Chapter 32: 31

Little LuxWords: 29117

17th November, 2022 - Los Angeles, California

*5 minuets earlier*

The gym was filled with the rhythmic clinks of weights and the faint hum of music coming from the speaker in the corner. Sebastian stood by the bench press, his brow glistening with sweat as he pushed the barbell back onto its rack. Vincent was across the room at the cable machine, his movements fluid and precise, a focused look on his face.

"You're getting slower, Seb," Vincent teased, grabbing a towel and tossing it toward him. "You used to finish sets faster than me."

Sebastian caught the towel with a smirk, using it to wipe his face. "That's because I wasn't distracted by my favorite gym partner back then," he quipped, his tone warm and teasing. "Besides, someone has to keep an eye on you so you don't injure yourself showing off."

Vincent chuckled, stepping away from the machine to grab a water bottle. "Fair point. But don't forget, the kids are napping, so let's try to wrap this up soon. Lux was extra squirrely this morning, and I don't trust her to stay down for long."

"Speaking about Lux, I was on the phone with the tutor earlier this morning. He said he'd be willing to meet up and have a little chat with her later this week if we're interested. Just to get to know her a little, you know?" Sebastian explained, taking a seat on the bench and stretching out his aching muscles.

Vincent nodded, twisting the cap off his water bottle and taking a long sip. "That's a good idea."

They continued through their workout, Sebastian switched over to the treadmill whilst Vincent moves over to the bench press. The sounds of weights clinking together and the upbeat tempo of the music masked the distant noises of the house.

But then, amidst the flow of their routine, something broke the rhythm. A faint crash.

Vincent froze mid-rep, his ears straining. "Did you hear that?"

They exchanged a look. A single crash in a house with two little ones was never a good sign.

Sebastian was off the treadmill in an instant. "That didn't sound good," he said, his voice low but tense. Vincent set the barbell back onto its rack and grabbed a towel, wiping his hands hastily as he followed Sebastian out of the gym.

The hallway stretched out before them, quiet and still, but the faint echo of the crash still lingered in the air. Vincent's jaw tightened as they moved quickly toward the source of the sound. "Kitchen," he said firmly, already picking up his pace.

Sebastian nodded, his heart pounding. "Stay calm," he muttered to himself more than to Vincent. "They might've just knocked something over."

"Well whoever it was, is meant to be napping." Vincent murmured. This wasn't the first time they'd caught a little one out of their bed when they're not meant to be.

They continued down the hall, glancing in rooms as they tried to find the source of the noise but the little sniffles and hushed voiced lead them right into the kitchen where August was crouched down next to Lux who clutched her arm against her chest.

The sight made their stomachs drop.

"Lux!" Sebastian said, his voice sharp with worry as he hurried to her side. Vincent was right behind him.

Lux's cheeks were streaked with tears, her breath coming in hiccupping gasps as she cradled her arm protectively. Auggie sat beside her, his wide, frightened eyes darting between the two men and Lux, his small hands trembling where they rested on the edge of her knee.

"I didn't mean—" Lux sobbed, her voice trembling as she tried to explain.

"Shh, sweetheart, it's okay," Sebastian said quickly, dropping to one knee beside her and gently brushing a strand of hair out of her tear-soaked face. "Let daddy see."

"Deep breathes Luxie." Vincent said, picking August up and trying to get him away from all the shattered glass on the floor.

Lux whimpered as Sebastian's gentle hands approached her injured arm. She flinched, clutching it tighter against her chest. "It hurts," she whimpered, her voice shaky and small.

"I know, baby," Sebastian said softly, his heart breaking at the sight of her pain. "But I need to look at it, okay? I promise I'll be gentle."

Vincent stood nearby, holding August securely on his hip. The older boy was trembling, his face pale, and his eyes glued to Lux.

Sebastian carefully examined her arm, his expression tightening as he noted the unnatural angle. He quickly realized it was more than a minor injury. "Shit," He mumbled under his breath.

Vincent's eyes narrowed, his heart sinking. "What's wrong?"

Sebastian took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady for Lux. "I think it's broken," he said softly.

"No!" Lux shrieks, wincing through the pain.

Vincent immediately stepped forward, his hands shaking slightly as he placed August gently on the counter, ensuring the younger boy was out of harm's way. He turned back to Sebastian, whose face had drained of color. Lux's arm was clearly in a bad state, and the shards of glass that littered the floor weren't helping the chaos of the moment.

