Ralph started crying as soon as he saw Jennifer come off stage and the Avenged guys go on it.

“Hey,” I spoke softly, kneeling down. Great, now I’m not going to get back up. I cupped the sides of Ralph’s pale face and smiled at him, “Don’t cry, everything’s going to be okay.”

“Jesus fucking Christ, you slipped on a toy car?” Saint exploded in a tasty laughter right as she and Texas walked off stage. Texas was a tall guy, a bit intimidating if you will, so I could see what made Ralph sob up.

“Shut up, Saint,” he hissed, “I think I broke my ass. Who the fuck throws—“

“Hey, Texas!” I cut him off, seeing the terror mirror in Ralph’s blues.

“Oh hey, Riles, what up?” He came over right after someone had handed him a beer.

“Tell this little man right here that you’re not mad about that toy car,” I shot him a long look. Texas’ hazel eyes shifted from me to the crying child and then back at me. He was way beyond lost. “Now, Tex.”

“Oh hey, yeah,” even tho the confusion was clearly written all across his face, he knelt down to look at Ralph, “All’s good. Tho I’m sorry for breaking your car.”

“N-no ouchie f-for Ralph?” He wrapped his little arms around my neck, trying to hide in the crease of my shoulder. Texas frowned at me.

“N-no.” He spoke quietly. “Is this Jen’s brother?”

“Yeah,” I sighed, picking him up and trying my best to stand up straight. Texas helped me up when he realized I might have a itsy-bitsy of a problem straightening up on my own.

As soon as I was standing, Jennifer rushed past us with an excited smile on her face. She didn’t even look at her brother who was in fact waiting for her and her only. Instead she paced down the long corridor towards all the paparazzi’s. Some things just never-fucking-change.

“Great show, guys,” I looked at Saint and Tex. “But if you’ll excuse us, Ralph here wants to see mister Synyster Gates play.”

“Are you sure it’s Ralph who wants to see Syn on stage?” Saint snickered, bringing a bottle of Bacardi to her lips. “See ya’ later, Vex.”

My glare followed Saint’s blond head. Me willing to see Synyster Gates? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! That’s absurd… Why would… Why would I want to see Brian engage in his stage persona? That overly arrogant, egotistical… incredibly hot chunk of meat…

Snap out of it, Riley.

You’re here because this is a fundraiser for people with cancer. Yeah. Had to remind myself the fact seeing Haner wink at numerous girls in the massive crowd. A sudden wave of jealousy heated up my body and my grip around Ralph tightened, but he didn’t seem to notice. All he did was clap his little hands seeing Brian indulge in one of his righteous riffs.

Fuck.

Those facial expressions he put on display while playing the solo of their song God Damn had butterflies starting a blood bath inside the very pit of my stomach, not talking about the smirk he shot my way when he was waiting for his guitar tech to bring him a different gun. How in the greatest depths of hell could a single man have such an effect on me? Impossible. I mean… anyone but him!

I looked at Ralph’s face, that small nose, those big blue eyes and just… I couldn’t bare but think what would the diva growing in my belly look like. Would she be all Brian? If that’s so – god have mercy.

“So…” Matt’s voice blaring through the speakers brought me back to the reality. I turned my head to look towards the stage and see him standing with one feet on the riser and his forearm rested on his thigh. “We all know we’d be here either way… Fundraiser or not…” He started, fixing his aviators, “but… knowing this is a fundraiser dedicated to everyone fighting the battle with cancer, I have to say something.” He pushed himself off the riser and straightened up, “If our dear friend Jude Clarke wouldn’t have fallen victim to the illness, we wouldn’t have even looked this way. Jude… man, she’s like the second mother to this band,” Matt said, making my heart melt.

“That’s true.” Zacky added in his back-vocals mic.

“For those who don’t know who Jude Clarke is – she’s the most amazing human being who also happens to be the former drummer of the rock giants Apostle Leviathan, the founder of Liberty Records and Rev’s idol.” Matt looked up as if looking at Jimmy, before continuing, “Jimmy looked up to Jude a great fucking deal, the very first jam of ours in fact was in Jude’s house, where I met Riley.”

Oh no you don’t Matthew fucking Sanders. I know where you fucking live!

He turned his head to look at me and even from where I was standing, I could see him smirking, just like the rest of those bastards. “Riley Vex is Jude’s daughter, who figured it’s a good call to make this fundraiser. For those of you who don’t know – besides being a philanthropist she’s a record producer blessed with some kickass lunges. But why am I the one telling you all this? Riley Vex to the stage!” He announced and I suddenly froze, feeling someone take Ralph away from me.

I turned my head to see Saint smirking at me as Tex tried his best to gently usher me towards the stage. Like hell I’m stepping my foot there!

“Vex is a little bit pregnant, so let’s be gentle, okay, guys?” Matt spoke making the crowd erupt in cheers as some technician pushed a microphone in my arms and Texas pushed me on the stage. I felt like a deer in headlights. I couldn’t fucking move.

