March, 2015



After spending the last few months on the road, touring around the US and Canada on the Black Mass Tour in support of his band’s new album, thirty-one-year-old Ashley Purdy was just happy to be back home. Granted, it was only for a couple of weeks, then it was off to the UK to continue said tour, but he needed the few precious days off. Things were always chaotic on the road, and aside from that, he’d missed his little dogs, Tokyo and Killer.

With a glass of Jack and Coke in hand, he sprawled out on the black leather couch in his living room, sighing as he finally got a change to really relax. Despite being known as the party boy and man-whore of Black Veil Brides, there were nights that even he wanted to stay home and relax, and tonight was one of those nights. Besides, having not been home much in weeks really made him want to spend some time with his dogs, whom hadn’t seen him in all the time he’d been gone. If there was no other reason for him to stay home, he didn’t care; it was his life, and therefore, his choice.

Only a couple hours after settling onto the couch, Tokyo and Killer curled up on either side of him, he was a bit startled by a knock at his front door. He knew the rest of the guys were planning on staying home and relaxing, maybe enjoying time with any significant others, which he sorely lacked. Given that knowledge, he knew it wasn’t any of them.

Frowning slightly, his pocket knife now in hand and flipped open, he moved to the front door and gingerly opened it. At first, he thought it was some random teenager from the complex playing a form of a game commonly known as Ding Dong Ditch, as he saw no one. He shrugged and started to close the door, only to have his attention draw down at his feet by a soft snuffling sound. Looking down, not only did he see his dogs curiously sniffing at something, but he realized the object was a baby carrier…with a note taped to it. With his brows furrowing, he picked up the carried and took it inside to his kitchen.



Dear Ashley,

I know you won’t remember me, so I won’t waste either of our time by giving you my name. I was a one-night stand of yours last June while you guys were recording Black Veil Brides. As much as I would’ve liked, we parted ways after the night we spent together and never saw one another again.

I know you’re bound to be confused, but what I write next is the truth. About a month after our night of passion together, I found out I was pregnant. Since I hadn’t been with anyone else, I know the baby I now leave on your doorstep is yours. I can’t afford to take care of myself, much less a baby, and unless you decide to give her up for adoption, I’d rather leave her with you than give her less than she deserves since I can barely afford my rent.

Our daughter’s name is Legacy Aurora Purdy. I chose her name because, in a way, she’s a new chapter of our lives, particularly yours, and born into a rock ‘n’ roll legacy most kids only dream of. If you decide you don’t want her, or can’t take care of her, please…do the right thing and give her up for adoption. Don’t put her through Hell if you know you can’t give her what she deserves and then some.

I wish you all the best. Let our baby girl know her mommy loves her so much that she gave her up before she could suffer.

Sincerely,

A loving, selfless mother.



Ash’s eyes widened in shock as he read the short, yet sweet note that’d been taped to the front of the carrier. When he lifted the receiving blanket covering the front, he found all the documents he’d need to raise her, including a copy of her birth certificate. He was surprised to see that whoever he’d apparently impregnated had forgotten to have their name removed from it, but that didn’t bother him.

Like she’d said in her loving little note, he most certainly didn’t remember the young woman. He’d likely been too drunk, or had gone through too many women since their encounter, to remember her by now. If it weren’t for the timing, as well as the fact that this baby looked almost identical to his own baby pictures, he’d have been denying his paternity.

Just one look at this little angel, though, and he knew without a doubt that she was his. Sure, he’d still have a DNA test done, just to be sure, but he was already pretty certain of his paternity without it. Sighing softly, he decided not to move the sleeping baby just yet, knowing all Hell was going to break loose once she woke. Thankfully, her mother’d left a diaper bag beside her carrier with enough to get them through the night, so she wouldn’t starve or have to sit around in a dirty or wet diaper…if he could figure out how to change it. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too hard since he didn’t want to neglect her.

Now that he had a baby in the house with him, he dumped out the mixed drink he’d taken only a few sips from. As much as he wanted to get drunk now, he knew he couldn’t since little Legacy was completely helpless and defenseless. He had to stay sober since she needed him, and he knew it. Besides, if his grandmother ever found out that he’d gotten drunk, knowing there was a baby around that needed him, she’d skin him alive. With that thought in mind, he settled down to await his daughter’s awakening.

Notes