Lux's face was still streaked with tears, and her breath came in ragged gasps. "I didn't mean to— I just wanted to do something fun, but I fell. I didn't think—" Her words were a jumble of guilt and panic.

Sebastian gently pulled Lux's hand away from her injured arm and held it in both of his. "Lux, listen to me, okay?" he said in a soft, soothing voice. "This was an accident, sweetheart. You're going to be okay, but we need to get you some help, alright? Can you take a deep breath for me?"

She nodded through her sobs, her eyes wide and filled with fear. But she couldn't seem to control her crying. Her whole body was shaking.

"Did you hit anything else when you fell?" Vincent asks, trying to get the important information out of her. "Like your head?"

Lux shook her head frantically, her tears pouring down her cheeks. "No, no! I... I just fell. I was trying to climb onto the counter to reach f-for a glass and then I... I slipped."

Seeing Lux so distressed, August bursts into tears too, his small body wriggling in Vincent's arms as he wailed in fear. The sound of his crying only added to the already chaotic atmosphere. Vincent gently rocked him, murmuring soft reassurances as he kept his eyes on Lux and Sebastian.

Sebastian's heart ached for both of them. He could feel the panic rising in his chest, but he fought to keep his calm for the sake of the littles. His voice was steady, even though his hands trembled as he carefully assessed Lux's injury. "You're going to be okay, Luxie. I promise. We're going to take care of you, alright?"

Vincent, still holding August, stepped closer. "You need to get her to the hospital, now. I'll try and find a sitter for Auggie. I don't want him in the hospital, I think it'll just panic him more."

Sebastian nodded, his jaw tightening as he tried to steady himself. He scooped Lux up carefully, her small frame trembling in his arms. "I'll take her. You handle Auggie. Call me if you need anything," he said, his voice thick with worry.

Vincent kissed Lux's forehead softly, his voice soothing despite his own tension. "You're brave, Luxie. Daddy will get you all fixed up. I'll see you soon, okay?"

Lux whimpered but managed a weak nod, clinging to Sebastian with her uninjured arm.

As Sebastian headed toward the door, Vincent turned his attention to August, who was still sobbing, his little hands clutching tightly at Vincent's shirt. "Shh, buddy, it's okay," Vincent murmured, gently rubbing August's back. "Lux is going to be fine. It was an accident, and accidents happen. Daddy is going to take her to the doctor, and they'll help her feel better."

"S-she gonna be o-okay, right?" August sniffles, looking up at Vincent with teary eyes.

Vincent hugged him tightly. "I promise."

---

Sebastian drove with one hand on the wheel, the other holding Lux's good hand. She was still crying softly, her small frame shaking with every sob. He glanced at her as they reached a red light. "Hey, sweetheart, remember what we talked about? Deep breaths, okay? Can you do that for me?"

Lux tried, hiccuping as she attempted to slow her breathing. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to reassure Sebastian she was trying. "That's my brave girl," he said softly, squeezing her hand gently.

The drive to the hospital felt like it stretched forever, even though it was only a few miles. Sebastian's mind raced with questions and worries, but he forced himself to stay calm. Lux needed him to be strong. He kept talking to her, his voice low and soothing, pointing out little things outside the window to distract her from the pain.

The man felt terrible. The guilt was practically eating him alive. He should've been there.

By the time they reached the hospital, Lux had stopped crying, though her tear-streaked cheeks and trembling lip betrayed how frightened she still was. Sebastian carried her inside, her injured arm cradled awkwardly against her chest.

"You're doing so good, Luxie. We're almost there," he murmured, kissing the top of her head as he hurried toward the emergency room entrance.

The automatic doors slid open, and the sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air. A receptionist looked up from her desk, her professional demeanor softening as her eyes landed on Lux. "Oh no, what happened?"

"She fell and hurt her arm. I think it's broken," Sebastian explained, his voice tight with worry. "She's in a lot of pain."

The receptionist nodded, grabbing a clipboard and gesturing toward the seating area. "I'll get a nurse right away. Just fill this out."

Sebastian barely had time to sit down before a nurse appeared, her expression calm and reassuring. "Hi there, I'm Angela. Let's take a look at that arm, sweetie," she said gently, crouching to Lux's level.

