Teach Me How To Love

11~

"Happy birthday, baby girl." I said happily, smiling down at my little four year old. She smiled widely and tightly hugged my legs.

"Is that for me?" She asked excitedly. I nodded my head at her. Madi squealed and ran to pick up her new kitty. "Your name is peanut butter!" She squealed, hugging the little brown kitten.

Caleb laughed next to me.

"Why are you naming him peanut butter?" He asked her.

"Because I love peanut butter." She gave him a 'duh' look and I stifled a laugh.

"I'm glad she opened mine first." Caleb said. "Mine didn't even come close to topping this."

I smiled at him and looked at Madi and her kitty. She was so happy.

Caleb had gotten her a new princess drape for her bed, a princess dress and a crown to match it.

She put it on the second she opened it and Caleb looked so happy.

He loved Madi with all his being and it melted my heart. She's been getting so attached to him that I'm honestly scared.

What will happen when Caleb gets a girlfriend? Or gets married and has his own children? He won't have time for Madi anymore because he'll have his own life. That'll break Madi's heart.

"Caleb, can I talk to you?" I asked, my voice small. He looked at me confused for a second before nodding.

Caleb followed me into my room and I closed the door, not wanting Madi to hear.

"Caleb, I-" I trailed off. "I think you should leave."

"What do you mean?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowed. This is going to be harder than I thought.

"You need to move out." I looked down at my hands and his shoes came into view.

"What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere." He said sternly, forcing me to look at him.

"You have to." I snapped. "I'm afraid Madi is getting to attached to you and I don't want her heartbroken."

He was silent. He didn't move. He didn't speak. He just stared at me. I looked down, uncomfortable in his gaze.

"Are you sure you're talking about Madi?"

My head snapped up so fast I'm surprised I didn't get whiplash.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I snapped. "You know I don't feel that way about you."

He smirked.

"Then why are you getting so defensive?"

"I-I-" I stuttered. He is so wrong, I don't like him that way! "I don't have feelings for you." I stated.

"You don't?" He asked, amusement laced in his words. Caleb walked towards me until my back was to the wall.

Caleb placed a small kiss on my neck and gripped my waist with his hands.

"I know you have feelings for me, Bella." He whispered.

"I- I don't." I said breathily, trying to control myself. I don't have feelings for him so why is this so hard?

"You sure about that?" I nodded weakly and he smirked.

Caleb interlaced our fingers and pulled my arms above my head. He held both my hands above me with one of his hands and used the other to hold my waist again.

"You don't seem so sure." He said, his face inches from mine. I gulped when his lips were on my neck again.

"Caleb..." I tried to warn him to get away from me but it sounded more like a moan.

He pulled my waist against his and I knew If he didn't stop Id admit things I didn't want him to ever know.

Yeah, I liked Caleb. I had a small crush on Caleb but I can't make it go any farther. I can't get my heartbroken again. I can't let anyone hurt Madi either.

"When I found out I was pregnant, he left." I blurted out. Caleb moved away from me and furrowed his eyebrows.

"He left me to raise a child on my own." I could feel tears prickling my eyes. "I was seventeen. I didn't know anything about being a mother!"

Caleb backed away from me and sat on my bed, watching me intently.

"I loved him. He was my first everything. He said he'd always be there for me. He said he'd always love me no matter what..." I trailed off.

"When Madi was born I gave her my last name. I didn't put his name on the birth certificate and I vowed to never let him see her. Not even from a distance. We moved here- my mom, dad, Madi and I. I never saw him again and I am glad."

"Bella..." He started but I interrupted him.

"Don't. This, Caleb, is why I will not and can not be anything more than friends with you. I will not get my heartbroken again and I will not let Madi get hers broken either when you decide you want to leave."

"I won't leave you Bella! Can't you understand that? I'm not the kid that left you, I'm the man who wants to love you and Madi until the day I die." He stood up and now was towering over me.

I wiped a tear from my eyes and stood tall. This is the right thing to do.

"As of tomorrow, you will no longer be in this house. Got it? Today will be your last day, and only because it's Madi's birthday."

"I'm not leaving." He stated, crossing his arms.

"Yes, you are."

"So you're really going to do this? To me and Madi? You're going to hurt her by doing this! Madi loves me, and I love her."

"I'm not letting you hurt her. Right now, she's young so she won't understand but when she's older she will understand when you leave."

"Madi loves me. By kicking me out, you're accomplishing nothing."

"My decision is final." I stated, leaving the room and leaving an angry Caleb behind me.