PAINTS, WORDS, & LIQUORS [LASHTON AU]

seven

hello. an update. enjoy!

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I knocked on my brother's door and waited just a moment as my niece, Sarah, opened it with such enthusiasm, making me smile widely.

"Uncle Lukey!" she exclaimed as she threw herself to me and gave me a tight hug.

"Hello, Sarah," I said with a chuckle as I hugged my niece back. "Are you ready to go? Where are your mum and dad?"

Sarah pulled away from me and smiled as she said, "Well, I just have to grab my bag, and mum and dad are inside. Come on."

She took my hand and pulled me into their house and I followed my niece as she took me to the kitchen where my brother, Ben, and his wife are and cooking.

Ben looked up as Sarah and I entered the room and he beamed, walking over to me. He pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back right away. This was actually the first time since I came back that Ben and I saw each other. I hadn't really been hanging out with my brothers since I came home. I know they were busy. They're both married now. Ben has his own family to take care of and Jack and his wife are focusing on their business. I, myself, am also kind of focusing on writing my new book.

Ben's wife also went to greet me with a hug. Sarah excused herself to run upstairs and get her things. I walked over to the kitchen counter as soon as Sarah had left the room.

"You want a drink or something?" Ben asked as he opened the fridge.

"Yeah, sure," I told my brother as I sat down on the barstool by the counter.

"What do you want?"

"Anything will do."

"Then beer it is," he said with a grin as he pulled two bottles of beer out of the fridge. He opened them, then handed one to me. I took the drink with a smile as a thank you and then took a sip.

Ben sat down on the barstool next to me and said, "So, how are ya?"

"Good, how about you two? How are things? Not planning on giving Sarah a baby sibling?"

Ben's wife chuckled then went over to the counter across from me and said, "Do you think we should?"

"Well, you both are amazing parents and yeah, I think you should. I want a new nephew or niece."

"We'll think about it," she said with a smirk then headed towards the staircase saying, "I'll just go help Sarah with her stuff."

I chuckled then turned to Ben and said with a raised eyebrow, "Are you going to make the baby while Sarah is staying with me?"

Ben burst out laughing, "Oh my god, Luke."

"You are, aren't you?"

"That is not really the plan, okay? We just want to have some alone time while Sarah is with you. We haven't really done that in a while and if we are lucky enough, then why not, you know? We'd love to have another child."

"Well, you both deserve to have another child."

Ben smiled, then he said, "How about you though? I heard you're living with Ashton. You two are back together?"

I chuckled, "You know, I don't understand why that is the first thing that comes to all of your minds when you find out I am living with him. To set the record straight, no, we're not back together. I needed a place to stay and he offered me to live with him. Well, he got a huge house and he lives alone, so I don't think it's really a big deal. And we're best friends, so..."

"Not to mention, exes too."

"We're both way past that, Ben."

"There really is nothing left in there?"