If Walls Could Talk

Twenty-Six

"Are you sure you're going to be okay without me?" Skye asks as Calum pulls the car into the airport drop off lane.

"Relax, Skye. Nika and I are going to be just fine without you for a few days."

"It's just... there's so much going on with the whole Nika thing. All the fans online and stuff, I don't want to leave if you're going to need me."

"I haven't even looked, Skye. I just, I don't want to know what they have said, what is being said... I just want to let it not be real to me for a few more days. I just... I can't."

"Hey. It's okay, Calum. You don't have to get on Twitter or any other social media until you're ready."

"I don't plan to for a while, maybe when you come back. But please, please don't worry about me, Skye. Focus on being home and enjoying the time with your family."

"Have I said thank you enough, Calum, for making this possible for me? There is literally nothing better you could have ever given me than this gift."

"Stop gushing, babe. It really wasn't much for me, and I wanted to do something good for you. Enjoy every minute of it. And maybe remember to call me once or twice okay?"

"I won't forgot to call you, I promise." She nods as he pulls into a spot along the curb.

"Seriously, enjoy the week at home. And use my money if you need anything, I won't be mad. Also try and relax a bit, Nika and I will be enjoying a little daddy daughter time while you're gone."

"Enjoy it. Before she is all grown up."

"I plan to." He smiles, putting the car in park, "have the best time, love."

"I will do my best to. I cannot wait to surprise almost everyone."

"I'm happy to help with that." He leans across the console, pulling her close until he can kiss her lips gently a few times, letting his lips linger against hers for a long moment before pulling away. "Seriously, Skye, have an amazing week. But not quite amazing enough to stop you from coming back to me."

"I need you, and I want to come back to you, Calum. I promise. I'll see you in a week. Tell Nika I love her and I'll see her soon too."

"I should have woken her up, so she could come with me to drop you off."

"She should get her sleep, don't worry about it. I'll FaceTime you and her sometime this week."

"She'll like that."

"I will too. I love that little punk princess so much."

"One of my favorite things about you is how much you unconditionally love my baby girl." He rests his head against the seat, smiling softly as he brushes a finger across her cheek.

"She's the best kid I've ever nannied."

"High praise. Alright, one more kiss, then get on your adventure home." He sighs, leaning across the console again to kiss her hard.

"See you in just over a week. And thank you again." She smiles, squeezing his hand softly before exiting the car.

The flight to Salt Lake only takes about and hour and a half, Skye getting more and more excited the closer they get. No one knows she's coming except one aunt who'd she'd recruited to pick her up from the airport and help her surprised her mom.

Immediately as she steps off the plane she shivers, the cool air of April in Utah a stark contrast to California's almost constant warmth. Stopping in the terminal waiting area she digs her hoodie out of her carry on and pulls it over her head. Her phone dinging on the armrest beside her as she does.