Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1)(70)

 

It was true that Cade wasn't there to replace her mother, who had hidden somewhere in the depths of the earth after the incident with her ex. She'd seen Fiona a few times, and during those times, Fiona hadn't taken any more interest in Harley. It saddened the little girl to become unimportant in her mother's life. Not even a blip on Fiona's radar. All she had been concerned about was how people viewed her. She'd suffered another psychotic breakdown on the knowledge of Jax marrying Cade. And she had accused Harley of encouraging the horrid affair, as Fiona called it.

 

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

"They're deeply in love," Harley explained to her mother.

 

Fiona sneered, and said, "There is no such thing as love, Harley. Not in this life. Not ever." It shook Harley more than she ever thought it could. How could Fiona believe that? For the first time, Harley asked herself why her mother was the way she was. What happened to her? Since then, her own mother refused to see her, and Harley stopped trying.

 

Jax and Cade's wedding wasn't anything glamorous. It was simple. It was beautiful. They had to find ways to trick the press with fake dates and fake locations. Only those nearest and dearest to the couple were invited.

 

Her father's US tour was wildly successful and after a short break, they continued on with the international venues. Harley travelled with Cade whenever they could, and whenever her health allowed. Security detail for them increased. Even with just Cadence by her side, Harley always felt safe. Safe and loved. Cade made that difference in her life. She became a role model to Harley. Cade defied the haters and anyone who tried to come between her and Jax. Their love was stronger than anything in the world. And Harley was a huge part of that.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Harley traipsed down to the sunlit kitchen, all dressed and prepared for school. A soft coo came through the door before she spotted the little blonde girl seated on a high chair. The baby's eyes got even bigger when she spotted Harley. Her little fingers waved and clasped the air until Harley swooped in and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

 

"Guess what, Ella? It's the first day of school!" Harley clapped her hands together and Ella copied her sister's actions.

 

Cade passed Harley a bowl of hot oats. "Would you like me to braid your hair?" she asked, smiling brightly at Harley. Even after giving birth just six months ago, Cade had returned to her natural figure. "Your dad wants to drive you, but I think he's still asleep."

 

"No, I'm not," Jax's voice echoes in the room as he entered. "Good morning, my beautiful ladies." He walked over to each of them and kissed their cheeks. His last stop was with Cade and he added a kiss on the lips too.

 

He turned back to Harley, leaning his arms over the table with his chin propped on them. "What do you think, Harley, are you ready?" Jax didn't bother hiding his anxiety.

 

Harley rolled her eyes. How any times had they discussed this before? No matter how many precautions they had taken, Jax insisted that they needed more. "Dad, I'm ready. More than ready." She reached a hand over and squeezed his right arm. "It's time." Harley straightened on her seat. "Plus you've got this little one to watch over with Cade gone all day."  

 

Jax peered at his other little girl. Ella caught his stare and giggled at him. Her state of constant happiness brought sunshine to their lives. Harley was growing too quickly and he couldn't do anything to pause the time. No matter how much he had wanted to keep her within arm's reach and protect her, he knew he had to let her go at some point. Let her experience life on her own. Their communication had increased, thanks to Cadence. She'd opened the channels for the both of them and there was no turning back.

 

Cade rubbed his back. It soothed him somewhat. "You'll be fine with Ella, won't you? I can always take her into the studio with me," Cade said.

 

Jax nodded. "Of course, we'll be fine. We'll take Harley to school then head back home." He welcomed the warm embrace he received from Cade. "Do you have to teach all day?"

 

Cade's dreams of opening her own studio had come true. Jax had stepped aside and let her plan the entire business, and built it from the ground up with as little help from him as possible. It was what Cade wanted. She was stubborn since the day he met her but he wouldn't change that for anything. Their marriage was nothing short of a fairy tale. He met his queen. She won his heart. And in return, she offered hers. Life couldn't be better.