"Dad?" I called out as soon as I had opened the wooden door. "Dad?" Was he in? His car was on drive. I huffed.

It wasn't his fault he was always busy, I guess the job he was involved in was a demanding one. After all, I couldn't complain, he did it to put food on our table and clothes on our backs. But it would be better to see him around the house more often, and when he says he'll stick around more, I wanted him to stick to it.

I dumped my bag onto the floor as I made my way into the kitchen.

"Dad?" I said as soon as I saw his back facing me. He was sat on one of the bar stools cradling his head in his hands.

He jumped up and spun around to face me.

"Hey, Cali," he replied. His face was pale and he wore dark black bags under his eyes. He looked extremely unwell.

"What's the matter? Are you ill?" I asked as I laid my hand on his head. He swatted my hand away weakly.

"I'm meant to do that, not you," he replied. I laughed slightly.

"I'm serious, dad, what's the matter?"

"I'm just tired, love," was his reply. I looked at him for a while, trying to search for a sign hiding in the depths of his eyes which would confirm that he was infact ill. After a couple of minutes I sighed in defeat.

"Has work tired you out?" I asked with sympathy as I put the kettle on. "Do you want some coffee?"

"Yes and yes," he replied as he laid his head on his knuckles. I nodded.

"Why don't you go to sleep?" I asked.

"I can't," was his only reply. I turned around to gauge his reaction. He was quiet tonight.

"Dad, I'm sorry but this doesn't sit well with me," I stated truthfully. I didn't like seeing him like this, and I knew he wasn't just tired. There was something more. He must be ill, he didn't look just tired.

"What do you mean, love?"

"Nothing," I sighed. He didn't push or question further.

I made my father his coffee before placing it carefully infront of him.

"Cali?" I lifted my head to look at him.

"Yeah?"

"I need a word with Kyle," he stated. My eyebrows furrowed on their own accord as I looked to him confusingly.

"What? why?"

"I need a daddy and future son in law talk," I rolled my eyes as my cheeks flushed. Atleast he was starting to act like his normal self.

"Dad," I groaned. "Shut up," he chuckled slightly and coughed.

"Can you bring him over?" He asked. I hesitated for a few seconds before sighing. I guess I had to. I didn't want it to happen but I suppose it would happen and it's better to get it over and done with now.

"Fine," I sighed. "When?"

"Now," he shrugged as if he didn't really mind when. I nodded my head.

"I'll go and get him," I said as I made my way out of the kitchen and to my front door. I made my way onto my drive and up to Kyle's. My knuckles wrapped on his door.

A couple of seconds later the door swung open. A middle aged woman stood at the threshold. It was Kyle's mother, I recognised her.

"Hey, I was hoping to speak to Kyle, please?" I asked nicely.

"Oh, sure, Cali come on in," she smiled my way. I smiled before passing her and standing by the stairs. "He's in his room, go on up," she pointed to the stairs and I did as I was told.

"Thank you very much," I replied.

I made my way across the hall, remembering exactly where his room is. I knocked on the door and he opened the door quickly.

He stood there in a pair of sweats and a tight black shirt. He looked extremely sexy, and I reveled in the fact that he was all mine.

"Hey," I greeted shyly. Kyle smiled before letting me into his room.

"Hey, love, what you doing here?" He asked. "Not that I don't want you here, but you know what I mean," he smiled. He held an xbox controller in his hand as his flat screen showed me a vivid picture of a football field.

"My dad said he wants to talk to you," I explained. I shrugged when I saw his confused face.

"Have I done something?"

"Nothing bad," I shook my head and laughed. "Don't worry he won't bite your head off,"

"I'm not really convinced," he replied skeptically. "Shall I change?" He looked down at his self. I shook my head again.

"No, you look fine," more than fine actually. Kyle roughed his hands in his hair before turning off his TV and his console.

"Just turn this off," he whispered to himself before throwing the controller into the bed indicating for me to walk out of the room before him. He followed after.

I could feel him slightly tense behind me. I rolled my eyes.

"He's not going to hurt you, Kyle," I said. Kyle grabbed my hand.

"What if he tells me not to see you again?" He asked.

"He won't do that, and plus I'll see you everyday anyway, we live next to eachother and we attend the same school," I stated truthfully. Kyle didn't reply.

As soon as we were by the door, he pulled me into his arms. "I'm just insecure and scared I'll lose you, especially if your dad fights me off,"

"My dad's not like that, he wants me happy and you make me happier than anything," I replied truthfully as I kissed his cheek. He smiled and relaxed slightly.

I opened the door and we both made our way into the house.

"Dad?" I called out.

"In the kitchen," he called back. I led Kyle into the kitchen.

"Do you want me to go?" I asked when they both looked at me. My father nodded sympathetically.

"Sorry," he replied. He didn't look any better and I don't think I wanted to leave, but I did nonetheless.

I made my way into my room, and sat on my bed. I didn't want to eavesdrop on them, just incase they said something I didn't like. I would then have to interfere.

I laid back down on my bed. Images of my mother flew through my mind, I tried to fight them off, like I had been doing for a while now. I don't know why they always seemed to appear, maybe I was scared? Did I miss her?

Of course I didn't miss her. I couldn't miss her, I didn't want to. I just wanted a motherly figure in my life, someone to confine in, someone to talk to. I didn't have that, I only had my father, but I was grateful to have him.

Just after half an hour, I heard the bedroom door creaking open. I knew it was Kyle before I saw him.

His eyes were almost deflated, maybe even a little worried. Why? I didn't know. It worried me a little.

"What's the matter?" He smiled as if he tried to hide his emotions. It didn't work.

He laid down next to me, wrapping his arm around me and nuzzling into my neck. I could feel his warm breath skimming across my skin.

"Nothing," he kissed my neck.

"What did he say?" Kyle's body seemed tense and I didn't know why. Did my father say something that bad? He hesitated before answering, which felt like a long time.

"This and that," was his only reply. I got a little angry.

"Kyle, I'm serious," I replied.

"Just about how I should protect you, always, and I know I always will," he said. I didn't question any further, I didn't think I had to.

"Okay," I breathed as I turned around and kissed him on the lips. His arm tightened around my curvy frame.

We laid there in silence for a while, the beating of Kyle's heart rocking me to a near sleeping state. His nose was buried deep in the crook of my neck and I felt safe in his arms.

"Promise me one thing?" Kyle asked.

"Hmmm," I mumbled as I didn't have the strength to move my lips.

"Promise me you won't leave? Even if I do something that hurts you," Kyle said, he almost pleaded.

"I promise," I wanted to. I needed him, I never wanted to leave him. He wouldn't hurt me, not to an extreme extent. I trusted him, I knew he wouldn't initially hurt me. I knew it.

He started to play about with my hair blindly, twirling the ends through his thumb and forefinger, and oddly enough, I started to fall into a deeper sleep.

"Before, I only existed, now I live and it's only for you," he whispered. A lazy smile crept on to my face, and I knew I could never leave this man.

He was everything I needed, everything my heart needed. And even after just this long, my heart only beats for him.

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I'm just a little busy these days, so I'm sorry!!

I'm nearly on two million reads! If I could swear without getting reported I would! Thanks so much you're all amazing and omfg if you we're here I'd kiss you and buy you pizza on the house.

I hope you enjoyed:)))))) I have so much in store left for this book:) I can't wait to write the upcoming chapters. I love you !x