Single Father [L.S]

un

-Evelyn, shouted Louis. Give your sister's doll back!

The little girl sighed as she walked over to her father and reluctantly handed the Barbie back to little Penelope, who was clinging to her father's leg, her eyes moist. Louis bent down to congratulate his eldest on her efforts, a touch of pride in his eyes. The youngest gambolled awkwardly out of the kitchen, her precious doll in her arms.

-I'm going back to the restaurant tonight, so Grandma will come and watch you. You'll be good and kind, all right.

Evelyn, who had sat in a chair around the table with a book open in front of her, looked up at her father with her big blue eyes. She liked to sit next to him when he cooked, it was their little habit: Evelyn would tell him about her day while Louis prepared salmon lasagna for dinner.

-Again? But that's already four sleeps! Besides, Gabriel cries all the time at night when you're not there!

Louis felt guilty when he heard his daughter's words. She was only nine years old but she understood the situation very well. Louis had opened his restaurant in the heart of London a year earlier but, having to provide for his three children alone, he worked like a dog. Most evenings he spent behind the stove at the Gourmet Lounge.

-Don't you want Grandma to come? Louis worried.

He put down his pan, in which a piece of salmon was still wriggling, to face his daughter.

-Yes, but I want you to be there too. That way we can eat together with you and Grandma. Don't you want to?

He wanted to. Of course he wanted to. Louis blamed himself every night, not being there for his children all the time made him feel guilty. Especially since their mother had left them. When he was even jealous that it was his mother who took care of them, who read with Evelyn, who played with Penelope and who rocked Gabriel. But if he wanted to keep their apartment, he couldn't afford to miss his daily services.

-We can do this tomorrow morning. The diner closes on Saturday until noon. I'll take you and Grandma out for a waffle. What do you think?

-Yes! That's great! I could go for a chocolate waffle! Say yes dad!!

-Eve is going to eat a waffle?

Penelope's little voice was heard. Louis hurried to lift her up in his arms to avoid another crying fit.

-I want a waffle too," the little girl whined. It's not fair.

Louis caressed the fine brown hair of his youngest daughter to calm her down. He met Evelyn's half-bored, half-amused gaze and winked at her.

-But only good little girls who are in their pajamas on time get a waffle," Louis said, hiding his mocking smile.

-Oh no, daddy! exclaimed Penelope. Let me go, I have to put on my pajamas quickly.

Louis put her down on the ground while she was already jumping towards her room to put on her nightgown. Penelope thought only of her belly, she got that from her father for sure. In fact, she got everything from her father like every other Tomlinson child. The same sky-colored eyes, the same thin pink lips, and the same unconventional greed. And Louis was delighted to see his three offspring be his spitting image. Only his oldest daughter had inherited her mother's dark curly hair.

-Wait in the bathroom until I come to wash you off after Lopie! said the father to the ball of energy who had already gone to change.

After washing Penelope and finishing supper, Louis had settled into the sofa in the small living room adjoining the kitchen, his twelve-month-old baby in his arms. His eyes were riveted on the dial of his watch, waiting for the ringing of the bell that would mark the arrival of his mother. Little Gabriel was playing with the knit of his father's sweater with his pudgy hands, chirping happily. The noise of the key in the lock called out to the little boy who started to stir with impatience.

-GRANNY!!! Penelope shouted as she ran into the legs of Louis' mother. I'm so happy to see you! I did all my homework today so we can play with my dolls because Evelyn never wants to play with me and also because I prefer to play with you grandma. Besides, daddy made his salmon lasagna again so we're going to eat so well...

-Yes, yes my dear, Jo tried in vain to calm her down after having planted a kiss on her head.

Louis put Gabriel back in his playpen and approached his mother who was taking off her scarf to put it on the coat rack. Jo hugged her son warmly, happy to be able to enjoy his presence a little before he left. He had grown up quite a bit, Louis was now a good head taller than her, or was it her who was slowing down.

-Tonight's meal is in the oven, it will just have to be reheated to 180°. Gabriel has a bit of a temperature so his medicine is in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. The girls are going to bed early today, especially Penelope who has a flute lesson tomorrow morning. I'll be back around 11pm this time so I've got the guest room ready for you. Don't hesitate to punish them if they don't behave.

-Don't worry Lou, I'm used to babysitting these monsters. Jo reassured him with a little smile, remembering all the silly things the two girls had done while she was babysitting them. I'll take good care of them.

Louis nodded, knowing how well his mother was able to take care of his hyperactive daughters. With a last kiss for Penelope, Evelyn and Gabriel, who didn't understand much but chirped, delighted that his father was cuddling him, Louis left the family apartment. 

Author's note: Hi to those who managed to find this story among all the fanfiction you can find on wattpad! First of all, how are you? Personally, I'm a bit nervous, I passed my first exams and I'm challenging myself to write this fanfic at the same time... I guess I like to suffer...

(Ps: there will be an update every week, see you next friday!!!)