Where The Lights Are {Sequel to Paradise} {COMPLETED}

Chapter 18

After ice cream, Caleb pulls me aside. "Would you like to stay the night at my house?" He asks, his eyes locked on mine. I nod, "Let me make sure Brycie doesn't need me tonight first."

I walk over to where Brycie is holding a squirming Baby Rowe in her arms. "Hey Brycie," I say softly. "Yes hon, what is it?" She asks, turning to face me. "Caleb said I can stay the night with him. I just wanted to make sure you didn't need any help with the girls tonight," I say. She pats my shoulder with her free hand, "Jazmin's coming over to help me tonight, don't worry about me dear. I know you need to stay with Caleb."

I hug her as well as I can with Rowe in the middle, "Thanks Brycie, love you." She nods, "Anytime dear, love you too." I quickly stop to kiss each of the girls' heads, then join Caleb and Kelsey in the car.

We get to their house, and Kelsey hands me some pajamas, one of Caleb's plain white shirts, and a pair of bright pink sweatpants. I thank her and change into them.

I walk back into the kitchen. Kelsey picks up Baby Romo, and heads up the stairs, leaving me alone with Caleb.

"I-I don't think I can sleep by myself tonight. Not after what happened with Alan," I sigh. "It's okay kiddo, I'll crash on the floor for you," Caleb says, kissing the top of my head. "Thanks Grimm Shady, you the bomb!" I exclaim.

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" Caleb asks. "Alan. What's your favorite thing about him?" I reply. "I love his heart for God, and his great attitude makes working with him a blast!" Caleb exclaims, "What about you?"

"I love how fatherly and overprotective he is of me, he treats me the same way he does his own kids. It makes me feel loved and special. I also love his ability to always make me smile, no matter what circumstance. His Godly example and advice just make me want to be exactly like him someday," I sigh. "You're loved, and you're special. You always will be," Caleb reminds me. I nod, trying to hide my blushing face.

"Now what's your favorite thing about me?" Caleb asks, perching his chin on his hands.

I stop for a moment and think before responding, "I love how you're never afraid to be yourself. No matter how geeky something is, you're not afraid to admit and share your passion for it. You've also shown me an example of what I should look for in a guy. The way you treat Kelsey, and even how you treated me when I met you. It makes me want a guy one day who will treat me with the same kindness."

"Thanks kiddo. My favorite thing about you is your pretty smile, and how when you know something worth fighting for, you fight for it. You might've not fought to find us again, but I believe now you'll fight to never lose us, just like we'd do for you," Caleb tells me.

"Wanna watch this?" I ask, holding up Caleb's Newsies DVD. He nods,
"Of course! It's young Christian Bale singing and riding horses." I pop the DVD in, and sing along to every song, only occasionally messing up the words.

After the second time he sings Santa Fe, I begin to get tired. I lay on the couch next to Caleb, my head on his chest. "You tired kiddo?" He asks. I nod, pausing the movie, and turning the TV off. "I think I'll finish it in the morning," I say, scrambling back to my seat next to Caleb.

He smooths my short hair out of my face, and pulls a blanket over the both of us. "Sleep well kiddo, I'll be here in the morning," he whispers, kissing my head.

~*~

I wake up to Christian Bale singing Santa Fe softly. I look up at Caleb, "You started it all over?" He shakes his head, "No Sleeping Beauty, I just rewound back to the beginning of the song."

I nod, and pull the blanket closer around me for warmth. "You cold?" Caleb asks, raising an eyebrow. I nod, "Yeah, just a bit." He gets up, goes to the kitchen, and a few minutes later comes back with hot chocolate.