#uncle!ash

Crystal would come over nearly everyday to spend time with you and Olly. She was wearing more comfy clothes now with it coming near the end of her second trimester. The babies are growing and she’s starting to feel it in her back.

“What’s on the agenda today?” you ask Luke while shaking some yogurt balls on the tray of Oliver’s high chair. Luke is looking sleepy in his robin’s egg blue t-shirt and grey sweatpants he surprisingly changed into when he got home last night. .

“More rehearsing,” he yawns then scoops Posy up from her booster seat attacking her with kisses until she’s giggling. “Morning, bug.”

“What about my good morning kiss?” you smirk.

“I’d never forget you, lovie,” he smiles then bends down when he’s next to you to give you a gentle kiss. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” you grin, pecking his lips once more. Oliver squeals and babbles behind you making you both laugh.

“And good morning to you, Olly-O.” Luke shifts behind you to his son with Posy hanging onto his neck and shirt for dear life as he bent over to kiss Olly’s head. “Good thing he’s sleeping through the night now.”

“Not exactly,” you chuckle, then move to the counter to finish cutting up the French toast and strawberries you made for Posy.

“He isn’t?”

“No, he wakes up around 5 then snoozes on and off. I think his teething is pretty bad,” your eyebrows shift together making a mental note to ask his doctor about that when you see her next week.

“How come I don’t hear him?” Luke frowns. He sets Posy down in her booster seat moving next to you to make some coffee.

“You’re very tired when you come home, babe,” you shrug, bringing Posy’s breakfast to her. “Don’t worry about it.”

“When he does cry, wake me up.”

“You need your sleep, Luke. It’s fine.” You rub at the back of Posy’s neck as she starts to eat her breakfast. Oliver is humming to himself while sucking on his yogurt balls.

“Lovie--”

“Nummy toast mama!” Posy exclaims, waving her fork in the air.

“Thanks Posy,” you giggle and pinch her cheek. You sense Luke’s still subdued and sure enough when you look over, he’s hunched over the countertop watching you, Posy and Oliver with his mug held tightly in his hands.

“Why so glum, sugarplum?” you wander over to him. You rest against his arm and shoulder with your arm wrapped around his back the best you can.

“I’ve barely been home for this last month and the only time I see Lily is when I kiss her goodnight but she’s already asleep. I don’t even hear our own son crying at night.”

“You’re working, Luke, this is your job. It’s no different from working a 9 to 5 or like other parents who work odd hours.”

“But I miss being with my family. I miss you,” he sighs then shifts his body so his back is against the counter. He holds you in his arms and you can smell the coffee wafting from his lips. You stroke his cheek, he shaved his beard down a little so it wasn’t as full but still a little soft. You begged him not to shave it completely off.

“I miss you, too, honey,” you smile. “This month has been crazy, but we’ve had one hell of a year besides this month and I know you love what you’re doing right now.”

“Would it be wrong of me to say I love you more?” he knocks his forehead to yours, his arms wrapping around your waist.

“No, but I wouldn’t repeat that to the boys,” you smile, hooking your hands behind his neck.

“I’ll tell them, I don’t give a shit,” he chuckles.

“Shh, don’t swear in front of Posy,” you hush. “She’ll repeat you like a bird.”

Luke gasps then stands up straight, his swift movement startles you and you stare up at him.

“Is Crystal coming over today or tomorrow?”

“Um, I’m not sure. She wanted to do some stuff around the house today so it’ll probably be tomorrow. Why?”

“You should all come to the video shoot tomorrow for the new song,” his eyes are shining with excitement.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah. It’s going to be a fun one with confetti and glitter, like a big huge party. The girls will love it and they can run around on set. I know the guys miss the kids, too.”

“You don’t think they’ll mind?”

“I’ll run it by Andy and Ryan, they’re big behind the shoot but I’m sure they’ll be fine with it. Will you come?”

“How can I say no to this face?” you laugh squeezing his cheeks together and kissing his puckered out lips.

**

Lily and Posy were amazed by the expanse of the video set but especially with all of the colors. Lily ran into Luke as soon as she saw him, both of them having a thrilling reunion. He’s bent to the floor in his mustard yellow suit with her sitting on his knee as he listens to her. You can overhear her telling him how she and Roman found a caterpillar at recess and now have him in a jar to see if he’ll become a butterfly.

