Young Love

11

When 3PM finally does come, Bella is standing on the back of the couch and looking out of the window eagerly. She can't wait to play with her friend all day long, and show him what he's missed since she last saw him.

As soon as a car turns into the driveway of her home, she jumps up with an expression of pure excitement and runs to the door, looking up at Justin pleadingly.

The young man chuckles, unlocking the door and letting his four-year-old daughter run outside to greet her friend.

However, poor Bella only gets about two metres before she trips over and face plants on the gravel drive. She lays there for a few seconds in shock, before beginning to sob helplessly.

Justin immediately jogs over from his location on the porch, hooks his hands under her armpits and lifts her up into his arms. He sees that she's not seriously injured, she only sustained a few scrapes and bruises from the fall.

"Shhhh. You're okay gorgeous." The sandy-haired man soothes, peering over the top of his daughter's head at the car. He sees Ariana help Liam out of his car seat, looking towards them concernedly.

"Is she ok?" The brunette woman calls, holding onto her son's hand tightly. Liam is looking at Bella in worry, hoping to God that his friend is alright.

"I think so." Justin nods curtly, before continuing to hush his baby girl who is still bawling her eyes out at the pain in her scraped-up knees.

"D-Daddy!" The hazel-eyed-girl wails loudly, "I got ouchies!" Justin sighs, knowing that his daughter is making a big fuss out of nothing. But he loves her, so he's just gonna have to deal with it for her sake.

"I know baby. Liam will hold your hand, won't you buddy?" Justin asks Ariana's little boy who nods eagerly, hating to see Bella upset. The father leads the mother and son inside his house and places his daughter on the couch, allowing Liam to step up and grip onto his friend's hand.

"It's ok BellBell." Liam pouts and his fellow pre-schooler calms down at the words. Justin takes the opportunity while she's distracted to quickly wipe her knees and stick two plasters on them, kissing her tanned forehead.

"There! All better now."

"Thank you dada. Thank you LiLi." The small girl giggles, hopping off the couch to cuddle Liam, making him blush an adorable shade of pink.

"Hi." Ariana chuckles and Justin laughs, greeting her back and hugging her gingerly. He's usually so bold and confident around girls, but this woman just makes it seem like there's no one else in the world.

"Well, that was a turn of events." She smiles, looking at the two toddlers fondly. Justin snaps out of his thoughts and replies with a short nod, still not saying anything for fear his voice will break.

"Bella, do you wanna go show Liam your room?" He finally collects himself and asks his daughter who hesitates, looking up at him with a tiny frown.

"But daddy, you said boys aren't allowed in my room." The girl states, her gentle eyes wide in anxiousness.
She doesn't want to disobey her father, but she really wants to show Liam all her stuffed toys and her new fairy lights.

Justin chuckles, proud of himself for teaching her so well, and nods his head in agreement.

"Yeah I did, but Liam can go in there just for today okay?" He replies, and Bella squeals in delight, leading Liam up the stairs where her room is located.

The young man heaves a heavy sigh and flops down on the couch, Ariana giggling at his actions.

"Take a seat wherever." He smiles at the woman and she nods silently, getting comfy on the couch. In her eyes, Justin looks really good today in his chosen outfit, and she can't help but stare.