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Things have been quiet around the house since Sohvi started preschool. Now you spend most of your time taking care of Lukas while she’s in school, and Joonas usually brings her home before he goes to the studio. But every once in a while, she goes with him to get some quality time with her uncles.
The guys sat around the room having a conversation and a few beers before they came in. They’d been working so hard on rehearsals lately that they decided today would be a chill day. Once everyone was together, they were planning to catch dinner and then head their own ways for the night. They were discussing the logistics of the next tour and how much they were looking forward to playing more live shows. At that moment, the door cracked and each of them sprang to excitement, ready to see their niece.
The first one she saw was Olli, who immediately caught her attention. She ran to him with open arms, which he happily accepted. “Hey, baby girl!” he called out, holding her closer and giving her a kiss on her forehead.
Sohvi giggled at the way he was holding her. But the other uncles seemed a little bit chuffed that she’d picked him first to hug today.
“I see how it is,” Joel muttered with mock hurt as he turned around so Enkka could see her better. The toddler was trying so hard to get a good look at the new commotion in the room despite having his back turned to it.
Olli gave him a casual side glance. “You’re already holding a baby, stop being stingy!” He let her go and her next action was to give Enkka a kiss on his cheek. The baby laughed and waved a hello at her. The scene was so precious, knowing that all of the band babies (so far, given that Niko’s son was still an infant and Olli’s twin girls were on their way) have such a close bond like their fathers. Lastly, she gave the rest of her uncles their hugs and returned to sit between Joonas and Aleksi on the couch.
“How’s our sweet girl doing?” Aleksi asked.
Sohvi shrugged. “I’m okay, I guess.”
“Just okay?”
She quietly nodded her head. Something seemed off about her and they were determined to figure out what it was.
Of course, Joonas was the first to ask. “Everything okay, baby girl?” he asked her quietly enough for her to feel like the conversation was just between the two of them.
She looked down for a second, and then shook her head no. The room grew quiet, not knowing what to do now that the usually bubbly child wasn’t acting like herself. They waited for her to speak.
“Is everything okay at school?”
She refused to speak, only covering her eyes and trying not to cry. Her uncles were speechless, eager to know who would do this to her. “There’s…” she started between deep heaves. “There’s this boy… in my class- and… and he…”
All eyes were on her now, hoping she would say more.
“He said…” she started, voice cracking as she began to cry harder. “He said my hair looks like a pigeon’s nest and he…” She couldn’t find the right words, so she made a motion like scissors opening and closing. They knew exactly what that meant; he scared her into thinking that he was going to cut her hair.
The end of her words were muffled by Joonas holding her closer to him, using a free hand to wipe away her tears. “Oh no, baby. That’s not okay.”
Joonas looked around the room to see the rounds of shocked and rightfully upset reactions. Sohvi is a girl who would never harm a fly, and for someone to hurt her feelings was an indignation that should not go unpunished.
The first one to say anything was Tommi. “Oh, fuck no,” he barked, standing up from his seat. “I want names, and I want them now.”
“Tommi, chill,” Aleksi started, trying to calm the drummer down. But there was no bringing him down from the hell he was ready to raise.
“No, I’m not chilling.” He knelt down to Sohvi’s eye level and held her hand. “Baby girl, what’s his name?”
She shook her head no. “I don’t want him to get in trouble.”
“Sometimes people need to get in trouble,” Niko started, kneeling next to Tommi. “Tell us his name, you’re safe with us.”
She gingerly wiped away a tear. “Teemu. Teemu Laakonen.”
Tommi scowled and nodded his head. “Okay. Guess somebody needs to sit down and tell Teemu that he needs to be careful about who he bullies.”
Niko snorted. “You, fighting a child?”
“Maybe not the kid, but his dad and I gotta sit down and have a chat, because I’m not cool with that.” He then looked Sohvi in the eye, holding her hand again. “Baby girl, don’t you ever let anyone talk to you that way. You hear me?”
