"What do you think they want to talk to us about?"


"Tom said something about the wedding," I shrugged, plopping down on the couch. "Maybe they need help paying for something."


"I guess Nate is going to be the only one of the group who actually acts his age," Rian snorted, sitting beside me with a fresh beer in his hands. "Sometimes I think these kids forget that they're barely twenty. They spend so much time looking at us with our wives and they think it's all fun and games."


"I can agree with you there. They don't see how hard it really is, but I trust them to make their own choices."


He shrugged and took another sip of his beer, the two of us waiting patiently for Aubree and Tom to show up. We'd sent everyone else off to set up for our show, which meant the kids only had about twenty minutes before we had to go. After what felt like forever, the door finally swung open. Tom stepped in first, an uncomfortable smile on his face as Aubree trailed after him. She had an odd look on her face, on that I was almost positive I'd seen before. I instantly tensed up and waited for the kids to break the silence.


"I'm glad you guys made time for us," Tom started, clinging to Aubree's hand now. "We know your set starts soon."


"So what do you need?" Rian stood up, pulling his daughter into a hug. "Did the price of the wedding go over what you thought? You know, if it's something at home that you need Cass would be more than happy to track it down."


"It's not about the wedding, Daddy," Aubree pulled away from him with sad eyes. "Tom and I just need to talk to you guys. We know you think we're moving too fast and there's just something we think you should know."


Rian took a step back and I stood up, putting a comforting hand on Tom's shoulder. Poor Aubree looked scared for her life and Tom was trying his hardest to seem cool and collected. Squeezing his shoulder a little tighter, I nodded to my son, nervous to hear what he had to say.


"See, the thing is," Tom glanced to Aubree, giving her hand a soft squeeze. "Aubree's pregnant."


By now you'd think I was used to hearing this news, but I wasn't. Though, I must admit, it was easier coming from Tom than Stella. At least he was of legal age, he had his own place and the band was starting to get a bigger fanbase. He was much more prepared for this than Stella had been. I let out a large sigh and pulled my son into a hug, my heart only mildly broken. Aubree was smart - She knew what she was doing when it happened. Maybe this baby was planned.


Once I released Tom, I pulled Aubree into my arms, feeling her chest rise and fall from tears.


"It's going to be okay. You're going to finish college, the band is going to keep going and you two will be happily married," I kissed her forehead, these days seeing her as more of a daughter. "I'm really happy for you two."


"Thanks dad, that means a lot." Tom gulped, looking to his future father-in-law. Even I was a little nervous for Tom. Rian looked like he'd just seen the devil. "Uncle Rian?"


Rian blinked, for the first time since he heard the news and took a step closer to my son. Before I could even comprehend what was happening or try to stop it, Rian's fist collided with Tom's face. My son stumbled backward, but caught his footing before he hit the ground. Aubree gasped, clinging to my arm as Rian took a step closer to her future husband.


"Oh shit, Tom, I'm so sorry," Rian managed, just as I grabbed him by the shoulder and yanked him away from my son. Now, I knew what it was like to want to hit the guy who knocked up your little girl, but I couldn't allow my best friend to hit my son like that. "It was just a reaction. Fuck, are you okay?"


"I'm-I'm okay," Tom managed, his hand clinging to his jaw. "I think the better question is, are you okay?"


"Go get him some ice," I mumbled to Aubree, who darted straight to the kitchen area. "Rian. Not fucking cool, man."


"I know, Alex, I'm so sorry." Rian ran a hand over his face. He took a seat on the couch again as I wrapped an arm around Tom's shoulder. "So she's really pregnant, huh?"


"Y-Yes, sir."


"Ri, it's not so bad. You see how much we all love Izzy."


"I know that," Rian managed, shaking his head. "I really didn't mean to hit you Tom, it was just a reaction. I'm... I'm actually kind of excited."


I rose an eyebrow as Rian lifted his gaze, Aubree coming back into the room with an icepack for Tom's jaw. She clung to him as the cold made him jump, a smile forming on all of our lips.


"I'm going to be a fucking grandpa!" Rian beamed, standing up to pull his daughter into his arms. "I hope it's a boy. Please be a boy," he rubbed Aubree's belly.


"So you're not mad?" Tom asked, speaking for Aubree. "Because when you hit me, I thought-"


"I'm not mad. It's just not easy hearing that you impregnated my little girl."


I smiled brighter now, pulling Tom into a hug. It was still a little soon for these two to rush off into all of this, but I trusted their judgement. I guess Tom owed his sister a thank you for putting me through this once before.


"Rian, we have to get out there. And for the record, if you ever punch my son again, I'll kill you."


"I deserve that," Rian chuckled, kissing Aubree's hair. "Call your mom and let her know, okay?"


"I will, Daddy."


We gave our children one last hug before we left the bus, Rian still in a happy state of shock. Truth be told, I couldn't wait to be a grandpa again. There was so much love in my heart and so much pride for my children who'd managed to chase down their dreams and remember what was really important in life: Family.

Notes

Oh snap.
Come on, guys, comment?!
-Jess.