the daughter - damon

it's never too late

"How is that so ?"
"When Mum started- started hitting you, I almost immediately knew it. I was coming home from daycare, and you would cry. I used to ask you why would these tears be shed, and you would just say you were tired. I saw a bruise on your arm once, and for me, everything was over. Then, I overheard one of your fights, when I was in my bedroom, supposed to be asleep. The day after, there were pain and sadness in your eyes. I could see you were damn hurt, because you loved her, you thought she did the same, but she loved someone else-..."
"SOMEONE ELSE ?!"
"Yeah... Her eyes were always wicked, and when she glared at you, I could watch her love for you slowly disappearing and her heart quietly replacing you with this man."
"Have you ever seen him ?"
"Never. But I assume he's a bit younger than you, probably with blond short hair and deep blue eyes. I think he wears only shorts, and he truly likes Australia."
"Why ?"
"I found two boarding tickets to Australia in Mum's closet. Every day, I came home, and you were always here for me, ready to cheer me up if I had fallen down, or if I had the smallest bruise, and I couldn't help you, more than just witness her violence and hypocrisy. I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
"You were four when I left. How do you remember everything ?"
"You can't forget when your mum beat your dad."

We both let a heavy silence prevail in the living room, before I continued :
"One day, I came home, and you weren't there. There were two possibilities ; either you were dead or alive, but just wanting to find a better life. I hoped it would be the second choice. I used to cry every day after school, and even at school sometimes."
"I didn't want to worry you."
"Then once, Mum and I got into a fight, and I punched her. She started insulting me, and I think I said "You now see what Dad has gone through because of you", and that's when I took the decision to find you. When I found out you were alive, I think I cried for two days straight", I smiled, remembering a small me, sat on my chair in my bedroom, my knees against my chest, my head in my hands, weeping.

My dad just quietly hugged me. I slowly drank my tea, before he said :
"What would you like to do tomorrow ?"
"I wanna go to a library. I used to read a lot of books at Mum's place, but ugh-... I- I didn't bring them with me."
"It's okay. You want me to drop you off there ?"
"Oh no, come with me please."

He smiled.
"Wanna watch a film ?"
"I would prefer reading a book."
"What would you like to read ?"
"I always missed something."

His smile fell, and anxiety quickly replaced it.
"I missed you reading me stories when I was a kid."
"It's never too late."

He suddenly stood up. I did the same. Whilst he was picking a book in his office, I rapidly changed into my pj's, and lay down in my bed. He came into my bedroom, and delicately covered me with the blanket. He sat next to me, his back against the wall.

And my father read me a story, for the first time in my life, when I was thirteen.

It's never too late.

I woke up very early the day after, drank a huge coffee. I used to prefer coffee than tea, but my dad was the best tea-maker I knew. I sat on the couch, took my phone, and scrolled through the apps. I downloaded Instagram, which seemed like a fun social media. I found another app, which you could basically read and write books on. It was called Wattpad.

I made a profile on both apps, and on Wattpad, below "Search", in "Search for stories or people", I entered my dad's name. Funny how there were a lot of results. Most of them were about BGT, and one had even Cowell on the cover. It was written "damon bgt smut". I didn't think much of it, and started reading.

When I discovered what it was about, I squealed and threw my phone on the other side of the couch. For a second, I was in a deep state of shock. But then, as an addict, I took my phone and read it until the end.

That's when I saw my innocence flee from me.

I put my phone down, still not believing what I had just seen. My dad came in the living room, and my gaze just went down to verify if the size written was correct. My eyes widened in surprise as I noticed it wasn't too wrong.
"Huh Hope ?" I heard a quiet embarrassed voice. "Why are you huh-... ?"
"Sorry, I wasn't- I was- ugh- lost in my thoughts..."
"Want some tea ?"
"I've just had a coffee, thank you."

An awkward silence installed in the room, and he made himself a tea, whilst I started reading Wattpad again.

For that day, we went to the nearest library, my dad showed me his favourite books, and I suddenly noticed something. A book called "Gangsta Granny". It had a red cover, and a cute drawing. Just above the white title, there were two words, written in cursive. I got closer, and saw : "David Walliams".
"Dad ?" I silently nudged him.
"What's happening, Hope ?"
"Is that yours ?" I pointed the book with my finger.
"Oh, yeah...", he quickly said, lowering the head, his hands behind his back, repeatedly nodding.
"Have you written a book, Dad ?" I grabbed both his shoulders and gently shook him.
"Yeah, yeah, I have...", he looked at the wall behind me.
"Dad, you've never told me this !"
"I didn't- didn't think it was a need."
"You should've told me ! Is it famous ??"
"No- no, well people actually buy it, but-..."
"Dad, that's how publishing a book works ! You write it, and people buy it in order to read it", I calmly explained. "That's freaking amazing, Dad !"

a/n : hey yall !!!!
thank you so so so so so so much for having read this chapter !!!!
hope you liked it
have a wonderful morning/afternoon/evening/night
az :)