Grace Through It All (Book 2)

Tough

(3 days later)
*Joey POV*
We're celebrating all the kids birthdays today and we're having the wives set everything up. Right now us guys are trying to distract the kids for an hour. It's not really working.
"Joe, Cynthia is crying" Alan yells
"I got it" Caleb yells
I'm in the living room with Adele, Daisy, and Mario. They're watching Dora. My boys are fooling around with Alan's kids.
"Hey Caleb Mario is starting to dose off" I say
"Ok you can just lay him on the couch or something" Caleb says
I put Mario in the swing and go into the kitchen and sit at the table with the guys.
"So when did they say they would be done" I ask
"A half hour" Alan says
"Where are my kids" I ask
"They're outside with mine" Alan says
At that moment Kyle runs in crying.
"What's wrong buddy" I ask
"Jojo hit me" he says
"Why did he so that" I ask
"Because I wasn't fowowing him" he says
"Ok. Stay here with your uncles and I'll be right back" I say getting up
I go outside and find Joey jr sitting in the grass.
"Hey bubba what's wrong" I ask
"Ky won't listen to me" he says
"Well why did you hit him" I ask
"He wouldn't listen" he says
"AJ can you come here" I ask
"Yes uncle Joey" she asks
"Do you know why Joey hit Kyle" I ask
"Joey wanted Kyle to play go Diego go with him but Kyle didn't want to and then Joey got mad" she says
"Thank you AJ. You can go back to playing now" I say
"Ok" she says and runs off
I pick Joey up and carry him inside and upstairs. I go into my room with him.
"Bubba you're going to have to be in timeout" I say
"No dada" he says
"Yes" I say
"No no no no no" he says
I go to his room and put him in his crib.
"Ok I'll come back up in 10 minutes then you can come back down and play" I say
I leave the room and close the door and go downstairs. I go back to the kitchen.
"Where's Joey" Chad asks
"In timeout in his room. He slapped Kyle because Kyle didn't want to play a game" I say
"Alright" Chad says
"Where's the kids" I ask
"They're watching a movie in the living room" Alan says
"Ok" I say
We talk for a little bit then my phone rings. I see that it's Grace so I go outside and answer it.
J-hey
G-hey we finished setting up
J-ok are we going to tell everyone today
G-yeah. We'll see you guys soon
J-yeah bye
I hang up and go back inside.
"The girls finished so we can head over" I say
"Ok let's get the kids shoes on and head out" Alan says
We get everyone's shoes on and I go upstairs to get Joey. He fell asleep so I pick him up and carefully put his shoes on trying not to wake him. I take him downstairs and put him in the van. The others get in their vehicles and we head to the park. We get there and everyone gets out. I stay in the van with Joey. Grace comes over.
"Hey princess" I say
"Hey. What are you doing in the van" she asks
"Joey fell asleep and I don't want to leave him alone" I say
"Ok well I'm going to go see what Kyle and Cynthia are doing" She says
"Wait when are we going to tell them" I ask
"Um when he wakes up" she says pointing to Joey in the back seat
"Alright" I say
I sit there then decide to go to the trunk and grab my guitar. I sit on the edge of the trunk and play. As I'm playing AJ comes over and sits next to me.
"Hey buttercup" I say
"Hi uncle Joey" she sighs
"What's wrong AJ" I ask
"I'm bored" she says
"Ok. Well what do you want to do" I ask
"Can I play your guitar" she asks
"No but you can play this one" I say giving her a smaller one
"Ok. Can you teach me to play a song" she asks
"Sure what song" I ask
"Let it go" she says
"Alright" I say
I teach her like half of it before Joey wakes up. I take him out of the van and set him down. He runs to the park. I go back over to where AJ is.
"Do you want to play for you dad and other Uncles" I ask
"Will you play with me" she asks
"Sure" I say
We walk over to where everyone is.
"Guys AJ wants to play half of a song for you" I say
We go over to the pavilion and everyone sits in front of us. I start to strum and she joins in. We play half of it together then I finish up the rest of it.
