Everything Changes

Chapter Sixteen

**Brantley's P.O.V.**

Okay, Payton's pregnant. Wow. I'm going to be an actually daddy, like be a part of raising a kid from this little thing into an adult. How the hell am I going to do that? What am I supposed to do? I was nothin but a hell raiser growing up and I know what I put my mom and dad through. I don't want this kid to turn out like me.

"What's on your mind?" Payton asked putting her hand on my cheek. I must have really been concentrating hard.

"Just the baby." I said being honest.

"What about our little raisin?" Payton asked putting her hand on her stomach. I really need to figure out something better to call this kid till we figure out what it is.

"I don't know how I'm going to do it." I said looking at Payton.

"Do what?" She asked not out of confusion but making sure we were on the same page.

"How I'm goin to help you raise this baby. I don't want it turn out like me. I wasn't a good teen Payton. I was a hell raiser I put my parents through so much." I said putting my head down just thinking about all the stuff I did.

"You're going to be an awesome daddy, baby. You already are one to our little boy whose running around outside." Payton said rubbing her hand over my arm.

"Yeah but he's eight. Not a helpless baby that I need to do things for. Dax knows right from wrong our baby won't." I said now feeling the nervousness of this baby. I'm excited no doubt but I'm scared as hell to be a father.

"You know right from wrong. You're not that same teenage boy anymore Brantley. You're an amazing man who can do anything you put your mind to including being a daddy. You choose to be a daddy to Dax with no obligations or pressure. You came to me asking to be Dax's father. You don't even realize how good you are Brantley. Just ask Dax he can tell you all the wonderful things about you. He looked up to you even before now. You had a place in raising Dax without even knowing who he was." Payton said trying to put my nervousness at bay.

"I don't know baby. I'm just scared as hell I'm gonna mess up." I said putting my head in my hands.

"It's okay to be scared. Hell I'm scared and I've done this before. I'm scared I'm going to mess up. This baby and Dax aren't going to be alike." Payton said. Hearing her day that she's scared helped a little bit but don't completely make my worry go away.

"Why don't we all go out somewhere before the concert tonight?" I suggesting hoping to clear my mind not push out the fact that Payton is pregnant but just clear all the bullshit out.

"I think that's a great idea." Payton said smiling.

"I know someone who has a place in mind." I said smiling thinking of how Dax wants to go to The Country Music Hall of Fame.

"Oh I know. I bet you that as soon as we get in that truck he's gonna be askin about it." Payton said getting up to go tell Dax we were getting ready to leave. I was about to get dressed when Dax screamed a blood curling scream. Both Payton and I went running to where he was playing in the backyard. Dax was laying on the ground holding his arm with tears comin out of his eyes. I got to him before Payton did and I carefully picked him up.

"What's wrong buddy? What hurts?" I asked almost afraid to touch him out of fear of hurting him more.

"My arm daddy! My arm!" Dax yelled still crying.

"Alright buddy. I'm gonna pick you up tell me if I hurt you." I said carefully picking him up. Payton was right there beside me the whole time.

"Daddy my arm." Dax said crying.