There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank god for all of the joy in my life
Ian and Mickey had finally had everything they ever wanted, a small little family of their own. A beautiful baby girl. Nina Colette Gallagher-Milkovich. She was carried by Mickey and when she was born she was the most beautiful baby they had ever seen.
Every night after they got home, Mickey would go into the nursery he'd stand over his precious baby girl's crib and watch as she slept soundly. Wondering what she'd dream about. He'd gently run his fingers through her fiery red curls that she got from his husband. His index finger gently stroked her very soft cheek. He'd always thought he'd be a terrible father but the moment his precious angel was placed in his arms that had left his mind.
Nina had stirred letting out small cooing noises, Mickey kept brushing his fingers through her soft curls.
"Shh it's ok baby girl, daddy's here. I'll always be here to protect you" He whispered softly.
Ian woke up not seeing his husband next to him anymore, these days he knew exactly where he would be. He quietly crept into his daughter's nursery and watched as his loving husband was soothing and cradling their baby girl. The redhead had the biggest smile on his face, he always knew Mickey would be the best damn father ever. He was better than Frank. He was ten times the father Terry ever was.
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride. I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something rightTo deserve a hug every morning And butterfly kisses at night.
Little Nina was now 6 years old, she was the perfect mixture of both her fathers. Ian's fiery red hair. Mickey's ocean blue eyes. Her soft pale cheeks had freckles from Ian. She had Mickey's beautiful contagious smile, the one Ian had loved so much.
Ian and Mickey had taken their precious little girl out on a beautiful Saturday. Ian had a friend who had a small little farm with animals. Nina was obsessed with animals, she kept begging her parents for a small pet of her own. They hadn't told her where they were going; all they said was it would be a surprise.
"Please tell me where we're going daddy? Please" Nina says, she'd even given the puppy dog look also inherited from Ian.
Mickey smiled as he drove in their small car, he looked in the rear view mirror with the biggest smile on his face seeing his daughter and the puppy dog eyes.
"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise would it?"
"I'll still act surprised"
Ian was smiling from the passenger seat, he loved this perfect blissful life. He had the man he loves and his beautiful princess. He slightly turned back to see her. They had her in a little pink tank top with the matching shorts and little belt and brown boots. Her red hair was in a ponytail. Growing up with an older and younger sister, Ian had learned how to do hair very well.
He smiled from ear to ear, gently patting her knee. "Soon princess really soon"
When they had gotten close they told her to close her eyes, they had pulled up stopping the car they had gotten out. Ian unbuckled her and held her in his arms. She was his heartbeat and the air in his lungs. Her small hands covered her eyes.
"Papa, can I open my eyes?" Her little voice was full of excitement.
The young father chuckled. "Go ahead sweetheart"
When she uncovered her eyes she broke into a huge smile from ear to ear, both young fathers also smiled. She was the most precious gift that ever came out of their relationship.
"Surprise," Mickey told his daughter.
"It's a farm!"
"It sure is baby," Ian told her with a smile. "This is my friend's farm. He said Daddy and I can bring you out"
A young guy a year or so older than Ian, he was a former EMT like Ian, they ran into each other often and eventually clicked and became friends.
"Ian Gallagher, good to see you again" The man, Mark says smiling.
The redhead put his daughter down beside his husband, Mickey took her hand loosely. He smiled, shaking Mark's hand. "Good to see you too Mark, this is my husband Mickey and our little girl Nina" He sounded proud of his small but perfect family.
Nina had hid shyly behind her father, at times she could feel shy. Other times like Mickey, she could be the most outspoken little girl ever. She waved shyly. Mark smiled and showed them around. He brought the small family to the stables where the horses were.
The little girl's eyes went wide. "Daddy, Papa, can I ride a pony? Please"
"Sure honey" Ian says.
They had brought one of the horses outside, Mark had helped the young girl on the horse. Mark was gonna guide the horse while Ian walked alongside his daughter, he and Mickey were gonna take turns knowing they're gonna end up with a boat load of pictures and videos.
