Five years later

“Daddy! Daddy! Are they already here?” Isabella rushed through the door and dropped her schoolbag on the floor. Hector, who was following right behind her shook his head and picked it up. His mother smiled and gave him a short kiss.

It was her sixth birthday today and she was waiting impatiently for days that her uncles would arrive.

“I don’t know mi corazón. Why don’t you check the back yard?” Tico told her after a hug and a kiss.

“Ok, daddy!” she ran through the open living room out into the backyard. The BBQ was already set up and the big trampoline she got for her birthday was occupying a big part of the garden, but the chairs around the big table were still empty. Isabella frowned.

“Papa? Dónde están?” she asked a little sad.

“I don’t know mi corazon…look around a bit.” Tico hugged her shortly. His daughter only called him ‘Papa’ when she was sad or hurt.

Slowly she walked closer to her birthday present and tried to find Jon, David and Richie. Hector giggled when he saw the three men hiding on the opposite side of the trampoline.

“Tio Jon?” Isabella whispered softly, when she rounded the trampoline, but she didn’t see him. Her shoulders slumped lightly and she turned around to her father pouting.

“Daddy, they ain’t here!”

Tico chuckled and watch Jon stepping close to her, ending the hide and seek.

“Hello little Lady.” He said grinning

She spun around… “TIO JON!”… and threw herself into his arms. Jon laughed.

“Happy birthday Isabella.”

“Gracias.” She answered smiling.

“Tio Richie, Tio David.” She ran over to the two men and hugged them happily.

“Happy Birthday sweetheart.” David kissed her cheek softly and had to chuckle when Isabella immediately reached for his hair. His curls still fascinated her and she simply had to touch them when they met.

“Don’t pull his hair, Bella.” Ali told her grinning.

“No, Mama.” The girl said, while pulling her hand back.

“Feliz cumpleaños, princess.” Richie’s voice let her turn his head.

“Thank you, Tio Richie. Where is Ava?” She asked curious.

“Oh, she is still in LA, princess.”

Isabella pouted lightly. Tico hurried over to her.

“Bella, we told you that all the kids will come the day after tomorrow and celebrate your birthday with you. You will have a huge party, but today they all have to be at school and college…just like you.” Tico told her in a calming voice. His little girl was well known for showing her temper and he really wanted to have a quiet and happy birthday celebration today.

“Ok, daddy.” She sighed. “But I can celebrate with my uncles today.”

Everybody laughed. “Yes, you can Little Lady. We will have a great party today.” Jon promised.

Tico specifically asked them all to come today and not with their families in two days. They all wondered why he wanted them to be there today, but he didn’t tell them yet.

“So, how about we get this party started.” David clapped his hands. “Hector get the music going and you sweetheart can start un-wrapping this.”

“Oh, what’s in it?” Isabella asked with big eyes when David carefully handed her a big package.

“Open it and you’ll find out.” He told her when loud techno music waved through the back yard.

“HECTOR!” Tico bellowed. Isabella covered her ears and ran over to her brother, who was sitting on his laptop.

“Play my music. You promised, Teto.” She pulled his hands away from the keyboard. Hector sighed and opened another playlist.

“Better?” he asked when Springsteen’s “Dancing in the dark” started. Isabella loved his music.

“Si. Gracias.” She placed a quick kiss on his cheek and rushed back to her birthday presents.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Why do you want us here today, Tico?” Jon whispered when Isabella ran over to Hector. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. I’ll tell you when she’s finished with her presents.” The drummer told him in a low voice as well.

“You got much better taste in music than Hector, sweetheart.” David said loudly when the girl hurried back to them and made his two friends stop whispering.

“I know.” She said seriously and made them laugh.

Isabella ripped the paper apart and squealed in excitement.

“Mama, Daddy look….the Lego Fire Brigade!” she held the big package up.

“That looks great, mi corazón. I’ll help you build it up tomorrow.” Tico promised.

“I can do it on my own Daddy, I’m six now. I’m a big girl.” She told him with a serious look on her face. The men chuckled.

“Of course, Bella.” Her father hurried to say. Ali grinned at him.

