(Patrick POV)

I have never seen Ellen so sad. And that's saying something because I've worked with her for over a decade. She's a shell of herself. As I helped Ellen get into the car, I couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be normal again. As I drove us to the celebration, I peeked over at Ellen who had a blank, emotionless expression on her face.

"We're here el." I said softly. She nodded and opened the car door. I met her at the other side of the car and we walked in together. I led Ellen to the couch and she just sat there, staring into space.

(Ellen POV)

I sat down on the couch just looking straight ahead. I don't want to celebrate the death of my husband. I want him here with me. It's not fair. Why do good people have bad things happen to them? I have no one. My mom, my dad, and now Chris are all dead.

There were so many people who came up to me and offered their condolences, but I just zoned out.

A few hours hours later, everyone left and I was left alone with Patrick. "El?" He asked. I looked at him. "What do you want to do? It's 9pm. The kids are asleep. " He asked. I stood up and grabbed a photo album from under the tv stand. I brought it back over to the couch and Patrick sat next to me. "Want to look at pictures?" He guessed. I nodded and flipped open the book. I skimmed through all of the pictures one by one, smiling at the memories. I came upon a picture of Chris, Stella, and I in the hospital after I had her. I had a natural birth, so I was sweaty and exhausted. I held the baby in my hands and Chris sat next to me in the bed, smiling down at me and Stella. I felt my tears streaming down my face. I leaned over on Patrick's shoulder and rested my head. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close.

"When is it gonna get better?" I asked. "I don't know El. I don't know." He repeated. "I need it to get better." I whispered as I starting sobbing. "It's gonna be alright el. Your gonna get through this. I promise." He replied. I nodded against his shoulder and just cried. "I miss him so much." I cried.

(Patrick POV)

With every admission from her and every question, it broke my heart even more. I didn't have an answer for her either. I don't know when it's gonna get better. But i will be with her. She's my best friend still, even if we haven't talked in years. She cried herself asleep for what the 4th? 5th time already? I've never seen Ellen so vulnerable before. She's had her fair share of breakdowns on set and stuff, but it's never been this bad. I picked her up with ease and brought her to her bed. I laid her down gently and pulled the covers up over her.

I left her room and went to make my bed on the couch. I pulled out my phone and got a call from Jill. "Hey." She said. "Hey." I replied. "How was it?" She asked. "Horrible. I've never seen her so upset." I replied with a sigh. "It'll get better for her Patrick. You just gotta give it some time." She said. "Yeah." I said quietly. "Anyways, the kids and I are at the house up here. You staying there or coming home?" She asked. "I may come home. I don't know if I should leave her alone though." I replied. "Patrick, this is gonna sound insensitive but she's gonna have to learn how to be alone. It's gonna be hard but she's gonna learn." She replied. I felt a swell of anger towards that comment but it eventually died down. "Okay. I'll be there in 20." I replied as I hung up the phone.

I went to the kitchen to find a note pad. I wrote down a quick little note. "El, I went home to the house down here. Call me tomorrow." I wrote. I grabbed my stuff and walked out to the car. I drove off to my house.

I stepped into my house and saw Jill and the kids on the couch. "Hi." I said. I dropped my stuff and plopped down on the couch next to her. I brought my lips to hers and kissed them gently. "Dad? I heard about Ellen's husband. How is she?" Talula asked. On set, el used to watch Talula all the time when I was busy. "She's... getting there. She's very sad." I explained. She nodded in understanding. "It's late. We should go to bed." Jill said. I stood up, kissed my kids goodnight, and went to bed.

(Ellen POV)

I woke up to Eli crying through the monitor. I got up and picked him up. "What's wrong bud?" I asked. He just babbled. I went to the kitchen and saw Sienna and Stella, already eating cereal. "Good morning guys." I said, trying to be strong for them. "Morning mom." Sienna said with a mouthful of cereal. "What do you guys want to do today?" I asked. "Can we stay home and watch movies together?" Stella asked. "Sure Stell. How about you finish your breakfast and then we can cuddle on the couch and watch a movie?" I suggested. She nodded. I looked at the counter and read the note that Patrick left. "I'm okay. Watching movies with the girls today." I texted.

10 minutes later, after the kids finished breakfast, we got on couch and cuddled. I put on the movie "Tangled" and relaxed. I can do this. My kids are why I'm still going. I'm gonna be okay. I have a whole village of friends with me.

The end. Thank you guys for reading, I really appreciate it! I made a few other fanfics that you may enjoy, so check those out if you want to! Hope everyone's doing good!