After All • Calum Hood (Sequel to ISTTY)

38

Months later:

Youngblood was already available at all platforms and it's been a bigger success than we thought. All of us were radiating happiness, Calum's parents, Mali, Wyatt and I organized a surprise dinner to celebrate the fact that Youngblood reached the #1 spot. I was sure Calum was living the best moment of his life, we all were, he was beyond happy, always smiling but also always busy, interviews here and there, business trips, promotions and in a couple of days, the tour. Mali became a huge support when it came to help me whilst Calum was away, I'd crash to her flat or she'd stay at mine because for some odd reason, Calum would worry too much when Wyatt and I stayed alone at our flat. Joy also offered her help a couple of times so Wyatt and I ended up sleeping on Calum's old room while he was on a business trip. I felt like a nomad sometimes wandering from house to house, I'd rather stay at the comfiness of my home but Calum insists... And when Wyatt and I stay alone, I receive a text from Cal every 10 minutes asking if we're doing okay. The indignant part of all this? I told my parents about the situation, how busy Calum was thinking they'd offer their help but they only answered: "that's sad". And I don't think everyone should help me or feel pity for me because Calum isn't around, I understand perfectly that Wyatt is my son and the only ones responsible for him are Calum and I, but I simply thought my parents would actually care about how their grandson and I are doing but I was wrong. I've visited my parents a couple of times, of course, and it broke my heart to see my dad feeling sick, the more I go, the more I see how bad he feels, it's like his soul was slowly leaving his body, I act as if everything was okay but it clearly wasn't, but I needed to be strong for him.

—Babe -I hear Calum's happy voice entering the front door, Wyatt went nuts as soon as he heard his dad- Where's daddy's champ? -he approached us and grabbed Wyatt, my boy was jumping out of excitement- how's the owner of my heart? -he jokes a little and pecks my lips-

—The owner of your heart is happy to see you -I smile- and it seems like someone's happy to see you too -I tickle my son making him laugh even more-

—I'm happy to see you too, I missed you. I wanted so bad to come home and kiss you both

—How's everything? -I ask, happy to see him so happy-

—Incredible, I feel tired but everything's incredible. The receptivity has been dreamed, we're on a cloud

—See? I always told you that -I smiled a little-

—I don't know what I want to do, if we go out for dinner or stay at home laying down -Calum was agitated due to the excitement running through his body-

—Listen to your heart -I joke-

—My heart tells me to be with you two always... And food

—I'm craving sushi but if you're too tired we can stay at home and I can cook something yummy for us. What do you think?

—I'll take you out for dinner then, and after that we can come back home and watch some movies

I smiled at what he said

—I'll go change this PJs then, take care of Wyatt

—Why? That Monsters Inc. PJ suits you -he winks at me, making me laugh at his comment-

—I look super mature -I joke back and we both laugh-

I went to our bedroom quickly to change ourselves, I didn't even wanted to makeup even though the bags under my eyes weren't suiting me. Wyatt was wearing a shark onesie and since he's only one year and a half, I decided he'll go like that. I leave our bedroom silently because I was curious to see what Calum and Wyatt do when I'm not around, Calum was telling him about how he was going on tour and since he was the other man of the house, he needed to take care of me while daddy's gone. I smiled at the scene and my heart melted by the bond of my boyfriend and my son

—Ready -I say so they could realize I was already there-

—See that, Wyatt? Your mom's gorgeous -he sees his son and then points at me- daddy was the luckiest man on earth when he met mom. We loved each other and thanks to that love you were born

—I hope that in some years you'll explain him with that same serenity the real way babies are made -I amusingly says and Calum breathes in-

—Oh, it'll be difficult trying to get him to understand the whole deal but sure thing I will. I mean, I don't want to become a grandfather too soon and I bet you don't want to have grandkids earlier than expected, right? -He jokes making me widen my eyes and tilt my head to a side-

—I definitely don't want to become a into a grandmother too soon

~

—How's your dad? -Calum asks while he drinks a beer-

—I'd like to say he's okay -I sigh- but ya know, cancer at its last stage -I shrug-

—I'm so sorry... I hope you get to enjoy with him as much as you'd like to -a clear tone of awkwardness on his voice, and certainly, the subject was making me feel nostalgic so I chose to avoid it-

—Do you know that when you're gone, Wyatt cries until I let him sleep on your side of the bed? -I change the subject drastically, Calum raises his eyebrows in surprise-

—Really? I—I didn't know that -he intertwine his hands and puts his chin in between them-

—Yeah, even though we said we wouldn't let him sleep with us after he turned 1, I gotta admit I enjoy Wyatt's presence sleeping beside me when you're not here. The bed doesn't so big that way -I joke, feeling a little bit nostalgic too-

—I hope you two will like to share the bed with me tonight -he laughs-

I take Wyatt out of his stroller and sit him in my lap to give him his orange juice but he was fighting me, all he wanted to do is watch Calum and laugh with him, even when Cal is expressionless or making him believe he's not watching him

—God, I think this baby really needs his dad -I joke, Wyatt extends his arms towards Calum and he grabs his son giggling- 

—Did you missed dad? -Wyatt would admire his father's face so much, all his attention was drawn into his dad's face- Daddy missed you too. Let's see, how is it? Da-dda -Cal gesticulates a bit more making Wyatt focus on his mouth now- now it's your turn to say it: Da-dda

—Dadada -Wyatt babbled before chuckling, Calum and I looked at each other surprised, my mouth was open and tears were threatening to leave my eyes-

—His first word -I say, putting my hands on my mouth, bemused. Calum cheered Wyatt up, making him giggle-

—Yes! Your first word was dadda, son! Good job! -he was beyond proud and you could tell-

I hasn't processed the fact that it seemed like I was giving birth to Wyatt just yesterday, and now today he said his first word. My son walks, in fact, he's become some sort of an independent dwarf who doesn't want to be carried around, now all he wants to do is explore by himself. But he's never said anything solid before, and I'm glad that when he did, Calum was here to see it too, this is a memory that won't leave my mind