"Have you got everything?" Ashton asked as he was standing in the doorway while watching Luke messily pack his bag.

"Yeah, I think so" Luke mumbled as he tried to fit a pair of shoes in the quite full suitcase.

"Do you have your passport and boarding pass?" Ashton asked again, making Luke lift his head and look at him with wide eyes.

"Shit, I have no idea where my passport is"

"Are you serious?" Ashton asked and chuckled, "You're leaving in 15 minutes, Luke"

Luke sighed and stood up from the floor to frantically search around their bedroom to find his passport. He was on his way to New York with Dan, his boss, to attend a few fancy food fairs to find new ideas for their menu.

Luke was quite hesitant in going first, since he'd be gone for 3 days and he didn't want to leave Ashton and the kids. But then Dan had said that it was a privilege to go, and if Luke did a good job there, they could start talking about a promotion.

Ashton had wanted Luke to go from the beginning, saying that Luke deserved to go away for a few days. But when Luke mentioned that he may become head chef of the restaurant, or in other terms; kitchen manager, Ashton almost forced him to go.

Luke was excited though. Not only would he go to New York, but he would be experiencing something new and something he loved. And he got payed to do so.

"Where is it? I don't know where I put it when we unpacked the boxes," Luke mumbled and checked every corner of the room, "What if it's still at my old apartment?"

"You need to calm down," Ashton said and laughed warmly, "Finish you packing and I'll find your passport for you"

Luke nodded with a stressed frown on his face before going back to packing his suitcase. He had packed way too much unnecessary stuff into his small suitcase, and the fact that it was all just thrown into it made it even worse. But he had no time to unpack it now, so he had to leave it like that.

As he finally managed to close the suitcase, he sighed out in content before walking over to the bed and collected his phone, headphones, book, and boarding pass to have in handy for the flight.

Ashton came back soon and handed him his passport with a grin. Luke sighed out in relief before kissing Ashton's lips and pulled the older boy into his arms.

"So, is there something special you'd like for me to buy you in New York?" Luke spoke softly as he had his arms wrapped around Ashton securely.

"You don't have to buy me anything, Luke" Ashton said and chuckled softly.

"Of course I do. It's your birthday next week, the big 25" Luke said and smirked when Ashton rolled his eyes.

"I'm getting old, aren't I?" Ashton asked, making Luke scoff and shake his head.

"25 is hardly old. It's not even close to being old, so don't complain" Luke said and kissed Ashton's cheek lovingly.

"Says the 21 year old who whines about turning 22. I'm half way to 50 now, Luke" Ashton said and looked at Luke with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better; you don't look a day over 20," he said, making Ashton laugh, "And for being half 50, you're still damn sexy"

"Thank you" Ashton whispered with a grin before laughing and pressed his lips on Luke's again, "And I don't care what you buy for me. You don't have to buy me anything. I'm still counting the apartment as a birthday present and christmas gift"

"You payed for the apartment as well, so that won't do. I'll buy you something nice, you'll see" Luke said and smiled contently before kissing Ashton again.

"Dad!" Leon's voice was heard through the whole apartment before the small boy entered the bedroom and looked at his two father's embracing each other lovingly.

"Yeah?" Luke asked and placed a kiss on Ashton's forehead before letting the older boy go and walked over to his son instead. He crouched down by the small boy and smiled as Leon placed his small hands on his broad shoulders.

"I'm done with the cookies now" Leon said in a proud voice, watching his father with a big grin.

"Oh, you are?" Luke asked and laughed when Leon nodded his head excitedly, "Okay, then lead the way"

Leon took Luke's hand and dragged him out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, not without yelling "come on, dad!" to Ashton so the older father would hurry up as well.

Luke entered the kitchen and smiled big when seeing a plate with unbelievably good looking cookies. Luke knew his son was great in the kitchen, but stuff like this blew Luke away.

The boy was only 4 years old, but could still makes cookies all by himself. Though, a grown up had to handle the stove and oven.

"Wow, they look really good," Luke said as he picked up Leon to hold him against his chest, "And they smell amazing"

Leon giggled and nodded his head, looking so proud of himself that it warmed Luke's heart. He was so proud of his son. Leon would do great in life.

