Stay Together For The Kids - Michael Clifford Fanfiction

Calum.

I try, and fail, to feed Ruby a spoonful of Weetbix. She's not having any of it.

"Toeees!" She cries, which is her pronunciation of toast. I try to explain to her that she can eat toast when she finishes her Weetbix.

The glare she gives me is so grown up and Michael-like I almost want to retreat.

But if she wants to be stubborn, she has met her match.

Mum walks in just as I try to feed another spoonful to a tight lipped Ruby.

Mum chuckles at the sight.

"Having fun?" Mum asks, as she pours herself her own cereal.

I glare at her, not much unlike the glare Ruby had offered me moments before.

"What are you up to today anyway?" She asks, watching me try to coax Ruby.

"Work. Then going to see Calum." I answer, deciding to admit defeat for now, and putting down the spoon.

"Good luck." Mum murmurs.

"What about you?" I ask.

"Doctors appointment." She says casually.

I immediately stiffen, more alert now.

"Oh." I say quietly.

Mum rolls her eyes.

"Don't you have work?" She says, looking at her watch.

I feel less inclined to go anywhere. I know I'm working to get money for us but I want so badly to spend time with my family right now.

"No, I'm fine." I say, trying to pass it off.

"Don't think I can't see what you're doing."

"I'm not allowed to have breakfast with my family?" I ask, acting offended.

Mum laughs at me. "I'm not going anywhere, not for a long time. Get to work."

I know exactly what she means by 'anywhere', but since cancer was a much too heavy topic to explain to Ruby, we have decided to not discuss the matter in front of her.

I kiss Ruby quickly on the forehead before she can swat me off, and walk over to mum and give her a hug.

She rolls her eyes, but let's me hug her.

"Behave." I grin at Ruby before I close the door.

Despite last nights prospects, I'm positive I will pull through. Maybe I'm more like my mother then I thought.

The work day went by without too many hiccups, meetings and phone calls. In theory it would bore anyone to tears, but I had always loved this. The rush of deadlines, the constant meetings, the people you meet through it. Though I hadn't spoken to Paul since his phone call. But I had some very awkward elevator rides with him so far.

Today went smoothly enough, with myself only mispronouncing one word during a presentation (even though I do love work, public speaking really wasn't my thing). I got in my car, determined that the good day at work was a good omen. I was going to go see Calum and convince him to help Ruby and I.

I knock on the door of Mali's house, expecting her to greet me. Instead, the door swings open and I'm face to face with Calum.

The look of surprise on his face is obvious, but so is the tired look and the bloodshot eyes.

"Oh hi." I say awkwardly. Maybe I hadn't thought all this through.

"Hey." He says, the surprise starting to wear off. "Come in." He offers.