"What is there to say about this magical day?" I asked the question more to myself than to those around me. Juli had just given an amazing speech, but I felt as if I'd already said everything there was to say about that matter. "My little girl, my princess, is no longer mine to hold on to. At night, she will find comfort in another man's arms. On the road, she will look to someone else to keep her safe and to keep her spirits high. She will no longer ask me for all of the things she used to, instead she'll ask me for advice on how to raise her daughter the way I raised her. It's hard, letting her go, but it's also easy since I know she's in good care. Jack, welcome to the family, son. Stella, you traded on amazing name for another. I'm the proud father, grandfather and best friend of a Barakat. I hope you two remember how you felt on this day for the rest of your lives. My love, and best wishes, to each of you."


As everyone brought their hands together to appreciate my speech, I simply nodded my head and downed what was left in my glass. It was true - I was happy and I was proud, but that didn't make it any easier. In my eyes, Stella will always be the tiny, little girl who needed me to get by. She was mine before she was his, and mine she will always be.


I took my seat at the reception started to die down. I had my dance with Stella, Juli and Noelle. I shared in laughter and posed in pictures, I even congratulated my daughter personally, telling her how much I love her and letting her know that, from the bottom of my heart, I wish her and Jack nothing but the best. Still, the time came for everyone to part ways. We bid the newly weds goodbye, but I decided not to go home with my family. Instead, Jack and I grabbed a six pack and ventured off to the old park we used to visit as kids - the same park we'd each taken our children to as they were growing up. Moonlight danced off of the slide, the swings hummed in the wind and we both ditched our ties.


"I'll be the first to admit it," Jack glanced in my direction, tossing his beer cap on my lap. "I'm in shock. Isabelle was one thing, but knowing that my son married your daughter.. Fuck."


"They're definitely ahead of their time, I'll give you that," I shrugged, taking a long swig from my beer. "I know I'm proud of them, I know I'm happy with the life they've chosen, but I'm also deeply saddened by this day. My little girl is all grown up."


"And Jack Junior, he no longer needs my example, now he has to create his own."


We sat there in a comfortable silence for a while, tipping our drinks back and grunting every now and again. It still blew my mind to think that All Time Low was still a big hit, bigger than we ever were. That my best friends from High School were still by myself, like Jack, right now. That my daughter had gone one to marry Jack's son. Our lives had fallen into place so beautifully, even if it was at the wrong time. I was a blessed man, I knew this.


"We did good, Jack-O," I grinned, clapping a hand down on his shoulder. "We've got two great kids to be proud of."


"Not just them, bro. All of our kids, including Zack and Rian. I can't believe we finally grew up and I can't believe how quick our kids are growing up. Time flies, dude."


"No shit," I chuckled, finishing my last bottle of beer. "You ready to head back to reality yet?"


"Not really," he snorted, mocking my actions. "This is something for us to celebrate too, ya know. Stella and Jack are on their own now, we can say that we - Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat - have successfully raised two good kids."


"Yeah..." I agreed, a smile coming to my lips when I thought of how our kids must be winding down right now, falling into each other's arms as a happy, married couple. "Another six pack?"


"I'll call Rian and Zack."


We laughed faintly, letting the breeze lead our way back to the car. On the way to the store, after Jack got off the phone with the other two members of our band, we talked about how crazy life had been after we both had our first born children. How hard it was to be away from them, but how amazing it was to come home and watch them grow, to see the smiles on their faces when they saw us. We knew that's what it would be like with Stell and Jack, a painful form of happiness.


Nostalgia swam through our bodies at a higher pace than the alcohol. It was so strange to think that this chapter, this great journey into parenthood with those two kids, was over; but at the same time, it was comforting, because the story wasn't ending. No, it was just beginning.


And what a beautiful ride it would be.

Notes

This is the end of this story! Thank you guys so much for reading!
Be sure to check out our sequel, it'll be up soon! <3.