****Lily's name has been change to Brooke. It Will be explain in a later chapter****
6 Yrs Later ...
Getting on the bus Brooke went to the fridge grabbing her chicken salad from lunch. Making her way to the table Brooke sat down and pulled off the lid. Picking up the plastic fork Brooke began eating away not seeing her dad or uncles getting on the bus.
"How can you eat so late," Kevin questioned his niece as he sat down next to her.
"I'm hungry. Lunch was at noon and it's almost eleven now," Brooke said between bites.
"You need to be getting to bed," Joe said as he yawned.
"Five minutes," Brooke said making a puppy face.
"Fine, but just so you can eat," Joe said knowing if she asked for anything; he'd do everything to get it for her.
"Thanks," Brooke said smiling from ear to ear.
"How was schooling?" Kevin asked knowing it was a day to day thing.
"Uncle Nick wouldn't let me out of it. I told him I was sick, he didn't bite. I said my monthly visitor was in town, he said I was too young for that. Then he said no work no concert, so I buckled down after he agreed to teach me some more on the piano. I need to have something out of the deal," Brooke said rolling her eyes.
"An education," Nick said shaking his head.
"Come on. I'm years ahead of my age group, so shouldn't I get to relax until I catch up physically speaking," Brooke said daring anyone to disagree.
"No, you don't. Learning is important young lady," Joe said sternly.
"Yes, Daddy," Brooke said knowing she wouldn't win when he put his foot down.
"It's been a long day. Let's get some rest before we get to the next town and venue," Nick said as the bus began to move.
"I'm done," Brooke said getting up and chucking her salad bowl.
"Hug?" Joe asked holding his arms out.
"Yeah," Brooke said a bit distracted; as she hugged her dad.
"Me too," Kevin said hold his arms out.
"Hugs all around," Brooke said joking as she hugged her Uncle Kevin and then her Uncle Nick.
"Sweet dreams. See you in the morning," Joe said getting a nod from Brooke and a half smile.
Heading to the bunks Brooke crawled in under the cover of her top bunk.
Lying in her bunk Brooke couldn't sleep; unable to get that woman's face out of her head. More than anything she wanted to tell someone what she had seen. No one would believe her if she told; it wasn't like she didn't know the truth. It was impossible that it was who it look like. As her curtain was pulled back she saw her dad standing there.
"What's up Ladybug?" Joe asked pushing back a stray blonde curl.
"I thought I saw mom today. There was this woman staring at me and as soon as she saw I spotted her she ran. She looked so much like her," Brooke said looking at her dad.
"Sometimes I think I see her. You were so little when she died; it's only natural to think you see her now and again," Joe said as he tucked Brooke in.
"Tell me how I remind you of mom. Please," Brooke said feeling a little better.
"The way you twitch your nose, when you're up to something. How your laugh fills a room making it less empty. When you roll your eyes at me when I pull pranks. Sleepy already," Joe said kissing her forehead.
"Maybe a little," Brooke said smiling.
"Am I doing okay," Joe asked smiling.
"I couldn't ask for better. Never trade a moment for all the whoppers no mayo in the world," Brooke said snuggling into her covers.
"Me either, Ladybug" Joe said laughing a little.
Walking back into the front Joe found Nick still there.
"How is she?" Nick asked knowing something was up.
"Brooke saw someone that looked like Becky. I'm going to put Big Rob on her detail for now," Joe said getting a cup of coffee.
"Becky is gone, and that thing that claimed to be Becky's mom too," Nick said knowing his brother.
"I just want to be extra safe for a while. We run across a lot of people. Just let me have this," Joe said as a headache started.
"I'll tell dad in the morning. For me, I'm off to bed if you can call it that. Don't stay up too late," Nick said giving in and heading off to bed.
Taking a seat at the table Joe sat his coffee down and pulled the picture from his back pocket.
"I could really use some of that famous advice right now," Joe said looking at the picture of Becky.
