Forever in my Heart: Book 3 in My Heart Series

by Aleya Michelle

  I gently lay her on the changing table and unbutton the pastel pink suit, then gently remove both arms from the sleeves, thankful that she didn’t cry.

  I realise I will have to lift her to pull the pant legs of her suit down.

  Oh, crap the singlet, how in the hell am I going to get this off? I think to myself feeling a little shaky. She is such a delicate flower.

  Success, I finally get it off without any tears from her.

  I cuddle her into my chest to get the last of it over her little head.

  Phew that was a little stressful.

  Placing her carefully back down in just her nappy I am in awe of her naked little flesh.

  “You are one gorgeous girl aren’t you?” I say to her smiling and adding a high tone to my voice.

  “You will be a heartbreaker when you get bigger,” I add now nodding to her. It’s true though; she will have boys knocking down her door.

  “Oh, Kade look at her little toes and feet.” I can’t help but brag to him about her cuteness.

  He places the filled bath on the sink and eagerly comes over and smiles down at her. He holds her tiny foot in his palm and it is so little compared to his hand.

  “Look at the size of her foot, each tiny toe is perfect. It’s amazing how they are born like this, don’t you think Rox?” he remarks with eyebrows raised, really amazed by her perfection.

  “Yep, it truly is amazing,” I reply and look over at Kade adoringly.

  His eyes lovingly meet mine and he leans in to give me a sweet, deep, loving kiss.

  “I love you Roxy, you know that right?” he tells me sincerely.

  I smile widely and reply, “I know that one hundred percent Mr. Thomas, and I love you too baby,” I declare to him without a doubt in my mind.

  Kade smiles a large beaming smile. “You know our little spawn would be pretty cute one day right?” he adds and my heart somersaults in my chest. He mentioned us having children and he said it with a smile, not a cringe, and said one day not a long way away.

  Well, that is progress and another example of just how deep his love for me runs.

  “Okay, little girl let’s get this nappy off you and get you into the bath,” I whisper to Crystal sweetly.

  Whether it’s motherly instincts or not, I can’t help but feel the water first just to check, and it’s a perfect lukewarm temperature like Kade said it would be.

  “Perfect temperature, good job, babe,” I commend him for his efforts, and he nods his head in agreement.

  Slowly and gently I remove the nappy, cradle her in my two arms and carry her to the baby bath. The sink is a much better idea for the height.

  Slowly I lower her in, letting her body adjust, she flinches at first and then relaxes into it, her arms floating in the water, every so often kicking her legs.

  “Shh, Shh,” I tell her soothingly so she knows it is going to be okay.

  “Look at that Roxy, she loves it,” Kade tells me smiling as he wets a little pink wash cloth and wrings out the excess water, then he washes her eyes, cheeks and mouth ever so gently.

  I can’t help but admire his large hands, the way he is being so gentle and careful; he’s a gentle giant.

  My gentle giant.

  “Can I have a turn at holding her in the water Rox? She might take after me in the surfing industry,” he asks me looking eager to see what it feels like and making me laugh with his added surfing comment.

  “Sure you can, put your hands underneath mine and I’ll make sure you have her before I move away,” I respond to his request. I love that he wants to do this.

  “Got her, Rox,” he states, and I slowly move my hands away.

  I gently give her face one last wash and then wash her hands, tummy, legs, and other areas.

  I tenderly massage the Johnson’s baby shampoo into her scalp, being extra careful not to get it in her eyes. Then rinse it gently using the cup Emma left on the sink for me.

  This is the cutest thing ever.

  “If Pete could see me now, Rox, staring at his only daughter naked,” Kade jokes and I giggle and shake my head at his comment. Never a dull moment with my man.

  “I’ll get her towel, spare nappy, and clothes ready, baby,” I announce as I busy myself collecting the items.

  “Okay, Miss Thorne, don’t worry about me and Chrissy here, we are just chillin’,” he replies and makes me giggle again.

  I am all set, so I spread her pretty purple towel with pink flowers across my arms ready for her to exit the bath.

