Natalie's POV

“Tony you need to eat...” I said softly through the door. He'd been in there for a full week. The only time he came out was when Adriana needed feeding or bathing. He never spoke a word to any of us. Today wasn't an exception.

“Leave it outside the door for him.” Vic's hand was placed on my shoulder. Things haven't been the same since Bianca's death. I don't think it had quite sunk in for Tony. The boys had dropped out of Warped and we now back at Vic's place. This was the only way we could keep a close eye on everyone.

Sighing I placed the tray of food in front of the door. As I headed back downstairs, the bedroom door opened. Tony emerged a little bit. His eyes swollen and red. He looked exhausted. “Thanks...” he mumbled. “Can we talk?” His voice was dry.

“Sure...” I smiled a little, joining him in the room. Looking around it was pretty untidy. Usually I'd go mad over mess but now was not an appropriate time. “What's wrong?”

“I don't think I can go.” I knew exactly what he was talking about. It was Bianca's funeral in 2 days. “I can't look her parents in the eye, look what I did to her.”

“Tone, you didn't do anything. This wasn't your fault darling, they'd want you there.”

“Why would they want me there?” he snapped a little.

“Because Tony you were her closest friend, you were her world. Yes okay, things happened but you still meant everything to her.”

“Can't have done, if I did she'd be here with me looking after our daughter together.” Right on cue Adriana woke. I went to go pick her up, until he stopped me. “Don't. Please just...”

“Come downstairs with her?” I offered a friendly smile. He shook his head, before changing his mind. “I'll leave you to get sorted.”

Well least he was coming out right? I walked downstairs, Vic & Jaime were sat at the kitchen table. I spotted Bianca's cases near the back door. “Tony's coming down, move the cases.” Both of them shook their heads. No-one would touch a thing of hers until Tony said we could. We still needed to go through everything.

“Natalie? I need you to clear all alcohol from the house...” Vic eventually said, he pointed over to the couch. Mike was there, passed out drunk. It wasn't even lunch time yet. I went over, carefully taking the bottle out of his hands. Throwing it in the bin, I set to work on getting rid of the rest.

“Dada...” a giggle made us all turn our heads. He still wouldn't let me near her. I made a mental note to ask why later. He was looking around, eyes then fixating onto Mike. “I'm moving out.” he stated.

“What? Why?” All 3 of us said in unison.

“That is the perfect example.” We all knew he was talking about Mike. “Adriana needs a good, clean home. She deserves the best.” He was so good with her. Her first birthday was coming up as well. He placed her in her seat. She really did look like Bianca.

“You need some rest. Let me take Adriana out for the day?” Jaime spoke up.

“Why would you want to do that? She'll be fine.”

“Please? It's the least I could do.” Jaime seemed a little shock at his blunt attitude.

Sighing he gave in. “Alright, do not take her far. You keep a close eye on her, if anyone approaches her you protect her with your life, understood?”

“Yeah, got it.” He got up, taking Adriana with him. Me, Tony & Vic sat there in silence. Vic was going through some papers. Tony was slumped back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Me on the other hand was calling her phone, I did this daily. A part of me hoped she'd answer, her voicemail came on.

You've reached Bianca, I'm either busy touring or busy touring. Leave a message, I'll call you back! The little laugh as she said 'busy touring' was adorable.

I felt the tears come up. I ended the call, placing it on the table. Tony picked it up, looking through it. “Doing that won't help.”

“Neither will locking yourself away.” I replied. He knew I was right. Mike's voice made us all jump a little. “Oh he's alive then.”

“He has a name in case you forgot.” I said quickly before Tony had a chance to reply. I wanted to keep the peace between them, he stumbled into the kitchen heading straight for the alcohol storage.

“You won't find anything...” Vic said not looking up from the various sheets of paper placed in front of him.

“Why not?” his voice had annoyance in it.

“It's all gone. Drinking yourself half to death is not the answer.”

“It's my body, my life!” he shouted, making Tony tense up a little. Vic slammed his hands on the table, he didn't get mad easily but he did a lot lately.

“Damn it Mike, you're not the only one suffering.” He was trying to keep his voice calm, it wasn't working. Jaime came through the door, looking a bit nervous. Tony jumped up, practically running to his little girl.

“What happened? Is she okay? Daddy's here...” he said as he picked her up and placed her on the sofa.

“I couldn't even make it to the end of the street.” his voice cracked. We'd all locked our emotions up, well Mike hadn't, just for Tony. He needed someone, he couldn't manage on his own.

“Least you tried, which is more than what I can say for some people” Vic chimed in, glaring at Mike. He flipped him off & walked off outside. I got up and followed him. I was determined to help everyone in this house, even Mike. He was sat on one of the chairs, smoking away.

“Listen Mike, they don't mean to be so harsh.” He offered me a smoke, I openly accepted. I didn't smoke much, Vic didn't like it but he made an exception lately.

“Yeah course they don't.” he snorted, rolling his eyes. I sighed & took a drag. Inhaling it, holding a while blowing it out.

“Maybe if you didn't turn to the drink....” He cut me off.

“It's the only thing keeping me sane lately. I don't expect you to understand.” His words hit me hard. How could he say that?

There was no hope for him.

***

Tony's POV

“Any plans for her birthday?” Vic sighed as he sat beside me. I shook my head, I didn't feel like celebrating anything. What was the use anymore? “How abo...”

“She's my daughter, I'll decide what I do for her.” He gave me a apologetic look. I sat there in silence, watching her play with her toys on the floor. How was I suppose to her when she's older where mummy is? “Look, I'm sorry Vic.”

“It's fine, have you talked to her parents?” I shook my head, I hadn't contacted them once. They were going to be at the funeral, I had to go and face them. They lost their only daughter, their only child. Mike came in, sat on the floor next to Adriana.

He was playing with her and her toys. I don't know what Natalie said to him, but it seemed to have some form of effect on him. Vic looked at me, raising an eyebrow. I shrugged. I was just as clueless as him. “Vic, a word?” He got up and left with Natalie.

“Watch her for me, I'm going for a shower.” I mumbled, getting up and going upstairs. I had to pull myself together and fast.

I was going to be the best damn father ever.

Starting now.