Life has a funny way of throwing curve balls when you least expect it. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be the father of the most beautiful little girl in the world. I suppose I’m biased because she’s my daughter but I’m entitled to that right. Not only do I have a beautiful, healthy baby girl but her mother is an incredible woman. Bringing Alyssa out to California was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. This trip has really given us the opportunity to re-build our friendship and I’d do anything for those two. They have quickly become my life. I never realized how much having Alyssa around made raising our daughter an even more enjoyable experience. Together we could rejoice and cry in her development. There was nothing quite like the bond we shared through Cadence.
My rehearsal schedule has continued to increase as the tour quickly approaches. Even though it has severely limited my time with Cadence, Alyssa has been great making sure to stop by every day with her. It’s the one point in the day that I truly look forward to. Johnny has been popping in every so often to check up on the tour and make sure we’re still on schedule. He’s being extremely accommodating when it comes to time with Cadence and I owe him a huge thank you when this is all said and done with.
Alyssa should be stopping by any minute with Cadence and I can’t wait to see my little girl. It’s really taken these past couple of weeks with Alyssa to realize how lucky I am. Honestly, I couldn’t have ever asked for a better mother for my child. Despite our rocky history we’ve managed to work through it and actually build a life for our daughter. Alyssa understands my schedule and she does everything in her power to accommodate spending time with Cadence and rehearsal time. She knows that whenever I have time I want to be with my daughter and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to see that it happens.
“Justin…” A voice calls out as the door whips open and my eyes meet a frustrated Alyssa and a crying Cadence.
I rush over to her side quickly and grab Cadence from Alyssa’s arms. “What’s wrong?” I ask as concern and worry rush through my body.
“I have no idea. She just keeps crying and fussing. I’m ready to scream.” Alyssa says frustrated and throws her bags down next to a chair before throwing her body down into it. She runs her hands through her hair and lets out an exasperated sigh.
I look at Cadence and brush my hand over her head. “What’s wrong with my little girl?” I ask softly as she continues to cry and wiggle in my arms. Immediately I reach into the bag and pull out a pacifier. I gently slip it into her mouth but Cadence spits it right back out. Clearly that wasn’t the problem.
“When did you feed her last?” I ask Alyssa but she just looks up at me with a death glare. “Ok…so she’s not hungry…” I stammered. Yikes, that is a look I never want to see again. Alyssa has covered all the bases when it comes to what usually bothers Cadence and neither of us can figure out what is wrong. Suddenly, it hits me and I take my little girl down the hallway of the studio. I pass a few bystanders and they smile in my direction but I continue to walk towards the recording booths trying not to draw too much attention. Finally, I reach my destination and I open the doors to the small room. Inside, it was lit by only a few lamps and my eyes land on the piano tucked into the corner. I pull up the bench and securely position Cadence on my lap while my hands are drawn towards the keys. Softly, I begin to let my hands dance across the piano, playing the notes to my daughter’s favorite bedtime song. Cadence continues to fuss in my lap until I open my mouth and the words come flowing out.
There's two things I know for sure
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
After finishing the first verse Cadence has finally calmed down and is starring up at me with her big blue eyes. That look and those eyes literally melt my heart.
“Feeling better?” I ask Cadence but know full well that she can’t answer me. She just smiles up at me and enthusiastically wobbles her little body around. I wrap my arms around her and start to stand up. “I think we should go find mommy. She looked a little upset with you…” I mumble and start to turn around not expecting to find Alyssa standing in the doorway.
Her eyes are full with tears and she has a small smile playing across her lips. “That was beautiful Justin…” She said tenderly.
I didn’t have a clue anyone was around and I feel a blush creep into my cheeks. “I didn’t think you followed…”
“I was on the verge of breaking down until you took her and I didn’t want to just throw her to you. So I came to check on both of you. I certainly wasn’t expecting what I found but it was sweet. You’re such a wonderful father Justin.” Alyssa said honestly.
The blush has now fully taken over my face and I don’t really know where that came from. We’ve talked a lot about raising Cadence. So why am I blushing?
“I should probably head back towards the dance studio. They’re probably wondering where I took off to.” I said carrying Cadence on my hip and letting my other hand fall to the small of Alyssa’s back as we walked out of the recording studio. The minute my hand made contact with her back I felt something weird flow through me and I retracted my hand almost as quickly as it came.
