Together Burning Bright

October in Michigan was utterly cold and miserable, but Dess was making the best of it. The guys had been on tour since September and of course Dess and Arabella were along for the ride. The small baby was now seven months old, sitting up on her own and she loved to giggle and laugh. Currently the two girls were in the small bathroom of the bus-getting ready for the nights show. It was Halloween-Andy and Dess’ first wedding anniversary and they were spending it on tour. Not the kind of night Dess had planned, but that was the life of a rockstar and his family.

Currently Odessa was covering her entire face in white paint, except for her eyes-which were ringed with black and made the light color of her irises pop out. Arabella was sitting in her saucer-her beloved hangout spot since beginning her new life on the tour bus. Touring with a seven month old was hard-having a seven month old was hard, but they were making it work. Big Bertha had been transformed-the back lounge was now a nursery/playroom where Aria’s crib and toys were kept. The guys didn’t mind it-they were all settling down and getting the party hardy days out of their systems.

They all had plans for the evening-dressing as Batman Villains for the show tonight and Dess couldn’t wait to see everyone. She had dressed Arabella as a cat-Baby Catwoman, but without all of the pleather and whips. Dess was, appropriately Harley Quinn as Andy had, of course, wanted to go as the Joker. Ashley would make a fantastic Riddler-sans shirt-and Jinxx had his Penguin costume all figured out. Jake had a Mr. Freeze thing going on and CC had opted for a Bane look, mask included. All in all they were going to make a fantastic bunch and Dess could not wait.


“You are such an adorable Catwoman my beautiful girl. Who’s my gorgeous girl? You are!” Dess had bent down and was currently tickling Aria under her chin and the baby was laughing and giggling away. Things had been fun on the road-Dess was happy that they were able to make everything work and that the guys were dealing with things as they came.

“Oh Mommy is so tired Bells. So very, very tired…” Dess sighed as she straightened up and then smirked. The baby was looking up at her with such an Andy-like expression that it bordered spooky. One eyebrow cocked and her lips were formed in a small lopsided smirk. She looked more and more like her father, much to Andy’s disappointment.

“Why so sleepy?” Someone asked and Dess jumped, almost poking herself in the eye but she instead dropped the eyeliner pencil into the sink. She turned and then laughed lowly as she took in her husband standing before her. He had sprayed his dark brown hair to a deep acid green color, his face was set in a ghostly pallor, but his lips were blood red and exaggerated into a creepy grin. His three piece purple and green suit fit him perfectly, but Dess knew he was going to boil up there on that stage.

“Someone keeps snoring me out of bed…”Dess smirked at him, her blonde and red hair falling in her face. Andy only smiled as he reached out and tucked a red strand of hair behind her ear and then pressed his lips lightly against Dess’.

“Aria! Mommy needs her rest you little piggy!” Andy smirked down at the small girl, who only giggled as he snorted at her and pressed his nose against her forehead. He reached down, pulling the small girl from her seat and he held her close as they both watched Dess apply her makeup.

“Take your hand in mine…it’s ours tonight…this is a rebel love song!” Andy sang and Dess looked over and she couldn’t help but smile. Andy had Aria’s little hand in his own and he was dancing with her on his hip, his blue eyes and hers having a staring contest.


The two of them had grown incredibly close as Arabella grew-Andy constantly wanted to be around her and he never seemed to mind taking care of the baby. Dess had worried at first that Andy-being the ADHD person that he was-would grow tired of the constant crying, feeding and changing, but he took joy in it all. He would get up with her in the morning, changing her diaper and feeding her to let Dess sleep in and then Dess would finally get up and make breakfast before they would go off to do some activity. They had become such a comfortable little family at home that it was a shock when the tour had started and they had needed to come up with a new routine.

Andy still got up with the baby, he would bundle her up and put her in her carrier while he went out to smoke. Then he would strap her into her tiny baby seat that rested on one side of the kitchen table. She was now eating very soft food-mostly bananas and so Andy would feed her and play with her until Dess would get up. Life was pretty normal-Andy and the guys would go off to interviews and soundcheck while Dess and Arabella ran errands for the band or stayed on the bus and worked. Dess was still working on her budding clothing shop-which had just debuted its online store and she was now including higher end pieces like jackets and fashion tops.


“You ready to go?” Andy asked as he stopped singing and looked over towards his wife. She had her platinum blonde and red hair pulled back into two high pony tails, her face was pure white except for her blood red lips and black lined eyes. Andy looked down at what she was wearing-a tight half red, half black cat suit that hugged every curve-and gulped loudly.

“I am Mr. J! Come on Catgirl…meow…” Dess rubbed her nose against Aria’s as she passed and the small girl giggled and squealed as the family moved towards the front of the bus.

“You guys look awesome!” CC said, his voice muffled and Dess only laughed. He was shirtless, but he had on baggy trousers and combat boots, not to mention the full on face mask…he was going to be so miserable behind those drums tonight.

