there for me (shourtney)

lxxx.

courtney's pov -

As soon as Kai's crawling picked up speed, Shayne would wake up with him in the early morning to sit out in the main room. Watching him, playing with him on the floor as he crawled from the kitchen, to the living area, and back.

One morning, Kai started crying around five. Just as the sun started peeking through the windows, and the ocean waves were barely skimmed by the light. Shayne got out of bed, pressing a kiss to my forehead as he picked Kai out of his crib and walked into the main room. Cracking the door behind him. 

Not able to fall back asleep, I flipped over the covers and swung myself out of bed. Only in Shayne's pizza place shirt and a pair of soft, grey sleeping shorts, I walked out of the room. 

My heart fluttered at the sight. Shayne stood at the glass door, back facing me, dressed only in dark boxers, swaying. Stealing glances down at his chest, where Kai was anchored. Shayne babbled to him, one hand working his back in soothing circles. Kai's cries simmered down to incohearant rambling.

"Early morning, huh?" I asked Shayne as I walked over, placing a hand on his back as my eyes found Kai. Clad just in a diaper. 

"Couldn't wait to get up, I guess." Shayne smiled. Placing a delicate kiss to my lips. "Good morning."

"Good morning." I said. Stealing a look out toward the ocean, I sighed at it's photogenic nature. 

Shayne adjusted Kai on his chest, his left leg now fell against Shayne's chest, body facing me. 

Kai squealed enthusiastically when his gaze fell on me. His sapphire eyes sparkled, hands shooting, he wiggled his fingers at me. Desperatley trying to get out of Shayne's grip. 

"Okay, okay." Shayne chuckled, handing Kai off to me. 

"Well good morning sweet boy." I cooed to Kai. Bracing him against my chest, I held him so he could still see Shayne. 

Kai buzzed his lips and wriggled against me. Shayne laughed, placing a hand on my back as his other hand wiped some saliva from Kai's lips. 

Giggling, Kai looked at Shayne, then at me. Both his hands came to rest near my sternum, gripping my shirt as he bounced himself. 

"He might want to -" I thought out loud as I placed him on the floor. Holding his small hands as he walked around, taking uneven strides. He giggled, squealing as his feet slammed into the floor, clearly enjoying the padded noises. 

As Kai and I made our way to the kitchen, Shayne sat on the floor near the living room, a soft rug underneath him. I picked Kai off the floor and swung him forward as we turned to head back to Shayne. He made delighted, unintelligible sounds. Eager to get back to his dad. 

A few feet from Shayne, I stopped, still holding onto Kai's hands as he wobbled upright. 

"I'm going to let go, okay?" I smiled, looking at Shayne. 

His ecstatic eyes found mine. "Okay. I'm right here." 

At Shayne's nod, I let go of Kai's hands. A confused yelp left his lips as he held his arms straight out beside him. He teetered forward, but his legs followed him. And he took his first steps toward Shayne. Small and unsteady, but they were sure steps. 

"Kai!" Shayne shouted sweetly as Kai stumbled into Shayne's open arms. Both Shayne and Kai laughed as Shayne rolled backward onto the rug, holding Kai in the air above him. I beamed and cheered him on. Our son took his first steps.

In one quick motion, Shayne stood up, I could hear him praising Kai as I opened the sliding glass door. Filling the room with salty, warm air. 

I grabbed a soft blanket off the couch before I stepped out on the deck. 

"C'mon." I waved Shayne on. He dipped his face near Kai's, tickling his chest, then walked out behind me. 

Shayne settled in one of the high plastic chairs, careful of Kai's little body. 

"My boys." I said, winking at Shayne as I plucked Kai from him. He didn't put up a fight. 

I sat in the chair next to Shayne, laying Kai on my chest. His front pressed to mine, his arms falling on either of my rib cages. I laid the blanket over him, but kept is head exposed, facing Shayne. His curious eyes stared at Shayne. He noticed, and shot Kai an animated smile. 

We sat there for a while, I'm not sure how long. Watching the sunrise, waves glittering from the golden rays. Early morning joggers trotted by while aromas of pancakes and bacon drifted in from neighboring houses. 

One of my hands rested on Kai's back, wedding ring sparkling in the light, the other laid on the armrest, next to Shayne. He capped it, looking over at me. 

"I love you, Courtney." 

"I love you, too, Shayne." I said. The most honest thing I've ever said. 

"I want to spend the rest of my life like this." He paused and looked out at the ocean. The one he lost for a bit, but found again. "With you. With Kai." He squeezed my hand. "Us."

Kai sighed, a soft whimper that melted my heart. 

"I'm with you. Always." I picked up his hand to kiss his knuckles. Bringing it back down to the armrest, his declaration replayed in my head: I want to spend the rest of my life like this.

"Let's do it, then." I beamed at him. "Let's live like this forever. Let's let this be our eternity."

Kai moved an inch, hands coming to rest near his face. With beady eyes, Shayne reached toward him and ran his fingertips over his head. Kai's thin, fuzzy blonde hair blew in the ocean breeze.

"Okay." He nodded. Making a promise. 

"Okay." I grinned. Happy tears tugged at the corners of my eyes as Shayne gently cupped my cheek, bringing my face to his. Placing a kiss on my lips. Delicate. Meaningful. "I love you." 

"I love you." Shayne echoed. 

And we went back to watching the ocean. Kai asleep on my chest, and Shayne holding my hand. 

This must be what paradise is. 

-

chapter 80! what a number to go out on. i really hope you guys love this ending as much as i loved writing it. i ended it like this because i wanted to let all your imaginations picture them as a happy family. (and all I could honestly pick this up in the future if I wanted)

thank you to every single one of you readers. Thank you for the comments, votes, reads, support, and for all of the love! such a motivation! I adored reading all the comments. i loved writing this as my first fic. i can't wait to start another one:) love you all, thank you again! I'll see you soon <3