temporary home

Michael's POV

We are sitting on the couches, waiting for Kathy to come back. I look at the other boys. The all look heart broken. I feel bad for talking Ashton into this. He's had to be a father figure for his sister and brother and now we're pushing fatherhood onto him. I want to make sure he's actually ok with this before we go ahead

"Guys... Band meeting. Right here. Right now" I look them all in the eyes. "Ash, I wanna make sure you're ok with this. You've had to be the father figure for your siblings your whole life and I don't want you to feel like we're forcing you to do it. If you're not comfortable with this we don't have to do it." I look at Luke first, who's nodding his head.

"I agree" Calum says, looking first at me then to Ashton. "Everyone needs to think this is the right choice. Bandmates first."

Silence fell. I don't want to look at Ashton, or hear his answer in case it's a no. Then I hear a sniffle. I check Luke, then Calum. Neither of them. I know it's Ashton. I turn to him and pull him tight. "It's ok. I won't be mad at you" Before I let him go, he says

"I'm on board. I'm just so overwhelmed you guys thought of me and my life. You were willing to not do something that means a lot to you because it might not make me happy. And that means a lot to me" He wipes the tears from his eyes as Calum and Luke jump on us for a group hug.

"So who's going to be her legal dad?" I ask once we've separated. The boys share a glance.

"You!" They all answer at once. I'm ecstatic. I had hoped they'd agree I could, but since Ashton was the oldest, if he wanted to legally be her dad I would've let him.

*************************************

Kathy has given us all the paper work and told us we could come back in a week with our police checks and social service checks. She also set us up an appointment with the girls social worker. We also got a packet of information on her. We say goodbye and thank Kathy for everything she did for us, then hope into the van.

"Ready to find out everything there is to know about our future daughter?" I ask, only half kidding. Luke has shotgun this time, so Calum and I are in the back with all the papers.

"Wait till we get back to the flat. I want to be able to focus completely on it" Ashton says while turning up the radio, which is playing She Looks So Perfect.

We sing along, alternating between horrible and decent singing, while Luke records keeks and vines to post when we get home. The 20 minute drive went by quickly and before I knew it we were pulling into the driveway.

"And now for some answers!" I say dramatically as Calum unlocks the door to the flat.