Dad VS Step-Dad

6

Dinner has been eaten and Mum is sending us all to bed. I'm exhausted so I don't argue about it. While I'm putting some french plaits in my hair (very difficult considering my hair is quite short), Dad is reading Megan and Dylan a bedtime story.

It's been weird having Dad back so far but a good weird.....I think. You can practically taste the tension between him and Brad but they are both trying to hide it from us children. Too bad they have a teen daughter/step-daughter - we see everything.

Dad hasn't really mentioned how long he is staying but I bet he'll stay at least long enough to piss Brad off.

The sound of my door opening makes me look towards it in my mirror and I see Dad.

"Hey Dad." I say, turning back to the mirror.

"Hey baby. Shouldn't you be in bed?" He says sitting on my bed.

"Yeah but I have a very strict hair routine. Having hair this good takes work." I joke, making him chuckle.

"Well, I would get into bed and sleep pretty quick before Brad comes in here and offers you some soothing back rubs." He says. I stare at him through the mirror trying to tell if he's joking or not. When I realise he genuinely isn't, my body feels with dread.

"Ah shit." I mumble as I try to finish my last plait as quick as possible. Once it's all tied off, I quickly jump on my bed and get under my blanket. Dad's laughing at my genuine panic.

"Is he always like that? So......cutesy and lovey?" Dad asks with a slight cringe on his face.

"He's just trying to be a good dad. Meg and Dyl like it but it makes me want to throw up." I say. I guess I'm definitely a bit more Mayron cause lovey dovey crap makes me want to tear my eyeballs out.

"I didn't want to say this in front of everyone but, I'm really sorry I left. I know I probably hurt you the most out of everyone." He says making me look down. I didn't really expect the apology. I mean I appreciate it but damn.

"It's ok. I forgive you." I say. I think it's true? I don't really know. Never really gave it too much thought but I guess I do.

We sit in a slightly uncomfortable silence for a minute before we both hear a noise coming from outside my room. Oh shit. Brads coming. Dad helps me quickly get under the covers and starts stroking my hair as if putting me to sleep.

"Oh Rosie. Do you want some back scratches too?" (Yes I realise how weird this would sound out of context) Brad says in a sing-song voice coming in. I see Dad out the corner of my eye signal for him to be quiet. Brad sees what he means and quickly reverses out with Dad following shortly after.

At some point I fall asleep, hoping that tomorrow is the start of Dad.....dading???

—-------Time Skip—-------

"RJ. RJ come on. You gotta get up for school." A voice I recognise disturbs my sleep. I open my eyes a little and see my Dad standing in the doorway.

"Hmmm. No." I moan as I try to burrow further into my blanket.

"Come on. Or I'll go tell Brad you said the only way you're getting up is with morning cuddles." He says, making me pick my head up a little and glare at him.

"You wouldn't." I test. He wouldn't do such an evil thing. He just smirks and leans into the hallway.

"Brad! RJ wants morning cuddles and can't get up without them!" He yells. What a dick!

"NO!" I shout at the top of my lungs as I try to unburrow myself. My attempts fail however as I just roll off my bed. Why did I ask for such a high bed? I glare at my dad again to see him smirking even more. "You're evil." I say as he leaves. What a lovely start to the morning.