I head back to Aubree’s room and open the door. The smile on my face is immediate. This little girl has completed my life in ways I never could have imagined. The day that my dad called and told me Jules had disappeared on us, was an extremely low point and I questioned everything. I worried I wasn’t going to be able to do this alone. I also worried that I wouldn’t be a good dad, but I knew I couldn’t have a life without her in it, so I sucked it up and we figured it out, one day at a time.
I crouch down next to her bed and run my fingers through her soft brown curls. She stirs before pulling her stuffed Jack Skellington up to cover her face. Aubree has become obsessed with the movie, A Nightmare before Christmas. Her room is themed to match the movie and I had an elderly neighbor of ours make her bedding. Aubree and my uncle, who is more like a best friend, Jovi’s, daughter Halen had woken up and joined the older kids in the living room at my parents’ house to watch the movie. I won’t lie I had been worried it would scare her, but she had loved it. When she begged to change her princess bedroom into a Halloween theme, I gave her what she wanted. “Now, I swear I had a little girl in here last night and not just Jack,” I tease her, before I start to tickle her.
Her giggles fill the room and my heart. They are perfection. “Daddy, stop!” she cries through her laughter. She moves Jack and there are those big beautiful blue green eyes.
“There’s my girl,” I tell her. “Are you hungry?”
She nods her head. “Yes, very.”
“Well, then I guess I need to feed you and Jack,” I tell her. She sits up and holds her arms up in the air. That’s her indication that I need to carry her, which I gladly do because I know one day she’s going to be grown and not want me to carry her anymore. I’m already dreading that day. I carry her and Jack into the kitchen and I sit her at the stool on the island. I turn on the audiobook for her from my phone. Aubree doesn’t care much for TV, just A Nightmare Before Christmas. She’d rather have a book or music. She sits quietly at the island, listening intently while I get to work on breakfast. I decide to go with chocolate chip pancakes, a small bowl of fruit and nuts, and a glass of milk. I sit the food in front of her and her smile is brighter than the sun outside.
“Thank you, Daddy,” she tells me, before she starts eating.
“You are very welcome,” I reply, before I fix myself a cup of coffee and grab a couple of the chocolate chip pancakes for myself. Once she finishes eating, I help her get dressed, even though she insisted on picking out her clothes, which all consist of black, white and purple to match Jack of course. Today she’s picked white denim shorts, a black ruffled tank top and purple Converse. We head to her bathroom and I sit her on the counter. “How do you want your hair today, Love Bug?”
A serious look comes over her face before she answers. “Half up, half down, and big purple bow!”
I laugh. “You got it.” If someone had told me that one day, I’d be doing a little girls hair, I would have laughed at them and probably told them they were crazy but here I am. Once I’ve managed to tame her curls, I help her off the counter. “Go grab your bag.”
I do a quick run through to make sure everything is turned off in the apartment before grabbing my things on the couch and Aubree’s hand. Once we reach my truck, I buckle her up in her car seat before slipping behind the steering wheel. “What music do you want today?”
“Hmmm…80’s!”
I laugh and find her request on my phone before I pull out of the parking place and head towards Bowie and Hollis’ place. I’ve been so fortunate to have the support system that I do. My parents and uncles have gone above and beyond. Bowie’s wife, Hollis, is a stay at home mom most of the time. She’s a tattoo artist when requested, but other than that Bowie makes the majority of their money. She quickly offered to watch Aubree for me when Jules left on the days my mom has to work.
We drive through the traffic and I listen as Aubree hums along to the music with Jack in her arms. By the time we finally reach Hollis’ place, I’m in a pretty good mood. I hop down before getting Aubree out. As we’re heading to the door, Hollis steps outside. Her hair is now dark brown with sapphire blue ends. Hollis changes her hair color… a lot. “Well, good morning,” she tells us.
“Auntie Hollis!” Aubree exclaims, dropping my hand and running towards Hollis. She scoops her up and gives her a bear hug.
“Good morning Hollis,” I tell her.
She smiles. “How are you today?”
I smile. “I’m good.” I extend the backpack out to Hollis. “It’s got her new coloring book in there and, of course, the DVD and her dance stuff for Londynn’s later. She has to be at dance class at one thirty.”
Hollis laughs. “Yes, I know. You go on to work. We’ve got this.”
I nod knowing she’s right. I step forward and take Aubree into my arms, giving her a squeeze. Her little arms wrap around my neck and she kisses my cheek, melting my heart. “I’ll see you later, Love Bug.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Baby.”
Two
Drake
Once I’m back in my truck, I turn on the Bluetooth to my phone and back out while dialing Barker’s number. Barker is the president of the Sons of Sin, the motorcycle club that is my family as much as my actual family. They’ve been great to me and Aubree. Barker has been our president for a few years now, ever since Allen our previous president had to step down due to health issues. Last month, Allen passed away and we all felt his loss. The club was on a ride in memory of him this week and also to show his son Zayde, who is an active member in the club, that we are there for him. Barker answers just as I’m about to give up. “Hey D,” he says.
“Hey, how’s everything?”
“Hot as hell. I tell you we didn’t pick a good time of the year for this, but you know how that goes. How’s everything in L.A.?” he asks.
“Good, heading to a job site now,” I reply, but the guilt starts to ebb its way into my gut for not being there with them and for Zayde, who is one of my best friends.
“How’s our little biker angel doing?” Barker asks. I laugh just like I do every time I hear any of the guys refer to my Aubree as the biker angel. She’s basically become somewhat of a mascot for us. She even has her own pint-size leather cut. I have to admit it’s adorable as hell.
I chuckle. “She’s good. Just dropped her off with Hollis. How’s Zayde doing? I tried to call yesterday, but he didn’t answer, so I figured he was needing some time alone.”
“He’ll be okay. He’s got to adjust which will take some time, but he’ll get through this. He’s a tough boy.”
Barker and I talk a little while longer. Once I turn into the job site, I tell him I got to go. He promises everything is good and tells me not to worry. We hang up and I grab my phone and text Zayde. “Hey Bro, just wanted to check in. Sorry I’m not there with you guys. Aubree misses her uncle Zayde, so get home soon. I’ll buy you a beer.” I hit send and climb out of the truck, ready to start the workday.
The day is long and hot, but a lot has been accomplished so I can feel good about my work once again. I’ve worked through lunch, so that I could take a late lunch and be at Aubree’s dance class. Thankfully, we’re only working about fifteen minutes away from Tip Toes dance studio so shortly after one I tell my foreman that I’m heading to lunch. I pull into the parking lot just as the class is starting. Aubree is scanning the area and when she sees me her smile brightens the whole damn room. Her dimples are on display which is her excited smile. I walk over and take a seat beside Hollis who hands me a sandwich and chips. I look over at her.