Sohvi shrank into her dad’s arms, not knowing what to do with Tommi looking at her like this. She’s never seen him this way. Joonas leaned down and whispered to her, explaining what he meant, and she hesitantly nodded a yes.
“That’s right. Don’t worry, your uncles will deal with this for you.”
Olli gave him a curious stare. “And how do you expect us to do that?”
“We’re smart, we can think of something.”
But he was being vague on purpose in front of Sohvi. Everybody was thinking it, but nobody wanted to scare her. They needed to band together for their niece, but that could be discussed over dinner. Joel sent a text to his wife, asking her to take care of Enkka at dinner so the six of them could discuss their plan.
Joonas carried Sohvi to bed after she fell asleep during family time. The little girl had an exhausting day, especially after confessing to her protective uncles that she wasn’t having a great time at school. Joonas placed her down softly, trying not to wake her up but failing in the process.
“Isä?” she asked in a tiny voice.
“What, baby?”
“Did I make Uncle Tommi mad today?” He was taken aback by her question and the small, concerned voice she asked it in.
“Oh, not at all, kulta. You see… your uncles love you a lot, and they were just upset to find out someone’s been mean to you. They would never get mad at you.”
She nodded slowly in hesitant agreement. “What’s going to happen to Teemu? Are you mad at him?”
Joonas wanted to say yes, absolutely, he’s furious that his baby girl has a bully. But he didn’t want to concern Sohvi anymore than she already is. He didn’t want her to think that she would get in trouble with her teachers when they finally had a chat with them. But he stuck to the answer that would help her sleep tonight. “Don’t worry about Teemu. We’ll take care of the issue for you so you can enjoy school again. Alright?”
She smiled just a little bit, but it was enough for Joonas. He gave her a kiss on her forehead and turned on her nightlight before leaving her room.
He returned to you on the couch, sitting down beside you and letting out a deep sigh. “How’s Soh doing?” you asked with concern. He told you all about it as soon as they came home because Sohvi was too shy to do it herself. You couldn’t blame her because you knew how hard it was to stand up for yourself in a situation like that. You praised Sohvi for being brave and speaking up, and because she did that, the people who love her can take care of it for her.
“Well, she thought Tommi was mad at her today and she thinks she’s gonna get in trouble for telling on Teemu.”
“Tommi of all people? What made her think that?”
“Oh man, he was the most pissed to find out about it. He was on a warpath almost immediately.”
You snorted lightly. “Sounds like Tommi alright. What are we going to do?”
He pulled you in for a kiss that you gladly accepted. “Don’t worry, the boys and I have something up our sleeve.”
Your attention returned to the movie you were watching, and Joonas pulled out his phone.
Joonas, 9:27 PM: So Sohvi thought Tommi was mad at her today :(
Tommi, 9:28 PM: Really?? Oh man, tell her I’m sorry.
Joonas, 9:29 PM: I did and she understands. But now she’s scared she’ll get in trouble with her teachers.
Niko, 9:31 PM: The one who should be worried is that little shithead that hurt our baby’s feelings.
Joel, 9:32 PM: Alright Niko, but don’t get yourself banned. You know Leevi’s gonna be starting school too, right?
Niko, 9:33 PM: I know, and if someone bullies him too I’d do the same.
Aleksi, 9:33 PM: Joonas, what time are we meeting at your place tomorrow?
Joonas, 9:34 PM: 7 AM. I haven’t told her anything.
Aleksi, 9:35 PM: Sounds good, boss.
Olli, 9:37 PM: Okay, let’s get our rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.
Niko, 9:38 PM: Right. Sleep tight, everyone. See you tomorrow morning.
The next morning, Sohvi was wide awake and getting ready for school before 7 AM. You prepared her breakfast and Joonas helped her get ready, neither of you eager for her to go after finding out what she’s been going through. But there was something Joonas knew that you didn’t, he just wasn’t ready to tell you.
By the time she finished her breakfast, you heard a knock on the door. No one ever comes to your door at this time so you found it strange, but Joonas was up to answer before you got the chance to move. You didn’t see who it was, but the voice was distinctively Niko’s.