Lux shrank into Sebastian's chest, her little fingers clutching at his shirt. "No!" she cried, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Sebastian said, rubbing her back in soothing circles. "Angela just wants to help, sweetheart. She's going to make it feel better."

"N-no!" Lux shrieks, wriggling away from Sebastian and into the corner of the room.

Angela held up her hands in a calming gesture, keeping her distance as she crouched lower to Lux's level. "It's okay, sweetheart. We won't do anything you don't want us to," she said softly, her voice as gentle as the breeze.

Sebastian took a deep breath, crouching down beside Lux but not reaching for her yet. "Luxie," he murmured, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. "I know this is scary. But the nurse is here to help. Remember how I promised we'd take care of you? We're just trying to make your arm feel better."

Lux's wide, tear-filled eyes darted between Angela and Sebastian. Her small body shook as she clutched her arm tighter. "I d-don't want it to h-hurt more," she whimpered.

Sebastian reached out slowly, letting her see his hand before he placed it gently on her knee. "I know you're worried it might hurt, but we'll be right here with you. Daddy's not going anywhere, okay? I'll hold your hand the whole time. You trust me, don't you?"

Lux sniffled, her lips trembling as she hesitated. Slowly, she nodded. "P-promise?"

"I promise," Sebastian said, his voice firm and filled with love. He gently took her good hand and helped her stand, guiding her back toward Angela.

The nurse smiled warmly, giving Lux plenty of space as they walked toward the exam area. "You're so brave, Lux," Angela said, her tone kind and encouraging. "We're going to be really gentle, I promise. And if anything feels too scary, just let me know, okay?"

Lux glanced at Sebastian, her grip on his hand tightening. "Okay," she whispered.

As they reached the small exam room, Sebastian lifted Lux onto the cushioned table, keeping a firm hold of her hand. Angela carefully examined her arm, her touch delicate and precise as she murmured soothing words.

Lux winced but didn't pull away, her wide eyes locked on Sebastian. He smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Almost done, sweetheart. You're doing so good."

Angela straightened, her expression thoughtful. "It looks like a clean break," she said gently. "We'll need to take some X-rays to confirm though."

Sebastian nodded, his jaw tight but his voice steady. "Alright. Whatever she needs."

"Don't want an x-ray." Lux sniffles, looking up at them with pleading eyes.

Sebastian crouched down so he was eye-level with Lux, his hand still holding hers gently. "I know, baby. X-rays sound a little scary, but they don't hurt, I promise. It's just like taking a picture of your arm so the doctors can see what's going on inside and figure out how to make it all better."

Lux's lip trembled, and she shook her head. "No... no pictures. I don't like it."

Angela gave Sebastian a sympathetic smile before kneeling down beside them. "Hey, Lux, do you want to see what the X-ray looks like before we do it? I can show you the big camera and everything—it's kind of cool. It's like a magic camera that sees your bones."

Lux looked uncertain, glancing up at Sebastian for reassurance. He nodded encouragingly. "What do you think, sweetheart? Want to see the magic camera first? I'll be right there with you the whole time."

After a long pause, Lux gave a hesitant nod. "Okay... but only if Daddy stays."

"Of course," Sebastian said immediately, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "I'll stay with you the whole time. You're my brave girl."

Angela smiled warmly. "That's perfect, Lux. Let's go meet the magic camera."

---

In the X-ray room, Angela showed Lux the machine, explaining how it worked in simple, gentle terms. She even let Lux press a harmless button on the control panel, making a tiny beep that brought a small smile to her tear-streaked face.

Sebastian was stood just outside the room behind the protective glass, reassuring a very worried Vincent that Lux was totally fine and they were just sending her in for an x-ray right now.

"See? It's not scary at all," Angela said with a grin. "And when we take the picture, you'll just sit still like a statue."

Lux nodded, slowly becoming more comfortable with the large machine.

Angela gently positioned Lux's arm, propped carefully on a cushioned rest to avoid any discomfort. "Okay, sweetheart, just like that. You're doing amazing," she said, her voice calm and encouraging. Lux's wide eyes stayed locked on Sebastian, who gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up from behind the protective glass.

She held her breath as the machine slowly came to life, emitting a large light whirring sound. An image appeared on a large screen a few moments later, a clear outline of her small arm with a snap going right through the middle of the bone.

Lux grimaced at the sight. She'd always been a little squeamish around medical things.

