Forever & Always

6 Different

Isla POV

My head was all over the place as I made Maddie's breakfast, kissing Joe last night felt amazing, it felt right, but I had woken this morning feel nothing but fear.

I wanted it to happen, I wanted to kiss him, I wanted more than that but he was a gentleman. He didn't want to rush things so he even stayed in a separate room. But I was scared, things were different now, what if we didn't work out? The thought alone of losing Joe sent fear right through me.

Maddie taps her spoon on her high chair as I mash up a banana, that's another thing that worries me, what about my baby girl? What if she gets attached to Joe and it doesn't work out? How will that affect her?

Sitting in front of her I start to feed her but she reaches out to take the spoon "Alright but don't throw it at momma this time" I chuckle.

I watch as she puts the spoon in her oatmeal and then careful lifts it to her mouth, the proud smile on her face makes my heart melt. I step away to make myself some coffee and I'm suprised by arms encasing my waist.

"Good morning butterfly" he says kissing my cheek

"Good morning Joe" I say as I move out of his grasp "Maddie this is mommy's friend Joe, Joe this is my daughter Maddie"

"Well good morning Miss Maddie" he says taking hold of her tiny hand and shaking it "its a pleasure to meet you" he smiles and she beams back at him before reaching out and gripping his nose.

Joe makes a honking sound and she giggles loudly, she squeezes his nose again and laughs when he makes the sound again.

"You know she's not going to stop doing that now right" I laugh

"I don't mind" he smiles "she's adorable"

I watch them both as I sip on my coffee and I find myself relaxing a little, maybe I was worrying over nothing. When Maddie finally let's his nose go he stands up and walks over to me, he wraps his arms around me and kisses my lips softly.

"What's wrong?" He asks "I know that look what are you worried about?"

"What if this doesn't work Joe? I don't want to lose you" I say rubbing his arms as he rests his head against mine

"Whatever happens I will always be a part of your life, you will never lose me" he says softly "but I have no doubt in my mind that this will work, just trust what we have"

"And what do we have?" I ask wrapping my arms around his neck

"A connection so deep no one can break it" he says lowly "we know each other better than anyone, we've seen each other at our best and worst and it didn't change how we felt about each other"

"Well when you put it that way" I smile before leaning in and kissing him, he tightens his arms around me as he kisses me back, but all too soon he jumps and breaks away from me.

"What's is it?" I ask as he tries not to laugh

"I'm not sure but I think I might have oatmeal on my ass" he laughs as I look around him to find Maddie beaming, her spoon on the floor and oatmeal on Joe's pants.

"I'm sorry" I sigh "I'll wash them"

"Don't worry about it, she can throw whatever she likes at me she's not doing any harm" he says "she obviously doesn't like me kissing her mom" he chuckles

"She's not used to having a man in the house other than my dad" I say picking up the spoon

"Look I know it will take time for her to get used to me and thats ok" he says pulling me back into his arms "give her time she'll love me"

"Who doesnt" I say under my breath and he looks down at me

"What was that butterfly?" He asks with a smirk

"Oh I said who wouldn't" I say "I mean you're a great guy, everyone loves you"

"Mama" Maddie calls out and when we look Joe starts laughing while I gasp

"Sweetie no, your supposed to eat it not wear it" I say taking the bowl off her head as she giggles "now I'm going to have to bath you"

"You take her up I'll clean up down here" Joe says taking hold of my hips and kissing my cheek "be a good girl for your momma" he says rubbing her cheek

I take her upstairs and place her in her cot while I run the bath, once it's ready I go back through and get her. I remove her pjamas and place her in the bath, she immediately starts splashing  as I wash her hair.

"Maddie, baby do you like Joe?" I ask knowing full well she can't answer me properly all I get is a big beaming smile followed by "honk honk"

"I'll take that as a yes" I chuckle "he's very special Maddie, and I'll tell you a secret, mommy thinks she might love him"

She looks at me with her big blue eyes and smiles, I know she doesn't understand but at the same time I know she can't say anything to Joe, my secret is safe with her.