"That was wonderful" Caleb says
"When did you learn to play the guitar" Chad asks
"Daddy and Uncle Joey have been teaching me" she says
"Who taught you to play let it go" Alan asks
"Uncle Joey. I was bored so he taught me how to play half of it" she says
"That was really good you two" the girls say
"Ok Grace and I have an announcement now" I say
Everyone gathers under the pavilion.
"We're expecting" Grace says
"Wow" Alan say
"You already have three" Caleb says
"That's awesome" Chad says
"Is it a boy or girl" Kelsey asks
"It's a girl we think" I say
"What are you going to do about rooms" Fallon asks
"Well the boys will probably share a room then Cynthia will go into the soccer room and then the new room will be the new babies room" Grace says
"Have you decided on a name" Brycie asks
"For a girl Ariel Grace and for a bit we're not sure yet" I say
"Cool" Kelsey says
The girls go off to talk and the kids go running of to play. AJ stays with me and the guys are here too.
"Ok so guys I want your input on something" I say
"Ok" Chad says
"What is it" Caleb asks
"Well I want to know how I should decorate the room. I have two ideas" I say
"We can't help until we know the ideas" Alan points out
"Alright alright. One idea is a butterfly room and the other idea is to use chalk type paint around the room and then she can draw and stuff on the walls" I say
"Why don't you combine them. Do the chalk paint and put some butterfly wall stickers on the walls or ceilings" Chad suggests
"That's not a bad idea Chadwick" I say
"Joseph Patrick Stamper how many times do I have to tell you only call me Chadwick of you want to become a pancake" Chad shouts
"Alan! chad is going to squash me like a pancake!" I shout
"Sorry Joe but you sort of brought this in yourself for calling Chad Chadwick." Alan says
"Wow just wow. Thanks for the support guys. I thought we were brothers" I sarcastically state
"Oh we are that's why we're helping one brother destroy another brother" Alan says
"Don't worry Joe I got your back" Caleb says
"Why are the shrimps going against the GIANTS?" Chad asks
"Not sure chad but that's a great question. We shall wait for an answer" Alan says
"Hey don't you two giants know that it's three against two" AJ shouts
"And who's the third" Chad asks
"Meeeeeeeee!" AJ exclaims
"Well you sure are loud" Alan says
"I get that from you daddy" she says smiling
"I can tell you get it from that dufus" I say
"Hold it little man I'm no dufus. If anyone is a dufus it's Chad" Alan says
"Wait hold it. Does this mean its now four against one" Chad asks
"Yeah I guess so" Alan says
Chad gets a very mischievous look in his eye and a smirk appears.
"RUN!" I shout
I pick AJ up and put her on my shoulders and start running. I stop at a tree and look back to see Chad with a water gun spraying Caleb.
"Uncle Joey you can put me down now" AJ laughs
"Ok" I say
"I take her off my shoulders and I climb the tree and sit on a branch.
"Uncle Joey what are you doing" She asks
"Sitting, thinking, and hiding" I answer
"Ok" she says then runs off
I sit up here for a while and just think about things. I look around and sees as if everyone is done fooling around and their eating and the kids are about to open presents. I don't move I just stay up here in the tree and think.
*Chad POV*
The kids are about to open presents when I stop them.
"Guys, where's Joey" I ask
"I'm right here Uncle Chad" Jojo says
"Not you silly. Your daddy" I say
"I have no clue" Grace says
"Me neither" Caleb says
"Ok you kids can open your presents." I say
The kids open their presents then go over to the playground with their moms the guys and I start to clean up. AJ walks over to me.
"Uncle Chad!" she yells
"AJ I'm right here you don't need to yell" I say
"Sorry Uncle Chad" she says
"It's fine. What do you need sweetheart" I ask
"I know where uncle Joey is" She says
"Oh really? where is he" I ask
"He's in the tree. He said he's hiding, sitting, and thinking" she says
"Thank you miss Avery Jade" I say
"My pleasure Sir Chadwick" she says
"You young lady must never call me Chadwick" I say
"Ok" she says
She runs off to the playground and I go over to the tree that she was talking about. I climb it and sit on a branch near his.