“Well, now you can open this one.” Richie pointed at another big present after Isabella thanked David. “But you gotta be a little careful, princess.”

The girl nodded and carefully un-wrapped the present.

“Oh, daddy…look!” Isabella stared at the beautiful deep purple kids’ guitar Richie got her. She looked at the guitarist.

“Is she really for me?”

“Yes, princess…here, look…it says ‘Isabella’.” Rich pointed at the silver engraving of the guitar.

“Thank you, Richie.” She whispered while gently running her fingers over the shining body. She was playing piano already and her father taught her drums, but she always wanted a guitar and she was driving Ali and Tico crazy with her begging in the last couple weeks.

“You are welcome, princess. Promise me to practice, ok?”

“I will, I promise.” She told him and turned to her mother.

“Can I get lessons, Mama? Please!” Ali smiled.

“Sure, sweetie. We will look for a teacher tomorrow, ok?”

“Yes!” Isabella rushed over to her mother and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Thank you, Mama.”

Ali smiled, but stiffened lightly when her daughter crashed into her. Tico watched them worried.

“Bella, be careful. Don’t run into Mama like that. You are too strong already.” He pulled the girl softly away from his wife.

His friends watched him surprised. Rich exchanged a quick glance with Jon and David. Could it be possible?

“I’m fine, mi amor.” Ali kissed his cheek, but Tico didn’t look convinced.

“How about you open Jon’s present now, sweetie?” Ali tried to distract her daughter who was watching them confused.

“Oh,…yeah!” she turned her attention to the last present and didn’t see her mother assuring Tico that everything was fine.

“Here Little Lady.” Jon handed her the neatly wrapped present.

“Uhm, tio Jon. What is this?” Isabella asked after she un-wrapped the package.

“Well, you know what it is… it’s a suitcase.” Jon told her grinning.

“Why do I need a suitcase?” she looked at him confused.

“It’s a special suitcase. Open it.” He told her still grinning and helped her to unlock it.

“Mama, look… a Bear for my collection.” Isabella held up a white Teddy Bear.

Ali smiled. Ever since Richie gave the little bear to her five years ago at the stadium, her daughter loved teddy bears and all of them sent her bears over the last years when they were touring.

“There is more, Bella.” Tico pointed at the open suitcase while keeping one arm wrapped protectively around his wife.

“Oh, a photo camera…and a purple pillow and a blanket…and …pencils…and writing paper.” She took all the items out of the suitcase.

“I’m not very good and writing yet.” She told Jon a little contrite.

“Ah, don’t worry. In a couple months, you’ll do just fine. I’m sure.” He hugged her softly. She nodded.

“So, sweetie. What do you think? When will you need all those items?” Ali asked and took a picture of her daughter.

“I don’t know Mama.”

“Well, when do you need a suitcase?” Ali sat down next to her.

“When you travel like Daddy does.”

“Right. And what do you need a pillow and a blanket for?”

“Uhm…for sleeping?” the girl answered a little unsure.

“Right. So…when does Daddy travel again?” Ali asked her grinning.

“Next summer. He’ll be way after Steph’s birthday.” She said without having to think about it. The men shook their heads. It seems all their kids knew always very well when they would be gone.

“And what will you do at that time?” David wanted to know.

“Probably get on Teto’s nerves.” Isabella grinned at her brother. They all laughed.

“Very funny!” the 12-year old muttered.

“Oh, come on big guy. Find your humor.” Jon pulled him close with one arm. Hector snorted.

“Well, Bella…Hector will be not here.” Tico said and watched her amused. “He’ll be travelling with me…and Mama.”

Isabella’s eyes grew wide in shock. “You’ll leave me alone?”

“Oh, no…mi corazón…we would never leave you alone.” Tico pulled her into his arms.

“You are coming with us, genius.” Hector told her a little annoyed. His sister looked at him.

“Really?” She wasn’t allowed to go on long trips yet. She only visited her dad for one or two shows and then had to go home again.

“Yep, you are a big girl now, right?” Tico asked. She nodded excited.

