Imagines

gem | part 03 | c.h.

"Daddy, can you help me?"

Calum glanced away from his desk to the small, 5-year old standing in the doorway with untied sneakers and a pink, barbie backpack. He smiled and motioned towards himself.

"Come on, sweet pea.. Let's get those laces sorted out."

You peaked your head around the doorway sleepily, a smile coming to your face as you watched your husband teach your daughter, Hadley, how to tie her shoes again. You crossed your arms, your head coming to lean on the doorframe as you observed with a full heart.

".. and then you take both bunny ears and you loop one around the other and push it underneath.. pull tightly and now you've mastered the craft of tying your own shoes!"

Hadley stuck her tongue out of the side of her mouth with concentration- as much as a hyperactive 5 year old could handle- and focused on tying her other shoe like Calum had showed her. When she had pulled them as tight as she could muster, she beamed up at her dad proudly, sporting an adorable toothy grin.

"That's my girl."

Your heart melted.

Hadley, finally noticing you, gasped and ran toward you, pointing down at her little white sneakers.

"Mommy! I tied my shoes!"

You gasped with her and picked her up, grinning at her chubby cheeks and freckled nose. You booped her tiny nose and relished in the innocent giggle that rang out as well as the fond look your husband gave you as he stared at the two of you in awe. You turned your attention back to Hadley, kissing her forehead.

"Yes, baby. I see that! You did so good!"

Calum stood up and walked over to you, letting his eyes roam your face. He ruffled Hadley's hair as she pouted and tried to push him away ("Hey!"). He simply chuckled at the two of you, eyes full of adoration.

"My two favorite girls ready for some breakfast?"

Setting Hadley down, you let her run into the kitchen as you wrapped your arms around Calum's neck. You looked into his beautiful brown eyes you always loved waking up to and let him wrap his arms around your midsection with care.

"Good morning, my love."

He gave you a breathtaking smile and leaned down to give you an even more breathtaking kiss that left you feeling more lightheaded than before. You left your eyes closed for a moment, letting the feeling linger, before you blinked them open, thinking of the 5 year old waiting in the kitchen for the two of you.

"Mm.. breakfast?"

He nodded, not able to keep his eyes off of you as he grabbed a hold of your left hand, fingers beginning to fit themselves in the cracks yours left.

"Breakfast."

He played with your wedding ring as you entered the kitchen and only let go to help Hadley into her seat and get everyone some pancakes with butter and syrup. You ate like a loving family, laughing and joking with each other through fresh eyes and yawning mouths.

Hadley had syrup all over her face by the time breakfast was over and you busied yourself in cleaning her back up for school as she fidgeted in her seat. Finally done, you sent her on her way to the door, barely able to contain her in her excitement.

Calum laughed and stopped beside you, leaning down for another breathtaking kiss you never wanted to end. You had to pull yourself away so you didn't let yourself melt in his embrace as you knew you'd want to stay that way forever and time had to move on.

"See you after work?"

He smiled gently down at you and rubbed your lips with the pad of his thumb, humming to himself and wishing he didn't have to go and he could spend all evening curled up on the couch with you next to the fire.

"Of course. I love you. Don't forget to pick Hadley up at 3.."

He gave you one last lingering kiss as he headed out the door, Hadley in tow.

"Bye, mommy!"

"Bye, baby."

The door shut with a click and you listened to the sound of the car drive off before you finished cleaning up the dinner table. Once done, you started the journey through the rooms, basket on your hip, to pick up dirty clothes to do laundry.

On the wall next to the bathroom, was a picture from Hadley's 5th birthday party, the three of you crowded around a disney princess cake as your own little princess blew out her sparkly, pink candles. You and Calum were stuck at the hip and smiling the widest smiles you'd ever seen. The happiness was radiating from your faces and you knew that more moments were yet to come.

With a smile on your face and a new pep in your walk, you continued on, thoughts of your wonderful husband and your daughter on your mind. She was the life you never knew you wanted but the life you didn't think you could ever live without. Your own small miracle, your own gem.

Our little gem, Hadley.

Note: The daughter's name, Hadley, comes from bayleewren 's book "The Fiancé" cause ya girl likes references and I love her sm 💕