The Heart of Mine (18 page)

"Do you like it?" Her small voice filled and echoed throughout the empty space, startlin' me.

"I do, but whose is it?"

Her tiny little frame came waddlin' in my direction. She slipped her arms around my waist and laid her head on my chest. "It's ours. I had it built for us while you were gone."

I peered down at the amazing woman in front of me. My hand came up and brushed back a piece of loose hair from her face. "You did all of this?"

"Totally! All by myself too." She grinned.

"Okay smart ass, you know what I mean."

"I know. Yes, after you left on tour, I contacted an architect and started having plans drawn up. That was the easy part. The rest of it has been a giant pain in my ass, that's for sure."

I slipped my finger under her chin, bringing her lips up to meet mine. I pressed them firmly together and placed both of my hands on both sides of her face. "You amaze me everyday, you know that?"

"I can see that." She whispered breathless. "You want a tour." She was bouncing up and down and there was no way in hell I was about to say no, not with that kind of excitement exuding from her. I nodded and she took my hand in hers.

"Well obviously this is the living room." We walked through the first vast open space that she had found me in. Then she led me down a small hallway with stairs to the right and an empty room to the left. "That over there, we call those stairs." She giggled. I smacked her ass and she giggled even more. "This room will be a study or library of some sort. I haven't figured it all out quite yet."

The rooms that opened up after passing the stairs were enormous in size. This place definitely looked a lot smaller from the outside. "This is obviously the kitchen, this is the dining room, and this is the play room. Mainly for big people play, not little people." She smiled and it was infectious. I found myself with the same goofy grin across my face. We made our way back down a small hallway that led to a huge room with an even bigger bathroom attached.

"This is our room." She twirled in a small circle before heading towards the bathroom. "This is
my
bathroom," she laughed, "Okay I'll share, but I had it drawn to my specifications."

There was a giant tub that jutted out from the middle of the wide room. There sat a sink and vanity on each side of the tub and behind those sat a his and hers set of closets. "I like the closet idea. You have way too many clothes." I laughed. "Um, where is the shower? Don't get me wrong, I love baths with you and all, but showers can be fun too." I winked.

She grabbed my hand and led me past the tub and around the back of it. "Here ya go."

The entire back wall from where the tub sat was an open tiled shower with two showerheads hanging from the ceiling. I wrapped her up in my arms and sealed my lips over hers. My hands gripped at the back of her dress and quickly slid my hand up her backside. I wanted her, here and now. She pulled back ever so slightly, "Don't you wanna see the rest?"

I could tell by the look in her eyes that I wasn't gettin' any right now anyhow. I kissed the tip of her nose and let her lead me back out of our new bathroom. We headed upstairs next. The hallway wasn't actually a hallway at all, but more of a four way stop with four bedrooms all facing one another. They were bigger than your average bedrooms, which were nice I suppose, but the amount of rooms confused me.

"Are we plannin' on havin' a litter?"

"No, these will be guest rooms and nurseries."

"Is there somethin' you're not tellin' me?"

"No, just that I would love to have at least one more child with you. Well, given that this one is a decent one." She let out a loud laugh and it echoed off of every wall.

"I agree." I kissed her one last time before we made our way back out onto the porch. "Isn't the view from here amazing?" She asked leaning against the railing.

"It sure is." I replied as I licked my lips.

"Really? All the time? I can't get a clean brain for at least two minutes."

"Nope." I shrugged.

We sat on the porch until the sun started to set, hands linked between our matching rocking chairs. "I feel like an eighty year old man." I quipped.

"Just enjoy it. Before you know it, this house will be filled with kids, family, friends, their kids and life."

I glanced over at her, taking in all of her beauty as the setting sun gleamed in her eyes. "I can't wait."

Kayla

Madison had been home for a week now and I was loving every minute of it. Though he had his moments when he was grating on my nerves, I found quiet places to retreat to for little bits of time and then I was fine. We were settling into a good routine and it felt nice, normal even.

The house was coming along nicely and we were almost all set to move in, but for some reason Madison said he wanted to wait until after this weekend. I wasn't exactly sure what he was up to, but I knew it was something good. I was hauling over a box of pillows when my phone started ringing from my front pocket. I dropped the box and fished it out, seeing Cami's exuberant smile flash across the screen.

"Well hey there. How is my engaged friend doin' these days?"

"Yay, I'm so glad you answered. I'm doin' great, but more importantly how is my super preggo friend doing?"

"I'll ask her when I see her." I laughed. "I'm doin' good and so is baby. He or she is kickin' up a storm and I'm sleeping like shit now because of it. Madison finds it hilarious because as soon as he speaks, the baby goes nuts and starts karate chopping at my insides."

"You make pregnancy sound so pleasant." She teased. "So, did he like the house?"

"He loved it. Thank you so much for all of your help. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Always here to help."

"Cam, your phone is cutting out, where the hell are you?"

"What?" She shouted and I swear I could hear her voice, not just through the phone.

I turned and saw her running at me at full speed. I dropped my phone to the ground and held my arms wide open. She stopped just short of almost hitting me and instead of hugging me, she bent down and went straight for my belly.

"How is my little niece or nephew? Aunt Cami has missed you so much." She kissed my belly and then looked up at me. "Oh and hello to you too best friend."

She wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and squeezed. I had missed her almost as much as Madison. The couple times that the guys had made it home, Cami wasn't able to. For some reason or another she always found a way around coming out here. Although she did manage to make it out for my eighteenth birthday, which made that day far less painful.

"Okay, I'll grab the box, you lead the way."