Hours later Joe got Brooke out of her bunk carrying her off the bus into the hotel followed by Kevin, Nick, and his dad. Waiting by the elevators Joe watched as his dad got the keys and came over as the elevator came open. Heading up to the top floor for the presidential suite that had five bedrooms; Joe put Brooke in the first bedroom. Coming back out Joe went to the little kitchen starting a pot of coffee and sat down at the table.
"Joe," Nick said taking a seat at the table.
"You should get back to bed," Joe said putting his head in his hands.
"She would want Brooke to have a mom," Nick said as he looked at his brother.
"Brooke has a mom. She died protecting her. No one will replace her ever," Joe spat dropping his hands slapping the table.
"Daddy, why you yelling at Uncle Nick" came Brooke's voice causing Joe's heart to drop as he turned to see Brooke.
"I'm sorry Ladybug. Daddy is tired," Joe said getting up and scooping Brooke up taking her back into the room.
"It's okay to love someone else. Mom would want you to be happy," Brooke said as her dad laid her back in the bed.
"I'm just not ready to love someone who isn't your mommy," Joe said tucking her in and sat down by his daughter.
"It doesn't mean you love mommy less; just that you deserve to be loved," Brooke said as she reached up and wipe a tear from her dad's cheek.
"How did you get to be so smart," Joe asked as he kissed his daughter's hand.
"I got you all to myself, but I wouldn't mind a mom to share you with," Brooke said smiling as she snuggled into the covers falling asleep.
"Good to know, Ladybug," Joe said kissing her forehead.
Going back to the kitchen Joe found Nick still there.
"Joe, I," Nick said looking at his brother.
"I'm sorry. You're right, and I know it. I have for some time, but I couldn't go there. Naming off every reason off I could think of. It's too soon. Brooke isn't ready. I'm not ready. Brooke is right as you are and I'm going to get out there," Joe said cutting Nick off.
Waking up Brooke wiggled free of the covers and climbed out of the large bed. Going into the connecting bathroom Brooke found her clothes set out for her. Stripping Brooke jumped into the shower and showered quickly. Getting out Brooke got dressed. Making her way back into the bedroom Brooke went out the door into the living area.
"Hello?" Brooke said loudly.
"Kitchen," Joe said finishing two large stacks of pancakes.
"You didn't burn anything," Brooke asked as she came into the kitchen.
"Surprise. Surprise," Joe said as Brooke sat between Nick and Kevin across from his father and he split it up between all of them.
"Really surprised since you almost caught the bus on fire last time," Brooke said as she drenched her pancakes in maple syrup.
"Share," Joe said eying his daughter.
"I am," Brooke said handing it to Nick who was to her left.
"Rei is coming by to get you to go shopping today. She is flying in for the weekend," Joe said getting Brooke to smile ear to ear.
"Uncle Nick, when are you two going to get married? I want a little cousin to spoil. Boy or girl doesn't matter," Brooke said causing everyone's mouth to drop.
"That is between Rei and me; not Rei, you, and me," Nick said between bites.
"You have been dating for my whole life almost. Time to commit. I'll even help you pick out a ring," Brooke said cutting her pancake into pieces.
"When Rei and I are ready to make that step; I'll let you know," Nick said chuckling.
"Fine," Brooke said rolling her eyes as she started to eat.
"Love Doctor," Kevin said teasingly.
"Miss Doctor Love," Brooke said correctively.
"It's going to her head," Joe said exaggerating as he spoke and he got up.
"Daddy, I was kidding," Brooke said as her dad came and tickled her making her drop her fork from laughing.
"Really?" Joe asked laughing.
"Yes," Brooke said laughing hard.
"I guess if you say so," Joe said stopping.
"I do. I do. I do," Brooke said trying to catch her breath.
"As long as you're sure," Joe said going back to his seat.
"I'm sure! Can you French braid my hair for me," Brooke said holding up her hands and tilting her head to the side.
"Sure thing," Joe said glad he could do it right; remembering the first time he tried was a mess.
"You two behave," Paul said getting laughs all around the table.