Paradise City: The Wedding part 3.
Chapter 21: Dan’s Loud Mouth.
6 days before the wedding. . . .
¬Peasnie¬
I smiled down at the notebook on the bed, the acoustic guitar sat on my lap as I wrote down the song I plan on singing to Phil at the wedding. I know it’s more traditional for the groom to sing to the bride but I’m not very traditional as you can tell. I’m writing a song that makes me think of Phil, I started writing it a few years ago but I was too inspired and crazy in the head, now I’m calmer and I can sort out what I want in the song. I also wrote a song for my dad. Since Father’s Day has passed and I missed it I thought I’d write him a song called Lighthouse, I’m gonna sing it to him and Grandpa Joe.
Phil came into the room and I instantly closed my notebook and changed the tempo I was playing. I began to practise Lighthouse. Phil shared one of his famous half smirks with me as he flopped down onto the bed beside me. We’ve been stay at Bee-Bee’s and Grandpa Joe’s while Dan stays with Brian.
“Can you sing that song for me? I really like it.” Phil asked kindly making redness rush across my face. He stared up at me with his baby blue eyes and smiled widely. I nodded and began to play the song but not before I rolled up the sleeves of my wide woven house coat that was three or four sizes too big for me. I sat across legged on the bed in a pair of shorts, a tee shirt and the house coat.
“I found a map and it broke my heart
I didn't know that I'd ever go this far
With a compass point driving ink into my arm
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
We don't talk too much, never been that close
Pouring spirits while I follow the Northern star
And as the birds fly south
I've been missing a small house
That holds all my words in precious store
I found your message laying at the bottom of a bottle
Come back to where the streets are paved with stone
I believe in you
You believe in me
You're the lighthouse in the storm
I believe it's true
I can follow you
Back to where the streets are paved with stone
I'd swap the scent of open ocean
There for the factory steel and the engineers
Well, I'm coming back to something beautiful
All the noise and all the lights
Are all the things I'd sacrifice
I'd trade it for the way you make me feel
And as the days they pass
Falling through the hour glass
Used to be beneath my feet along the shore
I find your message laying at the bottom of a bottle
Come back to where the streets are paved with stone
I believe in you
You believe in me
You're the lighthouse in the storm
I believe it's true
I can follow you
Back to where the streets are paved with stone
Back to where the streets are paved with stone
Once around the world
Once around the world
Once around the world
Back to you
Once around the world
Once around the world
Once around the world
Back to you
I believe in you
You believe in me
You're the lighthouse in the storm
I believe it's true
I can follow you
Back to where the streets are paved with stone
Back to where the streets are paved with stone
Once around the world
Once around the world
Back to where the streets are paved with stone
Back to where the streets are paved with stone” I sang happily, remembering all the times I’ve been glad to come home, after long days at school or long nights at a gig. Or even two years away from home. I guess this song shows how much I truly love my dad. It has a lot to do with when the band was beginning and we didn’t know if it would work. Hence: I believe in you, you believe in me. And there there’s, you’re the lighthouse in the storm. He got me out of depression and was always there when I needed him. This song speaks a lot to him and it speaks a lot from him to his dad.
Phil smiled up at me as he leaned on one elbow. He loved listening to me play and sing, he says I have an angelic voice that he can listen to for centuries and never get tired of it.
“That was beautiful; your dad will love it.” Phil encouraged happily. I blushed brightly and smiled at him kindly. I placed the guitar down on the floor beside the bed and leaned down to kiss him. I felt Phil’s gentle hand cup my stomach where the little bump was beginning to show. I smiled into the kiss and pulled away, resting my head on his forehead gingerly. But our little moment was disturbed by Dan busting in through the bedroom door with an excited look on his face.
“Daniel, do you mind knocking?” Phil asked in a heavy sigh. Dan jumped on the bed, with a shopping bag in his hand. He smiled at the pair of us widely.
“I got something for the baby.” He said rather loudly making Phil and me shush him. We wanted to keep this on the down low for a little while. Dan made a face before digging into the bag to pull out a little lion costume.
“Ta-da.” Dan cheered as he waved it around a little bit. I smiled widely and awed at it. It was absolutely adorable. Phil has one and now the baby has one. This is amazing. I still couldn’t believe that we’re having a baby, a baby boy to be exact.
“Awe Dan, you didn’t have too.” Phil said sweetly. I agreed with him by nodding. Dan smirked and shook his head.
“No, I did. I saw it and it needed to be done.” Dan mumbled softly. I know Dan is a little down right now because we’re twenty years old and already beginning to be adults. When my dad was this age he had two kids and a runaway bride while dealing with the band. I’m twenty years old and I’m getting married and having my first child, I’d say my dad has me beat. Dan’s down mood lightened as he straightened up with a cheerful smile.
“So do you two have any baby names picked out?” Dan asked curiously. This was quickly turning into a slumber party with all this gossip and secrets.
“Why would they need baby names picked out?” I heard Bee-Bee’s gentle voice ask from the doorway. Uh-oh, busted. I turned to face her with a sincere look on my face but that really wasn’t doing much good for our situation. I bit my lip and decided it was time for her to know the truth.
“Bee-Bee, do you wanna see your Great Grandson?” I asked softly. Her blue eyes softened dramatically as she came into the bedroom followed by Grandpa Joe. They both were out in the hall waiting for something. I leaned forward and picked up my backpack off the floor, I dug through it to pull out a sonogram picture of their Great Grandson. Bee-Bee had tears in her eyes as she covered the surprised gasp. Grandpa Joe looked at the picture with a glassy look in his eyes. They probably didn’t think they’d be alive long enough to see their first Great Grandchild but they are.
“Peasnie, I’m so happy for you two.” Bee-Bee said happily, leaning in to give me a hug. I’m sure I broke Grandpa Joe since he just stared down at the little boy in the picture. I looked over at Phil with a gracious smile, his hand took mine and he scooted closer towards me.
“And yes, we do have a name. We’re naming him . . . ."