An: I love this chapter so much. What do you guys think? Any predictions of whatâs to come next? Thank you for all the love and Iâm so happy you guys are still reading this. Donât be shy I love interacting with you guys. đ
Theo stays glued to your side, her small hand swallowed in yours, your grip tighter than you meant it to be. You canât help it. The crowd is a living thing, itâs loud, shifting, unpredictable, and the last place you ever wanted to lose her was in the chaos of a concert. The thought alone makes your stomach drop. You picture Noah shouting her name into a panicked crowd, security scrambling, people screaming, and your pulse spikes hard enough to make you dizzy.
You look down at Theo. Sheâs already craning her neck, trying to see past the wall of bodies. Thatâs enough to send your anxiety over the edge. You scoop her up without a second thought, holding her tight against you.
âMommy, youâre squishing my sign!â she yells directly into your ear. Her voice is swallowed instantly by the music
You weave closer to the front of the line where people are asking for your tickets. Jolly never gave you tickets and what were you going to say? âIâm dating the lead singer?â Sure thatâs believable.
you canât catch your breath, each step vibrating through your legs as the stage lights flare with flames and smoke.
Bryan was supposed to be watching for you both. He didnât know your name, didnât know your face by heart but kept picturing the photo Jolly had showed him. Five year old and her mom⊠canât be too hardâŠhow many five year olds could possibly be at the show?
âMommy, itâs so loud!â Theo whines, burying her face in your shoulder.
You set her down for just a moment and move from the line to not block people from going in. You crouch down so youâre eye-level. âTheo, do not move from this spot.â You make your voice firm, louder than usual, hoping she can hear the seriousness even through the noise.
She nods quickly and clings to your leg. You dig through the bag with frantic fingers until you find her headphones. You fit them over her ears, adjusting them until they sit snugly. She gives you a thumbs-up, her universal sign for Iâm okay and reaches for you again. You tuck her against your side, her sign pressed awkwardly between you both.
Youâre panicking how were you supposed to get to where you needed to be. Just as that thought crosses your mind, a man steps directly into your path. âHey!â he shouts over the music, flashing a quick smile. âIâm Bryan. Here to get you there!â He points toward the stage like itâs the most obvious thing in the world.
Relief hits you so hard your knees nearly buckle. You let out the breath youâve been holding since you stepped into the venue and nod, following him as he cuts through the crowd with practiced ease. He flashes badges, waves off security, and leads you up a narrow set of stairs to the side platform.
Just like Jolly promised, thereâs a small setup waiting, there is two chairs, a tiny table, snacks lined up like a miniature buffet, and a rainbow of kid-friendly drinks. Theoâs eyes go huge. She rushes toward the table, her sign bouncing against her knees, and you swear she forgets the entire world exists for a moment.
You try to focus on the stage, on the band, on the the crowd, but your eyes keep drifting to the lead singer. The way he moves, the way he commands the room, the way his voice seems to reach straight through the noise and land right in your chest.
Theo squints at the stage, her whole face scrunching in concentration. Then she gasps,loud enough to startle you and jumps to her feet, smacking your leg with both hands.
âItâs Noah!â she screams, her voice bursting with pure, unfiltered joy.
And for the first time since you walked into the venue, your fear loosened its grip. Just a little.
You smile down at Theo, brushing your fingers through her hair as she proudly unfolds her sign, wrinkled from being squished against your hip, hoists it into the air like sheâs signaling a rescue helicopter.
The music cuts out for a beat, the sudden quiet almost startling. Noahâs voice rolls over the crowd. âRaise your lighters, phonesâŠwhatever youâve got, if this is your first time seeing Bad Omens!â
Theo immediately thrusts your phone upward like sheâs been waiting her whole life for this moment. In the process, she hits the flashlight button. The beam shoots straight up, wobbling wildly as she wiggles with excitement. Itâs not bright enough to blind anyone, but it is bright enough to catch Noahâs eye through the haze of smog and stage lights.
He squints, confused. You can practically see him thinking, what the hell was that?
âThis next song isââ he starts.
But Jolly has already spotted the rogue flashlight. Bryan gives him a quick signal, some kind of âyep, itâs happeningâ gesture and Jolly leans into his mic.
âHold on,â he says, turning toward Noah with a grin that screams Iâm about to cause problems on purpose. He laughs into the microphone. âWe have a surprise for this one.â
He points directly at Noah.
Noahâs brows knit together. âNo surprises. I donât like that.â He says it like a man who already knows heâs about to be betrayed.
But Jolly is already handing off his guitar and sprinting to the side of the stage where you and Theo are tucked away. Nicholas gives the lighting cue, and suddenly the side platform floods with light, revealing you both like contestants on a game show.
The crowd canât see you from their angle, but Noah can. Oh, he can. His whole face scrunches in this adorable, embarrassed smile he tries, and fails to hide. He covers his mouth with his hand, tilting his head down like heâs trying to disappear into his own shirt. You can practically hear his internal monologue, How did they sneak this past me? Who approved this? Why am I smiling like an idiot?
He laughs, sets the microphone back on the stand, and crouches down. Then he opens his arms wide and waves both hands toward himself, signaling for Theo like heâs calling a puppy. He knows you wonât step out there, but Theo? Theo would walk straight into a volcano if he asked.
She looks up at you, eyes huge, silently begging for permission. You nod.
She bolts toward the front of the stage with speed and determination. Noah barely has time to brace himself before she flings her entire body into his arms, nearly knocking him backward.
He catches her with a soft âoof,â laughing as she wraps her arms around his neck
Noah stands up slowly, still holding Theo like sheâs the most precious thing heâs ever been handed. She settles naturally on his hip, one arm looped around his neck, her little sneakers dangling as he grabs the microphone with his free hand.
âThis is a pleasant surprise,â he says, glancing from the crowd back to Theo like he canât quite believe sheâs real. Behind him, the rest of the band starts drifting back into their places, all of them wearing the same amused expressions.
âThis is my best friend, Theo,â Noah announces proudly. He gestures to her with the mic, and she gives the crowd a tiny wave like sheâs greeting her royal subjects. âHer mom and her came to see us today, and I feel so fucking honored.â
The crowd roars, and Theo beams like she personally caused it.
The lights dim again, shifting into the soft blue wash meant for the next song. You think heâs going to set her down, but he doesnât. He keeps her right there, tucked against him like she belongs.
âTheo,â he says, leaning the mic toward her, âdo you wanna help me sing this next song?â
She nods so hard her headphones wobble. âWhich one!?â she asks, tilting the mic toward her mouth like sheâs done this a thousand times.
âThe one that we sing about Mommy.â
Her eyes go huge , cartoon huge and she claps her hands together with a squeal that makes Noah laugh into the mic. The band starts the intro, and Theo immediately starts bobbing her head, completely off-beat but with full commitment.
Your heart? Itâs not just swelling, itâs doing somersaults, cartwheels, backflips. You swear you can feel it in your throat.
As the song builds, Noah finally sets Theo down, but he doesnât let go of her hand. She stands right beside him, bouncing on her toes.
When the instrumental hits, Noah grabs both her hands and starts jumping in circles with her, matching the rhythm as best he can while Theo just⊠jumps. No rhythm. No pattern. Just pure joy.
They spin in a wobbly little circle. Noah laughing, Theo shrieking with delight and the crowd loses their minds. Phones go up. People cheer.
Noah keeps her steady, guiding her jumps so she doesnât faceplant, and every few seconds he glances over at you with this soft, overwhelmed smile the kind that says I canât believe this is my life.
And honestly? You canât either.
The music cuts out, a sudden hush, and Noah glances at Theo like heâs been handed the worldâs cutest mission. He gives her this soft smile and they start walking back toward you, hand in hand, Theoâs tiny arm swinging.
When they reach you, Noahâs grin is so wide it looks medically concerning. âYou came.â His voice cracks with how hard heâs smiling.
You shrug, trying to play it cool even though your heart is doing cartwheels. âA little birdie told me you were sadâŠâ
He doesnât even let the words settle. In one quick, reckless swoop, he cups your face and kisses you, just long enough for Theo to absolutely lose her mind.
âMommy and Noah sitting in a tree!â she squeals, and instead of spelling it out like a normal child, she just hollers, âKISSING!â
Noah pulls back, forehead still touching yours, and looks down at her with a dramatic gasp. âWeâve been caught.â He wraps his arms around and you melt against him. Youâd been missing being wrapped against his body.
