Long Live Us

"What I heard, dude, it was amazing. Did you know Jack could even write- Or sing, kind of, for that matter? I think if we recorded him singing with Stell, it'd sound great."

"Don't you ever tell him that he can do either of those things!" My best friend looked at me with a horrified face. All fake, of course. "If he thinks he's more talented than me he'll toss me to the curb. I'll be ruined, Alex, ruined!"

"Let him branch out, dude!" I grabbed Jack by the shoulders and shook him violently. It seemed that, just by being here with our kids, we had begun to live not only through them, but with them. I haven't felt so young and full of life since I met Juli. "You have to let him grow, like a big, beautiful tree!"

"Never!"

We were in a fight of laughter, doubled over trying to catch our breath. Had it not been for Stella tapping lightly on the door and clearing her throat, we probably would have stayed like that for another five minutes. Words couldn't describe how awesome it was to just hang out with my friend again, with no obligation other than to make sure my kids do as they're told.

"Stell," I breathed, trying to clam myself down. The look on her face made us both laugh a little more. It was almost as priceless as when she thought Nate and Aubree were going to hook-up. Kids, they'll fall for anything. "What's up? Here to talk about your songs?"

"Well, actually-"
"I think we should definitely record the song you did with Jack. I also picked out about three more songs. Maybe if it's not too much trouble on you, you could write at least one about actually making it this far, and then one where the whole band writes with you. Those are always good. And then-"

"Daddy!"

Quickly, I stopped speaking. The look on Stella's face told me she wanted to talk to me about something serious, and honestly, it kind of killed my buzz on life. I sighed and nodded my head, knowing perfectly well that we wouldn't get anymore done with her lyrics tonight. Sometimes I had to remind myself she's still a teenager.

"Look, dad, there's something I really need to talk to you about. I need you to let me speak before you freak out, too, okay?"

My heart sank. What could be bothering her so much that she thought I'd yell at her? Things were going great between the two of us, why would I want to ruin that? Or better yet, why would she? It was about that time where Jack seemed to choke on his own spit. He stood up quickly and flashed me an awkward smile. It was apparent that he knew something I didn't. I rose an eyebrow to my best friend, but he gave Stella a pat on the shoulder and darted from the room before I could even say his name. Something was definitely up.

"Dad," Stella stepped close enough to me to grab my hands. She led me over to the couch and sat us down so that we were facing each other. Her hands gave mine a gentle squeeze. "I've been thinking about this for a while, and it's something I really want to do. I feel.. like..."

"What?" I massaged her hand with my thumb, trying to take some of the pressure off of her. "Your license? A tattoo? A belly ring? What is it, Stell?"

She cracked a smile, though a deep blush was coming to her cheeks.

"I, uh. Dad, I think I'm ready to have sex with Jack."

Honestly, I tried to contain my composure. In my head, I was having a regular conversation with my little girl, explaining to her the dangers of sex at a young age and telling her that I wasn't ready for her to take that step. But the truth is, that isn't how it happened at all.

"You want to WHAT?!" I yanked my hands away from her smaller ones and began to pace back and forth across the floor. By this point, I'm sure everyone around was trying to listen in. "Stella, you are fifteen-years-old! You're still a child!"

"A child with a record deal and promising career ahead of her! A child with a steady boyfriend that I love and want to give myself to. Don't be so dramatic, dad! At least I want to do it with someone I love, unlike you."

"Watch your fuckin' mouth," I grunted, shaking my head in disapproval. "See, that's the thing you don't understand, Stell. You're a girl. When you think about sex, you instantly think that love comes with it. I was a teenage boy- Jack, is a teenage boy! You aren't the first girl he's been with and you won't be the last. Stella, don't you understand you're just starting your new life? When you make it big, how faithful can you expect him to stay?!"

"It won't be like it was when you were touring!" Now Stella was standing with her arms crossed over her small chest. Obviously, when two Gaskarth's feel passionate about something, they should never clash. "Jack and I are in the same band. We'll be together constantly."

"And don't you think that will get old? Stella, you know nothing about a mature relationship because you aren't ready for one! What if something goes wrong, huh? What if in the heat of the moment you forget protection, or worse, the condom breaks? Are you really ready to raise a child, 'cause that's what sex is all about. STD's, has he even ever been tested?!"

"Dad!" Stella's voice went high, this is how I knew I really offended her. "He's not a whore!"

"How do you know?!" I let out another frustrated groan and ran my hands through my hair. This was all his fault. "I'm going to talk to him."

Stella attempted to grab my arm several times to stop me, but she failed. By the time we made it to where the bedrooms were, the kids and the adults were attempting to go back in their rooms like they didn't hear again. Stella would never forgive me for this, but I feared I would never forgive Jack. He was taking my baby girl away from me.

"Why on Earth are you trying to seduce my fifteen-year-old daughter?!"

Jack's eyes grew wide and his face went pale. Stella hurried in the room around me and went straight for Jack. She sat herself down in front of him, so as to protect him from my fatherly fury. This was also about the time that big Jack joined his. He stuffed his hands awkwardly in his pocket and puffed out his cheeks at his son. Of course Jack knew I wouldn't approve of this and now he was leaving his son to defend himself.

"Mr. Gaskarth, it isn't even like that. I told Stella that I'd wait for her as long as she wanted. I would never try to rush her."

"How many times have I told you to call me Alex?" My voice was still yelling, but even I had to admit that was funny. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I really did attempt to calm my nerves. "Why now, Jack? She's not old enough."

Stella opened her mouth to speak for Jack, but he shook his head and cut her off.

"It was her idea, sir. She wants to do it when she turns sixteen. I would wait until we're thirty just so long as it meant she was mine and only mine. You were right, when you were shouting in there, Stella isn't the only girl I've been with in that way.. But she's the only one I've ever loved and I wish I had been as lucky as her to lose my virginity to someone I deeply cared about. I know you think I'm just like you were or just like my father, but I swear to you, I'm not. I want nothing but the best for your daughter, and quiet frankly, I feel like that's what I am to her."

"You know what?" How on Earth could I hate that boy now? "Use protection. Stella, we're making an appointment for you to get birth control. Just don't tell me about it, okay?"

Stella's face lit up, which literally made me feel sick to my stomach. She was never supposed to like boys or have sex. She was supposed to be my little princess until I grew old and passed away.

"Actually, do tell me," Would I want to know? "Or don't. Yes, well... Just don't do it when I'm around."

The fact of the matter was, I would never be able to control that part of Stella's life. She was going to do what she wanted whether I approved of it or not, I understood that. Never in a million years would I approve of her -their- choice, but the least I could do is leave the door open so that Stella could talk to me about the things she was going through. I don't think she realized how much this would change her, physically and emotionally, and I don't think she understood how much deeper her feelings for Jack would go. She was putting herself at serious risk here. It was my job to make sure she always had comfort in case something did go wrong. This was one of the few cases with my daughter where I had to suck up my pride and let her be a big girl. It would kill me, admittedly, but it was the right thing to do.

"Work on your lyrics!" I shouted, making my way to the bed that was calling my name. "And go to separate rooms, now!"

Notes