Help Me

~Jimmy's Point of View~

I couldn't even open my eyes! My head was fucking pounding!
"Jim! Get up man," Matt yelled at my door. "It's almost noon bro, we gotta get ready."
"Why," I groaned. "The show isn't 'til laterrrrrr!"
"Goddamn it Jimmy," Matt said. I could almost hear his eyes rolling. "You know we do sound check early. Come on! We got a shoot later on too, let's go!"

I rolled out of my bed in nothing but a shirt. Where my boxers went, I have no idea, but I am not wasting any time looking for them.
I opened the door and pushed passed Matt, making my way to the bathroom.

"Fucking Jimmy," he laughed. "Dude, put some pants on please? The girls are here and Zacky has his niece, and you're walking around with your ass in plain sight. She's asking for you, by the way."
"Amber's here?" I pulled my shirt down super low, trying to hide my jewels as Matt laughed harder. "Why didn't you say that earlier? I would have been up and ready!"
"Hahaha! She wanted to surprise her uncle Jimmy," he said walking down the stairs. "I'll tell her you're in the shower. Just hurry your ass up though, we need to go already."

I went back into my room to grab some clean clothes and hurried back towards the bathroom. Just as I jumped in and turned on the water, I immediately started washing my hair, thinking of Zacky's niece. That poor fucking kid. As much as I loved the Bakers, as much as I loved Zee, his sister was a piece of shit! You see, Amber was as good as Zack's kid. He's taken care of her since she was a baby. Six years! SIX YEARS, and not once did her mother or stupid fuck father ever take fucking initiative for her. FOR ANYTHING! And it pissed me off because she was such a wonderful kid!
Before Amber was born, I was in a real bad place. My girl, Samantha, well, we weren't in the best relationship. And no matter what I did, I couldn't get myself to break up with her. Then, she got pregnant. She fucking hated me for it, but me? I was so happy! I loved the idea of becoming a daddy so fucking much! But Sam? Fuck no. Motherhood was not for her. She didn't want it, and so she left. She left me, which fucked with my head big time, then one day I got a crazy ass hospital bill in the mail with no way to contact Sam. An abortion... She fucking had an abortion without telling me. So when Zee came to us with the news of becoming an uncle, I was so jealous of his sister because I knew that she didn't deserve it. And just to prove it, here was this beauty, sometimes catching herself calling Zack 'daddy'.

I turned off the shower, dried off and started getting dressed. My thoughts slipped to that little girl Amber met at the zoo. She was obviously way younger than Amber, and it was even more obvious that she was sick, which fucking broke my heart because just like Amber, she was such a beautiful little girl. It sucked knowing that her time might be limited. No baby should ever have to live that way. No one at all for that matter. But still, there she was, bringing joy to people she didn't even know! I had never met a kid like that! Especially that young! Not a shy bone in her body! And her mom? WHOA MAMA! She was fucking HOT!! But of course, she was probably taken. Even with this thought, I couldn't wait for the show, especially since she said she'd be there. Maybe I might see her... Ah fuck. Quit getting all nervous Jimmy! It's just a fucking show!
___________________________________________________________________________

~Serenity's Point of View~

"Mama, can we get ice cream?"
I looked over to Abigail and Tiffani, who were still excitedly blabbering about the concert that was in about 8 more hours, then to my Evelyn who stood before me making puppy dog eyes, as if I would say no to her.

"Sure thing baby. How about making the rest of the day just me and you," I asked, hoping she'd say yes. I really wanted some alone time with my baby.
"Okay mommy," she said, not really thinking about her answer.
I shook my head and turned to Abby and Tiff, "Hey, I'm gonna take Evie to get ice cream and do some other stuff. You guys can go ahead and take off if you want. We'll meet you guys at the venue."
"Are you sure," Abby asked quickly. "We're the ones with the car."
"It's fine," I smiled. "Evelyn's always wanted to take a cab, so we can do that."
"Hurry mom," Evelyn sang. "Let's go get ice cream!"
"Okay theeeen," Tiffani said. "Take care of your mama, Evelyn."
Evie grabbed my hand and pulled with all her strength. "I will," she shouted. And before we knew it, we were down the road with Abigail and Tiffani out of sight.

We had a day full of sugar and sweets. I wanted to make sure that Evelyn was able to stay awake when we went to the concert. We went to the beach and I let Evelyn pick up a few shells she thought were pretty, we stuck our feet in the water and ran away from it when it came fast up the shore, I chased her around all day and we went wherever she wanted.
About two hours before we left for the venue, I ended up buying her a posterboard and cardboard paint so she could make a sign for when we got there to wait in line. Abby and Tiff wanted to get there real early to make sure we could get as close to the stage as possible. I was really nervous about having Evelyn near the pit, but I knew if anyone hurt my kid, I'd fucking flip shit faster than motherfuckin' lightning!

When we got there, we met up with Abby and Tiff who we super hyped up. I couldn't help but laugh at them, especially when Evelyn started up.
"Look mommy, look!" Evelyn was running around with both hands at her cheeks making a fishy face, running in circles.