Theo immediately switches to sing-song mode, pointing at him like sheâs announcing breaking news. âNoah is mommyâs boyfriend, Noah is mommyâs boyfriend!â
You shake your head, laughing because thereâs no stopping her now. You rest your hand on Noahâs chest and give him a light push, more of a tap, really, because heâs still smiling like a golden retriever who just got praised for doing the trick.
âGo do your job, doofus.â
He backs away slowly, walking backward toward the stage, still grinning, still watching you like heâs afraid youâll disappear if he blinks. Theo waves both arms, and Noah gives her a little salute before turning back to the band.
And the music kicks back in like none of that just happened but it definitely happened.
Iâve been going through some of my old one shots for Jolly, Noah, and Jamie. I have deleted a bit and Iâm sorry if they were requests or favorites but reading my old writing sometimes makes me want to throw up with embarrassment. Thank you guys for continuing to read my stuff! I enjoy your comments and conversations. đ
Request: can you write a fluff based on Noah trying to find himself after tour and having a hard time. He meets a new person at a church and they hit it off even though they arenât religious.
An: the theme is not religious but still adding touches of the church and talk of it.
Noah lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling like it might blink first. The question kept circling in his mind stupidly loud. Was he really going to do this? Drag himself to a place he didnât believe in, sit through stories heâd spent years rolling his eyes at, pretend he wasnât drowning in his own head?
He exhaled hard, and pushed himself upright. His legs swung over the edge of the bed, feet hitting the floor with a dull thud. He rubbed both hands down his face, and dug at his eyes until they stung.
âFuck it,â he muttered, standing like it took effort he didnât have.
Nothing else was working. Heâd tried music, silence, sleep, pacing, pretending he was fine, none of it touched the fog sitting heavy in his body. He was right on the edge of an emotional collapse, and he knew it.
A desperate man looking for anything, anything, that might ease the ache in his mind.
âJust this once,â he told the empty room. âIt couldnât hurt.â
Maybe heâd catch some kind of uplifting moment. Maybe heâd sit there staring at the carpet while the pastor rambled about miracles and redemption and fictional stories that somehow changed peopleâs lives. Hell, maybe heâd even try singing. The lyrics were plastered on giant screens anyway, no thinking required.
He got dressed slowly, like every movement weighed ten pounds, then trudged to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth without really tasting the mint, dragged a comb through his hair without caring what it did. Energy was a foreign concept these days. Noah couldnât remember the last time heâd felt like himself.
By the time he slid into his car, the sky outside looked too bright for how he felt. As he drove, he kept trying to convince himself that the worst-case scenario wasnât catastrophic. Heâd walk in, sit through the service, walk out feeling exactly the same and feeling the same didnât sound nearly as terrifying as feeling nothing at all.
When Noah arrived, he pulled open the heavy double doors, and the hinges betrayed him with a loud groan that made every head turn. The preacher was already midâsermon, planted firmly at his pulpit, and the congregation sat in perfect rows, silent, attentive, unified in their stare at the man whoâd just interrupted them.
Heat crawled up Noahâs neck. He lifted a hand to his chest in a small apologetic wave, mouthing sorry like it might undo the moment.
As he scanned for an empty seat, he spotted her.
A girl at the end of a pew, roughly his age, posture relaxed, expression bored enough to be honest. She looked just as out of place as he felt, like sheâd wandered in by accident or on a dare.
When their eyes met, she let out a soft snicker, not even bothering to hide it. It wasnât mean. A tiny, shared yeah, this is weird between strangers.
That was all it took.
Noah made his choice. He slipped down the aisle and headed straight for her row, ignoring the polite, churchâapproved smiles from everyone else. If he was going to survive this, he needed someone who wasnât radiating holy enthusiasm. Someone who looked like sheâd been exiled from the rest of them.
His kind of person.
He slid into the seat beside her, the cushion squeaking under his weight. She raised an eyebrow, amused, like she already knew exactly why heâd picked her.
And for the first time that morning, Noah felt the faintest flicker of relief, like maybe he wasnât completely alone in this place after all.
âNew here?â she murmured, just loud enough for him to catch it over the preacherâs voice.
Noahâs brown eyes drifted toward her like it took actual effort. âYeah,â he muttered, low and tired.
âWhatâre you here for?â she asked, like they were in line at a bar instead of a pew.
He raised an eyebrow. Werenât they all here for the same thing? Answers, hope, inspiration; whatever people came looking for when life felt too heavy.
He leaned slightly toward her. âPeace, I guess. Some kind of peace.â He flashed a crooked grin that couldâve been a smile or a grimace; even he wasnât sure. âYou being held hostage? âCause you look just as uncomfortable as I feel.â
She snorted, an actual snort, she didnât bother hiding it. âMy dadâs the preacher,â she said with a shrug. âIâm here so he can fix my âtroubledâ ways.â She smiles, âmakes me feel young again.â
Noah nodded, catching every ounce of sarcasm. âAh. A rebel.â
She tilted her head, voice dropping even softer. âWanna go for a walk? Thereâs an orchard down the street.â She glanced toward the front. âIâll get up first and wait outside. Give it a minute before you follow. My dad watches everything.â
For the first time in weeks, something warm flickered in Noahâs chest. A real smile, small but honest. Before he could answer, she was already sliding out of the pew and heading for the doors with the kind of confidence that said she left midâservice all the time and didnât care who stared. She moved like someone who refused to be intimidated.
She was brave. And for the first time in a long time, he wanted to follow someone.
Noah lingered near the pew, waiting for a moment when slipping out wouldnât feel like a crime. As if the universe finally threw him a bone, the people rose in unison and began forming a line for communion. Perfect. He ducked out, pushing through the heavy doors with the urgency of a kid sneaking off school property.
Sunlight washed over him the second he stepped outside. It wasnât harsh this time. He stopped, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply. Fresh air. Actual fresh air. It felt like the first good thing that had happened all week.
âYou gonna stand there all day or what?â
Her amused voice cut through the quiet. He turned to his right, already smiling as he walked toward her.
They headed down the sidewalk, their steps falling into an easy rhythm. Up ahead, the orchardâs entrance came into view, iron gates held by old brick pillars, vines climbing them like theyâd been trying for decades.
âSo, preacherâs daughter?â he said, letting the sarcasm drip. âThat mustâve been⊠fun.â
She snorted. âIt wasnât awful, but it wasnât great. Hard to sneak out to parties when your front door has an alarm that screams every time it opens.â She laughed under her breath. âFound that out the hard way.â
Silence settled between them, but it wasnât uncomfortable. Just⊠curious.
At the gate, she reached for it, but Noah lightly smacked her arm before her hand touched the latch. He stepped in front of her and pulled it open himself.
âWhat a gentleman,â she teased, walking past him with a grin. âAnywayâback to you. Why church?â
He shrugged, eyes drifting away. âWhy not?â
She groaned dramatically. âNo. Absolutely not. I answered your question, mystery man. You owe me something.â She tilted her head, studying him. âYou donât exactly scream religious.â
He laughed, but his attention drifted past her, into the orchard.
The place was⊠unexpectedly beautiful. Rows of apple trees stretched out in neat lines, their branches heavy with green leaves and early fruit. The air smelled faintly of crushed grass, something floral he couldnât name. Wildflowers grew in clusters at the bases of the trees, like someone planted them intentionally to make the place look whimsical. Even the imperfections were charming. The bushes trimmed just enough to hide patches of uneven ground, a cracked cement path softened by moss.
They walked beneath a canopy of branches that filtered the sunlight into patterns on the ground. It felt quiet here. Not church quiet but real quiet.
He exhaled slowly, letting the scenery settle into him.
âI actually wrote songs about religion,â Noah said, eyes fixed on the ground like it might swallow him whole. âAnd⊠some of the shit I felt toward God.â
She slowed her pace, watching him carefully. âDo you sing?â
âYeah.â He hesitated, jaw tightening. He didnât want to sound like he was bragging. He didnât want to sound like that guy. But something in her expression told him she wouldnât care in the obnoxious kind of way. âIâm uh⊠Iâm in a band. We tour a lot.â
He risked a glance at her. She didnât flinch. Didnât widen her eyes. Didnât do the whole oh my god, really? routine. She just waited.
âItâs amazing,â he continued, voice softening. âI love my job. My bandmates, theyâre my brothers. Itâs everything I ever wanted.â He finally looked up, meeting her patient eyes. She wasnât rushing him. She wasnât judging him. She was just⊠there.
