After I've served the last coffee for today, I finally make my way to the staff room. She's almost 12, and we're closing any minute.
"The place is never this filled as when you're here, Hood" my boss, Ron, laughs as he arrives in the room. "You're a teenage girl magnet"
"I wonder if they would be so attracted if they found out I'm a 22 year old dad" I say, smiling while taking of the green apron we have to wear.
"They melt every time you bring Riley" sometimes, when no one can't watch Riley, Ron lets me have her here while I work. "That adorable face will break many hearts, Calum"
"First - they're teenage girls, they would melt if I brought a frog"
"True"
"And second - she won't be breaking any hearts because I won't let her"
"I did the same with my daughter" Ron chuckles, sitting down. "She ended up at a police station after a party this one time when she was 16. She was drunk and had broken into a police car to sleep wih a guy in the backseat."
I look at him, not knowing what to believe. Eventually, Ron starts laughing. "You should have seen your face!"
"So you're not serious?"
"Nope" he smiles. "She's married to a lawyer in New York"
"Oh" I grab my bag, quietly chuckling.
"Now go home to your little girl, Calum" He says. "And grab yourself a coffee on your way out"
-
After I picked Riley up at Luke's, I carried her to the car. She's dressed in her pyjama, sleeping with Flapoodle in her arms, her little head on my shoulder. I smile at how precious she looks.
When we finally arrive at our apartment, which is only 15 minutes away from Luke's if you take the car, I take her in my arms again. I grab the backpack and coffe in one, having my other hand supporting Riley in my arms. Inside, I put her to bed, tucking her in before quietly making my way towards the kitchen.
Like any other night, I make myself a quick meal - also known as a sandwhich and another cup of coffee. I sit down by the table, slolwly eating while watching Ashton freak out over text about him finding a very, very, attractive girl at the club he's at. I chuckle at how ridicilous he sounds, just about to answer when I hear small footsteps coming closer.
"Daddy?" Riley whisper the words, like she's afraid to wake me up even though I'm clearly awake.
I turn my eyes towards her, smiling when I see her. She looks like she's half sleeping, one of her thumbs in her mouth even though she's too old for that, and Flapoodle in her other hand. "Riley, how come you're awake?"
"I woke up" she says, tripping towards me.
"Why?" I ask as she climbs up in my lap. I wrap my arms around her, kissing the top of her head. When she won't answer me, I try with something else. "Did you have fun tonight? With uncle Luke and aunt Chloe?"
She nods. "Yes"
"What did you do?" I ask, softly brushing away some hair from her face.
"Chloe baked with me"
"Yeah? You did?"
"I'm tired, daddy" she mumbles, letting out a big yawn.
"C'mon, I'll tuck you in" I say, standing up with her still in my arms.
"I want to sleep with you" she whines, and it almost sounds like she's gonna start crying any minute.
"Schh, okay, of course you can, honey" I mumble, changing direction. I place her on my bed while changin into boxers and then crawling down under the covers. Riley cuddles down under my arm right away, her little body close to my chest.