Soon they started walking and Ian stood right next to his daughter so she wouldn't fall, Mickey couldn't resist and started taking pictures and a video. After the walk around, Ian and Mickey switched places. Mickey took the place beside his daughter as they started for another walk.
By the end of the trip Nina was fast asleep, Mickey held her with one arm and using his other hand he rubbed her back. The married couple shook Mark's hands as they went home.
The following day was Father's Day, Nina had gotten up extra early in the morning to make this right. She had already made the three gifts, one for each of them and one for them both, she made a card for them. For Mickey she made a clay coffee mug and painted it blue and green. It read
'World's Number 1 daddy'
For Ian's gift, she had made him a tye dyed shirt that read
'World's Number 1 Papa'
Then for both of them she painted a family portrait of the three of them. She had amazing art skills for her age. She had the gifts and card in the living room but kept them hidden. She had started to make breakfast for her fathers.
Normally she wasn't allowed to cook or use the stove, she had gotten some toaster waffles and microwavable french toast. She put the waffles in the toaster and the french toast in the microwave. Knowing how Mickey is she knew her father would want some kind of breakfast meat. From the freezer she had pulled out egg and steak breakfast burritos, she grabbed three, one for each of her fathers and one for herself. Once the breakfast was ready she put all the food on the three plates neatly. After that she poured them orange juice, she would have made coffee but didn't know how to work the coffee pot.
The little six-year-old had help with a cake from her uncles and Debbie. She frosted it in half chocolate frosting and the other half with vanilla. She had written on it
'Happy Father's Day'
Footsteps could be heard coming down the steps, Ian and Mickey were coming down waking up rubbing the sleep from their eyes. The two men froze in their places. Their little girl was icing a big cake, breakfast was on the table. Ian smiled and pulled Mickey close, kissing his cheek.
"We have the best daughter ever," He whispered.
"Fuck yeah we do" Mickey's hands hands his husband's arms.
Nina looked over and smiled. "Surprise! Happy Father's Day!"
She ran over when she was in reach Mickey picked her up and held her kissing her head, Ian kissed her cheek.
"It's amazing baby," Mickey told her, tucking some hair behind her ear.
"Everything looks great," Ian says.
"I made breakfast come," She pulled them to the table.
When they got to the small table they couldn't help but smile big and wide. They didn't care what their little girl made them, she had the biggest heart. The two men sat down to eat, Nina had run to get the gifts.
"Close your eyes!"
Both men closed their eyes as Nina came out, she carried the painting first followed by the other two gifts and the card. "You can open them"
When they opened their eyes, tears insistently burned in their eyes. Seeing the painted picture of their small family was everything they needed to see to make it real. Ian grabbed his husband's hand and gripped it; Mickey had given it a slight squeeze.
She then went to each of them and handed them their gifts, she handed Mickey the coffee mug and Ian the shirt. They just hugged their little girl together kissing her head. The six-year-old then handed them the card. It read.
'Dear daddy and papa, Happy Father's Day. I love you both more and more each and every day. You're the best dads ever. You're the best teachers, doctors', nurses. You're my Batman and Superman. You guys are my favorite superheroes. Your the best superheroes I could ever ask for. I hope one day when I grow up I'll be a good mommy like you two are the best daddys ever. Love Nina'
By the end of it the two had silent tears running down their face and they hugged their baby girl squishing her between them. Later that night, Nina had fallen asleep between her fathers. Ian turned on his side to see the beautiful sight.
Nina was fast asleep curled and tucked into Mickey's chest, normally they'd have her sleep in her room but they spent the day watching movies and she fell asleep in their room. Neither didn't have the heart to wake her.
He gently smoothed her hair back looking at Mickey, the smile hasn't left his face the entire day.
"Get some sleep Mick"
Mickey nodded as he slowly fell asleep and he wrapped his daughter loosely but protectively.
Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember...
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy
But if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
Oh with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right
To deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.
Nina was now 16, one thing Ian and Mickey knew how to do. Throw a party and they threw her the best damn sweet 16 they could. The Gallaghers were all there, Mandy had shown up along with Iggy and Colin, Kev and V came with their girls, Amy and Gemma. Music played loudly, they all danced and partied.