âBut I get overwhelmed when I come home,â he admitted. âItâs like I step off the bus and suddenly Iâm supposed to snap back into this other world. This normal world. And I donât feel like I belong in it.â He rubbed the back of his neck, nerves flickering through him. âItâs depressing. Usually I can shake it off, but this time was different.â
They reached a break in the orchard path, sunlight filtering through the branches in soft patches. He stopped walking without meaning to.
âI spent almost three years on the road,â he said quietly tossing up his hands and smacking them back on his sides like he couldnât even believe it. âThree years of everything I ever wanted. And when I got back⊠I felt like nothing. Like Iâd left the best version of myself somewhere out there and came home with whatever was left.â His voice cracked just slightly. âI tried everything to snap out of it. Nothing worked. So⊠thatâs why church. I just wanted to feel something. Anything. Desperation, I guess.â
She stopped too, turning toward him. Her hand came up gently, resting on his arm. The touch was light, but it hit him like a memory almost familiar in a way he couldnât place.
âThatâs really deep,â she said, searching his face like she was reading something written there. âShow me a song.â
He blinked. âOh, uhâŠâ He looked around, suddenly aware of the quiet orchard and the distant people. âI donât wanna disrupt everyone.â
She rolled her eyes with a grin and started walking again. âCâmon.â She waved him over, heading toward a shaded corner where the fence met a cluster of old apple trees. The grass was thick and soft. No one was close enough to hear them.
She dropped into the grass without hesitation, leaning back on her hands as she looked around like she was claiming the spot. Noah sat beside her, feeling the shade settle over them.
âAlright,â she said, smiling at him with a softness that made it impossible to look away. âNow you can show me. I wonât judge.â
He smiles, slow and crooked, the kind of grin that says he already knows heâs lost this battle. âYouâre not gonna let this go, are you?â
She shakes her head with exaggerated stubbornness. âNope. You sing forâwhat? Thousands? Tens of thousands? But you canât show me?â Her tone is pure mischief, like sheâs poking a bruise just to see him squirm.
Noah exhales through his nose, pulls out his phone, and scrolls until he finds the track. His thumb hovers over the screen longer than it should. Here goes nothing. He presses play and hands her the phone, suddenly hyper-aware of every breath she takes while listening. His stomach twists. Why is this scarier than performing in front of an arena?
âThat oneâs called Mercy,â he murmurs, trying to sound casual, failing miserably.
She listens all the way through. No interruptions, no jokes, no sideways glances. Just her eyes on the grass, her expression unreadable. When the song ends, she looks up at him, a smile tugging at her lips like sheâs trying not to give him too much too fast. He braces himself.
She hands the phone back. âI love it. But there is absolutely no way that beautiful siren voice is yours.â
He clutches his chest dramatically. âHow dare you. I work hard for that voice.â His laugh breaks through the act.
âProve it. Serenade me.â She flops onto her back in the grass, hands folded behind her head, looking up at him like sheâs issuing a royal decree.
He drops beside her, mimicking her pose. âGoogle it. Look up Bad Omens. Iâll pop up in the pictures.â
âNah,â she says, eyes still on the sky, âthis is more fun.â
He turns his head toward her, one brow raised. âAlright, sassy. What do you do for a living?â
She rolls onto her side, elbow in the grass, chin propped in her palm. Her gaze locks onto his, playful and daring. âIâm the lead singer in a band. Itâs called Good Omens.â
He stares at her for a beat, then shakes his head as a laugh escapes him, she amused him to say the least.
Church didnât give him peace. Not even close. But it gave him her.
And right now, she feels like the closest thing to peace heâs had in a long time.
Iâm working on a request today that Iâm gonna try to get out soon. I want to be able to give ya guys something in between chapters of truly yours. So if you have request feel free to send them my way and I will get to them!
Also if youâd like to be tagged in the one shots or the requests please let me know here. I like to make lists. đ
Right now Iâm more into writing bad omens stuff which is usually Noah or Jolly.
Please specify if you want to be tagged in Noah or Jolly, or if itâs both!
I donât write smut because I am awkward and I just canât do it. But, I can do other things! đ
Just a little sneak peak of whatâs to come for for truly yours chapter 12. It gets even cuter. Thank you @a-villain-vying-for-attention for always brainstorming with me and editing my fuck ups when I accidentally write Knoah or put my name in đ
An: sorry this took so long itâs kinda a filler but I just need Noah to get back face time calls are hard to write. Iâm excited for the next chapter and I hope you guys are too.
Your phone buzzed against the nightstand, a low vibration that tugged you out of the last threads of sleep. You cracked one eye open, lids heavy, vision blurry. The screen glowed in the dim roomâJason.
Nope. Not today. Itâs seven-thirty in the morning.
You roll over, ignoring the persistent hum. The phone stays on silent until your alarm goes offâthe one you set for Noahâs morning call. Thatâs the only sound you want to hear right now.
When the alarm finally chirps, you swipe it off and blink yourself awake. Three missed texts wait on the lock screen, Jasonâs name stamped across each one like a warning label.
You arenât taking her out of state to see your boy toy. Thatâs wildly inappropriate. She doesnât need to be exposed to his lifestyle. Sheâs five, not fifteen. Answer your phone.
Iâm not joking. Iâm calling my lawyer today.
Three missed calls. Jason (3).
You stare at the screen, pulse ticking faster. The anger starts to rise, but before it can take root, the screen lights up again.
Noah.
His name flashes across the screen, and just like that, the tension drains from your chest. You swipe to answer, the corners of your mouth already lifting.
âHey,â you murmured, a sleepy smile tugging at your lips the moment his face appeared. He looked unfairly handsome for this hour, soft brown eyes, hair a little messy, that familiar toothy grin brightening the whole screen like heâd been waiting for you.
âGood morning,â he said, voice warm and gentle. âSorry if I woke you. I just wanted to check on you and Theo.â He exhaled slowly, the kind of breath that carried worry. âSounds like you guys had a couple rough days.â
You pushed yourself upright, leaning back against the wall as you brushed your hair out of your face. You knew you looked like a sleepârumpled disaster, but you didnât care. Seeing him, seeing that expression he saved only for you, made the rest irrelevant.
âMy tiny little twin,â you sighed, rubbing your forehead. âGod, sheâs got the rage of her father and the emotions of her mother.â You closed your eyes for a moment, letting the weight of it settle. âSheâs having a hard time understanding time, I think.â You pause. âI guess weâre all struggling a little bit.â
Noahâs face softened instantly, a sad shimmer in his eyes. âIs she still sleeping? I wanted to talk to her.â
You swung your legs over the side of the bed, stretching your toes against the cool floor. âIâll wake her up. Itâll make her whole day to talk to you. Maybe sheâll stop being a terror.â
You stood, moving lazily toward Theoâs room, the phone still in your hand.
âWait,â Noah said, his voice quieter now, almost fragile. âBefore you go in there⊠are you doing okay? You seem a little off. Itâs hard to read you right now.â
You stop mid-step, the weight of his words pulling you back. Turning around, you head for your room, the exhaustion pressing down. âIâm okay,â you mumble, though the crack in your voice betrays you. âItâs just been hard. Emotions have been everywhere.â You sink onto the edge of the bed, fingers gripping the blanket. âIâm scared that maybe all of this was a bad idea.â
The words hang heavy in the air. You take a shaky breath, eyes stinging as you look away from the screen. The lack of sleep, Theoâs mood swings, Jasonâs constant interferenceâŠit all crashes down at once.
Noahâs brows knit together, his posture stiffening. âWhat does that mean?â His voice is careful, but thereâs panic underneath.
âI donât know.â You lie back, staring at the ceiling. âItâs just that⊠youâve been gone for ten days, and itâs already wearing on Theo and me. And you; what happens when you leave for months, Noah?â
He exhales, long and slow, rubbing the back of his neck. The confidence he had before this call falters. âI canât tell the future,â he admits, voice low. âI donât know whatâs next. But I do know that I love you both. I want you and Theo in my life.â His throat tightens. âPlease donât do this. Donât have second thoughts.â
You swallow hard, tears slipping free. âItâs hard not to. I donât even know what this is anymore. Youâre my friend who stays the night, treats me like a girlfriend, but canât call me his girlfriend. Is it me?â Your voice trembles. âIs it because youâre still scared?â
Noahâs silence stretches, his jaw working as he searches for words. âIâm scared, yeah,â he admits finally. âBut not of you. Iâm scared of losing you. Of screwing this up. You and Theo, youâre the first thing thatâs felt real in a long time.â He leans closer to the camera, eyes glassy. âI know Iâm gonna be gone more often then I want to be. I know itâs hard. But Iâm trying, I swear I am. I want to build something that lasts. I just need you to believe that Iâm not going anywhere because Iâm not.â
You press your lips together, torn between hope and heartbreak. âYou say that nowâŠâ
He shakes his head, voice breaking. âNo, I mean it. Iâve never been more sure of anything. Youâre it for me.â
You wipe your eyes, trying to pull yourself together, but your voice still trembles when you speak.
