A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

My phone doesn't even last an entire ring. Dad answers so fast.

"Kat! You're home? You are home right? I'll be right there." Dad insists before I can so much as say hi. I immediately burst into tears. That was exactly what I wanted to hear, my dad worrying after me like always. I can hear someone in the background of the phone call objecting as dad packs up his stuff.

"Sir, we haven't finished the-" A male voice tentatively starts. Dad cuts him off.

"Don't care. My daughter is home. I need to go." Dad insists. I cry harder and Ashton knocks on the door loudly.

"Kat? Are you okay?" He calls through the door, concern in his tone.

"I'm fine. Don't worry." I answer with a sniffle. I shouldn't have delayed calling my dad and telling him I'm home. A bath could have waited, I just want to see him. I wouldn't even have cared if he saw me covered in paint handprints, I almost want him to lecture me because at least I know he cares. Dad might be a total workaholic, but when it matters he will always put me first. Usually I behave like the good, independent daughter and tell him I don't mind him working late and as long as he checks in regularly and takes days off every now and then I don't mind it. He can spend his time however he likes. But tonight I refuse to do that. I want to hug my dad. There was a moment where I was sure I was going to die and that I would never see him again and now all I want to do is tell him that I love him. I suspect that I might have to intervene to stop my dad from actually pulling a gun on Ashton. I assume he's going to be pissed that I got hurt. But even that doesn't sound all that awful to deal with.

"Sorry honey, I'll be home soon. I'm just going to yell at a few more people to leave me alone and I'll be there as soon as possible." He says firmly. I wipe my eyes and I'm fairly sure I sound super pathetic when I answer. "Okay. I'll wait up."

I plug my phone back into charge. I should head back to the living room and let the guys know that dad will be back soon. In case Ashton needs to prepare... Or hide. Except... Is Ashton still standing by my door? I can't hear him or anything... But I'm fairly sure he's still there. I open the door and sure enough there he is, hovering awkwardly in front of the doorway looking concerned and a little uncomfortable.

"Um... Hi?" I say with a half smile. Ashton reaches out and runs a finger over my cheek as he takes in my watery eyes. I'm starting to think that he can see better in this darkness than I can, which makes me even more appreciative of how respectful he was in the bathroom.

"I could hear you crying?" His words are a question. I give a half nod, half shrug.

"Yeah I guess. I was just calling dad and... I don't know. I missed him. He's on his way home now." I warn him. Ashton nods.

"Good. You should see him." He agrees easily and I raise an eyebrow.

"I thought you might not be too keen to see him. I doubt he's going to be very happy to see you." I confess. Ashton shrugs.

"If your father is angry with me I will accept that. He has every right to be upset with me. But I would never want you to avoid him because of me." Ashton says firmly and I think I want to cry again. His expression is dead serious and kind of sad and I suspect he's thinking about his own dad. I wrap my arms tight around his waist and rest my head against his chest. He immediately wraps his arms around me and I can't think of a single reason to let go.noveldrama

I don't know how long we've been standing here for, but my dad is apparently not as much of a law obeying cop as I expected because it can't have been more than ten minutes since he hung up the phone and he is already bursting through the front door. I step away from Ashton, not wanting to make things any more difficult for him than I'm already expecting it will be.

"Kat!" He yells, flicking on the hallway light, making Ashton and I both flinch and squint. Dad stops in his tracks and narrows his eyes, glaring at Ashton.

"You. Why are you back here?" He demands, taking a step closer, a little aggressively if you ask me. I completely ignore his irritation and rush towards him and throw myself at him in a hug.

"I love you dad." I say, a little desperately. Dad clutches me in a huge bearhug, so tightly that I can barely breathe.

"I love you too sweetie." He whispers. Then he pulls me around to one side of him, not letting go of me. But this way he can continue to glare at Ashton.

"What the hell were you thinking? You PROMISED to take care of my daughter. You were leaving, she was supposed to be safe. It was all OVER and then I get panicked calls from Lucy telling me my place is trashed and Kat is GONE!" The further my dad gets the more agitated he seems until he is basically yelling.

"Then I get your friend turning up and telling me that Kat was attacked but she will be fine and that she is in the FUCKING fae realm and she will be home 'soon."" Dad's voice is ice cold and I can't help but stare. I've never seen him like that before, and I've never heard him use that kind of language. He is practically shaking with anger and is still clutching me tight, keeping himself between me and Ashton like I need protecting. Ashton doesn't try to defend himself, he doesn't say anything actually. He just stands there and lets my dad yell at him. He mostly keeps his expression relaxed and contrite, only flinching a couple times when dad really raises his voice. I wait for Ashton to say something, then realise he isn't going to. I remember that he legitimately believes my getting hurt was his fault, and he can't lie. He probably agrees with my dad. Ugh, stupid, overprotective men who think they can control everything. It's time for me to intervene. "Dad, it wasn't his fault. Seriously. I'll explain everything but Ashton saved my life." I hesitate before adding.

"Also you should know... I love him. I don't want you to hate him..." I trail off. Dad goes still and examines my face closely. I'm blushing red and a sideways glance at Ashton shows that he is doing his best not to smile and is failing epically. He also has a slightly shocked expression, I don't think he was expecting me to just announce my feelings. I mean, I only admitted them to HIM a few hours ago. But there's not much point in hiding it. Dad knows me well and he already knew I was attached. Dad turns back to Ashton with a stony expression that causes Ashton to straighten his shoulders and stand to attention. I realise that Ashton hasn't bothered to put on a glamour, or a shirt. So my dad is seeing him completely as he is.

"Have you forgotten our previous conversation?" Dad asks, his voice low and serious. Ashton shakes his head.

"I have not forgotten. But I will not let it become a problem. You told me that you did not approve of my attentions towards Kat because I would not be able to stay with her. I will not be leaving her behind again, no matter what happens." Ashton pauses and I'm pretty sure I'm floating. My heart is racing and I can't help stop the huge, silly grin from plastering itself on my face. That was a definite statement from someone who can't lie. Ashton won't be leaving me. I told him my feelings and he promised never to leave me. I'm basically on top of the world.

"I know that now is not a good time to seek your blessing or approval and I do not intend to ask for it. You have only seen the dangers of my life and I can understand why you would not want that for the daughter you have raised and protected. I want to protect her too. I will only ask that you allow me a chance to prove myself to you." Ashton says with calm determination. Am I in a movie or something? A romantic comedy of some kind? Because I would never have dreamed that a guy would speak to my dad that way, and all for me. I kind of want to kiss him now but I don't think that's actually going to help his argument. I DO pull away from dad and reach out a hand to Ashton. He immediately links his hand with mine as we wait for my dad to respond.