Together Burning Bright

The spring breeze flowing through the air ruffled the bright pink and lime green balloons that were tied on anything that would sit still long enough. The vast yard, lush and green with the spring rains, was covered in picnic tables and tables and chairs. The trees that were providing shade had pink and green streamers hanging down and Dess smiled as she looked around. All of their family-including Chris and Amy- and friends-including Kit and Trish-were standing around, talking and laughing. Today her baby girl, Arabella Rose Biersack was turning one and Dess felt like crying.

It had been such a long year, filled with new experiences and trials and tribulations, but it was well worth it. Right now her baby girl was walking around, Andy holding her hand as her tiny little legs carried her through the grass. Her little girl-with her light blonde hair and crystal blue eyes-was growing up way too fast and it was making Dess sad. She had never thought about being a mom, the thought had never crossed her mind more than once, but once it happened it just felt right.

The little family had gotten in to a strict routine-Dess would get up with Bells in the morning, feed her and change her diaper, then Andy would take her so Dess could get some work done. It was much easier for Andy to take her into the studio and do interviews or podcasts than it was for Dess to watch her around all of the paint and ink. Then the family would come together, have lunch and Aria would lay down for a nap. Play time, bath time, a movie, a story and then bed time. Everything was well organized and it worked for them, unless they were on tour.

On tour all bets were off and Aria took full advantage of that. She had learned very quickly that there were four guys-five counting her own father-on that bus who would absolutely do anything for her and she got really good at batting those long eyelashes of hers. She stayed up late, she napped late and she would snack on bits of Andy and Dess’ food, instead of the homemade baby food that Dess made for her. It was chaos eight months out of the year, but it was their chaos and it just felt right.


“Everything looks great Dess…” Someone said from her right and as the blonde turned a smile graced her lips. Kit-in all of her red haired glory-was standing beside the girl, her tattooed arms held over her busty chest.

“Thanks-it didn’t come without effort.” The blonde laughed as Kit threw an arm around her shoulders and the two girls began to walk. Everything did look perfect-as per usual with Dess-and Kit knew that this kid was going to have a very over the top life.

“Oh I know-I saw the planning boards in your office.” Kit teased as the two girls walked past the food table and Dess suddenly felt like she was starving. She hadn’t eaten all morning and as they walked down towards where the cake was sitting, the steak and chicken breasts sitting out became more and more appetizing.

“Oh don’t even act like you aren’t jealous of my planning skills.” Dess smirked as the two girls reached the refreshment table and both grabbed for glasses of white wine. Dess was no longer breast feeding so she could indulge in things like alcohol and her beloved coffee once again.

“Speaking of…when I get married you should plan my wedding.” Kit said and then laughed as Dess spit out her wine and looked to Kit’s left hand. No ring-so they were safe, but hearing Katrina Evans even mention the idea of marriage was somewhat shocking.

“Will we ever get to meet this mystery man? I mean you’ve been dating him for almost two years and I still have no idea who he is.” Dess said, smirking as Kit just shook her head and looked off to where her little niece was playing in the grass. Andy was on his back, his black shirt getting bits of dirt and grass on it as he held the small girl in the air and laughed as she giggled.

“We’re taking our time with things…I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up…including my own.” Kit said as she took a sip of her wine and looked around.


All of the guys were there, Jake with his pregnant wife Ella, Jinxx with his girlfriend and CC with his new fiancé. Ashley was around, probably off somewhere flirting with anything that was standing still and Kit only smiled-just like old times. She had missed this little family-Sleeping was now completely located in Florida and Kit had a condo there, which she only saw three months out of the year. The band had gone through a lot in a year-lineup changes and recording a new album, scrapping it and starting all over again. Not to mention Kellin’s side project, which had turned out to be kind of a flop.

Kit looked over at Dess, who was standing near where Andy and Aria were laying in the grass and she couldn’t help but smile at her best friend. The girl looked good-she was back down to the weight she was in high school, her tattoos shining under the fading sunlight and her pink and blonde hair had just been redone. Dess was wearing an adorable sundress that had light pink roses all over the flouncy skirt and she had her hair down around her shoulders. Andy had finally stood up, holding baby Aria in his arms and Kit never realized what a perfect little family they were.


“Stop staring Kitty…” Someone whispered in her ear and Kit rolled her eyes as she turned and found herself face to face with Ashley Purdy. He was dressed casually in a button up black shirt and of course that cowboy hat was sitting ontop of his straight black hair.

“Can’t help it…they are so ideal it’s not even funny.” She said as Andy tossed Arabella in to the air, her tiny legs kicking out as he caught her and the couple laughed along with their daughter.

“I mean you could have that one day.” Ashley said and Kit only rolled her eyes as she faced him and crossed her arms over her chest.

“I could, but I don’t know if I’m the motherly type.” She stated and Ashley only smirked as he leaned in and whispered in to her ear softly. His breath made her shiver, even though the sun was shining down on them.

