Ash had the whole thing planned.

He had Milo and Amelia at his place for the week. And he was supposed to drop them off at your place by six for your week. He had a hiccup though. He had to stop by Kev’s real quick to grab his box of tools he left last week. Cause something staying at Kev more than a few days obviously ends up lost. God knows why.

He stopped the car in front of Kev’s place and immediately sensed something was off.

Cars everywhere. Loud music. Colorful lights. People yelling and laughing.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” Ash muttered, wondering why he kept hanging out with Kev. And the kids on the backseat noticed. Of course they did. The 2 years old boy stopped eating his fruit pouch, mesmerized by the lights. And Amelia was already getting ready to ask questions. Typical Amelia.

Ash unbuckled his seatbelt. “You guys stay in the car, okay ? I’m just grabbing something.”

Amelia immediately perked up. “Can I come?”

“No. Just two seconds. Stay with your brother.”

But the second he opened the door, Milo started sobbing dramatically, like Ash had just announced he was leaving forever.

Ash cursed under his breath. “Alright, alright, chill.”

Next thing he knew, he was walking toward the front door, an arm around Milo, who was sitting on his hip, and his other hand holding Amelia’s one. Ash was already annoyed, Milo was clutching his hoodie, and the 6 years old little girl was asking a million questions.

Inside, it was chaos.

Kev’s place was packed : loud music, alcohol everywhere, someone drinking shots non-stop, people laughing and yelling over each other.

Kev suddenly appeared from the kitchen “Hey, Ash !” he said, a beer in his hand “I never thought you’d come !”

Ash sighed, shifted Milo on his other hip, letting go of Amelia’s hand for a second, which was enough for her to wander over to the table with the Doritos and dips. Milo clung tighter to his father’s hoodie, looking around with wide eyes.

“I just came for the box of tools.” he said.

But it was like Kev didn’t hear “You want a beer ?”

Ash gave him a look that said ‘Are you fucking kidding me ?’ and gestured towards Milo and Amelia… realising that she disappeared.

“Alright, alright, then… apple juice ?” Kev said clumsily.

Milo perked up at the mention of apple juice “Apple juice !” he said, delighted, which made Kev chuckle. Ash looked at his friend “Man, I’m just here for the box of stools, and I’m leaving.” he said, already freaking out because of Amelia’s runaway.

“Woooow chill, what’s the rush ?” Kev asked.

“I have to drop them off at their mom’s.”

Kev’s smile suddenly faltered “…What time ?” he asked, his tone a bit more serious.

Ash sighed, grabbing Milo’s hand as he tried to reach out for someone’s funny hat “At six.”

Kev blinked and looked at his phone “…Man, it’s past six.”

Ash froze, pulled out his phone, and looked at the screen.

6:18

He cursed under his breath. Before he could look around for Amelia, he saw your name on his phone.

You were calling. And he was late, at Kev, someone you weren’t a fan of, who hosted a damn party, with your 2 years old son in the middle of this mess, and your 6 years old daughter missing.