Forever & Always

8. Forgive Me

Isla POV

Walking through the door I toss my keys into the dish on the table and go in search of Joe and Maddie. I'd been thinking about them all day andi couldn't wait to get home to them. But nothing could have prepared me from the sight that greets me when I walk into the living room.

The biggest smile forms on my face and my heart literally skips a beat. Joe is fast asleep on the couch with Maddie snuggled into him between his side and his arm. Her free hand is playing with Joe's hair as she sleeps beside him.

Judging by the mess of toys in the room, I'd say the had had a hard day of fun together, going by the floats in the pool and the fact that they both have wet hair they have also been in the pool.
Grabbing a blanket I cover them both, give them both a gentle kiss on the side of the head, snap a quick photo and head upstairs to get changed.

After changing into some comfy close and tying my hair up in a messy bun I head back down to start tidying up. But when I get down there I find Joe awake.

"Hey" I say quietly before leaning down and kissing him softly "have you had a good day?"

"Yes and no" he whispers shifting himself so that he's able to stand with Maddie in his arms, I watch as her walks over to her play pen and lays her down in it putting the blanket over "can we talk?" He asks turning to face me.

"Sure, is everything ok?" I ask getting worried at his sad expression as I take a seat on the couch

"I saw Callum today.......is it true.......is she his?" He asks and I know this is hurting him

"Yes it's true" I say "I'm so sorry Joe, I understand if you want to walk away, if you never want to speak to me again, I know being drunk is no excuse but I swear if I had been sober I never would have slept with him" I say as the tears roll down my cheeks.

"Don't cry butterfly" he says kneeling down in front of me and wiping my tears with his thumbs "the only person who should be sorry is me, this is my fault, I left you and I shouldn't have done. I'm sorry that I drove you into his arms, I sorry that I let you down, and you have every right to hate me"

"Joe none of this is your fault, you are not responsible for the choices I made" I say cupping his cheek "please don't beat yourself up about this, you went after your dream it's what I wanted you to do, you've never let me down ever and I certainly do not hate you"

"You don't understand, I left you becuase I allowed Kacey to talk me out of taking you with me, I tried to keep in touch with you and she deleted your number from my phone and all your messages, can you ever forgive me?" he asks

"Of course I can but there is nothing to forgive" I smile "once again you're blaming yourself for some one else actions, you are not responsible for her actions, she is"

Without saying a word he wraps his arms around my waist and rests his head against my chest holding my tightly. I wrap one arm around his back and place the other hand gently on his head stroking his hair.

"Joe.....has this changed the way you see me?" I ask and his head snaps up to look at me

"No never" he says shaking his head "I should have told you this along time ago.......I love you butterfly, and if you'll let me I want to   be the one to make you happy, to take care of both of you, Isla will you be mine?" He asks

"Yes" I say as fresh tears fill my eyes "I love you too superstar"

Smiling Joe crashes his lips on to mine in a very loving kiss, his soft full lips move against mine effortlessly. I pour everything I feel for him into the kiss, he wants me and he wants Maddie and I couldn't be happier.

"There's one more thing" he says breaking the kiss "I've given this alot of thought and you will probably think I'm crazy but how would you feel about me adopting Maddie?" He asks

"You.....what?......You're right I do think you're crazy" I say staring at him "Joe we have only just started this, that is a really big step to make this early"

"Hear me out please" he says "I love Maddie as if she were my own, crazy after such a short time but true, she is amazing and every child should have a father figure in their lives and I want to be that for her"

"Say we do this and we don't work out what happens then?" I ask

"I've told you no matter what happens I am not going to leave either of you" he says "if it doesn't work out, which it will, I will always be a part of your lives, I will always be there for both of you"

"You're serious about this aren't you?" I ask and he nods, I glance over at Maddie and I know there really only one answer I can  give "I can't think of anyone better to be a father to my little girl" I smile and he wraps me up in another tight hug

"Thank you butterfly" he says "I'll make you proud I promise"

"I'm already proud of you superstar" I smile "I couldn't be more proud of you"