forever// 5SOS

65

Ashton

"Have a good day," I told Ava, kissing her head as I dropped her off.

"I will,"

"I'll be back by tea hopefully," I said to Calum.

"Alright, if Viola needs a place with a proper bed to sleep in, but a place that she's not alone in, she can stay here if she wants. Unless... you shared a bed,"

I turned away, hearing him gasp and chuckle.

"Well, gooodbye then,"

I got back in my car and drove the other side of town, texting Viola that I was outside. She was down in minutes, and got into the car.

"Are you sure you will take me?"

"Of course, you deserve to see him,"

"It's just a long drive,"

"It's forty minutes, Viola , I can do that if it means we can see your dad,"

She smiled and nodded, fiddling with the bobble on her wrist. I understood why she'd be nervous, and upset, because seeing someone you loved be hurt was horrible.

"He's really lovely," she assured.

"I didn't expect anything less,"

"But I don't think he's getting better,"

"All I know, is those doctors will be doing all they can,"

She nodded again and took my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Thankyou for being here for me recently,"

"You deserve it and you need it,"

"I've stripped you from your family time,"

"I see them everyday, almost, so it's okay. Stop making yourself feel guilty,"

For most of the journey, she was quiet, until we arrived and her breathing hitched.

We got to the front desk and she asked for his room number.

"What's your relationship?"

"His daughter,"

"And you? Family only,"

"My fiancé," she blurted out.

"Alright, room 268,"

"I didn't think that would get me in," I chuckled, sticking on the sticker.

"Me neither, maybe she felt bad,"

"Well, it doesn't matter anymore, we're here. Do we just go in?"

"I believe so," I nodded, stopping at his door. She reached for the handle and it swung open, a doctor looking startled.

"Oh! Hello,"

"Sorry,"

"Viola!"

There was a cheery, but strained call, and we walked into the room.

"Dad," she smiled, "I missed you,"

"You look beautiful. How's work been? And who is this lovely chap?"

"That's Ashton, who works with me, and it's been great,"

"Ashton, I'm Eddie," he smiled, holding his hand out. I had to give it to him, he looked extremely sick, but still had positivity.

"It's nice to meet you,"

"So, are you her boyfriend or just a very nice co worker who offered a lift?"

"He's...,"- "ah, it's complicated,"

She nodded, jumping as he started to cough. I squeezed her hand, shushing her.

"He's not like the last one,"

"I can tell," he said gruffly, "could you please get me some water from the canteen? I'm sorry, you just got here,"

"I'll go," Viola said, getting up. Eddie smiled and made himself comfortable again, looking at me.

"Please don't hurt her,"

"I promise, with everything I have to offer, I will never hurt her,"

"You seem so lovely, but so did the last,"

"All I can say, is she is a wonderful person. My daughter, she's adopted, she came from an awful place. Viola is one of the few people she will trust to open up to fully, and she has such a kind heart. I'm moving at her pace, but I adore her,"

"I can just feel how more relaxed she is,"

"Well, it is my job to calm down my patients," I chuckled, "how come you're in a hospital so far away?"

"The best treatment, I looked everywhere, I did. Can I... can I tell you something?"

"Yeah, as long as you want to,"

"I'm really scared that I'm not going to live much longer, not a year. We have so many special memories together, and I feel she's always been closer to me. When I leave, a part of her will too, and if she's alone then I'm scared,"

"You don't need to be scared, I promise. I will find people to talk to, and I will remind her how much you loved her. Me, Ava, my friends and family, we will all take her in,"

"All my belongings are here, including my camera. All I'm asking is that when I'm gone, you get all those photos and make something special,"

"I can't take those,"

"You can. Please, otherwise it might not get to her at all,"

I nodded and looked to the door- she'd not come back yet. Having her dad trust me with all of this already was an honour, and I suspected they'd talked in the phone. He wasn't interested in getting to know me, because he probably already did.

"I'm going to see where she is, incase she got lost,"

"Sounds like her," he smiled, "thankyou,"

"We'll be back in a moment,"

"Oh, and Ashton," he said, watching as I turned round, "she's excited about finally having a family. Growing up, she always wanted one, and had this dream of a perfect boyfriend. She wanted an older boy and a younger girl, but having you and Ava in her life as brought some of that to reality,"

"She's done a great deal for us too. You have raised her so well, and she looks up to you. So thankyou, too,"

I left the room and went towards the canteen, finding her slumped on the floor instead. A woman had stopped, but she had three children, and was clearly struggling.

"Viola," I said, "it's okay,"

I thanked the woman and pulled Viola into my side, running my fingers through her hair.

"He's so special to me,"

"I know, he seems like such an amazing dad,"

"I don't want to lose him,"

"Let's not think about that, because that's not today. He's here, so we need to laugh, and talk, and sing and dance. He's just told me how wonderful you are, and he'd hate to see you so upset,"

"But he's angry, he can't be a normal dad,"

"By the sounds of it, he just wants to see you; you adore each other. I'll get the water, you go back. I promise Viola, it'll be okay,"