“Well I for one think you would make a pretty sexy MILF.” Kit looked towards him, but Ashley had turned his back on her and was now walking over towards where Jinxx was standing. She felt hot and as Kit fanned herself, she couldn’t keep the smile from her lips.


Dess laughed as Andy played with Aria and soon enough she kissed her husband goodbye and walked over to where her inlaws were standing. She wished that she saw more of Chris and Amy, but with being on the road constantly and only being home for a week or two at a time, there wasn’t a lot she could do. Dess had started skyping with Arabella at night so that Chris and Amy could see their granddaughter and it seemed to be helping. As she approached, Dess smiled as Chris held open his arms for her and gave her gigantic hug once she got close enough.

Dess missed her own father and she had never realized just how much until Chris came in to her life. He was there for her-as was Amy-but Chris understood his son and everything that Dess needed to do to deal with him. Andy was a very passionate person and he got very involved in things-like writing a record. Dess would spend hours with the baby, listening to her cry and crying herself as she just wanted some help. But Andy had been busy with the guys and couldn’t just stop. Finally Chris flew out to Virginia, stopped by the house to say hi to Dess and the baby and then made his way out to the studio.

Dess could remember sitting at the kitchen table, biting her nails as she listened for the yelling coming from outside and to the baby monitor that sat on the table. Finally Andy and his father came inside, Andy looking like a scolded puppy and he quickly hugged his wife and apologized. He knew he had become detached, but he never realized how much and all of the guys agreed that Andy needed to spend less time out with them and more time in the house with his new wife and daughter. Dess smiled as she came back to the present and then her face fell as Chris placed a hand on her stomach and asked her something that she was not expecting.


“So Andy tells us you’re pregnant again. Is this true Odessa?” Dess couldn’t speak-she could hardly even breathe at this point and so she just smiled and moved slightly to the left.

“I-uh-no…no it’s not true at all.” Dess said and she felt her stomach sink as she stood there. Why would Andy say something like that? They’d just had a baby-a wonderful perfect girl that they both loved to bits. What was making him want to rush into something so soon?

“Oh, well that’s probably a good thing. You’ll have your hands full with little Aria.” Amy said, her voice reassuring as she patted Dess on the arm and the blonde only smiled.


She left the couple standing there, promising that they would catch up later that night after everyone had left. As Dess walked over to where Andy was standing, Aria sitting at his feet as she plucked at the grass, Dess tried to keep her anger down. He was rushing her-always rushing-and it needed to stop. He rushed her in to a relationship, he started rushing her in to marriage and then of course Arabella came along, by accident, but now he was rushing a second baby. Dess put a smile on her face as she approached and Andy only smiled at her as he reached for one of her hands.


“Hey doll. Everything looks so wonderful. You ready for the cake?” He asked and Dess smiled at him as she kissed his cheek, but allowed her lips to linger near his ear.

“Thanks…why do your parents think I’m pregnant?” She hissed and Andy gulped loudly. Shit-this was so not how he saw this day going. He smiled at her as Dess pulled away and cocked one perfectly shaped eyebrow in his direction.

“I-uh-shit.” Andy said and then everyone around them gasped as Arabella giggled and then spit out a word that her young mouth should not know.

“Shit!” She laughed and Dess only blushed, shaking her head as she locked eyes with Andy’s. He looked very remorseful and Dess knew now that it had probably been a misunderstanding and a slight bit of wishful thinking.

“I never meant for them to think that. I’m sorry babe…” Andy said, smiling softly and Dess only squinted one eye at him as she reached down and took her daughter into her arms. It was time for the cake and that would be enough to keep Dess distracted so she didn’t commit murder in front of everyone.

“We’ll talk about this later.” She said lowly as Arabella grabbed on to her hair, the small girl in her arms as Dess walked away.


Everyone gathered around a huge three tired cake that was adorned with pink and green polka dots. Dess had made it herself, proud that it was still standing and hoping that it tasted as good as it looked. Arabella was given her small cake, which matched perfectly, and was settled in her highchair as she smashed away and got cake and icing all over herself and her chair. Everyone laughed as they sang through Happy Birthday and Dess was pretty impressed that they were all mostly intune with one another. Then again they had a lot of musicians in attendance. As Dess cut out slices for people, she felt an arm snake around her middle and a pair of lips kiss her on the side of her face.


“I love you and I’m sorry…” Andy whispered and Dess said nothing as she just turned to him, kissed his lips lightly and then took the piece of cake she was holding and smashed it on top of Andy’s black hair.

“I love you too…jerk.” She said and Dess laughed as Andy licked his lips and then moved in to kiss her once again.


The kiss was sweet from the frosting, but the love behind it was pure and perfect…just like their daughter.

Notes

Hey! So I was able to update today after all-but now I'm tired. Thank you to everyone for being so understanding-I love you all to bits! Of course Andy wants another kid...he's not the one pushing them out!

Review<3

Together Burning Bright