All of my 5sos work

To Be You

Thinking back to the day she was born brings mixed emotions. It was considered one of the longest days I've had and there have been many on various tours whilst I was younger but this was different. This was more about nerves and my wife's safety as I drove to the hospital at 5:29am, focusing on the roads over her heavy panting and suppressed moans. How nearly 6 hours later my darling was brought into this world during a snow storm, one of the worst the town had ever seen. Our dear Y/n came into our lives changing them forever. 

I remember how afraid I was about living up to the expectations she would need in life. How from early on she seemed too delicate to hold in my arms with ease, she'd want her mother to rock her to sleep whilst I sang sweet lullabies to her until she soundly slept. Only to have this disturbed three hours later with the rest of the night ceasing to exist with her cries. Maybe there are some parts I don't miss after all.

Five years old and first day of school, her little uniform ironed with a fresh face and large smile to present to the world I couldn't have been prouder. She was eager, unafraid, she took after her dad. I remember giving her one final hug before seeing her depart into the small building, children of her age all seeming in the same swaying boat, parents all crying at their babies growing up.

At seven years old she was learning so much, history and arts were fascinating. Drawings of our family or anything that came to mind decorated our walls, her room was filled with toys that she played with for hours, sometimes allowing me to join her.

Once she turned nine music became a desire as we watched my bands old music videos, my loving wife sat next to me holding my hand as I reminisced on those days. The days before I considered the future where I am, with my own family, not the band, not the crew but my own flesh and blood. My daughter sat in between my legs, dancing on the spot singing lightly as she learnt the lyrics whilst my wife leant against me, thinking about that concert that changed it all for both of us.

By eleven she was becoming closer to Leo, Luke's boy. As teens we joked about having families, eating meals every week together and our kids growing up side by side. Yet looking at them playing in the garden with water guns joking and laughing with each other along with Nathan and Sally, Leo's older siblings I couldn't help but laugh; our mere jokes had become a reality whilst we sat, drinking beers.

Fourteen was a tough time. The choice between growing up and staying young was something she was torn between everyday with hormones, body issues and changes in attitude and style. I feared I'd lost my darling to this new way of living, but I always knew she'd find a way back, they always do.

At fifteen things were becoming more clear to me, her awkward behaviour and acting shy around Leo whenever he'd come by. She would take an extra long amount of time getting ready before school or of an evening when we'd go and visit the Hemming's. My wife knew it to, she claimed the look in her eyes and Leo's was undeniable, there's that spark we know of all too well that isn't easily diminished.

Leo and Y/n at seventeen, standing for photos together hand in hand, laughing at each other's goofy nature, going to new cities and exploring what they can whilst they can. Leo would support her as she sang in front of small crowds playing her piano, tears of joy would be wiped from my cheeks as she sang her heart out, reminding me of myself at her age and how it seemed like a life time ago. The way that Leo would give her this particular smile that lifted her mood, Luke gave me a knowing look and I nodded. These kids were made to last.

My darling girl, all grown up. All the memories flash before my eyes of her in my arms crying in the early hours of the morning to drawing us in blue crayon. Developing into her love for music and singing our songs, learning the piano. Making lasting friends, learning who is good for her and who isn't, a tough lesson that she learnt over the years. That choice of embracing who you really are or who you think you should be, like I said; they always come back. Who would've thought those two hyper kids playing with water guns would stand before all their family with flashing cameras and being directed to look at different phones are eighteen.

Y/n readjusts her prom dress, in all her finery I've never seen my girl look more grown up and true to herself. Leo resembling his dad in a dark blue suit to match her detailed dress, letting out a shy cough Leo revealed a corsage. Immediately I saw a blush cross her cheeks and my wife clung to my arm, letting out a delightful laugh.

Once we had more than enough photos of the happy couple we had family photos taken. We stood either side of our darling and as I held my arm around her waist, seeing her as a mature woman I realised my little girl had grown up. She still had that glint of excitement in her eyes that never fades, wearing the bracelet we gave her when she was twelve to remind her we'd always be with her, the collection of charms growing as she went through the years.

Looking up to me she smiled brightly. "I'll always love you daddy." Like I said, they always come back, it just takes a matter of time for them to learn who they truly are.