House of Gold // Adopted by Tyler Joseph

Dad

   "Mrs. Robin would take some of us to the prison on Wednesday's." Lily spoke softly, embarrassed.

"What? Hold on, prison? Wednesday's?" It was a Friday  today, tomorrow would give us a chance to get her all settled in.

"Yeah." She seemed uncomfortable talking about it, but I needed answers.

"Why?"

"Why do you care?" She blurted.

"Because you're my daughter. Lily tell me, please." Her eyes lit up at the way I called her my daughter, even though it was subtle, and not the right time for that.

"I never wanted to go, but I got to see my dad there." She looked at the ground ashamed.

"What?! I mean—erm, I'm sorry." I reached out and rubbed her back as she held in tears. We were at a park, nobody was here, but she seemed insecure.

"Yeah, don't be. Anyways, she yanked me in because she's an impatient asshole who hates waiting for me." She laughed sourly.

"We'll have to work on language." I spoke with a soft smile, to lighten the mood.

"I'm twelve ass-wipe." She joked.

"Oh Lily. Can I ask why he's in prison?" My voice dipped lowly again.

"He killed someone." She spoke nonchalantly about it. It was a bit nerve-wrecking.

"My mom died while giving birth to me." She ended up going really quiet. "Anyways, nice talk, now you know my backstory, tell yours."

"Lily, I'm not going to. She was a bit of a shy child, but opened up to me.

"Why? Because you had everything handed to you? Tyler I don't care, just talk to me." She smiled softly. "I may not relate, but hey, we need to loosen up a bit."

"You're very smart for a twelve year old." I remarked. "Mature is a better word."

"Stop changing the subject. That Jenna girl, is she your wife? She doesn't like me very much, huh?" She frowned and kicked at the bark beneath her feet.

"Girlfriend." I corrected. "Of course she likes you. She just has to warm up to you. That's all."

"Or your dumbass didn't tell her you were adopting me." She giggled. I smiled at her laughs, but tried to be mad and not encourage her.

"Language for the millionth time Lilith!" I scolded but hid my smile under my sleeves.

"Okay dad." She huffed sarcastically. And rolled her eyes at me.

"I know you were being sarcastic, but you just called me dad for the first time ever." I beamed and brought her in for a side-hug.

"Don't get all mushy on me Tyler." She covered, but I could tell, she really liked when I treated her with the Daughter label.

"Okay, okay, Lilith." I shot back with my tongue tucked between my teeth.

"Ya know, Mrs. Robin believed I was the root of all evil with my name?" She chuckled.

"It's a lovely name." My legs pumped me higher on the swing.

"Can it, Joseph." She giggled as she swung higher than me, her body rising out of the seat slightly.

"Let's go homeeee?" I asked as my body soared from the seat, I landed in the bark as she followed.

"Yep." We made conversation on the way back. "So, what do you do for a living?" She asked.

"I sing. Write music in my band. Why, is my crappy one bedroom apartment not good enough for you?" I asked jokingly.

"No it's fine. Perfect even. I just was wondering."

"Good. Make yourself at home." I replied. "I'm thinking of getting a house anyways. Between me and you, maybe I'll ask Jenna to marry me one day."

"That Jenna girl said you were leaving for four months!" She blurted as we entered the house.

"Come here Lily." I patted the bed as she sat. Jenna greeted us as we walked past the couch she was on.

I grabbed her soft, small hands, and saw her fragile insecurities crumble before me. "You don't want me huh? You just felt bad for me?" Her lips trembled.

"No no no, baby girl I do want you. C'mere." I buried her head into my chest as she cried. "You're important. I love you Lily." My lips kissed the top of her hair carefully.

"I love you too, Dad." She mumbled almost inaudibly, but I caught it and grinned.

I lifted her chin up slightly. "What was that?" I smiled.

"I love you, dork." She buried her head back into my chest as I pulled the covers up to us.

"Get some rest, Princess." I slowly slid out of bed as she dozed off. My daughter, Lily.