The Daddy Project || s.m

Eight

Aubrey

"Bree?"

"Yes Ally?" I called from the kitchen.

"Milk."

"Geez, child I'm on my way." I shook her bottle and sat next to her on the floor.

"Here, ally-gator."

She happily grabbed it and drank.

"So what do you wanna watch?" I asked her turning on the t.v.

"Berry!" She squealed.

"Do you really wanna watch Strawberry Shortcake?" I groaned.

She clapped.

"Why not H2o Just Add Water?" I asked.

"No."

"Aww please we're almost done season two."

"Wow Bree do you want some milk too?" I heard Shawn joke.

I rolled my eyes, "Fine you win this time, Al."

I pressed okay and turned to Shawn who was buttoning his flannel.

"You dressed up where are you going?" I asked.

"I'm meeting Claire."

"Sounds exciting!"

"Yeah I'm shitting bricks.. That's exciting."

"Don't be nervous. She was your girlfriend since freshman year. Just breathe."

"Well is my outfit okay?" He asked putting his hand on his hip.

"Let me fix your hair," I sat behind him. "But everything else is good."

I brushed out the flyways and tamed it down.

"All good." I patted his head.

"What time is it?"

"Quarter to seven."

"Okay, I need to pick her up. Can I take your car?"

"Yeah sure. You can drive?"

"Yeah I just passed the test a week ago."

"Oh yeah. We need to go car shopping this weekend."

"I'm down. Can you watch Ally?"

"It's not like I have any other plans."

He kissed Ally goodbye and gave me a side hug, "Thanks so much, see you later."

"Don't do anything reckless, be home by curfew, young man." I said sternly.

"Yes, mother." He groaned.

"Stay holy!" I yelled before he walked out the door.

"So I guess it's just you and me." I said to Ally who was focused on her show.

Shawn

"Hey, Shawn." Claire said getting in the car.

"Hey." I replied awkwardly.

"So how've you been?" She asked.

"I'm great, I just moved here with our daughter."

"H-How is she?"

"She's learning how to walk. She's adorable. I love her so much." I could go on about Ally, but I chose not to.

"Can I visit her one day?" She asked.

"She's turning two, you can come over on her birthday." I offered.

"That'd be great."

It was so awkward talking to her. She seemed so formal with me. I hated it.

"I hope you still like Chinese." I said opening the door to the restaurant.

"You know me well, Mendes." She warmed up.

Who doesn't? Its food.

We sat down at our table and ordered food.

"How have you been?" I asked her this time.

"I'm studying fashion." She explained. "I actually got an internship and i'll be working with many celebrity stylists."

"That's really cool!" I exclaimed. "You still like fashion."

"Yeah, nothing changed." She smiled.

"So you're friends with Jack Gilinsky?"

"Yeah his older sister works with me."

We caught up with our lives and talked about Ally. I know I should be mad that she abandoned Ally and I, but I think I still have feelings for her. She matured a lot, but she was still my Claire.

The night went by and I dropped her off. I thought about how I felt sparks when she hugged me, I really missed those. And the way her blue eyes sparkle. Those were the eyes I fell in love with.

"I'm home!" I called out.

The t.v was still on. I walked to the living room to turn it off. I looked for the remote and saw Ally cuddled up to Aubrey on the couch. I smiled at the sight.

Finally finding the remote, I shut off the t.v and shook Aubrey awake.

"Aubrey, wake up." I whispered.

I checked the time, I didn't realize it was already midnight.

"Bree."

She stirred, her eyes barely opened she mumbled, "What?"

"Lets go upstairs." I picked up Ally and walked up to our room to put her in her crib, which she was outgrowing.

I quickly changed into my pajamas and brushed my teeth.

Aubrey was still not up.

"Aubrey, come on. The couch is so uncomfortable." I walked back down.

She snuggled closer to the couch cushions.

"Lets go."

"Carry me." She mumbled drowsily.

I chuckled picking her up, "Fine you, bum."

"How was your day with Claire?" She asked half awake.

"Ill tell you tomorrow, you need sleep."

I laid her down on her bed and tucked her in. She shivered and cuddled with her bear she has had since she was a baby.

"You cold?"

"Mhm."

I got her a thicker blanket and placed it on her cold body.

"Stay." She closed her eyes.

I thought about it for a second. Ally's fast asleep, why not? Besides, we're not gonna do anything bad.

I climbed in and put the blanket over us. I heard her light snores and smiled to myself.

Her bed's really cozy. She looks like a baby while she asleep. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts were interrupted when I felt Aubrey snuggle closer resting her head on my chest. Her arm was wrapped around my torso. She was really cold. I hugged her closer to keep her warm.

I liked this a lot, I thought before falling asleep.