10 years Later.
“Last bite Kenz,” I grinned holding the spoonful of mush near her mouth. She threw her head from left to right slamming her tiny fists down on her lap.
“No!” she pouted shaking her head. “Baby,” she whispered in excitement pointing behind me and then began clapping her dirty hands enthusiastically.
“Kenzie, finish this and then you can play with the baby. Okay, sweetie,” I tried persuading her but she shook her head. I sighed in defeat.
Well, that’s two year olds for you…
“Maya, why don’t you take Cole and I’ll try getting the trouble maker to eat,” Hope suggested from behind me. I put the spoonful of boiled carrots and peas back into the bowl, stood up and turned around to take the tiny baby carefully from Hope’s arms. “Come on Kenzie, last bite for auntie Hope.” Hope tried.
“Hey gorgeous,” I cooed, rocking baby Cole in my arms. This baby was perfect, he always let his parents sleep throughout the night and he was only six months old. Kenzie was two and she still kept Zane and me up night after night with her never-ending energy. Zane and I loved her to bits but being woken up at three in the morning, to play barbie's wasn’t the most pleasant thing in the world.
“Baby,” Kenzie whined, her bottom lip quivering. “Mummy, baby,” she mumbled pouting, reaching towards me with her tiny hands. And when I didn’t react, she crossed those little arms over her tiny chest and huffed. Hope and I exchanged amused glances, for a two year old she had so much attitude and the only person to blame was her father!
“She’s just like Zane. She won’t back down until she gets what she wants,” Hope chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. “Zane spoils her too much; she’s so used to getting what she wants,” I half smiled, sticking my tongue out playfully at Kenzie. Cole gurgled in my arms and I couldn’t help but grin down at him, he was the spitting image of Ethan; just a lot cuter. And fun sized version that didn’t slap my ass every time he saw me.
“It’s because she’s her daddy’s little princess,” Hope started, she turned back to face Kenzie who was entertaining herself with her frilly pink dress. “Aren’t you?” Hope teased pinching Kenz’s now pouty cheeks. Kenzie giggled and Hope took the opportunity to put the last spoonful of her dinner into her open mouth. Hope jumped up and fist pumped the air victoriously as I laughed out loud at her craziness.
“NOW you can play with Cole!” I laughed. Hope took her out of her high chair, wiped her face and fingers and put her down on the floor. She immediately ran over to me and waited patiently for me to cautiously put Cole down on his play mat.
“BABY!” she shrieked enthusiastically. She kneeled carefully at the edge of the play mat and gazed at Cole in adoration. She was completely fascinated by his tininess and her eyes would light up whenever he did anything. She leant forward cautiously and began stroking his brown hair gently. “Baby,” she grinned.
“That’s Cole sweetie,” Hope smiled.
“Cole,” she whispered to herself, before planting a gentle kiss on the top of his head.
“Be careful Kenz,” I reminded her.
Kenzie sat down carefully beside him and watched while Cole gurgled and squirmed, his tiny legs kicking in the air. “Hello baby,” she smiled at him.
I clasped my hands over my heart. “She’s the sweetest thing Maya,” Hope whispered, turning to face me with a smile plastered across her face. “They grow up so quickly!” she continued with happy tears collecting at the corner of her eyes. “It feels like we were in college just last year and yet, here we are, ten years later, you with a two year old and me with a six month old and a teenager!” she exclaimed. She bent over to pick up her son, she held him extended at arm’s length causing Cole to erupt into the cutest, most contagious laughter I'd ever heard.
“Muuuummy,” Kenzie whined, she stood up and walked over to me to tug at the hem of my shirt.
“Yes pumpkin?” I smiled, tucking her dark ringlets behind her ear. Her green eyes shone back at me and I felt dazed that she was my daughter. Zane and I made this gorgeous little being.
“Daddy?” she asked innocently. I picked her up and sat her on my lap carefully before glancing up at the white time piece on the wall.
“He’ll be home soon,” I smiled. She jumped off my lap with her eyes and mind once again fixed on Cole. “Kenz, why don’t you go get Cole what we bought him today?” I suggested. She nodded and ran off through the house and came back with an oversized stuffed bear. She gave it to Hope.
“For Cole,” she mumbled shyly, indicating to Hope that she should give Cole the bear.
“Thank you Kenzie,” Hope grinned at her and enveloped her in a hug. “Look Cole-” she began, clicking her fingers in the air to gain his attention. “Look what Kenzie got for you,” she said waving the bear in the air above him. “Thanks Maya,” she smiled.