Nina was wearing a light green dress with a tiara as she danced, Mickey took a break sitting down. A bottle of beer in his hand he chugged half of it, he felt his heart breaking. His baby girl was 16, soon enough she wouldn't need them. She'd be out of the house and off to college in just a couple of years. He was losing his baby girl. What he wouldn't do to turn the clock back and have all that time back.
Going behind his husband Ian had wrapped his arms around him, a cold beer in his hand. "Something on your mind?"
"We're losing our baby"
"We're not losing her Mick, she's growing up. And it doesn't matter how old she is. She will always be our little girl. Even when she gets married"
"You trying to make me feel better? That made me wanna go homicidal. Nobody is gonna marry my baby girl"
He gave a chuckle. "My point being, no matter how old she gets she'll always be our little girl. We have all the best and greatest memories with her"
"I remember when she was born, she was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. She was the perfect mix of us. You're hair, my eyes, she was this perfect little baby in my arms and now she's almost grown"
"Keywords, almost but not"
Mickey had chugged more of his beer, Nina had gone to her fathers. "Daddy, would you like to dance?" She held out her hand.
The same proud smile he carried for the past 16 years returned. "I'd love too"
He gently took his daughter's hand as he got up, he pulled her close. One thing she didn't get was Ian's height. She was short like Mickey. She leaned her head on his shoulder, he held her protectively.
"Thank you daddy. For the party, for everything" Nina says softly.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Anything for my baby girl"
"I promise I won't ever go anywhere"
He smiled and slowly danced, he was taking in all the time he could before he couldn't have anymore. After the song was over another one played and this time she danced with Ian. She had come just at his shoulder, the teen leaned her head on his shoulder.
"You're the most beautiful girl in our lives" Ian told his daughter softly. "Our little princess"
She felt tears from her eyes fall onto his shirt, she gently grabbed his shirt like she was a little girl again. Ian looked down and saw her crying.
"Hey hey, baby what's wrong?"
"I'm just so glad I have parents like you and daddy"
"And we couldn't have asked for a better daughter. You're our everything"
He pulled something from his pocket, it was a small box. He pulled something out from inside it. A locket. It was a silver chain with a heart, he opened it inside were two pictures, on one half was Ian and Mickey smiling brightly. The other half was of Ian, Mickey and Nina. She was in the middle between her fathers.
"I've been saving up for this for a long time, I wanted to give you something to remember of me and you're dad"
"Papa..it's beautiful
On the back was engraved, 'Happy 16th Birthday, my baby girl. Love always, daddy and papa'
He helped her put it on and it fit perfectly as it hung around her neck, she then hugged him tightly and Ian pulled Mickey into a hug. The small family just held each other as everyone watched.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said
"I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over
Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.
To deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses…
Mickey hated this. He despised this. He and Ian were talking to their daughter's soon to be fiance, Lucas. Lucas and Nina met in college and clicked insistently. They fell head over heels in love with each other. Ian was happy his little girl found someone who could love her and make her happy. Mickey on the other hand, he despised the thought of his little baby getting married, he didn't give a shit how old his princess would be. She will always be their little girl.
Lucas had finally had enough courage to ask for Nina's hand in marriage, he and Ian got along well. Ian made it clear to Lucas when they first met.
"You seem like a really nice kid Lucas, I just have a couple of things to run by you and please for your sake memorize them. First, don't hurt our daughter. Second, don't do anything to piss my husband off"
Since then Lucas has followed Ian's two most important rules, Mickey had often tried to intimidate him but knowing his husband Ian gave him the warning look. He ended up rolling his blue eyes.
Lucas had taken a deep breath and faced them. "I love Nina, I'd do anything for her. I love her. I trust her. I care for her. She's my everything. With both of your permission. I'd like to ask for Nina's hand in marriage. I promise to always treat her right, to love and cherish her, to never hurt her. I'll give her everything I can"
Mickey bit his tongue hard, Nina had only had two boyfriends prior to Lucas and both times she ended up hurt and crying. He wasn't having it again. No other jackass would hurt his baby girl. Not in this lifetime or the next. Maybe when he would be dead and buried. Ian saw the look on his face and nudged him.
