Not in the Same Way

One

2 years later

"Hey Aves!" I greet as I step into the little girl's room in my home.

She is already up, bright eyed and ready to play, her arms already reaching up for me as she holds herself up against the railing of her crib. I overslept and her mum is supposed to be here any minute now.

I reach over the bars, my hands cradling her as I lift her from her spot and rest her against my hip.

"Morning bubs." I say, pulling her close and kissing her forehead, as she cuddles against me her dark curls resembling a birds nest on top of her head.

Her hands wrap tightly around my neck as she clings to me while I carry her downstairs to my living room.

"You want some breakfast?" I ask her, pulling my head back so I can see her face. She nods her head yes and I take a detour to the kitchen putting her in her high chair while I search the cupboard for the Cheerios.

I find them and pour a serving for her on to the table of her high chair letting her get started with those while I cut up a banana for her.

My phone buzzes on the counter and I place the banana pieces on her tray before grabbing it.
Ash is calling me. Damn. I thought it would be Darby.

"Yeah, mate?" I answer.

"Hey, you need a ride to practice?" He asks.

"Um, no. I'll drive myself. I'm just waiting on Darbs to drop by and get Ava. If she doesn't show in the next five minutes I'll just bring her with me." I say.

"She's late? That's not like her." Ash comments and I frown slightly because he's right. Being late isn't like her.

"Yeah, I dunno. I'm sure she'll turn up soon. She hates being late." I mumble, nervous for her now that Ashton has voiced his concern.

"Okay, I'll let you go. Tell Aves that Uncle Ash loves her."

"I will mate, bye."

I end the call and turn back towards my daughter just in time to watch her throw a banana off her tray. Her gaze snaps up to my face and she makes an exaggerated shocked face when she discovers she has been caught.

"Uh-oh." She giggles, her baby teeth on full display as she rolls with laughter.

"Is that funny? Do you think it's funny to make a mess?" I ask her, my voice distorted into the baby one I use for her.

I lift her out of her chair, only a few forgotten pieces of fruit left in front of her and blow raspberries against her belly as she squeals.

"Your mum was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago." I say frowning, checking my phone which still holds no notifications from her. "Let's call her."

I set Ava on the island and lean against it, she bats her hands at my face in an attempt to mess up my hair.

"Aves..." I groan, removing her fingers from my hair and ending her fun of messing it up. She pouts but immediately changes her task to tracing the tattoos on my arm.

I press Darby's contact on my phone screen and set it on the counter the speaker mode on.

Ava giggles as I snatch my arm away from her dramatically like she's hurt me.

"Are you laughing? You think it's funny to hurt daddy?" I hold in a snort.

The ringing stops from my phone and I hear a grumbled "hello?"

"Darbs?"

"Cal....Calum! Fuck, what time is it?" She asks. I can hear the distress in her voice.

"Shit, Cal I'm so sorry. I got in so late last night, our flight got delayed."

"Darbs-" I say trying to slow her down.

"I'll throw some clothes on and be right over to get her." She rushes out, ignoring my attempts to garner her attention.

"Darbs, slow down and take some breaths. I've already fed her, I'll get her dressed and take her to the studio with me. We're just getting in a practice and hanging out, finishing some stuff before our singles drops, it's no big deal. The guys haven't seen her in ages. Go back to sleep, run some errands, whatever. Come get her when you're ready."

"Cal, I know you're busy...are you sure?"

"It's fine, Darbs. I promise. She's my responsibility too and I can't even count the number of times you've done the same for me." I say softly. It's true, Darby has saved my ass more times than I care to remember.

"It's different though, your schedule is so unpredictable."

"It's not. We're both her parents, Darby. I haven't always been a very good one. Take some time for yourself, sounds like you could use it, then come by the studio and get her. Maybe we could do dinner or something." I say hesitantly.

I hear her sigh loud and clear through the phone speaker and any hope I had fades.

"Yeah, ok..." I say, saving her the effort of telling me what I already know. She doesn't want to blur the lines of our friendship. She doesn't want to confuse Ava. Which is really all just a cover for the simple fact that she doesn't want me. "Just text me when you get to the studio and I'll bring her out okay?"

"Yeah. Bye Cal." She says, quickly ending the call.

I hang my head and let out a deep sigh. My frown is quickly replaced when I feel two small hands tugging at my hair trying to gain my attention.

"Least Daddy has you. Ain't that right Ava Kai?"

She squeals and claps, reaching out for me and I quickly appease her by taking her in my arms.

"Come on bubs, lets get you dressed. We're gonna go see your uncles."

Her hand grips tightly to my t-shirt as I carry her upstairs to hunt up an outfit for her.

I put her in a pair of leggings and a 5sos shirt. What better promo could there possibly be than my cute as fuck kid.

She fusses as I slide her baby Vans on and I tsk her.

"Come on. You like these better than the frilly ones mum puts on you, yeah?" I ask her hopefully.

"No." She responds and I roll my eyes. She only has a few words down but that one clearly seems to be mastered.

"Wow, Aves. Just rip my heart out why don't you."

I grab her up, tossing her slightly as I grab her and her small bag of things she transfers between my house and Darby's before heading downstairs.

I grab her sippy cup of juice from the fridge and my keys off the counter before exiting the house to the garage. Once Ava is settled into her car seat and entertained with her tablet for the drive, I open the door and back my car out.

Never thought I'd let a little girl wrap me around her finger like this but being her Dad, or at least the version of a dad I've been for the past year, is the thing I'm most proud of. I try to block out my part of the first few months of her life as often as possible.

I was a dick. It really is no wonder my behavior ruined my chances with Darby. Here I am a year later still regretting the decisions made then.

An: dad cal is back and better than ever

This one is gonna be good folks 🖤

Any thoughts/predictions yet?

Ily
Sav🖤