"Yo Joe what are you doing up in this tree alone" I ask
"I don't know. Thinking" he says
"About what" I ask
"Don't know" he says
"It has to be something" I say
"Ok I guess maybe how blessed we all are with a great God and wonderful families" he says
"Agreed" I say
"Chad I know we fight all the time but I don't know what I would do with out you" he says
"Agreed bro. We act like brothers and wrestle all the time but if there was anytime I'm down or whatever you're always there" I say
"Thanks" he says
"Why don't we head back to the party" I say
"Or we could go to the movies" he says
"I like your thinking Joe. I like it a lot" I say
"Lets go" he says
We climb out of the tree and head to his car and my phone rings. I pull it out and answer it.
C-yello
A-hey Chad where are you and Joey
C-Um we went somewhere
A-alright well we're all going to my place
C-okay see you guys later
I hang up.
"Who was that" Joey asks
"Alan he wanted to know where we were and that everyone his going to his house" I say
"Ok. What movie are we going to watch" he asks
"Cinderella" I say
We get to the theatre and go in. We watch the movie then leave. We get to Alan's and go inside.
"Yo yo yo Joe in the house!" Joey says
"Joseph shut it we're watching frozen" Grace says
"Yes princess" he says
We walk over to the living room. I sit on the floor in front of Fallon and Joey sits on the couch and Grace lays her head in his lap.
*Joey POV*
We're watching a bunch of movies and I look to the floor and see my kids asleep. I look at my lap and see Grace also asleep.
"Guys I'm going to head out since all four of them are asleep" I say
"Ok see ya later" Caleb says
"See ya little bro" Chad says
I get up and go over to the floor and pick up Cynthia. Alan comes over and picks up the boys for me. We carry them out to the van.
"Thanks Alan" I say
"No problemo" he says
"When do we leave for tour again" I ask
"A couple days" he says
"Ok. I'm not sure if I'm going to bring Cynthia with or not" I say
"Bring her with" he says
"Ok. What are we going to do with the kids while we're performing" I ask
"Ooh good point why don't we bring Donald along" he says
"Ok. I'll call him and ask." I say
I head back inside and pick Grace up off the couch. I put her in the car then I get in. I drive to the house and carry Cynthia and Kyle inside. I find Donald in the kitchen.
"What are you doing here" I ask
"Well there was a fire at the apartment building and my apartment got half burned so I need somewhere to stay. I was thinking if I stayed here I could also help with the kids" he says
"First of all sorry about the fire and second sure. This works out perfectly. I need to talk to you about something later. Can you grab Joey from the van and take him put to his room" I ask
"Alright" he says
I take the kids upstairs and put them in bed then I go back downstairs and carry Grace out of the car and upstairs to bed.
"Goodnight Princess" I whisper kissing her forehead
"Night Joe" she mumbles
I walk out of the room silently laughing. I go downstairs and sit on the couch. Moments later Donald comes down and sits on the couch as well.
"So what do you need to talk about" he asks
"We're taking some of the kids on tour with us and wanted to know if you could come with us and while we're performing you watch the kids" I say
"Ok. Which kids" he asks
"My three and Mario" I say
"What no AJ" he asks
"No but you could very possibly convince Alan to bring her" I say
"I don't want to call Alan. He scares me. Remember what happened last time we fought" he says
"Oh that, that is a great memory" I say
"Yeah that's because he didn't do anything to you" he says
"You threw yourself at mwa for no reason so it makes total sense" I say
"Whatever can you please talk to him for me" he asks
"Yeah. Stay here and I'll go to his house and talk to him so that AJ can overhear and help me get him to say yes." I say
"Great thinking JoeBro" he says
"Don't call me that!" I shout as I walk out the door.
I decide to just run to Alan's since it's 3 blocks away. By the time I get there I'm out of breath. I go inside breathing really hard.
"Joe you ok" Alan asks
"Yeah... I ran... here... and now... I'm out... of... breath" I say sitting on the floor
"Well why did you run here" he asks
"I... I mean Donald has a question for you but he's afraid of you so I said I would ask it" I say
"Wow why is he afraid of me" he asks
"Last week the cafe him attacking me. You taking action" I say
"Yep that does it" he say
"Yerp" I say
"What's the question" he asks
"Donald wants to know if AJ can come on tour with us" I say
"Ooh I heard my name what are you taking about" AJ yells and comes over to us
I pick her up and put her on my shoulders.
