A New Life: Sequel to Amber

Chapter 20

Link's POV

Amber looked up as the letter slowly slipped from her grip and floated down to the studio floor. Tears brimmed her eyes as she stared deeply into mine. She wrapped her arms around me and buried her head in the crook of my neck. "Thank you. Thank you so, so much. I could never ask for anything better than that. You have done too much for me, Link. I love you so much! That was the most touching, heartfelt piece of writing  I've ever read. You do so much for me. More than you should. Thank you." She whispered all this in my ear. I hugged her even tighter and began to whisper back.

"I still haven't done enough. Amber, what you went through as a young girl was something no one should have to. Especially not you. You're the sweetest, kindest, most amazing girl I know. The fact that I can say that you're my daughter makes me the happiest man in the world. I'm so blessed to have you Amber. I love you. Happy birthday!" She hugged me even tighter after that. 

"Link, I love you too. So much." She sniffled and I kissed the top of her head. I looked at the crew. They all had those stupidly happy grins on their faces. A few of the women even had their hands over their hearts. I smiled back at all of them before returning my gaze to Amber. She started to let go and move away. I let her do so. She looked at me with the biggest and brightest smile imaginable. I gently wiped away her tears with my thumb.

"Don't cry, baby. You deserve all this. I want you to be happy." I smiled and hugged her again. "I've got one more surprise for you." I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out two small rectangular pieces of paper. She stepped forward and grabbed them. Her eyes went wide.

"Tickets to see Twenty One Pilots?! Link, how did you get these?! All of their shows have been sold out forever!" I laughed before answering.

"I have connections. Do you like them?"

"Link, this is amazing! I love Twenty One Pilots! I can't believe you did all of this for me! You already spent too much money on the laptop and phone. Thank you so, so much!"

"Of course, Amber. I wanted this to be a great day for you."

"It has been. Thank you!" She ran forward and hugged me again. I had gotten so many hugs from her today; I guess that means she's happy. That's what makes me happiest, seeing her happy. That's all I need to have a smile on my face. The party ended soon after that. Amber hugged everyone and we all took off. We decided to clean up everything tomorrow. 

We drove to a Wendy's and grabbed some food. "I can't believe you actually got tickets! This has been one of the best days of my life. I could never thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I love you, Dad." A huge smile spread across my face.

"You called me dad!" 

"Yeah, I did," Amber laughed," I think I'm used to it enough. You're my dad, I shouldn't call you by your first name anymore." I smiled and hugged her.

"That makes me so happy. Maybe it's stupid of me, but it does. Now, hurry up and finish, we have to get back on the road!" I smile at her and she smiles back. She has the most beautiful smile ever. It just brightens the whole room. 

She finished eating and we drove off down the road. Amber turned on the radio and we began to sing together. She has a beautiful voice; I've never heard it before. "Amber, you sound amazing! Why have you never sang around me before?" She started blushing and looked upset. 

"I was always too embarrassed to sing around people. I used to when I was really little. I'd sing while I worked, but my parents always told me to shut up. They said I was a horrible singer and that I shouldn't sing. They told me never to make their ears hurt with my terrible singing or there'd be punishments. I forgot one time, and they beat me. They swore at me and told me awful, awful things. After that night, I never really sang again. Out of fear. I-I knew that after you adopted me, they couldn't hurt me. They're in jail, but deep down, I was still afraid. My mind told me that I was an awful singer and that people would hate my voice, so I never sang. This was the first time I've ever sang for so many years. I was always afraid and embarrassed. I didn't want to hurt people's ears with my voice." She started to cry. I had pulled over a while ago, once it started getting serious. My heart hurt and felt like it had just been crushed by a sledgehammer. I unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled her into a tight hug, rubbing her back as she cried.

"Amber, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you remember that. They were lying. You sound so beautiful. I'd love to hear you sing around the house, you sound amazing. I really mean that. They were awful people, they lied to you. I promise you, you're an incredible singer. Never be afraid or embarrassed to show the world your talent. I'm so, so sorry. You never have to see them again. I promise you'll never be hurt by people like that ever again. I'm going to protect you and keep you safe. I promise you that. If someone tries to hurt you, I'll step in the way. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I already failed you. I won't let it happen again. I promise." Amber sniffled and nodded. 

"Thank you, Dad. That helped. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me! You always will be."

"Aw, I wouldn't say that. You'll meet a man and fall in love. You'll get married and have kids. That family will be better than me. You'll love them more."

"No, Dad, no one will replace the love I have for you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be on this earth anymore. I'll always love you the most." She smiled at me and I smiled back. I leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. 

'I love you so much Amber." 

"I love you too, Dad."