A/N: Hey! So this story is a companion to the second chapter of my other AI story, Never Forget What I Lost. I guess you don't have to read it…but it would make me really happy if you did!

Disclaimer: *checks pockets* nope…don't own American Idiot…drat…

It was just another typical day for Heather: drop her daughter, Hope, off at school, get to her waitressing job at a local café, and then get back in time for the bus to bring little Hope back home.

As she pulled out of the elementary school parking lot, she realized she had left her cell phone at home. So she promptly headed towards the little house she and Hope called home. The house was a small, simple one. The exterior was bland beige, but inside it was bright, colorful, and filled to the brim with laughter, as most houses with young children are.

As she walked in the door, Heather noticed a letter on the counter that she had tossed there yesterday, not having time to read it. She picked it up and gasped when she saw the return address: Will Esper.

Will.

Heather didn't know how to feel about him. On one hand, he had once been her everything. When she found out she was pregnant with his child, she saw them getting married, raising a family, and spending the rest of their lives together. Obviously, that hadn't happened.

Instead, what befell upon them was that Will had turned into a lazy ass who sat on the couch all day drinking while she did her best to take care of her little girl. Then one day she had become so fed up with his lack of care that she left.

Later, Miguel came along, and he changed everything. Heather should've known he would be trouble but, come on, doesn't every girl dream about having a rock 'n' roll boyfriend? Then she found out about the half dozen girls he had scattered around the country.

Heartbroken, she kicked him out and continued to raise her daughter on her own. At seven years old, Hope was very mature for her age and accepted the fact that she didn't have a father figure in her life.

But now here was Will, trying to make his way into their lives. Heather tore open the envelope and a small slip of paper fell out.

Heather, it said, You're probably going to be pissed at me for this, but I want our daughter to know who I am, even if it's just through these letters. You two will always be in my heart. Please don't keep these from her. –Will

Heather felt a huge pang of guilt in her heart. He cared. He actually cared. She had been assuming that after she left he had just moved on with other girls. And maybe he had, but he said she was in his heart. Heather didn't know what to think anymore.

She pulled seven sheets of paper from the envelope, one for each of Hope's birthdays. As she skimmed through the letters he had written, her eyes came across phrases like "I am always thinking of you," and "I love you so much." Heather felt so horrible.

She needed to let him meet their daughter. After all, Hope was his daughter, too, and he clearly wanted to meet her. After much searching on the internet, she found Will's phone number. Hands shaking, she dialed the number, and after a few rings, someone answered.

"Hello?" a familiar voice said.

"Will?" Heather asked shakily.

"Heather?"

Heather was still slightly in shock when she left to pick Hope up at the bus stop. Will would be there tomorrow. He wasn't mad at all, in fact he sounded really excited. It was kind of cute. No, Heather had promised herself she wouldn't think of things like that. Will was coming for Hope, not for her.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Heather's head snapped up to find her little girl running off the school bus. Hope jumped up and hugged her mother.

"Mommy, Gloria invited me and Christian over to her house to play pirates!" she squealed. "Can I go?"

Heather looked into the eyes of her daughter. She was so excited for the play date, she would tell her about Will later.

"Of course you can, honey," she said softly, brushing back a strand of blond hair on Hope's sweet face. "Have fun, I want you home by dinner!"

As Hope ran off with her two best friends, she couldn't help thinking how happy Will would be when he met her.

A/N: So I hope you liked this! If you did, tell me in a review! If you think I can do better and have constructive criticism, tell me in a review! As you can tell, I like reviews! XD

Also, I have not decided yet whether Will and Heather are going to get back together or not. That is up to you guys! If you think they should, tell me! If you think they shouldn't, tell me! I have ideas for both, but I don't want to disappoint anyone so I figured I'd ask for your opinion! Thanks so much for reading! REVIEW!