"You did perfect, Lux," she said, stepping back to help Lux down from the machine. "We're all done with the magic camera."

Lux blinked, surprised. "That's it?"

"That's it," Angela confirmed.

Sebastian stepped forward, scooping Lux up into his arms and kissing her forehead. "You were incredible, Luxie. I'm so proud of you."

Lux finally cracked a small, shaky smile, her fingers clutching Sebastian's shirt as they made their way back to the exam room.

"The break is clean, which is good news." Angela said as they rounded a corner. She has the x-ray image in hand, carefully examing it as they walked. "It also means we can finally get you some pain medication for the pain."

Lux's face lit up at the mention of relief from the aching in her arm. "Medicine? It'll make it stop hurting?" she asked softly, her voice filled with hope.

Angela nodded with a warm smile as they entered the office again. "It will help a lot, sweetie. Just a little pinch when we give it to you, but after that, you'll start feeling much better."

Sebastian's grip on Lux tightened slightly, his protective instincts kicking in. "She's been so brave already," he said. "Let's make it as quick and easy as possible."

Angela nodded in understanding. "Of course. I'll bring the medication here, and we'll make sure she's comfortable before we set her arm."

Angela left to gather the supplies while Sebastian gently sat Lux back on the exam table. Her small hand clung to his shirt as her wide eyes scanned the room nervously. "Will it hurt a lot when they fix it?" she whispered.

"It might hurt a little, Luxie," he admitted honestly, setting Lux down onto the cushioned bench "but the medicine will help so much. And once they fix it, your arm will start getting better every day."

She nodded, resting her head against the side of his arm.

"You know I broke my arm too when I was a little boy." He said, brushing some hair away from her face.

"Really?" Lux asked.

Sebastian smiled, speaking softly to her. "Really. I was about your age, maybe a little older. I was playing soccer in the backyard, trying to do some fancy kick like I was a big league player. But instead of the ball going where I wanted, I tripped over it and landed on my arm."

Lux's eyes widened, her tears momentarily forgotten as she looked up at him. "Did it hurt a lot?"

"It did," he admitted, stroking her hair softly. "But my mom was there, just like I'm here with you. She helped me get to the doctor, and they fixed me up with a cast. I even got to pick the color—bright red. Everyone at school thought it was the coolest thing, and my friends all signed it."

Lux sniffled, a tiny spark of curiosity breaking through her fear. "Can I pick a color for my cast?"

"Absolutely," Sebastian said, his heart swelling at her bravery. "You can pick whatever color you want. Maybe even get some cool designs on it too. What do you think?"

Lux hesitated, her brow furrowed as she thought. "Want red like you." She declares.

Sebastian grinned, his chest tightening with affection. "Red it is, sweetheart. Just like me."

Angela returned, carrying a small tray with the medication and supplies. She smiled warmly at Lux, who looked up at her with a mix of apprehension and determination. "Alright, Miss Lux, this will be quick, and I promise it'll help with the pain. Are you ready?"

Lux clutched Sebastian's hand tightly, her little fingers squeezing his. "Okay," she whispered, her voice shaky but brave.

Angela moved swiftly, administering the pain relief with gentle efficiency. Lux winced but didn't cry, her eyes fixed on Sebastian's face as he whispered soothing words.

"You're doing so good, Luxie. Almost done," he murmured, brushing a hand over her hair.

"All done!" Angela announced cheerfully, stepping back with a smile. "You're such a brave girl, Lux. Now, we'll let that medicine kick in, and then we'll set your arm and get a cast on you. Any particular colour?"

"Red," she said quietly but firmly, her voice still a little shaky.

Angela's smile widened. "Red it is! A bold choice. It's going to look awesome. I'm just going to get another doctor to assist with the final step."

Lux managed a small, timid smile, watching as the nurse headed out of the room.

The medicine slowly began to kick in, easing the sharp pain into a dull aching sensation which wasn't nearly as bad. Sebastian could feel her body relax a bit against his side, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Feeling a little better now, sweetheart?" he asked gently.

Lux nodded, her grip on his hand loosening slightly. "It doesn't hurt as much anymore," she whispered.

"That's great," Sebastian said, his tone warm and encouraging. "See? You're so tough, Luxie. I knew you'd get through this."

