Ace Huxley's Daughter

35

The door banged another 3 times and I groaned, rolling over as the Parisian sun shone a little too bright. I really hope Pops isn't hungover this morning. As funny as grumpy Callie is, she's a lot easier to convince to go exploring when she's excited.

"I really miss it being just us you know Pops. No twats banging on the door at stupid o'clock." It's got to be like 7am right now. We only got in at like half 1 and then it took me at least 40 minutes to get us both ready and into bed. I can't have fallen asleep until about half past 2. I hadn't felt Pops move at all but she must have because there wasn't an inch of her heat touching me right now. "I need to buy them all watches. Maybe they don't know how to tell the time." I stumbled to the door, pulling my trackies off the chair at the bottom of our bed, eyes still barely opening. I'll close the curtains before getting back into bed. I want every possible moment in here with her right now.

"EMERSON OPEN THE DOOR RIGHT NOW YOU CUNT." I pulled on the lock, opening the door and staring at Ace. Much alike his daughter, he was terrifying when he was mad. The door was pushed open and before I could even open my eyes all the way I was pinned against the wardrobe. "I'm going to ask you this once and I better get the right answer and not some fucking bullshit. What the fuck did you do to her?"

"To who? What-" I tried to turn my head back to the bed but the grip he had on my neck stopped me from even breaking eye contact.

"Why did I wake up to a text from my daughter telling me she's back in London?"

"Back in Lon- what are you talking about? She's in bed." He furrowed his brow pushing tighter. "I didn't- I don't understand. Pops? Say something babe." I was fighting against him now. Why wasn't she saying anything? What does he mean she was in London? She can't have gotten out of bed without me knowing, I was fully wrapped around her and I'm the lightest sleeper.

"What. Did. You. Do!"

"I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING! CALLIE!"

"She's not here. Ace put him down." Zeb pulled on Ace's chest. "Come on man, you can't kill him. You think that's going to solve anything?" He let go, letting me drop to my feet. I scrambled, getting back into the main part of the room, and staring at the empty bed. Back in Lon- Why was she back in London? What the fuck is going on? "Look Emerson, I really want to be on your side right now, but she was fine when we left you guys and the next thing anyone knows she's knocking on Han's door and getting her to drive her to the Eurostar."

The fucking Eurosta- WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON? I grabbed my phone, fighting to unlock it, typing in the wrong pin with shaky fingers. Deep breath Sonny. You can't fix this if you can't get to her.

🖤Pops🖤

I'm sorry.
I can't do this.

Pops.
Babe, where are you?

"Sonny." I looked up from the bed, Hannah stood in between Zeb and Ace looking like she'd been shot. I fucking felt it. Like my skin was being peeled from me slowly. "What did you do?"

"Nothing. I- We- we came in, I got us ready for bed, took her makeup off, brushed her hair, helped her brush her teeth. Stuff we've done literally every night. Not a single thing was different. We got into bed and I asked her if she was happy and she said she was happier than she's ever been-" Oh no. "Oh no no no no no."

"What?" Hannah grabbed Ace's shirt.

Pops. Babe. I'm sorry. If you weren't ready
I get it. Okay. It's soon I know but just...
Please answer.

She was happy. She told me she was happy. Happier than she's ever been. And 5 hours later she's packed up her stuff and left without a word to anyone? Without telling me? Just some text saying she can't do it? Can't do what? Us? Tour? I don't understand what she can't do. I pulled the phone to my ear, trying to call but it going straight to voicemail.

"EMERSON. What the fuck did you do? I swear to god, never mind these two beating the shit out of you, I'll make sure you can't wal-"

"I told her I love her. Okay? I told Callie that I love her." Silence washed over the room as I buried my hand into my hair, digging my fingernails into my scalp as I called again. She has to answer eventually. "When did she leave?"

"I dropped her off at 6. First train was 7. I waited- until it left in case she changed her mind and-" Hannah sat down on the bottom of the bed. "You told her you love her?"

"Yes Hannah. That's the only thing that was different to every other night and I've been sat on it for fucking weeks. I didn't expect her to say it back but fucking leaving?" I looked over at Ace. "I didn't- I swear Ace I didn't hurt her. I never want to- watching her cry once was enough. Do you- you've got to believe me Ace." His arms crossed over his chest, eyes burning into my breaking soul as my heart fought to keep itself together. "She wanted to Ace. Last night, but I told her she was too drunk. I didn't hurt her. I didn't do what he did I swear." He raised an eyebrow.

"What who did?" Hannah's looked between all of us quickly, Zeb shook his head, putting a finger over his lips to quieten her.

"Not once?"

"Not once. If she'd drunk or touched anything or smoked something it was strictly off the table, I put her clothes back on. I'm not that kind of guy. I know I don't look it but I'm not. Look. Ask Vanessa. She knew those were my rules and she knows how strict I always was with them." He sighed, slowly dropping his arms to cover his face, rubbing his forehead like he had the start of a migraine. "Why would she just leave?" Please. Someone. Anyone. Give me an answer.

"Because she's scared." Zeb murmured. "Callie is stuck between what her heart wants and what her brain tells her is the safest option. Not the best option. The safest."

"She's safe with me. She knows that."

"Maybe on paper Emerson. But mentally? Mentally the safest option is ending up with some guy who has a solid 9-5 with more than enough money to fall back on, who's never smoked a normal cigarette a day in his life, who got high grades and who's main personality trait is his 3-piece suits. That's safe. She knows what she's getting there."

"She hates that life dad." Hannah sighed and Ace moved around the room, perching on the coffee table with his head in his hands. "That's why she was here in the first place. She didn't want to accept that fucking proposal." Sorry what?

"She'd take anything over not knowing her future. Sandra has it all lined out for her. Practically has kids names chosen. I'm almost sure the birth certificates just need a doctors signature." Ace grumbled into the palm of his hands.

Callie, please baby.
You can't leave me like this.