  “Okay, I am all set. Let’s get her dry before the water gets too cool, Kade,” I state to him, and I can’t help but notice how concerned I am about her welfare. Definitely my motherly instincts are kicking in.

  “Okay, good plan. On the count of three; one, two, three here she comes,” he says playfully to Crystal as he lifts her ever so slowly out of the bath and into my arms, where I wrap her snug as a bug in a rug.

  She cries out so I wrap her tighter and rock her in my arms.

  “Someone loves her bath so much that she didn’t want to get out,” I say to her in that fruit loop voice again.

  Kade chuckles, and I’m not sure if it’s from my comment or from my voice.

  “Roxy, you are too cute, you know that? Babies bring out the best in you,” he announces to me smiling and comes over to cuddle both of us.

  “Let’s get her dressed nice and warm,” I suggest as I lay her down and dry her better.

  “Let me try putting the nappy on, Rox. It can’t be too hard if Pete can do it,” he suggests and I smirk. I can’t wait to see this.

  “Go ahead, Einstein, do your stuff,” I reply as he grabs the nappy and starts to unfold it holding it up examining which way it should go.

  “Ha, ha,” I laugh out loud at his puzzled expression.

  “This is my guess, bigger side at the back and smaller at the front,” he tells me and I nod at his correct guess.

  Then he lifts Crystal’s legs and pulls the nappy under her, undoing the sticky parts, then sticking down one side then the other.

  “Voila!” he commends, smiling and looking very impressed with him.

  Who would have thought the world champion of surfing would be happy with mastering a correct nappy change?

  “Beginners luck,” I joke to him as I punch him playfully on his arm.

  “Now singlets are another story,” I state as I know how hard it was to get the last one off, to get one on will be even trickier.

  Kade stretches the neck of the pretty little yellow singlet then places it at the top of crystals head. “Shit Roxy, how in the hell is that going to fit?” he questions me looking a little concerned.

  He stretches it a little more as I sit her up, still supporting her head as he places it gently over her head. She cries out and obviously isn’t a fan of getting dressed.

  “Is it hurting her, Roxy?” he panics and asks me sounding concerned.

  “No. It’s probably a little uncomfortable just get it over her head. I’ll put her arms through the arm holes,” I state to him. The quicker we get this done, the better.

  “All done. Phew, that was bloody stressful,” he comments and I look to see a sweat forming along his hairline. Just adorable.

  I lovingly give Crystal a little cuddle afterwards to assure her she is okay, and then move the wet towel away as I place her back down for her pyjamas.

  “Oh, look at these cute little pyjamas with puppies on them, they are very sweet,” I state as I hold them up to figure out where to start with the all in one suit.

  “Feet first.” I put her feet in and pull the legs to her suit up, as Kade lifts her to his chest I pull the suit up her back and pop both arms through.

  He lays her down as we do up the million buttons, or so it seems.

  “Great teamwork, Rox,” he announces and smirks at me.

  “All ready for bed princess?” I whisper to her and get a little smile back and it melts my heart.

  Kade picks her up again and holds
her across in his arms.

  “Wow, Kade you really are natural; changing nappies, settling and soothing. Is there anything that you can’t do?” I state to him, praising him but also stirring him up a little.

  “Not so far Rox, but I may gag if her nappy resembles something Dad’s dog does in the garden,” he replies chuckling.

  “It’s all about the signs Rox. Once we give her a bottle, she should be content, just like I am after a bottle of beer,” he exclaims smirking and claiming expertise in the baby department.

  I smile in amazement with pride and love for this charming man that holds every part of my heart and soul.

  I microwave her bottle, testing the temperature, and then put a bib around her neck.

  “Here you go Uncle Kade, you can give your Chrissy her bottle,” I comment to him teasing him with his cute little nickname.

