"You're doing what?" Ashton's voice sounded from Calum's Jeep via Bluetooth, causing the brown boy to sigh.

He couldn't count on both his hands how many times his band mates have tried to get Calum out this situation with Astrid.

The many times they've told him this wasn't going to work no matter how genuinely sorry they knew he was, and he was sorry.

But it fell on deaf ears every time because though they were dear friends, they weren't him so they didn't know how the girl made him feel.

Calum has explained it time and time again but they weren't hearing it.

He had to admit, they were persistent but so was Calum.

"Ash, please don't start, man." The brown boy pleaded, waving at a few fans in the car beside him at a red light.

A shuffling can be heard through the phone before Ashton sighed and spoke again, "I can't help it. It's hard watching my best friend do everything for a chick who doesn't even care about him." He said, his tone expressing how fed up he was with the situation.

And Calum knew he meant well but each time it got harder to hold back from telling him to mind his business.

"Ash, I'm not really doing this for Astrid, it's more for my son." Calum added, making a left towards said girl's apartment complex.

Calum texted her early that morning and told her he'd be there to pick them up.

He can only pray she wasn't outside waiting because she'd hate to hear Ashton's voice first thing in the morning.

Or at all, really, but definitely not mornings.

And to his surprise she wasn't, something unusual but he didn't think on it further because he knew Ashton wasn't going to stop there.

"Yeah, that's your excuse every time, dude, 'I'm doing this for my son'. But I know you're not just doing this for Core, like you can't tell me it's just exclusively for the safety of your kid." Ashton says, clearly irritated with the situation. Calum remained quiet due to the fact that his friend hit the nail on the head.

Ashton continued, "I know you're doing this mostly for Astrid. We all know you're just doing this to get her back--"

"Watch it," Calum warned, raising a brow. "I would never try to buy Astrid, I have more respect for her than that." He quickly replied, setting that straight before his friend resumed.

Ashton sighed yet again, "Fine. My bad, man, but I know this deal is more so for Astrid than it is Core and that's my problem. That girl isn't going to soften her heart just because she sees you caring for your family. She's pissed and she'll always be pissed until she doesn't want to be pissed. Showing you care is a waste of time, Cal, when the opposite party doesn't care." He concludes, shooting directly to Calum's heart.

He was speechless.

Out of all the times his band mates have warmed him about doing things for the girl, this one stung the most.

Calum knew that doing this wasn't going to make Astrid any less upset than she still is, he knew that.

He could stand at the top of the Eiffel Tower, apologize in front of the world, and then buy the Tower for the girl and she'd still be just as bitter.

Calum understood that whole-heartedly.

But there was a hope in the back of his heart that she'd at least recognize that he's trying.

It sucked that he desperately wanted so little as acknowledgement from another human being but he did.

And he was determined to get it.

This was his mistake and he was going to fix it.

So, yes, what Ashton is saying can be true.

But the hope in his heart knew that nothing is impossible.

"I hear what you're saying, Ash and I appreciate it," Calum stops as he notices the front door to Astrid's apartment open, Core being the first to run out. He sighed. "But I can't stop caring for my family just because Astrid won't forgive me. I just gotta do what I gotta do, man." He admitted, changing the A/C setting to full blast and adjusting his vents.

Ashton exhaled deeply, already sick and tired of giving advice when it came through one ear and out the other.

"Alright, man. Just--don't go overboard with this thing. Do what you have to do for your family but don't lose yourself in the process of finding Astrid." Ashton concluded.

Calum nodded to himself and took a deep breath.

"I won't, mate. I'll see you next week. Love you, man."

"Love you too and tell Core I said 'hi'." Ashton said before clicking over, purposely leaving Astrid out of his greetings.

The ding sounding throughout his car as his doors opened, the hot air seeping through the air conditioning inside the Jeep.

"Da-da!" Core called out, nearly out of breath from running to the car, bringing a smile to his father's lips.

He unbuckled his seat belt and stepped out the driver's seat, making his way to the back.

"Hey, baby boy! How are you? Daddy's missed you." Calum said in a funny voice, making the small boy giggle as he picked him up from the ground. He tenderly kissed the boy on the cheek.

"Da-da, why you not come home after gym?" The little one questioned, tilting his head slightly as Calum buckled him in.

Calum glanced behind him to find Astrid on her phone, a smile on her face as she slowly approached the car.

"Uh, Daddy went to the studio and ended up sleeping there. It won't happen again, bud, okay?" He asked the small boy, chuckling when he extended his pinky.

"Pinky p'mise?" Core says, giggling when his father's larger finger wraps around his own.

"Pinky promise, babe." He replied, kissing his end then his son's nose.

"I love you." Calum adds softly, as he backed away, checking the seatbelt to assure it's secured.

"I love y'Dada." The small boy replied before pulling out his kid's tablet and clicking his leapfrog app.

Calum grins as he closes the door, jumping slightly when he felt a body crash into his back.

"Sorry." Astrid apologizes, flashing somewhat of a smile then bringing her attention back to her phone.

Calum chuckles then flicks her device. "Maybe if you weren't smiling so hard at your phone then you wouldn't be bumping into me." He smartly commented, causing the girl to narrow her eyes at the boy as he held the door open for her.

