Surfer Girl // A.I (completed)

fourty-one

< January >
< New Year's Day >

{ Tatum }

The groan in my ear woke me up, causing me to stir. The arms around me tightened and Ashton's face tucked further into my neck. I stretched out, causing the sheets to lower, the cold air shocking my naked body. Ashton groaned again as I pulled the covers back up.

My eyes opened and the sunlight burned. Ashton and I went to a New Year's party at Mitchy Collins place and ended up back at my apartment. The alcohol was still pumping in our systems and clothes shedding right away.

"You okay?" the raspy voice in my ear spoke. I rolled over and faced him,

"Hungover" I groaned and cuddled into his chest,

"Are you sore? We were a bit rougher than we typically are last night?" he asked, worried,

"I'm okay Ash" I assured him with a kiss. He nodded and held me closer,

"I say we get Advil, eat, then go back to sleep" Ashton whispered, kissing my forehead.

We slowly got out of my bed, finding clothes to put on. Ashton tossed on sweatpants he had in my drawer and I threw on a pair of underwear and a one of his hoodies that came down to my thighs.

"They're up" Grace laughed from the couch,

"I didn't think you two would ever stop fucking each other" Calum teased. Ashton and I simultaneously flipped him off and wandered into the kitchen.

We downed two Advil each then Ashton started making us breakfast- which was just eggs and toast. We were still too tired to make anything more.

****

After breakfast and a two hour nap, I was cleaning my room while Ashton laid on my bed scrolling through his phone, occasionally asking me questions or tossing pillows at me.

My phone started ringing on my side table and Ashton reached over to grab it for me. There was no name but it was a Hawaii number,

"Hello?" I answered, holding my phone between my shoulder and ear as I put my folded clothes in my dresser,

"Tatum? It's Malia"

My aunt? My aunt called me? I literally do not talk to anyone in my family but my grandpa,

"Why are you calling me?" I took the phone in my hand. Ashton had now made his way to sitting on the edge of the bed,

"Your grandpa is dying. He's got maybe a month to live. But you're his proxy so you have to be here and apparently, everything he has is going to you"

I felt like my world was crashing. I went to sit on the bed but fell onto Ashton's lap instead,

"What's he have?" I shakily got out,

"Stage 4 lung cancer" Malia spit out, "I don't understand why you're getting everything. I'm his daughter for god's sake"

"Maybe because you have nothing to do with him!" I raised my voice. Ashton lightly squeezed my hips,

"And you did? You moved across the ocean!"

"At least I still talk to him" I spit back, "Look, I'm going now. I'll be in Hawaii soon"

I tossed my phone aside and felt the tears in my eyes. Ashton lifted my body and turned me to face him in his lap.

I continued looking down as Ashton's hands settled on my hips,

"Baby" he whispered, lifting my chin so our eyes would meet, "Baby, what's happening?"

"My grandpa has stage 4 lung cancer. They said he's got maybe a month"

My tears started falling and Ashton pulled me closer. My face went to his neck as my hands clung to the back of the soft gray t-shirt he was now wearing.

Ashton rocked us and rubbed my back, occasionally turning his head to kiss me.

I pulled back and wiped my eyes as Ashton pushed some of my hair from my face,

"So what happens?" He asked,

"I have to go to Hawaii. I'm his proxy. Plus everything is going to me" I explained,

"Then let's book a flight" Ashton grabbed his phone, but I stopped him,

"You have too much band stuff. I'll be okay and if I'm not, I'll call" I told him.

He studied my face then nodded.

I managed to get a flight out in the morning so I had to get packing for at least a month. Ashton left to go grab a few of the things that I've left at his house that I needed.

I had all my stuff packed, minus the stuff Ashton was bringing back. I grabbed my computer and went to my email, seeing a bunch from doctors and a couple from lawyers. This is a lot of adult stuff for a 21 year old.

I heard my door open and close. I knew it was Ashton so I didn't bother to look,

"Okay so I also brought you some hoodies" he announced. I turned and saw him folding them and putting them in my suitcase. He then zipped it up and set it by my door.

"I'm sorry this is happening" he spoke, pulling me to lay in bed with him, "If you need anything at all, call me and I'll get on a plane"

"Thanks Ash" I smiled, kissing his cheek, "I love you"

< next day >

{ Ashton }

I walked into the studio after dropping Tatum off at the airport. The guys were all confused. We were supposed to bring our girls to the studio today to show them some new stuff, so me coming without Tatum confused them,

"Where's your girlfriend?" Calum squinted,

"She went to Hawaii. Her grandpa has stage 4 lung cancer. He's got maybe a month to live" I sighed. I watched their faces drop,

"Oh god. Is she okay?" Luke shook his head,

"About as good as you can imagine. Everything is being left to her so she's got a lot of adult decisions to make. She's also her grandpa's proxy so she makes the medical decisions on his behalf"

"If you need anything or she needs anything, let us know" Sierra have my hand a squeeze,

"Thanks guys" I smiled, "Let's get to work"