  “Ha, ha very funny. You wait Rox, I will be her favourite uncle,” he tells me as he slowly puts the bottle to her mouth. As she drinks and guzzles down her milk, Kade looks at her in amazement and grins. He looks up to me with his beaming smile, and I return it with my own. In this moment of unspoken words, I know this man is going to make me insanely happy for the rest of my life.

  Crystal falls asleep in Kade’s arms and we all cuddle on the lounge watching the end of “The Mentalist” on TV. I really love Simon Baker as an actor.

  I am startled when I hear the door unlock at around ten-thirty and see Emma’s cute face appear so eager to see her daughter. She smiles widely when she sees her in Kade’s arms and Pete shakes his head in amazement.

  “She has been perfect,” I whisper to assure Emma that it went as planned.

  She sits on the lounge next to me and hugs me tight, as we both gaze at Kade with Crystal snug in his arms.

  After chatting about their meals and how they really enjoyed the restaurant they ate at, we say our goodbyes.

  “Thank you so much, we owe you guys,” Pete tells us appreciatively.

  “Anytime dude. Seriously. She is awesome,” Kade replies to his best mate. Who would have thought a sweet little baby girl could turn two grown men to mush?

  “Yes, she totally is awesome,” Emma comments smiling as we exit their front door.

  Kade and I casually drive back to my place, which is pretty much Kade’s place as well.

  As the truck approaches the apartment, we park and my favourite person in the whole wide world reaches over and holds my hand.

  “I love you unconditionally Rox. It’s not just love, it’s friendship too, baby. Just like how Pete and Emma started out,” he confesses to me looking so scrumptious.

  “In such a short time, you have taken me to unseen heights and helped me to sort through my demons and smash my goals out of the park,” he admits honestly, not holding back anything that he is thinking or feeling. I love it.

  “I’ve learnt that life is like a puzzle, and your love is the biggest piece of my puzzle that fits perfectly. Nothing else matters to me,” he exclaims, filling my heart with warmth and love.

  I can’t help but shed a tear from these meaningful and heartfelt words.

  “God Kade, what did I do to deserve you baby? I am so thankful that you took me back. I am the happiest girl in the world, and I know my life is richer having you in it,” I reply and kiss him long and hard, pouring my love, adoration, and devotion of epic proportions into this one amazing kiss.

  “Whoa Rox, I felt the emotion in that baby,” he admits letting out a deep breath.

  “Let’s go and snuggle in bed, angel,” he exclaims with eagerness.

  “There is nothing else on the entire planet I would rather do than snuggle in your arms,”

  I admit to him feeling euphoric.

  Chapter 6

  Murphy’s Law Sucks

  Kade

  Life is fucking perfect. Waking up next to Roxy every day is a dream come true, and the special moments with Crystal have put life into perspective showing me what is most important to me.

  Even just talking to Roxy is mesmerising and always interesting, she keeps me on my toes and puts me in my place.

  According to my dad, I am stubborn and pig headed and I need to admit that I am wrong sometimes.

  I feel that I can do that with Roxy. With her I feel myself letting go and feeling at home, just relaxed and complete; she is the other half to me and she is just as stubborn and pig headed as I am, but that is why I love her.

  I love everything about her.

  Everything has been so perfect so when something unexpected happens there are no words for how shocked I feel.

  It hits like a hurricane, a whirlwind of disaster.

  Just like the wicked witch of the west, the witch herself shows up on my beach...

  It’s a Wednesday afternoon when I’m finishing up at work and I start to pack up the van with equipment.

  KT’s Surf School is going great guns. I think the word has spread that I am the Kade Thomas. The one who won the world cup of surfing is helping build up my clientele.

  Business is booming and I am over the moon, I get to teach youngsters and even adults how to surf; something that I have always loved and now I get to share it with others and it’s amazing.

  That moment when they get their first wave without falling, it is like my first wave all over again, back in the early days.

  I have been lucky enough to hire the owner back every second weekend; I can’t miss quality time with my gorgeous Roxy. Having her back in my arms is heaven, her smell, her taste, and her personality, she is one in a million and I’ll be fucked if I’ll ever let her go again.