"Thank you and I wasn't smiling down at my phone, nosey." She said before ducking into his car and fastening her seatbelt.

Calum snickered and made his way to the driver's side.

"Not being nosey, it's just hard to miss when your smile is nice and bright this fine Saturday morning." Calum grinned, bringing an eye roll from the girl.

"Whatever, Cal. Where did you go last night?" Astrid asked as she typed away on her phone, further annoying the boy but he kept that hidden...for now.

Calum put the car in drive and started down the road, giving the girl a once over before bringing his eyes back to the road.

"You look beautiful." He complimented, noticing the way the jeans she wore hugged her hips and thighs just right and the mustard colored shirt complimenting her brown skin.

Astrid blinked at the boy before turning to the backseat and checking to see if Core was wearing his headphones.

When she noticed they were in his ears, she turned to the one in the driver's seat.

"I asked you where'd you go last night and you didn't answer my question. What's her name, Calum?" Astrid asked, regretting it a few seconds after it left her mouth because she was beginning to sound like a bitter female, still concerned with what her ex was doing.

But she had a right to know since they basically shared an apartment together.

And he did say he'd be back after his gym session.

Also, what if things are serious with this girl and Calum wants to bring her around Core?

She had a right to know about whoever it was that Calum spent his time with the other night.

The boy scrunched his face at her accusation, cutting an eye at the girl.

"Are you asking me or accusing me, already?"

"Both. Just tell me, Calum." Astrid replied, dropping her phone in her lap and crossing her arms over her chest in a nonchalant way.

He couldn't help but chuckle, an amused smirk resting on his lips after.

"Why do you care if I was with someone or not, Mar?"

"I don't but if you were, I'd like to know ahead of time so I can do my background research to see if she's fit to meet our son." The girl simply explains as if that wasn't the craziest thing she's said thus far.

Calum knots his brows together at the girl, flashing a look that said 'are you crazy?' her way.

She's said many things that helped him conclude how nutty she can be but that one took the cake.

The girl snorts and rolls her eyes yet again, "I don't care if you think it's crazy. I want to know who it is. And if it's that drummer girl, you can forget her ever meeting Core." She added, a bit angrier now that she's brought up Nia.

Calum's jaw clenched at her words, hating when she brought the girl up because things usually went bad after.

The boy was quick to deny, "No, I wasn't with her and I haven't hung out with her in years." He honestly said, shaking his head.

He couldn't even remember the last time he's even seen Nia.

But he did know one thing, he wasn't planning on it anytime soon.

Calum recognized his part in cheating on Astrid but Nia wasn't some saint who didn't force her self on the boy.

Yeah, he was wrong to engage in it but he blamed Nia just as equally.

Which explains why he blocked her number and social medias not soon after the news got out about Astrid's pregnancy.

And which also explains why he wanted to get off the topic.

"I wasn't with anybody, since you want to know so bad. I went to the studio after and ended up sleeping on the couch there." He explained, eyes focused on the cars ahead of him.

Astrid hummed and uncrossed her arms, "Okay. And, for your information, I don't care who you get with, I just care who you'd potentially bring around our son, is all."

Calum slowly nodded, making a turn into the car lot full of obnoxious signs and giant-inflatable tube men.

"That's fair." He replied, secretly wishing she'd actually care if he was out with someone that wasn't her.

Or that she'd be worried when he doesn't come home when he said he will be.

But little did he know she couldn't even sleep because she was wondering where he could have been.

She had to stop herself many times from picking up her phone and calling the boy.

Little did he know she had to pop a few sleeping pills in order to get a good night rest.

Little did he know he was in fact on her mind until she saw his text the next morning.

Core did a double take at the colorful, large balloon-like men, angling his head to get a better view of them.

"Mumma! Dada! Look! They dance." The toddler announced, causing the two to giggle.

Calum pulled into the valet area, watching as the young kid swiftly made it to the driver's side.

"Good morning, Mr. Hood. My name is Daniel. I'll take your car for you." The teenage boy said, smiling nervously at Astrid.

Calum hopped out, nodding at the kid and thanking him as he made his way to Astrid.

He held her door open and then opened the door for Core, who unbuckled himself and gestured to be picked up.

Calum grabbed the boy and held him to his side, quickly moving inside the dealership building, only to be greeted by the sales manager.

"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Hood--"

"My last name is Davidson, thank you." Astrid corrected the man, causing Calum to roll his eyes, extending a hand.

"Good morning, Mr. Samuels, thank you for upholding my request for a private appointment. Just think it'd be easier if every few seconds someone doesn't shove a pen and paper in my face." Calum said referring to his call beforehand to shut down the area for a few hours so they could shop in peace.

Astrid gave him a look but Calum shook his head, not wanting to talk about it, and bringing his attention back to the man.

He smiled, "It is our pleasure, Mr. Hood. Please look around and if you need anything, please ask for me personally and I'll be glad to assist you." The man said politely, stepping to his desk and leaving the two to explore the man cars on the lot.

Astrid turned, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Not only that but she felt helpless, as if she couldn't even help herself, which made her feel terrible.

