Benches | Mashton AU |

8. Boo

I carefully count the change in my hand, looking at the little girl I'm serving with a fond smile. She can barely see over the counter, and even on her tip toes I can only see the top of her ginger hair and big brown eyes. "I bought this with my own money," She tells proudly with a little lisp, "Because I love to read,"

"So do I," I tell her, chuckling as I hand her the surprisingly heavy book for someone her age.

"Someday I want to have my very own store full of books just like you, mister," She tells me as I hand her back the change, and I look over the counter a little to see she popped it into a little pink purse. She gives me a big grin, her front two teeth missing and skips out of the shop.

"Do you think I'm too old to adopt another kid?" I call.

Mikayla pokes her head out from behind a bookshelf and scowls, "Yes, Grandpa you're too old. Every time you see a cute kid you want to adopt, how many children do you have already?"

"But...." I protest weakly, before dramatically exclaiming, "Fine! I'll just die alone and unloved." I place a hand over my heart, and Mikayla giggles.

October 25th 2015

54 years and 204 days ago

10 years and 83 days before

"What are you hiding, then?"

He sighs as he places a hand over his shaking knee, and looks away. I can tell he's going to tell me the truth when he turns back around, looking right into my eyes. But his answer wasn't what I was expecting.

"I'm a dad,"

"W-w-what?" I splutter.

"I take care of my little brother, Luke, and he's 15. When I was old enough to leave foster care I adopted him so we both left together. I have a little girl called Olivia, and I adopted her two years ago, and she's five now,."

I nod a little, still shocked. He pulls out his wallet and shows me a small picture of a teenage boy with blonde hair and blue eyes, and an adorable little girl with her blonde hair in two messy plaits. They're sitting on a little sofa, laughing and smiling.

"I'm sorry for not telling you before- okay, I'm a total jerk, it's just we literally just became official and I didn't want to scare you away and I didn't know how to tell you, even though I really wanted to, and-" He rambles as I stare at him fondly.

I quickly kiss him, shutting him up as he hesitantly kisses back. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he rests his hand on my waist. He pulls back and smiles at me, unsure, "So- you, are you okay with this?"

"Well, yea, I love kids. I just wish you had told me sooner," I pout, and he quickly kisses my cheek, mumbling apologies, "But did you tell them about me? And where are they now, if you're not looking after them?"

"I, um. I told them about you, but not that you're my boyfriend," We both grin happily at the word, before he continues, "There's this really sweet old lady next door they love, and she babysits them when I'm away."

I bite my lip before asking, "When can I meet them?"

October 31st 2015

54 years and 198 days ago

3 years and 77 days before

There's a knock on the door and I just about shít my pants. I run down the stairs to the door on the street that leads straight to my flat, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I gulp before opening the door, placing a huge smile on my face when I see Michael, dressed as Waldo, looking about as nervous as I am, with a teenager dressed as a zombie and a little girl in a TMNT costume.

Before I can say anything, the girl yells "Boo!" and erupts into giggles. She barely acknowledges me before running through my door and up the stairs, giggling and yelling. The teenager, Luke, rolls his eyes and explains, "Sorry. We went trick or treating and I think she ate too much candy," He runs past me, nodding in my direction before climbing the stairs and calling after her.

Michael sheepishly looks at me and gives me a quick peck on the lips, smiling and assuring me, "Don't worry. They'll love you."

When Mikey and me enter the apartment we find Luke and Olivia on the couch, Olivia a pile of giggles as Luke ruthlessly tickles her. Michael tuts and starts tickling Luke , and soon he's a hysterical pile on the ground. I stand awkwardly, watching until they all recover a little.

"I think proper introductions are in order," Michael announces, as everyone takes a seat on the sofa,  "Ashton, this is Luke, Luke this guy dressed as Robin is Ashton,"

Luke fake gasps, "Michael! You can't just reveal his secret identity like that!"

I laugh but Michael rolls his eyes and continues, "Ashton this is Olivia-"

She interrupts suddenly, "No, Daddy! I'm Leonardo!" She turns to me and tells me, "Daddy said we should go as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but Luke said it would be too embarrassing,"

I turn to Luke and he blushes, mumbling, "Well, it's true,"

Michael rolls his eyes, "Well, I thought we could watch a movie together."

Luke rolls his yes, "I'll help you choose, or else we'll end up watching Forest Gump. Again."

I nod and get up to make the popcorn. I had just put the bag into the microwave when from behind me I heard, "Boo!" and I jumped in surprise. With a hand over my heart I turned around to see Olivia giggling, "Scared you!" She teased.

I let out a sigh of relief and giggled "Yea, you did,"

She made grabby hands and pouted, "Can you lift me up, pretty pwease?"

I chuckled, but did as told and lifted her up so that she was at my side, and face to face with me. She looked down, laughed and buried her head in my chest, "You sure are tall," She pulled back and poked my cheek, "Daddy said that if you have dimples it means you're extra special!"

The microwave beeped and as I took out the popcorn I told her, "Oh, I don't know about that. It's Michael who's really special"

[A/N]: Sorry, sorry, sorry for not updating! But I have end of year exams in all of my subjects next week so I really have to revise.

Also, I have another reason, which is my new Muke fic, 'Jail Birds' which I started just at the time I'm too busy to write *facepalm* but maybe check that out if you want???

Nearly forgot! Do you guys want a side pairing of Cake?

Anyway, thanks for all the comments and votes! ilysm xxx