Picking Up The Pieces//Luke Hemmings

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Arriving at Calums, I gently released the now sleeping child from the confines of her seat, placed our over night bags on my shoulder and began the slow trek up the apartment complex stairway.

Calum opened the door smiling almost instantly when he saw his god daughter and I on his welcome mat. Calum let me place the small infant in his bed and softly closed the door, signaling I could finally release the sobs Id been holding in for her sake.

"What happened darlin?" He asked after successfully calming my aching heart.

"H-He said," I paused hiccuping loudly, "that he d-didn't want h-her." I stammered the last bit as my breathing quickened due to more tears.

"What exactly did he say? He loves her and we both know that." He remained calm for my sake, but I knew he wanted to yell at the top of his lungs.

"He said, 'I told you to handle it when we found out!'" I mumbled suddenly very interested in the floor.

"That bastard.." He stood ready to leave.

"You're staying here until you find your own place because I'll be damned if I let you go back there." He was already gone before my mind could comprehend a coherent response.

"Okay.." Was all I could say before going to join my daughter for a nap.

*
*

"She knows I never meant that!" A recognizable voice boomed jolting me from my sleep.

"Well it was still wrong, and you know that." That was Calum.

"Mate you should just go." The voice was unknown to me.

"Don't tell me what to do! I don't even know you, so you can excuse yourself from this conversation." Harry's voice echoed through the halls.

"Leave Harry, he's right you need to go before you wake up the girls. She will call if she wants to, but I'm not promising anything." Calum voiced his opinion trying not to sound like an ass.

Hearing footsteps walking through the halls, I rushed from the ground and hurried back under the covers. The door cracked open, and an attractive blonde opened the door peeking his head in on Ava and I.

"I know you're awake." The smirk was evident in his voice.

"How'd you figure me out?" I smiled sitting up to face him.

"I saw you open your eye when I opened the door." He smiled widely entering the room and placing himself beside me on the bed.

"I'm Luke Hemmings." He whispered after a moment. I looked up meeting his gaze for the first time since he'd sat down.

"I'm Lucy Martin, and that's my daughter Ava Styles." I smiled shyly shaking his hand.

"Well it's lovely to meet you Lucy Martin." I giggled softly at his accent.

"You aren't from here are you?" I asked gently waking Ava.

"How did you figure me out?" He mimicked my voice, while using my own words against me.

"Alright, well then where are you from?" He smiled down at his feet.

"Sydney." He stated plainly, even though you could tell he was trying to hide a smile.

"I've always wanted to go there. I heard it's lovely." My eyes took on a dreamy complexion.

"Well I may just have to take you sometime." We smiled at each other as a calming silence spread throughout the room.

Ava's small whimpers pulled my focus away from Luke, and his cute little dimples.

"Sorry.." I whispered picking her up as I began to walk out the door.

"I wouldn't go out there if I were you." Luke mumbled trying to stop me.

"I have to..can I maybe leave her with you for a moment? I need to go out there eventually, but maybe leaving her here would minimize the casualties.." My eyes pleading with his.

"Of course!" He smiled widely taking her gently from my arms.

"Thank you Luke, I will be back in just a second." He grinned reassuringly, gently shooing me out the door.

I exited the room as silently as I could, which ultimately failed. I had made it half way down the hall before stepping on a squeaky floor board, resulting in two very angry faces turning my way. Calums face suddenly burst into a large smile as soon as he realized who was coming his way. Harry on the other hand, his face went from angry, to sorry, right back to angry.

"Where's Ava?" He bellowed sounding more demanding than anything.

"Why do you care? She's you're burden remember??" I screamed my anger skyrocketing.

"I didn't mean it like that! You're always putting words in my mouth and I'm fucking tired of it!" My mouth hung open and I'm sure he instantly regretted it, but it was too late for that.

"Get out.." I whispered not sure of my own voice.

"No Luce, I'm so-"

"Leave! Get out!" I screamed pushing him out the door.

Once the door was closed I sank to my knees crying like my eyes had never cried before. I felt two strong arms wrap me up, and assuming it was Calum, I buried my head deeper into their shirt.

Once my tear ducts had all run dry I looked up, only to be met by two beautiful ocean eyes staring back into my dull green ones. I smiled partially out of embarrassment, and partially out of appreciation. Here was this person I'd only met about twenty minutes ago, and he was still treating me better than Harry had in the past few months.

"Am I interrupting something?" Calums amused voice startling both of us.

"No he was just comforting me after the whole Harry thing.." I smiled gently, getting up to remove Ava from Cals arms.

"Cally!" She whined receiving a smug smile from Cal.

Calum took Ava to the park, leaving Luke and I alone in the flat until they returned. There was a comfortable silence that had settled around us as we sat side by side watching something on the telly.

"Do you want to get a bite to eat?" Luke smiled kindly.

"Uhm.." I hesitated.

"Just to get to know each other, and you've had a hard day today. You should relax." I smiled at his warm gesture, then, finally nodded my head in agreement.

"Okay."