Long Live the Reckless and the Brave

I was biting my lip, trying so hard not to laugh. Seeing my dad's side of the family was one thing. They were a little reserved, but my mom's side of the family? They're a tad crazy. Dad had tagged along with us, to keep me some company while mom, my cousin Leanne and the rest of the crazy lady club caught up.

"Who would have thought awkward little Alex would have grown up to be such a catch," my cousin said, sending a wink my way. "I do wish you had brought your wife."

"Yeah, me too," I commented, shoving my hands in my pockets. Stella, Tom and Liam were sitting in the middle of all the women, trying to understand the conversation going on around them. That's the thing about the females in my family. Once they started talking, you couldn't keep up. "What's Liam counting?"

My dad half-smiled and shrugged his shoulders, watching my youngest boy look around at all the people around him, holding up another finger every few seconds.

"I think he's counting how many different conversatoins are going on at a once," dad chuckled. "You got good kids, you know that, right?"

"Absolutely. Oh, look! Leanne is going to make Stella put that ridiculous thing on her head."

"They're going to hate you for this."

"I don't care," I grinned. "Get the camera."

Leanne thought she had a thing for fashion, but the reality was, she just liked oversized things that no one else took much interest in. That's how she got them all for so cheap. Poor Stella was wearing at hat three times the size of her head with large, pink and green flowers on it. There was even a veil to cover her face, and through the fabric, I could see her glaring at me. Tom was put in a large coat, with ruffles on it so big, it looked like he'd be safe if he were to jump off a building. Which, it seemed, he was considering doing. Liam was lucky Leanne didn't have anything in his size, so he simply took pictures of his older siblings in their funny clothes.

"Alex, don't the kids look just darling?" My mother turned around to smile at me. "I bet Leanne has tons of clothes you can take back for them to wear to school!"

"Well, would you look at that," I mumbled, feeling the holes being burned into my head. "We actually have to get going. Uh, Liam gets cranky when he doesn't get a nap."

"A nap?" One of the older ladies, who my mom considered a sister, rose an eyebrow at me. "That boy is too old to take naps."

"Isn't funny how different things are here than in the states?"

She continued to mumble, but my kids were throwing the extra weight on the couch. We took pictures, shared long hugs and said our farewells. We were half way back to the hotel when my phone went off. I smiled to myself, putting it on speaker so everyone could talk to Juli.

"Hey baby!" I yelled, getting the kids attention. "How are things back home?"

"Lonely and boring," Jules groaned, laughing a little. "I feel like you're on tour. If this is what it's going to be like when he kids graduate, Liam and Noelle better prepare for lots of Mommy time!"

"I don't mind Mommy time," Liam leaned forward so Jules could hear him. "I miss you!"

"Oh, I miss you too, baby!" I could hear her sniff a little. "Where are my other kids? Stell? Tom?"

"Right here, mom," Stella smiled. "We miss you, too."

"And Noelle," Tom added. "It's weird not hearing her voice all the time."

About that time, I heard my daughter in the background, talking about one of her stuffed animals. My heart grew heavy. I hated being away from my family, so only having half of them here was tearing me apart. At least Juli was catching a little bit of a break. I know she needed it.

"Crap, I have to go, guys. Noelle is hungry. Call me later, okay? I love you all."

"We love you, too," I sighed. "Bye baby."

I hung up the phone just as our hotel room came into view. I had to remind myself it wouldn't be much longer and I would be back at home with my beautiful wife. In the meantime, I would enjoy this time with my oldest children, making sure we made the best of what's left of vacation.

We were just about to head through the doors when my phone buzzed again. I rose an eyebrow but smiled when I saw the name. It gave me a sense of being back in the confort of my home, hearing from all my favorite people in one day.

"Hey, bro," I sighed, trying to get Tom to grab Liam so I could talk for a moment. "What's up?"

"These kids are driving me insane. Is it time to leave for tour yet?"

"I'm so ready to get back to Baltimore," I groaned. "How's the trip going for you guys?"

"Not too bad. I decided to take little Jack out today without everyone else. You know this kid knows the lyrics to all my favorite Blink songs?" Jack chuckled into the phone. "I'm the shit at making kids."

"You do realize they covered Damnit at thier last show?" I questioned, staring at my kids. We were all crowded around the front enterance to the hotel and I could tell they were getting irritated by just standing there. Liam was trying to pull away from Tom's grip. "Tom, go ahead and take him upstairs, please. I'll be up in a bit."

"Yo, is your daughter there?"

"Yeah," I grabbed Stella by the shoulder before she could go through the door. "Who's asking?"

"Lover boy!" Jack bursted into a fit of laughter, passing the phone. "Mr. Gaskarth?"

Little Jack spoke with a laugh, and when I heard Jack in the background popping his lips to make a kissing nosie, I understood why.

"Hang on," I smiled to my daughter and handed her the phone. "It's for you. Talk and walk."

I stayed a bit ahead of my daughter so that I wouldn't hear what she was saying. Even in the elevator, I kept my mind focused on our trip. Seeing both sides of the family had been a success. Taking the kids out for a fun day had been a success, but I knew Stell had a few more things she had on her to-do list before we went back home. I couldn't blame her, but I'd been on the road so much the only thing I wanted to do was go back to Baltimore, grab my wife and kiss her like I'd never kissed her before. I wanted to grab my youngest daughter and help her color in her princess book. I hated being away from them for so long.

Just a few more days, I reminded myself, and I can go back to where I belong.

Notes