Best Friend's Father

Redder than Sebastian from the Little Mermaid.

(Picture credits to the owner)

Originally published: 2015
Editing: 2019

People get confused that's why I'm saying this:

Luke is NOT and I repeat NOT 10 in this story, the last time he saw Ashton was when he was ten years old.

Trigger warning: Luke is 17 in this story and Ashton is 28, I'm sorry if that age gap makes you uncomfortable :(((

=•=

Ashton Irwin could have thought of better things to do on his Friday night but instead he was caught babysitting his four children while his wife attended a cocktail party hosted by her company.

It's not that he didn't like taking care of his children, it was quite the opposite.

He loved them, but they were sometimes a bit of a handful.

There was the youngest Ethan who was four years old and loved to paint the walls with teabags, then there was ten year old Eliza who was a reasonably easy child save for the fact she was always hungry and looking for something to eat.

After Eliza, there was Jennifer who just turned 13 and was very excited to be in her teenage years, so naturally she now started questioning and debating everything Ashton told her.

Finally, there was Calum who was the oldest at seventeen and the nosiest one because he loved thumping his bass up in his room whenever he got a chance.

Ashton was only twenty eight. His wife, Charlotte had been making babies since she was fifteen. She was thirty-one now and Ashton never questioned why he married an older woman but it was mainly because he was drunk in love with a college girl when he was just merely fifteen. So at eighteen years old, Ashton became a father for the first time as Charlotte gave birth to Eliza and he proposed a year later. He didn't care with people said, he knew he wanted to spend his life with Charlie.

He was so smitten with her long ginger hair that he didn't have time to weigh pros and cons of marriage when he asked the question.

But he loved her none the less.

=•=

Luke Hemmings did not think his Friday night could get any better.

Even thought his parents told him he was grounded for failing a history quiz, they still let him go over to his best friend's house.

Calum and Luke have been best friends since they could talk. In fact, Luke's first word was 'Calum.'

Luke had just arrived at the Irwin's household with Chinese takeout just to tease Calum when he knocked on the door.

He was expecting Charlotte to open the door and greet him a hug as usual but he was taken aback when a strong, young yet mature man with amazing brown hair and capturing hazel eyes opened the door.

Luke opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again like a fish.

This man was obviously Calum's dad, but Mr. Irwin seemed much different than how he looked when Luke was ten.

But then again, the last time Luke saw Mr. Irwin he was ten.

He never seemed to notice how captivating the man is really and how breathtaking his smile was.

"Good night," Mr. Irwin said politely smiling so wide, his dimples were on display.

"Hello," Luke said flustered.
He was sure his cheeks were redder than Sebastian from the Little Mermaid.

"Luke right?" Mr. Irwin asked and Luke felt as though his heart would melt because he said his name so smoothly like it was meant to roll of his tongue.

"Yea, I'm here to see Calum," Luke somehow managed to say calmly but inside he was a mess all because Mr. Irwin knew who he was.

"Come in, silly," Mr. Irwin giggled opening the teak front door wider so Luke can walk in.

"Thanks," Luke said stepping in, taking off his shoes.

"Calum's in his room," Mr. Irwin said in a beautiful voice, his accent thick. Luke could have listened to that man speak all night. Just sit there and let him talk, but that would be creepy right?

"I can follow the sound of the bass, Mr. Irwin," Luke said trying to not sound rude, because Mr. Irwin sounded like the spanking type.

But instead he laughed so hard that he threw his head back as though Luke had just said the funniest thing ever.

Luke Hemmings found this adorable and suddenly Calum didn't matter anymore.

"Very funny," Mr. Irwin said pretending to wipe a fake tear making Luke smile.

"Okay, I'll get going now," Luke said and feeling a little brave, he winked at Mr. Irwin.

But he moved too quickly reaching the staircase before he could see Mr. Irwin's shocked expression and his flushed cheeks.