proud// 5SOS

21

Calum

"Look at them both. So smitten,"

"He is not who I pictured Esme would date," Ashton laughed, "Taller than Luke!"

"Almost,"

"I can't believe she has a boyfriend at all," Michael said, "It's like she reinvented herself,"

"I mean, she took her chance while she could. I am not sure she seems any happier," I mumbled, "With her friends she is,"

"She's just scared," Luke said, "I am gonna crack the barbecue on ready,"

"I'll do that mate, I don't need to be watching my kid all sweetened up,"

I got up, but Luke came anyway, helping me turn it on. I grabbed all the meat, and heard the garden gate open, excited squeals from Link's sisters filling the garden. They'd brought some friends, I thought it would be nice to fill the garden.

His dad brought over some more food for us, then said hi to the guys, and I sent him off to get himself sat with a drink.

"Esme seems a bit better," Luke said, "I er, she told me she is scared,"

"Of me?"

"No. It's, yanno, last time she was here with us all she got taken away. It was a really nice evening, full of love... and I think she is still getting wrapped up in how feeling so loved ended with her getting taken away,"

"Oh,"

"Yeah. She is trying, and it isn't a shitshow like you think. She loves you,"

"Thank you, Luke," I said quietly, looking back at her curled in Link's arms, "I am glad she has him to get through this,"

"Me too. He seems like a really good lad. How bad is her concussion? It looks dreadful,"

"It looks worse than it is. I am saying no clubs this week, but she will be back to theatre in no time,"

"It's just not going right for her!"

"I suppose not,"

"Are you feeling a bit better?"

"Yeah, a bit. I am coming to terms with it all, and I know being a teenager is hard. I only need to be patient,"

"Exactly," he said, "She's coming over,"

"Dad,"

"Yes darling?"

"Is it okay if I go to my bed?"

"Of course, Luke will take you,"

"I've got the barbecue," he said, "You go,"

"Let's get you upstairs then,"

I put my arm round her as we went inside, then helped her upstairs, tucking her in bed when we got there. I filled up her water, then gave her some medicine and put the tv on quietly for her.

"I want silence,"

"Okay, sorry,"

"Can you hug me for a bit?"

Immediately, I slipped my shoes off and got in the bed with her, and let her get comfy on me. I kissed the top of her head a couple of times, and then tried not to absolutely freak out about her wanting me there.
Maybe my lovebug was coming back, slowly.

She didn't say anything, but she did fall asleep on my chest, so I stayed there for a bit until she had moved enough for me to slip out. I went back downstairs, and sat with Link, one of his sisters crawling onto my lap to show me her unicorn toy.