𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫. [𝐥𝐫𝐡]

chapter twenty six: "her eyes."

[luke hemmings]

when i wake up the next morning, i am far from well-rested.

louis had been up until way past 2am due to his candy-induced rampage. calum and michael had left soon after i got home, leaving me to deal with the consequences of their irresponsible actions by myself.

calum had insisted that his girlfriend needed him to help her put up a picture, claiming that it was 'urgent' and if he didn't go over, she 'could die'. michael didn't even bother giving an excuse, he just ran straight out of the door when he had the opportunity.

louis was loud all night, not once giving me a moment of peace. but i guess that's what you sign up for when you have children.

"daddy," he whines, leaning his head down onto the breakfast bar as he watched me pour his cereal, "can we please see mommy today? i haven't seen her in ages."

neither of us are in fit condition to see carmen. last night, i barely slept at all, and louis still has bits of popcorn stuck to his face.

"i think mommy is busy today, lou," i hand him the bowl of multi-colored cereal, "but we can go to the park, if you'd like?"

his face brightens almost immediately at my words. his posture straightens and a huge grin takes over his once-blank expression.

"really, daddy?"

"if you eat your cereal fast enough... then we might even be able to have a picnic there."

it would give me the perfect opportunity to tell louis about me and cammie officially becoming a couple.

"c-can you cut the sandwiches into triangles, please? that's my favorite shape."

"of course, lou." i smile softly, "go wash the popcorn off your face and change out of your pjs, then we can walk down."

-

"can i please go on the swings, daddy?" louis pleads, "please, please, please?"

i chuckle lightly, nodding my head in confirmation. i watch carefully as he runs across the freshly-cut grass towards the play area, the smile not once leaving his face.

louis has always loved the park, it was one of the first places i brought him when he was a baby. over the years, it's become some sort of safe space for us. whenever things at home get tough, i always bring him here to talk it out.

he always insists on coming here for his birthday, for some reason. he can go anywhere (within reason) that he wants to, yet he always chooses a picnic in the park over anything. i guess it's just special to him.

he giggles happily as he swing backwards and forwards on the brightly-colored swing set. other kids are playing around him but he pays them no attention, stuck in his own happy little world.

fully focused on my son, i don't notice the woman coming up behind me. my attention is fixed on louis until she calls my name, surprising me.

"luke?"

my eyes widened as i take in her appearance, the memories flooding back to me at a rapid pace. she looks almost exactly the same as she did the last time i saw her, yet somehow vaguely different at the same time.

her long, dark hair is pushed over one shoulder, held back from her eyes by a silver clip. her blue eyes shine with happiness and excitement, the opposite of what they held last time we were together. her style has definitely changed a lot. the brightly colored clothes she used to wear have been replaced with dark, almost grunge-style clothing.