forever// 5SOS

30

Ashton

"Rise and shine," Ava said, mirroring me yesterday morning. It was almost the afternoon, but I could tell she'd been up for longer.

"Come here," I said, holding my arms out, "I love your hair,"

"Thankyou for it,"

"I'm glad you had fun,"

"Can you come to the kitchen?" she asked, "please,"

She scrambled off the bed and ran out, leaving me to grab a top and my phone. I went through and saw the table set, a card in the middle and two plates either side. There was soup in a bowl, and oven baked buns either side.

It scared me that she'd used the oven without me, but she seemed to be fine with it.

"This is lovely Ava, this is really nice,"

"I didn't know what you wanted to drink,"

"I'll just have some water, you sit down,"

She shook her head and got us both a glass of water, waiting for me to sit down.

"I hope you like it,"

"I love it," I smiled, looking at the card in the middle of the table.

"Can I read this now?"

"Yes, I don't know if it's spelt right though and I'm sorry if you don't like the drawings, or can't read it,"

"Ava, sweetheart, you put hard work into this so stop apologising," I smiled, looking at the front. Her legs were swinging, her eyes wide and anxious.

"I love the drawings,"

She'd used different coloured pens, and written 'Happy Father's Day' on the front. Inside, there was a lot of glitter, and a message. It had never even occurred to me to that I could get a card, and I'd never expected myself to be that good of a dad.

To Ashton,

Thankyou for always being kind, and making me feel less sick and nervous. Thankyou for always being so careful from the first day I saw you.
Thankyou for giving me a new home, and a new view on life, and a new view on people.

Thankyou for not hurting me like the rest.

I didn't mean to get angry the other day, I was just scared, because I thought you'd left when I was about to ask you something.

Love,
Ava

"Ava," I smiled, "that was really nice,"

"Is it good?"

"I love it, what did you want to ask me?"

"It's a really big thing for me because I've never been in a position like this. I don't know if there's a certain way to do it, or if you want this, but I think you do," she rambled, "I want to call you dad,"

"You don't need permission,"

"But it's special. Usually, I'm forced to call them dad, but this time I want it. It means something,"

"Well I would love it if you called me dad. I love you Ava," I said, getting up and hugging her.

"Did I do it right?"

"Do what right love?"

"This day,"

"There's no right or wrong, let's eat the food before it gets cold and we can relax,"

"I wanted to make you happy,"

"You have Ava, I have a smile on my face. I'm feeling very lucky and grateful that you have done this,"