“Hey guys, come on in, we’re almost finished with breakfast.”
Your apartment was suddenly filled with your husband’s five bandmates, all wearing matching black clothes. They each greeted you as if this was a common occurrence.
“... good morning…” you responded between bites. “Joonas, what the hell is all this?”
You were confused, but Sohvi was pleasantly surprised to see her uncles this early in the morning. She continued her breakfast and waved furiously in their direction, with Niko coming over to give her a hug.
“We’re all taking her to school this morning,” he answered as he put away his plate. “Baby girl needs her bodyguards, right?”
You laughed at the absurdity. “Yeah, sure, I guess… but this isn’t the way to do it, is it?”
Joonas shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe it is. But we want to send the message that Sohvi has a family to back her up.”
“Send a message… to a six-year-old?” You failed to wrap your head around the logic, but it made sense to them. With a wave of your hand, you dropped the questions and continued to feed Lukas, who was also relishing in the attention from his uncles.
Once breakfast was finished, Sohvi ran into her room to grab her backpack. She didn’t have to carry it far, as Aleksi was the first to offer to take it off her hands. They all fit into a seven-seat car outside with Tommi driving and a playlist of their own music going to hype them up. Wolfpack, I.D.F.U., Gun, Enemy for Me, and Dark Side… all songs with the same central theme of defying what the bullies have to say. Sohvi was still too young to really know what the lyrics meant, but they were determined to teach her as soon as she was old enough.
It was still at the point in the school year where many parents walked with their children to their classrooms. Most mornings, it’s either you or Joonas, quiet and unassuming as you take Sohvi to her room. But this morning, it was a strange sight to see a little girl being escorted by an entire team of large men with tattoos, resting bitch faces, and black clothes. Sohvi was being carried in Tommi’s arms and she felt so tall that she could see all the way to the end of the hallway. The others followed quietly, ignoring the curious stares they were earning from other parents.
Collectively they walked into her room, the whole space turning quiet with the strange new sight. Olli turned around and saw a seating chart hanging on the wall. His eyes immediately went to “Sohvi Porko” written in pink, with “Teemu Laakonen” written in blue right beside her. It lined up perfectly with her confession from yesterday. He nodded knowingly and broke from the group to speak to her teacher alone.
“Where do you sit?” Tommi asked her as he maneuvered through the room, with Aleksi carrying her backpack behind them. Teemu was already in his seat, a devilish grin crossing his face. Sohvi laid her head on Tommi’s shoulder, refusing to let him go. “Is that him?” he whispered to her, with her answering a small “yes”.
He put her down in her seat, refusing to break eye contact with Teemu. He then knelt down on one side with Aleksi on the other. “Do you know this girl?” he asked.
Teemu laughed and nodded. “Yeah, she’s my friend.”
Aleksi shook his head. “That’s not what she told us.”
Teemu looked pissed at her, but before he could say anything, Tommi stopped him. “I better not hear another word from her about you being mean to her. You wouldn’t want to get in trouble with her uncles, would you?” He pointed back to the other side where the others stood. Niko and Joel were staring directly at them with their shades pulled down and Niko tossing two peace signs. Teemu quickly said no and looked down. “That’s what I thought. We’ll be back to pick her up later, and she better have nothing but good things to say. Have a good day, baby girl.”
With one last brush of her hair, Tommi and Aleksi were off, leaving a smiling Sohvi in their wake. Tommi turned around one last time at the front of the room to see that Teemu still hadn’t even looked in her direction. Maybe they’d had a job well done, but they still needed to pick her up later just to be sure that the lesson stuck.
“Are we all good?” Joel asked the pair once they returned to the group.
Aleksi nodded. “Yeah, I don’t think we’ll be having problems from him anytime soon.”
Olli returned from his side tangent with the teacher. “I told her what Sohvi told us and she said she’ll keep an eye out for it.”
Niko snorted softly. “Yeah, she better.”
