There's a Place - Elly

385 Words

Happily ever after, a lifetime of laughter

Elliot did not have to worry about mornings very often. Not early mornings anyway. Ever since she was born, Avery had slept like a champ. The older she got, the worse it was trying to wake her up in time for school. She was like dead weight when she slept. The only way he'd found to wake her up was to set an alarm with the wailing of a guitar on blast. She hated it and it also happened to wake him up around the same time so that if she chose to turn it off, he could pull her out of bed.

She'd woken up easily today, probably due to the excitement of spending time with the neighbor kid that she treated as her own personal baby doll. He was a good kid, and Elliot knew that Avery's influence wouldn't be bad for him. He'd raised a decent enough kid. After she sprung out of bed, ate her fruit loops and got ready, she was pulling him out the door. It was just a good thing that he didn't take long to get ready. Jeans, t-shirt, flannel and a beanie was all it took for him. She yanked on his arm and he put the brakes on to make it harder for her to pull him, "Dad...why...are you..such...a pain!" She grunted and pulled harder.

When they made it outside, he started loading up his jeep. Avery's things took up a little space while the rest of his trunk was filled with a few amps that he was taking to the store. As he was ducking his head to climb out of the car, he heard a voice behind him. He noticed that the younger boy had already trapped his daughter and he grinned at the sight. "Yeah, Ave was quick to get up this morning, too. Best buds and all."

He took the lunchbox from her and nodded, "I don't think you'd have much choice. Avery has been on me about the store. I think she runs it more than I do." Elliot laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.

at the expense of the death of a bachelor

280 Words

Happily ever after, a lifetime of laughter

Whens he brought up their past, Elliot smiled wistfully and sighed. He remembered it vaguely, but he tried not to think back on his past too often. There were a lot of problems that hadn't been resolved, most of which he hadn't let on to his daughter. By the time that he and Ally began to drift, it was around the time that the problems began. His childhood got cut short and he was in charge of being the ultimate caretaker in his family. He was the only boy in a sea of women in his home, and though it hadn't been the worst thing most of the time, he didn't quite enjoy all of the emotions that he had to deal with. It was a good thing now, as he was approaching puberty with his daughter. "Yeah, those were the golden days, weren't they?"

He'd gotten distracted by Avery's selection in music, but his attention was recaptured by Ally's suggestion. Elliot turned to look back at her and he smiled, "Right on, sounds like a good time. I can teach little man all the music things." Because his musical influence was necessary in young lives. He'd trained his daughter well in her tastes and he always enjoyed playing in front of people. It'd been such a long time since he played any real gigs, but Avery was always on him to put on mini shows for her and her friends.

"I'll supply the drinks. Both adult and kid friendly, yeah?"

at the expense of the death of a bachelor

212 Words

Happily ever after, a lifetime of laughter

As Ally went to say goodbye to her son, Elliot finished getting the back of the car situated. He shut the hatch and went around to the passenger side where Avery was, leaning against the door. He noted that she didn't have her seatbelt on and he frowned, "Park it and buckle, you know the drill. Music isn't the first priority."

She groaned and did as she was told before flicking him in the nose, "You're such a parent, it's gross. Stop. We both know that music is always the first priority." He swatted at her hand and leaned in to kiss her forehead just as Ally finished up her goodbyes.

He pulled back and gave her a wide smile, "I'll see ya later, Al. If you need me to get anything else, just let me know." Elliot moved around the front of his car and got into the driver's side. Once he checked to see if everyone was settled, he waved at Ally and took off towards the school where he'd drop the kiddies off on his way to The Piano Notes.

at the expense of the death of a bachelor

344 Words

Happily ever after, a lifetime of laughter

The dinging of the bell along with the loud, screeching of his child was all the signal that he needed that they were back from school. Elliot was dusting off the guitars that were hanging as the two kiddos rushed him. He turned and caught his daughter before she could do some damage by plowing into him. Isaiah followed close behind and he hefted the younger boy up in his arms. The way they both chatted his ear off only made him smile. While Isaiah hadn't always been quite as chatty, he knew he had a bad influence in Avery.

He moved to the counter so that he could set Zay on it beside Avery who was struggling to pull herself up. Elliot gave her a boost and leaned his elbows on it beside them close to where Ally was leaning. He grinned up at her and shrugged, "It was okay, had a few lessons today, got a jump on cleaning up the merch. I've been pretty darn productive today." He nudged the little boy's leg beside him and smirked, "But nothing like these two I'm sure."

Avery snorted, "Dad, you told me I could help clean the instruments. Can I start now? Zay can help! Please, c'mon, I'll be super careful." She turned on the puppy dog eyes and Elliot squeezed his own shut to keep from seeing her.

"You can clean the old ones, yeah, they're not as expensive and most of them are mine," He stood up and helped both kids off the counter. "That doesn't mean we're going to pull any Pete Townsend guitar smashing, alright? Save that for the God of Smash," He ruffled her hair and she was off with her hand gripping Isaiah's, tugging him along to the antique spot. Elliot turned back to Ally and smiled, "You look nice, do anything fun today? Dogs? Cats? Or kids?"

at the expense of the death of a bachelor

263 Words

Happily ever after, a lifetime of laughter

Elliot's lips quirked up at the side when she played off her attire. He wasn't one to judge, nor did he feel it necessary to argue with her, if she wanted to play it off he was going to let her. He nodded along to her words as she went on about the children she photographed. Most of the pictures in the last couple of years that he had of Avery were in large part due to Ally. She was such a talented photographer, he'd even considered asking her help to revamp his advertisement for the store, but hadn't gotten around to it. She was more of a people photographer anyway.

"Always a good day when you can get cake. I wish my customers brought me cake," He scrunched his nose, before breaking out into a laugh. Most of the people that came into his store were metal heads and parents that wanted their child to learn the piano or the guitar. Some of the moms had given him the eye, sure, but none came bearing cupcakes.

Her sudden gesture made his eyebrows shoot up and he smiled, "Sounds like a good time. I don't mind, Ave will probably be happy as a clam. She's always bugging me to hang out with you more so she can see him anyway." The pleading gesture was ultimately unnecessary because he'd have caved one way or another.

at the expense of the death of a bachelor

209 Words

Happily ever after, a lifetime of laughter

Elliot had to admit that the eye candy was worth it, but he didn't like the term applied to her. She was more than eye candy, she was smart and spunky and fun to be around. Her looks were just an added bonus to the rest. "Of course it counts. Couldn't do without it," He smiled back at her.

While they were gone, Elliot continued getting everything cleaned up around the shop. He answered a few questions of customers and cycled through a different playlist for the store's radio. Business began slowing down by the time they got back and he heard his stomach start rumbling. Avery came bounding in and did a twirl as she set the food down on the counter, "Fooooood," She said in a deep and monster-like voice.

Elliot laughed and rolled his eyes at his child, "You're such a freak, Ave. Hop up, get situated and lets dish it out, babe." Avery nodded and pushed herself up on the counter, her feet dangling as she started laying out the food for the rest of them.

at the expense of the death of a bachelor