The Holiday That Changed My Life

Part One Hundred and Fifteen

Astons P.O.V.

Me and the boys had just finished all of the press interviews on the red carpet and now we were stood right in the middle with lights flashing in our faces left right and centre as each one of them took our picture.

I took a quick look to my right and saw Luce stood with the girls whilst they waited for us to be finished so that we could head inside. I was so happy that Luce was here with me tonight and I'm able to share this with my soon-to-be wife. I've never really wanted to take her to anything as high profile as this, it's not that I didn't want her to come, it's more like I didn't want cameras all in her face and digging into her personal life and I get that she's having some of that now with her line, but I know the extent that it'll probably get to after tonight and I wanted to keep her out of that for as long as possible.

Thinking about Luce and the fact that she's here tonight, plastered a genuine smile on my face for the pictures rather than the put on one. But I was soon brought out of my bubble when I heard Chloe call me over. I took a quick look back at the girls and Luce wasn't there.

"I'm done here Marv, I need to go find Luce," I muttered into Marvins ear as he nodded and patted my back, signalling that I was okay to leave. And as I jogged over to the girls, I looked back at the boys and they were coming this way so I think they'd had enough pictures too. "Chlo where is she?"

"She ran off that way in tears, I dunno what's gone on but she couldn't even speak she was that upset." Chloe explained as JB stood next to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Wha-Well why didn't anyone go after her?" I stressed, resting my hand behind my neck.

"We didn't have time, by the time we'd turned around she was gone."

"I'll find her." I sighed before heading into the building. "Steve, have you seen Luce?" I asked as I spotted him walking down the corridor in front of me.

"She's in your dressing room, is everything okay?" Steve asked, but ignored him as I ran the other way to our dressing room.

I pushed my way into the room, saying a quick hello to the dancers before noticing Luce sat on her own in the corner with her head in her hands.

"Luce what the hell's going on?" I asked, moving her clutch and sitting down beside her on the sofa.

"It's my," was all she managed to say before she burst into tears again.

"Come here, it's okay." I said quietly, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her into my chest where I wrapped both of my arms around her. "Are you gonna tell me what's happened?" I asked after listening to Luce cry for a good five minutes.

"It's my dad." She sniffed as she sat up and I took her hand in mine.

"What about him? He's okay isn't he?"

"He had a heart attack this morning."

"What? Babe why didn't you say? You could've been at the hospital, not here." I frowned as she shook her head.

"Rachel told me that I shouldn't go down and I should come here and enjoy myself."

"So what's happening now?" I asked, using my free hand to rub it up and down her arm.

"He was put on life support about three hours ago but they don't think he's gonna make it through the night." Luce managed to say before the tears started again.

"Shit," I whispered as she rested her head on my shoulder. "Babe you shouldn't be here, you should be with your dad."

"You want me here."

"But your dad needs you more than me right now. Come on, I'll call you a taxi," I said as I dug my phone out of my pocket before Luce took it off me. "Babe!"

"I said I'd be here with you tonight, I'm not going anywhere."

"Luce I'm not arguing with you, you're going to the hospital."

"No! I-"

"I don't care, you're going to see your dad, you're not staying here."

"Are you sure?" Luce asked with a whisper as I squeezed her hand tight.

"I'm positive. You go and be with your dad, I'll come up when I'm done here." I told her, using my other hand to wipe away a fallen tear.

"I'm sorry Ast, I promised I'd be he-"

"Family's more important babe," I smiled before kissing her forehead. "I'll go call you a taxi."

I left Luce in the comfort of my band mates and their partners whilst I went outside and called a taxi for Luce to take her to the hospital. I was a little gutted she's not going to be able to stick around for the actual awards but if these are the last hours that her dad has left, then I want her to be there. Like I said, family's more important.