The man on the end of the line // L.T

"Mummy"

                       Ella's POV

"You'll ring me won't you? If you need anything. I mean anything" I pull Hayley into a death hug.

"Yes! I promise. I've been here a week now and I don't want to put Louis through anymore stress of me being here" she laughs.

"He's only playing around with you, he really did care when we found you and if it wasn't for him I don't know if I could of coped" I sigh.

"I know. He's been a rock. Now we all have to get back to life. We have the wedding of the year to sort out!" She beams.

"Ok but like I said I'm only a phone call away" I open the front door and wave Hayley off.

Louis is at work and Daisy is down for a nap so I quickly clean the house and prepare dinner for tonight, the baby monitor alerts me to Daisy waking up. I go upstairs and walk into her room.

"Hello princess. Was that a nice nap?" I walk over to her as she holds out her arms.

"Mummy" she smiles.

I freeze and my breath stops, this girl who has quickly become one of the most important things in my life has called me that name. What do I do? I'm not her mummy but she's too young to understand. I need to speak to Louis how do I correct a one and half year old?

I pick her up and cradle her to my chest, to say it doesn't hurt a little that I won't carry my own child would be a lie. Me and Louis haven't discussed that subject, would we adopt, would we use a surrogate?

I spend the rest of the afternoon playing with Daisy, clearing up behind Daisy and singing the same nursery rhymes over and over again. When Louis comes home i look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards.

"Hey baby" he puts his suitcase down and walks over to me giving the most wonderful welcome kiss.

"How's your day been?" He sits down at the kitchen table.

"Busy" I laugh.

"Thank you for looking after Daisy, I know we could put her in a nursery but I know she'd rather be at home spending time with you and I really appreciate it" he smiles.

"I honestly love it. I love that little girl like I didn't know I would. Which also I want to bring something up with you" I sit opposite him.

"That doesn't sound good" he frowns.

"No no it's not bad it's something Daisy said today" I look down.

"And What was that?" He questions.

"Well she called me...she called me mummy" I look up to him.

"Wow. Erm ok. Well I guess it was a matter of time before she would. I mean you are her only mother figure. How does it make you feel?" He leans over and grabs my hand.

"I don't know. Happy, upset and worried" I confess.

"That's a lot of emotions" he laughs.

"I know well I guess I'm over the moon about it, upset for her because I'm not her mum and for me because I'm not and also worried at how this would make Leah feel" I try and hold back many emotions running through me right now.

"Ok well I understand all of that, Leah is nothing to Daisy she brought everything on herself and she lost the right to be Daisy's mother when she committed the crimes she has. There is no way my daughter will ever be allowed to be around that woman until Daisy herself asks and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. There is nothing I want more than to for you to be Daisy's mum, you're exactly what she needs in her life. As far as I'm concerned I'm happy she's decided to call you her mum. But it depends on how you feel about it?" He brings my hand up to his mouth and plants a soft kiss to the back of my hand.

"It's a lot to take on Louis, I mean what if I fail? What if I can't do it?" I can't help the tears now, they are falling out of my control.

"Fail?! Are you fucking mad? You're doing the best job at being a mum and it's the hardest job in the world. You've already won" he gets up and walks round to my side of the table.

"This is why I love you so much. You don't realise how amazing you are. You are my world and I can speak for Daisy on this one and say you are her world. She loves you just as much as I do" he brushes my hair out of my face.

"Louis you both mean everything to me, it's a lot of responsibility I just hope I do a good job" I sniff.

"You already are baby" he kisses my forehead.

"Now you go and sit down, watch that shit programme you like, What's it's called? Say yes to the dress? I'm going to pour you a large wine and finish up dinner. You've had a hard day and deserve to take some time for yourself" he pulls my chair out and guides me to the front room.

"I love you" I smile as I sit down on the couch and Louis passes me the remote.

"Right back at ya princess" he leaves me in some much needed peace after a long day.

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

It's been a few days and Daisy is calling me mummy more and more each day, at first it was strange but now it feels right. I still can't help the guilt I feel towards Leah I know this would break her. I don't even know why I care, after what she's done I shouldn't.

We sit down for lunch while Daisy is taking her afternoon nap.

"It's six months till the wedding, have we done everything?" Louis questions.

"I think so, there is one thing we have to do and that is see my parents" I cringe.

"Ok. Well do you want to sort that out today? Make it a weekend maybe a day when Daisy is with Sharon and Phil that way we could go out and meet on neutral grounds" Louis finishes his food.

"That's a good idea" I think to myself. I'm already dreading the phone call to them. How are they going to react at the fact I'm getting married to someone they've never met, I've a house and I'm taking on someone else's child. They are going to think I've lost it.

We decide to sit down and cuddle while Daisy is napping and before Louis goes to work, he's employed an assistant manager now so he can have more time off with us. It's been hard for him giving control to someone else but he's time he stepped back a little and relaxed.

We start kissing and getting into the mood when Louis' phone starts ringing, "don't answer it" I moan into his mouth.

"Baby I have to. It might be work" he pulls away and pulls his phone out his tight jeans.

I groan in annoyance, I'm sure whatever it is can wait.

"Hello?" He answers.

"Yes it, who am I speaking to?" He sits up.

"Oh right I see. Well instead of being the barer of bad news I'd like to make your day easier by saying you've given me the best news this year" he laughs and hangs up.

He leans back and closes his eyes as if in thought.

"What was that about?" I furrow my brows waiting for his response.

He shakes his head and sits up.

"Leah, she's hung herself" he says without emotion.

"Oh my god" I gasp.
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What do we think of this? The whole daisy calling Ella mum- is this acceptable for her to take on this role? And also Leah? Are you happy she's dead? I am but I kinda feel bad for Daisy that her mum was such a fuck up. Please comment and vote I love you guys. And I have the final chapter written up in my head and I hope you all like it. I'll probably write a few more chapters and maybe skip a few years so we can see where Louis and Ella go.❤️