The Step-Trap

4. (Almost) Bust The Windows Out Your Car

The Step-Trap, Part 4: (Almost) Bust The Windows Out Your Car

+C A L U M. H O OD+

I had fallen asleep with Ashton in my arms, and I honestly didn't even know whether he had went to sleep or not. At least, until I heard him making a whining noise, which made me realize he was crying.

I woke up and opened my eyes before sitting up and gently picking Ashton up and setting him in my lap, keeping in mind what Anne had said to do when Ashton had a nightmare. I rubbed his back for a while, but that didn't help much-- he kept crying, and even started to scream a little. I took a breath and stood up while holding him before starting to quietly pace around the room, occasionally stopping just to place a gentle kiss on Ashton's head.

"Mama..?" Ashton muttered sleepily, and I could tell that he wasn't talking in his sleep, he had woken up. Now, how he thought I was his mother, I don't know, I obviously wasn't her, but I'm sure he just thought I was her because she's usually the one to do this for him.

"No, honey, it's just Calum. I know you'd probably prefer Anne, I mean.. your mom, but she needs her time alone with my mom, so, I'm here to protect you. Is that okay? Do you mind me taking care of you instead?" I said quietly and calmly before running my fingers through his hair.

"It's okay. I don't mind." He muttered and leaned his head against my shoulder." Just don't let go."

"Since when is this the Titanic?" I said jokingly, and I immediately regretted it, because I had just remembered that this is a serious situation. Whoops.

"What?" Ashton said and lifted his head from my shoulder slightly.

"I was just... There's a line in the Titanic movie, and it was Rose saying 'Don't let go, Jack'. So. I don't know. Well I was just kidding, Ash. You wanna try to go back to sleep?" I said and he shook his head some before leaning his head against my shoulder again.

"I don't wanna." He muttered.

"Ashton, you need sleep. I promise I'm right here, and if you have another nightmare, I'll help you fight it off, okay?" I said and he sighed a little.

"Fine.. Just.. Don't let go." He said and I nodded my head slightly before kissing the top of his head.

"I won't let go. I promise." I said and walked over to the bed again.

The next day, we had gotten up early so we could see the sunrise, and our moms had joined us on the balcony. Ashton yawned a little and leaned his head against my shoulder, and he reached for my hand but I pulled my hand away before whispering to him; "They'll get suspicious, baby. They might think that we're a couple, and they won't like that. Because they're getting married in a couple of months, and they're not going to want their sons to be dating, because we'll be step-brothers, and it's not right for brothers to date."

He stood up after a moment and looked directly at me.

"Calum, may I have a word with you?... Alone." He said and grabbed my arm before dragging me back into the hotel room.

"They'll be suspicious about us talking alone, Ashton." I said and he shrugged before going to grab something from my suitcase.

"Do you actually need this? Like..  Are you going to even use this on this trip?" He asked and grabbed a flatiron out of my suitcase and holding it in front of my face.

"Um, no. I don't think so, honestly. I was originally going to, but I decided not to." I said and he nodded. "Why?"

"I'll get you a new one later." He said before walking towards the balcony door.