*Chad POV*
I wake up at 3:30 the next morning and go over to the crib. I look in and Asher's not in there. I go downstairs and see Joey sitting on the couch feeding Asher.
"Good morning Joey" I say
"Good morning Chad. How did you sleep" Joey asks
"Good. How about you" I ask
"Alright" he says
"Daddy" I hear Lilly yell
I go upstairs and to Lilly's room.
"What's up baby girl" I ask
"Scary dream" she says
"what happened" I ask
She crawls over to me and I set her on my lap.
"My mommy got shot. I was hiding. Then he came after me. He hurt me" she cries
"Who's he" I ask
"My daddy" she says
"Does anyone know about this" I ask
"No. Daddy made me not tell. He left me after hitting me for long time a lot of times" she keeps crying
"Hey sssh. It will be okay. No ones gonna get her. Me and the others will protect you" I say
"Daddy dead now" she says
"How" I ask
"He got sick." She says
"Ok. Do you want to go back to sleep" I ask
"No. I come with you" she says
"Ok" I say
I pick her up and carry her downstairs. I set her down and she runs over to the couch and sits next to Joey.
"Who baby" she asks
"This is me son. His name is Asher Bo Stamper" Joey says
"He no look like you" she says
"I adopted him" Joey says
"Oh" she says
"Chad I just realized something" Joey says
"What" I ask
"Asher's middle name is Bo and my nickname from Nae was Joebo" he says
"That's really cool" I say
Lilly hands me the remote and I turn on bubble guppies.
"Ok. What do you guys want for breakfast" I ask
"French toast" Joey says
"Bacon" Lilly says
"Alright" I say
I go to the kitchen and start working on breakfast. All of a sudden I hear Joey scream. I go to the living room and see that Asher cheesed all down Joey's back. I take Asher from Joey and Joey runs upstairs.
"Let's let your daddy go change his clothes" I say
I grab the swing with my other hand and carry it to the kitchen. I set Asher in the swing and set it on low. I return to the food. Once breakfast is ready I hear footsteps running down the stairs and then a crash. I go to the living room to see the three all in a pile at the bottom of the stairs then Lilly sitting on top of the pile. I take a quick picture then pick Lilly up. I set her at the table and give her food. Shortly the others come in and I give them their food.
"Chad sit down and eat" Caleb says
"Just let me clean up the kitchen" I say
"Chadwick sit down" Joey says
"Joseph let me clean the kitchen" I say
Spencer gets up and drags me to a chair. I reluctantly sit down and Caleb puts a plate of food in front of me. I pray and we start eating.
"Ok Joey you're watching Lilly. Chad you're relaxing and Spencer and I are cleaning the house" Caleb says
"I wanna go with daddy" Lilly says
"Ok Lilly bug you can come with me" I say
"Chad" Spencer says
"Guys I'm allowed to hang with my daughter." I say
"Alright fine" Caleb sighs knowing he won't win
I pick Lilly up and take her up to her room. I get her dressed then grab my keys,
Phone, and wallet and we head out.
"Ok where should we go" I ask
"I want lemonade" she says
"Ok" I say
I place her in the car then get in. I start it and head towards chick fil a. We get there and she runs inside and I run off after her. Just as I get inside I run into someone causing their drink to spill.
"I'm so sorry" I say
"No it's ok. It's my fault I wasn't paying attention" the voice says
I look up and see the most gorgeous blonde ever. I quickly refocus and grab some napkins.
"Again in really sorry about this I should've been watching. I'll buy you another" I say
"No no really it's fine. I think this was God's way of telling me that three milkshakes in one day is enough" she laughs
"Daddy come on" Lilly says
She walks over to me and I pick her up.
"Hi. I'm Lilly I'm three. This is my daddy. He adopted me" Lilly says
"Hi there Lilly I'm Fallon" Fallon says
"Ok my little social butterfly off you go" I say
I set her down and she runs off.
