"I like the direction our album is going. It's more mature than '...every time you move to the beat it gets harder for me and you know it.'" Michael joked, causing the other three band members, and the interviewer to chuckle.

"Yeah, I mean it was a hit during high school but I hope we've grown since then." Luke chimed in.

"Well, we still have to play it for shows...and guessing from how we act at shows...maybe we haven't grown much since then." Michael added with a snort.

The boys joked together, once again making the room laugh in unison.

They were scheduled to have a radio interview that morning and Astrid knew that.

But did she care to send Core to day care or even call a babysitter?

Nope, instead she leaves Calum to take the four year old with him.

He was thankful the interview was with Nick Doral who loves kids, or else he'd be forced to hand him off to their assistant.

So, the small brown boy sat in his father's lap, scribbling on a notepad given to him by his father.

"So, I have to ask this. It's a bit steered from the current topic but how's fatherhood, Calum?" Nick asked, adjusting his headphones as he awaited the boy's reply.

Calum smiled, glancing down at his son, who attempted at drawing a tree.

"I love it, man. It's definitely not easy--they're a handful. But uh," His smile grew wider as his son looked up at him. "Yeah, I love it."

The place filled was 'aww's' and coo's, causing the boy to turn red.

He didn't think they'd react in such a way because those were his genuine feelings.

He wasn't putting on to sound sweet or 'daddy-like', he just genuinely loved his son and being his father.

Nick nodded and smiled warmly, "That's awesome, mate. A child can change your whole outlook on life."

"Oh man, you have no idea." Calum sighed, lightly chuckling when Core presented his tree.

Luke caught sight of it, along with Ashton who nodded in approval and tilted his head.

"Looks better than anything your dad has drawn." The golden haired boy snickered, causing everyone to laugh in unison once more, even the small child.

"You better sign your initials at the bottom, Calum. You helped make the boy so technically it's your work." Nick added which made them chuckle even louder, handing the Maori boy a pen.

"Are you suggesting he steal his son's work?" One of the female radio personalities asked, a grin on her face.

Nick shrugged, "I'm just trying to secure a career for him just in case the bass playing doesn't work out."

The four boys nearly fell out of their seats, clapping out of order along with laughter, finding this to be absolutely hilarious.

Calum nodded, wiping at his eyes and positioning to stand up. "Alright, guys, I quit." He playfully added, pretending to take his headphones off angrily.

Everyone's laughter died down and soon, they were back to the interview.

"Ah, man, you guys are awesome. But, once again congrats, Calum. We know it wasn't the smoothest road to fatherhood but I'm sure Core was worth it, mate." Nick commented, flashing a reassuring smile Calum's way then glancing down at the small one between the man's legs.

The brown boy deflated a bit, remembering everything as if it happened yesterday and mentally sighing. He hated what he did and how he went about doing it but Nick was right.

Though he'd rather him and Astrid be married or at least together, having Core in his life at the end of it was worth it.

And not only that, the fact that he's able to be with his son, despite all he did to his mother, made it worth it.

Calum smiled and nodded, "Yeah, he was. Thanks, mate." He replied to Nick, picking the toddler up and placing him in his lap.

Of course, once again, he'd rather not cheated but sometimes in life you don't get a rewind button. So, with all that's happened, he thanks God he's able to at least co-parent with Astrid and be involved in his son's life, as much as he could.

But, that was soon going to change. Calum was going to make things right this time and not only be in his son's life more but get a ring on the finger of the woman he truly loved.

The interviewer continued, "So, you all aren't going to be in sunny California for too long. Where to next?"

Micheal was first to the mic, answering, "Yeah, well first we'll play a few shows in California. But in a few weeks we'll be in South America to kick-off the middle-end of the tour. Let's hope I don't lose my passport or end up in another commercial." The dark-haired boy joked, making Ashton and Luke snicker, Calum simply just shaking his head with a smile.

