𝐕𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐒 ━ DONAH AU ✓

45

IT took weeks for Jonah to convince Zach and Corbyn to cooperate. They were all afraid. As soon as the truth comes out, one of them was going to have to step up.

On Riley's release day, they all came into the hospital for a blood test after finding out that that was the most reliable test. In two days, Daniel would finally know.

One by one they went in. Daniel stood there and watched like a hawk. These boys have played him before and he didn't want to be part of any more of their games.

"I'm going to pick up Riley." Daniel to turned Jonah. "I'm coming too." He said, knowing that Zach and Corbyn would figure out a way back home and Jack will wait.

Jane helped Daniel and Jonah with everything they needed to know about being new parents. Once Riley had passed all her tests, she was ready to get home.

Jonah held her in her car seat while Daniel only worried about his stitches. Jack was there downstairs to get them home.

Jonah, already being the protective father he is, made sure that both Daniel and Riley made it to their room safely. He didn't want to bother Daniel, so all he did was tuck Riley into her crib and leave.

Daniel fell back onto his bed with a sigh. He was feeling so suffocated lately. The new parent hadn't been out in weeks. It's all been nothing but worry and overthinking.

He glanced over at Riley peacefully asleep. Daniel was confused to feel depressed when he looked at her. Maybe it was because every time he looks at her he sees a product of that night.

He hated himself for it. But it was the truth. Riley was the glue that held Daniel to those four boys, even though it wasn't his choice to be there.

After a lot of thinking, Daniel had somehow fallen asleep. He woke up to the sound of crying. Startled, he got up quickly to check on Riley.

He scooped her up in his arms tiredly. "Shhh... it's okay." He whispered. Daniel walked over to his phone to check the time. He was surprised to see that it was 1 am.

How long was I asleep for? He thought. Daniel returned his focus back to Riley. He scanned the room for her diaper bag that they had brought home from the hospital, only to see that next to it were newly made bottles.

Daniel paused. He knew that Jonah did that for him. Jonah was helping even though he knew he wasn't wanted. Daniel didn't know how to feel about Jonah being a good father to Riley.

He held the bottle up to her lips and tried to feed her, but Riley would not accept it. "Not hungry?" Daniel asked in confusion. The little girl continued to whimper.

Daniel sighed, setting her down on the bed before beginning to change her. And even after that she was still fussy. "Oh god..." Daniel was slowly losing it.

He picked her back up and patted her back in comfort, but even that didn't help. "What do you want baby?" Daniel whined. Turns out parenthood was harder than it looks.

For another twenty minutes, Riley continued to cry. Daniel was ready to cry with her. "Please just shhh!" He walked around his room aimlessly.

"You're gonna wake up the whole house and Zach already despises me!" He cried out. "Daniel?" Jonah poked his head in. Daniel looked over quickly, a hysteric look on his face.

"Why is she crying?" Jonah questioned. "I don't know! She's been like this for thirty minutes. I'm going insane!" Daniel exclaimed.

"Here, give her to me." Jonah came over. "No," Daniel turned to face him. "I don't need your help." He declined the offer.

"Daniel," Jonah spoke, "you're clearly tired. Just let me help you out. This is why you're staying here." Jonah reasoned with him. "I'm... I'm her father too."

Daniel let out a breath before he hesitantly handed Riley over. On cue, Riley stopped crying in Jonah's arms. "What—" Daniel asked in shock.

"Just get some rest, I got her." Jonah assured. Daniel huffed before he plopped down on his bed. He stared at Jonah as he continued to walk around with Riley which made Daniel sleepy too.

By the time that Riley had fallen asleep, Jonah noticed that Daniel had too. Jonah set his daughter down peacefully before he looked over at the boy that his heart was aching for.

Jonah wished that he could lay beside Daniel. He just wanted them to be a perfect little family like he had imagined. But everything just had to fall apart.

"Forgive me already..." Jonah whispered, speaking to himself. "My heart aches more and more everyday. All I want is to be with you. I... I love you." And with that he walked out, not knowing that Daniel hadn't fallen asleep just quite yet.

Senior year starts after tomorrow and idk how to feel 🤷🏻‍♀️

-dolanschonce