"Oh my gosh, she's sooo fucking cute!"
A few girls wearing Atreyu t-shirts walked over from near the front of the line, swooning over Evelyn. I watched them so closely, making sure they weren't disrespectful towards her in anyway, and smiled seeing how she put smiles on their faces.
One girl, who Evelyn seemed to grow very fond of because of her bright, electric blue hair, watched Evelyn attentively. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but then I saw why. I looked up to where she and her friends came from to see a man, with black and grey hair walking over to them.
"Sheena," he called, and the blue haired girl looked up and smiled.
"Yeah, daddy?" Sheena held her arms out so that Evelyn could examine her multitude of bracelets.
"The doors are going to open in less than an hour," he told her. "Make sure you girls come back up in a little while."
"Okay," the girls sang, as he walked back to where he was standing.

The sight of Sheena with my daughter was so endearing. It was really something seeing how her friends grew quiet when Evelyn looked through the bracelets on Sheena's arms. I didn't understand at first, but it was all clear when Evelyn looked up to the girl and said:
"I have one of these too."

Sheena's face became pale, her body went stiff, and one of her friends put a hand to her shoulder.
"What," Sheen choked.
"These," Evelyn said, stroking Sheena's arm. "I have one. Right here." Evelyn poked at her chest where her catheter stuck out through her chest.
Sheena swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes. She grabbed Evie's hand, and shook her head. "My scars are nothing compared to yours," she said with a shaky voice.
Evelyn smiled at her. "Hurting is not nothing," she told Sheena in a squeaky voice. "Hurting means sick. And you can get over sick. My mommy tells me that all the time. You're hurting like me, and you can get better. Everybody does."
Sheena started to cry, but smiled through her tears. "I'm sorry I'm crying baby," she said, squeezing Evelyn's hand. But Evelyn just smiled at her, and whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was made her stop crying. She looked Evelyn dead in the eyes for a good long moment, and quickly pulled her in for a hug.

My heart started to ache for the girl, tears of my own fell. I looked up to where she and her friends came from to see Sheena's father,and who I assumed to be her mother, also in tears. I walked over to the girls, who looked as though they couldn't believe what had just happened and kneeled down next to Sheena and my daughter. I rubbed her back and she pulled away from Evelyn.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay," I said. "Don't you worry about it. Everyone needs a moment."
Sheena smiled, and stood up. I did the same and carried Evelyn.
The girls all looked at us for a moment, and just as Sheena was about to say something someone else cut her off:
"Would you like to stand in front of us?"
___________________________________________________________________________

The girls and I stood in line with Sheena, her friends and her parents for a good hour and a half before the doors were opened. Sheena's parents and I exchanged numbers since Sheena had offered to be Evie's new playmate.
Word had worked it's way around about what happened and people were giving Evelyn band merchandise left and right. A few people even offered to help her with her sign. The general admissions floor filled quickly, so Abby, Tiffani and I alternated on who was going to hold Evelyn. During the time that Bullet for My Valentine, who opened, played Tiffani hand Evelyn on her shoulders while she sang at the top of her lungs.
"Mommy," Evelyn screamed. "I like this song! I like this song!" The fans that were next to us laughed and recorded Evelyn as she started to sing with her hands in the air once she realized that she knew some of the songs that were playing.

"Is that your daughter," a young man next to me asked.
I looked at Evelyn and smiled proudly. She looked so cute in her black leggings, red shoes and Avenged Sevenfold shirt, giggling as she pushed one of her ear plugs back into her ear.
"Yeah," I said. "She's mine."
The young man smiled and showed me his forearm. A tattoo of a grey ribbon. "She reminds me of my little sister," he said, a dazzling smile on his face. "She looks like she's doing good. I wanted to wish you guys good luck."
"Thank you," I said, shaking his hand.
"No problem."

Compliments and well wishes came almost as frequently as the band merch came. I was so glad I brought the tote that Abby gave me. There was so much stuff!

After Atreyu closed their set with the last song, Abby handed Evie over to me and Evelyn started to bounce.
"Ahhhhhh," she screamed and giggled when the lights went out.

"WHAT'S UP L.A.!!!!!!" M. Shadows screamed in the mic as the introduction to 'The Beast and the Harlot' boomed through the amps.

"OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH," Evelyn screamed as the song went on.
Every song the guys played, Evelyn sang word for word. Even when they played 'Second Heartbeat', Evelyn sang/screamed her little heart out. It was one of the most wonderful things ever! My baby girl was having fun!
___________________________________________________________________________

"Is that all mom," Evelyn asked,still disappointed that the concert ended.
"We still have something to do baby," Abby said, amused that Evie had forgotten about the passes we had.
"Oh," she giggled. "What is it Aunt Abby?"
Tiffani winked as us and decided to play along, "It's a surprise."
"Another?!" Evelyn clapped her hands together and her eyes grew wide. "Yay!"

