The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set

by King, C. M

  My dad flew over when he could as the traveling was too much for a little one. They Skyped all the time. I often left them to have random conversations. It made me smile to hear them chatter together. He had inundated us with books, her bookshelf was rapidly growing, which made me happy. I wanted her to be a little bookworm that became lost within the pages of a story. It was the best place to be. I still enjoyed my Kindle time, squeezing it in when I could. My dad kept me topped off in gift cards to keep my one-click addiction going. Though I kept the titles to myself, some were a little risqué to mention, or as Joel would put it porn, but he wasn’t complaining when I dived on him after a heated scene. Despite having a little one, we still found time for each other. Joel was always standing to attention. We just had to be a little creative and faster before we heard those little footsteps making their way to our bed.

  My mother was now seeing a guy called Mark. She was happier than I’d ever seen her. Mark brought out her funnier side, which I never thought possible. I was glad she was at a place where she was content. She was great with Olivia. This time bursting into happy tears when we had made the announcement. She regularly had her over so Joel and I could have date night. It was nice to just be alone and enjoy Joel to myself. The night was filled with Joel worshipping me over and over, but we were always up by the crack of dawn to pick up our cute, little bundle of fun. We couldn’t be parted for long.

  So today was finally my little girl’s birthday, she was turning three and I wondered where the years had gone. She was fiercely independent and fearless in a way nothing scared her. As for me, my nerves were ripped to shreds, but Joel embraced it.

  Within seconds, she was off leaping off the bed into Joel’s arms. I clutched at my heart. It was beating like a frightened rabbit.

  “Joel,” I gave him a look of warning and he stifled his chuckling.

  “No jumping off the bed. You could hurt yourself,” I chided.

  “Daddy, catch me.” She grinned.

  She had an answer for everything.

  “Now what is the birthday girl planning to wear for her big day?”

  She gave me a look.

  “No, not today, you wear that all the time.” The lip came out, but I would not fall for that one. “Uncle Elijah got you a nice dress—”

  “No.” She shook her head defiantly.

  “Please, you can wear your strip tomorrow,” I pleaded.

  The lip got bigger, her big blue eyes rapidly building with tears.

  “Daddy would love to see you in a dress,” Joel whispered in her ear, in an attempt to make her change her mind.

  She shook her more. “No—don’t want to.”

  I sighed in despair. “We are going to be here all day at this rate, and I really need to start preparing the food.”

  “Come on, let’s go see if we can compromise on something,” Joel said to Olivia, who looked not impressed. I shook my head in disbelief; she was running rings around us.

  As Olivia was a summer baby like myself the weather was glorious on her special day. After showering and dressing, I made a start on the birthday buffet. Everyone was arriving at two so I needed to get myself into gear. After preparing the savory snacks and placing them in the oven, I set about making some sandwiches, salad and jelly. Elijah was bringing mini cupcakes along with the birthday cake. The table was soon filled with delicious treats. Joel started putting out the garden furniture so we all could enjoy this beautiful summer’s day together.

  I placed the jellies in the fridge to set, Olivia had inherited Joel’s obsession too, when small hands grabbed and hugged my legs. I turned to see Olivia look up wearing T-shirt, jeans and Converse. I sighed in despair but it was no surprise.

  Joel rounded the corner and shrugged when I gave him a look, it was pretty pointless if we made her wear anything, she’d just discard it within minutes.

  “I tried, baby.” He placed a soft kiss against my lips and I sighed. He still had that effect over me. His eyes heated a little and I smiled, pushing him away playfully. He grabbed me pulling me in.

  “Tonight, you are mine,” he growled.

  “Looking forward to it.” I winked. He made to move closer when the doorbell rang alerting us of our first party guest. Olivia hurtled towards the front door closely followed by Joel.

  “Uncle E,” Olivia yelled excitedly.

  Elijah’s face lit up then frowned. “Hello, my sweet girl, now where is the lovely little dress I especially bought you for your big day?”

  “Still hanging up,” Joel added, smirking.

  “Come on, let’s go and—”

  “Nooooo.” Olivia came barreling through and out into the garden, hiding under the tree with Ruby.

  “You know she gets that from you.” Elijah walked through pursing his lips before kissing my cheek.

  “Hey, I’m in a dress,” I protested.

  “I know, god, I have great style.” Of course he was the one to find it, even six years on he was still my personal shopper.

  I rolled my eyes continuing with laying out the buffet. “Please tell me you picked up the cake?” I all but shrieked.

  “It’s here, Iz, don’t worry,” Sam piped up, walking through smiling, He carefully placed it down before leaning in to kiss me.

  “Well, look at you two bronzed gods,” I remarked.

  “Yeah, I know. It was in the mid-thirties in Egypt last week. We were literally frying in the heat.” Elijah grinned.

  “Well, judging by the tan, you battled through I see.”

  “Now now, Casper, don’t be jealous. It’s not a good look on you. I’m off to try my persuasive ways on your daughter to get her in that damn dress.”

  Good luck with that.

  “I tell you she’s as stubborn as a mule,” I warned.

  “We know who she takes after. Remember the tomboy I first met at college.” He poked out his tongue, making a swift exit before I whipped him with the towel.

  “Do you want a hand, Iz?” Sam offered, smiling.

