Five years later
~Layla~
“I’m coming to get you!” She laughed, giggles that spread through the air and caused even the birds to be ashamed of their sounds.
“Mommy!” She stopped under the cherry tree and lifted her little arms in the air.
I ran toward her, lifting her and swinging her around in the air. “How can a girl be this intelligent, beautiful and kind all at once?”
She lowered her head, attempted to raise a brow, and scolded me with her gaze. “And?” she said, stretching the word.
I leaned my forehead against hers and narrowed my eyes. “And strong,” I said, and we laughed.
She was content. Celine, my beautiful girl. The strongest girl I knew. Dressed in her beautiful pink dress with unicorns and rainbow horns. All ready to get one year older. Her mother, however, was not so ready.
I needed her to stop growing and stay this little forever.
“There are my girls. I saw a bunch of wrapped gifts in the house. Is it someone’s birthday today?”
“It’s mine, daddy!”
Kade laughed and hugged her in my arms. “That’s right! How could I forget?”
She pressed her head against his. “You’re silly, daddy,”
“Yeah, you’re silly, daddy,” I repeated.
“I’m silly and unfathomable happy. How can I be so lucky to have so many people to live for?”
I closed my eyes when his lips moved over mine.
“Cake.”
My eyes opened, and I stared at my man. “Cake?” I asked and looked at Celine.
“Cake,” she repeated, more determined.
“If it is cake the birthday girl wishes, cake is what she will get.” Kade lifted her in his arms and tossed her in the air. Celine giggled, her eyes glimmering under the sunlight and her braid whipping in the air.
“Seven-layer cake coming up,” I said as we returned to the house.
The celebration was in full swing. Cara and Graham put out the refreshments.
My mom came walking up with a big smile stretching on her face.
“There she is! All muddy and perfect,” she laughed.
Celine reached out and jumped into her arms.
“Oh, my little love bug,” my mom said and carried her away.
Anna came walking out into the living room. In her hands, she was holding the most majestic seven-layer cake ever to meet the eye.
I counted the candles.
“Five,” I breathed and looked at Kade.
“She’s five.”
I couldn’t believe it. “Yeah, I know. We stop with the birthdays after this one, right? I won’t survive more candles being added.” I laughed and pressed my head against his shoulder.
His hand snaked around my waist. A heat overcame me and engulfed my senses.
“Stop that,” I moaned.
He nuzzled his nose into my hair. His lips brushed against my ear, and he breathed. “Stop what?” he teased.
“The touching, stop that. You know I can’t control it right now.”
He smiled, pleased with his efforts. “I don’t mind,” he laughed.
“I do. It’s getting hard to move around.” I put my hand on my belly.
The bump was big. Our boy was only one month away, and it was all Celine talked about; she said she’d teach the baby to fight.
“How is the mommy to be?” Cara asked me.
“I should be asking you,” I said and pressed my palm on her bump.
“Exhausted,” she groaned but grinned. “But I can’t wait to meet him.”
Theodore came up and hugged me before he walked over to Anna. He pressed a kiss against her lips, and she smiled. The kind of smile that made you smile because a person you love was genuinely happy. They had found each other a year ago, and I had never seen her happier.
Danielle put a gift on the table. She came over and wrapped her arms around me.
“I have something to say.” She sounded reluctant.
Kade and I turned and saw Justin coming up as well.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing is wrong, but we have news. Justin and I are leaving. We’re taking the Emberclaws, and we’re going to find land somewhere where we can start our own pack.”
My heart sunk into my stomach.
“Why?”
It was a dumb question; I knew why. The Emberclaws had been here for five years, and they still hadn’t acclimated to the pack and our way of living. They were more powerful, stronger and needed more than they got here.
Danielle tilted her head and gave me a knowing gaze.
I sighed.
“Never mind,” I said, but I couldn’t help the sadness I felt. Especially for Justin.
“You promise to visit?” He chuckled and nodded, pulling me against him.
“More than I should,” he promised.
“Kade, can we…” she asks and flicks her head. I smile and steal Justin away to join my daughter’s fifth birthday.
“You have to come to all of her birthdays,” he scoffed.
“Obviously. She’ll never lose her uncle.” Mason ran up behind us and threw his arms around our shoulders.
“She won’t lose the fun one, at least.” He winked.
~Kade~
Danielle and I stood on the stone steps outside the house. I constantly listened in on the party and heard my daughter barking orders.
I shook my head and smiled, the kind of smile that hurt your face.
“You don’t have to leave, you know,” I said and looked at Danielle.
“I do, we all do. We’re not made for this kind of life. It’s been a good few years, but it’s time to move on.”
I nodded in agreement, but despite everything, it would be hard to see her walk away again.
“I’m glad you came back. I think part of me would always have wondered if you didn’t,” I said, my heart pinching from the words, but it was the truth, and it needed to be said.
Danielle looked down at her feet and bit her lip. She found my eyes and looked up through her lashes.
“You deserved better, Kade,” she said and took my hand in hers before confessing, “I’m sorry I couldn’t be better.”
“I’m proud of the person you are today, and you will find someone deserving of you just as you are. Thank you for everything you have helped us with.”
With those parting words and the knowledge that there wouldn’t be any more, we walked back into the house.
I saw my daughter cutting the cake before blowing out the candles.
“Have you made a wish?” I asked.
Celine turned her head.
“I wish for happiness like this,” she said.
“You’re my girl! How can you be so clever?”
She turned and looked at Layla.
“Mom,” she said, and we all laughed.
“You’re probably right,” I said and looked at that beautiful woman. My beautiful woman.
Layla walked over, and I claimed her lips. My mom held my daughter and helped her load the cake on plates.
“I love you,” I whispered against her lips.
“I love you with every fiber of my soul,” she said and claimed me back.