Tiff and I followed Abby, who was carrying Evelyn, since she was the one who knew where to go, and we ended up having to wait a while since the fangirls were overcrowding the room the guys were in. Shouts of 'sign this, and sign that' were all that we could hear.

"You girls are lucky you're the last ones in line."
I jumped forward into Abby and spun around.
"What the fuck?!"
"Mommy! No bad words," Evelyn screamed. "You owe Mr. Pigg a dollar!"
"Sorry baby," I said. I turned back to Jimmy who held a finger to his lips.
"Dude, you scared the hell out of her," Tiffani laughed. Abby set Evelyn down and rubbed her back where I hit her.
"Oh no," Evelyn whisper yelled once she saw Jimmy telling us to be quiet. "It's the man from the zoo."

Jimmy leaned down to Evie,"Don't worry. I won't eat your tummy tonight," he said sweetly. "But I have something for you. Do you want to see?"

Evelyn looked up to me, then back to Jimmy. "But you're a stranger still," she said, eyes wide. "I'm not supposed to take things from strangers."
Jimmy giggled. "Your mommy knows me," he said. "She can come too!"
"Okay!" Evelyn snatched Jimmy's hand and pulled him away from us.
___________________________________________________________________________

~Jimmy's Point of View~

It was passed 1:30 and we were still up and at 'em. Well, not all of us, but Johnny, Zacky, Matt and I were still up with Abby, Tiffani, and Evelyn. Val and Michelle went to bed a long time ago, and Serenity was fighting hard to keep from sleeping. She looked so damn tired, but under these circumstances, who wouldn't be? Evelyn was great and all, but something told me that her mom hadn't had a good night's sleep in a good while.

I decided that maybe I could go talk to her to keep her up. Maybe even get to know her a little. Evelyn was having a ball hanging out with a very drunk Johnny who was trying to convince her to let him keep her.

I sat next to Serenity and poked her cheek. She just smiled at me and sighed.
"How's she doing," she asked sleepily, stretching her tired body the best she could.
"She great," I told her. "You did a pretty good job with her. She's damn smart for how little she is."
Serenity laughed a little. "I didn't do that," she said, smiling in the direction of her daughter who was now sitting in Matt's lap, tracing his tattoos with a marker. "She's just a smart kid."
I nodded. "How are you doing," I asked. Not trying to be nosey or anything, but hey, moms sometimes needed someone to listen, right?
Serenity smiled again, even though it probably didn't have any meaning directed towards me, made my heart flutter. "I'm doing good," she said. "Tired, but I've handled far much worse than a day long sugar rush from that little monster."

I thought about what she said. Much worse? As in back and having to watch your kid suffer? Fuck...
"Is it bad?" 'Me and my big fucking mouth...'
In that instant, something flickered in Serenity's eyes and it took my breath away. The strength, I think it was. It was amazing.
"I guess so," she said quietly. "She wasn't supposed to make it this far, actually. She's a fighter, and someone up there's got a plan for her, so she isn't going out very easily. But yeah, it's pretty bad."

Serenity turned to look at me, and smiled. "But it's been harder," she added. "And she's happy, so just as long as I can keep her that way, we're fine."

I nodded my head and turned my head to see Evelyn fast asleep in Matt's arms. I looked over to Serenity again and smiled at her. She must be really tired...
"Well, I'll tell you what," I said, getting her attention. She looked at me wide-eyed when I grabbed her hand and pulled it toward me. "I want to get to know you better. I mean, I love Lyn-Lyn and all, but she's already told me everything there is to know about her. So, what do you say I take you out sometime?"

Serenity looked around at everyone quickly before answering me, a look of surprise plastered on her face. "Oh, I don't know," she said. "I mean, I'd love to, but-,"
"You don't need to leave Evelyn any where or with anyone," I said, determined to get her to say yes. "Hell, we could even stay in and fuckin' watch movies. I don't care. Just as long as I get to see you both again."

I tried being as genuine as possible without sounding like a creep and scaring her off, and just as soon as I thought she'd turn me down:

"Sure," she breathed. "I'd love to see you again, Jimmy. It's just kind of a shock, you know?"
I laughed at her. "Oh, I hear you," I said. "If a member of my favorite band asked me out on a date, I'd totally freak out too! But, I'm not gay, soooo..."

Serenity laughed and stood up with her hand still in mine. I didn't want to let her go, but I kind of had to give her my number. Once I did, she spoke up again.
"I had a lot of fun Jimmy," Serenity said, looking at me through her eyelashes. "Evelyn did too, it seems, but I've gotta get these girls home already."
I nodded at her, and from there we all said our goodbyes. I even snuck a kiss on her cheek before she turned and left.

I can't wait to see her again!

Notes

So! Since I didn't update for a bit, I decided on writing a pretty long chapter! Hope you like it!!:)
Thanks to forREVer-A7X for Evelyn's nickname "Lyn-Lyn!" I loved it, so I had to use it!