~ Kade's pov ~ "You better take good care of my baby girl Kade. I'd hate to castrate you." Mr. Cross warned and lifted the mug to his mouth to take a sip of the tea. "Christ Bella, that shit is hot." He whined, removing the mug away from his lips quickly. "Normal people usually blow over the tea before drinking." Mrs. Cross argued. "Normal people usually let someone know the tea is extremely hot." Mr. Cross fired back. "Well normal people usually check to see if the tea is hot before putting it to their lips." Mrs. Cross fired back hotly. Mr. Cross groaned. "I can never win an argument with you." Grumbling he places the mug back down on the island. I shift my gaze back and forth, watching their argument with amusement. Mr. Cross brought his attention back to me and placed on a mean mask that I saw right through. "Do you understand me Kade? I don't play when it comes to my daughter. I won't have you hurt her you hear me?" Mrs. Cross groaned, rolling her eyes as she exaggerated. "God Haiden give the boy a break." Mr. Cross pouted, which was rather strange to see on a man his age. Don't get me wrong, the man didn't look a day over thirty but he always had that tough exterior that made many fear him. Including me. It was amusing to see him act like that in his wife's presence. "You're spoiling my speech baby." He whined. Turning back to me he says. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that. Mia will need you more today. You be strong for her you hear me?" I nodded. "I won't let her down Mr. Cross you have my word." Today was Monday and Mia had decided to finally go back to school today. We both were. Although I believe Mia was undoubtedly strong on her own, I will be by her side every step of the way. We'll face the stares together. Mr. Cross raised a brow. "The last time you gave me your word you ended up falling in love with my daughter. Should I be worried about what this one means?""Haiden!" Mrs. Cross scowled. I shifted uncomfortably and scratched the back of my head. I couldn't deny it because he was right. The last time I gave him my word I did in fact fall in love with his daughter, though I can argue that I had already fallen for her long before. Mr. Cross shrugged. "Two men are talking baby, it's nothing to worry about." Mrs. Cross lifted her brow and put her hand on her hip while she stared at her husband in disbelief. "Two men? There's a little kid here." "Well I guess you can refer to Kade as a kid, he is still seventeen- "I was referring to you Haiden. Stop pestering Kade. He's already nervous as it is." Mrs. Cross scowled even more. Mr. Cross only muttered something under his breath and lifted the mug back to his lips, this time blowing it. He looks at me over the rim and said. "You're a good kid Kade. You're good for her and she's good for you. Don't ever let that go. Don't let anyone's words pull you two apart, you hear me?" I nodded. Truthfully I had no intentions of ever letting Mia go. The thought never crossed my mind. Sure I thought I wasn't good for her. But I realized that perhaps I should let Mia choose who she thinks is good enough for her. And if she chooses me then great, fucking fantastic. But if she doesn't then I'd spend my entire life proving to her that I will be worth it. I'm not my mother. I'll not let such a good thing go. What Mia and I have is love, it pulled us together. Made us lighter. How can I possibly let go of such a feeling? Such a feeling I craved for for many years? I would never let it go. Never let her go. She was it for me. And always will be. Judging stares and words are just jealousy others portray. They don't matter. The sound of approaching footsteps made my gaze sweep over to her. I knew it was her. Her footsteps were light while Austin's was quick with the purpose of making one know he was approaching. I bit my bottom lip. I had to remind myself that I had to be careful with her. I didn't want to be quick in my advances so soon. Not when she was still traumatized by all that happened. But damn it. Did she always have to be so beautiful?She shyly lifted the strap of the bag over her shoulder and worded out a soft morning. "Are you ready for school?" Mrs. Cross asked, smiling at her daughter proudly. It was okay that I hadn't been shown love by my birth mother. Mrs. Cross was quickly filling that role. She made me believe that there were good mothers out there. And someday, when she's ready, when we're both ready, Mia will also be a great mother to our children. Mia smiles shakily, clearly nervous about her first day back after losing the baby. "As ready as I'll ever be." __ ♡ Mia's pov ♡ I didn't feel ready. Not at all. In fact, I believe I was this close to peeing myself. Which would be embarrassing to do since I'm in the car with