Hey There Delilah

Chapter 6

*Luke's P.O.V.*
"Serenity Apparel," I say quietly, still in awe. One of the most expensive and famous clothing lines in the world, it was right up there with Valentino and Armani. It was also run by the Irwin family, and I was sitting across from the son of the creators. Ashton smiles at me.

"Yep, that's me. Well, not exactly. I own a clothing line that's under Serenity, kind of like a subunit almost. Grandeur Design."

"Yeah, yeah I've heard of that one too. Everyone's so amazed because you're so young... Twenty four or something, right?"

"Twenty three," he corrects me, a small smile still present in his face.

"And you're calling what I do admirable?" I say, smiling for the first time since I had met Ashton.

"Yes, I am." Ashton's face becomes suddenly serious, and now I was really curious as to what he was going to say.

"Look at it this way, Luke. Let's forget about the fact that Delilah almost died for a second. From what you've told me in the past ten minutes alone, you're raising a little girl all on your own with street money. And you would know first hand how hard of a life that must be. You have the courage to come out here everyday, and do whatever you can to make sure Delilah has what she needs, as well as take care of yourself.

You're truly making something out of nothing, and I think that's one of the most beautiful things in the world. And then there's me, the kid who has everything handed to him on a silver spoon. I'm so spoiled it makes me sick. You, Luke, you're strong and brave and I'm just no one."

I stare blankly back at Ashton, trying to comprehend what he had just said to me.

Strong and brave. Me, of all people.

"Thank you, Ashton. I think I really needed to hear that," I say eventually, finishing off my soup and bread bowl. Ashton smiles and nods quietly, standing up and taking my tray. Delilah starts to stir on my chest, rubbing her eyes and looking up at me.

"Daddy," she whimpers, her voice sounding scratchy from all the crying and screaming she had done earlier. I glance at the clock on the wall. 12:17pm, a whole couple of hours had passed.

"Daddy's right here baby, he's not going anywhere." I smile down at her, wiping her pout away with a kiss.

"Wow," I hear Ashton say under his breath, admiration in his voice. I turn to him, smiling. "Sorry, it's just... you're so good with her. It's amazing." I chuckle.

"Yeah, well, I'm the one who left her alone and you're the one who saved her so I wouldn't be too sure about that." Ashton smiles back, taking out his phone and sitting back down.

"Do you need a ride home?" He asks. I contemplate this. What I really needed to do was continue playing guitar outside, but there was no way I was doing that with Delilah here. New clothes would have to wait until Michael and Calum got back. Plus I had to pay Alex today.

"Thank you, but no. I think we should be good. We can walk." Ashton scoffs.

"There's no way you're walking home. Just tell me where you live, I'll take care of the rest." I give Ashton my address, and he calls someone to come pick us up. Ashton picks up my things, walking us to the entrance so we could wait for our ride.