Sohvi waved to the group as they left the room to return to the studio. The uncles continued recording their new album in peace, certain that their baby girl was safe.
At the end of the day, the group waited with the rest of the parents on the fence outside school. The kids ran out to find their parents, but all they cared to find was a distinctive head of blonde curls. Sohvi was in the crowd and she made an immediate beeline for them; Joonas knelt down to catch her as she ran into his arms.
“Hey, my sweet girl!” he said as he gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Did you have a better day today?”
She nodded with a smile. “Yep!”
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Niko cheered. “Tommi, I think it actually worked.”
Tommi grinned with a little bit of smug pride as the group began to walk off together. But they were stopped by someone tapping Joel’s shoulder. They turned around to find Teemu Laakonen being held in someone’s arms, presumably his father’s.
“Hey, are you Sohvi Porko’s dad?” he asked. The look on his face was anything but happy.
“I’m her uncle, that’s her dad. What’s the problem?”
“My son said one of you made a threat to him today and I want to know which one of you did it.”
Tommi stepped forward. Tommi easily made the man look small when the two were face to face. “I did. What’s it to you?”
“What it is to me, is that I don’t like anyone talking to my son like that. What’s your problem?”
Niko stood next to Tommi. “Oh, your little angel didn’t tell you? He’s been bullying our niece and we don’t like that. Let’s call it justice.”
Mr. Laakonen put his son down. “Call it what you want, but it’s harassment. If you don’t like your child having her feelings hurt, take the right paths and maybe people will have more respect for you.”
“Do we look like we give a shit about respect?”
The other man rolled his eyes. “That’s obvious… I didn’t realize I was dealing with a gang of punks…”
“Excuse me?” It took both Olli and Joel to stop Niko from taking another step forward.
The other man smirked. “You heard me, a bunch of punks. Be careful before Sohvi grows up to be just like you.”
“Better to be a punk than a bully,” Aleksi spat, something that even caught them off guard.
Mr. Laakonen clicked his tongue. “Whatever. Anyway, my son’s not a bully. You know, boys will be boys, and all that?”
“And boys will have to learn the hard way not to make little girls cry.” Olli finally spoke up - that phrase drove a wedge under his skin before, but now it hit differently knowing he had two daughters on the way.
“What are you gonna do about it, pretty boy?” The two men were face to face, a tense air surrounding them. Olli’s jaw clenched and unclenched, and the others could see his fist doing the same. They’ve never seen their bassist this angry before, and everyone took a step back.
Without another word, Olli wound his fist as tightly as possible and took a swing. The sound of skin hitting together was enough to make the rest of the group flinch. The other man’s feet fell from underneath him and he hit the gravel with barely a chance to understand what happened to him. Within seconds, Olli was picking him up by his shirt, hovering over his dazed body and forcing his head to lightly fall back. “If your kid lays another goddamn finger on Sohvi Porko, you will be seeing the inside of an ER, so you better take him home and have that talk tonight. Do I make myself fucking clear?”
Mr. Laakonen awoke from his confusion and answered quickly with a terrified yes. Olli dropped him back onto the gravel, mostly because Joel and Aleksi were pulling him off before the cops were called. Olli didn’t care whether he got in trouble or not; as long as the point was made and Sohvi was safe, he was willing to face whatever consequence was coming his way.
“Olli, you’re insane,” Niko whispered to him.
Olli took one tentative look back as Mr. Laakonen was finally pulling himself together. “But fuck, it was worth it.”
The members and Sohvi piled into the same car they were in that morning, ready to take Sohvi home and head back to the studio. The little girl had no idea what to make of the thing Uncle Olli had just done. But he leaned over and gave her a kiss on her forehead to let her know that he was still safe. “Don’t worry about getting in trouble, baby girl,” he told her. “Teemu won’t bother you again.”
Sohvi flashed him a knowing smile. She was still too young to understand what this meant to them, but she would learn someday.
As long as the pack stood strong, she had nothing on earth to fear.