Protecting His Forever(36)

“Yes, I’m still here. Hang on a second.” He takes the phone away from his ear and hits speaker.

“Continue,” he tells whoever is on the phone.

“You’re the only living relative left. Her daughter has no one. She was your mom’s sister’s daughter. Arabella is your cousin. Would you be willing to take her in? It’s either you, or I will be forced to put her in foster care. She’s had a rough go at life. Her mother was hooked on drugs really bad; she died of overdose. The little girl was found in a closet,” the woman’s voice tells us sadly.

Tears rush to my eyes.

“How old is she?” I ask not being able to help myself.

“She is three years old.”

I look at Kane with my eyes full of tears.

“I’ll take her,” he tells the woman on the phone.

“No, we’ll take her.” I grab his hand tightly. Kane talks on the phone going over details and whatever else before hanging up so we can get up and get dressed. She will be here later this evening. She just lived two hours away. Grabbing my purse, we haul ass to Kane’s truck. We have nothing for a little girl.

“We need snacks, clothes, toys, blankets, furniture and necessities. Oh shit. I don’t even know!” I ground out, stressed.

Kane takes my hand and kisses the top of it. “We will figure it out.”

Sighing, I lean over and kiss him on the cheek.

Kane picks up his phone and calls Ethan. He explains everything. We will need help getting the furniture up in time.

A few minutes later we pull up in front of a furniture store. Kane comes over to my side to let me out and we walk hand in hand up to the front doors. I can’t believe this is actually happening. This poor little baby, she just lost her mother. I can only imagine the kind of hell she has seen or been through.

Kane smacking my butt brings me out of my thoughts. Rolling my eyes, I walk inside the front door that he holds open for me. Looking around the store, I realize I have no clue where to start.

Looking up to the sign that tells you where the kids section is, I head in that direction. As soon as we get to the back section I see a white bed that is fit for a little girl. It's a four-post bed with white curtains hanging from the top of the frame, and that wrap around the posts of the bed. It looks like a princess bed. Looking around, I see all the furniture that matches—the toy box, small dresser, and chest. The drawer knobs are adorned with jewels.

Grinning at Kane, I tell him, “This is it.” He chuckles and goes to find a worker.

This is the day that everything changes. This little girl is going to change our lives forever. I never thought this would happen, but everything happens for a reason.

Later that day

“She is almost here, Kane,” I tell him breathlessly. The social worker called and told us she was ten minutes out.

“I know, sweetheart.” He looks down at me softly and holds me tightly in his arms.

Laying my head against his chest, I suck in a deep breath enjoying just being in his presence.

“You don’t have to be here for this, Sydney.” His arms tighten around me waiting for my response.

“I know, Kane,” I mutter against his chest before looking up at him. “I want nothing more than to be here for this little girl. Not one second did I doubt this.”

His face softens before he brings his mouth to mine. Sighing, I pull him harder against me. He moves his lips tenderly over mine. When he pulls back, his breathing is labored. His lips go to my forehead, and he whispers, “I love you, Sydney.”

Closing my eyes, I try to hold back the emotions I’m feeling. “I love you, too.”

The sound of a car driving up the driveway has me looking out of the window. My heart stops. “She’s here,” I whisper to Kane.

He smiles and takes my hand. Together, we walk out hand and hand. Through the window of the car I can see a little blonde head looking all around her frantically trying to take everything in.

The social works gets out and walks to the backdoor. “How are you guys today?” the social worker asks as she opens the back door to the vehicle. She leans in and unbuckles the little girl.

Little feet hit the pavement as she climbs out of the car. My eyes shoot down to the ratty shoes that cover her feet. The worker pulls her into view and my heart breaks instantly. Walking down the steps, I’m itching to get close to her. To comfort her. Kane follows closely behind.

“Meet Arabella,” the social worker says, and I let go of Kane’s hand. Taking the last couple steps so I’m a foot away from her. She barely peeks at me before going back to tugging at the ends of her clothes.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I bend down so I’m eye level with her. Reaching up, I touch her shoulder. She jerks back like I hit her. She looks up at me and her face crumbles as she starts crying. She’s scared. Not knowing what to do, I take her into my arms. Her little face rests on my shoulder, her tears soaking my shirt.