written in scars || father lrh (au)

chåpter ëíght

I watched as Michael skipped into the living room, stopping suddenly with wide eyes.

"Uh, Luke, who the hell is this?"

I walked in and eyed Eila as she visibly squirm.

"Michael, this is Leilani." I spoke calmly in response, sending the girl a slight glance.

"Leilani?" He spoke.

"Leilani." I confirmed. I could see her shivering, and I noticed Michael visibly shrink to seem less intimidating.

"That's a pretty name." He smiled. Her eyes wondered between us, until eventually they met mine - deep cerulean on icy cerulean.

"Michael won't hurt you. Remember the promise? Well, I promise. He won't." I said to her.

She gazed at him silently before silently nodding with a small smile. Slowly, he approached her and set his arm out.

"Michael Gordon Clifford." He grinned at her, crouching down so he was looking up at her as she perched upon the windowsill. Her smile widened marginally, as if she had finally reached the conclusion he was about as harmful as a kitten. ((I'm sorry I HaD T0))

"Leilani Rayn -" She paused, looking at me for permission. I nodded in acknowledgement. "Hemmings." She finished. I could almost feel Michael's eyes widening vastly, and his head rapidly snapped in my direction. "Hemmings?!" He exclaimed. I nodded, smirking at his shock. This was really quite amusing. I heard Leilani softly giggling.

"How old are you, sweetie?" He grinned again, turning to her.

"Ummm..." She looked in my direction, unsure of her age.

"She's, uh, 7." I spoke for her.

"Wow." He uttered softly. She smiled sweetly in return. "Where's your mu-"

"Uh, sensitive topic, Mike." I mumbled, insisting he cut it off. He nodded slightly.

Suddenly he sprang up.

"Wanna play Knight and Steed?" He questioned to her.

Leilani tilted her head in confusion.

"C'mere." He chuckled. She did so, and he gently slid her onto his back and secured her into place.

"Okay sweetheart, there's only one rule." Michael smiled.

"What's that?" Eila giggled as she loosely hung her arms around his neck.

"You have to scream 'UNNIIIICCCCCOOORRRRRNNNNNNNN' as we go, okay?" He chuckled. She nodded, and I sat down.

Michael would be a good father one day, I found. Better than my failure of a being will ever be.

I watched as Michael ran around like a maniac, being careful that Leilani didn't hit herself on any of the surfaces as they both giggled profusely. She screamed, "Unicorn!" and he screamed, "Lei!" and together they went around for a solid ten minutes. Out of breath, they flopped down onto the couch beside the one I was sat in. I chuckled to myself.

I guess that's the little sister Michael never had.

(p.s Nia you're so welcome for this Michael based chapter XD)