The small boy on Calum's lap furrowed his small brows and scooted towards his father's mic. "Uncle Micheal famous?" He uttered, genuinely puzzled, only catching the latter part of Michael's words, and bringing an uproar of chuckling around the room in response.

"Yes, Cor, your uncle was featured as a reddish-blob in a commercial." Michael confirmed, nodding as the toddler giggled.

Nick's laughter died down with a sigh, shaking his head as he concluded the interview. "So on that note, we're going to sign off with 5 Seconds of Summer," He paused, giving everyone a chance to cheer and whoop, which they did, before continuing. "Make sure you all get a copy of their latest album, Sounds Good, Feels Good, it's worth it, believe me. Lads, we look forward to seeing you for the California dates. Keep on rockin'. Also, little Core has an all-time pass to the radio station so please visit us again, little buddy." He said, grinning at the small child, whose eyes widened and lit up at the man's words.

Calum angled the mic for the smaller boy as he stood, to give the man a response. "Dadda, it okay?" Core asked, bringing coos throughout the room, the brown man staring down at his son with so much love in his eyes it actually stung a little.

He nodded, "Yeah, it okay, babe." Calum answered, causing everyone to 'awh' and cheer happily as the small boy wiggled in excitement.

"We'll see you soon, Core. Bring more art! Talk to you guys when you get back, cheers, mates." Nick and a few others waved the boys off as they stripped their headphones from their ears and headed for the exit.

The brown boy reached down and picked his son up, holding him to his waist as the smaller one laid his head on his shoulder.

"Sleepy, bud?" Calum asked, flashing a quick smile at the guard who held the door open for him.

The toddler nodded his head as much as he could, nestling his face into the warmth of his father's neck, bringing a chuckle to his lips. "Yeah, you're sleepy. Let's get you home." He said above a whisper because he can feel his son's eyes fluttering which means he's close to clocking out.

But just as he was about to place the boy down to gather their things, his phone went off in his pocket, causing him to sucked his teeth.

"Luke," He quietly called out to his band mate, grabbing his attention as he turned his blond head. "Can you hold Cor? Someone's calling me." Calum asked, shifting uncomfortably due to the constant vibration in his pants.

The blue eyed boy obliged almost immediately, carefully scooping the boy from Calum and instantly rocking him back to sleep.

The brown man quickly dug into his pocket and answered the call as he brought the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"About time you answered the phone. I called you like thirty minutes ago and you didn't answer." Astrid said, clearly agitated. Calum furrowed his brows then made a face of realization when he remembered he gave his phone to his son to play a game before the interview started.

"My bad. I gave the phone to Core to play a game. Is everything alright?" He asked, full of concern. Though she was on attitude mode, already, he could hear slight panic in her voice, as well.

Astrid bit down at her bottom lip, glancing at her older modeled Audi before sighing.

"Kind of. This stupid car is acting up, again." She groaned, running a hand through her hair.

"Again? What happened this time?" Calum sighed, shaking his head. This was a least the fifth time since she's bought the car that she's been having troubles with it. And each time, Calum had to either fix it or come out of his pocket to fix it, not that he cared though.

Astrid rolled her eyes and threw a hand in the air, "I don't know. You're the car expert. All I know is it won't start. I put the key in the ignition but it won't turn over." She explained.

Calum nodded slowly to himself then rushed to his bag. "Okay just hang tight, babe. I'll be there with Core in a little." He said, causing Luke to glance up at him with an unsure look.

Astrid smiled at the mention of her son, completely ignoring the fact that Calum continues to call her anything but her name.

"Awh, how is my baby boy?"

"I'm doing fine. Just packing up so we can get you." Calum shot back with a smirk.

"Bye, Cal. See you when you get here." Astrid quickly replied, hanging up, which caused Calum to chuckle, removing the phone from his ear.

"I'm guessing that was Astrid from the grin on your face." Luke said quietly, rocking the smaller boy at a smoother pace now since he's sound asleep.

He knew only one woman in this world, not even his mother, could bring a smile like the one on his face and that was Astrid.