“And then I can take pictures with the camera and sleep with the pillow and blanket.”

“Yes, she got it!” David exclaimed. They laughed.

“How about we start the BBQ now.” Ali asked.

“Good idea. I’ll help you.” Richie offered and followed her into the house. She laughed.

“Hungry?”

“Starving!” he clarified.

After the BBQ when Isabella was sitting together with Hector, who was explaining to her how to use the new camera, Jon turned to Ali and Tico.

“So, I’ll take it we will have a fifth Torres on the Tour next year.”

Ali grinned and protectively put her hands over her belly. “Yeah, if everything goes well.”

“It will, sweetheart, you’ll see.” Richie hugged her carefully. “Congrats.”

“Yeah, congrats man. Who would have thought you make it happen with over 60 again.” Jon slapped Tico’s shoulder.

“Well, thanks.” Was the dry comment by his drummer, but you could see his eyes shining happily.

“So, this was the big news. That’s why you wanted us here?” David wondered. “Why couldn’t it wait?”

Tico and Ali exchanged a look. “Well, there is something else…and it’s just perfect that it happened today.” She said smiling and looked over to her children.

The men watched her irritated.

“We got this today.” Tico handed Jon a paper. “We already knew it for a couple days, but with this document it’s official…finally.”

Jon scanned the paper, while David and Richie watched him curious.

“She is yours? They finally agreed to the adoption?”

“Yes.” Ali whispered.

“Oh, my God! That’s wonderful!” Rich jumped up and hugged her again.

Tico and Ali already asked to adopt Isabella years ago, but all the time they were told that it had to be sure that there were no other relatives. Seems the search was finally over now.

“Five long years, but now nobody can take her away from us anymore.” Tico said while hugging his crying wife.

“I’m pretty sure nobody would have dared to do so.” David said and grinned at Ali. She chuckled.

“Yeah, but…” she started, but was interrupted by her daughter.

“Look Tio Jon, I took a picture all on my own.” The girl handed him the camera.

“Hey, that looks great.” He paused shortly. “How about I take a picture of you, Hector, Mama and Daddy together.”

Ali smiled at him thankfully and waved her son over.

“Ok, everybody ready?...Here we go.” He snapped the picture and handed the camera to Ali.

“May I introduce:…The Torres Family!”

~ End ~

Unbelievable

Two days later the band members and there families met at Tico’s NJ home. They all wanted to see Isabella again, before the Torres’ would fly back to Miami.

Everybody was very happy that the police after talking with the responsible person from the Department of Youth and Family Services would let them take Isabella to Florida until her parents or other relatives would be located.

“She looks a lot like you.” Jon told his daughter while she was holding Isabella. Surprisingly the little girl didn’t start to scream when Steph or Gabby held her, even though the two girls were blond.

“Well, I think she looks more like Lily or Gabby.” David interjected. Steph chuckled.

“Let me guess, Rich…she looks a lot like Ava?” she asked the guitarist. He grinned too.

“Yes.” He simply answered. Steph laughed.

“Men!” she said.

“Hey, what’s that suppose to mean.” Her father asked pouting and making everybody laugh.

“That means you guys want your daughters stay little girls forever.” Dorothea told him and took Isabella from Steph and sat down with her on a blanket on the floor. The little girl reached for the toys which were lying on the blanket and looked at them interested.

Carefully Hector sat down next to her and smiled when she handed him one of the pink-colored rings of her rock-a-stack toy.

“Gracias.” The six year old said and made Isabella squeal happily. The boy figured out very fast that she loved it when he was speaking in Spanish to her.

Just when everybody was ready to leave and let the Torres’ with the sweet new edition to their family alone, the police showed up.

Ali tensed when she spotted the two police officers from two nights ago walking into the living room together with Tico and picked up Isabella immediately. The others watched her surprised and followed her gaze over to the police officers. Jon got to his feet.

“Did you find her parents?” he asked calmly, watching from the corner of his eyes how Dorothea supportingly put her hands on Ali’s shoulders.

It would be hard on Tico’s wife if she had to give Isabella back to her family. Like Tico she always hoped they would have more kids and a little girl would just make their family complete.

