Never Be Afraid Again (sequel to We'll Carry On)

I'd end my days with you

Two years later

“MOMMY! WAKE UP!” Bandit, who was now three, screamed in my ear wile jumping on top of me.

“I’m up, I’m up.” I giggled, pulling her down onto the bed, tickling her.

“NOOOO MOMMY, IT TICKLES!” She squealed as she laughed and squirmed on her dad’s side of the bed.

“Mommy, when is daddy coming home?” She asked curiously, realizing he still wasn’t next to me in bed.

********** 

Gerard and the guys were out on tour for their newest album, Danger Days. They had been gone for about 10 months on the World Contamination Tour. He left in October and now he’s finally coming home in August. I was really excited to see him and so was Bandit. Sure we Skyped when we could and he would call after his sets, but it just wasn’t the same as having him home with us. Alicia, Jamia-who had just had twin girls in September, Cherry and Lilly- and I hung out a lot though. Bandit was very Smitten with the nearly two year old twins, who seemed to like her just as much. Jamia and I had become very close over the last ten months; we both knew what it felt like to have to be single moms more or less, when our rock star husbands were away.

“He should be home tomorrow, baby girl.” I kissed her head as she snuggled into my side, lying down next to me in my arms.

“I miss daddy, mommy.” She pouted, looking up at me.

I smoothed her wild hair down-it was just like her dad’s- and kissed her head. “I do too, baby.”

We stayed in bed watching television for a while until we heard our stomachs protest our hunger at us and decided it was time for breakfast, well, lunch now. I scooped her up in my arms, and ran down the steps to start lunch. I sat Bee down at the table with her coloring book and crayons while I went to the fridge.

“What does princess Beezle want for lunch today?” I asked my daughter in a horrible British accent.

“Grilled cheese!” She exclaimed, bouncing in her seat. I laughed at got out the bread, butter, and cheese.

********

I sat on the couch holding Bee tightly on my lap as we watched Spider-Man 2. Every time Peter Parked would save someone she would scream ‘spidey man!’ and clap her hands, looking up at me.

Bandit was so amazing. She was so engrossed in art, music, and comic books. Some days I even took her to work with me. She would sit at my desk and look over all of the comics that came in and demand I read them to her. She had even helped me with the art on some of them, which was amazing. Her curly brown hair wasn’t as kinky curly as before, but now fell in waves just past her tiny shoulders. She was a very small framed child with a shit load of energy. She brightened up my whole entire world. She was the reason I fought the good fight and saw the beauty in the world. Bandit Lee Way was the center of my universe. She brought Gerard and I closer and made up better people.

******* 

This was the first time that Gerard had to leave for longer than a couple of weeks, at least the first time that Bandit could remember. It was heartbreaking seeing them say goodbye. Bandit had a general understanding of why he had to go, but she thought that everyone’s mom and dad’s went on stage to perform. I had gotten very famous with my debut album, and did concerts around the United States, but never really toured. Bandit was too young to really be left without her mom and I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her yet. The day Gerard left though was the day I thought Bandit would never stop crying.