Nick's POV
Our butler, Dane, answered the door, looking more disturbed than usual. "What's wrong?" I asked, pulling off my jacket and handing it to him. "Ms. Miley hasn't come out of her room since dinner. Not even when Miss Madlyn was crying for her," he informed.
I frowned, "She never turned on Madlyn before. Are you sure?" Dane nodded sharply, "Very sure. She locked the room door. What worries me was that I think I saw her holding a blade." My eyes widened, "A blade?" He nodded again. I ran up the stairs as fast as I can.
"Miley, open the door!" I pounded my fist on the door loudly. "Miles, open the freaking door now!" I yelled. Silence. I took a few steps back, and rammed into the door. The white-painted, custom-made wooden double doors didn't budge. Damn stupid security, I cussed.
Suddenly, I remembered the spare key. I ran into my study and picked out the key from my personal drawer. I jammed the key into the lock and busted the door open.
"Miley Ray, where are you?" Our bedroom was empty, the sheets were made. I rushed to the bathroom and shoved open the door. Miley was on the floor, dressed in sweat pants and a tank top, mascara running down her face. The telltale blade shone in her left hand. She was pressed to the wall, tears flowing from her soulful eyes.
"I wanted to do it, but I can't," she sobbed. I kneeled down in her front of her and engulfed her in a big hug, kissing the top of her head repeatedly. I snatched the blade away and tossed it in the trash.
"Why'd you do this?" I asked softly. My wife was freshly showered and lying on my chest. "I felt like you don't want me anymore. And that hurts," fresh tears spilled. I shook my head, "Mi, I was being stupid. I'm sorry. I've never loved or wanted anybody as much as I love and want you, babe. This was just a stupid argument. It's going to be fine, okay? I love you. So, so much."
I ran my hand through her wet hair and kissed her tenderly. As she pulled apart, she smiled tearfully at me, "You know what? I don't care how old we are and that we have a kid that people think we do a terrible job raising. As long as you're here with me, it doesn't matter. I'm sorry for almost killing myself."
"I'm very mad at you for that, you know. You almost took yourself away from me and Madlyn." I scolded. She smiled faintly. "Sorry. Baby, I'm just really tired. I knew I won't do it, but I guess I was just waiting for you to save me. And you did. Can you bring Maddie in? I abandoned her all day," she said. I nodded, "Sure." I gave her a feather-kiss and headed to the nursery, where Theresa was watching Maddie. She looked up and grinned.
"Everything okay?" she inquired. I blushed, "Yeah." I reached for Madlyn, who was clad in a pair of blue Tommy Hilfiger footie pajamas. "Mommy wants to see you tonight, angel." I told my little girl as I carried her back to my bedroom. Miley's face automatically lit up as I entered through the door, Madlyn in my arms. Maddie reached for her mother eagerly.
"Oh, sweetie, you make me so happy," my wife cooed, as Madlyn burrowed into her arms, Miley's hair entangled in her fists. I smiled at my two favorite girls. "The both of you make me so happy," I wrapped my arms around my wife and kissed the top of Maddie's head.
Selena's POV
"I'm sorry," I apologized as I accidentally bumped into a guy. He looked up at me and smiled, "It's okay, Sel." I gasped. "Oh my gosh, Taylor!" I threw my arms around him. Although I had a brief fling with Taylor years back, we remained good friends but lost touch.
"I haven't seen you in so long!" Taylor said as we walked out from the grocery shop together. I grinned, "I know. Hey, I have to run, I got some errands to do. Here, why don't you give me your phone number? We can set up a lunch date or something." He smiled, "Sure. Here." He gave me his number.
"Alright, thanks. See you!" I gave him a hug and got in the car. As I pulled out from the parking lot, he waved at me and I waved back. Only suddenly I realized. My heart was beating like never before. (A/N: Cue Taylena! Haha.)
Nick's POV
"Happy second anniversary." I woke up to Miley's lovely greeting and the sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains. I smiled lazily up at her, "Thank you. You, too. I still remember how this day went a year ago." She laughed, "I was very pregnant, freaking fat and extremely hormonal." I laughed along with her, "True."
"Dada," Madlyn cooed as she clambered onto my chest. I grinned, "Hi, there, angel. You weren't here a year ago." My wife rolled her eyes, "Pointing out the obvious, much?" She giggled and pushed back Maddie's bangs from her adorable face.
"Speaking of which, her first birthday is in two months. We got to start planning a major party," Miley declared and I rolled my eyes. "Mi, don't you think it's a bit wasteful? She's just gonna be a year old," I reasoned.
She frowned, "First birthday parties are always a big deal, Nick. It's a milestone. You hear me? Milestone." Her blue orbs rolled into a dangerous glare. "If you want to throw a big bash, I'm fine with that," I answered smoothly. She smiled, "Exactly. Now, get ready. After breakfast we're going on a trip to the zoo!" I sighed, "Oh, joy." She punched my arm, "Shut up."
Miley's POV
"Maddie, calm down," I told my ten-month-old as she bounced in her stroller. "The stroller cost thousands of dollars." Nick added unhelpfully. I rolled my eyes, laughing. "You know, the zoo is lame. Why don't we"—he lifted her out from the stroller—"go to the batting cages?" Surprisingly, Madlyn seemed to agree.
"Wow, I had no idea a ten-month-old would understand what's a batting cage. I'm impressed, Nick," I teased. Maddie was standing in my lap, intently eyeing her daddy take a shot at some balls. "She loves the sport already." My husband told me, walking over and taking a swig of water.
