Two weeks later…

“Momma! Daddy!” Arabelle jumped up and down as she ran down the stairs. The door to our room was closed and I knew my daughter would just hop up onto the couch and watch TV until we came out. It was only a matter of time before we had to emerge.

I was tangled up in the sheets of my bed. My head was buried into the crook of Austin’s shoulder. His hands rubbed gentle circles on my back.

“Morning, baby.” He murmured in his hot morning voice. I smiled with my eyes still closed.

“Morning, darling.” I responded with a little yawn. He laughed and I looped my arms around his bare chest. He leaned back and kissed my cheek and I grumbled. Arabelle was watching Spongebob again and I had about ten minutes to get up before she would fine something to pry the door open with

“You know what today is?” He asked me.

“Tuesday? No, wait, it’s Friday.” I remembered.

“Not quiet.”

“Trash day?”

“Nope.”

“Um, Sara and Oli are coming over?”

“Not yet.”

“Wait…wait…….” I paused.

“It’s…”

“Arabelle’s birthday!” I laughed sleepily. Austin pecked my nose.

“Correct, love.” He held me tighter. Arabelle knocked on the door. The ten minutes wasn’t even up yet! Warm morning light illuminated the shades on our windows. I saw the shadow of Arabelle’s little feet bounce up and down.

“She is definitely your daughter.” I grumbled. Austin laughed, echoing in his chest. I was so glad to have him back. I ran a hand up and down his tattooed chest, making sure he was still here.

“She’s yours as well.” He countered. I rolled over out of his grasp.

“Five more minutes…” I whined. Austin pulled the blankets around me, looping his hands around my waist, I instantly leaned back into his chest.

“How about I go out and get the munchkin some birthday pancakes and you sleep for another five minutes?” Austin offered. I turned to quietly thank him, but he shut me up with a gentle kiss. I closed my eyes and smiled as he crawled out of bed and threw on a shirt.

“PANCAKES!” Arabelle cheered as she heard the word. Austin laughed and I fell into the pillow.

Five more minutes could make all the difference.

The time passed by way too quickly and I was soon having to roll out of bed. I slipped into fresh clothes and tamed my blonde hair before pulling it up into a ponytail. As I stepped out of my room and onto the cool carpet, I was greeted by a big hug from Arabelle.

“Morning, Mom!” She cheered. I smiled and kissed her head.

“Morning, dear. It seems like today is a special day!” I chuckled. She had whip cream on her nose and I looked over to Austin who was washing the remnants of a birthday breakfast down the drain.

“Trash day?” he winked. Arabelle stuck out her tongue.

“No!”

“Darn, that’s a special day.”

“It’s my birthday!” She giggled. I gave her a hug and ruffled her hair. Austin walked out to me and gave me another hug before going to put his shoes on. He was meeting the boys out at the studios. They had a performance today and it was also part of my daughter’s surprise.

“Where’s Daddy going?” Arabelle asked as she pulled me to the couch. Austin came behind me and kissed my cheek and our kid’s head. She hugged him quickly as he grabbed the keys to go.

“Just out and about.” I responded airily. Arabelle raised her eyebrow at me and then turned back to the cartoons.

“I think I know…”

Later at evening…

“Mom! Where are we going?” Arabelle asked again on the car ride. Sara and Oli were watching Beth as I drove to the stadium for Arabelle’s birthday surprise.

“To the stadium. We’re meeting Daddy there.” I looked in the rearview mirror. She nodded and fell silent once more. I knew it wouldn’t last long.

I parked the car in the lot and unbuckled my kid. She was seven years old now and claimed to do it by herself, but from time to time, she needed help. We trampled down to lot to the back gates. I could almost feel the excitement radiating off Arabelle.

“Oooh!” She gasped as we flashed badges and went into the back lot to where the bus is. Austin was waiting by the bus door with the rest of the band.

“Happy birthday, darling.” Austin swept her up. She was squealing with excitement.

“I get to see a concert!” She cheered. It was the rare treat to see a loud concert of Austin and the band’s so, she was always excited.

“And now that you’re old enough…” He started and Alan came up, putting a badge around her neck. Lily-Pearl winked at me.

“Your own backstage pass.” The ginger smiled. LP kissed his cheek. The ginger grinned and snaked an arm around her waist. I smiled to my little sister.

“Does that mean…” Arabelle gasped, eyes wide and gleaming. Uncle A-A-ron grinned.

“You get to go on stage!” They added. Arabelle squealed in excitement and threw her arms around her dad’s neck. Austin kissed her shoulder and set her back down on the ground.

“My girl’s all grown up now.” He chuckled.

“I’m only seven.” She argued. Aus kissed her again and grabbed my hand.

“Are you ready?” He asked. I nodded as we all walked with our passes back to the stage.

Ten minutes later…

“So tonight is a special performance….”Austin started. I grinned and held Arabelle’s hand. Alan winked to my daughter. I laughed as my sister nudged me.

“So Alan and I had something to tell you.” She yelled to me over the amps.

“What?” I asked. She held up her hand for me to wait. Austin looked over to me. The fans roared in anticipation before falling quiet. Arabelle had the earphones over her head since the noise would hurt her delicate ears.

“Today, my daughter turned seven. It’s a big day for her and she gets to go onstage for the first time.” Austin chuckled into the mic. He came towards Arabelle, kneeling down and holding his arms out. My daughter giggled and tromped off towards him. The fans went absolutely nuts. They cheered and whistled and awed for her.

She leapt into her Daddy’s grasp as the tall man stood back up, holding her with one arm and the mic with the other. She waved to the crowd. I saw everyone wave back.

“Hey baby girl.” He told her.

“Hi, Daddy.” She whispered, suddenly shy. I remembered when I used to be like that. She was suddenly under the eyes of everyone, under everyone’s phones and video cameras.

“How old are you?” He asked, holding the mic up for her. She blushed bright red.

“Seven.” She smiled into the mic. Everyone whistled for that.

“And what did you want for you birthday today?” He asked.

“I wanted to be onstage with you.” She hid into his shoulder. The entire audience clapped and laughed loudly. Many of the girls melted into a puddle of feels.

“And do you want us to preform a song for you?” He asked her. I had talked to her about this so they wouldn’t be caught off guard. We had it planned out for her. Phil and Aaron were laughing and grinning. The entire band was a family, all her uncles.

“Would You Still Be There?” She asked. Everyone yelled for that to happen. It was beauty overall as the night set in. Alan came up and gave her a high five. Austin kissed her head as everyone whistled again.

“Okay, darling.” He set her down as she ran off stage to me. She jumped into my arms this time. Austin winked to me. Alan winked to LP. We were both blushing like always.

“I had to tell you something…” LP started. I turned to her quickly. She was grinning wider than I’d ever seen her.

“What?”

“We’re planning for a child.” She said. I lost all the air in my lungs as I gasped and gave her a one armed hug. The song started up in the background.

“This song is for my amazing daughter, Arabelle. Love you, darling.” He smiled like it was his last day on earth. We were all smiling and clapping and whistling and dancing as the song started. Arabelle was clapping with her small hands, the backstage pass bouncing.

We might be missing JC. We have gone through a lot in the past month, but we were still together. This band was a family.

And then night rocked on.

Notes

Last chapter! A big thank you to everyone who stuck with this story since the beginning! A big thanks to everyone who left inspiring comments and subscribed! I couldn't have finished this story without you. I'm sorry it took so long to complete, but it's done now. My very first series is done. I count this as a big accomplishment.

So as always, thank you!

I'll write an epilogue, but then that'll be it.