"I'm Chad by the way" I say
"Fallon. You look familiar for some reason" she says
"I'm in a band called anthem lights" I say
"Oh. I've listened to you guys a few times. You four are very talented" she says
"Thanks" I say
"Well I better be going. It was nice meeting you" she says
"You too" I say
"Wait can I have your number" she asks
"Yeah" I say
We exchange numbers and she leaves. I go up to the front and order two lemonades. Once I get them I go to the play place to gather Lilly. We get in the vehicle and I pass her her lemonade.
"Thank you daddy" she says
"No problem now what should we do" I ask
"I don't know" she says
"How about we go back to the house and go swimming" I say
"I don't know how" she says
"I'll teach you and I bet we could get The others to join us" I say
"Ok" she says
We get home and go up to her room. I get her in her swim suit then go to my room and put on mine. I go back to her room and pick her up. I go to Joey's room and see he's asleep. I go to Caleb's and see the two playing video games.
"You two want to come swim with us" I ask
"Sure" they say
We go outside and soon the other two come out. I get lilies floaties on her and get in the water.
"Come on Lilly. Come in" I say
"Scared" she says
"Just step onto the second stair. I'll grab you from there." I say
"No" she says
Caleb picks Lilly up and walks into the water. I take Lilly from him and gently set her in the water.
She starts splashing the water and laughing.
"See I told you it's not scary" I say
"I love you daddy" she says
"Love you too Lillian" I say
We fool around and play then after a couple hours we get out.
"Ok Lilly go with Caleb to get changed." I say
"Ok" she says
I pass her to Caleb and he goes upstairs. I go up to Joey's room and over to his bed.
"Joe wake up" I say
"Why" he moans
"Because if you sleep now you won't sleep during the day. Get up." I say
"Ok" he says
He sits up and runs his eyes.
"Where's Asher" I ask
"In his crib in your room" he says
"Ok. You ok" I ask
"Sort of" he says
"What's wrong" I ask
"I'm still upset about Jenae dying. She was my best and really only friend. When I got picked on she came and helped me. When I was getting hate for the jealous cover she comforted me. She's always been there for me. Now she wants me to care for Asher but I don't know if I can give him a great life or no" he says crying a little
I go over and sit on his bed.
"Joey you will be a great father to Asher. You're already giving him a better life. You're being a dad to him. Jen told me that she wants me to be here for you and I will. Joey come to me with your problems. I want to help you. All you guys are like little brothers to me. I would do anything to protect you. What do you mean that kids would pick on you" I say
"In middle school and high school my friends were all girls. I didn't hang with any guys really. Maybe one. But I was also the smartest guy in the school. The older kids and kids in my grade who weren't as smart would beat me. They would have me do their homework. If I didn't do it they would hit me. I would never fight back though because I'm not big on violence. They the. Started calling me names and made me lose my self confidence. I tried to kill myself a few time but Nae always stopped me. What she doesn't know is that I've actually cut myself all the time. I would wear jackets and long sleeves to hide the scars" he says
He continues to cry and doesn't stop.
"Joe it will be okay. We're here for you. You don't have to worry about anything. Why don't you go change Asher's diaper while I go make dinner and a bottle for Asher" I say
"Ok" he says
I leave and get changed then go back downstairs. I go to the kitchen and work on dinner then heat up Asher's bottle. By the time it's done Joey comes downstairs and into the kitchen. I test the bottle then give it to him.
"Thanks" he says
"No problem. Can you tell the others that dinner is ready" I ask
"Ok" he says
He walks out and I set the table. The others sit at the table and I serve the food. Spencer prays and we start eating. After dinner as I'm washing the dishes I get a text.
F-hey Chad it's Fallon. Do you want to meet up at Starbucks then go for a walk.
C-sure. I'll be there in five
I put my phone away and go to the living room.
"Caleb can you finish up with the dishes and then put Lilly to bed. I'm meeting up with someone" I say
"No problem" he says
"Thanks" I say
I grab my jacket and keys and go out to my car. I head to Starbucks. I go inside and spit Fallon sitting at a table. I go over and sit down.
