Rejected To Be Your Second Chance novel Chapter 147

　　Five years later

　　~Layla~

　　“I’m coming to get you!” She laughed, giggles that spread through the air and caused even the birds to be ashamed of their sounds.

　　“Mommy!” She stopped under the cherry tree and lifted her little arms in the air.

　　I ran toward her, lifting her and swinging her around in the air. “How can a girl be this intelligent, beautiful and kind all at once?”

　　She lowered her head, attempted to raise a brow, and scolded me with her gaze. “And?” she said, stretching the word.

　　I leaned my forehead against hers and narrowed my eyes. “And strong,” I said, and we laughed.

　　She was content. Celine, my beautiful girl. The strongest girl I knew. Dressed in her beautiful pink dress with unicorns and rainbow horns. All ready to get one year older. Her mother, however, was not so ready.

　　I needed her to stop growing and stay this little forever.

　　“There are my girls. I saw a bunch of wrapped gifts in the house. Is it someone’s birthday today?”

　　“It’s mine, daddy!”

　　Kade laughed and hugged her in my arms. “That’s right! How could I forget?”

　　She pressed her head against his. “You’re silly, daddy,”

　　“Yeah, you’re silly, daddy,” I repeated.

　　“I’m silly and unfathomable happy. How can I be so lucky to have so many people to live for?”

　　I closed my eyes when his lips moved over mine.

　　“Cake.”

　　My eyes opened, and I stared at my man. “Cake?” I asked and looked at Celine.

　　“Cake,” she repeated, more determined.

　　“If it is cake the birthday girl wishes, cake is what she will get.” Kade lifted her in his arms and tossed her in the air. Celine giggled, her eyes glimmering under the sunlight and her braid whipping in the air.

　　“Seven-layer cake coming up,” I said as we returned to the house.

　　The celebration was in full swing. Cara and Graham put out the refreshments.

　　My mom came walking up with a big smile stretching on her face.

　　“There she is! All muddy and perfect,” she laughed.

　　Celine reached out and jumped into her arms.

　　“Oh, my little love bug,” my mom said and carried her away.

　　Anna came walking out into the living room. In her hands, she was holding the most majestic seven-layer cake ever to meet the eye.

　　I counted the candles.

　　“Five,” I breathed and looked at Kade.

　　“She’s five.”

　　I couldn’t believe it. “Yeah, I know. We stop with the birthdays after this one, right? I won’t survive more candles being added.” I laughed and pressed my head against his shoulder.

　　His hand snaked around my waist. A heat overcame me and engulfed my senses.

　　“Stop that,” I moaned.

　　He nuzzled his nose into my hair. His lips brushed against my ear, and he breathed. “Stop what?” he teased.

　　“The touching, stop that. You know I can’t control it right now.”

　　He smiled, pleased with his efforts. “I don’t mind,” he laughed.

　　“I do. It’s getting hard to move around.” I put my hand on my belly.

　　The bump was big. Our boy was only one month away, and it was all Celine talked about; she said she’d teach the baby to fight.

　　“How is the mommy to be?” Cara asked me.

　　“I should be asking you,” I said and pressed my palm on her bump.

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