I have been waking up alone for a week. I miss waking up next to Ashton and getting my morning kisses from her. I miss how her hair would spread across the pillow next to me and I could smell her strawberry scented shampoo.

I'm an arsehole. I left the only woman I truly loved.

Kendal runs into my room and bonces on the bed. "Are you going home yet? I want to see Aunty Ashton."

I move her into my arms. "Sorry, baby girl. I'm not ready to go back home."

Kendal pushes me away. "I want to go home." She has tears streaming down her face.

I rock her back and forth. I kiss her forehead. "We'll go back home next week." I wipe away the tears.

"I want Mummy and Daddy." She runs from the room.

My phone starts to ring. 'Mum' flashes across the phone.

Me: Hello, this is Cody Black.

Mum: You need to come home.

Me: Why?

Mum: The Lawyers called, they need to see you about Kendal's custody.

Me: What do you mean?

Mum: Margot changed her Will before she died and someone else is to share custody of Kendal with you.

Me: Who's sharing custody with me?

Mum: I have no idea. The Will reading is on Friday. You need to leave tomorrow the latest if you want to keep Kendal.

Damn it!

I throw my phone across the room and it hits the wall.

Who would Margot have ruin my chances at being a Guardian for my niece?

I walk into the kitchen and start breakfast for us. I mix the batter for pancakes and pour it into the pan. When the batter has small bubbles on it I flip it over.

I turn the pan down to a lower setting. I make my way to Kendal's room.

Kendal: I miss you.

I open the door. "Who are you talking to Kendal?"

Kendal: I have to go.

She hangs up the phone. "Ashton and Brayden."

What's my girl doing hanging out with my cousin?

"Breakfast is ready, baby girl."

Kendal runs into the kitchen and she sits on the stool. "Ashton and Brayden are going to Karaoke tonight. Brayden was telling me she's a great singer. Did you know Ashton could sing?"

I nod. "I watched her at Karaoke one night while you were at your Grandparents. She was incredible. When we get home we can ask her to sing something for you if you like?"

She jumps off her stool and she hugs me. "Can she sing at my 9th Birthday next month?"

I smile. "I'll have to talk to her baby girl. I'm not going to promise you that she will sing at your Birthday."

Kendal sits on the stool and she eats her pancakes.

I cook mine and look over at Kendal. "We are going home tomorrow."

She smiles and it lightens her entire face. "Really?"

I nod. "Your Mum updated her Will and someone else has custody of you with me."

Kendal runs over to me and she grabs hold of me. "I hope it's not Grandma and Grandpa, they hate me," She cries.

I pick her up. "I don't think it your Grandparents, Your parents made sure I was to be the one to take care of you."

I hope its Ashton Martinez that's going to help me take care of my niece.

"Can we go to the beach, Uncle Cody?"

I smile. "Okay,"

***

Kendal and I step out of the car and we run to the sand. The sand is soft between my toes and it's getting stuck to my feet.

I throw the towels on the sand. "Kendal I need to put sunscreen on you." I pull the sunscreen out of the bag and rub it into her.

I put sunscreen on me and then we're ready to go into the water.

Kendal holds my hand and we run into the water.

Kids are screaming when the waves break and they fall into the sea.

Kendal climbs onto my back and I wade through the water. "Can you go under the wave?"

I count to three and I go under the wave. When I surface Kendal is laughing and I feel her shake her hair out of her face.

"Do you want me to do that again?"

She nods. "Yes,"

I wave for the next wave to break and we dive under it. I surface and Kendal's screaming for me.

"Cody," I turn around looking for her.

She waves her hand at me. "Cody,"

I swim over to her and pull her into my arms.

She starts coughing.

I rub her back. "Thank you, Uncle Cody."

"Do you want to get out of the water?"

Kendal shakes her head. "No, I like swimming. I'm not going to let some wave scare me."

I laugh. "Alright, how about we go somewhere where you can stand?"

She nods. "Okay,"

I wade through the water to the sand bank and we stay there. "Do you want to dive under the wave?"

"Yes,"

The wave breaks and we dive underneath it "I'm hungry Uncle Cody." I grab her hand we make our way to the towels.

Kendal picks up her towel and she wraps it around her.

Kendal and I throw our clothes over our costumes and we walk to the Fish and Chip shop across the road.

I order our food and take the number from the counter and place it on our table.

Kendal looks at the table. "I wish Ashton was here, Uncle Cody."

I look out the window.

I've ruined my chances with that woman.

Kendal shake her head. "You didn't ruin anything. Ashton loves you. All you have to do Uncle Cody is prove it her."

I let myself cry in front of my niece. She moves over to me and wipes my tears away. "I know you miss Mummy and Daddy." She holds her hand over my heart. "They belong in there. You will never forget them."

I smile. "When did you get smart?"

"Aunty Ashton told me that every day while you were locked in your room. She was upset that you were staying away from her."

I shake my head. "I'm sorry I wasn't the Best Uncle for you after you mother passed."

Kendal hugs me. "You will be better when we get home. I want to see you smile properly. Ashton is the one that makes you truly smile. Daddy did that to Mummy."

"You are a smart little girl."

"I was taught by the best people in the world."

The food is placed in front of us. I squirt tomato sauce on the chips and salt. Kendal takes the tartare sauce box and she puts it on the fish a little bit squirts out and it land on my shirt.

Kendal laughs. "Oops,"

I shake my head. I throw a chip at her and the tomato sauce leaves a stain on her dress.

Kendal's mouth drops open. "That was my favourite dress, Uncle Cody." She throws a chip at me.

We have a small food fight and we are laughing.

A waitress walks over to us. "Excuse me, you need to leave."

I pick up our food and we walk out of the shop and find a place on the beach to have lunch.

***

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