“Wow Dess…hot momma!” Ashley was sitting at the kitchen table, his green pants with purple question marks glaring up at her and making Dess squint. He was shirtless, of course, but his purple suspenders still made the look, as did the green bowler hat that was sitting atop his black and red tinted hair.

“Thanks…I’ve thankfully been able to keep the baby weight off.” Dess said as she ran her hands down her stomach and smirked at the bassist. They had become best friends again, thanks largely to the fact that Ash was in love with someone else…he had found his forever and Dess couldn’t be more thrilled.

“Where are Jinxx and Jake?” Andy asked as he reached down into the fridge and pulled out a bottle. Aria grabbed for it, sticking the bottle into her mouth as she sucked loudly and Andy repositioned her to his other hip.

“Something about guitars…you know them.” CC said as he sat down on the couch, Monster in hand and game controller not far away. Dess only laughed as she ran a hand over Aria’s soft blonde hair…some things never changed.


The small group soon got everything collected, Dess grabbed her diaper bag, the Batman bats appropriate for the night as well as the large noise cancelling headphones for Arabella. The baby loved to be onstage with her father-she cried when they had held her back in the green room the first night and besides…the fans had fallen in love with the small girl. Dess had been terrified of the hate, but it seemed like the fans embraced Andy’s daughter almost as much as they embraced him-of course Dess was still enemy number one, but she was over it.

As they entered the venue, Dess smirked as she finally caught site of Jake and Jinxx-both were in the dressing room finishing up their own looks. Jake had plastered his black shaggy hair with wax-making it look like he had frost covering his head and his face was an unhealthy blue tint. He had on circle glasses with red lenses and his clothes were in shades of light blues and greys. Jinxx was wearing a full on top hat, three piece black and white suit and he had slicked his hair back. All in all they were going to make an awesome group and Dess was hoping to get some pictures before they all went on stage.


“Knock, knock!” Someone said from the door of the dressing room and as Dess turned she couldn’t help but smirk. Bret Von Dehl-lead singer for the opening band The Relapse Symphony-was standing there, his hair teased to the ceiling and Dess couldn’t help but look at the kid with wide eyes.


The small band had decided that they too were going to dress up-as their long time heroes and band they were supporting…Black Veil Brides. Each member of TRS would wear the original War Paint of the member who played the same instrument as them and so Dess felt like she was looking at a twenty one year old Andy. Bret had everything down pat-the eye makeup, the stitches, the three belts and cowboy boots. Dess felt transported back to a much simpler time when there weren’t angry fans, crying babies or constant worry. Just she and Andy, skyping and staying up all night to try and connect with one another.


“Holy shit!” Andy was behind her, his eyes taking in the singer before him and Bret blushed as he looked down at his own costume.

“I hope this does you justice man…” The singer was obviously nervous-TRS looked to BVB as one of their greatest inspirations and supporters.

“Absolutely! Guys!” Andy called over his shoulder and all of the guys in the room soon were surrounding Bret and complimenting him on his costume. Andy smiled down at Dess, but then scrunched his nose and she knew why-Aria needed to be changed.


Dess took the baby from his arms and quickly moved her over to one of the makeup tables. Everything was coming in such a blur-the summer had flown by, the guys were completely finished with the new record and now everyone was waiting for it to be released. They were thinking February and Dess got wide eyed as she thought that over-Aria would be ten months old, possibly walking on her own by then and suddenly Dess felt tears come to her eyes. She knew that time was going to move fast and she had to enjoy every moment that she could with her little family. She only wished that her sister and father had stayed around to see her life come together.

Not a day went by that Dess didn’t think of Moira-she missed the girl and she knew the guys did as well. They were still playing Fallen Angels at every show, along with In The End and other old standards. They hadn’t added in any of the new songs yet, worried about the reception from the crowd. The Army had exploded and the guys were finally becoming more and more accepted in the music world, but there would always be doubt-there would always be that fight. Dess finished up changing everything with the baby and soon enough she had the girl resting on one hip, her blonde hair going straight in to Arabella’s mouth as they walked over to join the group.


“Good luck out there!” Dess said to Bret as the singer waved and then left the room. It was almost show time and Dess knew that everyone was on pins and needles. Touring was hard, playing every night or every other night wore down on your body and your mind and Dess could see that the guys were suffering for it.

“You ready there Harley?” Andy asked Dess, turning to face his wife as she stood at his side. He smiled, Aria had her mother’s hair in her mouth and was loudly sucking on the red and blonde strands. This was his daughter-she had his eyes, his looks, his determination and obviously his penchant for sticking things in her mouth.

“Sure am Mr. J!” Dess said loudly and everyone only smiled as they left the dressing room. Dess and Andy were last, sharing a kiss as Andy placed the headphones over Aria’s ears and then kissed the small baby on her nose. She giggled and reached for her father and Andy smirked as he got an idea.


