Some like to sleep, We like to play

A week later, on his day off, Gerard goes over to Mikey's new house to hang out with some of Mikey's friends. When he comes home late that afternoon he is smiling the widest I've seen in a long time and he tells me that they spent the afternoon playing music with him singing and that it's the most fun he's had in a while. I smile, happy for him and when he mentions the band idea again I encourage him, telling him to go for it. The next day he starts scribbling lyric ideas all over every scrap of paper he can find. Some of them are really good and I tell him so which makes him more confident about them. When he goes to work the following day I take Bandit and Riley shopping and I buy Gerard an expensive leather bound journal so he can write his lyrics in it and have them all organised in one place. That night when I give it to him he runs his fingers over the cover gently, smiling across the table at me before opening it and reading what I wrote on the inside of the front cover. 'Gerard, All my dreams came true the day I met you and they grew in ways I never imagined they could when we had our beautiful children. I never want anything in life other than to see you, Bandit and Riley happy. I hope this lyric journal helps you reach your dreams the way you helped me reach mine. No matter what I am always behind you and I have your back 100%. All my love forever and always, Z'
He looks over at me with tears in his eyes and a wide smile on his face."Baby I don't even know what to say. I love you so much and I can't believe I am lucky enough to call you mine" he chokes out before rounding the table and wrapping me in his arms. "Whatever happens baby I will always support you."

A month later the band has really come together and they are practicing almost every day. Gerard has shared his lyrics with the other guys and they worked together to put music to it according to what Gerard heard in his head when he wrote them. They are all really excited about it but their guitar player, Ray, thinks they need something more to really refine their sound. They are all at our house hanging out and discussing the band when Ray mentions a really talented local guitar player he knows that is currently inbetween bands. They all agree to meet him and Ray calls the guy organising for him to come over the next day to meet them before auditioning.
The next day Mikey, Ray and Bob come over and hang out for a while playing with Bandit and Riley when there's a knock on the door. Ray gets up to get it while Gerard goes into the kitchen for a round of beers when Ray comes back into the living room with the guy. "Hey guys this is.." "Frank" I cut him off, standing from my chair and backing up. They all turn to look at me and Riley stands up from his place drawing on the floor and walks over to me. "What's wrong mommy" he asks and I scoop him up into my arms glaring at Frank. Everyone looks puzzled and Frank goes to open his mouth when Gerard comes back into the room smiling before spotting Frank and his face goes dark with rage. "What the fuck are you doing in my house you worthless piece of shit?" He hisses out and I say "Babe please watch your language." He nods and looks apologetic before Ray speaks up and says "What's going on? You guys know each other?"
"Yeah we know each other. Frank raped Z when she was 17." All the guys look shocked and look at Frank like they want to kill him. "Azali I'm so sorry for that. I have wanted to say sorry to you for years. I don't know why I did what I did back then, I was just a stupid kid and I regret what I did every single day" he says as he takes a step towards me. Bandit is on the floor between us and I tighten my grip on Riley as I spit out "Step the fuck away from my children." He falters in his step and looks around seeming to notice Bandit and Riley for the first time. "Your children are beautiful" he tells me and Gerard grips his arm, ready to throw him out of the house. "Azali I know it might not mean much but I truly am sorry for what I did" he tells me before turning to leave. When he leaves the house my breathing is shaky and I feel myself starting to cry so Mikey comes over taking Riley from me before taking him and Bandit upstairs. Gerard crosses the room and wraps me in his arms. A few seconds later I step out of them shaking off his touch telling him I'm fine. Ray mentions that he's the best shot they have of making their sound pop and Gerard looks ready to hit him. "Guys I don't want to ruin this for you. If he is your best chance go get him. I'll live with it" I say looking at Gerard as I say it. "Babe I really don't think..." Gerard starts but I cut him off "Gerard really this is your dream. Don't throw it away because of me." Ray nods and walks outside where Frank is still sitting in his car smoking. When they come back a few minutes later he looks at me gratefully and says "Thank you. I know the only reason I'm getting this shot is because of you and I know I've hurt you but you can trust me now. I am not the kid I was in high school and I would never do anything like that again and you can trust me around your kids too." "I accept your apology. But you should know that I do not forgive you and it will take a lot if I ever do at all. The only reason you are getting this shot is because this is Gerard's dream and I will do anything for him. Don't fuck this up for him." He nods and when the kids come back into the room they look wary of him. They run over to me and Riley climbs into my lap while Bandit curls into my side. "Ry, B this is Frank. You guys wanna say hello?" Bandit says "Hi Fwank" while Riley hides his face in my hair. Frank smiles at Bandits pronunciation of his name and says hi back. The mood is tense for a few more minutes until Ray breaks the ice and they all start talking about the band and the songs they have written already.

A month later I take Bandit and Riley to Mikey's to see the bands last practice before they play their first gig. They love the loud music and jump around dancing and mimicking their father screaming and singing nonsense. The sight makes the guys laugh and when practice is over they each show Riley and Bandit their instruments supervising as they have a little play. Bandit giggles while strumming the strings of Franks guitar before becoming distracted by the colourful tattoos that now cover his arms tracing over them with her fingers. Riley gets in Bobs lap and bashes on the drums squealing in excitement at all the noise he's making. Gerard wraps his arms around me and whispers in my ear "Mom is going to watch the kids tomorrow night. I really want you to be at the gig." "I wouldn't miss it for the world baby. Trick offered to watch them but your mom can take them." Gerard smiles before planting a kiss on my lips before all the guys make gagging noises and we pull apart laughing.

Notes