Long Live the Reckless and the Brave

I pulled some strings, having some buddies of mine at the recording studio make some time for my daughter and her band to come record some songs. After all these years, I finally understand the large amount of stress I had put on my own parents. Trying to keep these kids calm all the way to the studio was task enough.

I sat behind the glass with the four members of my band, each of us watching in awe as our kids tore up the studio. Indeed, I'd heard them play before, but they must have busted their asses to pull the band off the way they were currently doing. Stella had insisted that they each record alone, so that it sounded different, but as their first session and their first demo, I declined.

"I've never been more proud of them than I am in this moment," Jack grinned, watching his son play guitar even better than himself.

"Look at my little Aubree," Rian sighed. "She could have stuck with her mom's voice, but she chose to play drums instead."

"I can't believe how much Nate has grown," Zack chimed in. "He's literally just like me when I was young."

We stood there, reflecting on our children for quiet some time. Pride was bursting through us. They were so talented and so in love with making music. Honestly, it was in that moment that I did see Stella making it big. Her drive and force were so strong, it was impossible to think that I wouldn't hear her on the radio one day. The only sad spot in my heart that day was the fact that Tom was sitting beside us, watching his sister and his friends, feeling neglected. I wasn't the only one to pick up on this, because the guys shut their mouths soon after Tom grunted, but his indifference brought a smile to Matt's face.

"You know, girls like guys in a band," Matt broke the silence, walking over to Tom. "But they love a guy with authority."

"Really?" Tom grinned, looking at Matt with hopeful eyes. "You're not just saying that because no one thinks I'm talented, right?"

That statement broke my heart. I did think Tom was talented, just in a different way than Stella. It took a lot of work and strength to do what Matt did every single day. Just the thought of Tom being that well rounded made me the most prideful father on the face of the earth.

"Nah, I mean it. It sucked being stuck in the shadow of All Time Low for the first few years, then, we gathered a handful of loyal fans. They realized how hard I bust my ass to manage these guys and started to like me, too. See, your dad," Matt motioned to me and the guys, "is well loved for the music he creates. But I," this time, to himself, "am well respected for making sure he makes that music."

"Sir Matt," Tom stood up, hope glistening in his eyes. "Teach me everything you know!"

"But don't teach him too much!" I called after Matt, who was leading my son out of the room. "I don't need to fight little girls off all night!"

Tom stopped in the door way, chuckling at my comment. "Don't worry, dad. I'm a one-woman man."

I rose an eyebrow, but never got the chance to say anything. I wanted to ask Rian if Aubree had started dating yet, also Jack and Rian if their boys had been pestering them about girl advice, but they began to cheer and pull me from my thoughts. Looking through the glass, I could see that the kids had just finished up their song and were more than excited about the idea of having a demo.

Nate held his bass high in the air, quiet and proud, just like his father. Aubree ran from the drums, tapping lightly on Nate's bass with her sticks, forcing a laugh to come from both of them. Well, there wasn't much going on between the two of them, as far as I could see. It was more or less like two awkward best friends trying to celebrate. It was Stalla and Jack that really captured my attention. She dropped the mic, he pushed his guitar behind his back, and she flung herself into his arms. He held her tightly, twirling her around the same way I'd done Jules when we were young. It was cute enough to watch, but it made me feel a little sick to my stomach. She was my little girl, no one else was allowed to steal her heart away.

"The song," I mumbled. "That's why she wrote the song."

"What song?" Jack questioned. "The one they just played?"

"Uh, yeah," I grinned. "That one."

"I think age is catching up with you, Gaskarth," Jack chuckled. "It was a good song, though."

By this point, Tom and Matt came back in the room, laughing like children. Tom seemed to notice the fact Stella and the band were celebrating the ending to their song, so he allowed himself to go through the door an join them. I watched my oldest boy stand firm, holding a clip board in his hand just Matt had done with us so many times, and congratulate them all on the recording. I was thankful for Tom being in charge, because when he called the band into a circle, Jack was forced to let go of Stella. He was telling them something, something that I couldn't quiet hear because his voice was so hushed, but the other kids were nodding at him and paying close attention.

When Tom finished speaking, everyone drifted away from him, everyone but Aubree Dawson. She pushed a dark lock of hair behind her ears, smiled, and hugged him. Tom seemed taken aback, so for one short moment, he stood there with his arms dangling by his side. When Aubree still didn't let go, however, Tom wrapped his arms around her and smiled. Did they forget that we were watching them? I glanced to Rian, seeing the same protective look in his eye that I'd had in mine over Stella, and smirked.

"Do you ever get the feeling they don't need us anymore?" Jack spoke up, watching his son make faces at my daughter. "Like, this is the point where they realize we can't plan out the rest of their lives for them."

"I think they hit that point a long time ago, Jack," I sighed. "But they're always going to need us."

Now if only I had faith in my own words.

Notes