Noah watches you quietly, his expression softening. âI guess I never gave it a title becauseâŠâ he pauses, searching for the right words, âbecause I already thought of you as my girlfriend.â
You blink, startled, and before you can respond, his lips curve into that familiar crooked grin. âAlright, beautiful,â he says, slipping into the same dorky tone he used the night he asked for your number, complete with finger guns. âWill you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?â
The laugh bursts out of you before you can stop itâhalf disbelief, half relief. âI mean, I guess⊠if you insist,â you tease, wiping the last of your tears. The air feels lighter now, the ache in your chest easing. âIâm sorry I freaked out,â you add softly, voice small but sincere.
âHey,â he says, leaning closer to the camera, his eyes warm and steady. âIt happens. Itâs me and you against the world, alright? Weâre human, we overthink, we spiralâŠbut I never want you to feel like I donât care. Or that you canât tell me when somethingâs wrong.â
You nod, the words sinking deep. âI know.â
He smiles, that quiet kind of smile that feels like home. âGood. Because I meant what I said, Iâm not going anywhere.â
You stand, the weight of the conversation finally lifting. The hallway feels calmer now, the house still and safe. You push open Theoâs door; the hinges creak softly. The room is dark except for the faint glow of the sun creeping through the curtains. Sheâs curled up under her blanket, a little bundle of peace after a long night.
âTheo,â you whispered, brushing her shoulder. âBaby, wake up. Someone wants to talk to you.â
She groaned dramatically, rolling onto her back. âIs it morning,â she mumbled, eyes barely open.
âCome here,â you said softly. âLook.â
You angled the phone toward her just as her eyes blinked open. For a second she stared, unfocused
Her whole body jolted upright.
âNOAH!â she squealed, instantly awake. She scrambled to sit, blanket falling off her shoulders.
âTheo!â he squeals back, the sound bright and bubbling. âHowâs my girl?â He shifts around on his bunk, clearly searching for something. A second later, a familiar plush face pops into view beside his own.
âPrincess wanted to say hi,â he announces proudly. âShe said she missed you and really wanted to see you. And guess what? She went on stage last night! She got introduced to all our fans. She danced so much. Iâll send Mom some pictures.â
âYay!â Theo claps her hands, her whole face lighting up. âThat makes me happy!â
Noah settles Princess on his shoulder as he lies back, eyes sparkling. âTheo, guess what.â
âWhat!â she echoes, matching his excitement perfectly.
âFour more days until Princess and I come home!â His smile stretches wide. âWe canât wait to see you and Mom.â
Theo gasps, bouncing a little where she sits. âFour days! Thatâs so soon!â
âIt is,â Noah says, his voice softening. He shifts Princess so sheâs tucked under his chin, her little fabric crown tilted. âAnd Princess said sheâs been practicing her âwelcome homeâ dance. She wants you to see it first.â
Theo wiggles with delight. âIâll make her a sign! A big one! With sparkles!â
Noah laughs, âSheâs gonna love that. And I will too.â Thereâs a beat where he just looks at her, that quiet, tender pause he always falls into when heâs trying not to get emotional. âI miss you, bug.â
Princess slips off his shoulder and he catches her dramatically, making Theo giggle. âSee? Sheâs excited too.â
âNoah?â Theo pauses, her little brow furrowing in concentration. âYouâre my best friend, but Mommy and I have to go âcause Iâm hungry.â She giggles, swinging her legs off the bed. âAnd I have toââ she stretches dramatically, arms reaching for the ceiling, âhave Mommy do my hair âcause Iâm going to Grandmaâs today!â
Her grin widens as she claps her hands together. âWeâre going to the petting zoo!â
You laugh, watching her bounce with excitement. âChop chop, Mommy, we gotta go!â she says, hopping up on the bed like sheâs commanding an army. Then she turns back to the phone, her expression suddenly serious. âNoah, you arenât mad we have to go, right?â Her eyes search the screen, earnest and wide.
Noahâs smile softens. âNo, bug, Iâm not mad. I hope you have the best time at the petting zoo. Pet a goat for me, okay?â
Theo nods solemnly, satisfied with his answer, then hops off the bed and scampers down the hall toward the bathroom. The sound of her laughter fades, leaving you alone with Noah again.
You sigh, smiling. âOh, to be a mother.â
He chuckles, rubbing his eyes. âYouâre doing a damn good job at it.â
You tilt your head, warmth creeping into your chest. âI guess I should get going.â
Noah yawns, stretching against the pillow. âIâm gonna catch a nap while the guys are out messing around,â he says, his voice thick with sleep. âHey, babe⊠if you need to talk later, or anything, just let me know.â
You blink, a smile tugging at your lips. âBabe?â
He grins, half-asleep but still teasing. âI havenât thought of your nickname yetâgive me a break.â
You laugh softly. âGet some sleep, lover boy. Iâll talk to you later.â
He hums, eyes already closing. âLater, beautiful.â
âThis was the best idea,â Lyla sighs, melting into the massage chair as it hums beneath her. You sink back too, letting the vibration roll through your shoulders. âWhy donât we do this more often?â
âBecause we have kids, jobs, and a mountain of other crap I refuse to list right nowâŠthis is supposed to be relaxing.â You peel one of the cucumber slices off your eye and squint at it. âDo you think these are edible?â
You glance over just in time to see Lylaâs slices are gone.
âThey are,â she says with a satisfied grin, chewing slowly. âAnd theyâre so fresh.â
You laugh, shaking your head. âOnly you.â
The massage chairs gradually slow to a stop, leaving behind that pleasant hum in your bones. Two nail techs approach, trays of polish glinting under the soft salon lights. Today, you and Lyla had gone all in; the full pamper package: facials, massages, mani-pedis, the works.
âHowâs Theo doing?â Lyla asks casually, then jerks her leg as the tech touches her foot. She winces, eyes wide. âSorry! My feet are ticklishâ-feel free to manhandle them.â
âWell, my boyfriend video chatted with us this morning so weâre doing better,â you say, dragging out the word boyfriend with a grin so big it practically hurts your cheeks.
Lylaâs head snaps toward you. âOh shit, boyfriend?â she blurts, her voice pitching into a squeal that lands somewhere between a dolphin and a boiling kettle. Heads turn from nearby chairs, but she doesnât care, sheâs grinning like she just won the lottery.
You laugh, shaking your head. âYeah,â you admit, smiling. âBut Iâve got something else I need to talk aboutâŠand I need your advice.â The smile fades as you exhale. âItâs about Jason.â You roll your eyes, already dreading the conversation.
Lyla groans, her shoulders slumping dramatically as she drops her chin into her hand. âWhatâs he done now?â
Her expression says it all; she knows this routine too well. Jason was never easy. He was the kind of man who left but never really left, always keeping tabs just close enough to remind you he existed. He couldnât stay out of your life, not completely, not when Theo was involved.
You sigh, rubbing your temples. âHeâs been texting again. Acting like he suddenly wants to be âmore involved,â but itâs the same old story. He wants control, not connection with her.â
Lylaâs brows knit together, her voice softening. âHe doesnât get to play dad when itâs convenient. Youâve done all the work.â
You nod, staring down at your hands. âI know. Itâs just⊠exhausting. Every time I think heâs finally done, he finds a new way to stir things up.â You pause, exhaling slowly. âI want to take Theo to see Noah. Jolly and I were talking about it, and I think it would be such a good experience for all of us. I wanted to go sooner, but you know⊠work.â
You sigh, rubbing your thumb against your palm. âNow heâs threatening me with a lawyer if I take her out of state. Which is ridiculous, Iâm not moving, Iâm literally going on a twenty-four-hour trip.â
The nail tech looks up from your feet, eyes wide. âThey wonât do anything,â she says shyly, then glances away. âSorry, I wasnât trying to eavesdrop. Weâre all just right here and Iâve been in that situation beforeâŠmen.â She rolls her eyes.
