{Matt's POV}

She looked so much like Val, it made me gulp, trying to hold back tears.

She stared at me with eyes that were definitly mine, full of curiosity, confusion, and fear.

"Rose," i said, and i can feel her get tensed and hide behind Zacky's legs, then peeking at me curiously from behind him.

I guess she's shy around new people.

"Who are you??" she asked me, looking up at me nervously.

Her voice was like any usual 4 year old, but she spoke pretty fluently for her age. She stumbled a bit on her "r"s but she still seemed to be pretty bright. Brian tells me he's considering preschool, but its hasn't been decided.

She did have the guys teach her how to speak.

"I'm Matt, and..... I'm...." i said, trying to force it out.

It was then she emerges from behind Zacky, handing him a big rainbow lollipop and then inching closer.

"You're my daddy's friend, right??" she asked.

I smile and nod. "Yeah, i am," i said.

I can't tell her. I don't have the heart to do it. Brian has been the dad she needs since her birth. I needed more time to tell her.

"Where have you been??" she asked.

I sigh. "Let's just say i did something bad," i said.

"We're you in time-out??" she asked.

Everyone smiles, and i chuckle.

"Yeah, i was in time-out for a while," i said, smiling.

She crosses her arms over her chest and crooks her mouth a bit, cocking her eyebrow.

"You should have been good, then you wouldn't have to be in time-out, mister," she said.

I couldn't help but laugh, along with everyone else. Zacky and Johnny were right 

Then again, she is right. I should have never robbed that convinient store, and never have gone to jail. Val would still be alive, and we'd all be one big happy family.

It was then Rose walks up to Zacky and grabs the big lollipop she had before walking up to me and then holding it up to me on her tip-toes (she is very small for her age, and might be like Johnny. Hehe).

"Here, you can have it," she said.

I scrunch my eyebrows.

"But don't you want it??" i asked, kneeling down to her level.

"Daddy saids its good to share with friends. So, you can be my new friend," she said, smiling sweetly at me, waving the candy to me.

Everyone 'aww'ed at her as i smile and take the candy in my hands.

"Thank you, Rose, that's very nice of you. And... of course i will be your friend," i said, smiling at my daughter.

She jumps around excitedly and smiley, like it was Christmas morning, before jumping into my arms and hugging me.

I smile and hug her back. But then I feel my smile fade.

I am the one now lying to this girl. Even fans know what's going on, and pretty much don't say much about the incident, knowing it'll bring more pain. They know Val's dead, they know Brian volunteered to take care of Rose, and they know I was in prison. 

Now, tour is coming up, along with the filming of a new video according to Zacky, and i don't know how the fans will react to my return.

They still support us, even after all i did, 

i force my smile again as she pulls back smiling at me and then Brian announces we're all going to lunch so Rose went to clean up as i get up, sitting down on the couch.

"Why didn't you tell her??" Johnny asked.

I sighed, looking at everyone.

"I can't do it. You just saw her now. She's innocent, young, and happy to know about a change like that. I don't want to ruin that for her. Even if she doesn't know me, even if I haven't been there for her since her birth, she still means the world to me," i said.

They all sigh, but nod in agreement.

"I say give her time to adjust. Sooner or later, she'll realize it," i said.

"Spending time with her can help," Jimmy said.

"We're thinking of bringing her along on tour and Michelle, Gena, and Leeana can watch her if it gets crazy," Johnny said.

"Sounds like a good idea. But i will be a bit worried with her on tour. Fans can get crazy, especially at riots. I'm not sure," i said.

"We thought the same thing, and we're worried, too. But we think she should still need to be a kid sometimes, not be kept in the shadows," Zacky said.

"Still take her out, but keep a watchful eye out on her," Brian said.

I agreed. It'll be a while for her to adjust to seeing me as a dad, or until we can tell her. 

I bury my face into my hands. Things would be much easier if Val were still here.

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