“Yes, sir…but there are certain circumstances that you need to know about.”

“So, Isabella can stay with us?” Tico asked with a light tremble in his deep voice.

“Yes, sir. Preliminary.” The officer said and watched how relief washed through the whole group of people.

“Could we talk somewhere a little bit more private, Mr. Torres?” he asked Tico and pointed shortly at the group of kids in the room. “It would be better.”

“Of course.” Tico said and lead the adults into the next room after Isabella was handed to Hector, who protested loudly when the older girls tried to take her.

“I didn’t want the kids to hear the details. They ain’t very nice.” The police officer started. The band members and their wives nodded.

“We found her father in a car close to the Stadium, in which you were playing two nights ago. It seemed that he had a fight with his wife in the car and came off the road and collided with a tree.” He paused.

“He’s dead.”

“Fuck.” Jon cursed.

“The trace of evidence shows that his wife left the car and runaway. She was later found on the side off the road….a car had hit her when she tried to cross the street.”

“Jesus!” Ali whispered and grabbed Tico’s hand. He squeezed it gently.

“She is dead as well.” The officer told them. There was dead silence in the room.

“How come she didn’t take her baby girl with her?” David asked after while.

“Well, we asked some of their neighbors…apparently, she didn’t have a good a relationship with her daughter. She never wanted her, she wasn’t really taking care of her and when she had to it was in a cold and not very motherly way.”

They all stared at the officers, when he continued. “It was her father who was taking care of her. The neighbors said he adored her and tried to make up for his wife’s behaviour.”

“Was he from Spain?” Tico asked with a lump in his throat.

“He was from Cuba.” Everybody looked a Tico, who had a small smile on his face.

“And her mother was blond?” Richie asked.

“Yes, that should explain the little girl’s reaction to blond women.” The officer told them. “She probably thought they were her mother and would hurt her.”

They all nodded agreeing.

“How come you didn’t know her parents died only a couple meters away, when we called you?” Jon wondered. “The connection is there right?

“There were no signs for a baby in the car when our colleagues first looked at it. No baby seat, no clothes, no toys. The missing baby shoe was found when the car was checked the second time at our compound. It was lying under the driver’s seat. That’s when we connected the cases.”

“It’s unbelievable.” Richie whispered. “She had such luck to survive the crash without a car seat.”

“What’s her complete name and when was she born?” Ali suddenly asked.

The officer handed her some papers. “Her full name is Isabella Felicitas Alejandra Maria Gonzales. She was born on November 25^th 2009.”

Ali just stared at the copy of the certificate of birth. She couldn’t believe it.

“She has your name, mi amor.” Tico kissed her cheek softly.

“She isn’t even 15 months yet, Tico.” His wife whispered with tears in her eyes. He pulled her close and kissed her temple.

“Poor little Lady.” Jon said and wrapped his arms around Dorothea. He needed some comforting too. Just the idea that any of his kids at that young age wandered alone at a parking lot or stadium…a nightmare.

“Does she have other relatives?” David asked hesitant. Ali’s head snapped around, but the officer shook his head.

“The neighbors told us they never saw other family members, but we will of course have to do some background search on our own.”

“But she can stay with us…in Miami.” Ali asked.

“Yes, she can…and if no relatives will be found. You have the chance to go for adoption.” The officers told her softly. Ali smiled.

“That we will do for sure.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hello Mama-Bear

“What do you mean the police didn’t show up yet?” Jon demanded.

“I mean they ain’t here yet.” Matt said pissed himself.

“Unbelievable! We just did a two and a half hour show and they still ain’t here?” Richie asked in disbelieve.

“Nope! But Isabella is awake.” Matt told them.

“Really?” Tico’s face lit up. “Come on hijo; let’s check on the little girl.

“Yes, Daddy.” Hector was excited as well that Isabella was awake again and dragged his father down the long corridor. “Hurry daddy!”

The other men laughed. It seemed Isabella charmed another Torres man.

When they were all showered and back in the dressing room, finally two police officers showed up and had to deal with a very mad Jon.