You smile faintly. âItâs totally okay. Honestly, the less fearful I am, the less control he has.â You take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. âHe just sucks.â
Lyla nods, her expression hardening. âJust go. Jasonâs all bark, no bite. Heâs mad because youâre happy and moving on.â She leans back, crossing her arms. âI wish he wasnât Theoâs dad so you could be free of him and she could be free too.â
Your phone buzzes in your pocket. You carefully slip it out, trying not to smear your polish. Jasonâs name flashes across the screen. You turn it toward Lyla and the nail tech, both now fully invested in the saga.
âHow does he know Iâm talking about him?â you mutter, half laughing. âA literal demon.â
Lyla snorts. âIgnore it. Go on the trip. Itâs not even his weekend.â
You stare at the phone for a moment, the vibration still humming against your palm. Then you press the side button, silencing it. The screen goes dark.
âYeah,â you say quietly, more to yourself than anyone else. âI think I will.â
Lyla grins, triumphant. âThatâs my girl.â
The nail tech smiles too, relief flickering across her face. âThis has been a wild ride.â
An: posts might slow down a bit. Summer is a busy time with my work schedule and longer hours. I am tiiired all the time. Iâm gonna keep up as much as my brain allows. If you want to be tagged now that it will be more sporadic. Feel free to let me know and I will add you to the list. Thanks for reading and being so patient with me! I love this story and have tons of ideas so bear with me.
â ketchup merely existing near the chicken nuggets
â rain having the audacity to be⊠wet
â socks committing the crime of touching shoes
â a dog barking at a perfectly normal dog volume
At this point she wasnât just âoverstimulated,â she was spiritually offended by the concept of reality.
This girl needed a nap so badly that the universe even feared her. The question was how you were supposed to get her to sleep when she was operating at full gremlin energy. Melatonin? Benadryl? No. You werenât about to drug your child. But on days like today, the intrusive thoughts were like, âWhat if I just⊠microdose her with peace and quiet.â Thatâs not against the law.
Instead, you were left with the classic parenting strategy: pray, bribe, and hope she eventually collapses like a Disney princess throwing herself onto her bedâŠexcept your princess had a permanent marker and a vendetta against clean walls.
âTheoâŠplease come here.â You call from the dining room, patience already fraying. Silence. âTheodora!â The full name comes out sharper, and within seconds you hear the thud of feet racing toward you.
She appears, chin tucked, eyes fixed anywhere but yours. She knows. She knows you found her masterpiece.
âWhy is there marker on the wall?â You ask, pointing to the black scribbles bleeding across your once white paint.
âI was making you a picture.â She shrugs, small shoulders rising like shields.
âOh, do not even go there, kiddo.â You bite back your temper, crouching to her level. âYouâve been a tiny terror all day. What made you think this was okay?â
Her gaze wanders away, refusing to land on yours.
âTheo.â You gently but firmly guide her chin, trying to catch her eyes. âWhy did you draw on the wall?â
Tears brim instantly, and guilt slams into you. You drop your hand, wishing you could rewind the last thirty seconds. She didnât mean to have a bad day. You didnât mean to yell. But here you both were, two tired souls colliding.
âYouâre mean!â she bursts out, voice cracking. âYouâre always mean to me!â Her little foot stomps, her tiny body trembling with fury, and then sheâs gone, bolting down the hallway.
You follow, heart heavy, only to find her at her doorway, eyes wet and wide. You start, âTheo, Iâmââ but the sentence dies as she slams the door in your face.
You stand frozen, stunned. You thought you had years before the slammed doors began, not five short ones.
âOkayâŠâ you whisper, shoulders sagging under the weight of it all. You retreat to the dining room, rag in hand, scrubbing at the wall. The marker doesnât budge.
Your phone rings. Unknown number. Straight to voicemail. You donât even hesitate, that has scam vibes all over it.
It rings again. Same number.
âOh my god, why wonât you give up.â Voicemail. Again.
The third time, your patience snaps clean in half. You jab answer. âWhat.â It comes out sharp enough to cut glass.
Thereâs a tiny hitch of breath on the other end, whoever it is definitely wasnât ready for that.
âLook, youâve got two seconds before I hang up and block this number.â Your jaw is locked, your whole body coiled.
âUm⊠hi. Itâs Jolly.â
You bite your lip, eyes squeezing shut full of regret. âOh my god, Jolly, Iâm so sorry. Iâm just, today has been a lot. Theo decided coloring on the wall with a permanent marker was a great artistic choice, then she cried about it and slammed the door in my face.â You drop the sponge youâd been using to scrub the wall, panic rising. âWaitâwhy are you calling? Is everything okay? Is Noah alright? Is he hurt?â
âWhoa, whoa, hey.â His voice softens instantly. âI need you to breathe for a second. Everythingâs okay, alright?â
You hear him inhale, slow and steady, and your body automatically mirrors him.
You exhale hard. âOkay. Iâm good.â You push your hair behind your ear and stand up. âDonât have kids, Jolly⊠itâs hard.â A tired laugh slips out.
He chuckles. âI can imagine.â
âSo whatâs up?â
âWell⊠itâs about Noah.â Jolly lowers his voice like heâs about to confess to a crime. âHeâs okay, but heâs struggling a lot more than he wants to admit.â He peeks around the corner of the bus like Noah might pop out of a storage compartment. âHe really misses you guys.â
You drop onto the couch, heart sinking straight through the cushions. A week apart and both of you were unraveling more than youâd expected. âYeah⊠he wasnât himself when I talked to him last night. He sounded tired or down, but he wouldnât tell me anything. Just blamed it on âtour lifeâ like that explains everything.â You rub your forehead. âIs there anything I can do?â
Jolly clicks his tongue, the universal sign for brace yourself. âActually⊠I was calling to see if youâd be interested in coming out for one of the shows next week. I know itâs last minute, but he needs it. I can arrange whatever you and Theo need.â He pauses, then adds with a soft laugh, âI know youâve got work and, you know⊠an actual life. You donât have to decide right now. I just think itâd be good for both of you. Honestly, for all of us. His mood is rubbing off on the whole bus.â
You blink, trying to process the idea of dropping everything and flying into the middle of a loud, chaotic concert environment with a small child who thinks glow sticks are swords and crowds are âtoo many people breathing near me.â
âJolly⊠I donât know,â you admit. âTheo at a concert? Iâm picturing her clinging to my leg like a terrified koala while asking why everyone is screaming.â
He laughs softly. âOh no, no, no, she wouldnât be in the crowd. You guys would be on side stage with us. Quiet, safe, controlled. Noiseâcanceling headphones, comfy chairs, snacks⊠the whole VIP toddler treatment. She wonât even see the crowd unless she goes exploring, and I promise you I will personally block her from wandering off.â
You exhale, tension loosening just a little. âOh. Um⊠let me check my schedule,â you say, already imagining Theo bopping along to the music with giant headphones. âIâll see if I can move some things around.â
You end the call with a knot in your stomach, already dreading what comes next. Still, you push yourself up and make your way down the hall to Theoâs room. You pause at her door and knock softly. âTheo,â you call, gentle but unsure. âCan I come in?â
Silence.
You ease the door open just enough to peek inside. âTheoâŠâ you try again, a little softer this time. You push the door wider and find her perched on her bed, dolls lined up in her lap. She doesnât look at you, she keeps brushing their hair with deliberate strokes, her shoulders tight with stubbornness or shame⊠maybe both.
You cross the room slowly and sit beside her, careful not to crowd her. Your fingers drift through her hair, smoothing it back the way she likes. âHey,â you murmur. âI wanted to tell you Iâm sorry for yelling earlier.â You let the words settle between you. âI think we both had an off day.â
You hope she hears the truth in it⊠youâre not mad anymore, just tired, and trying.
Her shoulders loosen, the brush drooping in her hand. âSorry I scribbled on the wall,â she murmurs, small and sincere.
You pull her into your side, letting her settle against you. âI know, babe.â Your voice softens as you look down at her. âIâm feeling a little weird myself⊠Iâm tired, and I miss Noah a bit.â You kiss the top of her head, slow and reassuring. âWhat about you?â
She tilts her face up, eyes wide and glossy. âI donât like to sleep without Princess and sheâs gone, and what if Noah doesnât come back, i wonât ever see princess and Noah again.â
You smooth her hair behind her ear. âHe will,â you promise gently. âHe pinkyâpromised, remember? And pinky promises are basically magic. You donât break those.â You try to give her a smile she can lean on. âSix days isnât that long.â
She swings her legs over your lap and wraps her arms around your waist, pressing her cheek to your chest. âItâs forever away.â
You start rocking her without thinking, that instinctive sway youâve had since she was tiny. âYou know what we can do? Weâll make a countdown chain, six loops. Every night you get to tear one off. That way you can see how close he is to coming back.â
She nods, already imagining it. Then, with the seriousness only a fiveâyearâold can muster, she says, âMommy⊠I think I need a bubble bath.â
You huff a soft laugh. âWe can do that. How about a whole spa night? You pick the movie.â
Theo perks up instantly. âCan I use your lotions!?â
You smile at her excitement. âSure.â
Her eyes widen even more. âEven the one that smells like roses?â
âYeah,â you say, brushing your thumb across her cheek. âEven that one.â You smile standing up, âshall we get ready?â
She nods and races down the hall to the bathroom. You pull out your phone and text Noah.
