Te Odio

10~ Story of Another Us

That's the story of another us
One last ditch, a new beginning

Ashton and Calum sat on the couch, cuddled up with their son and daughter. They were now 27 and 28 years old with a six-year-old surrogated son, Michael Hood and a four-year-old surrogated daughter, Joy Irwin.

Ashton had his head resting on Calum's shoulder with Michael on his lap and Joy curled up into Calum's side. Ashton looked around their house, his eyes drifting past their wedding photos from seven years prior. They got married down at the river on May third. Neither boy had a best man but they all had their family by their side.

"Time for bed, kiddos," Calum spoke, once the episode of Spongebob was over.

Michael whined and got up. Joy just yawned and wrapped her arms around Calum's large biceps. Ashton smiled and picked Michael up, resting him on his lap, Calum doing the same with Joy.

"Daddy?" Michael whispered, once Ashton had tucked him into bed.

"Yeah, bub?" Ashton replied.

"Can you tell me the story of how I got my name?"

Ashton smiled softly and glanced at Calum, before kneeling down next to Michael's bed. Joy jumped out of bed and climbed in next to Michael, eager to hear the story as well.

"Well, when I was younger, there was this boy in my class, Michael Clifford. For my entire life of primary school, we weren't friends, he was a bit mean but-"

"Does that mean I'll be mean?" Michael whispered.

"Not if you choose not to," Ashton smiled. "Anyway, one day, I was walking on the riverbank, where daddy and I got married, and I slipped and he save me. Months later, he saved me again. He passed away when he was younger but I vowed to never forget him. I know, that you'll grow up to be a brave little man as well."

Michael grinned. He was always glad to be named after Michael Clifford. In all Ashton's stories, he seemed like a really cool dude.

"I wanna grow up and be just like him!" Michael grinned.

"I'm sure you will," Ashton smiled.

"And me? How did I get my name?" Joy asked, curiously.

Calum took over, kneeling down on the other side of the bed.

"Joy was my mother's name. Your grandmother. She was always there for me throughout everything. She also passed away before you were born but I loved her very much and I love you very much." Calum smiled.

"I love you too, daddy." Joy smiled, her eyes drooping.

Calum smiled and gently picked Joy up, quietly singing a lullaby to her while putting her back in her own bed. Ashton smiled fondly at his husband. Ever since they were kids, Calum always talked about wanting a daughter.

"Night daddies." Michael yawned, closing his eyes. "Love you."

"Goodnight Mikey," Ashton whispered, kissing the top of Michael's head before doing the same to Joy.

"Night-night," Calum whispered, doing the same to both children.

Calum slowly walked backwards out the door, switching off the light once he reached the door.

"Ash," Calum whispered into the darkness. "Come on."

Ashton slowly trudged out of the room, sighing happily.

"I love them so much," Ashton sighed, wrapping his arms around Calum and resting his head on his shoulder.

"Same here," Calum agreed.

"I love you, Cal." Ashton whispered.

Calum picked Ashton up, sensing that the older boy was about to fall asleep.

"I love you more."

Calum carried Ashton back to their room and lied him on their bed. Ashton fell asleep almost immediately but Calum wandered to the bathroom instead.

He hated explaining the story to Joy. If only people knew that it was all his fault his mum died of lung cancer. He would always smoke around her.

With teary eyes, Calum glared at his reflection.

“Te odio.”