“Well, that’s just great. Her parents are probably worried sick and you have to take care of the traffic. One thing for sure, I’ll never call you when one of my kids is missing.” He told them with glaring eyes.

“We will take care of it now, sir.” The female officer told him and walked over to Alejandra who was still sitting with Isabella on the couch.

“Hello, sweetheart.” The blond woman said with a smile.

“Uhm, don’t…” Richie tried, but it was too late. Isabella erupted in tears immediately and tried to get away from the police officer. Hector looked at the woman angrily.

“You ain’t suppose to make her cry.” The six year old told her and put his arms protectively around the little girl. Tico smiled and carefully picked Isabella up to calm her down again.

Meanwhile the other band members explained Isabella’s reaction to the puzzled police officers and told them what had happened during the day.

“Well, we will try to find her parents.” The male officer told him. Jon snorted lightly, but a glare from Ali stopped the comment he had on his mind.

“Where will you bring her until you found her parents?” Ali asked while gently wrapping Isabella in the blanket. It was way too cold outside without a jacket.

“Probably in a home. I don’t think there’s any foster family available right now.” The female officer told her and tried to stay out of sight for Isabella at the same time.

“A home? Oh, no! No way! You won’t!” Ali protested shocked and took Isabella back from the officer.

“Uhm, ma’am…”

“No, forget it! She’s a baby for Christ sake! She needs 24/7 attention. You can’t tell me she will get it in an impersonal home!” Ali’s instincts kicked in fully. She wouldn’t let them take her to this place.

“Mi amor.” She looked at her husband in a pleading manner. Tico smiled softly.

“Would you excuse us for a minute?” He told everyone and stepped with his wife and Isabella into the hallway, pulling the door close behind them.

“Uhm, they won’t runaway with her now, right?” the female officer asked concerned. David couldn’t help himself and started laughing-

“You really gotta be kidding! Do you think Tico would leave his beloved son here alone?” David sank down next to Hector on the couch. Rich and Jon chuckled as well. They really had no idea about the bond between Hector and his father.

“My parents love me, you know.” The boy told the police officers with a serious look on his little face.

“They sure do buddy.” David said and gave him a little hug.

Meanwhile Tico and his wife talked quietly in the hallway.

“We can’t let them bring her into this home, Tico!” Ali said resolute. “You wouldn’t want Hector there as well.”

“You are right, mi amor. But we can’t stay in Jersey; we have to go back to Florida in a couple days. I’m not sure the Department of Youth and Family Services will allow us to take her with us.” Her husband told her softly.

“We are a registered foster Family in Florida, we have a domicile, you are famous for Christ sake…what should they expect…us running away with her and our six year old son?” Ali’s temper rose even more. Isabella watched her interested.

“Mi amor…” he tried to wrap his arms around her and calm her, but she stopped him.

“No Hector!” Tico took a step back. When she was calling him by his given name she was mad. “Make it work!”

He gulped. “Si, mi amor!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Showtime

“Hey, Jon…I….”

“Shhhhhh!”

Matt raised his hands defensively, when everybody looked at him angry.

“The baby is asleep.” Hector told him in a low voice.

“Sorry, didn’t know that.” He whispered.

“And?” his brother asked.

“Nothing. She doesn’t belong to anybody from the crew that’s for sure and nobody from the crowd came and asked for her after our announcements.”

“Great.” David whispered sarcastically.

“Well, then call the police. Tell them we found a baby.” Jon told him.

“Ok. …Oh, and you guys need to get ready, show starts in half an hour.” Matt whispered.

They all checked their watches. “Oh, right.” Rich said.

“Uhm, what will we do with her?” David asked and pointed at a sleeping Isabella.

“We can’t leave her here alone.” Jon agreed.

“Excuse me!” Ali looked at him a little hurt. “She won’t be alone. If you think I’ll leave her here on her own, you are nuts!”

“Shhh, mi amor. Johnny didn’t mean it that way, right Johnny?” the drummer’s eyes dared him to say something else.

“No, no Ali…I thought you wanted to watch the show together with Hector.” Jon hurried to say.

