Wishing on the Water (Water Series Book 1) (15 page)

“
Do you want to hold her?” Christina asked, and I glared at her. I didn’t really know how to feel about her, or this, and was trying to let life lead me instead of me being in control.

I looked at Michelle and my dad who seemed so happy to see the baby. I bit the bullet and held out my arms and Christina put the baby in my arms. I stared down at her while they started putting two tables together in front of the glass bay doors. As baby Chelle pulled my hair and laughed, I couldn’t help but see her dad’s mischievous side in her already.

“
You look good with a baby,” Mark stated, as he walked by me.

“
I take it you took care of whatever it was and now I get a day of fun, right?” I asked with a wink. My heartbreak had been lifted with the weight of a baby in my arms. Chase may have died, but I could see him inside her.

She was going to be a handful, and heaven help the boys who came near her, because the whole NYPD would be supervising their dates.

“
I did what I needed to do. Brooklyn is coming to join us. I hope that is ok.” Mark whispered and I nodded my head, as I looked back down at baby Chelle. I cooed and bounced her as if she was my own when I felt a warmth rumble through my veins. My face faltered and my pulse hitched. I didn’t know where this was coming from. I turned and looked around, but saw nothing out of place.

I looked out the window and I swore Chase was standing on the corner looking at us. I closed my eyes, and shook my head. When I opened my eyes, he was gone. I took it as a sign that he was happy we were all together, even if secretly I wanted to pluck every red hair out of Christina’s head and feed her nothing but Krispy Kreme’s for a month. That would fix the after-baby hour glass body that was unfair to all women, everywhere.

The thought of fattening Christina up put a smile on my face and baby Chelle laughed with me, as if she knew what I was thinking. Brooklyn came in and looked at baby Chelle over my shoulder and gave Mark the look. The one where she explains her clock is ticking without saying a word.

As the seats were filling up, I took Chelle and sat down in the chair. She became instantly fussy and I stood back up. I surrendered to her tiny ineffectual whimpers and cuddled her while we bounced. I watched as Andrew came in as well with a smile for me and baby Chelle. I could tell he was in a better mood than he was the night before.

I felt him before I knew he was there. I could feel Jax’s energy and confidence. I could feel his comfort and smell his essence that made my mouth drool. I could imagine his heart beating as my body strummed to the beat. I turned and looked ahead at the entrance and there he was.

He stood before me with a semi-smile. He was wearing a white button down with the sleeves rolled up. His tanned skin screamed at me to taste it. His gray eyes bore into me as he walked toward me. I had to look down at baby Chelle and force myself to breathe.

“
I told you she loved him. Now pay up.” I heard Brooklyn say to Christina.

“
Losing your breath is not love. It’s a lack of oxygen.” Christina replied.

I tuned them all out and focused on the baby. She was a wiggly little thing. I felt Jax’s breath on my shoulder as he leaned over to look at baby Chelle. She cooed and giggled at him. The familiarity was evident; I knew he had been around this baby.

“
Hey, little bit.” Jax stated, as he pretended to eat her hand and she giggled. Her laughter was infectious and soon we were all laughing, too. Jax took her from my arms and handed her back to Christina.

“
We need a minute,” Jax spoke to the crowd and took my hand, leading me outside. We weren’t really away from anyone, as they could see through the bay doors and my friends and family could both see and hear us as the glass did not keep noise out.

“
We should talk about last night.” Jax started, and I put my finger on his lips.

“
It’s fine Jax. I will be fine. It’s over and done with; let’s just eat and get on with our lives.” I muttered and then started to walk away. Jax grabbed my arm and pulled me back and I fell into his chest as he planted his lips over mine.

A rush of electricity rushed over me. I wrapped my hands into Jax’s brown hair and pulled him where I wanted him as his velvet tongue coaxed me to open up for him. I opened and allowed the Tim Horton’s he had been drinking to invade my senses. My clit pulsed with my heart and I could barely breathe. I felt every hard inch of him as I was pulled tightly to him.

“
I am so pissed at you!” Jax muttered, breathlessly.

“
Are you so pissed that this time you will grab my ass and make me come, or would you rather just spank me? Anger can be kinky.” I whispered as I heard the awe from our family and friends who had been watching behind the glass bay doors.

Jax merely smiled at the comment and kissed me again. I was going to need an oxygen tank soon.

“
Save it for the bedroom.” I heard my dad shout from the entrance, and it was the equivalent of dousing me in cold water. I pulled away and caught my breath.

“
You have my attention. What about last night?” I whispered, as reality was setting in. I was kissing Jax. I was the other woman if things kept going.

“
I am a fool,” Jax replied in a softened tone, as his forehead rested on mine.

