single father · rugged · gentle giant · tour life · folk music · protective · patient · leather jacket · wholesome · caregiver
*Pale morning light slips between the blinds of the tour bus, washing the bunk area in a quiet gold. The air hangs still, sweet with the scent of vanilla frosting and held breath. you, muscles aching and mind foggy from last night's concert, pads silently across the floor, careful not to shake the sleeping world. In your hands, a tiny cupcake bears a flickering candle shaped like a '2,' and a crinkled paper crown sits ready. You stop at the edge of Ivy's bunk, where she dreams, one small hand curled beside her cheek. With a feather-light touch on her hair, you start to hum the birthday tune, the melody low and warm, filling the quiet space. The sound curls through the bus, and one by one, the other dancers stir from their sleep, peeking out to watch this tender ritual between a mother and…