michael.

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Performing was the perfect escape for me. It was an unreal reality worth every moment and I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world. I loved the feeling of everything about it and for each moment spent on stage, was another moment cherished for a lifetime. Coming onto the stage tonight to begin our eleventh show in the tour meant that Melody would be going to bed upset. After our argument, I didn't get a chance to really apologize; to make sure everything was all squared away before playing the first chord in End Up Here-- the first song in our set. 

Knowing that Melody was going to bed with a frown on her face only hinted at the fact that I was going to bed with a frown on my face too. Ever since my and Melody's relationship flourished, did I realize how much I loved the little diva. She was my everything now and while I wouldn't trade performing for almost anything, I'd quit in a heartbeat if it meant Melody was going to be safe, happy, and my little girl forever. 

"Is everyone doing good? Is everyone still alive?" Ashton yelled into his mic, causing the entire crowd of thousands to scream at the top of their lungs. A smile grew on my face the size of Texas at all the shrieking fans-- this would never get old. 

"Thank you guys so much for coming out to the show! I still think it's weird that you all like our music and us Australian lads. I don't even like us sometimes," Calum joked and a roar of laughter filled my ears. 

"Wait! I think we got a little visitor!" Ashton joyfully announced, causing me to furrow my brows and tilt my head to the side in confusion. 

I turned over my shoulder to gaze at our drummer, whose gaze was to stage right. Wondering what the hell Ashton was talking about, I followed to where his eyes landed. My jaw dropped slightly in surprise when I caught glimpse of the tiny, dark haired diva who had a nose just like mine and little lips I wished would smile at me. 

"Melody, wanna come out here to say hi?" Luke asked, smiling at my baby girl who stood off to the side of the stage, clutching onto Annette's hand. 

"Come here sweetheart," I coerced her, swinging my guitar to hang behind me as I bent down to my knees. 

Shyly, Melody looked up at Annette as if asking for approval. Annette nodded her head, letting go of Melody's hand and gave her a reassuring push towards me. The little diva slowly stepped a foot forward, which was clad in cute monkey slippers my mum bought her before we went on tour. She was already in her princess night gown and when her entire body was presented on stage, the crowd went nuts. Several awws filled our ears, causing Melody to look out into the mass of people with nervousness.

"It's alright Melody, come here," I told her, softness to my voice as I brandished out my arms in her direction. With that, Melody's tiny legs scurried towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck the moment we made contact. Once again, the fans joyously screamed, chanting my little girl's name in support.

Mel-Oh-Dee!

Mel-Oh-Dee!

Mel-Oh-Dee!

I picked her up as she buried her face into the crook of my neck. Pressing Melody against my chest, I softly rubbed her back in comfort. By the heavy, warm breaths against my neck, I could tell she was crying.

"I'm sorry daddy," she cried, hiccuping in between words, "please don't hate me daddy. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." 

"It's okay sweetheart. You're okay," I cooed, bouncing her up and down to calm her down. "I don't hate you. I love you to the moon and back and a hundred times over." 

"I'm sorry daddy. Don't hate me. I love you," Melody whimpered. Another slew of awws from our audience filtered into our ears, and thanks to our wonderful fans, I already knew something was going to be trending on Twitter later. 

"Don't apologize, you're okay now. I don't hate you. I could never hate you. I love you forever and ever," I reassured, "can you look at me sweetheart?" 

"Yes daddy," Melody pouted, prying herself off of my neck to gaze at me with a tear-streaked face. I wiped her cheeks with the palms of my hands, giving her a kiss on the forehead afterwards.

"Will you stop crying for me? And give me a big smile?" I smirked earnestly at my little diva, pushing strands of her hair behind her ear. Melody nodded her head, giving me a big, exaggerated smile that showed off all her teeth. "That's my princess!"

"I'm gonna go sleep now daddy," Melody yawned, playing with the collar of my shirt. 

"Okay sweetheart," I chuckled. I kneeled down, setting her back down onto the ground. "Can I have a goodnight kiss?" 

I puckered my lips, batting my lashes in the same way Melody does hers. My little girl smiled, taking a step forward to give me a quick peck, prompting the crowd to excitedly shriek. I stood up, grabbing the mic out of its stand.

"Goodnight princess," I told her through the mic. "Can you say goodnight to all your fans out in the crowd?" 

I held out the microphone towards Melody, giving her an assuring nod as she shyly took the mic out of my hand. She turned to face the audience and in the most cutest way that could possibly cure cancer, Melody bid the thousands of screaming fans a goodnight.

"Nighty night fans," Melody gave me back the mic, before turning away and running off the stage. She was met with Annette who accompanied Melody away.

I smiled at the scene. Even though Annette was really annoying, too opinionated and made me want to stick my head in a bucket of gasoline, at the end of the day she was good to Melody. Better than good, she was amazing towards her and for that, I couldn't be any more grateful for the stylist. 

"Guys," I looked out into the crowd, my tone serious as I took a deep breath inward before putting a grin on my face. Then, without a care of language, I excitedly declared, "I fucking helped make that cute princess!" 

