*Robert's POV*
Ding dong. I looked around the darkened room. There is no way someone just rang my doorbell. Buzz! Buzz Buzz. My phone lite up with a call.
"Hello?" I mumbled out answering my phone.
"It's Lauren are you at home?"
"Yes, why? What's going on?" I sat up in bed and slipped on a tank top.
"Just open your door." with that the line went dead.
I made my way down the stairs and to the front door flipping lights on as I went. I looked through the prep hole and saw Lauren. I opened the front door blinking against the hallway light.
"What are you doing here this late?"
"Well you know how I didn't come back to school after lunch?"
"Yea, come into the living room." I lead Lauren into the hallway and shut the front door behind her. I lead her into the living room.
"My dad deploys tomorrow. I have no idea what to do or how to feel about it." Lauren bit her bottom lip.
I sat down on the sofa and opened my arms to Lauren. Lauren sat down and snuggled into my hold.
"When does he leave?"
"Later this afternoon, my nana asked if we were together."
"Oh what did you tell her?" I didn't push the fact that Lauren changed the subject.
"I told her she couldn't tell my dad. I don't need him freaking out on you."
I laid back against the sofa fighting the urge to fall back asleep. "Then you snuck off to see me?"
"No, my nana told me to come see you. I couldn't sleep."
I nodded. "Well let's go to sleep. I'll stay down here on the sofa and you can have my bed."
Lauren stood up and grabbed my hand. "We can both sleep in your bed crazy."
I didn't argue and just let Lauren lead me to the stairs. I lead her to my bedroom. She looked around the room and grinned at me. "This nice and big."
I smiled and laid back in my spot on the bed. "Yea, it's a big room."
Lauren sat down on the other side and smiled shyly at me.
"I'm super tired, let's go to sleep. Long school day tomorrow." I wrapped my arms around Lauren and fell asleep.
The alarm blared in my ear at four thirty am.
"Ugh why is that so loud?" Laurens's voice came from beside me. I switched the alarm clock off and kissed Lauren's head.
"Well, I have to get up and be ready for work. That's why it is so loud. Otherwise, I would ignore it." I threw the covers back and moved to get out of bed.
"Why are you up so early? School doesn't start for another four hours." Lauren questioned sitting up and blinking against the bedside lamps light.
I shrugged. "Routine, I have. I'm going to shower, feel free to go back to sleep."
Lauren nodded and dropped back down on the bed throwing the covers over her head. I smiled softly and made my way to my bathroom. I passed the hall and smiled at the pictures hanging up. I didn't tell Lauren I had a daughter because I honestly had no idea how to tell her. I passed my daughter's room and shut the open door. I walked into the bathroom and shut the door. I started the shower and stripped before stepping underneath the hot water. I stretched letting the hot water relax my aching body. I scrubbed the shampoo and conditioner through my hair before washing my body. I stood under the hot water for a few more minutes before shutting the water off and stepping out of the shower. I wrapped a towel around my waist and quickly brushed my teeth. I made my way back to my bedroom cursing myself as my wet feet touched the cold hardwood floor. I opened my bedroom door and grinned seeing Lauren sitting up in bed.
"Hey did you manage to get some more rest?"
Lauren nodded. "I did but, your phone won't stop going off."
True to her word my phone lite up again and I saw it was my daughter, Harley.
"Honey, what's wrong?" I asked the moment I answered the phone.
"I need you Daddy. Mommy isn't here and I'm scared."
I resisted the urge to get angry at my ex wife. "Baby listen to Daddy. I want you to go and hide in your closet under some blankets. Make sure you can breathe and I will be there for you in a little while ok?"
"Alright Daddy."
"I love you and remember not to come out for anyone other than me promise?"
"I promise. I love you Daddy."
I hung up the phone and looked over at Lauren, who had confusion written all over her face. I quickly pulled on some pants and a shirt before sitting down on the bed.
"What's going on?" Lauren asked putting a hand on my shoulder.
"I have a daughter. She needs me I'm not going into work today."
Lauren blinked a few times before nodding. "Ok, how old is she? What's her name? Also is she ok?"
I smiled slightly at Lauren. "Your not freaked out?"
Lauren shook her head. "Should I be? Because no I'm not freaked out."
I grinned at her. "Well her name is Harley Lillian Downey, she's five years old, and I have no idea if she's ok. So I have to go and get her."
"I'll go with you if you want me too."
I nodded. "Of course I want you to come. We might not be back in time for school though."
Lauren waved her hand dismissively at me. "I got today covered. My nana will call the school and tell them I won't be in. Now let's go get Harley."
I nodded and moved around my room making sure I had everything I needed. Twenty minutes later we were sitting in my car in our way to get Harley.
"I have no idea what we will find when we get there." I warned as we got close to my ex wife's house.
"Are you afraid I'm going to get frightened away?" Lauren questioned softly.
"Most woman I date get scared away by Harley." I confessed lightly.
"Well I guess they weren't strong enough to handle a little girl than." Lauren grinned at me as I killed the engine in my exs driveway.
"You might want to stay in the car."
Lauren shook her head and threw open her car door. "Yea that's not happening. Now come on." Lauren held her hand out to me once we were both out of the car. I took Lauren's hand and walked into the house using my old key. The moment I opened the front door I could tell that a ton of people had been coming and going. I started to mentally kick myself seeing the condition of the house.
"Believe it or not this house used to be really well taken care of." I remarked leading Lauren to Harleys room.
Lauren's eyebrows shot up in surprise when we passed the kitchen. "It looks like a crack house now."
"It probably is. In trying to get enough evidence to have Erin's parental rights taken away. New York is tough on wanting the kids with their mothers." I started taking the steps two at a time to get to Harley faster. Lauren followed close behind. I opened the door quietly and shut it behind Lauren.
"Har, baby it's daddy. Your superman is here it's safe to come out."
A/N: so did anyone see that coming?? The next chapter is going to explore these new characters some more. Also how do you guys feel about a time skip??
