Three Cheers

I heard Busy come into our room before I saw her. She climbed up onto the bed, tugging the blanket off of us and hoping on my legs, "Mama." she called, "Mama. Mama, get up!"

I opened my eyes, "Hmm?"

"Is Christmas out there!" she grinned happily, "Wake up!"

Gerard groaned, "5 more minutes."

I shook my head, sat up and pulled Busy into my arms, "Let's brush our teeth, then presents."

She frowned, "Why?"

"So daddy can sleep for a little bit longer."

She huffed, "Lazy butt!" she called to Gerard.

Gerard rolled over, "I'm sleepy."

I climbed out the bed with Busy and carried her to the bathroom to brush our teeth. I made sure she brushed them good, and then I let her go wake Gerard up. I went into her bedroom to get Thora; she had waken and was chewing on a plush toy; "Merry Christmas, baby girl." I picked her up, went back onto my room where Gerard was reluctantly sitting up.

"Is Christmas, daddy!" Busy whined.

Gerard got up and rubbed his eyes, "I know, I know."

"Santa came?" Busy looked at me.

"Go check." 

She took off, I grabbed Gerard's hand and tugged him towards the door. He sighed, "It's too early."

"It's 7 am." I said to him.

He rubbed his head, "Fuck."

I shook my head, leading him out to the hall and to the living room. Busy was squealing; "Lookie! Santa ate cookies! He gots me presents!"

I nodded, "You were a good girl this year, baby."

"Uh huh!"

"I'm gonna get Thora a bottle, you can open one present."

Busy squealed again and dove into the stacks of presents from all of us. I went into the kitchen and got a bottle for the baby, and began to feed her; I returned to the living room; Busy had ripped open a box from Santa.

"Its a baby doll," Busy held it up, "I already has a baby, mama."

Gerard laughed, "Yeah, but now you have two."

"I don't need it." Busy set it down, "Thora has it."

"Alright, open some more, B." I told her.

Busy began to open another; she got crayons and an art set from Gerard. She got some winter clothes from me and some Barbie dolls. My dad got her a little guitar and my mom gave her a bunch of Teddy bears. Frank got her band t-shirts so they could match; Misfits, Nirvana and Black Flag. Elsa got her a mini lava lamp.

"I gots good stuff." she said to us, "Wha' Santa bring Thora?"

"He gave her us," Gerard started, "You especially."

Busy smiled, "I was a present?"

I nodded with a smile, "Yep."

"I wasn't wrapped!" she looked confused.

Gerard picked her up, "You don't need to be wrapped to be a present."

"Is Thora a present?"

"Yeah, for us." I told her, "Only, she was wrapped in a blanket."

Busy giggled, "She's a good present."

"She sure is."


After Christmas, Busy didn't spend any time with her new toys. She wanted to play with Thora only. She loves that little girl more than anything else; she finds her fascinating.

For her birthday, she didn't even want a cake or presents. She just wanted Thora. She said she just wanted to play with Thora.

The day before her birthday, Gerard had to go; which Busy had pouted about. She had latched onto him and sobbed, "You can't leave! We has Thora, daddy!"

Gerard had hugged her, "I know, baby girl, but I have to. I'll be back soon."

She started to cry, "Why?"

Gerard was ready to explain when there was a honk outside. Mikey was already here; "Remember when you saw me singing?" Busy nodded with a tear stained face, "That's what I gotta do for other people."

"I don't wan' you to!"

Gerard hugged her tight, "I don't want to go either, but I have to."

Busy sobbed more, "Will you be back?"

"In 15 days."

Busy wailed louder, causing Thora to start crying at the loud noise. I quickly patted her back and bounced her and sat on the couch, "Don't cry babies." I said to them.

Gerard sat down with me and with Busy on his lap, "I'll bring you back something amazing, Busy, I promise. You and Thora."

Busy shook her head, "I don' wan' somethin' amazin'! I want you!"

Gerard looked at me with a frustrated and sad look. Thora had calmed down, so I took Busy into my lap too; "Daddy will be back, B. It'll be so fast you won't remember he even left."

"I always remember!" she cried.

Thora reared up to cry again. Both of my little girls crying; I cooed to them; Thora was the one to calm down again. Busy softened her tears and stuck her thumb in her mouth; she was already sleep. Her eyes fluttered closed, "No leave." she said to Gerard.

He took her and held her, "I'll be back."

"Pinkie promise?" Busy stuck her pinkie out.

Gerard smiled and took her pinkie into his own, "Pinkie promise, baby."

She nodded, ""Kay."

Gerard kissed her forehead, "I love you."

Busy hummed softly, "Love you, daddy." 

Gerard cradled her until she and Thora were both asleep. He set her on the side of the couch, in her usual nap time spot and kissed her cheek; "I have to go. I hate to leave."

"Busy'll understand. Her tantrum will last for a bit, but she'll be okay." I told him.

"What about you?" he questioned.

"What?"

"Can you handle her tantrum?"

I laughed, "Yes. I've dealt with them before."

"What about with Thora?"

I shook my head, "She only cries for a minute before calming down. She's the best baby I've ever dealt with."

Gerard smiled, "Yeah, she is."

"So, get going, I know you must be late."

He frowned, "Shit, yeah." he leaned down and kissed me, then Thora, "I'll call you when I land in New York."

"Alright. Be safe."

He kissed me one more time, "I will." he looked at Busy, "If she gets sad, call me."

"I will."

Gerard sighed, then went to his bags by the door, "I love you."

"I love you, too, Gee."

I watched him leave reluctantly and then shut the door behind him. I sighed heavily, looking over the girls; "Bring on the tantrums."