my boyfriend who's oblivious to my inward panic as he fixes the seat belt around him. I held my breath. Maybe if I hold it long enough, I can somehow gain courage. Who said, facing your fears was easy? That person was a shitty ass liar. Wait....I don't think anyone said that.... "Are you okay baby?" Okay so maybe he wasn't oblivious. But perhaps he should've been, that way I wouldn't have to lie to him and pretend I'm okay. I cleared my throat. "Yeah. Totally fine." I giggled but it comes out dryer that a cracker. I started the car hoping if I just drive, it would get my mind off the stares I know I'd receive when I enter the school. It's just a walk in the pack. Just a walk in the pack. Come on Mia. These strangers don't matter. Their stares don't matter. Their words won't matter. A few more months and you wouldn't have to see the majority of their faces again. Hopefully. "Something tells me you're not baby," Kade said, his gaze on the side of my face as I drive out onto the opened road. "Really? " I acted like I had no clue of what he was saying. "What makes you think that?" "You're currently sweating buckets and your eyes keep squinting. You always do that when you're about to panic." He pointed out. Sometimes I wished he didn't know me so much. "If you feel it's too soon we can go back home. You don't have to force yourself to go back if you're not ready Mia. Whatever you choose to do, I'm always going to support you." Kade whispered, not once taking his eyes off of me. And boy did I know how much he supports me. Kade would literally not go to school too if I didn't go. I can't have him jeopardizing his future just because he wanted to always be there for me. I wouldn't be a good girlfriend if I let him sacrifice so much for me. So I made a decision. I wasn't going to pussy out. That's not the Cross's way. We see things through, no matter how difficult it may be. "No. I'm going to school. " I nodded as if to reassure myself that my decision was the best one. But I can't help that I still feel some kind of panic. I just couldn't seem to relax. "Stop the car." Kade suddenly spoke, breaking me out of my train of thoughts. My brows knit. Giving him a sideways glance, a question tumble out of my mouth. "What?" "Stop the car Mia." Stunned by his words, I slowed the car and parked beside the curb, extremely confused. "Kade?" I asked confused but he doesn't answer me, not yet anyway. Only reaches over and fumbles through the radio until he stops on Ed Sheeran's voice. It's a song I'm familiar with but haven't played it much. Collide. Kade, raised the volume until my eardrums were nearly about to burst. I could've reached over and lowered it, but I was intrigued and confused by his actions.Kade removes the seat belt around himself and opens the car door. He gets out and I just stare at him with knitted brows. He leaves the door open and I watch him walk around the hood of he car to my side. I unlocked the door and he opens it. He reached out his hand and said loudly so his voice would overpower the music. "Come on." Confused yet even more intrigued, I remove my seat belt and push my hand in his. He grabs me firmly and helps me out of the car. "Kade. What are you doing?" I asked hushedly while looking around. We must look like complete maniacs. He leads me around the hood and on a freshly cut lawn, mere feet away from the opened passenger door. "You're going to dance with me." He stated, turning around to face me with one of those charming smiles of his that had my heart fluttering. "Here?" I asked nervously, trying to discreetly look around. He must be kidding. So out in the open? People will really think we're mad. Kade nods with a grin splitting his face. "There's no better place. " I chewed my bottom lip. "We're going to be late for school...." I drawled. He lifted a brow. "Do we really care?" I chewed my lip harder. "I suppose not." "Good." He grinned and took one of my hands in his and swirled me around. "Now let's get you to loosen up." He whispered, drawing me closer and then turning me around. I giggled when he stepped on my foot. I watch his cheeks flame. "I was never a good dancer. " He utters sheepishly. "What? One could never tell." I said when he stepped on my foot again. He narrowed his eyes, and span me around. When I turn to him, he pulls me to his chest. "Your sarcasm is rather hot." He grinned. He turns me around and I spin. I laughed.We danced like this for God knows how long before a loud screech stopped us. "Get off my lawn!" "Oop." I stopped dancing, blocking my mouth with my palm as Kade roared with laughter. We both run towards the car, me in the driver's side and him in the passengers. When we're inside, Kade lows down the music, turning to me he smiles. "I got you to laugh today."