ASHTON'S POINT OF VIEW.
Calum was sixteen when he found out that he had a crush on the dorkiest girl in junior year.
Miranda.
I was out of school and taking care of my family at the time, and had taken a liking to her best friend.
Kate.
And now he was twenty-two—newly, by the way—and found out he had a son who was almost three. Jasper sat on my lap as we watched some Disney movie. The one with the balloons and the kid that reminded me of the little boy sitting on my lap.
It was pretty late at night, around ten, way too late for Jasper to be up. He was, however because his parents were in the other room talking about how they were going to make this parenting thing work. Michael was asleep on the floor in the kitchen, yeah the kitchen, and Luke was listening to music while sleeping.
It didn't once occur to me that five years after seeing the girl with the short hair that I thought was madly beautiful, I'd see her again in such circumstances. "So what do you work as?"
"I work as a receptionist at an office down the road," she replied, sliding her tan flats off and leaving them by the door. "And I'm a full time aunt to Jasper. Isn't that right?" she walked over and tickled underneath his chin, and he squealed.
"Jasper, why don't you go and pick out some more movies?" I asked him. He nodded and plopped down from the couch and onto the floor, running down the hallway.
"Don't run! Jasper, don't-" Kate sighed in defeat, realizing the kid was going to do what he pleased anyways.
"I know it's been three years and you probably don't remember," I started and she looked at me. "But remember Mikey's party, and what happened that night?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Who knew you were such a good kisser?"
"I did if we're being honest."
"Shut up!" she chucked a throw pillow in my direction, and it hit me in my face. Miranda and Calum emerged from her bedroom. "Ooh what were you two doing?"
"Mm I wonder!" I teased as Miranda gave me the finger and tackled Kate. She yelped.
"Three year olds." Calum rolled his eyes and sat down on the couch next to me.
"I'm three!" a little voice called out.
Calum smiled. "You sure are, Jas." He took Jasper into the kitchen, probably to make him food or something.
"So we talked," Miranda said to Kate when she sat down next to her. I couldn't help but listen in on their conversation while I pretended to watch Luke sleep.
"And?" Kate whispered.
"We decided that the boys might get a house in town, and maybe Jasper can stay with them for a few nights a week."
"And you're okay with that?"
"Yeah, I mean what can I do? The guy hasn't seen the boy in three years. He didn't know he existed until like three hours ago."
"Three three three."
"Illuminati."
"Stop it."
"Okay."
I chuckled a little too loud, causing both girls to look at me weirdly. I coughed. "Sorry."
They went back to their conversation. Kate sighed and asked, "And by the way, I didn't mean if you were fine with Jasper seeing Calum. I meant are you okay with not seeing Jasper. He's like your identity."
"Maybe but I do need some time to myself. I haven't gotten a solid five hours sleep ever since he was born."
I piped up. "You guys should come live with us if we get a house."
Nice one Ashton. You idiot.
Kate laughed awkwardly. "I don't think-"
"We'll think about it won't we Kate?" Miranda asked her.
Kate sighed. "Sure."
Yes! Good one Ashton.
"But we'd have to get separate rooms," she added.
Bad one Ashton.
"Well I'm gonna hit the hay. I feel like tomorrow's gonna be hectic." I sighed as Jasper toddled out from the kitchen.
"You're leaving?" Calum asked, coming out behind him.
"Yeah I'm gonna head back to the hotel," I told him and he shook his head.
"No don't go Uncle Ash!" Jasper whined.
"I'll be back in a bit, little dude. Don't worry." I ruffled his hair.
"No! Don't leave!" Jasper pressed.
Kate looked up from her spot on the couch. "Yeah, don't go Daddy Ash."
"Don't call me that," I laughed, picking the throw pillow up off of the floor. It was the same one she used to hit me. I hurled it in her direction and laughed. "Dork!"
"You're a dork!" Kate giggled.
"Daddy! Mommy fell asleep," Jasper pointed to Miranda, who had fallen asleep sitting up.
"Shh, don't wake her Jas. I'm gonna go put Mommy to bed and then we'll go to your room to sleep okay?"
"Okay!" Jasper cheered and pranced down the hallway to his room, I'm guessing. Calum lifted Miranda up from the couch, carrying her bridal style down the hallway. Kate looked up at me.
"Put in a movie."
"Okay," I chuckled and did as she said. We fell asleep watching Twilight, with Luke on the couch and Michael still on the kitchen floor.
