Adopted by Luke Hemmings

47

When I woke up, Emma was still asleep on my chest. I rubbed her back as she peacefully slept.

I picked her up and went upstairs, laying her down in her bed. I covered her up, shutting the door behind me as she left.

I went downstairs and made pancakes for breakfast. I folded the clothes in dryer and started some more. Being an adult sucks, but being an adult for someone you love feels great.

I went to put clothes in Em's closet and drawers when she opened the door before I could.

"Morning sweets," I spoke as I walked past her so I could put her clothes away.

"Daddy, are we staying here today?" She asked hugging my legs.

"We may, why?" I asked her as I rubbed her back.

"Because I want to," she spoke as I nodded.

"Okay, we can stay," I spoke as I felt her nod her head against my leg.

I picked her up and we went downstairs, where we ate breakfast together. I cleaned up our mess while she picked out the movies for our Disney marathon.

Once I had blankets and a bunch of pillows, I returned to the living room. I put in the first movie, The Little Mermaid, and bedded down on the couch with Em.

//

My eyes shot open as I heard my phone ringing. I looked around and saw Emma and I had fallen asleep during our third movie, Finding Nemo. If I had fallen asleep during Tangled I would've gotten into trouble.

I set Emma on the other side of me as I dash to the kitchen, where I saw my phone sitting on the counter.

I saw many missed calls from my father and Jack and my mom, but not Ben.

I dialed my dads number immediately;

"Hello? Luke?"

"Yeah, dad it's me. What's going on? Why has you and mom and Jack called me but not Ben?"

"There's been an accident, son. Ben's in the ICU."

"What the hell? Why?" I asked as I ran upstairs and started getting dressed.

"He was hit by a drunk driver. You need to get here. I wouldn't bring Emma, it's not looking good."

I sniffled as a tear went down my face, "Dad?"

"Yeah buddy?" He asked me like he use to when I was a young child.

"Is Ben going to be okay?" I asked as I started to cry.

"I don't know, Luke."

"I'll be there soon," I spoke as I hung up the phone.

I went back downstairs and Emma was still fast asleep on the couch, the main screen of Finding Nemo replaying for probably the millionth time.

I went outside so my voice wouldn't disturb Emma and called Michael. No answer. I then called Calum. Again, no answer. I called Ashton last, and of course he didn't answer.

I let out a frustrated sigh and ran my fingers through my hair.

"Sir, are you okay?" A woman asked from behind me.

She looked to be about 22. She had ginger colored hair and green eyes. She had a young boy playing with a toy in her front yard. He looked to be Emma's age. He has dirty blonde hair and freckles and green eyes.

"I'm sorry. I can't get in touch with my friends so they can watch my daughter," I spoke shakily as I wiped my tears.

"I can watch her, if you need me to," she offered.

"I can't ask you to do that," I spoke.

"No, really it's okay. Noah and I were just about to watch a movie. Would you like for me to watch her?"

"If you don't mind. I'm Luke, by the way," I spoke walking over and shaking her hand.

"Paris, my name is Paris. Do you just wanna bring her over?" She asked.

"Yeah. Thank you so much for this, by the way. I really appreciate it," I told her.

"No problem! Door is open," she spoke as she and Noah walked in their house.

I went inside and Emma had woken up and was drinking a juice box.

"Emma, sweetheart you have to go next door okay? Daddy got called into an emergency," I told her.

"Who's next door?" She asked as I slipped her a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt on, along with a pair of VANS.

"A nice lady and her son that's your age. You guys can play until I get back, okay?" I told her as she nodded

I kissed her cheek and took her next door. She ran inside once she saw Noah and they began to play.

"Thank you so much, I really appreciate this," I told Paris as she just shook her head.

"It's fine really. You do what you need to do," she smiled.

I gave her my phone number just incase and told Emma bye. She waved back and then continued to play.

"Alright, thanks again. I should be back soon. If not, I'll get one of my friends to come get her later," I spoke.

"Alright, she'll be fine. Bye Luke," she spoke as I waved and left, getting into my car and leaving.