I Treasure Your Heart

by C. M. King

  “Oh let me have a quick hold before Elijah steals her.”

  Kara laughed knowing only too well how true my words were. She fussed a little as she handed her over. I sighed, breathing in her intoxicating baby scent.

  “Oh I remember when Olivia was this young. They soon grow up.” I smiled looking at her little contented face. The floral headband was almost as big as her. I nuzzled my nose against her cheek, giving her a little kiss before the inevitable happened.

  “Oh my god, hand that little princess over, Uncle Elijah needs a hold too.” He pouted and I shook my head at a smiling Kara. she knew him just as well as I did. Over the years we’d become closer despite the time spent apart with work. We kept in touch on a daily basis. The bond between the three of us had become much stronger.

  I gave her one last kiss before begrudgingly letting her go, but Elijah’s face said it all. He had waited so long for his own little bundle of joy that my heart ached for him.

  He kissed her forehead gently. “Oh my beautiful little princess, you look gorgeous in your outfit and headband. I’ll have to see what else I can find for you.”

  “Elijah, seriously you have bought enough,” Kara protested but Elijah just ignored her as he continued to be transfixed with Lily.

  Sam walked through and smiled at the sight before him. “Err, guys, everyone is getting a little impatient out there to eat.”

  “You mean Mike and Joel.”

  He grinned—no other words were needed.

  “We’re coming now.” Seriously, these guys were shameless. I walked outside to find Olivia sat pride of place on her daddy’s knee, sucking on her thumb.

  All eager eyes rested on me and I smiled. “The birthday buffet is open.”

  “Come on, Olivia.” Joel didn’t even give her time to walk, carrying her the whole way as she giggled. They soon came back through into the garden with plates heaped high. Joel carrying both his and Olivia’s while she trotted along behind with their jelly pots. They were like two peas in a pod. Joel placed the plates down and lifted her onto his knee, as they began to munch their way through the food. Mike soon followed, his plate as equally high. Elijah passed on the food to continue holding Lily. He was so smitten, but Sam fed him pieces now and then, which he willingly accepted. I smiled looking around the table at family and friends. My eyes finally rested on Joel and then our daughter. They were my whole world and I giggled as they fed each other jelly oblivious to me staring. Olivia would need changing after this. I think she had most of it down her top, but she was enjoying her special day and that was the main thing.

  A short while later, I took Olivia upstairs to change, after much persuasion and a little negotiation, we made our way downstairs for her to blow out her candles and have some pictures taken. I knew the outfit would evoke a reaction with my beloved best friend.

  “Here’s the birthday girl,” I announced as Olivia ran towards Elijah, looking very princess-like in pink floral dress. She’d even let me put a ribbon in her naturally wavy hair. Thankfully, Kara was now feeding Lily to avoid the squeal that left Elijah’s lips.

  “Oh my god, you look so pretty, I’m going to cry.”

  We all laughed at his reaction, he lifted her up in his arms and kissed her cheek looking like all his birthdays had come at once. “I need a picture. Sam grab the camera, this might never happen again so I need to mark the occasion.”

  “Oh trust me, Olivia will definitely be dressing up when she reaches a certain age and starts to take notice of all the boys,” Kara added, grinning.

  “Well, that’s never happening,” Joel snorted.

  Oh boy, how the tides had changed.

  “That’s what you think.” Kara laughed. We all knew the inevitable would happen, regardless if Joel liked it or not.

  “Well, come on, photo time. We need some great ones for the digital frame.” Olivia loved to sit and watch it slowly make its way through pictures of Joel and me, then her birth and early years. It was her favourite thing especially when she was dozing off to sleep.

  We all stood together as Sam took pictures and then switched with Mark so he could be included himself. Olivia giggled her way through each one. I was certain I would look back in years to come at my little girl with happiness.

  After slicing up the cake, we handed plates around. Joel fed Olivia hers to make sure she didn’t ruin her dress. We oohed and ahhed our way through it, chattering away until Elijah tapped his knife against his glass, stopping everyone from talking to look his way. Sam smiled and walked over as Elijah reached for his wallet.

  “Now I didn’t want to overshadow my little princess’s birthday, but we have some news of our own.” He held up a picture, which took several seconds to register that it was a scan picture. “We’ve found a surrogate. She’s twelve weeks pregnant. We’re having a baby.”

  “Oh my god,” Kara squealed.

  “I know.” He shook his head still in disbelief.

  I walked over hugging him hard. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, in case something happened.”

  “I am so happy for you.” It meant the world to see him finally get the chance to start his own family.

  “I know, I can’t believe it.” He was too choked up to speak.

  “I’m going to be an auntie again.”

  He smiled and kissed me again before Kara charged at him hugging him hard.

  I stood back and watched the whole scene in front of me—everyone I loved in one place. Joel’s arms encircled me from behind, his lips nuzzled against my cheek.

  “Happy?” he asked and I sighed just taking it all in. It was the HEA I had always wanted. It was beyond anything I ever hoped for. It was perfect.

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  Acknowledgements

  Firstly I’d like to thank the readers for their support throughout writing this series, after all I put you through I think you deserved a perfect HEA. I can never thank you enough for taking the time to read my books.

  To Tanya, my amazing and patient editor, thank you for polishing up my work, for smiling at my British-isms, it’s been a pleasure to work with you.

  To all the bloggers that spend their days working tirelessly to help authors spread the word, the book community would be nothing without you, we all appreciate everything you do.

  To my brave and courageous friend Linda, you have been there from the start, I just wish you could have completed this journey with me, but I know you will still be supporting me from above, my cheerleader, my friend, I miss you x