by Amy Davies
I am currently behind Penny rubbing her lower back as she has a contraction. I am giving Liam a break, his poor arms. He is sitting on the floor playing cards with the kids and Dex. I feel Penny’s body start to relax, so I know her contraction is fading. Boyce Avenue is playing softly from the music dock on the window. Penny needs the music to soothe her. I keep rubbing her back, even though the contraction is finished, but I know she will have another one soon. Her contractions are close together but she isn’t dilating fast.
“Well that’s a very pretty sight to see when I walk into a room. A bit of girl on girl never hurt anyone,” Jay says as he walks through the door. He winks at Penny and me and I chuckle.
“Bugger off, Jay.”
“Awww, you love me, Pen. How are you chick?” He leans in and kisses her forehead. One of his hands comes up and rubs her back. That little act makes her melt into him. I step back and Jay takes over, putting pressure on her lower back. This lad will make a pretty good husband one day. I just hope it is with a girl who loves him back just as hard as he loves her. I walk over to sit on the floor with Liam and Dex, when the door swings open and in storms Rachel. The whole atmosphere in the room changes. I snap my gaze to Jay and see his body go rigid.
“I got here as quick as I could. How are you feeling?” Rachel all but pushes Jay out of the way to get to her best friend. Jay just stands there, staring at her in disbelief.
“I was standing there you know,” Jay says. You can hear how aggravated he is. He puts his hand on his hips when he is pissed and he has done that now.
“Your point? I am here now, so you aren’t needed.” Jay goes to bitch back but I get there first.
“Excuse me.” I start climbing to my feet.
“Don’t,” says Dex, but I ignore him.
“He has every right to be here, Rach. Bloody hell, just because you have known Penny longer doesn’t give you any extra rights over us. We love Penny as much as you do. Now back off, Jay was helping Penny through a contraction.”
“He was helping, Rach,” Penny pants out, as another contraction hits. God I feel her, they hurt like a motherfucker. Liam comes over and moves both Jay and Rachel away from Penny.
“You two can take your shit outside. She doesn’t need this right now,” Liam warns.
“He’s right,” Jay says. He leans in and kisses Penny’s head. “Now is not the time or place for our shit to be aired.” He nods to Liam and walks over to sit with Dex and the kids.
“Oh my Goooooood. Liam.” Penny cries out in pain. “Oh bugger,” she calls out. Liam steps back rather quickly as Penny’s waters break.
“Now comes the pain, lady,” I call to her. Rachel snaps her head up to look at me and scowls at me. “What?” Yeah me and Rachel are going to fall out very fricking soon. I smirk at her and wait for her to answer.
“She doesn’t need to be reminded how painful it’s going to get, Addison,” she bites out.
“I bloody know that, as you can see she is freaking feeling it. Get a grip, Rachel. You aren’t her only friend here. Oh and just remember, I know how she is feeling right now. Do you?”
“Piss off, Addy.” She turns her back to me and helps Penny get up onto the bed. One midwife cleans up the floor and another checks on Penny.
“Well Penny, you dilated rather fast there hun. You are at ten centimeters. Do you feel the urge to push?” the midwife asks.
“I feel the need to go to the bathroom and have a number two,” Penny replies.
“That is the baby pushing down, Penny. She wants out of there.” We all stand around watching and waiting for the baby to arrive. Penny does a cracking job at bringing baby Bradley into the world. Dex wraps his arms around me from behind as we watch the tiny baby girl being placed on Penny’s chest. Liam is crying and kissing Penny’s face. Connie is wrapped around Jay and Knox is standing strong like the big brother he will be. I wipe the tears away and smile at the growing family. Connie and Knox join their parents and meet their baby sister. Thanks to Penny working at the hospital and the staff loving her, she was able to have all of us present at the birth, which was a big issue for her.
“Guys, I want you to meet my daughter. Isla Grace Bradley,” Liam says proudly.
They all look so happy. These people are my family, well, excluding Rachel-stuck-up-Cullen. Our little crew is growing and I couldn’t be more happier, well I could if I had my baby girl with me right now, but she is tucked up at home with Mr Luke Baker, the man-whore who will be knocked off his arse one day, and I will be there to laugh in his face and go ‘I told you so’ in a very childish voice. I look at Jay who is looking between the happy family and Rachel, a mass of emotions show on his face. He is really torn about what to do about her. I really hope they both sort out what will happen in the future, it is not good for either of them.
“I love you, Addison Castle,” Dex whispers into my ear.
“I love you, Dexter Castle,” I whisper back.
I start the engine to my car and pull away from the house. Addy is sitting next to me and Phoebe is strapped in her seat in the backseat. She is ten weeks old today and she has found her voice. She babbles all day long, as long as she is awake you can hear her. Exactly like her mum. Her jet black hair is getting thicker and Ads always puts these stupid arse bows in her hair. I take them out and blame Phoebe. Today is a surprise day for Addy, I have been planning this for the last four weeks, only Jay and Liam know what I have planned today.
“Where are we going, Dex? You know I hate not knowing what is going on.” I know she does. Addy is a planner.
“Babe, you will know when we get there, now stop asking,” I tell her. She huffs next to me and I laugh at her, which earns me a poke to the ribs.
“Meany.”