Crystal is holding Posy’s hand looking for Michael while you have Oliver on your hip. He had a rough night so his head is resting on your shoulder, you’re hoping he’ll fall asleep even with all the commotion that’s going to happen.

“Where Unca Ash, mama?” Posy asks.

“I don’t know, baby, I’m sure we’ll find him,” you smile down at her then glance up to Crystal. Her eyes are dark and she’s breathing heavily. “You need to sit down.”

“I’m all right,” Crystal shakes her head then presses her hand on her lower back.

You look around and find a leather couch near a food and drink table then tug her along. She sits down graciously with Posy climbing next to her.

“Better?”

“Much,” she sighs. “I’m not used to getting winded from standing.”

“You have two in there, if I were you I’d be laying down all the time,” you laugh as she rubs at her belly.

“I heard my favorite girl was here,” Ashton announces from behind.

“Unca Ash!” Posy scrambles off the couch and books it towards Ashton.

When she meets his embrace, he pretends she was so strong that he falls to the ground with her safely nestled in his arms.

“Oh! You’re so strong, little one. Are you lifting weights when you should be sleeping?” he asks exasperatedly.

“No,” she laughs.

“Are you sure?” he sits up so she’s on his lap.

Luke and Lily are still talking in their little area and you spot Calum and Michael coming out of a dressing room. Calum is in a plaid skirt that totally catches you off guard but only because of how good he looks in it.

“You’re drooling,” Calum teases and pretends to wipe drool off your chin. You jerk your head away.

“Am not, but you look really good in that, Cal. That’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair?” Luke asks standing next to you with Lily’s hands in his.

“Your wife was totally checking me out, mate,” Cal grins then bends down to Lily to say hello.

“I wasn’t!”

“You were,” Michael says, joining Crystal on the couch. She leans against him with her eyes closed and he’s rubbing her shoulder.

“All I said was that he looks really good in that skirt and it’s not fair that he does,” you sniff but your face is warm from the insinuation that you were checking him out.

“Maybe you should start wearing skirts, Luke,” Ashton laughs, who now has Posy sitting on his shoulders.

You huff at them all and look at Luke, he gives you a small smile because he knows you aren’t attracted to Calum by any means.

“That’s enough, guys. You do look good in the skirt Cal, almost too good. I may have the legs for it but not the thighs,” he barks out a laugh.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Calum grins.

“You’d look pretty in a skirt, dada,” Lily says quietly. All eyes turn to her who is now holding Calum’s hands and she’s swinging from side to side staring up at Luke.

“Thanks my sweet,” Luke smiles down sweetly at her.

“No fair, Lily’s sweetness made poking fun at Luke not so fun anymore,” Ashton sighs. “Come with me, little one, Unca Ash wants to show you something.”

“What are you showing her?” you peer at him curiously as he retreats to his drum kit in the shot.

“It’s a surprise,” he winks.

While you all waited for the set to be ready, lights in the right places and microphones hooked up correctly, Ashton and Posy were playing tricks on everyone. While Calum was bent against the wall looking at his phone that was charging, Ashton and Posy snuck up behind him and threw confetti all over his back.

Posy’s laughter echoed throughout the large space at the look on Calum’s face when he spun around.

“I’m gonna get you, Po!” Calum shouts and starts for her. She runs away with Ashton hot on her heels until they’re all chasing each other.

“And can you believe I’m the youngest?” Luke snickers watching the three of them run around.

“Yeah we should call you grandpa the rate you two are popping out kids,” Michael chortles. He gazes at Oliver lovingly as he sleeps on your chest. Crystal is passed out on Michael’s shoulder.

“Are the confetti guns going to be loud?” Lily asks, eying them as Andy and Ryan wheel them in.

“Uhh…”

“It’ll just be a loud pop,'' Luke assures her. “It won’t be like fireworks, sweets.”

Lily turns her head to you, her eyes asking you for double reassurance.

“They might make the ground shake a little but the pop won’t be that loud. It’ll be like the confetti poppers we have at New Year’s Eve.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“All right guys, we’re all set,” Andy says just as Ashton, Calum and Posy join you all, their chests heaving from running.

“Hi beautiful girls,” Sarah smiles at Posy and Lily.

The girls love Sarah, especially now that her hair is a bright blue. You have a feeling Posy will more than likely want to dye her hair a fun color once she’s older, you’re excited to see what color she’d like.

