"I'm so scared," AJ mumbles, something she never usually admits to. "I haven't heard from Mike in days, I have to keep telling the kids he'll be back soon, and... they're not believing me, and I don't blame them. What do I do if he doesn't come home? What if the Wyatts keep him? What if..." She presses her knuckles to her lips and trembles. "I don't know what to do." She sinks down onto the patio chair and buries her face in her hands, trembling.
Taya and Maryse exchange glances before kneeling down next to her, enveloping her in their arms. "It's ok," Taya murmurs. "It's alright. He'll be back. He's too resourceful and too much of a fighter to just give up now. He's found his way against the Wyatts before, he will again."
"Of course," Maryse agrees, her accent tight and loud as she tries to comfort AJ. "He will never stop fighting to return to you and to the children. You must believe that."
"I'm trying," AJ gasps out, clinging to them. "I really am. It just hurts."
"I know it does," Taya murmurs, stroking her hair. "I wish we could do more to help you."
"You just being here helps," AJ breathes out, leaning back and closing her eyes as Taya and Maryse shift with her, making sure to remain in constant contact with her. "Please don't leave."
"We're not going anywhere," Maryse soothes her. "We are here with you until you hear from him again."
"Thank you," AJ says, eyes welling up with tears that slowly drip down her cheeks. "Thank you so much."