The entire amphitheater bursted into a cacophony of cheers, woos, and laughter. 

"Michael! Language!" Ashton reprimanded from his drum kit, but started to chuckle at my expense. 

We finished up the rest of the show with an extra push of energy; Melody gave us that push. She was the full embodiment of luck and love and there was definitely a diffusion of that from the moment she walked onto the stage. Our show that night ended and like routine, the boys and I merrily skipped back to our dressing room. We wanted to scream, shout, fool around but we knew that our little princess was fast asleep and had to refrain from derping around. 

"Hey, where's my little diva?" I darted my eyes around the seemingly empty dressing room. No one was in sight and in confusion, I scratched the back of my head. 

"Michael," a sing-song voice rang in my ears, prompting me to turn in that direction. Gail stood by the door with a smile on her face. 

"Where's Melody?" I asked her, taking a step forward. I swiped a cold bottle of water from the craft table, turning the lid to break the seal.

"She's in the bus with Annette," Gail informed as I took a swig of the ice-cold water.

"Oh, why? Normally she sleeps in here till I take her back into the bus," I noted, not that I really minded that Melody was already in the bus, but the routine of taking her back had been instilled into my brain. 

"Annette didn't like the idea of Melody possibly waking up when the show was over," Gail explained as I nodded my head. "Great show as always boys," and with a wink she added, "make sure you check Twitter." 

Ashton, Calum, Luke and I all gazed at one another with puzzlement, but without another word uttered, we all pulled out our phones. I went into my Twitter app, scrolling through the endless notifications. In between all the follow spams, the dirty innuendoes, and kind thank you's, I noticed a hashtag that seemed to be in every single tweet directed towards me. 

#MelodyThe5SOSPrincess

My heart fucking melted. As cliche and totally girly as it sounded, the fact that my amazing fans-- no, family, were so accepting of Melody showed me how truly fortunate I really am. I was living my dreams, out on the road with my three best friends and even though I had received Melody under the most horrific of circumstances, that little girl was a blessing. I missed Carrington like no one could ever understand-- she really was my first love. But as cynical as it sounded, maybe there was a reason why Carrington took her own life; that there's some kind of higher power, some kind of magical wizard working their enchantment for a sole purpose I wasn't aware of yet. Whatever the justification, all I really knew was that Melody was here with me now. 

Back on the quiet bus, the boys and I filtered into our home on wheels, noticing a small light coming from the very back room. Dropping off my backpack into my bunk, I sauntered into the room, my eyes landing on both the little and big diva on the couch together. Annette slumped on the couch with Melody's head resting on her lap as she clutched onto her stuffed monkey. 

"Don't wanna offend you man," Calum began, giving me a hearty pat on the back, "but that's really freaking cute." 

"Melody, yes. Annette… eh, she's alright," I grumbled under my breath, rolling my eyes at the same time. 

"I have a feeling that you and Annette are going to end up getting together," Calum confidently predicted, causing me to burst into a fit of giggles. 

"You are stupid or on drugs because that is not happening," I stated, approaching Melody. I bent down to pick her up, her body squirming a little before I pressed her up to my chest. 

"Daddy?" she croaked.

"Sorry sweetheart. Go to sleep, I'm just taking you back to your bed," I informed. As I walked passed Calum, I concluded our prior conversation, "She and I despise one another. I'd rather shove a cactus up my bootie than start a relationship with Annette Silva." 

"Whatever buddy," Calum chuckled. 

At Melody's bunk, I dropped to my knees and gently placed my little girl into the soft, pink sheets. I pulled the blanket up to her chest, softly stroking her hair. I smiled at my sleeping beauty and the soft snores that escaped her tiny body. I kissed her forehead before closing the curtains of the bunk and stepping away. Before I got myself ready for bed however, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Annette who was still sound asleep on the couch. 

The big diva needs to wake up.

With a sigh, I marched over to where Annette was, ready to shove the spawn of satan into a state consciousness, but right when I lurched my arm forward, I paused. I gazed at the big diva, whose dark hair was in a braid off to the side that reminded me of fucking Elsa from Frozen. Her tattoo beneath her clavicle creeped out beneath her shirt, bringing back a slew of memories of the night I met her. If she weren't so good with Melody, I'd try to get Annette off of this tour. She didn't do hair that well. 

I grabbed a blanket that was sprawled off to the side, shaking it wide open before draping it over Annette's body. I stepped back, taking one last look at the stylist before turning on my heal and walking out of the back room. However, before I could walk completely out, I was met Calum once again who had an incredulous smirk plastered on his face. 

"Cactus up your bootie, huh?" 

"Shut up, Cal," 

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So 5SOS & kids are the most freaking cutest thing ever. Writing chapters for this story always puts me into a state of ultimate feels that my toes get all numb... that's really weird haha. BUT I hoped you all liked this chapter. Thank you for all the reads, votes and comments! I really appreciate it! Please do continue to vote for the chapters and let me know what you think. Thank you again!! <33