a beautiful accident (a dan howell/phil lester story)

one - give me strength

(Photo above is Dan and Phil's little girl Rosalie. Photo taken from Google.) 

"Is that my pretty girl?" Dan coos as he enters his bedroom, heading straight towards the pink crib seated in the corner of the small room.

He hears Rosalie gurgle, and looks into the crib to see her just waking up, her tiny fist balled up in her mouth. His heart swells at his daughter's pure cuteness, carefully scooping her up and placing her against his shoulder, letting her settle into the crook of his neck. 

"How was she today?" Dan asks his mom, who's staring fondly at the two from his doorway

"She was fine. She's never fussy," She responds, "I know she missed her daddy though. I had to let her have one of your shirts to calm her." She gestures to his black Eclipse shirt, which is outstretched on the mattress. 

"Thank you for watching her. Today was a surprise shift," Dan inwardly groans as today was supposed to be his day off, and all he wanted to do was cuddle with his daughter and snooze, but the coffee shop he works out had other thoughts as someone called in. 

"Of course. Were they short-handed at the shop?" She asks, "There's lunch in the kitchen, by the way. I know you haven't eaten." 

"You didn't have too, I have Ramen," Dan laughs

"And that stuff is absolutely horrendous for you. And Rosie doesn't need to be ingesting that salt," Mom reprimands. Dan makes a mental note to pump tonight because he remembers the fridge being low on bottles.

"It's all I can afford with the rent and taking care of Rosalie," Dan admits

Dan's mom sighs, staring at Dan with sorrowful eyes, "Why don't you ever tell me you have money problems?" 

"I don't like being a problem. You already do enough for me by watching her whenever I work." 

"You're my son and that's my granddaughter. Your father and I are always here to help, whether it be financially or mentally. I'll talk to your father about helping you with money, he's worried about you as is. We both are." She admits, crossing her arms, "You need to tell Phil." 

Dan's eyes widen, "You know I can't do that." 

"Yes, you can. He's Rosalie's dad too. He deserves to know her and help you. You can't expect to do this all alone for the next eighteen years, do you?" She asks

"I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure Rosie is taken care of, and Phil's career isn't ruined by a baby he never wanted nor planned," Dan can feel his heart start to weep, and Rosalie senses his sudden mood shift, because she whimpers and grabs a hold of his shirt collar. He holds her tighter. 

Teresa just gives Dan a pitiful look, "And what happens when you need to move into a bigger flat and you can't afford it?" 

"Then I'll just get another job. I've already started saving up to move within the next month. I have enough for a down payment and the fees. I'll just need to work some extra shifts at Betty's and I'll be able to afford first months rent," Dan pleas

"Your dad and I will cover first months rent. If you move back to London, near Phil." 

"Mom..." Dan starts

"No. Rosalie isn't even two months old and you've been doing nothing but struggling. Don't act like we don't see it. We see those bags under your eyes, we know you aren't eating properly. Rosalie needs you alive and well. Not falling apart and clinging to life. I need you alive." He hears Teresa's voice break

Dan sits on his bed, admitting his defeat, "Fine, Barbara gave me the day off since I came in today, so tomorrow do you want to help me find some flats?" He asks

Teresa smiles with tearful eyes, "Of course." 

~

"The rent here is $1200 a month, and water and trash is included. But since you have a little one, I can lower the rent to $1000, if that'll help you any," The landlady promises, her eyes fixated on Rosalie

Dan looks at his mom for approval, and she shrugs, "Do you promise this is a safe neighborhood? I don't want my son and granddaughter to move somewhere that can put them in danger." Teresa presses

"There's been no reported crime, and we do have security guards that patrol the area at night. This is mostly a family neighborhood." The landlady answers, "And if you ever have any issues, all you have to do is give the front office a call and they'll get it fixed." 

"Can we have a moment?" Teresa asks, ready to pull Dan away to discuss further

"Of course, I'll be outside. Take your time," The landlady smiles, and heads out the door as requested. 

Teresa turns to Dan, who's looking around the place in wonder, "It is pretty nice here," Dan notes

"It is nice, but can you afford it?" 

Dan ponders for a moment, calculating his weekly paychecks and adding them up to the rent, "I think I could. I just hope I don't lose my job," Dan jokes

Teresa purses her lips, "You know damn well Betty and Barbara would never do that to you. They adore you," 

"I think I want this place." Dan admits, "It's got an extra room, and I can finally create that Winnie the Pooh nursery I've always wanted to do for her. I'll take the smaller bedroom, she has more stuff." 

"Then let's go sign the papers to move you in," Teresa smiles

~

Dan moves into his new house two weeks later, and with the help of his dad and brother, his new home is situated. Dan goes to work 6 days a week, and when he gets off, he takes care of Rosalie and starts creating her nursery. Thankfully at his baby shower his family gave him a lot of Winnie the Pooh themed decor, and that only meant he had to buy a few more things. 

Dan painted the walls yellow, and the trim a brown. He paints the windowsill and window panels red. He places the crib against the wall closest to the door, away from the window, so the light wouldn't be in Rosalie's eyes. He puts together a old wooden rocking chair his grandma gave him, and sits it beside the crib. 

He places the changing table his aunt bought him on the opposite wall, and the three-drawer cabinet he bought from Babies R' Us beside the changing table, filling it with baby wipes, diapers, diaper rash creams, baby powder, and extra blankets for the table itself. The baby dresser goes beside the crib, and he fills that with Rosie's clothing, blankets, shoes, hats, and bows. 

He buys a big Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal, and places it in the corner of the room, and sets his Piglet stuffie from when he was a child inside the crib, away from Rosalie's grip. He changes the bedsheets in the crib to Winnie the Pooh ones, and places the handmade quilt from his great-grandma on the bars of the crib.

Dan's mum helps him put pictures on the walls, and she buys him a nice rug to put in the middle of the room, and it finally ties the room together. Dan stands proudly with Rosalie in his arms, letting her take in her new bedroom. 

"This is our new home, baby," He tells her quietly, moving her around the room so she can survey it all at once. 

Rosalie yawns, signalling it was finally bedtime, and with a kiss to her forehead, he lays her in the crib, turns on the baby monitors, and heads to bed himself. 

~

This the first official chapter! 

I don't really know if anyone is reading, but I haven't written since 2016 and man does it feel good to be back. I got a new job today so I'm in a very good mood! I hope you guys, whoever is even reading this, is enjoying this just as much as I am.

Peace, love, and cats,

Morgan ♥