Not in the Same Way

Two

Everything is such a shit show. I race around my small apartment shoving things into my bag while simultaneously trying to get dressed and clean a bit so when I get Ava home the place won't be such a total disaster.

My travel case lies spread open in the middle of my bedroom floor, my uniform wrinkled and in desperate need of dry cleaning.

I add that to my list of a million things I need to do before I grab Ava from Cal.

If I wasn't already frazzled enough from oversleeping our phone call certainly had done me no favors.

A part of me loves Calum and always will. He gave me our daughter. Ava Kai saved me from myself and for that I will save him a place in my heart forever but he had shown his true colors when she was born and that damage seems irreparable even now.

It's better this way. Cal and I work as friends and we have proven that over the past year. For our daughters sake it's best we don't test those boundaries now.

I throw on a T-shirt dress, comfortable and easy my bets option for today, and wrap my hair into a bun.

I grab my keys and purse heading for the door. My first task for the day is grocery shopping. I try to do it without Ava when I can because it's just easier. I don't want to abuse this extra time Cal has agreed to take her so I rush through the aisles as quickly as possible before speeding home to unload.

With food for the week settled I turn my attention to dropping my dry cleaning off and hitting a drive through to grab coffee for myself as well as Calum and the boys before finally making my way to their studio.

I wave to the receptionist. It's been awhile since I've been in here—haven't had to bitch at Calum in a hot minute—but she still recognizes me.

"Knock knock." I say, opening the door to their usual space with my foot and a chorus of greetings sound through the room.

"I come bearing gifts." I trill, holding up the drink carrier before setting it on the table amongst them.

"Good to see you, Darbs." Ashton says, standing and extending his arms out for a friendly hug. The others do the same and I oblige, glad to see them for the first time in what feels like forever, though it's only been a few weeks since her first birthday party.

"Mama." Ava says, pushing herself up off the floor and toddling the few steps over to grasp my leg. I bend down and scoop her up kissing her quickly before turning to Cal.

"Everything was all good with her last night and this morning?"

"Yep, when we got here Ash handed her drumsticks and let her hit stuff she had a grand time. Gonna have to get her a bass soon, can't let Ash sway her musical talents like that." He says with a cheeky grin.

"She's barely one. I think there will be plenty of time for bass once she's mastered the basics, like speaking and walking." I laugh.

"Well she's got 'mama' and 'no' down. Still refuses to say 'dada' though, which is irritating."

"It'll all come with time." I tell him.

He just rolls his eyes and takes his coffee from the container.

"You wanna hang out a while? We're just taking a break. The girls are coming by in a bit, I know they'd love to see Ava and you." He asks and I weigh my options.

I haven't seen the girls in weeks either. I've basically receded into my apartment and only ventured out for Ava's trade offs and work.

"Um, yeah I guess we can stay for a bit." I didn't really have plans for us today besides going home and getting some chores done before work tomorrow.