Healing Hearts (Book 3 Series 2)

Chapter 19 Hailey

I wake up the morning of our flight back home, feeling a bittersweet mix of excitement and disappointment. 

"Morning babe." He leans in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. 

"Good morning, buttercup. Sleep well?"

"yeah, you?"

"Slept great. Especially after last night."

"good."

"I don't want to go home. I could stay like this forever, with you in my arms."

"We have to." He groans. 

"I know, I know. But I don't have to like it. I hate the thought of leaving this room, this bed."

---------------

The Night has fallen, casting a soft darkness over everything. The air is filled with a sense of anticipation as the moment of our departure draws closer. I'm currently packing my bags, my mind somewhat preoccupied 

I look up as Isabelle knocks on the door, surprised at the interruption. I finish packing the last few items into my bag before Cameron calls out.

"come in."

"Hailey, Asher is here for you."

"Asher? What does he want?" Cameron asks. 

"He wants to talk to Hailey."

"I guess you should go see what he wants. I'll finish packing up here."

"Let him come in."

"Are you sure? You want him in here? Now?" I nod, as Isabelle shouts for Asher to come upstairs.

"Hailey, how come you don't tell me you're in town?"

"You were off to your parents for thanksgiving."

"So what? You could've called, or at least let me know you were in town. I had to find out from Isabelle."

"I'm sorry."

"Alright whatever, it's fine, if your staying longer, lets go out sometime. Have ice cream or something." He suggests.

"Oh um..." He reaches and takes my hand. He doesn't know Cameron and I are dating.

"Come on, please?"

"She's not going anywhere with you, got it?" Cameron chimes in. 

"Why?" Asher turns to Cameron. Cameron steps closer to him, his voice low. 

"Because she's with me. She's my girlfriend, and I'm not letting you take her out."

"Oh, I didn't know...sorry." He lets go of my hand.

"Yeah, you better be sorry. You don't get to just try and charm her into going out with you. She's taken. Off limits."

"Cameron, I didn't know. Chill."

"Chill? You expect me to chill after you tried to flirt with my girlfriend? You're lucky I don't knock you out right now."

"I can kiss her, touch her, I could do anything, alright?"

"You lay a goddamn finger on her, or try to kiss her, and I'll tear you apart. You hear me? She's mine. Mine."

"Alright, and I told you I didn't know, Hailey, honestly how did you end up with him, he always seems mad. You deserve better." He walks out.

"I never want to see him again. He's damn lucky I didn't throw a punch."

"I love you, alright?"

"I love you too. More than you know."

---------------

I take a seat on the plane, a sense of relief settling over me once we're finally aboard. Cameron reaches out to take my hand, our fingers intertwining as he gives my hand a gentle squeeze, seeking the comfort of his presence. I glance around at our fellow passengers, noticing Archer, his wife, and their children, as well as Noah, all settled in their seats. 

"Sorry to bother you, but could you take Olivia?" Eliana asks.

"Of course, no problem. Hand her over." I tell her, she hands me Olivia and I immediately cuddle with her. Cameron reaches out to gently stroke the baby's soft hair, his touch light and tender.

"you know she'd make a great mother someday." Noah says, yawning.

"Yeah, she would," Archer says quietly.

"marry her, make her my sister-in-law." He whispers, drifting off to sleep

"I plan on it," Archer whispers back. I blush at his words. He gives my hand another gentle squeeze, his thumb caressing the soft skin of my knuckles, silently reassuring me that he meant every word.

---------------------

Several days later, I'm hard at work in our office, my mind occupied with the current project we were working on. As I type away at my laptop, I notice Madison enter the office, her presence drawing my attention. I pause for a moment, shifting my focus from my work to greet her.

"Hey, Madison. What's up?"

"how's it going with Cameron?" 

"Really good." I assure her. 

"What are you going to do in Christmas?"  

"I might visit my family with Cameron, don't know though." I reply.

"Cuttee. it would be your 2nd Christmas together right?" I nod giving her my answer.

"But the first one was a long time, then you guys broke up, and now this is the Christmas you guys are back together." She states.

"Right, but now we are together." I correct her.

"yeah, sorry. And then soon enough, you guys will be like me and Miles, happily married and with wonderful kids." She winks.

"I'm hoping." I assure her.

"It'll happen, don't worry." Madison reassures me.

--------------

As my shift comes to an end, I find myself growing a bit restless, eager to escape the office and spend some time with Cameron. I quickly wrap up my work for the day, making sure to save my progress and shut down my computer. I turn around to walk towards the door, when I see Cameron leaning against the doorframe. 

"Hey, you," He says softly. "Ready to head out?"

"Hey, I am."

"Great, me too. I've been counting down the hours until I could see you," He admits.

"Have you now?"

"You have no idea," He says. "I've been thinking about you all day, counting down the minutes until I could have you all to myself."

"But I have to go home." 

"Aw, do you really have to go home?" He asks, a hint of mock whininess in his tone. "Can't you just ditch your plans and spend the night with me instead? I'm much more fun than whatever's waiting for you at home."

"Someone is at home waiting for me."

"Wait, who's waiting for you at home?" He asks.

"Ben."

"Right," He mutters. 

"Ben, my cat."

"Oh," He sighs. "Right, your cat. For a moment there, I thought." 

"No never."

"Good. Because I don't share what's mine," He says in a soft, possessive tone, his eyes locking with mine.

"Damn right, you don't." 

"Damn right," He echoes my words. "You're mine, and that's the damn truth."