Daisy (lashton)

Chapter 37

After a night full of planning a princess tea party themed birthday, and bending Ashton over the sofa at least twice, to say Luke was displeased to be awoken by a screaming toddler would be an absolute understatement.

"Sorry lovebirds," Cal laughed as Luke was jolted awake from the weight of Daisy's body jumping on him, "Dais had some bad dreams last night and when she woke up insisted on coming home."

As much as Luke wanted to feel bad for the young girl, he couldn't as he glanced over at the alarm clock to see that it was quarter after seven. If he was back at his apartment he'd be sleeping in for another six hours.

"Oh baby, I'm sorry you had another nightmare." Ashton cooed as he gathered the little girl up in his arms and began rocking her. It was like second nature for him, and Luke couldn't help but melt at the sight of Ashton humming and brushing curly ringlets out of her eyes as she snuggled into his chest.

"How did you get in?" Luke groaned as he rubbed his stomach where Daisy had jumped. Her knee had jabbed right into his liver.

Calum scoffed, holding up his keys. "Best friend and go to babysitter perks, duh."

"Thanks again for watching her, Cal. Daisy, what do you say?" Ashton was still rocking her gently, and Daisy's little face popped up from where it had been hiding in the crook of Ashton's neck.

"Thank you, Uncle Cally!"

Calum smiled and reached out to ruffle her curls. "Anytime, kiddo. Happy to help your dad get laid."

"Calum! Shut up!" Ashton's cheeks were burning bright red and Luke couldn't help but chuckle alongside Calum.

"I mean, he's not wrong- ooft!" Luke whined as Ashton had reached out and blindly whacked him in the chest.

"C'mon Dais, let's get you a cup of apple juice, and then we can watch Scooby-Doo." Ashton made to climb out of bed, but Daisy pouted.

"Want Lukey to watch with me." She reached out and wrapped her little arm around Luke's much bigger one, pulling herself so that she was out of Ashton's grasp and laying against Luke's shoulder.

Ashton simply smiled, rolling his eyes. "Okay Pumpkin, hold tight, I'll go get your cup and we can watch in Daddy's room, okay?"

"That means I can't go back to sleep?" Luke groaned as Daisy made herself comfortable in his lap and Ashton shook his head before leaving for the kitchen. He was only teasing... kind of. Sure a few more hours of shut-eye would have been ideal, but he could do without if it meant making Ashton happy.

Luke pulled himself up so that he was laying with his back against the headboard, Daisy resting comfortably in his lap. How the girl managed to fall asleep already was beyond him, but when he glanced down she was sound asleep with her mouth wide open and drool beginning to pool on Luke's shoulder.

"Enjoy it while it lasts," Calum sighed as he leaned back against Ashton's dresser, "before you know it she'll be awake again and begging to watch Frozen for the millionth time. Be lucky there's only one of her."

Luke chuckled, letting his hand run soothingly across the young girl's back.

"You're a natural with her," Calum said as he watched the girl snuggle further into Luke's neck. "It took me months to warm up to Mallory's girls... but then again they were still babies and I'd never changed a diaper to save my life."

Luke thought about what Calum said. How could he be a natural with kids when he'd spent a good portion of his life avoiding them like the plague? But as he glanced down at the little girl, he began to feel guilty. How could he have been so afraid of someone so small and fragile? How could he have let himself push her away so freely when all he wanted to do now was hold her tight?