The Chauffeur [Complete]

Bonus Chapter

Five years later
Slowly opening my eyes, I rolled over in bed, wanting to cuddle with my husband, but his side of the bed was empty. I sat up and unplugged my phone from my charger. 10:30 AM.

It's been so long since I've been able to sleep in that it felt taboo to have slept in as long and as peaceful as I did.

Wondering why I hadn't been awakened by my alarm or any of my children, I got out of bed to investigate. While it's the weekend, and I didn't have to go into work today, I felt it odd that the house was so silent.

Ever since Cade was born, my four almost five year old little monster who'd come as an emotional surprise a few weeks after the charity event, the house is constantly filled with chaos.

I honestly don't know where he got the energy from. He may look like his dad in every single way, but their personality is far from similar. We'd created a wild child that neither of us was prepared for but love unconditionally.

I cried on and off for hours when I found out I was pregnant. And then, when he was born, I was an emotional wreck. He was such a beautiful, chunky baby. He's still my beautiful baby, just not as chunky.

Then there's my youngest, my three month old mini-me. The newest addition to our household. She's the calmest baby ever. A complete contrast to Cade.

Making my way downstairs, I checked the time on my phone once more. I still had a few hours before I had to meet up with Andi for the photoshoot. I still can't believe I actually agreed to do the lingerie shoot. After having Raya, I've been struggling to rid myself of the baby weight I gained. I'm hoping this will give me some of the confidence I've lost postpartum.

Rounding the corner, I hear the faint sound of music playing from within the kitchen. Everly's singing along. A chuckle leaves me when I hear Rade singing, and not very well might I add, to Frozen's "Let it go."

I've never heard him sing before, especially this song. But oddly enough, he knows this song very well. Something tells me this isn't Rade and Everly's first time singing this song together.

I paused at the entrance of the kitchen, and neither Rade nor the kids noticed my presence. Rade's holding our daughter, whom we named Raya after his mother, in his arms. He's rocking her in his arms with one hand and bottle feeding her with the other.

Everly's twirling around and singing at the top of her lungs with a wooden spoon in her hand. Cade's break-dancing and attempting to perform a cartwheel. Everyone's singing and dancing, and it's the cutest thing ever. A smile tugs at my lips and reaches my watery eyes. The image of them all together- it's overwhelmingly beautiful.

Cade, my little mama's boy, notices me after a moment and comes running. His arms fly around me as he looks up at me with bright gray eyes. "Morning, mommy."

"Morning, baby." Ruffling his jet black hair, I leaned down to kiss his head.

He takes my hand in his small one, tugging me further into the kitchen. "Daddy's making french toast," he says before pulling away from me to dance and sing with his sister. My stomach grumbled. I was starving.

Rade smiles when he sees me, and I lean in to kiss him. My arms wrap around his waist, and I murmur a "good morning" before asking him why he didn't wake me.

"You needed the rest," he replies.

Which was true. I had been up, exhausted after staying up most of the night with Raya. He offered to take her so I could study for my upcoming anatomy exam, but then Cade started throwing a temper tantrum and wouldn't take his bath.

"Well, thank you." I gave him another kiss before taking Raya from him.

Once breakfast was ready, we all sat down at the table to eat. The kids finished before us and ran off to go play in the living room. Raya fell asleep in my arms, drunk off breast milk.

"You're still taking the kids to see their grandpa, right?"

Rade nodded, using a napkin to wipe at his mouth. I'm so glad he and Harvey have finally talked things out and put the past in the past. It wasn't easy. Rade's very stubborn. According to Rade, the conversation had been an emotional one but worth it. It's been a few years since they rekindled their relationship, and now they're closer than ever.

I glanced at the gold wedding ban on his finger. Marriage and fatherhood look so good on him.

My gaze lifts, my eyes meeting his. A content smile spreads across my face. I'm proud of all I've accomplished. I'm happily married to the love of my life, and together, we're raising three beautiful children. I got into nursing school after graduating college, and I'm one step closer to making my dreams come true.

Rade's restaurant is even more successful now than it was before, and he even opened up a facility for women and children who have dealt with physical abuse. It's a great addition to the self-defense classes he still teaches on occasion.

As for Sam, he's still in Rehab and has relapsed twice now. But our relationship as parents of our daughter is finally getting to a place where we can co-parent without arguing.

I can't say the same for Camille, who's decided to cut all ties with Sam. She's actually engaged now to a single father she met at a grocery store.

It's amazing how much has changed in a couple of years. Ever since Rade came into my life and became my chauffeur, I now know exactly what it is to be loved properly and wholeheartedly. I know what it's like to have a partner who supports your dreams. To have a husband who isn't ashamed to call me his wife, to stand up for me, and make love to me like I deserve. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have allowed myself to trust my heart in the hands of another.

"I can tell something's on your mind. What is it, ómorfi(beautiful)?"

My smile widened. "I love the way you love me. Just... promise me you won't ever stop."

He reached across the table to take my hand in his. He caressed my ringed hand with his thumb and said with utter conviction, "I promised you I'd love you forever on our wedding day. I'd also promised you I'd worship the very ground you walk on. That hasn't changed. And baby, believe me when I say- it never will."