The Daddy Club | 5sos au

Same Boat

Ashton

I had to take Sophie out of the room once Luke told us what he did. There was too much yelling and Michael had to hold Bella back as she tried to swing for Luke. It wasn't a good place for a baby to be.

So now I was sitting in his bed, rocking Sophie back and forth in my arms as her eyes began to slowly drop. I had luckily some experience with babies. When I was seven my sister was born and I was nine when my little brother was born, so I kind of know what I'm doing. But at the same time I have no fucking idea.

I didn't even know where she was going to sleep. I would have to clear out the art room and give her a room there. But then where would my art stuff go. I didn't want to say Sophie being here was inconvenient because she was my daughter for fucksake but... Jesus, I have a daughter.

I still haven't quite gotten use to that. It has only been like three hours since I found out. What have I done? I can't believe Avery just left her here. No furniture, no tips on what to do. Mia nearly went chasing after her. I told her to leave it though. It was only a week. Sophie was mine until next week, I could handle that. I think anyway.

"Hey," the door creaked open and Mia slipped in quietly. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I sigh looking down at Sophie, my baby. "I think so."

"We need to get her furniture."

Mia used the word 'we' like Sophie was her responsibility too. But she isn't.

"Avery says I should just text her if I have an issue. She can get Sophie's bed and stuff dropped off here." I say.

"But," Mia sits down next to me. "Would it not be better getting her, her own stuff for this place. So she has a room at Avery's and yours?"

I just shrug. Maybe that is a good idea. Having a room here and at her mins it would probably make things a lot easier and settle Sophie better with suddenly having a dad.

"What's Avery's number?" Mia asks me.

"It's in the duffel bag." I nod my head to the bag sitting in the corner. "I'll get it. Can you...?" I don't know why I trailed off and just awkwardly flicked my eyes between Mia and Sophie.

"Sure." Mia smiled taking Sophie out of my arms. She made a little babbling noise but settled right back down and into Mia's arms. I smiled at the two of them as Mia silently rocked Sophie, keeping her asleep.

I go to the bag and set it on the bed and start looking through it. Everything Avery said that was in the bag was there. Allergy list, medication, other important document. For some reason I discard the medical stuff and go straight for the birth certificate.

I stare down and can't help but feel a pit in my stomach.

"Mia, look." I say and hold the paper out for Mia to look at.

"Her brith certificate." Mia nods.

"Yeah," I look at it again. "I'm not there. Her second name is Clarke. Not Irwin."

"Yes..." Mia is unsure at what I am getting at. I don't really know either. I just feel annoyed at it for some reason, even though I don't really have right.

"It's just..." I huff out. "A bit disappointing really."

Mia gives me a sympathetic smile. "I know but you can't blame Avery, I guess. You know, she had no idea who or where you were."

"But..." I shrug. "I want it changed."

"Uh?" Mia has to pry her adoring eyes away from Sophie's sleeping face.

"Her brith certificate." I wave it slightly. "I want to be on it. I want Sophie to be an Irwin."

"Woah, Ash." Mia warns me. "Avery has to say okay to you calling Sophie an Irwin."

"Why?" I ask harshly. "She's my daughter."

"I know, but," Mia shrugs. "I dunno but Avery is her mum. She raised her for nine months in her own-"

"Oh 'cause I didn't know." Ashton interjects.

"True but she should get final say, it's what's fair." Mia tells me.

"Fine." I finally agree. I'm a stubborn guy but this time I have to be a little more reasonable, even though Sophie is my daughter too. "I'll suggest Irwin-Clarke, that should be okay. Right?"

"I hope so." Mia says bringing her attention back to Sophie. I bring out my phone and text Avery.

Unknown: Hey, its Ashton, Sophie's dad. I just wanted to let you know she is fine and also I was wondering if, and it's your final say, if we could change Sophie's last name to Irwin-Clarke since I made her too. If you don't want to it's fine. I understand. I would do it and I'd get my name added to the birth certificate, if that's okay?

I send it off to Avery, hoping for a fast reply. I watch Mia and Sophie for a few seconds. I study the way Mia is holding her. It's so tender and gentle. Already very maternal, without her even being a mother.

"What's going on now?" I ask her out of the blue.

"Huh?" Mia doesn't look at me.

"With the biggest jackass in the world. Are they slowly torturing him." I nod to the wall that I share with the living room. "Because i'd be totally okay with that."

"Ashton," Mia scorns.

"What?" I say defensively. "He left her."

"He didn't leave her, Luke's just..." Mia sighs in frustration.

"Just nothing." I says, sitting down next to her. "This morning I found out I already have a baby. Calum has a toddler and Michael got the exact same news as him. We are all in the same boat here."

"Luke's the youngest." Mia says like it's an excuse. "He is probably got more reason to freak out."

"Does that mean I can't freak out?" I question. I couldn't believe Mia was defending him. Karlie was one of her best friends and Luke had abandoned her.

"Are you?"

"Of course!" I say back obviously. "I have a child. that's scary shit."

"You seem okay, Mia plants a kiss on my cheek.

I open my mouth to say something but the bedroom door opens instead. Calum's there, still looking ill.

"I'm going to head." Calum says. "Bella is still trying to get Luke but he is surprisingly good at running and hiding.

"Okay," I let out a small laugh. "See you."

"Bye guys!" Calum responds a but loudly, noticed Sophie and quietens down. "Bye Sophie." Calum's lips curve slightly in a half smile.

"You're going to be okay." Mia says once Calum leaves.

"I hope so." I nervously laugh. I wanted to add a fucking in there but Sophie might actually be awake and listening.

Avery texts back. All it says is.

Avery: Irwin-Clarke. Awesome.

Ashton smiles to himself. It was going I be okay. It has to be. He isn't going to be like his dad and leave. Not Sophie, not anyone. He will stick around and show his dad what a real father looks like. No matter what age.