Long Live the Reckless and the Brave

My daughter, my little girl, was about to stand up on that stage and sing her heart out for the very first time on Warped Tour. I will never forget the first time I sang on Warped, the way the energy of the crowd pumped through my viens and how great it felt to be so.. Wanted. If my daughter did even half as good as I thought she would, I knew this day would become one she would never forget, as well. For the rest of her life, this would serve as one of her favorite memories.

She'd made it perfectly clear already that she was nervous. This was to be expected. The fans already loved the song and knew how they wanted to hear it- If she didn't deliver, she could ruin her name before she's even made one for herself.

"You got this, Stell," I whispered, grabbing her hand. She turned to face me, a small grin on her face. "I promise. Just sing like no one else is there. You'll do wonderfully."

"Dad's right, Stell," Tom half-smiled. "You've got too much talent to mess this up."

"Okay," Stella breathed. She turned to Jack, who brushed some hair away from her cheeks. "Are you sure I can do this?"

"Yes," Jack laughed, kissing her lips quickly. "Now go."

Stella gave us all one last nod, including Big Austin, and climbed onto the stage. We decided to move to the side of the stage so that we could see her better. The band started to play the song and it was almost Stella's part. She was lurking on the side, but once her time came, she sucked in a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. A bright smile was on her lips as a few fans, who seemed to recognize her name, cheered. Stella smiled and took the mic, calming her nerves.

"She'll do great," Austin put a hand on my shoulder. "She's got the Gaskarth charm."

"Thanks bro."

When the words flew through her lips, I allowed Stella's voice carry me away. At first, she was a little shaky, but the more she sung, the more her confidence grew. Before I knew what was happening, the crowd (and the kids beside me) were moving their bodies to the sound of her voice. I'd never heard my daughter like this. Really, nothing other than a few songs on the radio, songs my own band had done (also bands I had raised her to like), or songs from her band. It was oddly heartbreaking, because she did it so beautifully.

My heart was pounding out of my chest. I knew this is exactly what it'd be like when Stella hit the big time. The crowd would cheer for her, make her head swell, while I made it to as many of her shows as I could with my own schedule and lost my breath in how proud I was. The very life I helped create was making so many other people happy.. Making me more and more proud by the second.

"This is not what it is, only baby scars. I need your love like a boy needs his mother's side."

Screams echoed from all around the stage. Stell's face was pink, she was out of breath, but she knew she'd put everything she had into that song and the crowd adored her. Honestly, I almost hoped that one of the guys in her own band would learn to do scream0, because it brought the beauty out in her voice. She put her mic back on the stand and thanked the crowd and the band for letting her play. She made her way off the stage, and we were all there to greet her, smiling from ear-to-ear. Little Jack even stepped out of the way so my oldest daughter could run right into my arms. I caugh her, squeezing her body tightly as I twirled her around. Into her messy hair, I mumbled how much I loved her and she mumbled it right back.

"This is the start of something new, you know that, right?" I eyed her, making sure she understood what she was getting herself into. "Now that your name is out there a little more, juggling school and your future career is going to be a lot of work."

"Dad, do you always have to be so serious?" She cracked the famous Gaskarth smirk, making me chuckle. "I'm more than ready for it, dad."

The fact of the matter is, I knew she wasn't lying. I knew damn well that if it came down to what she puts first, school or music.. Well, music would have a lot more free time. I'd have to prepare myself to take on the world, perhaps my own daughter, after the events that took place today.. Though I couldn't lie, she deserved this life. She had the talent and the focus for this life. It was calling her name, and with each passing day, I could feel my grip on her slipping. Maybe it was time to let her grow into her own. Let her be her own person with her own idea of what life should be like.

Smiling to myself, I watched her hug Tom, big Austin and lastly Jack. She was happy, really happy; I was proud. Seeming to feel my gaze on her, Stella looked to me from over Jack's shoulder. Our eyes connected for a long moment, where I think we seemed to understand each other a little more. Now she understood why I was always on the road, why I loved doing what I did so much, and I understood exactly why the business was calling her name.

My daughter.. My young lady. It was almost her time to taste freedom and fame.

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