A/N: Just a short fic that I've been thinking about for a couple of days. Just a short conversation between Doug and Leah about love.

Disclaimer: Don't own Hollyoaks or its characters.

Love

"Do you still love daddy?" Doug winced slightly at Leah's question. Trust her to get straight to the point and ask such a difficult question to answer. How could he answer her in a way that she would understand?

Doug was glad that Ste had allowed him to continue seeing the kids. His close relationship with them had been the best thing to come out of the mess of a relationship he and Ste had had and he was grateful to be able to spend time with them.

"That's a hard question, sweetheart," he replied to Leah, dodging the question and hoping that would be the end of it. It wasn't.

"Why?" She asked back. Doug sighed; he knew he wasn't going to get out of this that easily.

"Because," Doug started but he quickly paused. How could he explain to a five year old that although he did still love her daddy things were different now? "It's complicated."

"But why?"

"Okay," Doug started. "I loved your daddy very much, he meant the world to me."

"But do you still love him."

"Yeah I do."

"Then why aren't you together?"

"Because your daddy loves Brendan."

"But he said he loved you."

Doug ran his hand through his hair and breathed deeply. "I know but he loved Brendan."

"Can you love two people?"

"Maybe. You can love a lot of people in different ways."

"Then why are you not married anymore?"

"Your daddy loves Brendan and he wants to be with him. You don't have to be with a person to love them. Your daddy loves your mummy and they're not together and he loves you too. It's just a different kind of love. Your daddy loves Brendan in a romantic way and he loves your mummy because they're friends and he loves you you because you're his daughter."

"Then how do you love daddy?"

"I love him as a friend."

"But you used to love him in a romantic way?"

"Yes but now he's just my friend."

Leah smiled and Doug breathed a sigh of relief; hoping it would be the end of her questioning.

"Do you love me?" She asked. Doug smiled. That question was far easier to answer.

"Of course; I love both you and Lucas."

Leah beamed at Doug's comments which made Doug's heart soar. No matter what else was going on in his life at least he could count on the little girl to cheer him up. Leah seemed to lose interest in the conversation and went back to playing with Lucas.

Doug stood and watched them for a while as they kicked a ball around the park until the light began to fade.

"Come on," he called. "Let's get you two back home to your daddy."

"Aww," Leah moaned. "Can't we stay out late?"

"No, your dad'll kill me if I don't get you back; come on," he took Leah and Lucas by the hands.

"Daddy Doug?"

"Yes Leah?"

"You know how you love us?"

"Yes?" Doug replied warily, wondering where this was going.

"Can you ask daddy if we can have a puppy?"

"I think you're gonna have to keep waiting for that one, sweetheart," Doug laughed as Leah pouted. "How about I just buy you some sweets instead?"

Leah looked thoughtful for a moment before she smiled, "Okay," she agreed.

"Come on then, let's go."