muke

04

04

      michael couldn't help but tear up. she had inherited his own nickname and if that wasn't the most adorable thing ever, michael didn't know what was.

     carter gulped as her eyes traced her fingers.

     michael wanted to say something witty to make her smile-believe me. all he ever wanted was to make her happy- or something smart to impress her. but the only thing he could utter out was a small, shy 'thank you'. and with that, carter looked up, smiled, and nodded while the blush she was trying to keep hidden rushed quickly to her face. michael's cheeks reacted the same way, especially because he didn't know carter would be this nice to him, or this cute.

     "so- um, i wanted to meet up with you because- because.. oh god i can't do this"

    carter abruptly stood up and quickly walked out of the café. she knew ashton had mikey; she would never leave her daughter alone without an adult.

     michael took a glance at ashton and mikey, making sure she was with him before rushing out of the café to follow carter.

     there was a bench right outside of the café and michael was glad to see carter sitting down on it. he was already getting over protective of his daughter and didn't want to be too far from her. he wanted to keep sight of her; or at least know that she was close by.

    michael took a seat beside carter and pulled her into a side hug but swiftly removing his arm from her shoulders in case she wasn't comfortable with him touching her. (which he missed doing, really) carter hid her face in her hands and shook her head multiple times as she whispered something that michael couldn't possibly hear because there were cars zooming by, mailmen screaming at dogs and little kids laughing and yelling in the distance.

     "what did you sa-"

     "i quit my job and now we have nothing"

      michael turned to carter this time, giving her his full attention. he wanted to know more.

     "i'll still send money. and i'll buy mikey clothes and everyth-"

     "michael! you don't- you don't understand! stop wasting your money and your fortune on us!"

    michael's hands balled into fists, but he took a deep breath and then exhaled, causing his hands to relax. he decided to get back on topic.

     "why did you quit your job?"

     carter looked up at michael that time and by the look on her face he knew something was wrong.

     "you don't have to tell me yet. i can wait until you're like, ready, or comfortable enough to t-"

     "my mom died last week"

     that got michael to shut up. this time, he pulled carter into a proper hug- a michael hug.

     "what- what?"

     michael couldn't properly comprehend what carter was trying to tell him. her mother had passed away? how? when? why?

    he still had her enveloped in his embrace when he heard hiccuping and sobbing. by then he knew that she needed someone; she needed him. and michael was willing to be there for her. he always wanted to- and this was the time to do it.

    "mommy! what's wrong?" mikey whispered the last part. carter sniffled and pulled away from michael. she motioned her daughter to come over and mikey obliged, running towards her mom and giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

     "you need chocolate. and juice. and candy. and dadd-"

     carter cut her off with a small, genuine laugh, her eyes stayed glued on michael.

     "okay, baby"

     mikey stammered a bit as she squirmed out of her mothers embrace. she crossed her arms in front of her chest and stomped her small foot on the ground.

     "i'm not a baby, remember?"

      "right, right."

      michael studied carter. she caught him and nodded, mumbling a 'why not'. michael grinned and scooped mikey in his arms. mikey squealed and giggled as her father gave her a piggy-back ride on the way to a nearby playground. meanwhile, ashton and carter walked behind them. far enough so that michael and mikey wouldn't be able to hear them.

     "that's horrible! i'm sure mike and the boys would be fine to let you stay until you find a new job and someone to look after mikey."

     "are you sure? i mean, i don't want to interfere with your friendships an-"

     "when mikey is done playing, come back to the tour bus with us. then we can confirm it with the boys and luke can call our manager. but don't worry. i'm sure they'll be more than happy to see both of you."

     ashton noticed the corners of carter's mouth turn up and he smiled, remembering the way she used to smile up at michael.

     when they arrived at the playground, michael let mikey down and they both ran towards the slide. for a while they took turns going down the slide, but instead of climbing up the stairs to get to the slide, mikey ran towards her mother, took her phone and snapped a quick picture of michael.

     ashton giggled from the bench.

    "what is it?" carter asked, a smile etching onto her face.

     "i think she got that from me"

     carter laughed and focused on her daughter to see if she really was like ashton and to tell the truth, mikey did remind carter of ashton, except with pale skin, brown eyes and green highlights.

---

     mikey skipped up to the tour bus entrance and turned around to let michael carry her. when she was lifted into the air, she giggled and grinned, but her smile quickly wiped away when she saw a brunette-blonde hair colour instead of green. a frown spread across mikey's face and she began kicking and banging against ashton.

      michael rushed up to them with carter by his side and ashton passed mikey to michael carefully. ashton looked distressed and confused. he was worried. had he held her too tight? did she feel uncomfortable? did he hurt her?

     michael calmed mikey down and held her close to him. ashton entered the tour bus, followed by carter and then michael and mikey. carter and ashton sat down on the couches while michael went further into the tour bus with mikey still in his arms.

     luke and calum heard commotion so they came out of the game room and were shocked to see carter. after all, it's been almost four years. calum attacked her with a bear hug, and luke gave her a polite hug. carter knew that both hugs meant the same thing; they were glad to see her. a warm sensation went through carter's stomach as she observed the three boy's faces. they definitely missed her, and they wouldn't hesitate to let them stay. but she also knew that their managers were strict and would never tolerate some lady and a little girl to ruin their boy's careers.

     i haven't updated in forever im sorry but please vote and tell me what you think of the chapter & idk but mike really looks cute in the gif on the side