I laughed, “We saw it this morning and Kenzie wanted to get it for him.”
Hope picked up Cole and she and Kenzie came toward me, Kenz stood between my legs with her eyes locked on my stomach and before I realized what she was about to do, she leant forward and kissed it, whispering, “Baby.” I hoped Hope was too far to hear but she caught it.
I rubbed my hand over my face, mentally slapping myself. “Maya!” Hope exclaimed putting Cole into his carry case. She turned to face me, a cheeky grin forming on her face.
Heat rushed to my cheeks and I tried but failed to hide my now blossoming cheeks. “Yes?” I replied innocently.
“What was that about?” she exclaimed, an eyebrow rising questioningly. “Huh?” she pushed, elbowing me lightly.
I shrugged my shoulders, my cheeks turning an even darker shade of red. “Uhm, Kenzie’s going to be a big sister,” I said slowly. Her reaction was priceless; I burst out laughing as Hope’s face fell, mouth ajar, eyes wide, face pale.
“You’re pregnant?” she whispered in disbelief.
Her eyes trailed down to my stomach for reassurance. “I only found out today! When I took Kenzie for her check up, the nurse wanted to check up on me and well, I’m pregnant!”
“Maya!” she crowed, her smile reaching her ears. “Congratulations!” She pulled me into a hug, squeezing the dear life out of me.
“Thank you,” I smiled.
“I need to go now. Faith will be home from school now and she keeps bringing her boyfriend home when there’s no one there,” Hope replied, a deadpan look on her face.
“You don’t like him?” I asked. It felt so odd being on the other end. I remember being fourteen and dating and how much my parents despised it but being a mother myself now I understood why they had been so protective all along. If Kenzie ever brought a boy home Zane would cut off his hands.
She shook her head. “He’s not a nice kid but Ethan and I know that if we try and stop her, she’ll just go against our rules even more,” she grumbled, standing up.
“Good luck with that and if you don’t want her being home alone when you and Ethan need to go out you can drop her off here, alright?” I smiled sincerely. “As soon as Zane finds out I’m pregnant, I’m going to be under house arrest until the baby comes, I may as well have company,” I teased.
Hope chuckled, crouching down to tuck Cole up. “He’s only does it because he loves you Maya.”
“I know! I know!” I tittered.
“Take care of yourself now,” she grinned, pulling me into a quick hug, squeezing me softly before pulling away. “And your little one,” she smiled. “Bye Kenzie, don’t cause your mummy any more trouble!” she finished while bending down to Kenzie’s level with her hands out ready for a hug.
I picked up Kenzie, placing her on my hip as she waved goodbye to Hope and Cole until they reversed out of the driveway and were out of sight.
Then the dreaded time came.
“Time to give you a bath,” I whispered, hating it just as much as Kenzie. She despised water! Absolutely hated it! It took both Zane and I ages to give her a quick bath. She slid out of my arms and ran away screaming at the top of her lungs. She hollered louder every time I got close.
I groaned collapsing onto the sofa, out of breath. I gasped for air, wishing Zane was here.
After a good ten minutes chasing her around the house, I managed to catch the little mischief-maker. “NO!” she cried kicking her legs frantically. “MUMMY NO!” she yelled, tears pooling in her green eyes as she attempted to free herself from my grip.
“Come on Kenzie, you can play with your new ducks,” I tried to convince her, slowly walking up the stairs with her. She shook her black ringlets; her hair was the same as Zane’s.
I put her down on the closed toilet seat, closing the bathroom door so she couldn’t escape. Turning the tap on, I let the water run until it was the right temperature. I went to the cupboard to get out her ducks and toys, anything to make my job easier.
I undressed her and was just about to take her nappy off when the sound of the front door shutting caught me off guard. She took advantage of my momentary distraction to jump of the toilet and to the door. Her excitement was evident as she jumped to open the door; I followed behind her, my hand on my stomach as she raced down the stairs in nothing but her nappy. I watched amused from the top of the staircase. “DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!” she sung.
“Hey princess,” he grinned, his voice hoarse, the sound of his voice still sent sparks of electricity through me.
“You’re giving her a shower now. I was so close and you delayed it!” I laughed as he spun her around in the air making her squeal in delight.
“Good day?” he asked me, taking off his blazer and hanging it up.
I nodded. “And yours?”
“Would’ve been better if you were there,” he winked.
