Ashton
903 days after...
~
"So this is the baby we've been hearing about, Ashton?" My interviewer asked. I looked at the screen, seeing photos of me, Hailie, and Parker.
"You've been hearing of babies?" I asked dumbly.
"Loads," she smiled. "So, we're dying to know, is this adorable baby boy yours?"
"He's Hailie's," I stated. "I went to visit Hailie since, y'know, I haven't seen her in a while and we went to lunch, so she brought the little guy with us. No big deal."
"Good," she sighed. "Because we have poll results. We asked your fans how they'd feel if you did have a baby, but 97 percent of them said they'd stop listening to your band."
"That to me is crazy," I scoffed. "Honestly, if it was my baby, I'd be offended greatly if I got that type of reaction. Why? It seems stupid to do that to the band. Especially if I were to actually take a roll in the baby's life. Like, I think teenage or young fathers that take part in their child's life instead of neglecting the baby and the mother are amazing."
"Sounds to me like you'd understand their struggle,"
"My mum had me young and my father left," I replied with a bit of attitude. "Maybe that's why."
~
I don't actually know how I ended up on Hailie's doorstep, but I did. Not to mention, I ran into a guy called Cody, who claimed he was a friend of hers.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" She asked, looking quite flustered.
"I don't know, I was in the neighborhood," I lied. I was halfway across town, I just wanted to see her.
"Oh," she said, looking inside quickly. "Well, come on in."
"What are you up to today?" I asked.
"I have off today," she said. "Sorry, it's a mess. I've been running errands."
"Hales, we lived together," I pointed out. "It's not a big deal."
"Yeah," she sighed. "It, um, hasn't exactly been the best few days at work."
"Why?" I asked.
"They're laying off people a lot and my boss told me that they were considering me," she said sadly.
"Well I can help you out," I offered. "Like, if they do. Just say the word and I will."
"I have a lot in savings," she sighed. "But thank you. How's your time here?"
"Lots of interviews," I said. "Lots of baby questions. I don't really know what to say to them.'
"I mean, they'll figure it out eventually," she said. I heard Parker scream from the back and Hailie closed her eyes and sighed heavily. "Why can't he just sleep?"
"I'll go get him," I said. "You relax."
"Ashton, I—"
I smiled at her and walked toward his room and she gave me a tired smile. I walked into Parker's bedroom, taking him out of his bed and holding him on my hip.
"Are you being bad for mummy?" I asked him softly. He hurried his face in my shirt and squirmmed a bit.
"Hey, it's just me," I cooed to him. "Daddy's got you, buddy."
I realized what I said as Hailie looked up at me from the kitchen. I caught her eyes and apologized silently, hoping she'd forgive me. Honestly, I felt bad for doing this to both of them. I hated that I was coming in and playing Superman for a few days and then I was leaving. I wanted to stay and be the male figure they both needed, but I just couldn't. It was impossible.
"Let me change him," Hailie said, clearly upset. I complied but put my hands on her waist, stopping her.
"You can't pretend I'm not his dad," I said calmly. "I'm trying, Hailie. I want to be back in your life, please."
"I can't take this right now," she snapped. "I have a lot to deal with right now and my love life is the last thing I'm worried about, Ashton. I'm sorry, but I need a freaking break, okay?"
"It's okay," I said. "Do you want me to go? You can just call me if you wanna talk or if you need anything."
"We'll see," she muttered. "Thank you, I'll talk to you later."
~
"I need the first flight to Paris I can get," I told Luke. "I mean, if this doesn't work I don't know what will."
"So what's the plan?" Michael asked.
"I'm taking her back to where it all started," I announced. "That class trip to Paris. If I can't win her back in Paris, I can't win her back."
"So you're using your two weeks off to take her to Paris?" Luke asked. "What about Parker?"
"My mum said she would take him," I said. "She's never met him and she'd love to."
"It just doesn't seem worth it," Calum said.
"Yes it does," Luke said. "Ash, you haven't dated or even talked to any other girls since Hailie left you. That's obviously something you want and it's pretty clear that you love her a lot. So if you feel like it's worth it, you do you."
"Michael?" Calum asked.
"I haven't talked to her much," Michael said. "But I know how she used to be and how you guys used to be. As much as I hate it, I would kill to have a relationship like you and my sister had. To me, it's worth fighting for. Even if she doesn't want me in her life, I'd love to see her happy again."
"I think I'm gonna do it," I decided out loud. "But what am I gonna do if she tells me no?"
"She won't say no," Luke said.
"She might," Calum said. "She's had that baby for almost three years and nobody's been there but her, so she might. She's never been away from him."
"Do you always have to be negative about their relationship?" Luke asked. "I don't think you and Hailie have ever gotten along, Calum. But you need to be happy for Ashton."
"I'm glad someone else sees it," I mumbled before standing up and walking into my part of the hotel room. I grabbed my phone and started looking online for plan tickets to Paris.