Luke was there from the time they met all the way down to Core being born so he was aware of everything that's happened. He's also aware that Calum isn't going to give up on his pursuit to get Astrid back.

Though he's told him to let it go so many times, he knows Calum isn't going to stop until Astrid tells him to to, which she hasn't officially, so who knows how long he's willing to go.

But, if he knew his friend, and he did, he was sure only death could stop him.

Calum smirked up at his friend and threw his backpack on his shoulder, nodding his head in the direction of the door.

"Baby mama's having car trouble. Big daddy Calum to the rescue." He grabbed his guitar bag and began stepping towards the door, Luke and Core in tow.

The blond boy could only chuckle, shaking his head. "Please refrain from calling yourself 'Big Daddy', mate. Also, she really needs a new car. I'm sure you've spent loads on fixing it, already." He explained, ducking slightly as they made it outside, swiftly moving to Calum's Jeep.

His words stuck to Calum's brain as if it was glued, giving him a slight idea of how to fix her car troubles once and for all.

And maybe even getting on her better side, not good, but better side.

Calum nodded in agreement, placing his bags in the backseat then wiggling his fingers for his son.

"Yeah, I'm with you, man. But you know she's attached to that raggedy car so, I don't know how that's going to work." He sighed, settling the small boy into his car seat with caution.

"Yeah, that's true. Well, anyway, rehearsals start next week so try not to be late." Luke joked, patting Calum on the arm as he made his way to the driver's seat.

The brown man snickered then rolled his eyes, "Thanks, boss." He joked back, causing Luke to grin as he waved, walking in the opposite direction.

-

Calum never knew that his small time in mechanics 101 would come in handy so much. So far he's fixed the fan to her air conditioning, her water pump, a few fuses and even the radiator pump, which he hopes isn't the case this time because it's a difficult task.

But the point is, he's always been there for the girl in that sense and you'd think she'd at least be nice about it.

But then again, this was Astrid we were talking about...

"Calum, so help me if you scratch my baby I will beat you with this wrench." Astrid said, holding up a pair of silver pliers.

The brown man couldn't do nothing but chuckle, shaking his head to himself as he cleaned his fingers of oil, walking to the girl.

"These are pliers, not a wrench." He commented, biting back a grin when the girl rolled her eyes, not even fighting when Calum took the tool from her hand. "Also, I won't be scratching it because there's nothing further I can do. It has to either be taken to a mechanic...or..." Calum dragged, causing the girl to narrow her eyes suspiciously at the boy.

"Or what?" She challeneged, crossing her arms over her chest.

He could smell what was going to happen next but he went for it, anyway.

"Or you could get another--"

"No. No. Absolutely not. I have a kid who is in school that costs money and bills so I can't just buy a Bugatti off the lot." The fiesty tan-skinned girl said, grabbing her bag from the front seat of her car and slamming her door as she approached his Jeep.

Calum sighed deeply to himself, closing the hood of her truck and locking her car up to remain in the car lot.

If he wasn't in love with the girl, he surely wouldn't put himself through this but it's not always rainbows and butterflies and sometimes you've got to get a little rain before the sunshine.

So, Calum was willing to deal with the storm in hopes of the sun soon after.

IT'S BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE I LAST UPDATED THIS STORY OMG IMA MESS!

SO IDK HOW THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE I LITERALLY LOVE THE IDEA OF CALUM WITH A SON BUT ANYWAY IM BACK YALL!

OMG IT'S 2018 I JUST REALIZED LOL

WELL I'M HOPING TO RENEW AND UPDATE SOME OLD STORIES OF MINE LIKE THIS ONE THIS YEAR SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT 👀👀

I WILL ALSO BE UPLOADING SOME NEW STORIES TOO SO ALSO LOOK OUT FOR THAT!

SO SINCE IM GOING ON ABOUT WHAT I'M DOING THIS YEAR, MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO THIS YEAR?

LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!

SO YEAH SHOW ME LOVE BY VOTING AND COMMENTING!

LOVE YALL AND AS ALWAYS TTYL :]