Richie awoke as it was barely cracking daylight outside. He looked down at Ava as she was still fast asleep in his arms. He gently kissed the top of her head but held his lips to it with his eyes shut. He thought about when she was first born and he kissed her head while she was in Heather's arms. He moved his lips away from her. He opened his eyes and looked up at the ceiling. He clenched his teeth as tears began to stream down his face. He knew he had to stop, for fear of waking her. He wiped the tears away with the palm of his hand and looked back down at her. Gosh she was so beautiful. He felt not good enough to be blessed with the daughter and life he had. He leaned his head back again and closed his eyes. Just lost in thought.
Ava was awake but her eyes weren't open yet. She just lay there enjoying the love, comfort, and warmth of her father. She felt him gently caress her arm. She couldn't help but smile a little. She felt so blessed to have him. She didn't know where she would be in life if she didn't.
"Daddy?" she whispered.
Richie's eyes shot open and looked down at her.
"What is it darlin'?" he whispered back.
"I'm so blessed to have you as my father, I love you daddy," she said as she looked up at him.
"I love you too, so very much,"
He kissed the top of her head again and they held each other a little tighter.
After a minute or two of silence, Ava began to talk.
"When will you go get sober? I'll be right here waiting for you when you get out of rehab,"
"Well darlin' I guess I'll check in today if you would like,"
"Okay dad,"
"Would you like to help me find a place?"
"Sure," Ava said as she sat up.
She looked back down at her dad and sat her hand beside his and opened her hand. He gently slid his hand into hers and softly gripped it.
"Promise me you will never choose alcohol or pain killers to soothe your pain. You won't be able to stop," He said as he looked deep into her eyes.
"I promise,"
"Okay, now go get me that number," he said as he patted her hand.
After a minute or so she came back with a phone book. Richie sat up and they looked at it together. Finally they found a place close enough and called the number. They told him to come right in. It would be a month or so till he could come back out. He hung up the phone and looked over at Ava. She hugged him. He looked down at her on his shoulder.
"Here," he said softly as she let go, he turned to her, and they hugged.
He just held her in his arms.
"I love you," he said as he kissed the top of her head.
"I love you too daddy..."