Do you think you can call tomorrow? Theo has it in her head you arenât coming back and sheâs having a hard time sleeping without princess. Really rough day for the both of us. Miss you.
An: Iâm gonna tell you guys a secret. Theo and I have the same dream job. đ Thank you guys for continuing to read. I really like this chapter. I hope you guys do too.
âWhatcha doinâ over there, beautiful?â you call over your shoulder. Youâd been too caught up rinsing dishes to notice what Theo was up to. You slide the last plate into the dishwasher, wipe your hands on the towel, and walk over to her.
Sheâs sitting cross-legged on the floor, remote in hand, brows furrowed at the TV like sheâs cracking the code. âWhatâs Noahâs band called?â she sighs with frustration. âIt starts with a b, right?â
âBad Omens,â you say, squatting beside her. âDo you want help?â
Theo nods, dramatic and defeated. âI was trying to find his music.â
âOkay, we gotta go to YouTube.â You point to the left side of the screen. âUse that arrow⊠yep, that one. Now go up. Good. Now you can spell the band name. Can you sound it out, or do you want Momâs help?â
âHelp, please,â she whines, leaning into you like the world is too heavy.
You smile and guide her finger across the letters. âPerfect. Now you get to pick which song.â
âNoah!â she squeals, jabbing her finger at one of the thumbnails.
âYou want that one?â you ask, raising a brow.
âYeah! Noah has pretty hair in that one. And Jollyâs got a ponytail.â She lifts her own hair halfway up, proudly mimicking him.
âOkay, but I donât know if you know this version. Itâs just Noah and Jollyâsinging and guitar, I think.â You stand and hit play.
Theo tilts her head back, eyes glued to the screen, already mesmerized. You sink onto the couch, watching her sway side to side like sheâs feeling every note.
The moment is too perfect not to share. You grab your phone, hit record, and catch the exact second Noah appears on screen.
Theo gasps, points wildly, and squeals, âItâs Noah, Mommy!â you try not to ruin the video with your giggles.
You know heâs going to melt when he sees this.
Your phone buzzes a few minutes after you send the video.
Straight to the heart.
You barely have time to smile before the typing bubbles appear again⊠then disappear⊠then come back. Classic Noah, he had too many feelings at once.
A moment later, your screen lights up with a voice message.
You press play.
Thereâs a soft breath first, like he wasnât ready for what he just saw.
Then his voice, low and sincere, âJesus⊠sheâs so cute.â
Another pause. You can practically picture him running a hand over his face, trying to hide the smile even though no oneâs there to see it.
âI wasnât expecting her to squeal like that,â he says, and you can hear the grin creeping in. âShe pointed at the screen like I was a superhero or something.â
Thereâs a quiet laugh, âI donât think anyoneâs ever been that excited to see my face.â
You hear rustling, like heâs shifting on his bunk, probably staring at the ceiling with that soft look he gets when heâs overwhelmed in a good way.
âShe looks so happy,â he murmurs. âAnd sheâs swaying to the music. Thatâs⊠I donât know. Thatâs everything.â
Another breath. This one is deeper.
âAnd youâŠâ His voice dips, softer. âYou sound happy too. I miss your little giggles, I needed that.â Thereâs a beat where he almost says something else, something heavierâŠbut he swallows it back. âTell her I said hi,â he finishes, voice a little shy. âAnd that I miss her.â Then silence.
A second message pops up immediately after:
âŠand you. I miss you too. Letâs FaceTime this evening. Iâve got a little bit of time. I wanna see you two.
You smile down at the screen before typing back.
We miss you too. Tell me when and weâll be there.
Oh and enjoy this picture of princes.
You smile at the photo, Noahâs face squished against Princessâs, his grin wide and ridiculous, the kind that makes you laugh out loud. âTheo,â you call softly, âNoah sent another picture.â
She spins around, eyes lighting up. âOhh!â She toddles over, hopping onto the couch beside you. âLet me see!â
You hand her the phone, and she leans against you, giggling as she studies the picture. âMommy?â she says, her voice small and thoughtful.
You glance down. âYes?â
âI miss Noah⊠and Princess.â
Your heart squeezes. You wrap your arm around her, pulling her close until her head rests against your shoulder. âHe misses us too, babe,â you whisper, smiling at the screen one more time before setting the phone aside. You donât want to tell Theo about the FaceTime call, just in case something comes up with Noah. The last thing either one of you wants to do is break her heart.
She needs me too.
You stare down at the message, the words pulsing like theyâre trying to crawl under your skin. Donât overreact. Donât lose your shit. Stay calm. He wants a reactionâŠhe always wants a reaction. Breathe. Not today.
You set your phone down in the grass. The sun is warm on your shoulders, the air smells like summer chalk dust, and Theo is sprawled on the sidewalk beside you, happy as can be. Her arms are coated in pink and blue streaks, her shirt a full-blown abstract masterpiece.
âLook!â she announces, pointing proudly at the drawing sheâs been working on with fierce concentration.
You crawl over to her, leaving your phone abandoned in the yard where it canât touch this moment. âOoooh, thatâs so pretty, baby,â you say, letting your voice soften, letting her pull you back into the world that actually matters. âYou should put a cloud at the bottom of the rainbow.â
Theo gasps like youâve just given her the secret to the universe. âA cloud,â she repeats, already grabbing the white chalk. Her fingers move fast, determined, confident.
And as she draws, you sit there watching her, this tiny person who trusts you, who laughs with her whole body, who doesnât know how heavy adults can make things.
You want to keep her like this foreverâŠknees dusty, fingers stained with chalk, heart unbruised by people who donât deserve to touch it. Safe from the world, and especially from the dad who pretends to care when it suits him.
âTheo?â you ask softly.
Her eyes flick up to you, bright and curious, pausing midâscribble like sheâs hitting a mental save button.
âWhat do you wanna be when you grow up?â you ask. Not because you expect a final answer, sheâs five, her dreams change with the weather, but because you want to peek inside that little mind of hers, see what colors sheâs painting her future with today.
She shrugs, already returning to her rainbow. âI like animals. I think I should be a veterinarian. But I like to sing, so maybe I can be a singing veterinarian.â She says it with complete seriousness, like this is a perfectly logical career path.
A smile tugs at your mouth. âThat sounds like a great plan.â You push your hair behind your ears, watching her with that familiar mix of pride and fear, pride because sheâs brilliant and imaginative, fear because the world doesnât deserve her softness.
Theo pauses again, tapping her chalk against the pavement. âDo you think animals like singing?â she asks, head tilted.
âI think the right ones would,â you say. âEspecially if youâre the one singing.â
She beams at that, then she leans forward, adding a tiny cloud exactly where you suggested, humming under her breath as she works.
And for a moment, just a momentâŠyou let yourself believe you can hold onto this. This quiet, innocent moment. This version of her that still believes every dream is possible and every goodbye is temporary.
Noah sat outside the bus, enjoying his break and getting some sun before the big show tonight. He patiently waited, phone in hand, waiting for you to answer the call, but much to his surprise, it wasnât you who answered. It was Theo smiling back at him.
âHi, Noah!â she squealed. âI answered âcause Mommyâs hands are wet. We made cookies, and Mom said we made a huge mess. I donât think itâs that messy, but I got flour all over the floor⊠and then I wiped my hands on my shirt.â She tilted the phone down proudly, showing off the powdered streaks across her black shirt.
