his little girl // jiley

Chapter XXVIII

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C H A P T E R
T W E N T Y E I G H T
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| a few months later |

• James's POV •

I ROLL MY eyes when Hazel complains to me about Alfie. She hates him almost as much as I do. And every time she comes over she has more reasons to. He treats her like shit.

"He hates me, dad!" She says. "Can't I live be with you, like, all the time?"

"I don't think so," I sigh. "Riley wants to see you, too."

"I don't want to see her," hazel sighs. "She doesn't even pay attention to me anymore. All she cares about is Alfie."

I kiss her forehead. "Come on, lets go to the studio. We'll rehearse your solo."

A few months back, The Next Step started a new Junior Team, basically just ages 6-12 and that. And Hazel is just about old enough, and by far talented enough. I'm the coach of the team, along with Giselle.

Me and Hazel make our way to the studio, to rehearse the solo she has for the competition at the weekend. She talks the whole way over in the car and I try and listen.

When we get there, Giselle is there as well, and seeing as Hazel adores Giselle, she runs over to her immediately. "Hey, Giselle!" She says happily.

"Hey, Hazelnut," Giselle says. "Hey James," she adds, looking at me.

"Ready to work on your routine?" Giselle asks Hazel. Hazel nods.

While they rehearse I watch Hazel contently. She's so talented. It's actually quite hard to believe she's 6 years old. But it's easy to believe that she's my daughter, that's for sure. She gets the talent from me.

Giselles phone rings and she rushes over to answer it. She looks calm until whoever she's talking to says something and she gasps. "Oh my god! I'll be right there!" She says immediately.

She hangs up. "What's up?" I ask her.

She hesitates. "That was Emily," she says. "Rileys in labour."

I jump up in alarm. "Really? Oh my god, I'm coming with you," I say.

She nods. "Em won't like it. Neither will Alfie."

"I don't care," I respond. "This is my baby too."

"What's going on?" Hazel asks.

"We have to go, sweetheart," I tell her. "I'll drop you at Eldon and Wests," I add. I can't take her with me, I have to go alone.

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When we get to the hospital I see Michelle, Emily and Alfie waiting outside the room Rileys in. Alfie glares at me immediately, Michelle smiles and Emily just rolls her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Alfie spits.

"Oh, you mean, what am I going at the birth of my child?" I retort. He snarls at me.

"James, just leave," Emily sighs.

"No! I'm staying right here," I insist. Michelle shrugs. "Just let him," she says to Emily. Michelle doesn't hate me, at least, even though she's Rileys best friend, she's also one of mine.

Emily and Alfie look reluctant. To be honest, I can see them as a couple, bonding over the love of all things evil and the hatred of humanity — talk about otp. I can see it now: alfily. Perfect.

I try not to laugh to myself, and I sit on one of the chairs, ignoring the glares. I look around instead. I hate hospitals.

Well I guess all there is to do is wait...

No one really talks to each other. I mean, the level of hatred between some of us is alarmingly high. It's way too awkward.

After a while a doctor walks out of the room. Everyone jumps to attention.

"Everything went great," he assures us with a smile. "But for now just the father should visit."

Everyone looks at me. I raise my eyebrows, then look at Alfie. "Go ahead," I say to him.

He gets up triumphantly and walks in. Giselle pats my arm and smiles at me. "You should of gone in," she says. "She's yours."

I nod. "But Riley loves Alfie."

She sighs. "For some reason."

Alfie stays in for ages by himself before other people are allowed in. Michellle, Emily and Giselle rush in, but when Michelle asks if I'm coming in too, I shake my head, and say that I'll wait. I don't want to just barge in. She hates me enough.

But soon after everyone starts leaving the room and I go in. Riley is lying on the bed, with what is probably the tiniest baby ever in her arms. Her cheeks are tear-stricken but she's smiling. Even when she sees me.

"James," she says quietly. "I didn't expect you to come."

"I wanted to see yo— the baby," I say, "I meant the baby."

"You can hold her," Riley says. She hands me the baby and I cradle her in my arms. Maybe I'll make a better job of this one. But knowing Riley, I won't be seeing much of this kid.

I find that Rileys staring at me. Not in a bad way. But in an admirable way. She smiles at me. "What are you looking at?" I ask her.

"You!" She laughs. "I've missed you."

"Really? But, you're with Alfie...?"

"I know."

She leans in. For a second I question wether these doctors drugged her more than they should of. A lot more. But I think she's acctually sane right now — even though she kisses me. In the hospital room, as I hold out child, she leans over and kisses me — and I don't pull away.