Ben Hardy Imagines

Trouble in Paradise?

"Where have you been?" I ask in an almost cold voice as soon as Ben walks through the front door.

"Work." He sighs, sitting down in the seat in front of me. "Where else would I be?"

"Oh, I don't know. Our daughter's assembly this morning?"

"Shit."

"Shit is right. She's been looking forward to this for weeks and she really wanted both of us to be there for her, Ben. She's been working so hard all year."

"Well, so have I. I've been working hard to provide for this family." He says, his voice starting to rise in anger. "I can't just take time off of work whenever I feel like it."

"Work, it's all about bloody work with you, isn't it?" I start to yell back. "Can't you at least ask for time off to be there for your daughter? I'm sure your boss would understand." Ben scoffs so I decide to carry on. "Skye hardly sees you anymore, Ben. You need to start being there for her more. She's starting to think you don't care." I stand up and move to the kitchen. I'm getting so worked up, I just can't stay still anymore. So, instead, I start to clean.

"Of course I care about Skye, and I am looking after her." Trust me, I know you are, but tell her that. "I'm working so I can provide her with everything she needs and wants..." I chuck down the dish towel I was holding and look up at Ben in anger.

"I know you have, but I've been working to provide for this family, too. But I still make sure that I'm there for her. Haven't you thought that maybe we don't need you to work as much as you have been? I know you love your job, and that's great, but don't you think that maybe sometimes she just needs her dad? It's like when you are here, your not actually here, and that sucks for Skye."

"Well, if it's not like I'm here, I might as well just go then!" He yells and my heart leaps to my throat and tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

Please don't go.

"Fine! Leave, you asshole!"

Please stay.

"Fine, I will." With that, he storms out of the front door, slamming it behind him. I wait until he hops into his car and drives away before I break down crying. Why did I tell him to leave? What if he really doesn't come back? Skye and I still need him, I still love him.

"Mommy?" I whip around in surprise to see Skye standing there with a sad look on her face and my heart breaks. I did that to her. I quickly wipe the tears from my eyes and kneel down to her height, after all, she is only six. "Why did daddy look angry? What's wrong? Is he leaving us?"

"No, sweetie, he's not leaving us. He wouldn't do that to you. We just need to sort out a disagreement is all. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you still be at school?"

"I forgot to tell you that we finished early today. Auntie Y/F/N dropped me off though, so it's okay." Skye moves forward and wraps her arms around my shoulders for a hug. "Don't cry mommy, he'll be back." How did we manage to get such a sweet girl?

"Why don't you go into mum and dad's room to watch a movie..."

"Only if you come with me." Skye interrupts, moving out of my arms.

"Okay, well, go choose a DVD and I'll be there in a sec. I'll make us some popcorn."

************************

"Y/N, Skye! Where are you?" I hear Ben shout from down the hall.

"In here, daddy!" Skye shouts and stands on the bed in excitement. I quickly pause the movie and wait for Ben to come into the room, my heart beating nervously as I wonder what's going to happen now.

"What are you guys watching?" He asks, coming into the room.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Do you want to join us?" Skye asks, jumping on the bed and I quickly grab her to sit her down. But now she's crawling along the bed to get closer to Ben. Where did she get all this energy from?

"Only if it's okay with your mother." He says, looking at me.

"Of course it's okay." I sigh in relief and pat the spot next to me which Ben soon eagerly occupies. However, Skye quickly crawls in between us so she can sit with us.

"Before you press play on the film, there is something I want to ask you two. How do you guys feel about going on a camping trip next week?"

"Yes, please!" Skye squeals in excitement and I look over at him with a smile, nodding my head in approval when he looks at me.

"We can start organizing it tomorrow, how about that?" Skye eagerly nods, making me laugh. She's always been such a happy child. After she calms down I press play on the movie then pull out my phone to text Ben. Yes, we text each other when we're in the same room, but only when we want to talk about something without Skye hearing.

Y/N: What caused you to change your mind?

Ben: You were right. After I calmed down, I realized that I do need to spend more time with the family. Even my boss said I should take more time off for you two when I asked for next week off.

Y/N: I'm glad you're spending more time with us. I also found that I need to say what I'm really thinking. I didn't really want you to leave.

Ben: Don't worry, honey. I'll never leave you guys. I love you and Skye too much.

Y/N: Good, because I love you too :) <3