Life As We Know It

Chapter 14

RILEY'S POV

I wake up with Del sprawled out on top of me. Her hair is all messed up and its adorable. She stirs in her sleep awhile and then stays perfectly still with average paced breathing.

Reminds me of Lu--

Stop referring to him Riley, I say to myself quietly.

Even if I did forgive him I'm definitely moving on. Our relationship will just be acquaintances for the sake of our daughter.

I carefully and quietly get out of Del's death grip and step onto the floor, only to hear a sudden "ow!"

I look down to see Luke clutching his nose, obviously half awake. He almost made me go into cardiac arrest at the rate my heartbeat was going. He looks up at me sheepishly and doesn't dare to speak.

"Luke? Didn't you go home last night? Why are you here?" I ask while rubbing my head.

"Well uh Del had asked me to stay, and I didn't want to let her down, again" he mumbles.

"Oh well uh thanks" I say politely.

"Riley if I may ask, does she prefer pink or purple?" He asks, looking back up at me.

"Neither actually" I say chuckling to myself.

"I LIKE GREEN" Del screams, obviously awake.

"Shh shh" Luke and I say in unison.

Thats when a cell phone goes off, and it surely wasn't mine. Luke pulls out his cell phone and looks at the caller id.

I happen to get a glimpse of it and it says:

My Everything💍

Something about that caller id made my stomach feel weird, and no not good weird. Both curiosity and jealousy flow through my veins.

Jealousy? What the heck? Riley you idiot let it go.

He picks it up and steps into the hallway. He stands literally right outside the door and speaks loudly.

As if he wanted me to hear his conversation.

"Good morning beautiful" He says boldly.

"Mhmm, well I love you too and I'll be coming home in a while so start stretching" he chuckles.

Disgusting, is all I could think of. And to think I loved this jerk. Here he is sending sexual jokes to his fake boobed fiancé, with the intention of me hearing every single word.

"Mommy, why doesn't daddy call you beautiful?" Del whispers.

"Hmm?" I ask lazily.

"Uncle Mikey says that you call someone nice names when you love them and care for them. But daddy doesn't call you nice names mommy. Doesn't he love you?" She whispers with a slight frown.

That's when Luke walks in, and I hadn't realized his sexual conversation had ended.

"What'd you say Del?" Luke asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

"You don't call mommy beautiful, don't you love her daddy?" Del asks, while sitting up.

"You're beautiful Del" he states, obviously avoiding the question.

"I didn't ask for you to call me beautiful daddy, I asked if you love mommy" Del says, obviously irritated.

"I think I should go" Luke states and walks out.

I just stand there speechless. I don't know if I should be happy or offended. I look back at Del with tears in her eyes. I gently wipe them away.

"Aren't you sad mommy? Daddy doesn't love us" she says while sobbing.

I cradle her in my arms and gently stroke her hair.

"Of course your daddy loves you" I whisper in her ear.

"But he didn't say that he loved you mommy, aren't you sad?" She asks while still crying.

"Baby I'm not sad, I'm happy for your daddy. He loves Veronica remember? We must be happy for daddy and not sad." I say gently.

"Does he love her more than us?" She asks while cuddling more into my chest.

"That's up to him baby, but he definitely loves you." I mumble.

"Do you love daddy?" She asks softly.

"Why don't we go have breakfast I'm quite hungry." I say perkily.

She gives me a look of confusion, obviously realizing that I had dodged her question. She gives in and we head downstairs.

Only to find Veronica and Luke kissing on top of the kitchen counter. Del's grip on my hand tightens and she hides behind me, obviously both afraid and confused at the same time.

"I hate to break up this little love fest, but this is my house and I have a child so I'd appreciate it if you'd keep it PG or just leave." I say sternly.

They instantly stop and Veronica's face is flustered. She flattens down her very short skirt and hops off the counter.

"I'm sorry Ry, this is not the impression I meant to give to both you and your daughter." She giggles.

Here's the thing though, not one part of her "apology" did I find funny or believable. I give her a fake smile and walk to the refrigerator with Del still tightly clutching my hand.

I take out some cubed fruit and two bowls, with a plastic fork, and regular fork. Both Luke and Veronica watch me intently. I place the fruit evenly in the bowls only to find Del completely gone from behind me.

She then comes running back with her mouth wet. She has that proud smile plastered on her face.

"I brushed my teeth all by myself mommy" she squeals.

Out of the corner of my eye Luke's still watching me and Veronica is picking at her nails.

I give her a kiss on her forehead and congratulate her. She climbs onto the seat and begins eating her fruit.

I follow her actions, with Luke still staring. I act as if I didn't realize.

Now would be a good time to leave, I think to myself.

Del and I have a quiet and miniature conversation about her upcoming birthday party.

"I want green everything" she says excitedly.

"Okay honey, a green cake too?" I ask while biting into a strawberry.

"YES" she says as she bites into a fat grape.

I chuckle lightly only to hear the front door open and Ashton, Calum, and Mikey enter the kitchen.

"UNCLE MIKEY!" Del shrieks as she runs STRAIGHT to Mikey.

He picks her up and twirls her around, and begins to kiss her face causing her to squeal.

Both Calum and Ashton look as if she just offended their nationality or something. Well, that is until she hugs them both.

"So Riley we're still on for tonight right?" Mikey asks.

"Where are you going?" Luke asks. I totally forgot he was still here.

"Oh uh the guys and I including Del and Ry are going to the movies." Mikey says awkwardly.

"Oh." Luke responds.

As if his heart had been crushed.