The girls join you on the couch (Crystal was awakened gently by Michael who looks a little more refreshed) so you can watch the guys perform. There’s a lot of different takes but in all of them, the guys are having a blast. Especially when the confetti and glitter guns go off. Calum’s dancing around with his bass and Luke and Michael are jamming out together.

Lily and Posy are dancing and Crystal makes sure to catch video of it since you still have Oliver sleeping on your chest. You can’t believe he’s sleeping through all of this but you’re thankful after the rough night he had.

When the video is finished after several hours, the girls are playing with the confetti and glitter by throwing it at Luke and their uncles. Crystal even gets down on the ground (with help from Michael and Calum) so she can make ‘glitter angels’ which Posy and Lily immediately join her.

Oliver is encircled in your legs smacking the shiny stuff in front of him and you laugh when some gets stuck on his face. He cries up at you because it won’t come off.

“You don’t like how it sticks to you, huh?” you laugh peeling each piece off carefully.

“Po and Ash got me,” Luke sits next to you. He’s discarded his suit jacket so he’s only in his tank top which showcases his broad shoulders very nicely. His face and chest is covered in glitter.

“Your hair is still perfect,” you smile. Oliver’s hands are outstretched towards his dad. “Do you want to go by daddy?”

“Hi Olly-O! How do you like the confetti, huh?” Luke asks, picking Oliver up and onto his lap.

“He doesn’t like it on his face,” you laugh watching Oliver reach for the glitter on Luke’s face.

“Apparently... he likes it on mah phase,” Luke mumbles around Oliver’s fingers that are now on his lips. You’re laughing at them then take out your phone to capture a video.

“Look mama!” Posy runs over to you and she’s covered head to toe in glitter.

“You’re a glitter princess,” you laugh.

“Auntie Crystal says we’re glitter angels!” Lily states proudly and stands in front of you next.

“You are angels,” you agree. “We’ll have to hose you down outside.”

“Mama needs some!”

“Posy, no--”

Your objection is cut off because Posy is too quick by pouring glitter and confetti over your head. Lily joins and then so does Luke who is shouting ‘cover mama in glitter!’

“No! No glitter!” you’re laughing but make no way to stop them. It’s been so long since you’ve all had a laugh like this so you’re going to enjoy this moment.

Sarah is walking around you all with her camera to her face until you’re all calmed down and covered in glitter. You can feel it in your shirt and bra. That’ll be fun to get out later.

“You got your mama good girls,” Sarah laughs. “Can I get a picture of all of you?”

Posy moves onto your lap while Lily sits on Luke’s leg right next to you. You’re all holding onto each other as Sarah snaps your photo, then Posy plops some glitter on Oliver’s head. You’re all laughing together and you can’t wait to see the photos Sarah got.

“Lils, Pose, you girls want some snacks?” Michael asks as he shoves half a hot dog in his mouth.

“Yeah!”

They run off to join him at the food table and make a plate with the help of Crystal.

“I’m glad you’re all here,” Luke rests his hand on your knee.

“Me too,” you place your hand on top of his. “I’m so proud of you, Luke.”

“For what?”

“For everything you’ve done in the last ten years, in our life and marriage. Your solo album. Everything. I’m so proud to be your wife.”

“That all dulls in comparison to the shine of my glitter angel wife,” he smiles.

You share a kiss under the spotlights and the ever shining array of glitter surrounding you.

His partner was so good with your children, and had become one of your closest friends in turn.  They would come over for play dates with the girls, letting Maia and Kaia dress them up however they pleased, and putting on their best posh accent during their tea parties.

The girls had asked once why Ashton referred to them as his partner, which sparked a rather interesting conversation between the group of you.  As you tried to explain about gender neutral terms to two almost four year olds, they interrupted; it turns out they were more offended that Ashton’s partner was a cowboy and no one told them, rather than the fact that Ashton called them partner.

After that moment, they often greeted them by saying “Howdy, partner,” in their best impression of a southern accent that they could.

When the day finally came that Ashton told you and Calum that he was going to ask them to marry him, you couldn’t hold back your excitement, already planning of different venues they could look at. 

Needless to say, they said yes, and the next step they needed to take (well, in their minds), was solidifying the wedding party.  Ashton settled on Calum as his best man, and his partner chose you to stand by their side as well.  When it came to the subject of flower girls, Ashton asked if you could grab the girls so he could talk to them.

He had asked if he could talk to them in private, but being nosy as you were, you couldn’t help but to linger around the corner to listen in.