"Hey" I say
"Hey" she says
"Do you want to order something" I ask
"Yeah. Let's go up" she says
"No I got it" I say
"No no I got it" she says
"Let me pay I insist" I say
"Ugh fine. I'll have a green tea frappe" she says
I go up and order our drinks. Once I get them I go back to the table and sit down. I pass Fallon her drink.
"So did you want to go for a walk or should we just stay here" I ask
"Let's just stay here" she says
"Ok. So what's your job" I ask
"Well I just finished schooling for being a nurse and I started my job last week." She says
"That's cool as you know I'm in a band" I say
"Yeah a really talented band" she says
"Eh I mean newsboys and hillsong are more talented and a bigger success but for only being a band for about five or six years I guess we're good" I say
"You my dear Chad are too humble." She says
"Whatever. Now what's your favorite color" I ask
"Hm hot pink, mint green, and vibrant sky blue" she says
"Ooh you're getting technical here" I say
"Well I don't want you getting the wrong idea. What about you" she asks
"Uh almost every shade of green. It's hard to find a shade of green I dislike" I say
"Ok. Who are your best friends" she asks
"Alan, Caleb, Joey, and Spencer" I say
"Ok mine are Kelsey, Jewel, Yuna, and Destiny" she says
I'm about to say something but my phone rings. I look at the caller id and see that it's Caleb.
"Go ahead and answer" Fallon says
I get up from the table and go outside to answer it.
Ch-what's up Caleb
Ca-Joey got a call and went outside to answer it. There was a lot of yelling. When he ended it he went straight up to his room. I went to go check on him and he was crying and his doors locked.
Ch-ok. I'll be home shortly
I hang up and go back inside.
"Is everything ok" Fallon asks
"Not really" I say
"What's wrong" she asks
"Joey locked himself in his room after a phone call and is crying" I say
"Go. Go check on him. It seems like he needs you there" she says
"Are you sure" I ask
"Yes. We can finish this talk another day." She says
I thank her then run out to my car. I get in it and drive home. I go inside and upstairs. I see Spencer and Caleb outside his door.
"Are the two little ones in bed" I ask
"Yeah" they say
"Ok Spencer go downstairs. Caleb stay near but not by the door. I might need you to do something for me" I say
"Ok" he says
Spencer goes downstairs and I knock on the door.
"Go away" Joey yells
"What's wrong Joey" I ask
"I don't want to talk about it" He says
"Please let me in Joe. I want to help you." I say
I hear shuffling and the lock being unlocked. I look over at Caleb and he heads downstairs. I open the door and go in. Joey is sitting on the edge of the bed looking at the floor. I go over and sit down next to him.
"What was the phone call about" I ask
"You know how we were talking earlier about when I was was younger" he asks
"Yeah" I say
"Well the one person who picked on. The one who did it the most found my number and called me. He kept on making fun of Jenae and then making fun of me." He says
"please tell me you didn't" I say
"I'm sorry Chad. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stop" he cries
"Where is the blade" I ask
"In my bathroom on the sink" he says
I go into the bathroom and flush the blades down the toilet. I return to Joey's room and sit down.
"Where did you cut yourself" I ask
He rolls up his sweatshirt and removes the paper towel. I go back to the bathroom and get a wet cloth and gauze and medical tape. I then grab a towel and go back to Joey's room.
"Bite on the towel" I say
He takes the towel and bites it. I take the cloth and start working on cleaning the cuts. Once I'm done I put on the gauze and medical tape. I take the towel back and he rolls down his sleeve.
"Is it on the other arm too" I ask
"No. You came home before I could" he says
"Ok. Get some sleep. We have a concert tomorrow night" I say
"Really" he whines
"Yes" I say
"What are we going to do with the kids" he asks
"I might ask Fallon if she'll watch them" I say
"Who's Fallon" Joey asks
"A lady I met and was at
Starbucks with" I say
"Ok" he says
"Night Joe" I say
"Night" he says
I leave his room and go downstairs. I tell the guys that everything is alright then they head upstairs. I finish downstairs then go upstairs to bed. I lay down and drift off to sleep.