(Ellen POV)
I walked into the house for the first time since Chris died. It feels lonely, even though Patrick is right behind me and the kids are here. "Mama!" I heard 3 small voices say. I hear 3 sets of feet run downstairs. Stella, Sienna and Eli run into my arms, followed by Laura walking downstairs. "Where have you been mama?" Sienna asked. "I've been busy lovebug." I explained. "Mama up." Eli said. I bent over and picked him up in my arms while stell and sienna hugged me. I felt tears welling in my eyes. Chris usually finished our group hugs off by wrapping us all in a big bear hug. "You know-." My voice cracked. "Mama has to use the bathroom. I'll be right back." I said quietly, hoping the kids wouldn't be able to hear the sadness in my voice.
(Patrick POV)
I followed Ellen into the house where she was greeted by her kids. It broke my heart to know that the kids would never see their dad again. I watched as Ellen explained where she's been and watched her excuse herself to go to the 'bathroom.' Knowing that she was going to cry and not go to the bathroom, I followed her into her bedroom. I wrapped my arms around her while she sobbed into my neck. "How am I supposed to tell my kids that their not gonna see their daddy again?" She asked in between sobs. "Shh. We'll figure it out." I soothed. She nodded and just sobbed. I can't imagine how I would feel if Jill died. I shuddered at the thought of it. She pulled away and said "We should go back." I nodded and we walked back together. "Laura, you can go. Thank you for everything." She said quietly. "Anytime. I'm so so sorry Ellen. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask please." She replied as she gave her a quick hug and head out the door.
(Patrick POV)
After Laura left, the kids started asking questions. "Uncle Patty, what are you doing here?" Stella asked. "Uh I'm just hanging out with your mommy for a little while." I explained. She nodded. "Mama up." Eli demanded. Ellen picked him up and brought him close. "Mama where's daddy?" Sienna asked. I knew she was dreading this question. She looked over at me with a broken expression.
(Ellen POV)
I domt know how to tell my kids their daddy wasn't coming back. This isn't sometning I'm supposed to know. "Um...you guys know how daddy went driving in his car?" I asked, trying to keep my tears at bay. "Yeah." They all replied. "Well, while he was driving he got into an accident." I said. "Is he okay?" Stella, my oldest asked. "No. Daddy was hurt, badly." I replied. "Where is he?" Sienna asked. "Well, uh, daddy, he uh, he went to heaven." I said with tears running down my face. "What does that mean?" Sienna asked. "Remember when Grandpa went to heaven a while ago? Well daddy went to see him and he's gonna stay there." I tried to explain. "So daddy isn't coming back?" Stella asked. "No, sweetie. Daddy died. He's with grandpa now." I said. At this point I was about to breakdown. The girls said nothing and just hugged me. This caused me to completely breakdown and sob.
(Patrick POV)
Watching Ellen tell her kids that their daddy died was quite possibly the saddest thing I've ever watched. She was broken. Her kids didn't understand it either, which was heartbreaking itself. After Ellen explained it more, they just hugged her, still not fully understanding what it meant. This led to a breakdown on Ellen's part. I didn't know whether I should stay back or do something. She was full on sobbing. And it was a regular sob. It was heart wrenching to see her in that much pain. "Kids, how about you guys go play in your room for a while?" I suggested. They all nodded and scrambled to their playroom. I walked over to Ellen when she fell into my arms. I brought her down to the ground and just held her while she sobbed. Eventually, she fell asleep in my arms just as she did at the hospital. I picked her up and brought her into the guest room, figuring she didn't want to sleep in her bedroom without Chris in it. I placed her into the bed and shut the door.
I checked in on the kids in the playroom and went into the living room. It was only around noon, so I had a lot of time to spare. I decided to call Shonda and let her know what was going on. "Hey Patrick. How is she?" She asked. "She told her kids today. I don't really think they fully understand, but that led to a full breakdown. She cried herself asleep again. I hate that I can't do anything to help her. " I explained, sadness evident in my voice. "We're going to plan the funeral later, if she's up to it." I said. "Damn. I gave everyone 2 weeks off of filming to spend with their families. Tell Ellen she can take as much time off as she needs when she wakes up." She said. "I will. I'm gonna call Jill now." I said. "Okay, thanks Patrick. Keep us informed." She said. I hung up the phone and dialed jills number. She picked up on the second ring. "Hi Jill." I greeted. "Hey Patrick. How is she?" She asked. "Not good. Cried herself to sleep again. I wish I could help her." I said with a sigh. "There's not much you can do Patrick. Just be there for her." She said. "She told the kids today. I can't imagine doing that. She's so broken, and I domt know how to help her." I explained. "I know Pat. How long are you gonna stay there? Should I bring the kids down there?" She asked. "I honestly don't know. She's not talking much. She won't eat unless I make her. I'll probably be down here for at least a week. Maybe you should come down here in the house." I suggested. "Okay, we will. I'll book tickets once we end the call and we'll be down there tomorrow." She said. "Uncle Patty, I'm hungry." Stella said. "Okay princess, we'll get you some lunch." I replied. "I gotta feed her kids lunch. Say hi to the kids for me and tell them I love them." I said into the phone. "Okay. I love you." She said. "I love you too." I replied back and hung up the phone.