Long Live the Reckless and the Brave

"All right, so it's agreed, then? We're bringing all the kids?"

"Except for the younger ones, yeah. Rian mentioned sending Ali to a camp for the Summer so she gets to go on vacation and meet new people, too. I think that's a good idea. Liam is what, a year older than her? They could go together."

"Noelle will go to my parent's house like she did last year," I smiled into the phone. "I guess that'll be okay, but I have to talk to him first. You know how Liam gets sometimes."

"Yeah," my best friend sighed. "When did we get so old, Alex? We're old as fuck, talking about taking our kids on tour or sending them off to camp.. I feel like I'll be a grandpa before I know it."

"You better not be, 'cause that would make me a grandpa, too!" I chuckled, but instantly became quiet when Stella entered the room. She rose an eyebrow at me, making me feel like a child. "I gotta go, bro, but I'll call you tomorrow with the final decision."

"Word. Peace, brah!"

I hung up my phone and smiled at my daughter. She wanted to question me, I could see that, but today was a very happy day for all of us, so I cut her off before she could even open her mouth.

"Let's go get that cast off!" I beamed, pushing her through the door.

Stella kept the filled with conversation about school, the band and Jack. Sometimes it amazed me how easily I was drawn into the teenage girl gossip. But, when you're a father of young ladies, you learn that you have a much softer side than you ever imagine possible. I asked her questions and tried to make her feel comfortable when she spoke about Jack. It was nice knowing that she saw me as more than a father, but a friend as well.

When we made it to the doctor's office, I led Stella inside and signed her in. We waited for about fifteen minutes before she was called back. Once inside, a nurse asked her a bunch of questions, until finally the doctor came in to remove the cast. It was a pretty quick process, as opposed to her last appointment, and before long we were in another room where a woman was asking my daughter to wiggle her fingers and hold a pencil. Stella did well with her first day of physical therapy, but there were some concerns so she'd need to come back a couple of more times. They did say she would fully recover, however, and that made me one happy Daddy.

"I'm going to be able to play guitar again!" Stella squealed from inside the car. She stared down at her hand, balling it into a fist, then slowly releasing her grip. "I'm so excited, dad!"

"Was there ever any doubt?" I smiled, keeping my eyes on the road. "Good thing, too. I thought you were going to drive us all nuts complaining about it."

"Shut it," she laughed, shaking her head. "Think I'll still be able to play as good as I used to?"

"No," I stated honestly, sending her a glace. "I think you'll be better, more focused."

Stella smiled brightly, wiggling her fingers as she looked out the window. If I knew my daughter as well as I thought I did, I knew she was excited to get home and tell Jack about the good news. He seemed to be the center of her world these days, which both conerned me and made me proud. At least she was growing up into a well-rounded young lady.

"So Stell.." My fingers were tapping against the steering wheel. I've been wanting to bring up the Summer tour for a while, I just didn't know when would be the right time to drop the bomb on her. "There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

"Oh no," she frowned. "Am I in trouble again? Whatever it is, I didn't do it..."

"Well, no, but now I know not to buy that excuse next time," I snorted. "Actually, it's about tour this Summer. Your mother and I have agreed to let you go."

"What?" Her eyes were wide with happiness and shock. I could see her fingers twitching- She wanted to hug me, but couldn't. Instead, she let out a loud, girly scream, almost making my ears bleed. I laughed. "Are you serious? Oh my gosh! I'm so excited!"

"I am serious. We think you've earned it."

"I love you, dad," she breathed, happy tears in her eyes. "This is just wonderful. I feel like things are falling into place."

"Yeah," I grinned at my oldest daughter, almost watching her grow up in that very moment. "Me too, baby."

Notes