Angela returned with another nurse, both of them carrying the necessary supplies to set Lux's arm. "Alright, Miss Lux, this is the last big step," Angela said kindly. "We're going to set your arm and then get that awesome red cast on. It might feel a little strange, but remember, the medicine is helping so it won't hurt as much."

Her eyes darted nervously over to Sebastian who met her gaze with a reassuring smile. "I'm right here, sweetheart. Just hold on to me, and it'll be over before you know it."

Angela and the second nurse moved carefully, explaining every step as they gently worked to align Lux's arm. Sebastian kept his focus on Lux, talking to her softly to keep her distracted.

"You're doing amazing, Luxie," Sebastian whispered, his voice steady as he squeezed her good hand.

Lux's eyes darted between the nurses and Sebastian, her breath hitching a few times as they worked. She whimpered when they made the final adjustment, but she didn't cry. It was more of a strange and uncomfortable feeling than it being actually painful. Sebastian couldn't blame her though.

Having the bones re-arranged in your arm wasn't exactly the most pleasant experience.

When the final adjustment was complete, Angela secured Lux's arm in place with a temporary splint to hold it steady. "All done with the tricky part, Lux," she said with a wide smile. "You're one tough cookie."

Lux nodded shyly, examining her adjusted arm.

Sebastian leaned down to kiss the top of her head, his heart swelling with pride. "You're amazing, flower," he murmured. "I knew you could handle it."

Lux's small face, though pale, was now tinged with a hint of relief, and a little more confidence was creeping into her eyes. The worst part was over, and now, all that was left was the promise of her bright red cast.

Next, a white pasty solution was applied to her arm. This was the foundation of her cast and would harden into a nice hard shield soon to keep her arm in place. This part didn't hurt at all, it just felt wet and slimy for the young girl.

Lux stared at her arm, watching as the nurses carefully wrapped the plaster around it. The wet sensation was strange, but she could see the progress, the shape of her cast starting to form. "Is it going to be red now?" she asked, her eyes searching Sebastian's face for reassurance.

"Not yet," he replied, chuckling lightly. "But soon, it'll be the brightest red you've ever seen, just like we talked about."

As the nurses finished up, Angela gave a final check. "All done!" she said cheerfully, stepping back to admire her work. "That cast is all set, and it should be fully dry in about 30 minutes."

Lux glanced at her arm, still a bit surprised at the transformation. Her fingers touched the new cast, unsure of the hard texture but slowly growing used to it. "It feels funny," she said, wrinkling her nose.

Sebastian smiled, brushing his hand across her hair. "I know it does, but you're doing great. It's going to help your arm heal and get better so you can be back to doing all the fun stuff you love."

Lux nodded, her voice quieter now. "I want to play again soon," she said softly.

Sebastian gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his heart swelling with affection. "You will, Luxie. It'll just take a little time."

"Can we call papa and Auggie whilst we wait?" She asked softly.

"Of course, sweetheart," he said, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We can call Papa and Auggie right now if you want. I'm sure they'll be so happy to hear from you."

Lux's face brightened just a little. "Auggie will be happy," she murmured.

Sebastian pulled out his phone, dialing Vincent's number first, then holding it to his ear as he gently rubbed Lux's back. He could see the anticipation building in her eyes, her small hand still clutching his as she waited for the call to connect.

"Hey," Vincent answered on the second ring, his voice sounding relieved but still a little anxious. "Is everything okay? How's Lux?"

"Hey, it's okay, everything's going well," Sebastian reassured him, smiling softly at Lux. "She's resting now, and they've set her arm. The worst part's over."

"M'gonna get a red cast." Lux says quietly.

"Red, huh? That's a bold choice." Vincent says through the line.

Even though he can't see her, Lux nods her head.

"But does it hurt anymore, sweetheart?" Vincent prompts.

Lux shrugs. "Not lots. Just an itty bitty small hurt."

Vincent's voice softened, full of relief. "Good girl. I'm so proud of you. You're really tough, Luxie. When I see you, I'll make sure to give your cast a big ol' hug."

"S'August okay?" She asks. "He was cryin' lots."

"Augusts okay," Vincent reassures. "He was just a little scared because you were hurt. He's right here next to me if you'd like to talk?"

"Yes please." Lux says softly.

"Alright, here he is." A moment later, Lux could hear Auggie's voice crackle through the phone, small but full of concern.