Her mother taught her to never depend on no man for anything and yet here she is waiting for her ex, who cheated on her, to buy her a new car.

Not only that but she's had to catch rides with him to get to and fro.

So, she wasn't excited about getting a new car when she didn't earn it from her own hands.

Calum noticed how quiet the girl had gotten, bending over slightly to get a glimpse of her face.

"Astrid," Calum said carefully, grabbing her attention until she turned away. He furrowed his brows. "What's wr--" He stopped himself, skimming the area for the security guard that drove nearby, now inside the building and marching over to where they stood.

"What's up, Cal?" The tall, buff man asked, raising his brows.

Calum gestured Core over to the man, "Can you take Cor' over to the kids area in the waiting room?" He asked, though he knew the man would comply.

Confirming his thoughts, the man smiled down at the kid and grabbed him, swinging him in the air.

"Core 101 ready for take-off!" The man announced as if he was a pilot, making the small boy giggle and close his eyes as he swung in the air.

Calum couldn't help but chuckle, nodding at the man as he headed in the direction of the room.

"Have fun!" Astrid called out, smiling as she watched them leave, glancing at Calum whose eyes were already on her.

He moved in closer, leaning against the wall beside her, "Talk to me, kiddo."

The brown girl rolled her eyes in frustration, ignoring the vibration of her phone letting her know she received a text message.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"You said that after you found out I cheated and you were actually pissed. So, I don't believe that 'I'm fine' crap." Calum commented, crossing his arms over his chest.

He knew better than to believe a woman when she says she's 'fine'.

Astrid shot a glare his way but soon sighed, throwing her hands up as she spoke. "I hate that you're doing this. I hate that I can't just--how I can't buy myself something I know I need. I hate having to depend on you for something like this. I should be able to do this on my own." The girl confessed, tears at the brim of her eyes.

When she didn't have Calum everything seemed to be fine and she didn't need his help.

But now, as she thinks about it, now she needs him.

She needs him to watch Core when she was at work.

She needs him to do laundry so she can rest from a long weekend of working.

She needs him to fix the car whenever it needed to be fixed.

And now she needs him to buy her a car because her poor Roscoe is beyond fixable.

Astrid just hates needing Calum when she used to be so independent.

The brown boy felt for her as she disclosed something he's sure she's been holding in for a while.

He knew that Astrid liked being able to do for herself but he also knew that as a father to their child he needed to step up.

He didn't mean to take away her freedom, so to speak, but it just came naturally as he got more involved in Core's life.

Eventually it came as second nature, usually his band mates would have to remind him that he was doing something for the girl.

But that's because it just felt natural.

He's cared for her when they were together so it came naturally when they had to co-parent.

But Calum could tell it was bothering the girl, eating her up inside.

The brown boy gently grabbed her forearm and pulled her in slightly, a sympathetic look on his face.

"Hey, look, I'm sorry if I made you feel any less of a woman, Mar, that was never my intention. But can I be honest?" He asked, pausing to get a reply from the girl. She nodded, giving him a quick look before her eyes fell to the ground.

Calum bit at his lip before he continued, "Ever since that beautiful, little boy we share came into my life, I wanted to make sure everything and everyone that surrounded him was just right, that included you, as well. So, helping out and stepping up as a man to do what I felt was right to do just came naturally to me. It didn't feel like a favor or an obligation, just--just life." He explained, a dry chuckle escaping his lips from the realization.

Astrid's eyes made their way up to the boy, her features softening as the words left his lips.

The girl felt for the first time in a long time that she could trust what he said.

Calum took note of that right away and leaned in closer, his tone light as a feather.

"I'm not buying you this car to display you needing me. I'm buying you this car so you continue to be the independent woman I've known you to be. No more worrying about repairing the car. No more waiting on someone for a ride. No more headaches." The smooth-talker reared his cute head, a grin on his face when she rolled her eyes fondly at the boy.

"Yeah, 'no more headaches', not when I have two children under my roof." The girl smirked as the boy mocked a chuckle.

"Very funny. Now go and pick something before Core drives David crazy in there." Calum nodded in the direction of the waiting room, chuckling when he catches Core on the man's shoulders.

Astrid giggles, shaking her head at the sight and then turning to face Calum with a polite smile.

"Tha--" The girl paused when her phone continued to buzz, now indicating she was receiving a call.

Calum's lips moved downward, soon making a flat line, his brows coming together.

The boy was sure she was going to say something, something sweet which was contrast to how she's been with him.

But of course that doesn't happen and she's now backing away with a smile that split her face in half, staring down at her phone.

"I'll be back." She said, not even giving the boy a second look as she accepted the call.

And he watched as she walked off, giggling into the phone and leaving him wondering what she was going to say.

AGHHHHHHHHHH I LOVE THIS FIC SO MUCH YALL

LIKE ASTRID AND CALUM ARE SO CAYUTE AND I JUST ADORE CORE!

Hopefully y'all do too and will let me know in the comment section!

And if you liked it even more then SMASH that star-uh button!

Expect more updates like this because I'm obsessed all over again!

Anyway with that said,

Love y'all and as always ttyl :]