Realizing I’m frozen still with my eyes wide, Brian gave his guitar to his technician and rushed over, offering his elbow to me. I looked at him patiently on which he just grinned. His polite gesture simply was left hanging, before something sparked up in his eyes. I knew that spark. I knew that shade of madness in those browns. Without a word Brian pulled a Synyster Gates classic and simply picked me up bridal style, getting loud ovations from the sea of people.

“Put me the fuck down!” I yelled, trying to fight him all the way. Was he the last bit intimidated by my pregnant self? You really need to ask? My screams falls on deaf ears, man. Finally he put me down right next to Matt. With a heavy sigh I raised the microphone, “You guys are a bunch of dicks…”

“Thanks for the compliment,” Matt laughed, “But me and the guys had a great idea of how to end this fucking show.”

“Something tells me my thoughts on what a great idea is strongly differs from yours,” I mused, trying my best not to look at the endless sea of people stretching in front of me. I haven’t done this in too long… I think I’m going to puke.

“Oh cheer up, buttercup,” Matt slung his arm around my shoulder, “Remember the song we worked on a couple days ago?”

“The duet for you and Jen?” I frowned.

“Exactly,” He smiled, before turning to explain to the crowd, “Vex here occasionally writes songs for other artists,” He turned back to look at me, “I believe the crowd deserves to hear the song in it’s original shape and form.”

“As in… you want me to sing,” I shot him a patient look, “With you…” Was he high or something?

“No, with the pope.” He replied sarcastically, “Of course with me. Or… if you prefer to sing with Johnny, be my guest.”

“And everyone knows the part?” I looked around to see all of the guys ready to blast away. Did I mention I hated surprises? No? Well… I fucking hate surprises. “Fuck me,” I whispered under my breath.

“Ready?” Matt looked at me. Ready? Of course fucking not. I don’t even think I remembered the chorus of the song. “Great, Gates start this shit up!”

Jude’s POV

“That’s your daughter?” The nurse asked me as I watched the live translation of the fundraiser.

A small smile crept up on my lips, “The one and only,”

“She’s very beautiful,” The nurse complimented. My eyes traveled back to the tv screen. Yeah, no shit. Riley had the looks that could get the guys catcalling while leaning out a chopper. That’s some insane gene pool she’s got put into her and don’t get me started on her mutant lunges. I guess her dad handed down something more besides the pain in the ass temper. It’s funny actually. All that it takes to get her on stage – her smoking hot momma a.k.a. me, has to get a terminal disease. “I’m sorry you couldn’t be there.”

“Well, knowing I’m a stage four and recently recovered from a heart attack – I’m happy to be here instead of ruining the evening by blinding someone with my shiny scalp,” A weak chuckle left me. I would be lying if I said I could get out of this bed on my own. I knew I was dying. Fucking finally.

“Uhmm, miss Clarke… Can I ask you something?” Blondie started as she sat down in the chair beside the bed.

“Shoot.”

“You’ve been here for over a month… And… I know you love your daughter very much, but why exactly hasn’t she visited you?”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. “’Cause she thinks I’m well and in Tokyo.”

“You lied to your daughter?” Oh, she was a judgy one. When I looked at her all I could see was condemnation. Well of-fucking-course I lied to my fucking daughter, if you’d be in my place, you would too, blondie. Riley couldn’t see me like this. I had to remain in her memory as the one who recklessly fulfilled each and every wicked whim I could possibly have running through my head.

“Look… She’s pregnant. Seeing me like this is the least she needs in her life.” I sighed, “More than anything I’m afraid she’d lose my grandchild.”

“But what happens if you… you know…”

“Die?” I smirked. Just say it dear. Mostly everyone on this fucked journey aren’t afraid to admit they’re going to die. Sooner than the others, mind you.

She nodded. “That would be a far more greater shock than seeing you in a hospital bed, but being able to talk to you.”

“When I die – which I will, undeniably, do – maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, or maybe after a year, it doesn’t matter… If I die and she hadn’t given birth yet – my daughter will not find out until the moment she sees her child. I’ve taken care of it.” In Riley’s mind I was reckless, that’s why I told her I went to Tokyo. A place she wouldn’t think to go to and when she finally will realize something’s wrong, it will be too late and nobody will let her on a plane.

Somehow the nurse forced herself to speak up even though the shock was too obvious. “Don’t you think it’s a little too much? She won’t be able to say goodbye… She’ll miss out on your funeral. She won’t have closure!” The blondie thought I was crazy. Just like everyone who was in on the plan. And maybe I was… I’m not denying it, but everyone who had this opinion of me could take a sheet of paper, write all their objections down and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. I will not let my daughter lose her child and knowing Death and I have gotten very close through these weeks – chances of her not losing the kid were very slim.

“The only thing I care about is the birth of my granddaughter.” And maybe Jameson who probably had starved by now. “If she loses the child, chances of her not getting pregnant ever again are pretty high.”

“Granddaughter? You know what she’s going to name her?”

“Yeah.” I smiled. “Rosie Jude Haner.”

Notes

I'm sorry guys, I know it's been a long time since I updated, but it's finally here.
I'm just super busy these days, but I'll try my best to update soon. :)