"Luxie?" Auggie asked, his tone a mixture of worry and relief. "Are you okay now? I was really scared when you fell."

Lux's eyes brightened slightly at hearing her brother's familiar voice. She clutched Sebastian's hand, her small fingers curling around his as she spoke. "I'm okay, Auggie. It doesn't hurt lots anymore. I'm getting a red cast?"

"A red one?" He asks curiously.

"Yeah!" Lux exclaims."Like ironman!"

August just hums in agreement. He'd never watched any marvel films so he had no idea what the girl was talking about but he was just happy she was okay and feeling better.

Sebastian smiled as he listened to the soft exchange between Lux and Auggie. It was clear from Lux's tone that her brother's words had comforted her, even though the two of them weren't in the same room. It was a small, tender moment that reminded him how deeply connected they were.

The pair continued to chat happily for a little while longer, making plans for all the things they were gonna do when Lux came home. Then Angela came back in, holding a red bandage to wrap around the hardened plaster. They hung up the phone to August and Sebastian, murmuring a quick 'bye'.

"Alright, Lux," Angela said with a warm smile, holding up the vibrant red wrap. "Are you ready to make this cast look as cool as possible?"

Lux nodded shyly, eyeing Angela with curiosity as she began to wrap it around her cast.

"So you didn't want to be matching with daddy, huh?" Sebastian chuckled in a teasing tone. "You wanted to be matching with iron man."

"Iron Man is cooler," she declared, her confidence growing. "But Daddy's okay too."

Sebastian chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I'll take it. Iron Man's tough competition."

Angela finished wrapping the cast, stepping back to admire her handiwork. The red material gleamed under the fluorescent lights, bold and bright against Lux's small arm. "All done, Lux," she said with a grin. "What do you think?"

Lux lifted her arm carefully, inspecting it from every angle. A small smile crept onto her face, and she glanced at Sebastian. "It's cool, right?" she asked softly.

"It's super cool," Sebastian agreed.

"Right," Angela said, standing up and walking over to her desk, grabbing a slip of paper. "This here is a prescription for some pain medication for Lux's arm and I'll book her in for a checkup in 3 weeks."

Sebastian nodded, taking the slip of paper from Angela. "How long should she be in the cast for?"

"Typically, with a clean break like Lux's, the cast will stay on for about four to six weeks, depending on how well the healing progresses. At the checkup in three weeks, we'll take a look at how everything's coming along and decide if she needs it on a little longer or if she's ready to transition to something lighter, like a removable brace."

Lux's eyes widened slightly, and she looked up at Sebastian. "Six weeks is forever," she murmured.

Sebastian chuckled. "It'll be okay babe. We'll make sure you don't get bored."

Angela nodded with a kind smile. "It might feel like a long time, Lux, but it'll go by faster than you think. Plus, with that awesome red cast, everyone's going to be so impressed."

Lux's smile grew a little brighter at that. "Okay," she said softly.

Angela stepped forward, handing Sebastian a small packet of instructions. "This includes details about caring for the cast, what to look out for, and contact numbers if you have any concerns. You'll want to keep it dry, so no showers unless you have a waterproof cover. baths are fine, just keep it protected."

"Got it," Sebastian said, glancing at the packet before tucking it into his pocket. "Thank you for everything, Angela."

"My pleasure," she replied warmly, crouching down to Lux's level one last time. "You were so brave today, Lux. I'm really proud of you."

Lux's cheeks flushed a little as she mumbled, "Thank you."

Sebastian scooped her up gently, careful of her arm, and gathered their things. "Let's get you home, flower," he said softly. "Papa and Auggie are waiting."

As they walked out of the clinic and into the crisp evening air, Lux clung to him with her good arm. She rested her head against his shoulder, her eyelids drooping as exhaustion finally caught up to her.

"Are you comfy, sweetheart?" he asked, glancing down at her with a smile.

"Mm-hmm," she murmured, half-asleep. "Best daddy ever."

Sebastian's heart swelled, and he pressed a kiss to her hair. "And you're the bravest girl ever, Luxie."

By the time they reached the car, she was fast asleep, her red cast peeking out from beneath her jacket like a quiet badge of courage. Sebastian buckled her in carefully, then started the car, ready to take her home.

~~~

Any specific broken arm related scenarios people want to see? 👀👀

Also, this is not proof read at all, so there's probably mistakes.