I Believe- Elvis Presley Fanfiction

Hopeful

In a quiet corner of Memphis, Tennessee, a young man named Elvis Presley strummed his guitar, lost in a world of rhythm and melody. His eyes closed, he sang with a passion that seemed to resonate through the very fabric of the night. The air had the sweet scent of magnolias, a gentle reminder of the Southern roots that had nurtured his soulful voice. His name was becoming known around town, and whispers of a new kind of music filled the air

But behind the scenes of his burgeoning career, Elvis faced a challenge that didn't fit neatly into the verses of his songs. His girlfriend, Gloria, had just given birth to their baby girl, Paisley. The joy of fatherhood washed over him like a warm summer rain, but the responsibilities were vast and uncharted. Elvis had always been the life of the party, the heartthrob that had women swooning, but now he had a little life depending on him, and the weight of it all was coming down

Gloria however wasn't taking care of the two week old baby. Elvis would come home and discover his daughter's face was red from crying and in desperate need of a diaper change or a feeding

Elvis was torn. His music was his life, but so was his daughter. His career was just beginning to take off, and he was getting calls for gigs every night. Yet, the painful wails of his child echoed in his heart every time he picked up his guitar to practice. The sweet lullabies he sang to Paisley in the wee hours of the morning were the only things that brought her peace, not Gloria's inattentive coos

He tried talking to Gloria, his voice filled with a mix of love and concern. "Honey," he said, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, "I know we're young, but Paisley needs us both. I can't do this alone." But she was lost in her own world, distant and disinterested, more enamored with the life of his newfound fame than the diaper changes and midnight feedings

"She always cries when I pick her up though. It's all she does is cry." Gloria made a pathetic excuse, unfazed

Elvis felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He had always been a man of action, not one to sit idly by. He picked up Paisley, her tiny body fitting perfectly in his strong arms. Her cries grew softer as he rocked her, his voice low and soothing. He was determined to be the father she needed, even if it meant sacrificing his own dreams

The days turned into a routine of diapers, bottles, and sleepless nights. Elvis would perform with a heart full of love and a mind heavy with fatigue. His bandmates noticed the change in him, his eyes not as bright as they once were, but they didn't pry. They knew he had a soft spot for family

One day, Elvis couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't let the neglect of his daughter go on

He sat Gloria down and spoke with a firmness she hadn't heard before. "I'm worried about Paisley," he said. "I know the baby blues are hard, but she needs her mom. We need to figure this out."

Gloria looked at him. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

Elvis took a deep breath, bracing himself for the confrontation. "I mean, you can't just ignore her like this. She's our daughter. She needs you."

Gloria's eyes flashed with a hint of anger. "What are you saying, Elvis? That I'm not good enough?"

Elvis was shocked at her reaction. "No, no," he said quickly. "I'm just saying we need to work together. For Paisley."

But Gloria was already on the defensive. "I don't need you telling me how to be a mother," she spat, standing up and storming out of the room

Elvis watched her go, feeling a deep sadness wash over him. He knew he had to do something, not just for Paisley, but for their relationship too. He couldn't keep carrying this burden alone