Baby Steps [l.t]

Two

(MELANIE'S POV)

"What are we gonna do today, momma?" William asked politely after finishing his pancakes.

"I don't know, sugar plum. What do you want to do?" I asked, blowing on my coffee.

"I wanna go see Dan!" William giggled.

I rolled my eyes playfully at him, "Well then I gotta go call him." William nodded his head vigorously, prompting me to go get the phone.

Dan was my ex boyfriend. Louis hated him because he broke my heart back in eleventh grade, but now that Louis hasn't been around, Dan has kind've been like a father-figure to William.

Picking up the phone, I dialed the phone number I had known all to well.

"Hello?" A raspy voice answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" I asked.

"Nah, it's fine. What's up?" Dan asked.

"Well, William and I were hoping you would join us this fine afternoon for a day in the park," I said dramatically, faking a british accent.

See, I may live in England, but I certainly ain't British. I was born in Austin, Texas, but my dad was moved to Doncaster because the bank he worked at opened a branch in England and wanted him to run the office there.

"Well, you know I can't resist the accent," He laughed.

"Great! How's 11:30?" I asked, as I heard William squirm in excitement.

"The usual place?" He asked.

"The usual place," I confirmed.

"I'll be there," He said.

"See you in an hour," I said.

-

"Hello," I heard a cheery voice say behind me, before being wrapped in someone's arms.

"Hey," I said, wrapping my arms around Dan's.

"Hey there, little man," Dan said, removing his arms from my waist, and focused on William.

"Hey there, big man," William responded, before jumping into his arms. I loved this. Our perfectly imperfect family.

"You wanna get some ice cream?" Dan asked, placing William back down again.

"Yes!" William said, running to the gelato stand not to far away.

"You are going to make him fat," I teased, slapping Dan's shoulders.

"Maybe, but it won't cost you a dime," he said, sending me a toothy grin, before running after William. I rolled my eyes, laughing as I followed.

William got his absolute favorite flavor, chocolate, with sprinkles, which were, of course, chocolate.

Our little weekend ritual continued on as it always does, by strolling through Hyde Park, then heading over to Green Park.

William ran ahead of us, but not so far because of his short little legs. I felt something graze my left hand, before something warm completely overtook my hand.

Looking down, I saw Dan's hand engulfing mine. I looked up, seeing red dapple at his cheeks, and a smile overtaking his face.

I felt myself slowly falling back in like with Dan. So I did something totally outside my comfort zone, but I didn't regret it.

I took my hand out of his, cupped his face, and kissed him, his warm chapped lips meeting mine. We both smiled into it, before slowly pulling apart.

"Ew," William groaned. But neither Dan nor I tore our eyes from one another's.
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