I nodded and off we went to our soon-to-be home. When we walked in, I watched her face light up in awe. "Oh my god, Kay. It looks amazing. You did a wonderful job. I think you may have found your calling." She joked.

I grabbed us both something to drink from the fridge and we made our way out onto the front porch over looking the millions of acres of land spread out before us. As soon as I was comfortable, I dove right in with questions. "So, how's the wedding planning goin'? Any date set yet?"

"Actually, that's kind of why I'm here. We have a surprise for all of you, but we aren't gonna tell y'all until after tomorrow."

"Look at you using the word y'all. You'll be one of us in no time." I beamed. "Wait, you're still planning on moving here right?"

"Of course. Yeah like I could stay away from my best friend and new little niece or nephew. You're crazy. That's not the surprise though. You'll have to wait. I promise it'll be worth it."

"I trust you."

We sat in silence for a few minutes just taking in the surroundings, when we eventually heard
all
the guys show up. First one to make it on the deck was of course Madison, and just as Cami had, he bypassed me and went straight to my belly, just chatting away. When the rest of the guys had made it up onto the porch, Madison finally tore himself away from my stomach long enough to give me a long drawn out kiss and then headed inside.

I stood up to say hi to everyone and of course, so everyone could greet my stomach. I was starting to get a complex with everyone ignoring me. Joey was the last one up and I quickly pulled him into a deep hug.

"I've missed you, Jo. How's school?"

"Oh, ya know its school. More importantly, how are you?"

"Better than ever. Come on let's get inside with the others." Joey pulled me in for one last hug.

"Hey, keep your hands where I can see them, Green."

He put his hands up in surrender and then met Madison half way for a hug. "Good to see ya, bro."

Madison patted Joey on the back, a little harder than necessary but then we all made our way inside. I stood back admiring the picture laid out in front of me. This was exactly how I imagined our home, full of all of our friends and full of life.

I joined everyone in the kitchen, sliding up next to Madison as he draped his arm over my shoulders. We both looked at one another and smiled.

"Everything you ever wanted?"

"Close." I whispered as my hand fell to my stomach. "So close."

"So I have an announcement to make." Glenn cleared his throat while pretending to tap his beer bottle to get everyone's attention. "We have a show tonight at the bar in town. Bryan set it up, and it will be our official last show until that little one comes into this world." He pointed in my direction as I smiled. "Everyone and I mean everyone," he looked at me again. "Will be there."

"Did you know about this?" I implored.

"Nope, but I can't say I'm not excited. You haven't seen me perform in so long. This is gonna be fun."

Loads, I was sure. I knew I wouldn't run into too many people at the bar because of the age restriction, but I definitely wasn't looking forward to seein' anyone from school.

A few hours later all the guys left to go set up at the bar and Cami and I stayed back to get ready. She helped me curl my hair and do my makeup and I snuck into my closet to find the dress I had picked out for a special occasion. It was a short white lace eyelet dress with a fuller skirt and spaghetti straps. The weather was warm enough now for me to wear it at night, and Madison had yet to see it on me. When I emerged from the closet, Cami's face fell to the floor.

"Oh my god, Kay. I don't think I have ever seen you look so beautiful. You look radiant. Madison is gonna die when he catches sight of you tonight."

"That's the plan."

I pulled on my usual cowboy boots and off we went. We had a hard time trying to find a parking spot when we got to the bar a little while later. It would appear that over the last couple months their band had become quite popular with the locals.

We did another drive by to see if a space had opened up, when I caught sight of Bryan waving us in his direction.

"Well hello beautiful ladies. I have a space all reserved for ya around the side. Go down this driveway and then turn left, you'll see the spot."

"Thanks, love." I chimed as I placed a chaste kiss to his cheek.

As soon as we parked, Bryan was at the passenger door helping me out. He guided us through the hectic crowd and then to a small table near the front of the bar, close to the stage. I hadn't gotten to know Bryan as much as I would have liked to, but I knew that he was definitely a guy I wanted as my friend. Now if I could just figure out what he saw in Taryn. I laughed to myself.

"He's so sweet, and HOT!" Cami yelled over the crowd of people.

I nodded in agreement as I scanned the overly crowded bar for anyone from the band, Madison or otherwise. When I came up empty, I shrugged my shoulders in Cami's direction but she just sat there smiling.

"What's up with you?" I shouted.

"What do you mean?" She was being evasive.

"Never mind. I'm thirsty, you want anything?"

Before she could answer me, a large hand appeared on my shoulder. "Don't even think about getting up from this spot." I turned to see Madison wearing quite a smirk on his face.

"I didn't know my dad was coming." I laughed.

"Pretty girl, it is way too packed in here for you to be tryin' to maneuver your way around. I've already talked to Trina the bartender, she has someone bringing y'all drinks all night."

And just when I thought he couldn't get any more damn adorable. "Thanks, cowboy." He bent down, sealing his lips to mine.

"Okay, I gotta go. We're on in five. I love you."

"Love you too."

"Love you too, Madison." Cami fake vomited as she said it.

"Ha ha, like you're not like that with Glenn."

"Whatever."

Sure enough, five minutes later the boys were takin' the stage. Everyone was in their rightful places, except for Madison. I moved back and forth in my chair to see if I could see him off to the side of the stage, but there was no sign of him. Then his voice came over the speakers as smooth as velvet.

"Thanks for comin' out tonight. Y'all are amazing in your support for us. Tonight's gonna be a special show, so hang on for the ride. Without further adieu, we are, RESTLESS YOUTH!"