Living Again (68 page)

Kayley chuckled. “Well, I guess you never know, huh?” With that, there was no more talking, because he was determined to show her just how attracted he was to her. His mouth devoured hers as she turned to face him, and he lifted her and put her on the bathroom counter. Moaning, he licked inside her mouth as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She responded instantly to him, just as she always did, drawing him closer so he was settled directly where he needed to be. He knew that they didn’t have a lot of time before guests started arriving and/ or Alexis would come looking for them, but that almost made it hotter.

Rubbing gently against him, Kayley arched back, the sensations taking over. Ben’s hands roamed her body as he continued tasting her mouth, finally fisting his hands in her hair as he leaned her backwards, suckling her neck while her soft hand caressed him at the evidence of his desire. Whimpering, she led him to her, looking at him directly in the eyes. What he saw there shredded any willpower he had to wait, and he entered her quickly, taking her furiously on the top of their bathroom counter, putting all fears to rest that he wanted her just as badly as ever.

Straightening her suit, she met Ben’s eyes as he redressed in his board shorts. “Think that will prove to you that you’re hot as hell?” Ben teased, caressing her backside again. She laughed, watching him as he pulled his shorts up.

“I love you, Dr. Yummy,” she teased. “And you never fail to make me feel like the happiest woman on this planet.”

“It’s my life goal, baby,” he said. “Now let’s go enjoy our party. Then I’ll reward you again later for giving me the two cutest kids in all the universe.”

Hours later, after the food had been eaten, the cake cut, and the presents opened, Kayley and Ben sat side by side, watching Alexis swim like a fish in the pool, and Benji floating around in a baby boat accompanied by his Nana. Alexis had of course gotten her share of baby dolls, as well as Barbie’s, her newest love, as well as a new bike, clothes, and princess items, from her Daddy of course. Benji had thoroughly enjoyed diving into the cake, getting it in every possible crevice he possibly could. Ben had said he was a typical boy, and his parents agreed, saying that Ben had been the classic boy as well. He could’ve really cared less about the toys he got, worried more about the bows and the boxes, but he had a great first birthday.

Their house was filled with their family and their friends that were like family, and tons of kids that loved being together. Sounds of shrieking and squealing kids filled the air, playing various games in the pool. The toddlers and babies watched, their eyes wide at the bigger kids, and they knew that it wouldn’t be long before they were doing that, too.

Reaching over, Kayley took Ben’s hand in hers, and he turned his head, meeting her eyes. He winked at her, leaning over to whisper in her ear. It was one of the best things he did, and it always made her feel special. “I love you.” Laying her head on his shoulder, she gripped his arm with her free hand, and closed her eyes.

“I love you, too,” she murmured, her heart full. She felt like the luckiest woman in the entire world.

Kayley straightened the blue bow in her daughter’s hair, smoothing out her curls and cupping her face in her hands. She looked so adorable in her little school uniform- a white collared shirt with the name of her school embroidered on the chest, a khaki skort, and, of course, pink princess sneakers.

“You look adorable,” Kayley said, kissing Alexis on her little button nose.

“Can we go? Is it time for school?” Alexis hopped up and down, her curls bouncing. She had been ready for this day for weeks, her little social butterfly. It was Alexis’ first day of kindergarten. Kayley couldn’t believe that her baby was old enough to go to school.

“Mommy!” Benji’s little voice came around the corner. Dressed in his favorite Superman pajamas, his blonde hair was sticking out everywhere and his blue eyes were bright. “Wexi go school?”

Kayley took Benji in her arms, hugging him. “Yes, it’s almost time. Where’s Daddy? He needs to help you get dressed so we can take her.”

Alexis reached out for Benji’s little hand. “I’ll help him, Mommy. Come on, Benji, let’s go.” The two of them walked off, hand in hand, to Benji’s room. The bond between Alexis and Benji had always been this way, since day one. Alexis was like his little mommy, always there to help him. And he adored his sister, following her around all day long. Today would be hard for him, since he was used to her being with him all day.

Walking into the kitchen, she quadruple checked to make sure Alexis had everything she needed for today. Her new backpack was full of all of her school supplies. Her princess lunchbox had all of her favorites inside. She was ready as she could be. But Kayley wasn’t. She was going to school. Her baby was a big girl.

“About ready to go?” Ben came in, dressed in his usual dress slacks, dress shirt, and tie. Even after three years of marriage, seeing him like this still made her stomach flip. Add that he was carrying their newborn daughter, Cierra Emily, in his arms, and the love in her heart just tripled.