“Yeah baby, that’s me. Dexter ‘meany’ Castle,” I snark back. She mutters “piss off” under her breath. I drive for about two hours before we get to our destination. Addy sits up straight in her seat, looking around - taking in her surroundings. I drive up the drive to the farm. Mr and Mrs Phillips breed dogs. They breed three different types of dogs, but they bred the one dog I wanted. I want a dog that will protect Addy and Phoebe. Who can protect the house, but also who can play with Pheebs and our other children.
“Why are we here?” Ads asks wearily. I smile at her and lean in and kiss her. I pull away and bounce my eyebrows at her and climb out of the car, ignoring her questions. I round the car and open the door and pull my baby out who is chatting away. I look down at her and smile.
“What are you bumping your gums about, huh?” She just babbles away and smiles a gummy smile at me. I kiss her head and walk to meet Addy who is standing at the front of the car, looking around. You can’t see much from the front of the farmhouse, everything is around the back.
“Come on, babe.” I take her hand and lead her around the house. The kennels are all legit. These guys take care of their dogs, they don’t over breed or mix breed. They have fields that allow the dogs to run free and get plenty of exercise, not only that but they train dogs as well. They will train our dog also. I needed a mean motherfucking dog to match my mean motherfucking character. Addy wanted a puny little fluffball of a dog, yeah I stamped that fucking plan down straight away. I am no way in hell walking a fucking cloud on four legs.
“Are you fucking serious?” Addy stops, still holding my hand. I look back to her and see her eyes are wide like saucers. She now realises where we are. I smile at her and tug her with me. I can see Mr and Mrs. Phillips standing by the small puppy pens, with six pups going crazy in there. Yapping and climbing all over each other. We continue to walk towards the older couple with big smiles on their faces. I have been here a few times but today is the day we get to take our champ home. I remove my hand from Addy and extend it towards the couple; Mr Philips first, then Mrs. Phillips.
“Hey, Dex. Good to see you again. And who is the pretty little thing?” He comes closer to have a look at Phoebe.
“This is my daughter, Phoebe. And t
his sexy little thing is my fiancée, Addison.” Mrs. Phillips smiles at us both.
“Well honey, if I was twenty years younger I would give this young lad a run for his money.” He winks at Addy, and she chuckles.
“Well Mr Phillips, if you were twenty years younger, this guy here wouldn’t get a look in.” She winks back at him. We all crack up laughing. Phoebe tries to laugh but it all comes out as a garble. I lift her and kiss her head.
“Come you two, let’s get you your furbaby,” Mrs. Phillips says.
“Furbaby? Dex?” I smile at her and kiss her lips gently.
“Come on.” I take her hand and lead her over to one of the other puppy pens. There are four pups; Doberman Pinscher pups, and one of them little shits is ours. I look at Addy who is kneeling down by the cage petting the four over-boisterous pubs. I kneel next to her, adjusting Phoebe so she is resting on my shoulder.
“So, what do you think?” I whisper in her ear.
“They are bloody beautiful, Dex. Can I hold one?” She asks Mr Phillips for permission.
“Of course.” Addy looks at all the pubs and picks up the little brown and black ball of energy that is wearing a red leather collar with the name ‘Deuce’ printed on it. I smile at her choice.
“Do you want one?” I ask her in a low voice.
“Really?” Addy says, shocked at my question.
“What did you think I brought you here for, baby?” She just shrugs. “See the little guy you are holding? He is ours, Ads. I bought him a few weeks ago.” Her eyebrows shoot into her hairline and I can't help but laugh at her. I shake my head and pull her to me. I kiss her head, while I hold our daughter to my chest and she holds our new addition furbaby to her chest. This is the new, extended Castle family. It is growing all the time, I couldn't be more fucking happier.
For the most part, us growing up was good, it was filled with good memories, not all from our parents but from Jay and Liam. After our parents died, everything went to shit. But one day that little ray of sunshine came into our lives and she planted herself there. Now here she is, well and fucking truly planted inside my heart and I have no fucking intention of letting her go.
Addison Cole is my queen and I am her king, and together we will rule our very own Castle.
The End
The Chainsmokers ft Halsey ~ Closer
Martin Garnx ft Bebe Rexha ~ In The Name Of Love
Red Hot Chili Peppers ~ Californication
21 Pilots ~ Heathens
Rascal Flats ~ What Hurts The Most
Ed Sherran ~ Castle On The Hill
James Arthur ~ Say You Won't Let Go
A huge thank to the main man in my life. My husband Darryl. Thank you for always supporting me and being right by my side. Love you babe.
My kids, as always don't ever change. #5 thank you also for being there when I needed you. <3
Dana Leah, what can I say. You have done it again. You have taken my vision and make it perfect. You made Dex's cover come to life.
Tracy and Lucy, yet again you helped me with this book and kept me sane while writing.
Kelly, my #bookbestie you have been my rock throughout this book. Thank you always telling me I can do it.
Leigh, again for making the inside of my book look pretty.
Steph, again for making Dex readable. Let's hope no one else claims Jay from you.
A HUGE thank you to everyone for their support. For always being there and reading my books. I am so grateful for you sticking by me.
Author Links
Facebook.com/AmyDaviesbooks
Twitter: @AmyDaviesAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7255950.Amy_Davies
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