Another Life With You || sequel to IWCT

Fourteen

"Nika Joy, is that you?" Calum calls, wiping his hands on a towel before stepping away from the sink.

"Ya." Her voice responds quickly, but there is a tone to it that makes Calum curious. Wandering around the corner into the front room to see the most surprising person slipping off her shoes beside Nika.

"Skye?"

"Hi." She looks up, smiling sheepishly at him.

"Where did you go, Nika? I thought KayKay took you to a girls dinner?" Calum smirks at his daughter.

"Well I might have lied." Nika smiles nervously, "She might have taken me to find Skye."

"She showed up at my daycare, apparently you have been sad and she doesn't like that." Skye explains with a slight hesitancy.

"You went to talk to Skye?" Cal cocks an eyebrow at his daughter, not sure if he should be mad or grateful.

"I am trying to trust you..." Nika nods.

"She didn't tell me she hates me don't worry. In fact, she is the reason I'm even here." Skye cuts in, "Don't be mad she lied to you, she did it because she loves you so much."

"Sort of how you lied to me about Skye 'cause you love me so much." Nika adds.

"Alright, you might get a pass on this one." Calum chuckles, "It's really good to see you again, Skye."

"You're lucky your daughter is cute and convincing." Skye laughs, "Because you definitely have some explaining to do."

"I think instead of explaining one at a time, maybe the three of us should have a discussion and all talk through all of the issues. Can we do that?" Calum asks, his eyes moving from Skye to Nika and back.

"I think that would be a very good idea." Skye nods.

"Patio sofa?" Nika grins.

"The best place to talk at night." Calum nods, offering his hands out to them, each taking one. He leads both out through the kitchen, rounding the pool to the patio space.

"It all looks the same." Skye smiles, looking around the yard.

"It is the same house." Calum chuckles falling into the couch, "And I like what is a constant to stay a constant in our lives, since things are crazy for us usually."

Skye laughs a little bit before a heavy silence falls between the three of them. No one quite sure how to start the conversation that needs to be had.

"Um, I'm sorry I got too caught up in the drama around everyone else's opinions on us to focus on us." Calum speaks up after a minute, his eyes turning to Skye.

"I do believe I warned you that would happen." Skye smirks slightly, "But I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have ignored you when you did start trying. That was childish of me."

"But not all bad, you shutting me out finally got this Punk Princess to realize she was acting like a brat about things." Cal turns to Nika.

"I had a reason to be angry." Nika pouts.

"Yes you did, Nika, and I am very sorry for making you nervous about me. I never intended to hurt you. After our conversation at the daycare earlier do you feel any better about me being around?" Skye leans over to make sure she can have full eye contact with Nika.

"Some, I'm still nervous, but I think I'm okay if you are around. Just don't hurt us again, okay?"

"I would never hurt my two favorite people like that again. I know what it's like to lose the Hood's and I never want my life to exist without you two again." Skye smiles, reaching over to squeeze Nika's knee softly.

"I never want this family to hate you again either." Calum smiles, pulling Skye under his arm, "Things have been off but that's my fault for not owning up to my feelings. For being too afraid to cause a stir with anyone else to show off the woman I have been in love with for five years. And I am sorry about that, Skye. I'm ready to tell anyone and everyone that you're mine again and I'm happy about it."

"Maybe not everyone yet. Let's keep the fans on your good side until after the album is out and charted." Skye chuckles.

"Well, everyone else. I don't care what they have to say, the band, the girls, my family, I want them to see how happy I am and not how afraid I am of their opinions. It's been too much trying to fight them. I'm done. I'm going to let myself be happy with you." He smiles, leaning his head against hers.

"And I promise I'm not going anywhere. I won't be abandoning either of you again." Skye smiles, reaching across Cal to take Nika's hand.

"And I'll try to get more comfortable and not be so mean about all of this." Nika smiles, cuddling into her dad's other side.

"I bet if we all work together, and help each other. We can make it all happen." Skye smiles.

"I know we will. Thanks, Nika, for trying so hard for me. It means a lot princess." Calum sighs, content to have both his favorite girls with him.

"I have an idea." Nika grins suddenly.

"And what is that idea, Nika Joy?"

"Can we have a movie night? We haven't watched Moana in a long time." She giggles.

"I think I still remember where the popcorn and M&M's are located." Skye grins.

"Yes! I'm getting my pajamas!" Nika jumps up, running for the house. Calum chuckles as he watched her go.

"You have a special kid, Cal. I hope you know that." Skye smiles, tuning to him.

"I do. And I am sorry, Skye, you were right about all of it."

"It's gonna be okay, Cal, we will make it. I know it." She smiles softly.

"I'll fight through anything to keep you around for a long time, Skye Daniels, you aren't getting rid of me again."

"I hope so. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

"I missed you a lot, Skye, that promo trip was exhausting."

"You're home now. And things are going to be alright."

"They better be." He chuckles softly, tipping her chin until his lips can meet hers, savoring the butterfly feeling that ignites in his lungs.

"I missed you a lot too." Skye mumbles against his lips.

"Come on, I call cuddling with you for movie night." Cal grins, pulling her off the sofa.

"I think I can allow that. Can I maybe borrow some comfier clothes too?"

"That for sure can happen." He grins, pulling her by the hand back into the kitchen.

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So Nika seems to be getting on board. What's the catch?

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I love you guys!!!

~M =)