Walking over to her, he kissed her lips, and she breathed in the smell of him. Cierra was sleeping in his arms, and he carefully transferred her to the bouncy seat that was in the kitchen. She had been born just two weeks ago, making Benji a big brother at the age of two. She would never forget the reaction that Ben had to seeing his daughter born. They had opted not to find out the sex of the baby this time, since they had one of each already.

“The baby is coming! Come on, Kayley, push!” Dr. Moore had coached her, Ben at her side this time, holding her hand. While he had wanted to help deliver this one, Kayley had begged him to help her through it from the side. Plus, since they didn’t know the sex of the baby, she wanted them to both find out at the same time.

Bearing down, she pushed with all of her might, Ben’s soothing voice floating through her, encouraging her. As their baby made it into the world, Kayley cried in relief. Ben leaned over her, resting his forehead against hers, their hands still entwined.

“It’s a…GIRL!” Dr. Moore yelled, cutting the cord and holding her up for them to see.

“It’s a girl,” Ben cooed, kissing her softly. “We have another daughter. I love you so much, Kayley. Thank you.” Tears dripped from his face to hers.

She wrapped her free arm around his neck, stroking him softly. “I love you, Ben. Our family is the most important thing in the world to me.”

The nurse cleaned her up and weighed her, announcing that she was 7 pounds 1 ounce and 20 inches long. She walked over to them, the precious bundle in her arms. “Here she is. Congratulations to both of you.”

Kayley took their newborn daughter in her arms, staring into her precious face. Ben stroked her gently, memorizing her features. “She’s beautiful, just like her mom,” Ben murmured, kissing her face. She squirmed, her eyes trying to open but without success.

“She knows your voice,” Kayley said, watching as the baby turned her head and kept attempting to open her eyes.

“Of course she does,” Ben boasted. “I talked to her every day. Hi, baby. Now we have to decide what your name is. You have a big sister, Alexis, and she’s going to die when she knows that you’re a girl. Your big brother Benji is going to be your protector.”

Kayley watched her husband talk to their new daughter, awe filling her. Ben was the greatest father, always hands on and active with his children, no matter how much he worked. This baby would be no different. He got up at night, changed diapers, and made sure that Kayley had a break.

“What are we going to name her?” Ben asked. “I know you had a few names on the list that you liked for girls. What do you think she looks like?”

Kayley studied her beautiful face, so similar to her sister and brother. Touching her puffy lips, which opened immediately to try to nurse, she smiled. “I think someone wants to try to eat,” she announced to the nurse. She walked back over to assist her, though Kayley was an old pro at this by now. She opened her gown, settling the baby at her breast. Just like both of her siblings, she latched on right away, content.

“Cierra,” she announced. “What do you think of that?” She looked at Ben, and he smiled. “She looks like Cierra to me. Would you mind if I had her middle name be Emily?”

Ben caressed the baby as she nursed. “Cierra Emily Nichols,” he tried it out on his tongue. “That’s a beautiful name, Kay. Good choice.”

Kayley looked down at Cierra, her little mouth working. “Cierra,” she said. “Your name is Cierra, baby girl. Welcome to our family.”

A wail snapped her back to reality, and she looked over at Cierra in the seat, who was squirming, her little face scrunched up.

Alexis ran into the room, followed by Benji, making a beeline for her sister. She was thrilled to be a big sister again, and often Kayley had to stop her from trying to take complete control of the baby, even at the tender age of 5. Benji was dressed, shoes and all, thanks to big sister Alexis.

“Mommy, she’s sad that I’m going to school,” Lexi said, caressing Cierra’s face. She immediately stopped crying, her little face smoothing out at the sound of her sister’s voice. Kayley knew that if anything was bothering Alexis about going to school today, it was leaving her brother and sister.

“Baby, she’s going to miss you a whole lot while you’re gone today, but I promise I’ll take good care of her and Benji. They will be ready to hear all about your day at school when I pick you up.”

“And you’re picking me up at the front of the school? How do I know what to do?” Concern etched her precious little face.

Crouching down next to her, Kayley looked into her blue eyes, big with worry. “Your teacher, Miss Smith? She will show you exactly what to do. Don’t worry at all. And I will be there. I promise.”

Alexis’ lip trembled. “When we get to school, can you ask her?”

Kayley took her in her arms. She acted so big but was still her little girl. “Yes, baby girl. We’ll ask her.”

Ben swooped up from behind her, wrapping his arms around her. “Hi, Princess. You look adorable. Are you all ready?”

Alexis turned, throwing her arms around her Daddy, and grinned. “I’m ready, Daddy! Are you coming, too?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, baby girl. Benji, you ready, buddy?” Benji nodded, still crouched next to Cierra in her baby seat. While he loved baby Cierra just as much as Alexis did, he wasn’t nearly as worried about her. Kayley figured he would probably take a more active role with the baby now that Alexis would be at school all day.