Ballad of Love (Utah Lovin’ Book 1)

26. Madison

Ithink I have lost my mind. All my sanity has just been completely tossed out the window. I blink my eyes open and let them adjust to the sunshine pouring into Iris’s room. I can”t believe I stayed the night with Braydon. Ok, technically, I didn”t spend the night with Braydon. I spent the night with Iris. Trying not to wake up Iris, I gently climb out of her twin-size bed. The door squeaks when I open it, and I flinch. Iris doesn”t even stir. The smell of coffee hits me from the top of my stairs, and I have never been more grateful for that smell in my entire life. Sharing a twin-size bed with a three-year-old is not a fun task, but I did manage to get some sleep. Braydon is already sitting at the island in the kitchen sipping from a Saw”s to-go cup.

“Good morning, Cowboy.”

“Morning, Boots.”

I smile at the new, yet familiar nickname. it has a nice ring to it.

“Is that coffee for me?” I motioned to the iced coffee next to him.

“It is.” He slides the coffee in my direction as I saddle the stool next to him. I take a sip of the delicious, caffeinated nectar.

“Never in my life has coffee tasted so good.”

“I take it you didn”t sleep well.”

“No. Did you know that your daughter is extremely restless in her sleep?”

Braydon lets out a throaty chuckle.

“I did know that. That”s why I have a king size bed.”

We sip our coffee in comfortable silence for a minute before Braydon turns to me.

“Would you like to spend the day with me, Boots?”

“Always! Did you have something in mind?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Ok?” I am a little suspicious because of the way he is looking at me.

“I remember you saying a couple weeks ago that you needed some help studying. Now you and I both know that I wasn”t very good at studying in school. But I am sure I can help. I figure we can go to Saw”s to study for an hour or two. Then we can go on one of the most epic dates of all time.”

“Sounds wonderful!” I lean towards Braydon, and he pulls my stool towards him. I jump at the sudden movement. My legs are settled between his, and I can smell his pine scented shampoo.

“I love you, Boots. I don”t think I could ever get tired of saying that.”

“I love you, Bray. I have waited six years to hear those words from you, and I will never get tired of hearing them.”

Braydon kisses me sweetly, and I swear this is the best way to wake up. I hope I get to spend all my mornings just like this. If this is a dream, though, no one better pinch me. The sound of little feet on the stairs makes us both jump apart. Braydon gets off his stool and scoops a still sleepy looking Iris into his arms.

“Grandpa texted me this morning and asked if you would like to come hang out with him later today.”

“Can I bring some of my toys?”

“I am sure Grandpa will be ok with that. We can go grab a muffin on our way there.”

“Can I get a chocolate chip one?” My heart is melting at the way Braydon talks to Iris. I snap a sneaky little picture, because these two find new ways to melt my heart every day.

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“Is Maddie going to come with us?” Iris tosses me a little look over Braydon”s shoulder.

“I am. Is that ok with you?”

Iris nods, her wild curls bouncing up and down.

“I”m going to go get her ready. Help yourself to anything you find in the fridge or the cabinets.”

Braydon grabs his coffee before they both disappear upstairs. I am left alone in Braydon’s kitchen, wearing his sweatshirt and drinking my peppermint latte. if someone would have asked me six months ago if this is where I thought I”d be, I would”ve laughed in their face. After I left six years ago, I never thought that Braydon would forgive me. Iris’s cute giggles drift down the stairs and pull me out of my thoughts. I smile to myself imagining Braydon help her pick out a tiny little outfit for the day. This is the life I had once let Braydon picture for us, and if I am honest with myself, this is the life I wanted. I chose to move away, though. I chose to leave and chase my dreams. Never in a million years though did I think I would get a second chance at loving Braydon. This time around, I get to love a little version of him too.

I walk upstairs with my coffee and follow the sound of Braydon and Iris laughing.

“Daddy, can you braid my hair?”

I watch as Iris twirls around her room in leggings and a pink sweatshirt with little red hearts on it.

“I can try.”

I step over the threshold into Iris’s room.

“I can help.”

“Maddie, do you know how to braid?”

“I do.”

The way Iris lights up when she sees me is one of the things I have been living for the last few weeks. At times, it makes me so mad to think that her mom could just walk away from this little ray of sunshine. how could someone not love Iris. she is the sweetest little girl that I have ever met.

“Can you braid my hair? Daddy isn”t that good,” she whispers yells the last part.

Trying to hold back a laugh, I look over at Braydon who is trying his best to make a mock offended face.

“After you get all ready to go, I will braid your hair.”

I wink at Braydon and head back downstairs. I could get used to staying in this house with them and building the life we always dreamed about. Who am I kidding? I am already used to it.