“
Okay, I can agree with that. I like where this conversation is going. What else you got for me?” I spoke with a smile.

“
God, Candy, I love it when your eyes dance for me. It makes me feel like I am the only man in your life.” Jax stated and pulled back from me. “I am so angry with you, but I can’t say goodbye to you, Candy. I will never be able to say goodbye, but I can’t let you hurt me, either. I want you to go home because it is not safe for either one of us if you stay.”

There was the double edged sword. Jax wanted me in his life, but only if there was some guarantee he wouldn’t get hurt. I couldn't blame him. He had every right to be as pissed as he was the night before. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he would have stayed gone.

I nodded my understanding, even if I had none. I grabbed his hand and smiled.

“
Hungry?” I asked.

“
Starving,” Jax replied with a wink, and I squeezed his hand and led him back into the restaurant to enjoy my birthday breakfast.

Five hours had passed and we were all still hogging all the seats at the restaurant. I didn’t care; I was with the people I cared most about in life and one person who would need Jenny Craig after I was done with her. Mark, Jax, and my dad excused themselves to go to the bathroom at the same time Brooklyn, Christina, and I headed to one as well. Michelle and Andrew were in deep conversation, so we left them to it.

Christina was changing the baby when I got done and I rushed through washing my hands, so there was no awkward conversation between me and her. I won’t lie and say it wasn’t nice to see that she was doing well. I wanted the best for her. I wanted the best for everyone in my life.

“
Candice, do you still hate me?” Christina asked, as my hand went to the handle to exit the bathroom. I sighed; I had wanted to avoid this.

“
Look, I am happy you have Chelle. I am happy you seem to be happy. I want the world for you, but if I were you I would never trust me to be alone in a room with you. If there wasn’t a baby and a witness in this bathroom your face would most likely be rearranged with my fist.”

“
Candice, for what it is worth, I am sorry I hurt you. I miss you.” Christina whispered, as Brooklyn walked out of the stall to wash her hands.

I pulled the handle and exited the bathroom; leaving one conversation to hear a conversation I probably shouldn’t have.

“
Jaxson, when are you going to tell her?” My dad asked.

“
I’m not,” Jaxson replied.

“
You cannot be serious; she has a right to know. Did you at least come clean about who Vanessa is?” Mark asked.

“
No. Look the bottom line is Candice needs to go home before she gets hurt.” Jax stated and I sucked in a breath and slid down the wall.

“
Brooklyn will tell her if you don’t. They have some kind of mutual woman’s flower power thing. You need to be honest and tell her.” Mark spoke with a deepened tone.

“
If you put a ring on this woman while Candice is here, that would send her home, but it would kill her as well.” My dad said and I gripped my chest.
A ring?
He was going to propose to this woman when he just had his tongue down my throat.

Christina walked out of the bathroom and didn’t even see me crouched down as she headed to the table. I wish I could have said the same for Brooklyn, who slid down the wall beside me, as the men continued talking around the corner from us.

“
I am going to give her a ring, but Candice is not to know,” Jax stated in a rush. Brooklyn took my hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze.

“
You’re a fool. How do you plan to explain that little incident on the street?” Mark asked.

“
I will figure it out,” Jax replied.

“
My daughter loves you Jaxson. If she ever finds out, she will never forgive you.” My dad spoke softly, he suddenly sounded very tired.

“
I know,” Jax stated, sounding very defeated.

“
I hope you know what you are doing and that you end this with her soon,” Mark said and they walked out of the bathroom.

All three looked down to see Brooklyn and I sitting on the floor, eavesdropping on their conversation. We were essentially busted, but I really didn’t care anymore.

Mark stuck out his arm and helped Brooklyn up as I stared at Jax. I couldn’t help my watering eyes. I truly wanted to be happy for him, but I couldn’t be. Mark then helped me up and I turned to my dad. He wouldn’t even look at me.

I brushed past them all and went and said my apologies and farewells to everyone else. I then ran out the door and grabbed a cab. I contemplated heading straight for the airport, but that is what I did last time. This time I wouldn’t stick my head in the sand.

“
Take me to Roosevelt Island.”

I loved Roosevelt Island. I would climb over the miniature wall that surrounded the lighthouse and sit on the rocks. I climbed over just like I had done a thousand times before and watched the water lap up on the rocks. Then I made a wish.

“
I wish that whatever is supposed to happen in my life would get on with it, because I keep getting stuck in my emotions and I am not happy here. I wish I could let go of Chase and leave him to rest in peace. I wish I could stop thinking of torturous weight gaining techniques for Christina. Most of all, I wish that if Jax and I were meant to be together then we would be, and if not, then I wish I could just let go.”