“Okay I’m sure Mama and Dada told you that I’m going to be getting married, yeah?” Ashton asked, resting his head on top of Maia’s while they sat in his lap.  The two of them nodded, curls bouncing enthusiastically with them as they did. “Well, I wanted to ask you both if you wanted to be the flower girls at the wedding.”

You had hoped that Ashton chose to wear ear plugs, because the resulting squeals that came from the girls were deafening even at so far away.

“Is it gonna be a southern wedding? Are they gonna invite their other cowboy friends?” Maia asked, wide brown eyes looking up at Ashton, who simply chuckled.

“No, sadly.  No southern wedding, but we may be able to throw in some line dancing if you’re lucky.”  Pressing a kiss to the top of each of their heads, he hugged them close, “But is that a yes then? You wanna be flower girls?”

“Will you make sure to have the wedding after baby brother is born so he can be a flower girl too?” Kaia raised her eyebrows at him as she spoke, her tone demanding a specific answer.

Ashton laughed again, biting his lower lip to keep from laughing too hard at the innocent question, “I wouldn’t have it any other way love.”

           After they drove off, Ashton ushered the kids inside and shut the door behind them. They stood awkwardly in the foyer as if they had never been in Ashton’s house before. Ashton held his hands with his palms facing the ceiling, “Well, you guys know which rooms are yours. Set your bags down and I’ll get some lunch ready for us.” Hearing the words, the kids scattered, Aiden seeming to be a little less excited than the other two. He hung behind, walking slowly while staring at his phone. Ashton’s eyebrows pulled together and watched until Aiden disappeared behind the closed door of one of the guest rooms. With a shrug of his shoulders, Ashton moved from the foyer and into the kitchen to make all four of them some lunch.

           Once Ashton is finished preparing lunch, he calls for the kids. Logan and Bailey come running into the kitchen while Aiden saunters in with his hands shoved in his pockets. Bailey stops dead in her tracks and gasps, “Uncle Ashton, you got a trampoline?” Her eyes were wide but her smile was wider.

           Ashton smiles at her and raises an eyebrow before looking out the door behind him and nodding, “I did, I got it just for you,” he said while turning back around and gently poking her nose with his pointer finger.

           Bailey giggled, “Can we go play on it?” She asked while bouncing up and down.

           “After you eat some lunch and let it settle first.” Ashton said sternly while pulling a chair out for Bailey to climb on. Bailey pouted, but nodded before climbing onto the chair and sitting comfortably enough to eat her lunch.

           Bailey asked every five minutes if she could play on the trampoline. Every time she would ask, Ashton would look at his wrist, which was bare, and tell her five more minutes. She would huff and sit back, swinging her legs, waiting impatiently for Ashton to tell her it was okay to go play. “What about now? Can we go play on the trampoline now?” Her voice was a bit more begging this time, and she bounced in her seat hoping with all her might that Ashton would let her play.

           Ashton glanced at his bare wrist again, sneakily looking at the actual time on his phone next to him. He looked at her silently and raised an eyebrow. One swift motion, he stood up and placed his hands under her arms so he could lift her to his hip. He ran her outside and to the trampoline, Logan following closely behind them. Ashton climbed onto the trampoline with Bailey and Logan, not only to make sure they were playing on it safely, but also because he wanted to have some fun too. Aiden followed them outside, but slumped down in a chair off to the side and pulled his phone out. His eyes became transfixed on the screen as he leaned the other arm on the table next to him, then rested his head on his fist. Ashton took note of his demeanor but continued to jump on the trampoline with the two younger kids.

           Logan and Bailey successfully tired themselves out and Ashton took them back inside and set them on the couch to watch a movie. Within minutes, they were fast asleep, tucked against each other with a large blanket covering both of them. Aiden was sitting at the breakfast bar with his phone stuck in his hands. Ashton rolled his shoulders back and moved through the kitchen to the fridge. As he opened one side of the fridge he looked at Aiden, “So, what’s going on with you? You haven’t said more than three words since you got here.”

           Aiden looked up from his phone as Ashton turned back to the fridge and grabbed two glass soda bottles out. He set one in front of Aiden, then opened one for himself. As he took a drink Aiden set his phone down and clutched the glass bottle. Instead of opening it, he brought it closer to him and he rested his chin on the top, “I’m having girl troubles.”

