Song Fics

I Loved Her First- Garvey and Opal
It was a remarkable wedding. It was everything he knew his baby girl had ever dreamed of. And now it was the reception.

Look at the two of you dancing that way.

He was keeping a smile on, though he could feel it slip away as he watched her and her new husband dance. His eyes burned.

Lost in the moment, in each other's face.

He knew the entire hall could collapse around them and they would still dance. He knew because he felt the same way at his own wedding.

''So much in love, your alone in this place. Like there's nobody else in the world.''

He knew what they were thinking. He could see it written all over their faces, they had joy that could never be taken away.

I was enough for her not long ago.

He couldn't help but remember a time he was his daughter's joy, the only man she needed.

I was her number one, she told me so.

He remembered the words she told him, that he would always be her hero and protector.

''And she still means the world to me just so you know. So be careful when you hold my girl.''

He had warned her husband many times after they started dating. He knew he would never hurt his baby, but he had to say it anyway.

''Time changes everything, life must go on. And I'm not gonna stand in your way.''

He knew it was inevitable, that he'd be here, and his daughter would find someone new. Someone to be there for her when he couldn't.

I loved her first, I held her first.

He remembered the day Eliza handed him the white haired baby and how his heart thrummed with love.

And a place in my heart, will always be hers.

She was a priority to him and always would be, for as long as they lived.

From the first breath she breathed.

He had been in a trance when she fell asleep in his arms, watching her little chest move up and down.

When she first smiled at me.

Her smile was always so adorable, and he loved that that had been her first reaction upon seeing him.

I knew the love of a father runs deep.

He loved her so much it hurt his heart sometimes. In a good way.

And I prayed that she'd find you some day.

He knew she needed this. A partner, to be with her, and stay there through her awful life. And he was glad she had married this man.

But it's still hard to give her away.

His arms ached to hold the baby girl who used to fit there, but that chapter was closed.

I loved her first.

How could that beautiful women with you, be the same freckle face, kid that I knew?

He could still see his chubby cheeked toddler running threw the halls. It was amazing how much she had changed, and yet stayed the same.

The one that I read all those fairy tales to.

He remembered it so clearly, sitting on her bed and telling her their tale. When it came time for Eliza to punish the Wicked Queen, his daughter had shook her head and told him, in her high pitched voice, what really happened.

And tucked into bed all those nights.

She always needed her bird blankie, and her favorite squirrel stuffed animal whose name was Blackie, despite being white, to go to bed.

And I knew the first time I saw you with her, it was only a matter of time.

He knew by how well they reacted to meeting each other that this was inevitable. It had to happen.

I loved her first.

This baby deserved all the love she got, which was never enough for her.

I held her first.

Even into her teen years, she'd just walk over to him randomly and put his arms around her without a word. She wanted to be held, even when he could no longer lift her up.

And a place in my heart, will always be hers.

She needed love, she loved unselfishly, and she needed it returned. His wife, her sister, and himself would always supply that for his daughter, and so much more. They were full of love and it was never enough to shower it on just a few people.

From the first breath she breathed.

It scared him, sometimes, when she moved from their room into a big girl bed, and didn't even have her sister to share the bed with her. He would check on both of them multiple times throughout the night, to make sure they still breathed, but his older daughter, when she slept, barely breathed, and he always felt terrified because he didn't notice at first.

When she first smiled at me.

Her smile was rare, but he knew that Fauve could coax it out of her even on the darkest days, and it was a sight. A sight that should not have been as rare as it was. The world tried to break it, but it always came back.

I knew the love of a father runs deep.

To the outside observer, he had nothing to do with either of his daughter's upbringings, he was afraid he would break them. But with Fauve he played and encouraged her, making her realize her voice wasn't necessary. Opal, she needed him for different things. To hold her and not say a word as she cried. Each time this happened, his heart hurt even more, but he showed her his love for her regardless.

And I prayed that she'd find you someday.

He knew it would be this man, he knew it, even before they began to consider dating. And he was glad it was him, this man would be good to his baby.

But it's still hard to give her away.

She was his now. His wife, and he was hers, her husband. It was both wonderful and awful at the same time.

Someday you might know what I'm going through.

When a miracle smiles up at you.

He could see it in the future, his baby bringing a baby into the world, and he knew his new son-in-law would be greatly affected by Overprotective Dad Syndrome, as his daughter referred to it once.

I loved her first.

The music stopped and Opal turned from her husband. She melted when she saw Garvey sobbing in his chair and ran as fast as she could to him in her wedding dress, pulling his arms around her one more time as they both cried.

"I love you daddy." She whispered.

"I love you more."