"Donny wants you to come on tour with us" I say
"Ooh daddy can I please!!!!" she begs
"I'll have to ask mommy so wait here" he says
*Alan POV*
I walk off to find Brycie and I hear Joey and AJ whispering about a lot of different things.
"Brycie can I talk to you" I ask
"Yeah hold on" she says
She finishes with whatever she's doing and turns around to face me.
"What's up" she asks
"Well Donald is going to come on tour with is to watch the kids while we perform and he wants to know if AJ can come with. I think the decision is up to you" I say
"Give me ten minutes to finish the dishes and I'll come out and talk with you, AJ, and Joey about it" she says
"Alright" I say
I go back to the living room and AJ and Joey stare at me.
"Ok creepy. It's not polite to stare" I laugh
"Well what did mommy say" AJ asks
"Well sweetheart mommy said to give her ten minutes and she'll be out to talk about it" I say
"Fine" she says
"So what were you and Uncle Joey whispering about" I ask
"I asked if Donny can talk like Donald Duck and Uncle Joey said yes and showed me a video of him doing it" she says
"Ok" I say
Brycie comes out and we all sit in the living room.
"AJ can go as long as Donald doesn't do what he always does with her" she says
"And what's that" Joey asks
"He taught her how to play halo and call of duty" I say
"Yay I can go" AJ cheers
"Yes you can" Joey cheers
"Why is it that you two are so alike" I ask
"I have no idea what you're talking about" they say looking offended
"You two are ridiculous" I say
"No we're out of our mind" Joey says
"Yeah whatever" I say
"Oh Brycie I'm probably not going to take Cynthia with is it okay of she stays here" Joey asks
"Well we don't have a crib. Only a pack n play" she says
"That's fine" he says
"Ok then she can stay here" she says
"Great thanks. I should probably head home. Donald is probably wondering what's taking me so long" he says
"Why is he at your house" I ask
"His apartment building caught on fire and half of his own apartment is burnt so he is staying with us" he says
"Ok that's a little disappointing for him" I say
"Daddy can I sleep over at Uncle Joey's" AJ asks
"You have to ask him" I say
"UNCLE JOEY CAN I STAY AT YOUR HOUSE TONIGHT!" AJ YELLS
"AVERY JADE POWELL WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME!" JOEY YELLS
"Both of you stop yelling" I say
"OK" THEY YELL
"So uncle Joey can I stay at your house tonight" AJ asks
"Sure. We'll sneak up on Donald" Joey says
"Bye dad bye mom" AJ says
"Bye squirt" I say
"See ya Alan and Brycie" Joey says
"Bye dude" I say
*Joey POV*
We walk out of the house and start walking.
"Uncle Joey I don't wanna walk any farther" AJ complains
I put her on my shoulder and we continue on. We get to the house and I stand outside the door for a little.
"AJ you have to be quiet. The kids and Aunt Grace are asleep" I say
"Ok. I bet Donny is asleep to" she says
"I bet he isn't" I say
"Yeah right" she says
"Fine we'll put ten dollars into this" I say
"Uncle Joey I don't have ten dollars" she says
"Yeah but your dad does" I say
We go inside and go over to the couch. I drop AJ on top of Donald.
"Yo" He says
"Hi Donny were you sleeping" AJ asks
"Hey AJ! I was trying to" he says
"Told you uncle Joey" she says
"No you said he was asleep I said he wouldn't be asleep. I win" I say
"Woah woah woah. Both of you win. I was sort of sleeping and sort of not" Donald says
"You're right that means you Donald have to give each of us five dollars because we bet ten" I say
"No" Donald says
"Donny give me the money or we'll squish you like a pancake" AJ says
"Fine" he says
He gives us the money.
"Ok time for bed. AJ you get the couch" I say
"What" Donald asks
"There's an air mattress in Cynthia's room" I say
"Thanks" he says then goes upstairs
"AJ I can sleep down here with you if you want" I say
"Ok" she says
I lay on the couch and she lays next to me with her head on my chest. We both fall asleep.