I'm All Yours, Klaus (Book 2)

CH. 6

SIX:

Saturday, January 14th
9:30 AM

Klaus was pulling up in front of a house in whatever part of Arkansas we had drove to through the night. Before Klaus had the SUV in park the back door flew open and Hayley jumped out the car. I smiled softly, knowing she was running to the beautiful sight my eyes were locked on. The tiny baby in Elijah's arms as he and Rebekah stood gathered around what seemed to be a large bonfire.

Hayley ran towards them, but stopped a few feet away, covering her mouth. Klaus's parked the vehicle and turned to me, reaching for my hand in my lap. "Are you ready?" He asked me, smiling wobbly.

"Are you?" I retorted, bringing our hands to my lips to kiss his softly. "Go."

He furrowed his brows and I gave his hand a squeeze before letting it go. Klaus hesitated for a moment before jumping out the car, heading towards his family. I grinned, watching him join Hayley's side. My eyes watered as Elijah and Rebekah met the parents halfway. The former handing the precious little girl over to her mother. "Hi!" I could hear Hayley's cheerful squeal. Then she hugged her baby to her.

I looked away for a moment, before snapping into reality. I reached out to take the keys out the ignition and then I gathered my purse from off the floor by my feet. I paused on getting out the car, my hand on the door handle but my eyes on the scene in front of me. Klaus, teary eyed, being passed his daughter from Hayley who was stood in front of him, facing him with a smile and her own teary eyed gaze.

Hope cooed, a hand on her daddy's cheek. The two parents laughing. A second later they were both kissing their baby girl. I let go of the door handle and dropped my purse to the floor. I pressed my head agains the passenger seat head rest and squeezed my burning eyes shut, willing the tears not to escape. I breathed in slowly and shakily then exhaled. And again. Then I was interrupted by my car door being yanked open.

"Meet mommy number two," Hayley's voice came. I peeled open my right eye to see my friend holding the baby girl and my boyfriend standing a foot behind her. "Do you want to hold her?" Hayley asked me and I shook my head no furiously.

"Danielle," Klaus said, his tone concerned.

"No. I'm okay. You guys need to be soaking up all her attention—" I was saying softly, my voice raspy as I fought back more tears wanting to cry. I was so happy for Hayley and Klaus. And I was trying to give them their space and respect this is their time with their little girl. And trying to force myself to push out thoughts of having my own baby to hold.

"Hey, we're all a team," Hayley said, cutting me off. Her hand grabbing hold of of mine. "We're all a family... And you're the glue that holds us all together. So please, hold your goddaughter. Your step-daughter."

I nodded slowly and reached for the little girl. Hayley passed her along until the little bundle was in my arms, on my lap. "Hi, pretty girl," I whispered softly. Her dazzling blue eyes stared at me with wonder and I chuckled softly. Oh, she looked like the most innocent version of Klaus. "You are so precious," I whispered again, kissing the top of her head.

When I pulled back her hand had got a tiny fistful of my hair. "Ow," I winced as she pulled and then half gurgled, half giggled. "Help, Hails."

"Come on, let go of Dani's hair," Hayley chuckled. She opened the tiny hand to free my blonde ends and then I passed the child to her. She stepped back so I could get out the car, Klaus stepping around her to pull me into a hug.

"I love you," he mumbled into my ear.

"I love you too," I smiled into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist. "You made a beautiful baby."