Chapter Text
Ava knows something has to be done, both her parents are sick. Ava keeps bringing them water and medicine.
But she needs to eat, Daisy and the twins need to eat. Ava is the oldest, she is the protector. She needs to do something.
And she knows exactly who to call.
***
It starts when Angela gets a panicked call from Ava. She looks at her phone, and sees Tim’s name flashing on the screen.
Weird.
It’s a Saturday and their kids have been sick for the last week. The last thing he probably is going to do is call her.
But she answers anyway, she figures it could be work related and he would be annoyed if she didn’t answer.
“Hello?”
“Aunt Angela!” A voice says and she knows instantly who it is. “It’s Ava Rose Bradford.” Angela raises her eyebrows a little. Ava was nine, but still as sassy as ever. She’s not surprised her goddaughter said her whole name.
“Ava?” Angela says. “What’s wrong?”
“My mom and dad are sick.” Ava says. Angela freezes at Ava’s words. Lord knows what chaos was going on in that house. “We ran out of frozen dinners and the twins ran out of snacks.”
“Do you mean you ran out of snacks?” Angela asks and at least Ava has the sense to call someone.
“No I mean the twins did.” Ava says and she’s stubborn even at nine years old. She is as stubborn as ever.
“Okay Ava. I will be there in a little bit okay?” Angela says and she is sure the kids have been taken care of or Tim and Lucy are doing the best they can. They wouldn’t just leave their young kids to fend for themselves.
(Although it sounds like Ava had it under control— at least she did.)
“Okay!” Ava says. “Thanks aunt Angela!” She hangs up before Angela can get another word in.
***
Tim answers the door after about three knocks and Angela ringing the doorbell. Her eyes widen a little when she sees Tim in front of her. He looks like hell, and like he hasn’t slept in days. There’s bags under his eyes and he just looks miserable.
Angela almost feels bad for disturbing him.
“What are you doing here?” He asks. He sniffs. Angela hears voices and then Ava cuts in front of Tim.
“Hi aunt Angela!” She says. “Oh you brought food!” Ava grabs the bags and turns back around and then disappears.
“You are kidding,” Tim says. “You bought them food?”
“Ava said you were out of food.” Angela says. Tim closes his eyes and then opens them again.
“We have been ordering food for them every night. Ava Rose Bradford!” He calls. Ava appears again.
“Yes daddy?”
“You know what I’m about to say Ava.” Tim says but he sounds nasally and there’s no way Ava is talking him seriously.
“I’m tired of takeout.” Ava says. “And you and mom—”
“What’s going on?” Lucy appears and she looks just as bad as Tim. “Oh Angela.”
“Our daughter tricked Angela into buying us groceries.” Tim says to Lucy.
“Oh.” Lucy says looking at Ava and then back at Angela. It looks like she’s trying not to laugh. “Ava.”
She doesn’t have the stern tone she usually has and Ava doesn’t back down.
“They are easy to make meals. The kids will be able to make them.” Angela says looking between them. “You both look awful.”
“Thanks.” Tim says sarcastically. “We feel great.” Lucy hits him on the arm.
“We are getting better.” Lucy says. “We have had three great nurses and a very persistent doctor.” They all look at Ava who just rocks back on her heels.
“Good to know.” Angela says. “I will leave you to it then Doctor Ava.” Ava gives her a smile.
“Thank you for buying the food.” She says. “I would but I got in trouble the last time—” Angela bites her lip from smiling. Ava driving to Target on her own was a sore subject for Tim.
“It’s no problem.” Angela says. “Make sure you take care of your parents Ava.” Ava nods and Angela turns around to leave.
She would be surprised about her goddaughter’s actions but it was Ava. The crazy, chaotic child that she’s pretty sure has her parents blood pressure way up.
But Angela would do anything for any of the Bradford’s, they were her family. It started with Tim and then Lucy. And now all four of their kids.
And she would always be there for them.
Always.
***
“I can’t believe Ava did that.” Tim says. Lucy looks over at him, he still looks exhausted. She feels the way he looks right now.
“Well it’s Ava.” Lucy says. “Let’s be thankful she called someone this time.” Tim hums softly and comes up behind Lucy. They were both still sick, and exhausted and every other word in the book. But they were slowly getting better, Lucy went through the bags Angela had brought them and found some medicines.
(She was seriously grateful Ava had the sense to call her.)
“True.” Tim says. “She surprises me everyday.” Lucy nods and turns in his arms, she loops her arms around his neck and pulls him down for a kiss.
(It’s not like either of them were going to get sicker.)
“She’s a good girl.” Lucy says. “And we know she wouldn’t let her siblings starve if something happened to us.”
“Most of those snacks were for her.” Tim points out. That was partly true but Angela had thrown in meals and snacks for all the kids.
“Her heart was in the right place.” Lucy says and it really was. Whenever Ava did something whether it was chaotic or not. She always meant well, and she really did love her family.
“Very true.” Tim says and he kisses her again. Maybe they were still sick, but it wouldn’t last forever.
They had four kids to take care of them. And they had done a pretty good job. It was mostly bringing them water, some medicine and other essentials.
But still—
Lucy is grateful for her kids and her husband. She’s grateful for this life.
Sick or not.
And they were together that’s all that matters.
***
“Did we do a good job taking care of you?” Ava asks Tim a few days later. He looks over at her, and she looks so innocent.
“Yes Ava.” Tim says. “I really appreciate it. Your mom does too.” Ava smiles a little, and she looks proud.
“You always take care of us.” Ava says. “And we need to be fed.”
“Fair enough.” Tim says shaking his head in amusement. “You are a good girl Ava.”
“Thank you,” Ava says. “You are alright.” She turns around and leaves without another word. Tim gapes at her, and maybe they were just getting back on their feet. It was a tough couple of weeks but he was with his family and he wouldn’t have it any other way.