  “If you could just take the drinks outside that would be a big help.”

  After a few minutes I heard squeals, I popped my head outside to find Elijah chasing Olivia while Joel and Sam looked on in amusement.

  “No—stupid dress.” She squealed harder when he grabbed her and turned her upside down tickling the life out of her. I could see the delight in Elijah’s eyes. I stood there laughing myself before hearing the front door open as loud voices filled the room. Mike and Kara were here, you always heard them first. My mother was with them along with her partner Mark.

  “Hey sis, where’s the party girl?” Mike’s eyes were filled with excitement, carrying a large wrapped present. I guessed it was something noisy. He’d yet to get her a present that didn’t inflict headaches. I made a silent promise each time to pay them back, now I’d get my own revenge once Lily was older.

  “She’s in the back garden. Elijah is doing his best to persuade her to put in the dress he bought her.” I took the present from him, placing it with the others for Olivia to unwrap later.

  “Good luck with that, he has no chance,” Mike snorted. He was another one responsible for encouraging her.

  “Hey Iz.” Kara grinned, asleep in her arms was Lily Grace all dressed up in a sweet little outfit, no doubt due to Elijah.

  “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 wor
k. 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.

  I Trust Your Heart

  C.M. King

  Chapter One

  “Faggot.”

  The words cut through me like a knife, but I refused to give them what they wanted. I wasn’t ashamed of my sexuality, in fact, I’d been out and proud for over a year. My mother had been my biggest supporter, showing me the true meaning of loving her son unconditionally. My dad was the polar opposite. My parents had split when I was fourteen. They had been on the brink of doing so for many years, eventually it all came to a head, and they finally made the decision that life together had become so toxic they were better apart. I was never deemed good enough for my dad. I wasn’t a sports fan and as he lived and breathed them, we were missing that vital connection. He would take great pleasure in ridiculing, making me feel like a complete idiot, whether it was totally annihilating my clothes, my hair, my drive to constantly be immaculate at all times. I was six foot with chocolate brown eyes and fabulous sandy coloured hair that I wore gelled into a quiff. I’d spend hours in front of the mirror, it truly was my reigning glory. I had an image I was proud of and being less than perfect was not something that sat comfortably with me. My dad’s reaction the moment he learned about my sexuality would stay with me forever. I’d never seen such a look of disappointment in one person’s eyes, one of sheer horror and disbelief. I guess I’d delivered the final nail in the coffin on our relationship. Once he left, we barely spent any time together. The odd time my mother cajoled him into actually spending time with me, he usually backed out at the last minute, or I was left feeling like he was under an obligation to be there. I wondered why I thought each time would be different, openly allowing myself to believe this one time he’d try to make some effort. Each time he failed miserably. Once I turned sixteen, I told my mother no more. I couldn’t let myself be brought down by the guy who looked at me as his biggest disappointment in life. He eventually met a lady called Anne who came with two football mad boys, they easily filled that void missing in his life. I watched from afar the dad I’d always wanted him to be. It hurt but I buried it deep. He wouldn’t get to see that the extent of his hatred had a resounding effect over me. I chose to be out and proud, to dress fabulously. I lost myself in fashion. It became my saviour, and with each piece of clothing I wore my confidence grew. My personality finally became something I was proud to unleash. I was out and proud, and boy, did everyone know it.

  But there were some that still had issues with that.

  “Did you hear what I just said, pretty boy?” Rick’s ice-cold voice cut through me like a knife, but I refused to give him the reaction he wanted.

  “Yep, I just chose to ignore it.” My brazen words were enough to unhinge him, but I wasn’t ready to bow down to this pack of bullies, not while there was still breath in my body.

  “You think you are so fucking amazing, don’t you?”

  A smile touched my lips. “Well, I never try to be anything less, darling
.”

  Rick’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Don’t fucking ‘darling’ me, or else you’ll get my fist smashed into that pretty little face of yours,” he spat, the words almost like venom in his mouth.

  “Why thanks, it is rather pretty, glad you noticed.” I shot him a wink to really piss him off. I guess if I was heading for a hiding I might as well do it in style. His fist came down hard, and the sharp tang of blood instantly filled my mouth. I was only glad my mother was working late so I’d get home to do some damage control. I’d become quite an expert at it. There were always going to be people that had issues with the way I was, but I refused to hide back in the closet like a number of people I knew. I had to take the bad with the good, even though it was a painful pill to swallow.

  “Next time I won’t stop at one, consider this your lucky day that I’m letting you off lightly.” He sniggered, smirking at his other gang friends.

  Wow, real lucky. But I kept my smart mouth shut this time, it had had more than a bashing and I wasn’t about to make it any worse.

  I watched as Rick walked off, that smug smile of his committed to memory along with the other gang members that had an issue with the way I carried myself. It was just another day in the life of being me, it never got easier but then I never was one to take the more comfortable route. I clutched my jaw, it was only bruised but the blood made me gag. I spat some out onto the grass then picked up my bag ready to make my journey home. I slipped in my ear buds, turning the music up high, instantly making me forget the pain the moment the words filled my ears. I swayed along to the beat as my head nodded slightly and I smiled. It would take a lot more than that to bring me down. I was far too fabulous for that.