“Well, I can take care of Hector during the show. What do you say buddy?” Matt suggested.

“Can I Daddy?” Hector asked his father with pleading eyes.

“Sure, son. Listen to Matt ok?”

“Si.” He hugged his father and rushed off with Matt.

“Ok, guys let’s get this show started.” Jon whispered and wanted to clap his hands. Ali’s gaze stopped him though.

“Don’t you dare to wake the baby.” She hissed at the men. They all looked a little unsure. How should they avoid that during a Rock show?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~

La Familia

Note: I do not speak Spanish! If the Spanish sentences don’t make any sense at all please let me know. I’ll consult my translator then and tell her, I was so stupid and posted without asking her first. Btw thanks my friend for helping me. ;)

“Daddy!” Tico looked up and saw his son running into the room and his beautiful wife right behind him.

“Hola, hijo. Have you been good to Mamá?” he pulled him close with his free arm and pressed a kiss to his temple.

“Si, senor.” His son answered with a little nod.

“Good.”

He knew his way of raising Hector was a little bit old fashioned, but he wanted to make sure his son would listen to his mother and respect her. When he watched the behaviour of some of Hector’s friends towards their parents, it made him angry. He didn’t want his son to always do whatever he was told. Hector knew very well, he could refuse to do things, but he needed to do it in a polite way. He wouldn’t through a tantrum, insult his mother or even worse kick or hit her.

“Hola, mi amor.” He hugged his wife and kissed her softly.

“Hola, te he hechado de menos, mi amor.“ She whispered in his ear and made him smile.

“I missed you too, sweetheart.” He told her softly and pulled her a bit closer.

“Daddy? Who is that little girl?” His son asked him and brought him back into reality.

“Huh?...Oh, that’s Isabella. She was walking around here all on her own. We are still trying to find her parents.” He explained.

“Tico forgets to mention that the little Lady is totally in love with him.” Jon added, while entering the room with David and Richie again. They gave Tico and his wife a little time alone.

“Hi, Ali. How are you doing?” he asked and kissed her cheek softly.

“I’m fine thanks, Jon. She’s really beautiful.” Alejandra said after greeting Rich and David as well.

“Hi there, sweetie.” She carefully took Isabella from her husband.

“Uhm…Ali watch out…” Rich tried to stop her from taking the little girl, but to all their surprise Isabella didn’t start to cry, but looked at Ali curious.

“Why?” she asked confused.

“Uhm, every time a woman was coming close to her, she was crying and being really scared,…but obviously, she is not scared of you.” Jon observed.

“Really, hmmm….maybe she didn’t like the other women, maybe I’m different.” She added with a little wink.

“Well, mi amor you are.” Tico pointed out and sat down next to his son. “You are not blond.”

They all looked at Tico surprised.

“You are right, Lisa is blond and the woman at the buffet is blond as well.” Rich said.

“Well, maybe she had a bad experience with a blond woman.” Ali thought and sat down with Isabella next to Tico. The girl snuggled closer to her and yawned deeply.

“Did she already sleep?” Ali wondered. They all shook her head.

“Oh, boys, you can’t do that. She still needs a lot of sleep.” Ali told them off. The men looked a little contrite at each other.

“Come here, sweetie.” She grabbed the blanket from the couch and gently covered Isabella with it while still holding her in her arms.

“Mama…” Hector whispered.

“Yes, baby.”

“Isabella is still a baby, right?” her son asked in a low voice.

“Yes.”

“But I thought you are not allowed to leave your baby alone.” He said irritated. The adults smiled.

“You shouldn’t leave a baby alone, you are right son.” Tico pulled him into his lap. “We think that Isabella maybe walked away from her parents and they didn’t realize it.”

“And now they worry.” Hector said.

“Yes, we think so.” His father agreed.

“Poor, Isabella.” Hector said and carefully leaned down to place a kiss to her temple. Tico and Alejandra smiled softly at each other. They always knew Hector would make a great big brother, but unfortunately a little brother or sister didn’t arrive yet.

Maybe next year, Tico thought.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~