Raura's Daughter

eight.

Ross' POV

"Yo, I'm home!" I called out as I closed the front door behind me with the heel of my foot. I dropped my gym bag on the ground and stretched my arms into the air with a quick yawn. The first day back at high school with Laura had been interesting to say the least, so much had changed and so many new faces had entered our lives but it felt kind of good to finally be around her in a social environment again. "Mom? Delly? Anyone?" I called out again with a frown. I wasn't usually welcomed home to a bare house, there was always someone lurking around.

I walked into the kitchen and almost screamed like a baby when I locked eyes with Courtney. She was sat on one of the dining chairs with a sour look on her face, dressed head to toe in her blue cheerleading outfit. "Court, what the hell are you doing here?" I asked with a sigh as I wiped the glisten of sweat away from my forehead.

"You missed my practise, Ross." Courtney muttered with a quick shake of her head. She reached into her backpack and pulled out a blue jersey with the number four imprinted onto the back of it. "I finally got my jersey. I searched the crowd for your face the entire time and you didn't show up to support me... the one time I ask you to do something for me and you can't even do that."

I exhaled in defeat and pulled one of the dining chairs out for myself. I quickly sat down and cradled her hands in my own. "Court, I am so, so sorry. I should have been there."

"Why weren't you?" She snapped back with a hurt expression on her face. I stared at her feeling completely helpless, I dug myself a grave and now I had to lay in it, whether I liked it or not. Courtney pushed my hand away and stared at me with watery eyes. "Ross! Answer me!"

"I don't know!" I yelled as I held my head in my hands. As much as I loved Courtney, I always felt an overwhelming amount of stress when I was around her. Nothing was ever straight forward and I'd be stupid to think that it was. "I was busy with my soccer team, I can't help that okay? I should have been there and I'm sorry-"

"Sorry isn't good enough, Ross." Courtney sighed as she ran her fingers through her long brunette hair. "We're in a relationship and half the time it feels like I'm the only one putting any effort in."

I shook my head slowly. I couldn't find any strength inside of me to fight back anymore. Courtney always liked to be in the right and she always liked me to be in the wrong. Our relationship didn't feel healthy half the time and on the days that it did we still had our fair share of arguments and disagreements. "I have a daughter, Court." I murmured. I watched her face fall at the mention of Isabella. "My life is never going to be simple again. You knew what you were getting into when you asked us to try again in this relationship, don't try to act dumb about it."

"I'm not acting dumb about anything, Ross!" Courtney yelled as she slammed her fist down onto the dining table. She walked towards me slowly with her index finger pointed into my face. "I'm fed up of being second best to you. I know that you have a daughter and that Laura is very much still a huge part of your life but so am I, Ross! For once, just once, can you realise that?"

"You need to leave, Court." I bluntly said, keeping my eyes glued to the table below me. I couldn't bare to look at her anymore, I just wanted her to leave so that I could have a chance to clear my head and think. "I'll see you tomorrow at school, okay?"

Courtney nodded slowly and leant in to give me a kiss. I reluctantly backed away and with a sigh, she placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. Her kiss was so different from Laura's, it always felt so meaningless. With Laura I can distinctly remember feeling a spark whenever our lips brushed together or when our fingers would intertwine with one another. It was such a beautiful feeling that I can honestly say I've never felt with any other person except Laura Marano.

After the front door closed and Courtney drove away down the street, I decided to pour a small glass of orange juice and heat up a batch of pancakes left over from breakfast for myself. I had a lot of thinking to do, especially with Rydel and Ratliff's wedding coming up. My family was changing more and more as the weeks went by and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

My phone lit up suddenly from beside me, I was receiving a call. I was about to swipe to answer it when a picture of Isabella, my beautiful daughter popped up as my lock screen. I still couldn't process the fact that I was a father to a little girl, even though it had almost been a year since she was born. If anyone had matured the most since welcoming Isabella into our lives though, it was Laura. Despite being a teenager and taking care of an eight month old baby who needed more attention than Rocky after he'd gone through a breakup, she was an amazing mother and I was incredibly proud of her for it; although I'd never have the balls to say that to her in person.

"Hello? Ross Lynch speaking." I said with a sigh as I took a bite into one of my pancakes. I hated taking phone calls, especially when they were from unknown numbers.

"Hey!" A familiar male voice said nervously from the other end of the line. I frowned and wiped my mouth with a napkin. I was about to answer once again when the mysterious male cleared his throat and began to talk to me. "Are you by yourself right now?"

I rolled my eyes and stood up from my chair. I glanced out of the window, expecting to see one of my siblings or possibly even Courtney attempting to prank call me but to my surprise, no one was there. I turned back into the kitchen and sighed. "Look, whoever this is, I'm not in the mood for a prank call okay? Feel free to try another time when-"

"Ross!" He exclaimed quietly. "It's Riker."

I sat upright in my chair and rubbed the temple of my forehead with my finger. "Riker, for real? Is that actually you?"

"Yes bro, it's me. I can't talk for long but I need you to talk to Laura for me. Vanessa wants to leave her a message."

I nodded to myself and grabbed a notepad from the side of me. "Sure man, whatever you need. Tell me."

"Vanessa had the baby, Ross." Riker murmured, I could hear his happiness through the phone. "We've had a little boy and his name is Ryder."

I gasped and ran my fingers through my hair. "I can't believe it man! How are you all doing? This is such awesome news."

Riker exhaled slightly. "Listen Ross... that's the thing. Vanessa and I are coming home."

"With Ryder?" I asked excitedly.

"No, Ross... just us."

I frowned to myself. Had Riker and Vanessa made friends somewhere and were going to leave Ryder with them for the time being? Did Ryder have his own personal nanny that they could leave him with whilst they visited?

"Ryder has been adopted, Ross." He murmured with a deep breath. "I need you to tell Laura that Vanessa is coming home... without our baby. I'm sorry, Ross."

I held the phone to my ear as a slow tear fell down my cheek.

I'd never get to meet my nephew.

And neither would Laura.

***

a/n

Riker, Vanessa, why? :(

Also, I'd like to say RIP to Avicii... he was such a talented musician who blessed our ears with his beautiful music and his wonderful talent. May his music live on forever ❤️

all my love,

b x