After All The Hardships (Hessa fanfic)

2

Hardin's POV

I unbuckle Emery's seat belt. 

 "Daddy hurry up! I want to see Addy and Uncle Landon before school starts!" My daughter rushes me, and looks out the window while her legs eagerly kick the seat in front of her.

 "Ok ok, I'm going as fast as I can," I laugh.

She turns and gives me a mad look. "Why are you laughing at me?" 

 "Nothing." I try to hold my laughter by pressing my lips together tightly. 

 Emery grabs her backpack next to her and gets out of the car. Being only in kindergarten I have to walk her to her classroom. 

I take her hand and walk her. Tessa and I both brought Emery to her first day of school, so I know where it is. 

Older elementary school kids, possibly 4 or 5th graders, walked past me and Emery and stared me down. They were probably wondering, "Who was this man with tattoos all over his body? Is he really her father? He must be a bad person looking the way he is." I've heard them all before and I know those weren't the last of hearing them. I still feel as if people are judging me and Tessa when we walk around, especially with Emery. But now, I have learned and focused to keep one voice inside my head. And that is Tessa's. After Emery was born, that added two voices. Now with one more on the way, the two will become three. 

At the end of the hallway are the kindergarten classrooms. It gets hella tiring to fucking walk all the way to Emery's classroom. Since kindergarten is one of the youngest grade levels, they should be closest to the exit and entrance. Instead they make their little legs walk for a fucking mile.

We pass by a classroom marking "Mr. Gibson, Room 17, 5th grade." Right in front of the door was Landon. He's talking with his students at the door. 

I stop myself from shoving those 5th graders aside so I can talk to my best friend. However, Emery being little and is excused to show any manners, shouts out her uncle's name. 

 "Uncle Landon! It's me, Emery your niece!"

 Landon's students smile at Emery and walk inside the classroom. If they laughed at her, the ending would have gone much different. 

 "Hi Emery," Landon greets her. He has always been a good uncle. 

 "Hi! My daddy is bringing me to school cause mommy had to go to work."

 "Finally, Hardin's getting off the couch," he humorously remarks.

I grin. "Shut up you-" I glance at Emery and she looks at me curiously. 

 "- bro," I continue, gently punching Landon's shoulder. Landon laughs hysterically knowing what I just did. I hope that bastard doesn't snitch on me to Tessa because she's going to give me a huge ted talk about it. Usually, though, having those talks leads to sex, which starts with me responding in her ear with a deep, thick voice she loves and kissing her open mouth. In my defense, I do pay attention though. Her talks I mean. 

Emery doesn't get it but she laughs as well. Laughing is very contagious and before I know it, I'm laughing too.

People down the hall, looking at us, but continue going wherever they waste their time doing. 

"Are you guys ready for our dinner tomorrow?" I ask Landon. 

The dinner is just a gathering. Carol, David, and what's his daughters name is going to be there. Dad and my little brother along with his wife and daughter will also be there too. Mum wanted to, but I'm such short notice, for her, it's not possible. Karen, Ken, and Abby will also attend. I'm actually really happy we are hanging out as family.