MISSING YOU; Bradley Simpson

18.

EVELYN

I yawn, turning on my back. I realize the space next to me is empty and I open my eyes, looking around the room. Once I spot Brad sitting next to Faith's crib, I smile and sit up.

"Did I wake you?" Brad looks at me with concern.

"With what?" I furrow my eyebrows, my voice hoarse from sleeping.

"With talking to Faith," he chuckles.

"No," I shake my head. "Good morning," I pick up Faith and snuggle her.

"Good morning," she says back, a big smile on her face. It's still weird to hear her talk from time to time, but her voice is the cutest I've ever heard. She rests her head on my shoulder, wrapping her tiny arms around my neck.

"Breakfast?" Brad stands up.

I nod my head, walking out of the room with our daughter clinging to my neck. Brad follows me downstairs and into the kitchen. Only Lucy and Ashley are sitting at the big table in the middle of the room, eating their breakfast.

"Morning," they both greet us. Brad and I smile at them and I let him take Faith and sit down at the table while I put eggs and toasts on two plates. I search through the fridge, finding some yoghurt that has no name on it – everyone who brought their own food put their name on it, so no one will eat it – and pour the content of the plastic cup in a bowl.

I walk over to the table, sitting next to Brad and handing him a plate. I try to figure out how to feed Faith – because if I let her eat alone, she'll just play with the food – and myself too.

"I'll feed her," Ashley suggests. Brad looks surprised by the girl's sudden offer.

"Thanks," I let her place my daughter on her lap, taking the yoghurt away from me and slowly feeding her. Faith seems to enjoy Ashley's company, so I start eating with a smile on my face. I turn my head to look at Brad, who watches Ashley and Faith interract with surprise. "What?" I chuckle.

"Hm?" he hums, looking at me.

"Why are you staring at them like that?" I giggle.

"It's just... Ashley never liked kids," he shrugs. "It's weird seeing her this affectionate with one."

"Maybe she finally grew up," I whisper.

"I heard that," Ashley playfully glares at me and we start laughing.

"Gotta say, Brad, never thought you'd make a cute kid like Faith," Lucy speaks up, teasing Brad.

"Shut up," the boy next to me rolls his eyes playfully and continues eating.

Lucy and I chuckle and eat too. I listen to Ashley talk to Faith, asking her a few questions. It really is weird seeing her interract with a toddler, especially that she's mine and Brad's. The girl hated my guts back when Brad and I started talking. Even when we were just friends, she sent me death glares across a room. But now, she's feeding our child like she never once thought about killing me for taking Brad away from her.

"What the–?" a surprised voice comes from the kitchen's entrance. We all look up and see Tristan look at Ashley in surprise. He clearly just woke up and this image is too much for him.