There's No Coldness In California (Patrick Stump/FOB Imagine Short Story)

Part 16

(H/N/F/Y) = His Nickname For You

You slowly glance back over your shoulder, seeing the one person you thought you'd never see again standing in the studio doorway, Elisa standing behind them.

"Patrick," You murmur, your body slamming on the brakes that controlled your fast-beating heart.

"Remember what I said," The dance teacher whispers into your ex-boyfriend's ear before patting him on the shoulder and pushing past him, escaping into the room with all of the moms and dancers.

An easy feeling washes over you as Patrick slides his hands into his coat pockets and makes his way over to you, sitting down in the seat in front of you but pivoting his torso so that he's looking at you. "Hey," He greets, a small grin appearing on his face.

"What are you doing here, Patrick?" Pete replies instead of you, folding his arms over his chest and a glare falling upon his face.

The singer ignores his friend's snide remark and keeps his attention on you, asking, "Do you think we can talk?"

A blush creeps up in your cheeks. "Patrick, now's not a really good time."

"Yeah, Patrick," Joe interjects, his eyebrows furrowed together, "Shouldn't you be catching a plane right now anyways?"

The blonde heaves a sigh, doing his best to keep himself from losing his temper. "We really need to talk, (Y/N)," He says sternly, refusing to acknowledge his friends' comments.

"Well you can talk another time, Patrick," Andy joins the argument, fed up with Patrick too.

"(Y/N), please," He begs, his eyes screaming at you to say yes.

You stare at him for a little while before shaking your head no and sitting back in your seat, crossing your arms. "I'm sorry, Patrick, but I didn't race here to talk with you. I raced here to see my daughter dance. If you want to talk, we can talk later."

The singer sits there - in defeat - for a moment or two before standing up and leaving the studio, slamming the door behind him. Elisa, peering her head out from the room she and the dancers are in and having watched the end of the ordeal, frowns.

"You made the right choice, (H/N/F/Y)," Pete reassures you as he pats you on the back and tears begin to blur your vision.

"Then why do I feel so bad?" You croak, turning your head and meeting his gaze with red and puffy eyes.

He smirks and brings his hand up, swiping the tear that's falling down your cheek away. "Because it's not easy letting someone go. But sometimes it's just what you have to do."

"Yeah, (H/N/F/Y)," Joe agrees, "You're better off without him."

"Attention everyone!" Elisa's voice echoes through the studio, silencing all the moms and your small group, "Sorry about being so late. Let's just say traffic is horrible out there. Anyways, without further ado, let's begin the recital!"

*****

It's later that evening and Gabby's reminiscing about her solo that went over really well. A smile is plastered on your face as you drive her home, listening to her rant about how good she felt up there.

"I'm just really glad you got to see me," She murmurs happily, holding the bouquet of flowers Andy had gotten for her and resting her head back on the car seat, "But I wish Daddy was there too."

The grin on your lips falters. "Gabby, Daddy's not with us anymore."

She gasps. "He died!?!"

"No! No. I didn't mean ti say it like that. He didn't die. It's just...he's..." You heave a sigh and then bite your lip. "He's going on tour for a really long time and I don't know when he's coming back."

"Aww man," Your daughter mutters dejectedly, "I thought Daddy came back to stay with us...for a while."

"Yeah, well, surprises like this happen all the time in the music industry," You try to keep your story going in the nicest way you can, "You never know when Daddy's going to be swept away on tour, or how long the tours are going to take. You never know what he's doing when he's out there either, but you have to have faith in him. You have to stay by his side, and hope that he's going to come home one day. And when that day comes, we'll be there for him. Like we always are." By the end of your rant, your grip on the steering wheel's grown tight and your throat's swelled up.

"Yeah," Gabby murmurs, nodding her head as if she understood what you said, "Like we always are."

You sneak a quick glance back at her through the rear view mirror, the corner of your lip perking up into a smirk.

The rest of the car ride is silent, and before long, you pull into your driveway. You turn the car off and lead Gabby inside, stopping in your tracks when you see the lights already on, and Patrick standing in the middle of the living room with a big teddy bear in his hands as well as a bouquet of flowers.

Gabby squeals in delight. "Daddy!"

The singer smiles and bends down to accept the hug his daughter was going to give him. The two of them embrace one another for a second or two before Patrick pulls away from her and extends the stuffed animal that's nearly as big as she is out. "This is for you. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your recital. I'm sure you did the great."

"I did," She assures him, taking the gift into her possession, "Uncle Joe said he got it all on his phone. Maybe you could watch it sometime!"

"Sure thing, baby girl," He replies, flashing his signature smile at her. She returns the gesture before turning around and rushing past you upstairs, leaving you and Patrick alone. The singer stands up from his crouched position and hold out the bouquet. "And these are for you."

"Why?" You cross your arms over your chest.

"Because I'm sorry," He apologizes, shortening the gap between you and him and looking deep into your eyes, "I'm really, really sorry, (Y/N). I-I don't know how many more times I can say that before I sound like a broken record."

"I don't know, because you already do," You reply, trying to keep your coldness in an attempt to stay strong.

"Look, (Y/N), I know I fucked up. Okay? I fucked up and I...I honestly don't deserve you, but I'm madly in love with you, (Y/N), no matter what Pete and Andy and Joe try to tell you."

You frown. "But if you are madly in love with me, Patrick, then why would you do what you did? Why would you cheat on me?"

Patrick sighs. "I was stupid. Los Angeles got to me. I lost myself there, and cheating on you was the worst mistake of my life." He sets the bouquet down and takes your hands in his, giving them a slight shake. "Please take me back, (Y/N). I...I'm lost without you."

You smirk. "You had to make a Blink-182 reference, didn't you?"

He chuckles. "I'm serious, (Y/N). I don't want to be alone, and I don't want to leave tonight. So please, take me back."