  Not that I should ever have too.

  Loading the surfboards and all of the gear into the van, I get the feeling someone is walking behind me so I turn to see if maybe Roxy is surprising me.

  I can’t help but do a double-take at the blonde walking along the beach.

  It sure isn’t Roxy.

  Her tanned skin is intense and deep I can tell she must work outdoors or be a frequent sun baker. Her tiny jean shorts are more like underwear they are that high, teamed with her hot pink singlet, there really is a lot of skin showing. Her blonde hair is white blonde and looks dry and frizzy like straw, not soft and smooth like Roxy’s.

  She somehow looks familiar.

  Maybe from the Hawaiian tour? Must be a groupie.

  I am really not that concerned or interested so I turn back and continue packing up eager to see my own blonde angel.

  “Hi Kade,” I hear a female voice say from behind. I spin to the voice and it’s the same blonde. Shit she knows my name. Not good Kade.

  She smiles at me as I squint from the sun's glare, really unsure of who this sun-kissed broad is and how she knows me.

  “Hi, do I know you?” I question her a little confused. Her eyes dart sideways and I see rejection in her face from the way she frowns. Shit, I obviously know her.

  She shakes her head and rolls her eyes.

  Oh, fuck me.

  I now realise who the fuck she is.

  Shit!

  What do I fucking do?

  Stacey isn’t the right name, is it? Fuck, I don’t even remember the skanks name, that’s how little she meant to me.

  Will Roxy ever be able to forgive me?

  “Oh God, I am sorry, of course I remember you,” I say to her as now I feel bad for not recognising or recollecting our night together; if you can even call it that.

  Damn Kade, you never were the one night stand type, I think to myself.

  I still can’t believe it happened, but a guy will do anything to take away the pain of a broken heart.

  “How are you? Ah, Stacey right?” I ask her and cringe at just how much of an arsehole I must seem like right now.

  “Yep it’s Stacey, and I don’t believe for a second that you could forget the night that we had together so easily Kade, you were quite the animal,” she states sounding confident and slightly bitchy.

  “And twice in an hour, that’s pretty damn
impressive,” she adds to her already rude comment.

  I am blown away by her audacity and comment. “Look, Stacey that night should not have happened. I was blind drunk and obviously wasn’t thinking straight,” I state to her trying to shut her up a little.

  “You weren’t that drunk Kade, trust me you got it up just fine, big boy,” she adds and it well and truly pisses me off.

  “Look I don’t know why the hell you are here but I have to pack the van and then I have dinner plans with my girlfriend,” I respond trying to make her leave. There is no chance for us if that is what she is thinking.

  I need to get the hell away from this chick before I say or do something I will regret.

  “Oh, plans with the girlfriend huh, how sweet,” she comments in a sarcastic tone while smirking.

  “Yes, so I guess I will see you around then Stacey,” I comment trying to make her take a fucking hint. Do I need to say get the fuck away from me bitch?

  “Oh, I’m glad you are seeing Roxy actually as you can tell her the good news then,” she says now grinning widely as if up to something sly.

  “What the hell are you talking about? I’ve had enough of your games, Stacey. Seriously. And how do you know my girlfriend's name?” I say now totally confused and pissed off about what she said.

  “Well,” she states as she rubs her hand gently in circles around her stomach.

  “You can tell her that we are having a baby, Kade.” She drops the fucking bombshell smiling like the Cheshire cat while I shake my head not believing her lies.

  “Stop talking bullshit and let me finish up here,” I remark rudely, utterly blown away by this statement and hopefully a lie.

  “I guarantee you it’s not bullshit. I am ten weeks pregnant and the baby is yours, Kade,” she states to me now looking quite serious.

  “I was on a break with my boyfriend Ryan so you were the only guy I had sex with the week the baby was conceived. But the only mystery to me is if it was it the first time or second time you blew your load inside of me,” she remarks smirking, making me cringe.

  The goddamn devil woman adds that last comment, pouring petrol onto the inferno.