Not in the Same Way

Twenty Six

The day seems to drag by. Darby agreeing to my date idea had me anxious and nervously excited. I had so much to do to prepare if I wanted to create the vision I had in my head.

I wanted tonight to be perfect.

I was fortunate that most of my plan involved things I already had around my house but I did a rush order for the few things I would need for our dinner.

I banished Darby to her room, promising that the surprises I had planned would be worth it. She had protested at first but I had agreed to simultaneously watch Ava while she rested or did whatever she cared to. The lure of true alone time had been enough to sway her.

When the backyard was nearly prepared and the food just waiting to be cooked I scooped Ava up and moved to the guest room to meet the boys online for our live chat with our fans.

I fumble with the controls for a minute not really sure what I'm doing but eventually I'm greeted with the other boys faces.

"Nice of you to join us Calum!" Ashton says with more sass than is necessary.

"Sorry...are we live yet?"

They shake their heads no.

"Darby agreed to let me take her on a date so I've been setting up for that while also watching this princess." I say, lifting Aves on to my lap.

"Aw, hi AK!" Luke waves to her and Ava frowns as she studies the computer screen.

"Her screen time is still regulated. Her cut is all scabbed up and looks a hundred time better now though." I say brushing aside her bangs so the boys can see.

"Hi Ava! Uncle Ashy misses you." Ashton coos through the screen.

Ava gets bashful and buries her head against my chest, I bend my neck to kiss the top of her head before she squirms from my lap to reach the toys I've brought in the room for her to play with while we talk.

"Alright boys I'm gonna go live now." We all nod and I sit back in my seat, watching Ava out the corner of my eye as we talk about the album and try to answer some fan questions.

"Here's one for Cal," Michael says and I lift my head. "Is your daughter feeling better?"

I smile and hold my finger up, rolling backwards and grabbing Ava from the floor again, plopping her in my lap before I roll my chair back towards the camera.

"Say hi, bubs." I say to her in my high pitched voice. I point to the boys and she gives a wide toothy grin before giving a small wave.

"Hi."

"She's still recovering and having to be careful, but I think we may try the pool again tomorrow now that her scar is all covered and her butterfly stitches have come off. She's not been fussy so we're hoping that she may not actually have a concussion or that it was minor and she's doing better now."

Ava giggles as she catches Ash trying to play peek-a-boo with her.

"Man this sucks, I just got her to start to like me and now I'm not gonna see you guys in person for who knows how long and she's gonna be back to hating me." Luke groans.

"Yeah, I've got a feeling this is gonna last longer than a few weeks." I say somberly.

Ash speaks up then trying to steer the conversation back to a more positive topic, our album.

I pull back from the screen a bit, Ava settled with her head against my shoulder, her eyes droopy. I glance down to the clock at the bottom of the screen and see it's just after two and time for her nap.