           Ashton raised his eyebrows and he finished his gulp, “Those are the worst troubles to have. What kind of girl troubles?” The glass bottle in Ashton’s hand clanked as he set it on the granite counter top.

           Aiden blinked then lifted his head off the bottle, then leaned back completely in his chair. For a second his fiddled with the bottle then he sighed, “The girl that I’ve been talking to want to ‘take our relationship to the next level,’” Aiden used two fingers to gesture air quotes, “But I told her I’m not ready and now she’s, like, lost her mind or something and keeps telling me that I’m not going to get anywhere in life if I continue to live scared of commitment.” Ashton nearly choked, times have changed since he was seventeen, because that is not a conversation he was ever near to having with a girl at that age. “She’s been yelling at me for a week now, and I’m too afraid to ask my parents for advise because I’m pretty sure neither one of them have had a problem like this.” Aiden looked at the glass bottle and turned it around between his fingers.

           Ashton cleared his throat, “Well, is she right?” Aiden’s eyes shot up at Ashton and his eyebrows pulled together, “I mean, are you not ready because you are scared of commitment?” Aiden relaxed his eyebrows and looked down again, shaking his head. “Then, what’s the problem?” Ashton leaned forward, eyes still locked on the teenager sitting in front of him.

           Aiden was silent for a minute and then he sighed, “It’s not that I’m scared of commitment, it’s that I’m not sure I want to commit to her.” Aiden sighed again and dropped his head into his hands. “Which then makes me sound like an asshole.”

           “There’s nothing wrong with not connecting with someone, Aiden.” Ashton said as he picked the bottle up in front of him and took another swig. “What’s wrong is stringing her along making her think you connect with her.” Ashton shifted his weight as he set the bottle back on the counter.

           Slowly, Aiden lifted his head and furrowed his eyebrows, “So, you’re saying I should break up with her?”

           Ashton shrugged, “I’m saying that it’s not fair to hurt her by pretending to feel differently than you actually feel. It’s up to you how you want to interpret that.” Ashton raised his eyebrows again and then walked away, plopping himself into the empty space on the couch next to the sleeping bundle of kids.

           After Ashton talked with Aiden, Aiden loosened up. He became more willing to participate in the weekend activities, talked more, and certainly laughed more. When Monday morning came and it was time for the Hood kids to go home, Aiden stopped at the door and shifted his bag in his hands. “Thanks for the advice Uncle Ash, that night we had a talk and we figured things out,” Aiden smiled and wrapped his free arm around Ashton.

           A little shocked, Ashton hesitated for half a second, then gathered his wits before wrapping his arms around Aiden. “I’m glad I could help.” Aiden smiled as Ashton again then headed out the door towards his parents’ car. Ashton may be a kid at heart, but he’s definitely gone through enough in his own life that he’s always there to give his favorite nephew girl advise.

************

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“I go too! I go too!” Willie kicks their legs in their car seat in the back. 

“Uncle Ash will be sad you don’t want play with him, Wills,” Calum says and it’s as if he said the magic word. 

Calum and Olive wanted it to be a surprise Willie would be spending the day with Ashton but with their continuous screaming, it was time to throw in the towel.

Willie’s legs stopped kicking immediately.

“Unca Ash?!” their eyes widen and then they’re kicking again, but this time from happiness. Willie makes a little dance of it all as well.

“Yea bugaboo, you’re going to spend all day with Uncle Ashton,” Olive tells them turning in her seat. 

“Excited mommy!” Willie smiles showing their tiny dimples in their cheeks. 

Calum and Olive exchange smiles and listen to Willie’s story they’ve created. The thought of spending the day with Ashton has put them in a much better mood. 

When the family of three arrive at Ashton’s, Willie is a wiggling worm trying to get out of their car seat.

“Willie, you need to sit still for mommy so I can get you out,” she tells them a little sternly.

Willie freezes while Calum grabs their bag, he laughs at Willie’s clear excitement but still feels a pang of jealousy of that excitement directed to Ashton. He’s glad Willie has connected so well with all of his friends, but it’s hard to take at the same time. Does Willie get that excited for Calum anymore?

Once Willie is safely on the ground, they bolt up the driveway to the front door and they try their hardest to reach the doorbell. 

“Daddy help! Can’t reach!” Willie shouts looking back at Calum and Olive.

That eases Calum slightly so he rings the doorbell then opens the door to see Ashton halfway in the hallway making his way to the entrance. 