Once inside the dance studio the rehersal continued on while Alyssa and Cadence watched from the corner. The dancers and I ran through the whole show over and over again making sure to get every cue down pat before nearly collapsing on the floor in exhaustion. How in the hell am I going to do this for four months? I sit up from my laying position on the floor and turn to look at Cadence sleeping in Alyssa’s arms. She smiles softly at me before turning her attention back to our little girl. More importantly, how am I going to make it through the tour without those two?
The doors to the dance studio burst open and Johnny appears with his cell phone attached to his ear. “Yeah…mmhhmm…we’ll be there…talk to you later.” He said before throwing his phone in his pocket and walking towards me.
“By the look on your face…I’d say we’re coming along just great.”
“You know it man…” I said while standing up and shaking his hand. Johnny’s been my manager for so long but no matter what I always shake his hand. I guess it’s the southern gentleman in me.
“Listen…tonight is the tour launch party at Jive. It starts at 9 so make sure you’re there and on time. This is really important Justin. A bunch of sponsors will be there and I know how you love to kiss their ass.” Johnny joked and I roll my eyes. “There won’t be any media so feel free to bring whomever you want.”
Instantly, my eyes travel towards Alyssa as she tenderly watches our baby sleep. I know exactly what is running through her head at that moment…I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve woken up in the middle of the night and watched Cadence sleep. It’s something that ever parent should do. I turn my attention back to Johnny as he continues to talk about the tour and I try my best to listen. Right now I want nothing more than to take my little girl and Alyssa back home. I’m tired and I’m sure they’re ready to get out of this place too.
“All right well I’ll be ready by nine…don’t worry Johnny.” I said calling over my shoulder as I approached Alyssa.
“Ready to go?” I asked while throwing Cadence’s bags over my shoulder and letting out a small grunt when the bag connects with my sore muscles. Alyssa still tends to overpack whenever she goes out but I guess it’s a motherly thing to do.
“Definitely…” She says while craddling Cadence in her arms and the three of us walk out of the building with one destination in mind…home.
________________________________________________________________________
After putting Cadence to bed earlier, I was finally getting ready to go the the JIVE tour launch party. Alyssa was busy packing some of her belongings because she would be leaving for North Carolina soon with Cadence in tow. I didn’t know how I was going to handle being that far away from my daughter but Alyssa assured me whenever I needed to see her, to call and they’d be there in a heartbeat. That was the only thing keeping me going with this tour.
All of a sudden an idea popped into my head and I practically ran out of my bedroom down towards Alyssa’s room. I knocked rapidly on the door before throwing it open.
“Jesus Justin…you scared the crap out of me. What’s wrong?” She asks startledly.
“Nothing’s wrong…will you come to the JIVE tour launch party with me?” I blurt out.
Alyssa looks at me skeptically before answering. “I have to watch Cadence while you’re gone Justin remember?”
I shake my head no. “I’ll call my mom to come babysit. Come on please Alyssa…it’ll be fun for the two of us to just get out and have fun. I love spending time with Cadence but we’ve never really gotten much time to hang out with each other.”
Alyssa is now looking at me with this completely dumbfounded expression. I guess I’m catching her a little off guard but I’m an impulsive person and I thought it’d be fun for us to get out. “Please Alyssa…”
Her eyes travel over my face and land on my pout. A tender smile crosses her lips before she spoke. “I have nothing to wear Justin…”
“Yes you do…wear that black dress you brought with. That’ll be perfect.” I said before giving her a hug and darting back out the room to call my mom. I have no idea where this need to spend time with Alyssa came from and I’m trying not to over analyze this situation. I’m just going with my gut instinct and it’s telling me to be with her tonight. Besides, when do we ever get Justin and Alyssa time? And why am I talking about us like we’re a couple? She’s getting married soon and I don’t look at her like that anymore…right?
Author's Chapter Notes:
Hey Everyone!!! Thank you all soo much for the great reviews!! You're awesome!! Well here's another update...I hope you like it!! By the way...Happy 4th of July!! Hope you all have a fun holiday! :) Enjoy!!
Story Tags: daddyj
