Stand By Me

It’s the night of the super bowl and the episode of This Is Us that everyone is waiting for including me! Even though my dad plays Jack he did not tell me any spoilers, all he told me is that I could not watch it unless he was right next to me. So as soon as the super bowl ended we met up with Jimmy and Justin Fallon, Justin Timberlake, along with the rest of the cast of This Is Us and we all went into a screening room and watched it together. Justin and I have been best friends since we were four.

“So how many tissues will we need?” Jimmy asked looking between the five cast members.

“A lot,” Mandy said laughing as I sat down next to my dad and Sterling. As soon as we were comfortable my dad put his arm around my shoulders and I nestled into his side. I’m a very sensitive and emotional person and there has only been one episode of This Is Us that I didn’t cry during. We both know that I am going to cry like a baby during this episode and that’s exactly what I did. Thankfully most everyone else did as well, but it was different for me. Even though I know it’s his character that died it was hard to not see my dad, Milo, in that situation. I basically just watched my dad die and it hit me hard. And when I say hard, I mean really really hard. When it was over everyone tried to compose themselves and I was the one that failed the hardest.

“I’m here Lulu. I’m right here,” he said kissing the top of my head and holding me close. He also began to rub my back and kept talking with me to calm me down. You’re probably wondering why I still watch This Is Us. Well I watch it because I love the show has a whole, I love the story, and I support my dad in anything he does, unless it involves a sex scene then I support from afar.

“That was so good. Mandy you were amazing and broke my heart so much,” I said hugging her, the lady who has been like a mom to me for the past couple of years, after I calmed down.

“Aww thank you babes,” she said hugging me back.

“I mean you all were amazing, but I have to say my props go to Mandy on this episode,” I replied with a shrug and they all laughed.

“God you’re such a mini version of your dad,” Sterling said to be after I jumped onto Justin’s back and he held me.

“To Ventis are better than one,” my dad and I said at the same time as he winked at me.

“You two are so corny,” Jimmy said laughing.

“Oh really? What is it that you guys say? Now Fallon Fails on,” I said looking at him with a smirk while my dad high fived me.

“You guys know too much. Now I’ll have to kill you,” Jimmy said and I rolled my eyes.

“Too soon,” Justin said placing me down on the ground and the rest of us nodded our heads in agreement. Soon we broke off into groups and I took a selfie with Justin Timberlake and I was able to hold in my complete fangirl. I then walked up to the group where my dad, Jimmy, and Mandy were talking.

“When are we going to see your mini on tv?” Jimmy asked because he’s seen me act before. I am a good actress, but after one of my shows someone brought up the death of my mom and I stopped after that.

“Whenever she is ready for it. We’re not going to force it are we kid?” he asked me and I shook my head.

“Plus right now I’m writing music and playing it. Even if it’s just in my bedroom,” I said with a shrug.

“Or you could be the lead singer of my new band,” Just said walking up to the group. He has everyone in the band but a lead singer and he’s holding out in hope that I’ll finally agree to do it.

“We’ll see,” I said with a shrug. Soon everyone got ready and prepared for the show to start and I sat down on the couch with my legs on Justin’s lap while JT got ready to perform. My dad and the rest of the cast were on there phones tweeting away and I just stared at my dad. After my mom’s death I had severe separation anxiety when it came to my dad. It’s not as bad now, but I still get twinges of it every now and again. Even though I’m looking at him and we’re in the same room I still feel a little bit of panic, and he could tell when he turned and looked at me that I wasn’t doing to well.

“Why don’t we go talk in the hallway,” he said and I nodded my head standing up before following him out into the hallway. Once there I sank to the floor and let the tears fall. He sat down next to me and just held me and let me cry it out until I stopped. Once I stopped her wiped away my tears and looked down at me seriously.

“I’m not going anywhere soon kid,” he said kissing the top of my head and I nodded sighing.

“Gosh I feel so stupid,” I said wiping away my remaining tears.

“You’re not stupid hun. You went through a lot at a young age and it stems from that. I’m always going to be here for you no matter what. Do you know what that is?” He asked me.

“Because I’m your baby girl and your world,” I said slightly laughing at how cheesy my dad actually is.

“Exactly,” he said helping me up off the ground and kissing the top of my head again. When we got back into the room I sat back down with Justin and he looked at me as if to ask if I was okay and I nodded my head. I then began to laugh because there were three Justins in a room at once and nobody took that as an opportunity to take a picture of the trio.
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“Ready to go kid?” My dad asked after their part of the show.

“Yeah. Text ya later Justie,” I said to Justin and he nodded his head before lying back down on the couch. When we got back to the hotel I picked up my guitar along with a pencil and my writing book and instantly began to write my feelings out.

“I’m going to hop into the shower,” My dad said taking his pajamas into the bathroom with him.

“Have fun getting clean,” I said to him before I went back to writing. About forty minutes later I had a song written and my dad came back into the room and flopped onto his bed.

“Whatcha writing?” He asked looking at me.

“Nothing really. I’m going to take my shower now,” I said as I picked out my pajamas. I was pretty tired so I took a fifteen minute shower and skipped out on washing my hair. When I walked back into the room my dad was holding my song book.

“Why don’t you share these with someone? They’re really good,” he said and I rolled my eyes as I took it away from him.

“You’re my dad. You have to say that,” I said to him and he shook his head.

“I do not have to say it. I say it because it’s true,” He said.

“I’m going to bed,” I said putting my book into my bag and then getting into my bed and turning off the lamp by my bed.

“Good night kiddo. Love you,” he said as he turned off the lamp by his bed.

“Love you too daddy,” I replied mid yawn. It took a little while, but I finally began to drift into dreamland. I have the same dream that I have every night. It’s one where my mom is still alive and I’m standing at the altar watching her walk down the aisle towards my dad. My dad has the biggest smile on his face and tears falling down. There is nobody else there besides me, my dad, my mom, and their parents. My aunts aren’t even there. This is always the dream and I always wake up right before they say “I Do”. When I wake up and reality sets in I tear up a little bit, but then I buck up and remember that I’ll have my dad no matter what.

Notes

I hope you enjoyed this! In case you couldn't tell I love This Is Us! I cried like a baby during tonight's episode.