I rolled my eyes, a smile twitching at the corner of my lips. “You won’t ever change, will you?”
He smirked, “Nope.” He said popping the ‘p’.
“I got you something Kenz,” he smiled. I scowled.
“Zane, stop spoiling her!” I exclaimed.
“Getting jealous are we?” he teased.
“Zane!”
“Maya!”
He threw Kenzie over his shoulder and ran up the stairs with her chuckling and screaming as she pretended to try freeing herself. Seeing the man you were in love with play so affectionately with your kid was probably the best feeling in the world.
He put her down on our bed and took an oversized chocolate bar out of his back pocket. Kenzie’s green eyes widened and lit up like lights on a Christmas tree. I shook my head disapprovingly.
“She’s a kid Maya, let it go,” Zane replied gently.
“Thank you Daddy,” Kenzie managed to fumble out. She was at the age where she picked up new words and repeated them, we had to be so careful what we said around her. The last thing we wanted was our two year old repeating things she didn’t need to know.
“I have something for you as well beautiful,” Zane chuckled, pulling out a small black box. He opened it gently, the contents blinding my eyes.
My heart got lodged in my throat as I clasped my hands over my mouth. “It’s beautiful!” I gasped captivated by its beauty. It was the most beautiful locket I’d ever seen; shaped as a heart with diamonds set in it.
“Just like you,” he smiled.
My cheeks blushed. “Zane!” I mumbled shyly. “I have something for you too,” I smiled. I hesitated, unsure whether to show him or not. Maybe I should leave it for a couple of days? It took every ounce of courage I had to walk over to our wardrobe and lift up a pile of clothes. I slid out the white envelope I’d hidden there this morning and exhaled heavily before handing it to him.
He raised an eyebrow but grinned when he slid out the picture. “Kenzie’s ultrasound?” he asked, “I thought we framed this. When did you get another copy?” he asked, his eyes glued on the picture.
“Look at the date,” I told him quietly, placing my palms flat against my tummy. I held my breath, waiting for him to understand.
His eyes trailed down to the bottom right hand corner of the picture, confusion running through his eyes. “It’s today’s?” he mumbled. “I don’t understa-” he started. “Oh…”
I wrapped my arms around him, he stumbled back a couple of steps slowly wrapping his arms around me. I inhaled.“I’m pregnant Zane,” I whispered.
His arms fell limp at his sides before he slowly pushed me out to shoulders length, revealing his massive smile. He placed his palm on top of mine on my stomach. “What?!” he whispered in disbelief.
“I only found out today,” I said comfortingly, his eyes clouded and I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. “There’s a bigger surprise. Look closer at the picture.”
He turned back to the picture, squinting. He froze and the picture dropped out of his hand onto the floor. He gulped. “Twins?” he choked out and it looked like he was ready to pass out.
“BABY BABY!” Kenzie chanted, jumping up and down on the bed excitedly. She had chocolate smeared all around her mouth and I couldn’t help but laugh. She walked over to me, gripping the chocolate bar tightly, as if scared we’d take it from her, and kissed my stomach again, leaving a little chocolate stain on my shirt.
Zane hadn’t moved he stood perfectly still, in the same position he was the last time I looked at him. His eyes were fixed on my stomach. “Can you say something?” I mumbled, shifting my body away from him uncomfortably. “Are you upset?” I asked quietly. The silence felt like a punch to the gut and I felt tears collect in my eyes and my throat tighten.
“Upset?” he whispered, finally unfreezing. He cupped my chin gently, tilting my face so our gazes locked. “Maya, I can honestly say I’m the happiest man on earth right now,” he finished pressing his lips to mine.
Kenzie ran out of the room and a smirk began forming on Zane’s face. He pushed me down roughly onto the bed, something shining bright in his blue eyes. Then his lips crashed hard and rough against mine, sucking all the oxygen out of me. Giving me time to breath, he peppered small kisses along my jaw, down my neck and along my collarbone. I gasped my back arching of the bed in pleasure.
“Your daughter’s home, if she sees this-” I whispered trailing off not even wanting to think of the consequence.
He pulled away from me. “The things I’d do to you if she wasn’t home right now,” he growled.
I giggled, “Control yourself!”
“I can’t help having the most beautiful wife on the earth.”
“I love you so much,” I replied, pulling his head down to kiss him.
“I know,” he smirked cockily, “Who doesn’t love me?” he mumbled against my lips. “I am Zane Collins after all,” he grinned, his infamous smirk returning to his face.
THE END.