*Joey POV*
Today's the funeral then we're leaving right after it. While we were here we hung with my brothers and bought things that Asher needs and didn't already have. We already have the car packed for when we leave.
"Chad why won't you come" I ask
"Because I didn't know Jenae and I think you need family around you" he says
"But Chad you are family. You're like an older brother to me" I say
"Joseph you ready" my mom yells
"In a minute" I call back
"Take Asher go downstairs and go to the funeral" he says
I sigh and go downstairs.
"Where's Chad" my mom asks
"He said he's not coming." I say
My mom goes upstairs and I follow behind. "Chadwick I don't care what you say you are coming to this funeral. Jenae knows a lot about you. She would want you to come. Joey would always talk to her about his band mates and how Chad is like a older brother" my mom says
"But momma stamper" Chad whines
"No buts. Now get on the clothes I have laying on your bed then meet us downstairs" my mom says
"Yes ma'am" Chad sighs
"Let's go Joe." My mom says
"Alright mama" I say
She takes Asher from my arms and we go downstairs.
"Do you know if Jenae had any godparents for Asher" I ask
"No she didn't but you should give him at least a godfather" my mom says
"Ok" I say
Chad comes downstairs and we head to the van. We get in and my dad starts it.
"You know you're very stubborn Chad" Kenny says
"He gets told that a lot" I say
"I can speak for myself Joseph" Chad says
"Oh well Chadwick" I say
We get to the place and go inside. I go to the casket with Asher in my arms.
"That's your mommy. She loves you very much." I say to Asher
I look at Jenae and they have her wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She never liked dresses and told me that if she was ever going to get married she was going to wear sweatpants and sweatshirt.
"I love you Nae. Sing with the choir of angels for me." I whisper
I kiss her forehead and go to my seat. Once I sit down Asher starts crying. Chad comes over to me and takes Asher and walks into the hall with him. My parents and brothers come and sit down.
"You okay" my mom asks
"For now" I whisper
The funeral starts and the pastor talks and then Nae's parents talk. The pastor goes back up and reads a verse then looks at me.
"Now we'll have Jenae's best friend Joseph Stamper speak" he says
I stand up and go to the front. I look at everyone then back at the casket.
"Jenae was my best friend. When we were little we did everything together. We were always there for each other. We would never do girl things because as Jenae would say 'that's yucky and you will never catch me wearing a dress or doing that stuff.' She was positive that she would never wear a dress in her life. She even told me one day that if she got married it would be in the mountains and her and her husband would be wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts. I've known her for a while. When we were younger we always said we were twins. When we went shopping we made sure to get the same thing. And I always made sure to remind her that I'm a minute older than her. Jenae could light up anyone's day by just saying a few simple words. She was the kindest person I knew" I finish through tears
I sit back down and my mom wraps me in a hug. I lean my head on her shoulder and cry.
"It will be okay baby boy it will all be alright" she says
The funeral finishes and we go to the van. We get there and Chad is standing there with Asher.
"I c-can't go to the cemetery. It w-will be too hard" I stutter
"Ok. Do you and Chad just want to leave before any major traffic appears" my mom asks
"Yeah. I think that might be the best" Chad says
We get in the van and drive home. We all get out and I place Asher in his car seat before returning to Chad and my family. I hug my brothers while Chad talks to my parents.
"See ya little bro" Kenny says
"Stay strong and take care of Asher" Donny says
"Bye guys love you" I say
"Love you too" they say
Then Chad and I switch.
"Bye baby boy. I'll miss you" my mom says
"I'll miss you too momma" I say
"Bye Joe" my dad says
"Bye dad" I say
I hug them then Chad and I get in the car. He starts the car and starts driving.
"What's on your mind" Chad asks
"a lot of stuff" I say
"Want to share" he asks
"will you be Asher's godfather" I ask
"Sure" Chad says
"Thanks" I say
I hide a yawn and lean back.
"How much sleep have you been getting" Chad asks
"Maybe 3-4 hours a night if I'm lucky. I was just to upset or worried" I say
"Go to sleep. I'll wake you up when we get home" Chad says
"Ok" I say
I out my chair back some and close my eyes. It's not long before I'm asleep.
*Chad POV*
(In Nashville)
We get to the house and I take the key out of the ignition. I grab mine and Joey's stuff out of the car and take them inside. Then I grab Asher's stuff and take it inside. Next I take Asher out then go to Joey's side.
