What This Could Be | A Joe Jonas Fanfic | Book One

Chapter 14: Hesitate

*Joe's POV*

Two weeks went by, meaning my time spent with Taylor had to come to a temporary pause. Her presence had consumed all of me. Was it healthy? Probably not. Were we using our flame to escape the harsh reality? Most definitely. But nothing compared to waiting at the airport with the anticipation of reuniting with my two girls.

At the very sight of our nanny, Abby, peaking around the corner, I rushed to her aid to help with their luggage. Before I was able to get to them, Willa had already spotted me in the crowd, weaving her way through the chaos after escaping Abby's grip of the hand.

"Daddy!" Willa exclaimed, throwing her tiny arms around my neck as I picked her up, twirling her around in circles, loud giggles escaping from her.

"Hi, Baby girl!" Joy filled my heart hearing her voice in the flesh rather than on a screen. I turned to Abby, who was holding a sleeping Delphine in her arms, her angelic face resting peacefully on her shoulder. Kissing Delphine's forehead ever so gently, careful not to startle her awake, I quietly told her, "And hello to you too, my other Baby girl."

"I missed you both so much," I squeezed Willa in a tight hug, giving her tiny kisses on her forehead and cheek, causing her to squirm with delight and laughter.

With Willa in my arms and Delphine in Abby's, we walked outside of the airport to head into the van already waiting for us out front, only to be blinded by numerous flashing lights in all directions.

Instinctively, I covered Willa's face with my hand, protecting both her eyes and privacy. Abby followed suit behind me with Delphine, who by now was stirring awake with a few whimpers, the lights evidently bothering her eyes.

It was a quick transfer from the walk to the van. I wished I didn't have to say I was used to it by now. I was used to the paparazzi, the fame, barely any privacy. I signed up for that. My daughters didn't. The one thing my ex-wife and I always agreed on was to keep our daughters out of the limelight. We never made an official announcement of their births or names. We never posted their faces on our public social platforms. And we asked the media to blur out their faces if they were to be photographed in a public setting, although not every source respected that.

"Were they good on the flight?" I asked Abby once we were on the road heading back to my place.

"You know they usually are," she informed me, "Del has been a bit cranky though. I think she's just tired from the long flight."

"Probably," I sighed, taking in my daughters' faces beside me buckled in their car seats, both conveying different reactions. Willa, wide awake and hyper. Delphine, pouting and fighting the sleep.

"Are we almost home?" Willa asked while staring out the window, watching us go by the tall buildings and busy streets, a sight opposite of what they were used to in the UK with their mom.

"Almost," I tapped her arm, "Hey, guess what? I have a surprise for you and your sister inside!"

She squealed, "What, what, what? A pony?"

"Not a pony," I let out a laugh, "You'll see soon!"

The van parked in front of my condo building. Abby helped Delphine out of her car seat before handing her to me, my one arm supporting her weight as my other hand grabbed ahold of Willa's.

"I'll grab their bags and meet you inside," she stated. I was thankful to have such a big help, especially during my messy custody battle. Abby had made the process amicable between Sophie and I.

I thanked her and headed inside with my girls. They structured the place to feel more like a home when it was my turn with them.

Once Abby brought in all their bags, it was just me, Willa, and Delphine. I gave both of them a bag full of wrapped gifts, brightening up both of their moods, as my eldest helped open her sister's presents of dolls, Bluey stuffies, and princess dresses. Never did I think I'd be role-playing with dolls at thirty-five years old, but here I was, playing house with my two daughters.