On the run

Twenty Eight

"Can you not wear some normal clothes just once whilst we're stuck here with you?" I spun around as Cam slid a sleepy Ella onto the stool, moving beside me to make her breakfast.

"Two things on that. First, you've seen me in less. Got a problem with what I'm wearing turn your head. Secondly, you're teaching your daughter that it matters what she wears when she's around people. Is that the impression you want to give her? That she only matters as much as the cloth she covers herself with?"

"Yeah daddy." I chuckled, sitting down beside her, and holding out a piece of my orange. "Auntie Pops said I can wear whatever I want." He stared me down as I smiled, daring him to say she couldn't. Our dad had been the exact same with me when I was younger and it didn't exactly stop me, just made me pack a spare change of clothes in my bag and when that was found, at Lara's and I'd change before we went anyway. Things like that are probably how I ended up in this mess.

"See Poppy. You're causing trouble." I grinned turning to Ella in my chair.

"When your dad isn't getting his way, he tells you you're causing trouble. Just ignore him."

"POPPY." I giggled. "Can you stop being a bad influence on my kid?"

"Can you stop being a boring pain in the ass? It's like you spawned a kid and became the most annoying thing on the planet."

"Nah. Not possible, you already have that title."

"DADDY." Ella scowled, trying to climb up on the counter but I scooped her into my lap. She extended her arm and wagged a finger. "STOP BEING MEAN TO MY AUNTIE POPS." 4 days. It took me 4 days of being locked in our house with everyone for her to become obsessed with me. She was so shy at first, quiet and hiding behind Soph when she was brought here. I got it. It's kind of scary having to move away without really understanding what was going on.

Alex had specifically brought everyone here so we could be watched under careful eyes. Cam, Dean and 4 other men on duty 24 hours a day as we tried to make this seem somewhat normal to Ella. Me, Sophia, Lara, Mia, and Livvy had decided to show Ella the high life. All the best things about being a girl. Swimming and fashion shows and tea parties. Everything and anything the toddler wanted; she was getting. I don't think I'd ever heard a kid laugh as much as I'd heard her the past few days.

Cam looked at me and I laughed again. Watching him be a father, a better one than ours had been, was brilliant. The both of them. Sophia and him. They made a great team. He brought Ella down every morning, letting Soph sleep. He'd sit there and giver her breakfast, eat with her, play fight with her and I knew for a fact, this girl was going to grow up a hell of a lot stronger than I had been. Anyone was going to be beyond lucky to have her.

"Auntie Pops?"

"Yes darling."

"Can we play outside today?"

"Not today babe. When Alex gets back." She sighed.

"Ella, here babe. Lara and Mia are in the living room, go sit with them please." I put her down on the floor and she grabbed the plate of toast with both hands. "Careful, watch your feet."

"Why? Are they gonna jump?" I snickered.

"That's my niece!" Ella laughed again, giggling as she disappeared into the living room.

"You are actually ruining my daughter." Cam leaned over the counter, smiling at me.

"Am I really though?"

"She already looks exactly like you can you not just take that and be happy?"

"No chance." I slipped another piece of food into my mouth. "You got 4 years with her. Not my fault I'm meeting her when she's hitting the personality development stage. Plus, would it really be that bad if she ended up like me?"