Forever & Always

22. He Took You

Callum POV

Pacing up and down in front of my bed I was finding it hard to think with all the screaming and crying this kid was doing. I knew what I done was wrong, all I wanted was Isla's attention and this was not the way to get it.

I had kidnapped a child, her child......my child....yuck scratch that her child. I couldn't believe I had sunk this low, I don't know what it is about Isla but she makes me do crazy things. But I never wanted her, I never wanted the little girl that's crying into my pillow, I never wanted kids full stop, just when I thought things we finally going my way she happened and screwed it all up.

"God damn it will you shut up you're giving me a headache" I shout but it only serves to make her cry more, running my hands over my face I sit on the end of the bed. This had gone too far, even I know that and I know she's not going to want to listen to me, my reasons will mean nothing to her not now.

Looking over my shoulder at the red faced little girl I know what I need to do, standing up I scoop her up in my arms and head towards the door.

"Dada" she sobs

"Sorry kid, that's not me, but I'm going to take you to him" I sigh

Isla POV

"Butterfly you need to try and relax, think of the twins" Joe says for the umpteenth time since the cops got here, he was starting to get on my last nerve.

"I don't want to relax, I don't want tea, I don't want food, I don't want a nap, I don't want anything but my baby back here with me" I snap "do me a favour Joe and just go fuss somewhere else"

Understandably I was going out of my mind but I know it's not his fault. I just don't want him fussing over me, I'm well aware that I need to stay calm for the twins but right now that's not easy. I watch as he hangs his head and walks out to the back yard with his mom hot on his heels.

The family had arrived at the same time as the cops, Joe's sisters and his mom were ready to kick Callums ass when he was found, just like me, but none of them were hurting as much as I was, she's my baby, my little girl and I failed to keep her safe, he took her and its all my fault.

Joe POV

Sitting down on a lounger I put my head in my hands and let out the tears I'd been holding back. Everytime she said "my baby" it stung, she's my baby too, maybe not biologically but she is mine.

"She doesn't mean it you know" my mom says sitting beside me and rubbing my arm "she's worried out of her mind, and she's just lashing out"

"I just want to take care of her, I love her so much mom but she's pushing me away" I say "everytime she says "my baby" it's like a knife in my heart"

"That is mom thing, just like Maddie is Isla's baby you are my baby" she says "and you've only been her dad a short time so she won't have gotten used to saying our baby yet, she's had a long time of her just being hers. She knows you love her, and she loves you she's just upset"

"If anything happens to babygirl I'll.........."

"MADDIE!!! OH MY GOD MADDIE!!!!"

The sound of Isla shouting has me jumping to my feet, I rush back into the house and through to the front door. When I get there I find Isla's mom with Maddie in her arms and Isla frantically slapping and punching Callum.

"How could you! How could you take my baby" she shouts with every slap and punch she lands

I walk over to Maddie and she instantly reaches out for me "dada" she says quietly and I gently kiss her forehead.

"Stay with grandma babygirl, daddy needs to help momma" I say before walking over to Isla and pulling her off Callum.

"Joe get off, I want to kill him" she growls wriggling in my arms but I don't let go.

"Listen to me, you are pregnant and I don't want you to hurt yourself or the twins" I say softly "I love all of you, please don't forget that"

"I love you too but I want answers" she says "I want to know why?"

"Explain yourself" I growl looking up at Callum while maintaining  my hold on Isla

"I....I wanted Isla's attention" he says "it was always me and her, I was her best friend, I loved her, I still do and then you came along and you took her from me, you took her and left me with nothing"

"Callum Joe didn't take me from you, when you joined the football team you changed, you became cruel and cold, you weren't the person I knew" Isla says "Joe was looked after me after you hurt me for the last time, and that's what he has done ever since"

"I'm still the guy you knew" he says "I thought I had to change to fit in with them but I was wrong, if you give me a chance you'll see that, please I love you Isla"

For a moment she just looks at him and I'm not sure what to think, she looks up at me and feel my heart crack a little from the look in  her eyes.

"It's ok butterfly, if he is what you really want I won't stand in your way" I say letting go of her, I watch as she walks over to him, just as I think she is going to hug him she slaps him.

"How can you stand here and say you love me when you just kidnapped our daughter" she says "if you had told me how you felt years ago we could have avoided all this, theres only ever been one man that truly owned my heart, only one man that I want to spend the rest of my life with and that's you"

At her words I turn back to look at her one last time only to find her looking and smiling at me. I stand there for a moment not sure what to do and then she rushes towards me. I wrap her up in my arms as she wraps her arms around my neck.

"It was always you Joe, I love you and I'm so sorry for being so horrible to you" she says quietly.

"Tell me one more time butterfly" I ask and she chuckles

"I love you Joe" she says and I bury my face into her neck and close my eyes

"I love you so much" I say "for a moment then I thought I lost you"

"Never, you, Maddie, Willow and Kai are all I want" she says "I've never felt anything for him"

Keeping her in my arms I watch as the cops but him in their car and take him away. As the chaos dies down and there's just us and the family left we are still stood on the front lawn holding on to each other.

Hopefully now we can move forward in peace.