The boy next door

The end

I lay in the hospital bed, gently cradling Alfie in my arms. The door opened and Calum walked in. I looked up at him.
"How are Luke and Martha dealing with Dove?" I asked.
"They're okay, apparently she's just been playing with the twins." He chuckled. I returned it before looking back down at Alfie.
"Can I hold him?" Calum asked.
"Sure." I nodded, starting to extend my arms. He bent down slightly, meeting me half way as I handed Alfie to him. Alfie gurgled slightly as he settled in his dad's arms. Calum smiled down at him.
"Hey buddy." He smiled as he gently bopped him up and down. I chuckled at them.
"We've waited a long time for you." He spoke gently. I smiled at them as Calum gently wiggled his finger in front of Alfie's face, allowing him to grasp it in his tiny fist.
"Welcome to the Hood family, buddy." Calum smiled.

I opened my eyes and looked around. I looked at the time. 8:15am. I sighed. Calum would be on his way home from the boys' final tour before they broke up for good. God, it would be such a minefield when he got home. I sighed, standing up and opening the door. I walked out into the living room of the apartment to where Dove and Alfie were watching TV.
"Morning kids." I yawned, pouring out a cup of coffee.
"Morning mum. When is dad getting home?" Alfie asked.
"Any minute now. I need to talk to you about that actually." I sighed, walking around to them. I took a seat on the coffee table so I was opposite them on the sofa. I sighed as I clutched my mug in my hands.
"As you two know, dad coming home today marks the end of his final tour with your uncles. Ever." I started, looking at them.
"Wait, what?" Dove scoffed.
"I guess he forgot to tell you before he left." I sighed.
"Tell us what, mum?" Alfie questioned.
"5sos is breaking up." I admitted. Their eyes widened.
"What? Why?" Dove asked. I sighed.
"Honey, think about it. Your dad and your uncles have been in this band since they were teenagers. They're now in their forties. They've kept the band alive for over twenty years. They've had an amazing run, but they decided it was time for that part of their lives to come to an end." I explained.
"But..." Alfie mumbled.
"Kids, we were lucky to get this much time out of them. I mean, you were never told this, but when Luke and Martha had the twins, and when Ashton and Clara had Isabel, they were discussing breaking up then because I was pregnant with you, Dove, as well and Michael had just proposed to Lia. They were all starting families so we were lucky they carried on another ten years." I sighed. They nodded.
"So...just be really sensitive to your dad when he gets in. I know you always are but he's been doing this his whole life, he doesn't know anything else." I sighed.
"Will we still get to see Uncle Michael and Uncle Ash?" Alfie asked.
"Of course, sweetheart. Your uncles will always stay in touch." I promised. They sighed and nodded as the doorbell rang.
"That'll be him." I smiled, standing up and going to the door. I opened it.
"Hey babe." I smiled, immediately hugging Calum. He didn't say anything, he just hugged me back, holding me as tightly as possible as he buried his face in my hair. I sighed, looking at the kids.
"Go to your rooms." I mumbled. They nodded and gave Calum sympathetic looks before leaving the room. I pulled away from Calum to see tears streaming down his face.
"Oh Cal." I sighed. He smiled slightly at me.
"It's over. It's really over." He choked. I nodded.
"It'll be okay. You guys had an amazing run, you travelled the world, you literally lived your dream. Not many people can say that." I reassured. He nodded.
"I know, it's just...hard." He shrugged. I nodded.
"I know baby, I know." I smiled slightly. He returned it before holding my face and pressing our lips together.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." I nodded. He smiled before letting me go.
"Now...where are my little monsters!" He yelled as he ran to the kids' rooms, followed by screams and making me laugh.

Calum and I sat on the sofa when the door opened. Dove walked in through the door, a boy following behind her. I stood up and looked at them.
"Hey honey." I smiled as Calum appeared beside me.
"Hey mum." She smiled. Calum nodded towards the boy.
"Who's this?" Calum asked. Dove and the boy looked at each other.
"Mr and Mrs Hood, I'm your new neighbour."