"Look, dad!" Leon said and pointed down at the plate when Ashton stepped into the kitchen as well. Ashton gasped and walked over to Leon to compliment his work, making the young boy even more content.

"I wish I had time to sit down and taste but Dan is picking me up in 5 minutes" Luke said as he eyed the clock on the wall.

"I need to have time to say goodbye to the sleeping beauty" Luke said, making Ashton smile small.

"When you get there, can you check that she drink some water. She need to drink when she's sick" Ashton said and Luke nodded before putting Leon down on the floor.

"Dad, I can pack you some cookies if you want?" Leon said and looked up at Luke.

"Yeah, that'd be great, bud" Luke said and ran a hand through Leon's light brunette hair. Leon smiled before turning to Ashton and grabbed his hand.

Luke bit his lip in happiness before walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs. He walked over to the door on the left and entered the pretty painted room, watching the pretty little girl sound asleep on her pretty little bed.

Luke smiled and quietly walked inside and over to the bed. He crouched down beside it and looked at Peach's sleeping face before reaching a hand out and gently ran his fingertips over her soft cheek.

Luke pouted slightly when feeling her skin burn against his, knowing the fever was still high. She didn't look sick though, she looked comfortably asleep.

"Hey, princess" Luke whispered as Peach started to slowly open her eyes, waking up from her deep slumber. She mumbled something Luke couldn't hear, making the father smile sadly.

"How are you feeling?" Luke whispered and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I'm cold" Peach whispered out, making Luke nod his head before laying down beside the small girl and held her in his arms. She breathed out heavily and buried herself in Luke's chest, seeking warmth.

"Have you drunk your water?" Luke asked as he eyed the half empty glass of water on the bedside table. Peach simply nodded her head and relaxed into Luke's hold.

"Keep drinking, okay? It's important to drink when you have a fever" Luke said and Peach nodded her head again.

Luke smiled and leaned down to kiss Peach's forehead before tightening his hold around the small girl.

"I'm leaving now. I just wanted to say bye, that I'll miss you, and that I love you" Luke whispered softly.

"When do you get home?" Peach asked in a tired voice.

"Friday night. You and Leon will probably be asleep by then, but I promise to come in and say hello" Luke said and smiled down at the small honey-blond.

"Okay," Peach said and yawned, "I'll miss you and I love you too"

Luke smiled and kissed the small girl's forehead once again before hugging her again.

"Get better, okay? And stay good to dad while I'm away. Sleep and drink now so you'll get better," Luke whispered, "If you feel like it, Leon has made cookies and I think he'd be more than happy to share them with you"

Peach nodded her head and hugged Luke once again before relaxing back in her bed. Luke watched with a small smile as she fell back to sleep.

Luke would have like to stay like this the whole day, but Dan would be picking him up any minute now, so he reluctantly stood up from the bed and gave Peach one lest kiss before exiting the room and walked downstairs again.

"How is she?" Ashton asked as Luke entered the kitchen again. Luke walked over to him and draped his arms around Ashton's waist as he held onto him tightly.

"She's tired. She'll get better soon though, it's just a fever" Luke mumbled and smiled at Ashton.

"Here you go, dad" Leon said and walked over with a small bag containing a few cookies. Luke took it with a grin before crouching down in front of Leon.

"I'm gonna miss you" Luke said with a pout, making Leon giggle.

"I'm gonna miss you too" Leon said and hugged his father.

"You know, when I'm gone I'm counting on you to be the man of the household," Luke said, making Ashton scoff from behind them, "So I'm leaving you to take care of dad and your sister. You'll cook for them, right?"

Leon grinned and nodded his head before embracing his father again. Luke hugged his son tightly and kissed the top of his head before pulling away and ruffled his hair.

"I love you" Luke said with a smile.

"I'm gonna go check on Peach" Leon said and ran up the stairs, "Bye dad, I love you!" he called from the middle of the stairs before running up to Peach's room.

"He's so energetic" Ashton laughed before walking over to Luke again and wrapped his arms around the blonde's neck.

"I'm gonna miss you, baby" Luke whispered as he wrapped his arms around Ashton as well.