Before Noah could even get a word in, she was off again, her words tumbling out in a rush. âI was listening to your band earlier! I wish I could scream like you. That would be so funny! Then we could scream together.â She giggled, then added with a shy smile, âMaybe I can get drawings on my arms too, I wanna be like you!â
Noah laughed, the sound soft, but he melted at his core. Theo saying she wanted to be like him meant so much more than he could ever express. He would try to be the best role model he could. âYouâd look pretty cool with drawings on your arms,â he said, leaning back against the bus. âBut maybe wait till youâre a little older, yeah?â
âYES!â You yelled from the kitchen, âNo tattoos till your frontal lobe has developed.â
Theo shrugged. âI donât know what that means.â
He grinned, changing the subject. âHey, I bet your cookies are way better than mine. Youâll have to save me one next time.â
Her eyes lit up. âIâll save you two!â
Noah chuckled, shaking his head. âDeal. Two cookies sound perfect, maybe you can teach me and Iâll clean up instead of mom.â
âAlright, Theo, can I talk to Noah for a minute?â you ask, drying your hands on the kitchen towel. âI think all Iâve done today is dishesâMom deserves a reward.â You tease, flashing her a grin.
Theoâs face scrunches in protest, clearly reluctant to give up the phone. She sighs dramatically. âBye, Noah. I miss you!â she says, handing it over before darting back to the living room, her cartoon already calling her name.
âI miss you more!â Noah calls after her.
When your face appears on the screen, his expression softens instantly. The exhaustion from tour life fades just a little. Even through the distance, you have that effect on him. âHey, beautiful,â he says, his grin wide and toothy.
âWell, hello there.â You start toward your room, craving a bit of quiet for the conversation. âHowâs everything going?â
He shrugs, leaning back against the bus. âItâs good, but Iâm tired. Havenât been sleeping much. Feeling a little down, butâŠâ he smiles faintly, âthe show must go on.â
You nod, settling onto the edge of the bed. âYou always make it look easy.â
He chuckles softly, eyes flicking toward the camera. âOnly because Iâve got you keeping me sane. Now, fill me in, whatâs been happening since Iâve been gone these last four days?â
âDrama, Iâll spare you,â you mutter, belly-flopping onto the bed with a sigh.
âNo,â Noah says, his tone gentle but firm. âTell me all of it. Catch me up.â A small smile tugs at his lips. âIâve got time.â
You stare at the ceiling for a moment, debating how much to share. âJasonâs been asking to see Theo more,â you begin, voice heavy with frustration. âAnd I donât feel like itâs the right thing for herâŠbut legally, I canât hold her hostage, you know?â You exhale, rubbing your forehead. âHe gets her every other weekend if he really wants to. I guess I should be happy heâs only willing to take her for a day or two.â
You glance at the screen. Noahâs expression has already hardened, his jaw tight with annoyance.
âHe asked if I wanted to go with them,â you continue, âso I could see that heâs âtrying.ââ
Noah rolls his eyes, disgust clear in his voice. âWhy is he trying now?â
You hesitate, then say quietly, âTheo was talking to him on the phone, rattling off words like she always does. I heard her mention how much she misses you, and that I miss you.â You close your eyes, trying not to let the anger rise again. âI think heâs jealous. Now he wants to play dad again, just so he can tell everyone heâs a good father and that there isnât a better man helping me raise her.â
You roll onto your back, holding the phone above your face. âThen Theo got excited, she was so happy he wanted to do something with just her. It gets her hopes up, but I know later itâs gonna turn into tears and heartbreak.â
Noahâs silence stretches for a moment, his eyes softening. âYouâre doing everything right, even when itâs hard. Thatâs what matters.â
You smile faintly, blinking back the sting in your eyes. âYeah, well⊠it doesnât always feel like it.â
He shakes his head, leaning closer to the camera. âHey. Youâre the strongest person I know. Theoâs lucky to have you, and Iâm damn lucky too. I hate that Iâm not there to help.â
Your chest tightens. âYou help more than you think,â you whisper.
Noah smiles, soft and sincere. âThen Iâll keep doing that. Even from a thousand miles awayâ
Summary: After years apart, Noah runs into his old friend and this time, he knows he canât let her slip away again. Noah needs to tread carefully as this version of her has a child. Heâs not sure heâs ready to be anyoneâs father figure, but heâs certain he wants to be part of their world. He knows losing them isnât an option.
An: idk how long this is going to be but I do know so far I feel like I love writing it. Enjoy!
Chapter 9 is done! Chapter 10 is half way done chapter 11 is being brainstormed with @a-villain-vying-for-attention because she is my emotional support through this series. The amount of editing and babbling sheâs had to listen to is crazy. Thank you all for reading and if there is anything you wanna see please let me know. Iâm willing to try and fit it in!
You pulled up to the curb, your stomach fluttering with nerves you didnât want to admit. The tour bus loomed ahead, gleaming in the afternoon sun, surrounded by unfamiliar faces hauling gear and pacing between the house and the bus. And then you saw himâŠNoah, standing, shoulders tense, brow furrowed, looking every bit the man trying to hold it together.
âYou ready?â you asked, twisting in your seat to see Theo grinning ear to ear. She clapped her hands together, pure excitement bubbling out of her. You laughed, and climbed out of the car to unbuckle her.
As you rounded the car, Theo in your arms, you whispered, âGo get Noah.â
You set her down on the grass, and she didnât hesitate, her little legs pumping as fast as they could carry her. Noah spotted her instantly, his expression softening, the stress melting away as a smile spread across his face. He crouched down, arms open wide, ready for impact.
Theo launched herself into him, and he caught her easily, lifting her off the ground and squeezing her tight. âYou made it!â he said, nuzzling her nose with his, swaying her side to side.
You trailed a few steps behind, watching the two of them, the way Theoâs laughter filled the air, the way Noahâs whole body seemed to relax just holding her. When he finally looked up and saw you, his smile deepened. He shifted Theo onto his hip and opened his free arm, wordlessly inviting you in.
You stepped into him, into that familiar warmth, and he wrapped his arm around you both, pulling you close until you could feel his heartbeat against your shoulder.
âHow are my girls today?â he murmured.
Theo pressed her cheek against his. âHappy, but sadâŠcause your leaving.â
You looked up at him, eyes catching his, and for a moment everything else⊠the bus, the noise, the people? It all faded away. It was just the three of you, tangled together in a goodbye that felt too big for words.
He kissed the top of Theoâs head, then leaned down just enough for his forehead to rest against yours. âThank you for coming,â he whispered.
âDuh,â You tease, âCanât let Theo not say goodbye.â
âOh, and you didnât want to say goodbye?â Noah teased, his voice soft but knowing. He gave you that look, the one that said he could read you better than you wanted him to. âCome on, I want you to meet the other two.â
He didnât set Theo down. Instead, he shifted her higher on his hip and guided you toward the open front door, his hand resting lightly on your lower back, a quiet reassurance that even in the chaos of leaving, he still saw you.
Inside, the living room buzzed with quiet activity. Three men sat scattered around, fiddling with cords, boxes, and equipment, a tangle of wires and metal that looked more like a puzzle than instruments.
âTheo!â Jolly exclaimed, looking up from a mess of cables. âAny pop quizzes today?â
Theo scrunched her nose, shyly tucking her face into the crook of Noahâs neck.
âI guess not,â Noah laughed, rubbing her back. âHey,â he whispered to her, âyou donât gotta be shy.â
You brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, and she peeked out just enough to meet your eyes. Then, with a little sigh, she reached her arms toward you. You took her, her small hands clutching your shoulders as she buried her face against your neck.
âWell,â Noah said, gesturing toward the group, âthis is Nick â heâs our drummer.â He pointed to the shorter man with a quick grin. âAnd this is Nicholas, our bass player.â
âNice to meet you,â you said, offering a small wave.
Theo peeked up again, studying the two men with a furrowed brow. âYouâve got the same name.â She shrugged, her voice small but curious.
You felt her wiggle in your arms, her silent signal that she wanted down. You set her gently on the floor, and she toddled toward the couch where Jolly was sitting.
âHi,â she said, looking up at him.
âHi,â Jolly replied, smiling as he continued to untangle a cord. Theo watched him intently, then reached out to help, her fingers clumsy but determined.
Noah chuckled, his hand brushing your arm as he stepped closer. âSo,â he said, voice low, ânow youâve met everyone.â
âYep, and thatâs the last cord, last box â we just gotta load up and get the fuck outta here,â Nick announced, clapping his hands together.
Your eyes shot to Theo. Her mouth fell open, eyes wide in shock. âYou shouldnât say that word,â she scolded, her tone serious. âOne time my dad said that, and Mommy yelled at him.â She turned to you, brows furrowed. âAre you gonna get him in trouble too?â
You bit back a laugh, glancing at Nick, who looked caught between apologizing and laughing. âI donât know, Theo,â you said, smiling.
