Adopted by Luke Hemmings

18

After our small breakdown, I rushed Emma inside. Michael and Calum rushed to us, Ashton cautiously stopping them. She was violently shaking.

"Calm down baby, please," I whispered as my voice cracked. I can't handle this. She suffering and I have to watch it.

"I'm just afraid daddy," she whimpered.

"Don't. Baby, please calm down. Okay? No one will touch you ever again," I spoke as a silent tear went down my face.

She was still shaking half to death. I sat down in a room and shut the door. I sat on the couch and turned on a kids movie. I sat her aside, turning out the light. I made my way to the couch and sat her back in my lap.

"Calm down Em, please," I spoke softly as I kissed her cheek.

"Daddy, why is the fish talking?" she asked quietly.

It's Nemo.

"I don't know darling," I told her as she nodded.

I laid her down once she drifted to sleep and covered her up with the blanket she carries around. I left the door halfway open and went back to the guys.

"She alright?" Louis asked dashing towards me.

"Paparazzi touched her and shoved her from me. She'll be fine," I told him.

He rolled his eyes and left, him going outside. We chased him and I guess Emma heard us running past the door. She followed. I got her up in my arms and we watched Louis rant. She jumped from my arms and ran outside and grabbed his leg. You could see him jump, but then he picked her up. He talked for a few more moments, well, maybe screamed, and then came back in. She jumped from his arms and came back to me.

"Thanks mate, I really appreciate it," I told him as I rubbed Emma's back.

"No problem. No one messes with the baby of this large family," he winked at her. She blushed and hid her head in my leg.

We returned to our schedules and goofed off hours till end. While we performed, I saw Emma backstage watching us. I smiled and thought about how lucky I am. To have her, to have this life.

We ran offstage and we decided to go back to the hotel. We're turning in early. As we drove back, I sat in the passenger seat with Emma in my arms. I didn't care if we got pulled over. I could give a shit less. Ashton parked the car and we went inside.

"I declare movie night!" Michael said as he revealed an arm full of movies.

"When don't we have movie night?" Calum retorted as we walked to my room.

"When we're eating or sleeping," I spoke as I unlocked the door.

We all changed into some more comfortable clothes and I changed Emma into her pyjamas. Michael bought her a Pokemon onesie and she told me she wanted to wear it. I wasn't going to pass that up.

"Oh my gosh, you're wearing it!" he exclaims as she skips back in.

She laughs, getting in his lap. I turn on 'The Lorax' and we all make a large pallet in the floor. We all got down and laid there, covering up with blankets and watching movies.

~

It's the day after out second concert and we're now leaving for Miami. Thank god, I'm ready to go to the beach for a week. I get Emma's things together and we walked to the tour bus.

"Daddy, I ride with Uncle Zayn?" she asked.

I nodded, "Go ahead babe. Be good."

She nodded and ran into his arms as he got onto his bus. I sighed and got on my bus. It takes 6-7 hours to get to Miami, so this will be a long drive. Hopefully I'll get sleep.

~

We've just arrived and we unloaded. Zayn came rushing to me and I grew nervous.

"She's shaking, we can't get her awake," he spoke quickly.

I ran onto their bus and she was in the bunk with Harry. He was resting on his elbow and shaking her with his other arm. I knew what was happening; a. nightmare. I picked her up and we got off the bus, rushing inside the large house. I set her down on the couch and pressed my hand to her shoulder. I shook her hard, this always works. She stops shaking and opens her eyes. I can't stand her having nightmares anymore. I'm taking her to a doctor.

"I'm leaving. I need someone with me," I spoke shakily.

"I'll go," Calum calls as I nod, leaving the house.

I set Emma in the backseat of our large rental car that can somehow seat 9-10 people. I drove and stayed silent. What if something is wrong with her? I mean, she's three. I don't think three year olds have nightmares every night. It doesn't seem right. I pulled into the parking lot of a doctors office and we walked inside, Emma holding mine and Calum's hands.

"How can I help you?" The lady at the desk spoke smiling.

"My daughter is having some sleeping troubles. How long is the wait for a doctor?" I asked.

"Shouldn't be too long. Take a seat," she spoke as she pointed to the waiting room.

We sat down and Emma sat in Calum's lap. It didn't take long for the nurse to come get us. Maybe 20 minutes. Emma sat on the bed and we sat in chairs. I told the doctor about the nightmares. He quickly pulled me outside and shut the door.

"Mr. Hemmings, from what I have heard it sounds like your daughter has a disease called 'Dream Anxiety Disorder'. What causes this can be something along the lines of tragedies or frightening things that may have happened in the past or maybe recently. There could be stress or anxiety but I don't believe Emma can have that much stress, if any. There is treatment and that's therapy. But I would wait to start that when you return home from your bust schedule. I'm sorry for such bad news," he spoke as he walked away.

I sighed, holding back a few tears. I go in and tell them we can leave. I walk to the car in silence and allow Calum to drive. When we returned to the house though, I had told Calum and I was in tears.

"When we get inside, just ignore everyone. Go upstairs and calm down, okay? She'll make it through this, everything will be okay," Calum to me and I nodded.

He retrieved Emma from the car and I walked inside and I ignored everyone. I went up to my room and slammed the door shut, collapsing on the bed. I began crying my eyes out. She's too young for this. What if she can't handle it?

A small knock at the door made me slightly jump. The door opened and I looked up, me seeing Harry.

"Hey, let's talk," he spoke quietly as he shut the door.

I sat up, and pulled my knee's to my chest as he sat upon the end of the bed.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked immediately. "Calum took Michael and Ashton outside and when they came back they were all depressed."

"He didn't tell you?" I asked sniffling.

"No," he shook his head.

"When we went to the doctors, he told me that Emma has a disease where she has nightmares that keep her awake and sleep deprived. She relives old bad times," I spoke wiping away a stray tear.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. That's awful," Harry spoke as his face went pale.

"Yeah, it is. Harry, what if she can't handle it? What if something happens in her sleep and her body can't handle it? What will I do?" I asked him as I cried.

"Luke, mate calm down, okay? She's going to be okay. Emma is strong for a three year old and she'll learn to handle it. Everything's going to be okay," he told me.

"She doesn't even know," I told him blankly.

"She doesn't know?"

I shook my head, "I'll have to tell her eventually."

He nodded, "Yeah, you will."