Story Of Another Us [C.H.]

Prologue

"Daddy, can you tell me the story of you and Momma, again?" 

Hailey asked crawling into my bed. My heart swelled and I couldn't help but smile at her. I sat up in bed and patted the spot beside me, where she scooted into.

"Of course. Do you miss her?" I asked running my hand through my six year old's hair. She nodded and wrapped her arms around me.

"Me too," I sighed as I glanced at a family picture on the night stand.

"Is August still asleep?" I asked, trying to delay the story. She looked up at me and frowned; I guess she knew my avoidance at this point.

"Dad," she whined, shaking me as much as she could. I only laughed and ruffled her hair.

"You comfortable?" I asked. She only responded with a look and a small eye roll. I raised my hands in surrender to her hard gaze on me.

"Alright, alright, I just wanted you to be comfy while I tell you this story. Are you sure you want to hear it? Not any other story?" I pressed, hoping she'd change it to 'I know an Old Lady...' or 'The Three Little Pigs'; her favorites. "Not even the super duper short version?" I pressed. I want to make this story a band aid, tell it as quick as the band aid would come off. But she wasn't having it, and she missed her mother most likely as much as I do. Who wouldn't? She's been gone for almost six months now.

I let out a heavy sigh and clenched my eyes shut, preparing myself as much as possible for this.

"Okay, I'm going to brief you on me before I met your mother and you." 

She smiled brightly and my heart clenched; she held so much of her mother that it hurt a bit to witness it. I gave a pressed smile as she snuggled further into my sheets, looking up to me as if she was telling me she was fully ready. I nodded and bit my lip.

"Back when your awesome dad here was in a band, he came across a whole bunch of new people and new faces. Before your mother, I was the party king, I threw parties like crazy; everybody wanted to come. Then you guys moved in."