"I'm gonna miss you too," Ashton said and ran his fingers through Luke's hair, "You better come home with a promotion after leaving me for three days"

"You were the one saying I should go," Luke said and chuckled, "But I promise, I'll come home with a bigger paycheck"

"Good" Ashton said and grinned before pressing his lips against Luke's. Luke hummed as he parted his lips and let Ashton's tongue enter his mouth.

They kissed softly, taking their time and saving every touch and feel in their memories. They would only be away from each other for three days, but they acted like it was months.

"Can I bring your lips to New York?" Luke asked and ran his hands up and down Ashton's back before sliding them down to his ass.

"And your ass?" Luke added in a whisper, making Ashton laugh.

"You want that in a bag as well?" Ashton asked, making Luke grin and nod his head. Ashton laughed and rolled his eyes before leaning in to place his lips on Luke's again.

He sighed as he pulled away from Luke's lips and looked at the blonde sadly.

"This is the first time we're away from each other after months of dating," Ashton said and pressed himself closer to Luke's chest, "We're one of those annoying couples who can't function without their other half"

Luke chuckled and shook his head before kissing Ashton again and again and again. He was forced to pull away when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Luke picked his phone up and read on the screen that Dan was waiting outside. Ashton saw it and sighed before kissing Luke again and released his hold on him.

"I love you, baby" Luke said as he picked up his suitcase from the floor.

"I love you too" Ashton whispered and kissed Luke once more before watching the blonde give him a small smile and exiting the apartment.

**

"Welcome to New York, Hemmings" Dan said to Luke as they were seated in a cab and drove through the city to the hotel.

Luke's eyes were wide as he looked at the tall buildings and hectic life around him. He had never been to New York before. He had never had a reason to go to the Big Apple, and never felt the need to. But being here right now, he noticed he had missed out on a lot.

"Thank you" Luke breathed out, making Dan chuckle.

"We have some time to spare at the hotel before we're leaving again. I need to meet up with some people, but I made your reservation in your name, so you can just check in and get some rest" Dan spoke as he scrolled through his phone.

"Okay, yeah," Luke said and nodded his head, feeling like an excited child, "What time are we meeting up again?"

"We'll say 2:30 in the lobby" Dan said, making Luke nod his head. Luke felt like a high schooler on a school trip with his teacher.

They drove for another 10 minutes before the cab parked outside a fancy hotel. Luke was in slight awe as he stepped outside and tilted his head back to watch the high skyscrapers.

They walked into the hotel while Luke was watching everything around him. He smiled when seeing a family, immediately missing his own little one at home.

"It's only 3 days, Luke" Dan spoke and gave the boy a pat on the shoulder before his phone started to ring.

"I need to take this," Dan said and waved his phone around, "Go and check in to your room. I'll meet you down here at 2:30. Not a minute later, okay Hemmings?"

"Sir, yes sir" Luke answered, making Dan roll his eyes and laugh before he answered the call and walked away. Luke took one last look around the lobby before walking over to the reception.

"Hello and welcome to Crosby Street Hotel. How may I help you?" a posh looking girl said behind the counter as she smiled politely at Luke.

"Um yeah, I have an reservation?" Luke said awkwardly, not used to such a nice place.

"What's your name, sir?" the girl asked, making Luke grimace slightly at being called 'sir'.

"Luke Hemmings"

She looked through her computer before smiling up at Luke once again, "Here we have it," she said and turned around to get a key, "Room 106"

"Thank you" Luke mumbled and took the key from her as he gave her yet another awkward smile.

"Have a great stay, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask us" she said before turning her attention to another guest.

Luke was left a bit confused as he stepped aside and started to pick up his stuff again. He fumbled with the handle of his suitcase as a polite voice - obviously forced - spoke up.

"Do you need any help finding your room, sir?"

"Um no, I think I'm g-" Luke said but stopped right in his sentence when lifting his head and locking eyes with a pair of pretty hazel-blue ones.

He bit the inside of his cheek hard when watching that familiar face and those thick brown locks.

"Oh my god," the pretty girl breathed out as her face fell, "Luke"

Her face was showing fear and panic. Luke understood, he'd feel so as well if he didn't feel pure anger.

But mostly he felt relief, and he surprised himself when feeling a warm feeling inside of him as he breathed out that familiar name to the girl he once loved,

"Dani"

•••

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