Nick threw his hands up in surrender, grinning. âAlright, alright, sorry, Mom,â he joked, dramatically trudging to the corner of the room. He folded his arms and faced the wall. âI wonât do it again.â
Theo giggled, pointing. âMommy, he said sorry!â
Noah smirked as Nick turned back to the group, still laughing. He crouched down in front of Theo, his voice playful but sincere. âIâm not used to being around little princesses,â he said. âIâll try my best to be worthy of your presence.â
Theoâs grin widened as he ruffled her hair, and Noah laughed in approval. âThank you,â he said, shaking his head.
Noahâs eyes shift to Theo, âYou wanna go see the bus?â
Theo nodded eagerly and hopped off the couch, practically sprinting toward the front door. You laughed, following her outside as she bounded across the grass toward the massive tour bus gleaming in the afternoon light.
Theo didnât hesitate when Noah opened the door, she climbed the steps like sheâd done it a hundred times before. You moved to follow, but Noahâs hand caught yours, stopping you just outside.
âTheo!â he called, his voice carrying easily. âGo look in the back⊠middle bunk!â
She disappeared inside, her laughter echoing faintly from the bus. You turned back to him, brows raised in curiosity, but he didnât give you time to ask.
He stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup your face, thumb brushing your cheek. He softly leaned in gently pressing his lips to yours. You froze for a heartbeat, then melted into him, your hands finding his chest, youâd never grow tired of his touch
You both broke apart, laughing softly. Noahâs thumb brushed your cheek one last time as he looked into your eyes, his smile tender. âGuess she found her surprise.â
You shook your head, still smiling. âThank you for not doing that in front of her.â
He grinned, and you gave his chest a playful push. âGo on, lover boy,show me the bus.â
Before he could respond, Jollyâs voice echoed from around the side of the bus. âYeah, lover boy, show her!â He smirked, hauling a bags in his arms. âIs it safe to start loading things?â
You laughed, cheeks warm. âLet me grab Theo out first,â you said, already heading toward the steps. âShe will go through your things.â
Noah chuckled behind you, shaking his head. âSheâs got your curiosity.â
Inside, Theo was perched on the middle bunk, her little hands exploring every pillow and blanket like she was inspecting treasure. âItâs so cozy!â she said, bouncing lightly.
You leaned against the doorway, watching her with a smile. âAlright, explorer, time to let the band get to work.â
Theo pouted but slid off the bunk hugging Princess one more time, âBe good for Noah.â She says, placing the unicorn back on Noahâs pillow. Noah scooped her up, brushing her nose with his. âYou can come back and visit the bus anytime,â he promised.
Theo nodded solemnly. âOnly if Mommy comes too.â
You laughed, heart full, as Noah looked at you over her shoulder, the somber smile that said he was already missing you both before heâd even left. âAlright, Theo, as much as Iâd love to hold Noah hostage we need to let him go.â
Noah gently set Theo on her feet. She looked up at him with those big, sad eyes, and you winced, already knowing what was coming. Her lips trembled, her breathing hitched, and before you could say anything, the tears came.
She lifted her arms toward him, desperate, and Noah couldnât say no. âOkay,â he murmured, scooping her back up. âIâll walk you guys to the car, how about that?â
Theo nodded, sniffling, and tucked her head into the crook of his neck, her fingers clutching his T-shirt. You followed them down the stairs, the sound of her quiet hiccups echoing softly behind you.
Outside, the air was warm and still. The guys were waiting near the bus, pausing their work long enough to wave and call out their goodbyes to Theo. She managed a small wave back, her cheek still pressed against Noahâs shoulder.
At the car, Noah gave her one last squeeze before setting her gently in her seat. He buckled her in, brushing a tear from her cheek with his thumb. âIâll be home soon,â he promised, his voice steady. âIâll send Mom all the pictures with Princess so she can show you, okay?â
Theo nodded, her eyes glassy but calmer now. âOkay,â she whispered.
You climbed into the front seat, rolling the window down as Noah shut the door. He leaned in through the open window, wrapping you in a hug that lingered just long enough to make your chest ache.
He pressed a kiss to your temple. âIâll see you soon.â
You nodded, your voice barely above a whisper. âI miss you already.â
âI miss you too,â he said, his smile soft but heavy, the kind that didnât quite reach his eyes.
From the bus, one of the guys called out, âNoah, câmon man, we gotta go!â
Noah drummed his fingers lightly on the car door, reluctant to step away. âAlright,â he said finally, exhaling. âIâll see you in two weeks.â
You smiled faintly. âWeâll be here.â
He gave a small nod, then turned toward the bus. Theoâs voice piped up behind you, muffled through the window. âBye, Noah!â
He looked back one last time, his grin breaking through the sadness. âBye, baby girl!â
And as he climbed aboard, you felt your chest tighten. âHold it together,â you thought, âit's only two weeks.â
Jolly sat up front with Nick and Nicholas, the three of them trading jokes and halfâserious arguments about god knows what, probably music gear or bad diner coffee. The bus rumbled beneath them, tires rolling steady against the road.
Between laughs, Jollyâs eyes drifted toward the bunks. Noah was still stretched out in his, one arm tucked behind his head, staring out the window.
Jolly stood, stretching, and wandered back. He crouched beside the bunk, âWhatâs up, dude?â
Noah turned his head, slow, eyes heavy. No smile, no spark, just quiet. âTired.â
Jolly smirked. âYou miss them?â
Noah didnât answer right away. He reached for the stuffed unicorn sitting beside him, lifting it in the air like Rafiki presenting Simba to the world. âI never thought a stuffed animal would bring me joy,â he said, finally cracking a smile.
Jolly laughed, shaking his head. âMan, youâve gone soft.â
Noah shrugged, still smiling faintly. âYeah.â
The bus rattled over a bump, and Jolly clapped him on the shoulder before heading back to the front. âDonât worry, Lover BoyâŠtwo weeksâll fly by.â
Noah leaned back again, the unicorn tucked against his chest, and watched the world pass by, every mile taking him farther from home, but somehow closer to you.
Noah slowly rolled out of his bunk unicorn in hand as he walked to the front of the bus where every one sat, âI need a favor.â
All eyes drifted to the sparkling unicorn in Noahâs hand, then back to his face. For a moment, the bus went quiet, the kind of silence that teeters between confusion and laughter.
Nicholas was the first to crack. âUh⊠whatâs up, man? And whatâs with that?â He pointed at the stuffed animal like heâd never seen one before.
Noah sighed dramatically. âI made a promise to Theo, and I canât break it.â He pulled out his phone. âNow, I need everyone to bunch up and take a selfie with her stuffed animal.â
Nick blinked. âWHAT?â He burst out laughing.
âJust do it,â Jolly said, already grinning. âItâs for a kid. First picture of the tour⊠and thereâll be more. Get used to it. Sheâll probably be on stage next time.â
Noah halfâsmiled, nodding. âSee he getâs. Itâs really not that hard.â
The guys groaned but stood up, crowding around him. Jolly grabbed Noahâs phone, angling it for the perfect shot. âAlright, on three. One, two, three!â
He snapped a photo of Noah holding Princess proudly to his chest, then another of Nicholas cradling her like a newborn while Jolly made a ridiculous face in the background. Nick topped it off by balancing the unicorn on the brim of his hat.
The bus erupted in laughter. They huddled around the phone, scrolling through the pictures, each one funnier than the last.
âOkay, I'll take it back,â Nick said between laughs. âSheâs kinda a star.â
âSheâs gonna love these,â Noah said, smiling down at his phone. âI gotta send them.â
Nicholas leaned back in his seat, smirking. âHonestly, I think those are Bad Omens Instagram worthy.â
Jolly snorted. âYeah, nothing says metal like a unicorn named Princess.â
Noah laughed, shaking his head. âHey, donât knock it.â
Nick raised his hand. âSpeak for yourself, Lover Boy.â He taunted.
âAlright can we all fuck off with the Lover Boy shit?â
âHell NO!â Nicholas laughed.
Noah rolled his eyes scrolling through his phone to find your name. He pressed send and waited for your response, hoping youâd send a selfie back
He couldnât help the smile that tugged at his mouth when your name lit up his screen. The photo loaded first, you and Theo standing in front of your house, both absolutely coated in chalk dust like youâd mistaken the sidewalk for fullâbody art supplies.
A second message buzzed through.
Theo loved the pictures you sent⊠guess youâll live to see another day.
His laugh slipped out before he could stop it, thumb brushing over the screen like he could feel the moment through it.
