Less Than One Minute Old

Being able to come home from work is one of my favorite things. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I work at a bakery in downtown New York City and I absolutely love it. Ever since I can remember I have always loved baking and I am glad that I get to have the opportunity to pursue my passion. So no, I don't love going home because I hate what I do. I love going home because my absolute favorite thing in the world is waiting for me there. My sweet baby girl, Elliot.

"Ellie girl, where are you?" I step into the small apartment and my things on the counter. I peek my head into the living room to see a mess of toys and coloring books. I chuckle to myself and walk slowly to Elliot's room.

"Ellie bellie, where are you?" She always does this when she thinks she is going to be in trouble. I swear sometimes she is the cutest thing. I peek into her room and see her feet sticking out from under her bed.

"Oh sweetie, what is you're cute butt doing under there? I didn't get my hug this afternoon, you know how much I love my hugs from my princess."

"Mom, I'm sorry I made a mess.Pwease mom don't be mad. I wuv you."

It broke my heart to hear her crying and as soon as she climbed out from under the bed I scooped her in my arms and held her close. I just rubbed her back and kissed her hair whispering how much I loved her and how she was such a good girl.

"Now princess, lets go find Uncle Louis. I didn't see him when I came in and I think he is trying to play hide and seek!" As soon as the words hide and seek left my mouth she jumped out of my arms with a huge grin on her face and ran to the guest bedroom. Hide and seek was her favorite game, I don't know why. Well I guess I can assume why. Her father always loved to play that game, even though he was a 20 year old man..well boy I should say. It's strange that even though they have never met, she has many of his characteristics which breaks my heart. And I'm sure that the more she grows up, the more she will be like her charming father.

A loud 'mommy' brought me out of my thoughts and I hurried into the bedroom, just in case anything happened and with Lou you never know.

"Mommy look, I found him! Shh let's scare him." Elliot whispered even though I'm sure with her screaming he had already heard her. I nodded my head and followed behind her as she tip toed to the closet. She looked behind me to give me a thumbs up and then she yelled 'Boo' as loud as possible.

"Ellie you found me, you always seem to win." Louis fake pouted. He was always so good with my girl. I honestly don't know what I would do without him and Eleanor. They're not just my best friends, but they are a huge part of Elliot's life as well.

"Uncle Lou that's because I am waaay betta than you at this game. Duh silly." I couldn't help but laugh at her witty remark. I swear every word that comes out of that child's mouth makes me fall more in love with her everyday.

"You are very right little one. Looks like you are going to have to teach me. But first let's call Auntie El and get her here so we can make dinner for mommy! How does that sound baby?"

"Yes yes yes. Can we pwease make a pwizza? I was weally good today wasn't I?" She looked at me with the biggest puppy dog eyes and a slight pout.

And who was I to deny my angel anything?

"Of course baby girl, we can make a pizza. Now let's get you washed up and we can run to the store to get everything, alright? I'll go get Uncle Lou."

I grabbed her diaper bag and slipped out of my work uniform and into something more comfortable. +

I walked into the living room to see Elliot making Louis put on her shoes, even though she could do it herself. I swear that girl loved to babied, of course something else she picked up from her father. But then again I wasn't make it any easier by spoiling the girl rotten.

We walked down to the corner shop and got all the stuff we needed to make a cheese and pepperoni pizza. Of course Elliot had to get a lollipop but she had to wait until after dinner to eat it. On our way back to the apartment Louis' phone started to ring and as I looked to see who it was my heart dropped. We never speak about Elliot's father, hell I don't even say his name. Louis understands why I won't speak about him and the situation, so he always makes sure not to bring anything up that could lead to that type of conversation. See, he was Louis' friend first and I was extremely close to Eleanor. Louis being Eleanor's boyfriend meant that his friends because her friends, and since I was practically her sister they became my friends as well. Five years later, two spent together as a couple, here we are now. I would be lying if I said I wish things turned out differently, but sadly they didn't.

Louis looked at me with guilt in his eyes and I knew instantly this wouldn't be good.

"He is uhm, well he is with Eleanor and he is dropping her off. She texted me and told me she would make sure he didn't come near the apartment or anything, so no need to worry."

I just nodded, unable to speak. I haven't been within a hundred feet of him in three years. Somehow I had managed to always avoid seeing him, with the help of Louis and Eleanor. I had moved on the completely opposite side of the city and stayed clear of all the places I could possibly see him at. I don't know why I am overreacting. I mean I won't see him. Louis assured me how would get nowhere near the apartment.

Instead of dwelling on it I raced Elliot up the stairs and into the apartment. We made a dash straight for the kitchen and started on dinner. She started to get tired and ran to her room to get her favorite stuffed Animal, Eddie the giraffe. It was one of the things that I didn't throw out of his when I moved out. From the moment Elliot was born she was attached to that thing and I couldn't bring myself to throw it out. For a while I just thought that she could smell him on it and it calmed her down.

I jumped when I heard the door slam and I knew it was Eleanor. I ran into Elliot's room to see her looking out the window with her hand on it and Eddie in the other. She was look straight into the eyes of someone who I prayed I would never have to see again and I swear I saw tears in his. Instead of letting him have the chance of asking questions to Eleanor, I scooped her up and brought her into my room. I just knew our perfect little bubble that I created for ourselves to live in wouldn't always be so perfect. I knew that one day, it would pop and I wasn't ready for it to be today.

"Baby, you know mommy loves you soooo much right?"

"Yes mama, and I wuv you too."

"Good baby girl, now let's go make those pizzas."

I walked into the kitchen to see Louis and Eleanor sitting down at the table talking in hushed tones. I knew what they were already speaking about so it didn't surprise me that as soon as they saw me they stopped and put a smile on their face. Instead of even bringing it up, I decided to get the pizza ready.

During dinner things were awkward. I figured it would be for a while, but not this long. After cleaning up and giving Elliot a bath, I found them both getting ready to leave.

"El, what's going on?" She kept looking at Louis as if trying to get him to get her out of whatever she had to explain to me.

"Emily, you know how much we both love you. How much we support you. We would both do anything for you and Elliot. I just..Well. Harry saw her. And well he wants to come see her, and you. He wants to visit."

It felt like everything had come tumbling down around me. I hadn't heard his name in three years, and just actually hearing it was enough for me to break. And then he decides he wants to be apart of my life? My beautiful girls life? He is obviously insane.

"Look Em, I know this is a lot. I'm so sorry this is happening, but what could it hurt? You don't have to tell Elliot anything. Just let them meet. Maybe it will be a wake up call for him, who knows."

"El, this wake up call is coming three years too late. No way in hell am I letting that bastard near my child, the one he didn't want. The one he wanted me to get rid of. Now, if you decide to speak to him about this subject, tell him that I said fuck you and that if he wanted to be a father to that beautiful little angel he should have been one years ago."

She nodded and thankfully dropped the subject. The two of them left with promises of not bringing it up again. I walked into Elliot's room to make sure she was asleep, but she wasn't. Instead she laid in bed holding on to Eddie like her life depended on it, crying.

"Baby, what's wrong?

I could barely understand her over her sobbing, but I heard this word loud and clear.

"Dada. Want dada."

Notes

Hey guys!

Well, here you go. My first chapter to my first fanfic! You can click the +'s for visuals.

I hope you all enjoy it, feel free to comment any questions or concerns. I would really appreciate if you spread the word about it.

Thanks for reading!

xx.

Oh and here are some visuals for Emily's apartment.

Elliot's Bedroom
Emily's Bedroom
Guest Bedroom
Kitchen
Living Room
Kitchen & Living Room