The Stunt [h.s]

Chapter One

Elise POV

"Hals I have to go," I say trying to pull Halle's crying two-year-old body off from around my neck without hurting her. I'm already running late this morning and I need to get to set. I have been trying at this for a good ten minutes but today is one of the days that Halle will not give up. Connor is standing nearby waiting to quickly grab Halle once pulled off of me.

"But mommy, I don't want you to go. You always leave so early and we never get to snuggle" She says into my neck just about making my heart break into two. I look over at Connor who just frowns at her words as he knows that her tantrum is coming from love.

"Halle please look at me" I plead with her trying to comfort her to the best of my ability. She looks up at me, eyes puffy with tears rapidly falling from them. "You know I have to leave so early because of work. I promise you that I will be back before you know it. You're going to stay here with Uncle Connor and have the best day ever. Who knows maybe if you ask nicely maybe Uncle C can take you to the park", I look up at Connor silently begging him who just smiles big and quickly nods.

"Of course, I'll bring you to the park! Maybe if Uncle Jake gets off early enough from work, he will come too!" He finishes quickly coming over and pulling her out of my arms and throwing her up into the air which makes her laugh.

Her laugh happens to be my favorite thing in the world.

All I manage to do is smile as I walk over to them, quickly wiping her tears and kissing her forehead, "Do you know what today is?"

I can see the gears moving in her head as her face lights up and she cheers, "Wednesday! Movie night!" A smile breaks out on my face at her excitement and I laugh

"Yes! Later we get to make as much popcorn and cookies as we want and watch one of our favorite movies." She starts moving in Connor's arms, her way of being excited, and laughs. "But before we can do all that I have to go to work."

Hoping her reaction won't result in tears again I brace myself but, I'm surprised as she just nods finally in an understanding of where I'm coming from. She leans out puckering her lips as her way of saying goodbye and I smile as I lean in meeting her halfway finishing our kiss with a big "mwah" at the end making her laugh more.

I quickly say goodbye to Halle and Connor before I'm running out the door and head to my car, plugging it into the aux and driving out of the driveway. One of my playlists randomly starts playing as I mumble along to the words trying to beat LA morning traffic. Only getting caught in a small jam for about 5 minutes I make it to set around 15 minutes late. I quickly turn off the car, grab my belongings and take a fast walk to my trailer hoping that this doesn't cause too much of an issue. I swing the door open to find my stylists sitting on my couch waiting for me and I instantly feel bad. "I am so sorry I'm late. Halle wouldn't let me leave this morning and I got here as fast as I could." The three women smile at me and all shake their heads.

"Don't you worry about that big heart of yours too much! We fully understand what it's like to be a mother sometimes and the challenges that come with it" Abby speaks up having two children of her own to worry about. I was about to object as I was sitting down in the chair when Lilly then spoke up.

"El, don't worry about it. You're rarely late and such a doll to work with that none of us care. As long as your daughter is at home and has a smile on her face while you can work without any guilt is all that matters."

The other woman, Hazel, nods her head in agreement with what the other women have said as they all start with my appearance for the scenes we have to shoot today. Making small talk with the girls trying to pass the time, I hear a knock on the door and yell at them to come in over the blow dryer.