michael.

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If there was anything remotely imperative I've learned as being a new, young father, it's the fact that ice cream fixes everything. At least in the life of a seemingly happy three-year-old, cold, creamy confection topped with sprinkles and served in a sweet waffle cone appears to be the perfect remedy. Glossy eyes and frowns were something I never enjoyed, especially when they adorned the face of my little diva. But after getting cleaned up and surviving the grueling pain of scraped knees, I knew the one thing that could make my baby smile is ice cream.

"What flavor do you want princess?" I asked Melody, holding her in my arms as she draped hers around my neck.

"Um," she contemplated, her eyes darting from flavor to flavor.

Melody had yet to let me go. I guessed the fall at the playground at traumatized her a bit, and prompted some kind of fear in her. Nevertheless, I didn't mind. Melody tended to be independent and I was willing to carry her whenever she'd let me.

"Daddy can I have the pink one?" Melody asked, pointing towards the tub of strawberry ice cream through the clear glass.

"Of course," I smiled, before turning to look at Annette, "did you want anything? There's some non-dairy options."

"I'm okay, thanks though," Annette grinned, shaking her head.

"Are you sure? Because I don't know when I'm going to be nice to you again," I joked, though I was slightly serious as I knew Annette would annoy me soon enough. "Come on Annette, get something. That dairy-free peanut butter chocolate ice cream looks yummy."

"Clifford, I'm good, really," Annette insisted, but that wasn't an answer I was willing to take.

I turned to the toddler in my arms, "Melody, can you please ask Annette to pick out an ice cream flavor?"

Happily, she complied, turning to Annette with a small smile, "Annette, get some ice cream please! So my daddy can be happy."

"Thank you sweetie," I kissed Melody's forehead before turning to look at Annette again with a pout on my face.

Upon seeing this, Melody followed her daddy's footsteps and also formed a frown on her face, while staring pathetically at Annette. Between the two of us, we were cute as fuck and there was no way the stylist could deny our pleas.

"Fine," Annette grumbled with a defeated sigh, causing me to smirk with satisfaction.

"Good answer," I winked, "now pick a flavor."

I strolled up to the employee working behind the counter with a smile on my face. I don't know why I was so persistent in wanting to buy Annette ice cream. I guessed I just wanted a simple way to thank her for helping me out with Melody. And not just for today, but since the start of tour. Annette, though a bothersome, has been beyond helpful in caring for Melody, and for that, ice cream was the perfect way to say thank you.

After paying for our afternoon dessert, I almost suggested to sit in store, but when my eyes trailed to the line of paparazzi and fans outside, I decided against it. Normally I wouldn't mind when I was with the boys, but with Melody, it was a whole different game. I didn't want her to grow up with her photo plastered across tabloids, wondering why so many people wanted to take photos of her. I just wanted to keep her safe.

"The car is parked across the street," I mentioned, motioning for the black vehicle sitting idle behind the commotion.

"I can go outside and have the driver pull up closer," Annette suggested. She too looked concern, and I was pretty sure it was because of Melody's well being.

"No, it's fine. Let's just get Melody out of here as fast as possible," I told her.

I looked down to the little girl in my arms who unbeknown to her, was a mob of nosey people ready to attack. As Melody ate her ice cream in peace, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. Melody looked up at me with her big brown eyes, reminding me of the woman I once loved so long ago.

"Ready?" Annette asked, and I simply nodded.

And just like that, the three of us threw ourselves into the line of fire. The moment we did, flash photography went off, a slew of questions bombarded us, and the rapid fingers tapping away on cell phone screens were instantaneously posting updates on the scene before them. The commotion was loud, jarring almost and I wasted no time in looking at the toddler in my arms to make sure she ways okay. Melody just stared in awe at the surrounding people, her mind working at a thousand miles per hour in absolute wonder.

"Daddy..." Melody pouted.

She could feel my concern, I know she could. Which meant this whole ordeal became a bigger issue. Melody didn't think this was something to feel fear over, but in seeing my own face cower with fright, was she influenced.

"Michael, is who's the pretty, young lady?"

"Is that Melody's new mommy?"

"Melody! Look at the camera!"

Words flung at us in all sorts of direction. I knew how to ignore them, as I did it often. But there was something about my daughter's name coming of their mouths that put me on edge.

"Leave my daughter out of this please," I calmly spoke, but my tone was stern, as I looked at on of the paps in the eye with a serious glare.

"What happened to Melody's knee?" The pap questioned, a snarky attitude dripping from his stupid smirk. "Did you neglect her, like the other night when you were at the club?"

I halted my steps. I curtly turned to the audacious pap and narrowed in my eyebrows. I wanted to punch him in the nose, but I knew that wouldn't be good idea, especially with a three year old in my arms.

"For the record," I began, catching the attention of the six paparazzi nearby, "I did not neglect my daughter, and I never will. Please mind your own damn business."

"Come on," Annette tugged onto my arm, gesturing for the car that was less than ten feet away from us.

This action prompted more questions but instead of answering them, I did my best to ignore the ongoing slew. I held onto Melody tighter with one arm and using the other one to wrap around Annette's shoulder protectively. I wasn't so sure what brought me to do so, but it felt right at the time.

Annette looked up at me with confusion in her eyes, but I concentrated on getting us to the car. When we arrived, I swung open the door and gently pushed Annette inside. I rounded the car quickly, opening the other door and placing Melody into her car seat.

"Daddy who's all those people?" Melody questioned, as I buckled her in.

"No one important princess," I sighed, grabbing a napkin from my back pocket to wipe her sticky mouth and ice-cream clad hands.

"Then why do they know my name, daddy?" Melody continued.

"Because they're nosey," I told her. I gave her a small smile, bopping her nose with my finger causing her to giggle. I took a step back, closing the door shut and sat in the passenger seat. Without another word, this was our driver's cue to pull away from the curb and drive away, paparazzi taking photos as we did.

I let out a sigh of relief knowing that we were leaving that situation and into a more safe one. I rubbed my face, hoping the action would ebb the stress but it didn't really help. What did however, was the singing that came from the back seat behind me. To the tune of my own song, both Melody and Annette sang Long Way Home on our way home to the bus.

I turned my head to take a peek at the two divas who were happily singing together and making funny faces at one another. My eyes drifted from my little diva to the bigger one, suddenly taking notice of her bright smile. It seemed to shine the brightest whenever she was with Melody, and while I'd never admit this out loud, Annette did have a really pretty smile.

"Take a picture Clifford, it'll last longer," Annette teased, sticking her tongue out in my direction.

Ugh, still annoying.

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Sorry for the late update guys! I've been putting my effort into my other stories. I really do hope you liked this chapter. I know it's not too eventful but I really wanted to develop more of Michael and Annette's relationship. Thanks for reading my story. Please don't forget to vote and to comment! :)