Back for You // a.m.

Chapter 1

It's been two years since Austin left me for his music career. I never even knew he had a fucking YouTube account! I thought we told each other everything. But I also thought that we loved each other so I guess I shouldn't just assume things.

It's hard to forget about him. First, I live in his house with his mother. Second, I have to sleep in his room because there's no guest room (except for the one Ashlee sleeps in). Third, there's literally pictures of him everywhere and his mom refuses to take them down because he's still her son. And last, Ashlee looks exactly like him. Seriously, she doesn't have any of my features. It's like looking at the baby girl version of Austin.

"Mommy, can I have some cheeses? Pwease?" My daughter interrupted my thoughts of Austin. I sighed and sat up, putting my daughter on my lap.

"Sorry Hun, supper's soon and you might spoil your appetite."

"But mommyyyy. I want cheeses NOW." I'm pretty sure she would stomp her feet if she wasn't on my lap.

I shook my head, "No, but you can have cheeses after supper. Okay?" She looked up at me and pouted, enlarging her eyes.

"Well can I have some cookies?"

"No Hun, go watch some Dora."

"Okay mommy, love ya."

"Love you too."

Sometimes I wish Austin was here with Ashlee and I. When my dad left Austin was the only thing I had left. My mom was never home and my older brother Justin left with our dad so I was always on my own, all day everyday. When I heard Austin was Dating Becky G. I cried because he could be here with his daughter and me but he's not. But he doesn't really know about Ashlee's existence so I guess that's better. Except that he still knows that he ditched me for all the fame.

"Lauren! Supper is ready!" Michele yelled out.

I ran downstairs and Ashlee already had her face stuffed with Kraft Dinner.

"Have you heard from Austin lately?" I whispered quietly to Michele. She nodded and placed two more bowls of Kraft Dinner on the table.

"Yea I did. He's coming home soon so do you want to find another place to stay?"

"No, I want to meet up with him and see his face again. Honestly, I've missed him."

"I think we should tell Ashlee about Austin." I looked at Michele like she was insane. Maybe she is?

"I don't think I'm ready to tell her that her father is coming home and she's gonna meet him. She doesn't even know what a dad is, she still thinks she was born by one of those messenger birds from Dumbo."

"Well who's fault is it for telling her that?" I shrugged but it was obvious it was me. "And if you don't want to tell her that she has a dad, then ok. But even you know what it's like growing up without one. Do you want her to grow up like that too?"

"Uh..."

"She's gonna have to find out about him and meet him sometime. That or you get a new boyfriend and get married as soon as you can." She strolled over to Ashlee and cleaned her face with a napkin. I sighed and sat down, picking at my Kraft Dinner. Maybe Michele was right, Ashlee deserves to know that she has a dad (or what a dad is at the least). But if I tell her about Austin and they meet, what happens when he has to leave again? I'm not letting her go with him, that's one thing that's certain. I don't think I could ever part with her, she's my only child (thank god). But if he finds out about her will he try to get custody? I shivered when I thought about him taking Ashlee away from me and I think I've made up my mind.

Ashlee doesn't need a dad, and neither did I.