Saving Riley

83

James

The boys all left and agreed to play without me for the first two or three songs while Riley and I talk
"Now don't get me wrong Ri, I'm incredibly happy you are here" I said hugging her close
"But like next time can we do it without the fucking heart attack" I continued sighing 
She looked up at me and pouted slightly 
"I didn't mean to worry you, I just wanted the surprise to work" She said making chuckle before cupping her cheeks
"And I loved the surprise but Riley, last time you went off the grid like that was because of Lucas." I said 
"But I left Piper a note?" She said making me look at her confused

"Where?" I asked
"In her locker at TNS" She said making my groan inside
"You're telling me this entire time I've been talking to Piper, she's had a bloody note sitting in her locker" I asked and she laughed nodding

"Do you really think I would just run off after telling her I'm pregnant? God I'm not that insane" She said making me chuckle along with her
"now back to the fact, not that I'm complaining.. But why are you here Ri?" I asked and she pulled her face
The face she does when she is embarrassed about something
"What is it?" I asked stroking her cheek

"i may have missed you" She said making me smirk
As soon as Riley clocked onto my smirk she rolled her eyes attempting to leave me arms
"I take it all backkkk" She called making me chuckle pulling her back before crashing my lips against her
"mmm see that's the reaction I was hoping for" she smiled this time making me roll my eyes

--

The boys and I finished performing and were on the bus heading to the next town, it was a lot different now having Riley here
She's been the light of the bus since we got back on. Maybe she should have just been here this entire time
"how on earth did you swing so much time off?" Theo asked and Riley laughed
"it was time Miss Kate owed me from all the overtime I did with A-Troupe when I started" She said with a smile on her face
"when do you have to be back?" I asked making Riley smile in my direction
"The day you need to be back at Lost & Found" She said making me raise my brow

"We get you all tour?" John asked and she nodded
"As long as you lot want me" She said making us all roll our eyes
"Of course we'd want you here Riley" Luke said
"now James can complete eyes on both his babe and his baby!" Theo teased making me chuckle
"For once Theo, that was a good shot!" I said putting my hand out to fist bump which he gladly took 

 We were all chatting when I my phone started to go off, picking it up I saw it was Dad. Making me aware I was yet to let them know I knew Riley was okay
"James, have you heard anything?" He asked as soon as I picked up the phone
"Yeah, funny fact" I chuckled
"She came to you didn't she?" He asked in amongst a hearty chuckle
"yeah" I said making Riley look up at me smiling 
She certainly knows how to scare everyone around her that is for sure

"Alright I'll leave you to it but before I go James" He said making me hum in response while I played with Riley's hair as she spoke to the boys
"Before I say it, she only told us while she panicked about Riley" Dad said
"But congratulations James" He said making me smile
"Thanks Dad" I said 

"I know we haven't always seen eye to eye growing up and I hope to god that kid is at least half the handful you were" He laughed making me chuckle
"But I know for a fact you and Riley are going to be amazing parents" He said making me smile more
"That means a lot" I said and he chuckled
"Right enough of this soppy shit. I'll see you when your home alright?" He asked and I nodded
"See you soon" I replied before clearing the line 

Dad was right, we've never seen eye to eye
It's been a battle of dominance our entire life, I've tested his patience, his boundaries and a yet every time I messed up, made a mistake.
He was there to pick up the pieces

I hope I'm at least half the father he is