“Munchkin!”

“Unca Ash!” Willie squeals and runs to their favorite uncle who scoops them up in a big hug. 

Calum and Olive shuffle in grinning at the exchange of dual happiness between Ashton and Willie. 

“Hey guys,” Ashton finally greets them shifting Willie to his hip who is now playing with the chain around Ashton’s neck. 

“Hey man,” Calum greets. “Everything you need is in here, their blanket, toys, snacks and a sippy cup of juice.”

“Make sure they drink water for lunch, though,” Olive instructs. “We can’t have juice all the time, right bugaboo?”

“Mhmm,” Willie hums indifferently then says to Ashton, “play the drums?”

“We can play drums, munchkin,” Ashton grins kissing their cheek. 

“All right, well, we’ll get going I guess,” Olive says kissing Willie’s cheek. “We should be back close to dinner time if we’re lucky and find something we like.”

“Call if you need anything,” Calum says kissing Willie’s cheek as well. “Bye Wills, be good for uncle Ash.”

“Can you say bye to mommy and daddy?” Ashton asks as they walk out the door. 

“Bye mommy! Bye daddy!” Willie waves. 

“All right munchkin, want to play drums first?”

Willie claps their hands and screams in excitement as Ashton is already heading downstairs where his (and Willie’s) kits are. Ashton doesn’t play as hard like he normally would and he creates a simply beat while Willie watches in hard concentration. 

Willie tries to mimic Ashton the best they can and Ashton encourages them the whole time. Then like all the other times, Willie goes crazy and hits everything with much enthusiasm. 

After drums, they head upstairs to color and watch Blue’s Clues or Little Bear. It’s a Blue’s Clues kind of day. They’re sat at Ashton’s coffee table with sheets of paper and crayons and a pile of cheerios in the middle that Willie would always nibble on.

Half the time Ashton would just sit and watch Willie, completely enraptured by this little person whom he loves so much. Willie would speak to the TV and sing along when necessary and Ashton can already tell they’re going to be a genius. 

After coloring time they go outside and play in the sandbox, a necessity that needs to be at every uncle’s house. Ashton listens to Willie chatter about whatever it is on a three year old’s mind and plays along with their imagination. 

Willie yawns loudly. 

“Let’s head inside for naptime,” Ashton suggests dusting sand off his hands. 

“No nap! Elephant and cowboy time!” Willie waves their arms in the air. 

“We can play elephant and cowboy after your nap, I pinky promise,” Ashton holds out their pinky which Willie links up with quickly. 

Naptime is the best with uncle Ash. Willie snuggles up next to him in the middle of Ashton’s bed with pillows surrounding the edges. Ashton always makes up funny stories for Willie while rubbing their head (a trick Calum told him) until Willie fell asleep. Ashton would slip away to let Willie sleep for about an hour or an hour and a half. 

While Willie slept, Ashton cleaned and would get the ingredients ready for dinner (mac & cheese and hot dogs in croissant rolls were Willie’s favorite) until he’d hear Willie calling for him. 

“Did you have good dreams, munchkin?” Ashton would ask as a sleepy Willie rubbed their eyes. They looked a lot like Olive did when waking up. 

“Uh huh, mommy, daddy and Duke flied me to nana’s house.”

“Really? That’s a very good dream,” Ashton nods. 

The rest of the day goes off without a hitch, they played their elephant/dinosaur/cowboy game--Ashton winged it every time--and watched more Blue’s Clues after dinner until Olive and Calum came back. 

“Where’s our little Willie?” Calum calls and Willie scrambles from the couch after hearing his voice. 

“Daddy!” Willie lunges into Calum’s legs who grunts at the impact. He hugs Willie best he can before squatting in front of them letting Willie climb onto his thigh. Willie began telling Calum all that they did with uncle Ash in broken sentence but Calum listened intently. 

“Did you find something?” Ashton asks Olive while Willie and Calum share their moment. 

“I think so,” Olive nods, “We’re going to look at it again Monday but this time with Willie. You guys clearly had fun today.”

“We always do,” Ashton grins, “but look at how they are with Calum.”

“I know,” Olive smiles, “he gets jealous of you sometimes.”

“What? That’s crazy. Willie doesn’t look at me like that,” Ashton shakes his head. 

Olive looks at Willie who is still sharing about their day all while holding Calum’s cheek in their tiny little hand.

___________