Adopted by Luke Hemmings

37

It's been a few days and tomorrow we leave for mums for a few nights for Christmas. Emma's excited to see her grandparents and uncles and aunts.

"Daddy?" Emma spoke from my door way.

"Yeah sweetpea?" I spoke as I looked up from my mentions on Twitter.

"Can I cuddle? I'm cold," she spoke softly.

I nodded and she ran and jumped in bed. I'm surprised she isn't asleep, usually rain helps her.

Oh, It's raining.

She whimpered into my chest and a struck of lightening hit. I, being the protective dad I am, tightened the grip of my arms around her.

"Shh, it's alright baby. You're okay," I assured her.

She just kept her head in my chest, like it was coming to get her.

"Baby, have you had more bad dreams?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I see the bad man sometimes," she whimpered.

The bad man is the guy that shot me and tried taking Emma. She still has bad dreams about him stalking us and him taking her again. It not only scares her, it scares me too. I don't want my daughter going through that again. I'll get shot again if I have to, he isn't going to touch her.

My phone began ringing and I see Michael calling.

"Hello?" My voice was laced in tiredness. It's 2 in the morning. I couldn't sleep.

"Luke? I'm sorry mate, I shouldn't have called."

"Hey, it's alright. What's going on?" I asked as I rose from the bed. Emma was dead asleep by now.

"I just had a bed dream man. You died and Emma got taken away. It was stupid, I'm sorry."

"No it's not. Michael, I'm perfectly okay. So is Emma. I'd let you talk to her but I just got her to sleep. The lightening was scaring her a bit."

"I didn't mean to bother you then. I don't know what's wrong with me lately."

"What do you mean?"

"I have been having these weird dreams lately. Last night I woke up and couldn't breathe. It was like my lungs were filled with water."

"Are you okay? Do I need to drive over? I don't mind, I promise."

"No, I'll be fine. I don't want you getting out with Em."

"She won't care. Just yesterday she was crying because she missed you guys. I think she's got separation anxiety. That may be what you've got too, Michael. Sometimes I get it and have weird dreams like you."

"You think? And that's sweet. We'll see each other soon. I've missed you guys too."

"Yeah mate, I think that's what you've got. Just take more rests and just stay more in contact than usual. If I have to I'll explain to Calum and Ashton. Knowing them they'll get pissy because of lack of sleep."

"True mate, true. I'll leave you alone. Thanks for the advice Luke. I'll see you soon mate."

"Alright Mikey. Love you dude."

"Love y'all too."

I hung up and sighed. I'm worried about Michael. He's never been this way before.

I made my way back to my bed and Emma wasn't there. I look in my bathroom, no sign of her.

I run to her room and see her asleep on the floor. I sighed in relief as I picked her up.

"You scared me to death princess," I whispered as she snuggled in my chest.

I laid her down and covered her up. I returned to my bed and plugged my phone into the charger. I lay down and close my eyes, listening to the rain as I drift to sleep.

~

I woke up and searched the room for my phone. I grab it and check my twitter and such before I rise from my bed.

"Daddy!" I heard Emma scream.

I rush to her room and open her door, her rising in her bed and taking a few deep breaths.

"Shit baby," I spoke as I ran to her and picked her up.

"They won't leave me alone," she cried.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry," I whispered, her tightly clinging to me.

I hope this all ends soon.