl. You're stuck with me for life."

You chuckled tearfully and it actually made her smile.

"You don't have to tell me what happened. I won't push you into it. But if you want to, I'm here to listen."

You shook your head and whispered softly, "Can you just hold me instead?"

She just kissed your head and held you a little tighter and then said, "Absolutely."