"Joey time to get up" I say
"We're back already" he asks
"Yeah. Unpack then go back to bed. Someone will wake you when dinners ready." I say
"Ok. Jut let me grab my stuff" he says
"It's already in your room. And Asher's stuff is in mine since you don't have room for it. Also I'll explain Asher to the guys while you're asleep" I say
"Ok thanks Chad" he says
" no problem" I say
He gets out and goes inside. He heads upstairs to his room. I shut the doors to the car and go inside. I set my keys down and go to the living room. I set the carrier down and take Asher out. I then sit down next to Caleb on the couch.
"Chaddy" Lilly cheers
"Hey Lilly girl" I say
"Who's baby" Spencer asks
"This is Asher Bo Stamper. He was Joey's friend but before she passed she asked Joey to adopt him so he did. She had Asher while she had cancer and he survived. Asher means miracle and Bo means strong and fast. I looked these up" I say
"How old is he" Caleb asks
"3 weeks" I say
"Wow" Spencer says
"Hey Caleb can you watch him while I make dinner" I ask
"Chad sit down and relax. You are not making dinner. You are always on the go. Take some time and relax" Caleb says
"But you two can't make dinner" I say
"We'll just order pizza" Spencer says
"I no want pizza" Lilly says
"What do you want" I ask
"Mac n cheese" she says
"Ok. I'll go make it." I say
"But you shouldn't have cheese and Joey can't" Caleb says
"I'll make normal for you guys and I'll make some for us using lactose free cheese" I say
"Chad you better go to bed at a decent time tonight" Caleb says
"Caleb I went to bed at midnight while I was with Joey" I say
"That's not a decent time" Spencer says
"Daddy I'm hungry" Lilly whines
We all turn to Lilly and look at her.
"Sorry" she says
"No no no it's okay. Do you want to call me daddy" I ask
I crouch down and she comes over and sits on my knee.
"Mmhmm" she whispers
"Then you can" I say
"I love you daddy now food" she says
"Alright alright. I'll make dinner" I say
I pass Asher to Caleb and Then hand Lilly off to Spencer. I stand up and go into the kitchen. I get two pots of water and put them on the stove to boil. I then grab the macaroni noodles and the cheeses. Once dinner is ready I set the table then go upstairs. I go into Joey's room and over to the bed. I gently shake him and he wakes up.
"Dinner's ready" I say
"Ok" he says
He gets up and follows me downstairs.
"Dinners ready" I say
Spencer shuts the tv off and Lilly runs over to me. I pick her up and carry her to the table. I set her in her seat and then sit down.
"Chad where's Asher's high chair" Joey asks
"In the car. I'll go get it" I say
"No I got it" he says
He runs outside then comes back in. He sets it up then puts Asher in it. Once everyone is seated I pray then we start eating.
"So how was your week with Moe and Curly" I ask Lilly
"Who" Lilly asks
"Hey I'm curly" Joey says
"I'm Moe" Caleb says
"I'm Larry" Spencer says
"They're from a tv show called the three stooges. They are really dumb and act foolish" I say
"Oh. Can we watch" she asks
"After dinner" I say
She quickly finishes eating and waits for us to finish. Once we're done they go to the living room and find the three stooges on Netflix. I do the dishes then go out there. I pick Lilly up and sit down with her on my lap. She leans her head back on my chest with her eyes still glued to the tv. After two episodes I can tell she's getting tired.
"Hey Lilly time for bed" I say
"Not tired" she yawns
"Ok how about I go give you a bath" I say
"Ok" she yawns again
I stand up and go upstairs. I go into Lilly's room and grab her pjs. I then go to the bathroom and set Lilly on the floor. I start the bath and put bubbles in it. Once it's ready I place Lilly in the tub and start washing her hair. Once she's dryer and has her pjs in I go downstairs with her. I sit back down on the couch and she lays her head on my chest. Half way into the episode she falls asleep. I go upstairs and put her to bed then go back downstairs.
"We're heading to bed Chad" Spencer says
"I'm putting Asher in his crib before I go to bed" Joey says
"Don't stay up to long" Caleb says
"Night guys" I say
They head upstairs and I turn the tv off. I lock the front door and the back door then walk into the kitchen. I finish cleaning it up then go upstairs. I go up to my room and get in bed. I lay down and slowly fall to sleep.
-----------------------------------------
Hey!
So the picture is Jenae the only difference is Jenae's eyes are blue like Joey's. Also attached is an episode of the three stooges. Keep reading this story and my other story. I'm trying to update them every other week. One week will be this story then the next week will be the other one. Love you guys.
Megan😎