The guys all stood off to the side of the stage and watched TRS open everything up and as Andy held Arabella in his arms, he couldn’t help but be taken back. When he was nineteen that had been him out there-a new record, opening up for bands that he admired and liked and not knowing what the fuck he was doing. Now here he was-they had just finished recording their fourth album, he was married with a kid who he loved and adored and life really couldn’t be more perfect. Aria had her tiny hands on his cheeks and as Andy trained his eyes away from the stage and looked down at his daughter, he felt his whole world come together.

She had been unexpected and there had been a lot of worry in regards to her arrival, but as he looked down in to those bright blue eyes-Andy knew it was all worth it. He finally had someone in his life who he could cherish and share everything with-not that he didn’t have that with Dess, but this was different. This tiny human being-this little girl-was all his and he didn’t have to share her with anyone else. Of course both he and Dess posted pictures and videos of her on Twitter and Instagram, but mostly they were a small family that kept to themselves.


“Five minutes guys!” Jon called out and Andy began to do his vocal warm up, laughing as Aria mimicked his singing with her own. He would go low-so would she. He would go as high as he could-she would giggle and do the same. This little girl was everything to him and he thanked Dess and God every day for bringing her to him.

“You wanna come out with Daddy?” Andy asked and Aria only giggled and threw her pudgy fists in the air. Dess was standing by, talking to one of the merch girls about her sales when suddenly she turned around and faced the pair.

“You really think that’s a good idea babe?” She asked and Andy only smiled as he kissed her lips softly and then they were off. Dess watched as the group ran out on stage, the crowd screaming and shouting as they noticed the very small baby in Andy’s arms.

“What’s going on guys!” Andy asked as he ran out on stage and everyone screamed. Aria was in shock, her blue eyes wide as she looked around at all of the people and then she did something she had never done before-she waved to the crowd and laughed loudly.

“We are the Black Veil Brides and this here is my baby girl Arabella! We wanted to do something special for you guys since it is Halloween and so we dressed up for you tonight!” The crowd roared and everyone laughed as Aria clapped her hands together and then reached for the mic.

“We’re going to start off the night with this little girl’s favorite song! This is Rebel Love Song!” Andy said and the crowd screamed as the guitars began to go and everyone sang along.


Arabella bobbed her head, clapped her hands and moved her mouth as Andy ran around the stage with her his arms and the crowd loved it. He was very careful with her, trying to not move around as much as he usually did and they were able to get through two more songs before the baby got fussy. Andy tossed her in the air alittle bit, which made her giggle but he knew that she needed her mommy and he needed to perform. Dess was on the side of the stage, talking to Bret and JC and Andy was desperately trying to get her attention. Finally he signaled to the guys to stop playing as he leaned into the mic.
“Can I have my lovely Harley Quinn come out here and please take Catgirl back for her saucer of milk?” Andy asked and laughed along with the crowd as Dess jumped at the mention of her costume and then jogged out to the stage.

“Sorry! Hey guys!” She waved to the crowd, who all screamed at her appearance and Dess only smiled as she held up the baby and whispered in her ear. Aria giggled and waved to the crowd and Andy leaned in, placing a small kiss against Dess’ lips before she left the stage.

“Alright guys…” Andy addressed the crowd, but Dess was only half listening as she walked back towards the dressing room to grab Arabella a bottle. The little one was getting tired and Dess knew that it would be time for bed as soon as the guys got off the stage.


After a ten minute feeding and burping session, Dess was on the side of the stage once again, a sleeping baby in her arms as she watched the guys wrap things up. They had mostly played things off of the third album, since that was what people knew the most, but Dess knew they had been toying with the idea of singing at least one new song from the album. That album-it had been a labor of love and Dess was actually really happy that the guys had stayed with her and Andy over the summer.

It had been a fun summer of cookouts, bon fires and getting used to having a new baby around. They made it through though and come September they had all packed up and gotten on a bus to go around the country. It was rocky at first, Aria didn’t like the moving bus, but it helped the little one sleep at night, which everyone loved. They were almost done with the US leg and then they would be off for the holidays. The Biersacks and Rose Montgomery would be at Andy and Dess’ for Thanksgiving and Christmas which was nice and Dess was looking forward to a slightly quieter holiday. Jake and Ella were getting married on New Year’s Eve and so they would all fly out to LA for that.

After that they would all fly over to Europe for the album release in February and tour until March. Then Dess was pretty sure they would be back home until June, when they would all pack up, once again on tour, but this time it would be on Warped Tour. The guys third time with the tour and Dess was actually looking forward to it this time. She had her tent all covered-Trish and some others would be running it completely and Dess knew she would be able to relax alittle bit more. No more sickness and no more stress.

What could be better than that?

Notes

Happy Halloween! Haha-sorry I love Halloween and couldn't resist dressing the family up like my favorite Villainous couple.

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Also check out my brand new story Land Of F.E.A.R, which just posted today!

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