"I'll be right back"
He walked away and went to his closet. He pulled a couple of things out, he kept these not only for defense but to get his point across to the horny weasels who started sniffing around his baby girl. The dark haired man pulled out a long wooden pool cue, he had kept hidden for years. It was the same one he used on Lip when he beat the shit out of him for talking about Mandy. The wood on the stick was still smooth, he gripped it tightly in his hand. Next he punched in a code to a small case. Inside was a black 9 millimeter handgun with bullets. Growing up with a child taught Mickey a few things. One always keep guns out of their reach.
He loaded one into the chamber and clocked it but put the safety on it, he went out with the two items showing them to Lucas. Ian slapped his palm against his face. That of course had to be Mickey's idea of a talk.
"I like you Larry" Mickey started.
"It's Lucas" Ian corrected his husband. Why must he always do this?
"Yeah whatever. Anyway, you want our little girl's hand in marriage. I have to lay some stuff down. You'll understand when you become a father. Just know, I'm everywhere you may not think I am but I am. You'll never know but I will find out. Make my baby girl cry, you'll be crying far worse. You hurt her, you end up in the river. Never and I mean, never lie to me or Ian because we will find out the truth and if you do lie and we find out. Things won't be good for you. Lastly, I've been to prison before. You do anything to hurt my little girl, I don't mind going back. My daughter means everything to me and it is my job to ensure she's safe, happy and healthy. Break any of these, I use this" He waved the pool cue. "I break every bone in your body"
"Mick.." Ian gave a warning tone.
Lucas nervously nodded and agreed to Mickey's rules, shortly after that he had proposed to Nina and she said yes. She had wiped away the tears after Lucas proposed and slid the ring on her finger.
"I uh...I have some news myself. I'm pregnant"
Ian was the first to move and hug his daughter, kissing her head. "You're gonna be such an amazing mother. And you'll have all the help from your dad and me"
She sniffed and wiped her eyes trying not to smear her mascara, she looked over at Mickey with a nervous glare. "Daddy?"
After another moment he had gone to hug his daughter and kissed her head. "You'll be amazing"
"I love you and papa so much" Her voice was soft against his chest.
"And we love you more than anything"
Before they knew it was the day of the wedding, it wasn't anything big. The Gallagher clan showed up, Mandy, Iggy, Colin, and Sandy came. Kev and V came up. They were all seated as Lucas was waiting down the aisle waiting for his new bride.
Nina was wearing a long white dress with a veil, her heart raced in her chest. Her palms were sweaty. She was scared, nervous, her emotions were all over the place. Ian and Mickey walked over both dressed in suits. They hadn't worn a suit since their wedding all them years ago.
Mickey wasn't one to dress up unless he had to and for his little girl, he'd do it in a split second, Ian had to help him with his bow tie like he done on their wedding day. Each of them had taken their daughter's arm. Nina couldn't decide which father she wanted to walk down the aisle so she picked both, she gripped their arms.
"We're right here sweetheart" Ian told her softly.
"It's not too late to change your mind, I got an escape car" Mickey said.
"Mickey enough please"
"Daddy, Papa, I have one request" She spoke, her voice was shaking a bit from nerves.
"Anything"
"Don't let me fall"
In union they replied together. "Never"
Taking a deep breath she was ready as they walked her out and down the aisle, she had gripped her fathers arms feeling the butterflies and knots in her stomach. She was in love with Lucas and she was ready to do this. The walk was slow till they got to the altar.
Nina turned and looked at her fathers and gently kissed their cheeks. "I love you both"
"We love you too baby girl" Mickey says, his voice starting to choke up.
They had detached their arms from their little girl, Mickey so more unwillingly. Ian and Mickey watched as their little girl was about to have her own family of her own. They both cried, the same way they did when she was born. Ian gripped his husband's hand trying to keep his emotions under control. Mickey squeezed back.
"We did a great job Mick" Ian whispered.
"Fuck yeah we did" He replied just as quietly.
