Wild Ride - The Alternative Version (Book 2)

Chapter 13~Never Give Up, Never Back Down

"Your... daughter?" Brian said slowly, all of their faces showing shock and disbelief. 

"Yes, my daughter. We call her Abbie for short." I said. "And her mother, is sitting right there on the couch." I looked over my shoulder at Elise, who looked up suddenly, her cheeks reddening a little. I motioned to her, and she stood up and took a step forward to stand beside me, smiling shyly at the others. 

"Wait... you... and the temporary band manager...?" Zacky asked, shaking his head a little, confused.

"Yeah, waaaay before she was our temporary band manager, obviously." I replied.

Abbie looked at all of them with curiousity, and I could see the hint of amusement in her expression as she looked at their faces in reaction to her. She didn't seem to be shy at all, especially when Matt finally stepped forward and smiled at her. She grinned right back at him brightly, and he looked at me.

"Dude, she looks just like you." Matt pointed out.

I smiled and nodded. "I know." 

"Of course I look like him. He is my dad, y'know." Abbie said in a tone that told Matt that this should be perfectly obvious. Matt laughed, and so did the others at her comment as they seemed to come out of their state of disbelief. Like her talking made it real to them. 

"How old are you?" Brian asked her as he too, came forward.

"Six." She answered proudly, and Brian looked slightly surprised. 

"Well I guess we should tell you who all of us are." Matt said. 

"That would be helpful." Abbie said lightly, and I chuckled. 

"Alright, well, I'm Uncle Matt, and this is Aunt Danielle." He took Danielle's hand and brought her to her side, and then he pointed to the others as he went down through. "This is Uncle Johnny and Aunt Jessica, Uncle Brian and Aunt Sabal, and Uncle Zacky and Aunt Aubrey." 

I couldn't help but smile as Matt just automatically referred to everyone and himself as her uncle and aunts, because that's what they were and I was hoping that they would be there as her family. Abbie had a grin on her face too, her face lit up with happiness. They seemed to be adjusting and taking to her faster than I thought they were, and for just having a recent death, they were taking it even better than I thought they would, especially Jessica who was all smiles for a change. 

In Abbie's ear, I whispered, "Laugh and tell Uncle Johnny he's short." 

Abbie giggled and said to Johnny, "Uncle Johnny, you're really short, like a midget." I tried to stifle a laugh, but I was failing horribly. 

Johnny frowned, looking at me. "Manipulating your own child? That's low. Abbie, your father is a very coldhearted man." 

"No he's not, he's the best daddy in the world." Abbie came to my defence.

"Thank you, Abbie. At least somebody loves me." I teased, kissing her cheek, and Johnny just shook his head.

"Already I know that you two are way to alike for any of our goods." Johnny muttered. I high-fived Abbie, who giggled again.

"Then there's just one thing left to say." Matt said, pausing. "Welcome to the family, kid."

I grinned as the others agreed with Matt, and I set her down to let her go ahead and get to know the others on her own, and looked at Elise who smiled at me.

"I told you everything would be fine." 

 "Yeah, and thank you for being right." She just laughed and nodded.