Madlyn impatiently reached for him. "No, darling, Daddy stinks," I held her back, but a soft, urgent cry escaped her lips. A cry I knew Nick can't resist. "Here." I handed her over. He laughed as he sat her on the ground and gave her a ball to play with.
Nick's POV
"Happy birthday, sweetheart," I whispered to my now one-year-old daughter as she woke up from her deep slumber. "Daddy," she said cheerfully, standing up in her crib. I lifted her out and smothered her beautiful face with kisses. Miley rushed into the room. "Where's the birthday girl?" she teased, grabbing Madlyn and giving her a huge hug. "Mama, bday," Maddie pronounced excitedly. I and my wife laughed.
"That's right, angel—birthday. It's your birthday today," I cooed as I carried her downstairs for breakfast. I sat her down in her high chair. "Happy first birthday, sweetie," Theresa greeted as she set a plate of pancakes neatly cut into small pieces in front of Madlyn. "Resa." Maddie grinned comically at her, causing her to burst into laughter. "She's a keeper," our housekeeper stated before heading out to the laundry room. I grinned.
"I sure hope the party goes well this Saturday," Miley worried, fidgeting with her wedding ring, sliding it on and off her finger, anxiously. I joked, "Getting bored with me so soon?" I gestured to her fingers. She stopped and stared. "Nicky, don't you ever say that again!" My wife screeched. "I can never be bored with you." Her blue eyes unexpectedly filled with tears.
"Babe, I'm sorry. I'm sorry," I repeated as I kissed the back of her hand. She wiped her tears quickly, "It's okay. I'm just so stressed out." I smiled, "It's going to be fine. Right, Madlyn?" Our daughter looked up at us and stared, her face caked in mashed fruit and maple syrup. Miley burst out laughing, "The person bathing you later is definitely your Daddy." I groaned, rolling my eyes.
Miley's POV
"Happy birthday!" My family yelled as they entered the house. I switched Madlyn to my other hip and went to greet them. After the usual screeching and hugging, Daddy said, "Wow, you got the place looking in tip-top shape." I smiled, "It took two months of planning and four days to put together, Dad. It better be in good shape."
Four big white tents stood in the backyard; a big 'Happy 1st Birthday!' banner was draped across the entrance, above the white iron arch that was swathed with brightly colored fresh flowers and colorful balloons. The circular tables were alternately covered with tablecloths in the color of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink. We switched the indigo for pink. The chairs were covered with white silk, matching rainbow-colored bows tied at the backs. On each table there was a crystal vase with a colorful pinwheel inside. Everything was colorful, vibrant, bright. Everything was perfect.
Selena's POV
"Pick one, Maddie," I instructed my goddaughter, holding up a sleeveless blue-and-yellow Valentino dress in my right hand and a cap-sleeved pink-and-brown floral Marc Jacobs in my left. Madlyn dove for both and pressed them to her chest. I laughed, "Sweetie, I said one." She ignored me, "No." I giggled again, "You're definitely Miley's little girl."
Miley breezed into the room, "I heard that, Selena Marie." She scowled at me and we both burst out laughing again. "I think the flowery one is nicer," she commented. I nodded, "I think so, too." Suddenly, Taylor popped his head in the nursery, "Uh, hi, Miley. Sel, Nick told me you'd be here." Miley turned to me and winked. "I was just leaving," she sauntered to the door and smiled at Taylor. "See you!" she called.
"I'm not exactly looking presentable right now," I blushed. After wrestling with Madlyn to get her ready, strands of hair were falling into my face and my shirt was wet and streaked with powder while soap and shampoo were embedded into my sweatpants. Taylor grinned, "You look pretty good to me." I flushed bright red again, turning my attention to Maddie.
"Madlyn, I brought you a birthday present." Taylor told her, taking the brown floral dress from me and easily slipped it over her head. I looked on, impressed. "Wow, I tried to do that for half an hour, Taylor," I joked. He grinned shyly, "I have a lot of little tots in the family." I teased, "Well, you're definitely better at this than I am." He laughed warmly. I handed him a pair of lacy white socks and brown soft shoes.
"She's one lucky girl," Taylor said as he finished putting on Madlyn's shoes. I grinned fondly, "Yeah. Nick and Miles dote on her." He looked up at me, "Her godmother adores her, too." I turned away, embarrassed. "I think I'm gonna take her downstairs and leave you to get ready," he announced, scooping Maddie into his arms. I nodded and smiled, "That would help. Thanks, Tay."
"No problem."
Nick's POV
"Okay, listen up. I want security patrolling the grounds at all times, to make sure nobody uninvited gets in. For the guards at the gate, make sure everyone who goes in have invitations. Clear?" I finished. Joe rolled his eyes, "Honestly, Nick, you're way overprotective." I rolled my eyes, "It's basic security." He rolled his eyes again before heading into the backyard.
A car that I recognized as Zac's stopped in front of our gate. Vanessa stepped out and opened the backseat door, Hollis in her arms. Ashley and Scott exited the door, a twin under each of Scott's arms. Ashley was busy carrying the diaper bags and trying to coax the groggy Jordan out of the car. As Scott trudged up the driveway, he called out, "A huge reminder—never carpool!" I and Miley burst out laughing.
"Hey, you guys," Nessa gave me a one-armed hug and kissed Miley on the cheeks. She handed a big, colorfully-wrapped box to me and so did Ashley. "Aw, thanks." Miles grinned at them, inviting them to the backyard. "Daddy, down!" Emma screeched, fidgeting violently. With a grumble, Scott sat her and Landon on the ground. Like a shot, the two took off for the moon bounce. "Another reminder—never have twins either," Zac joined us with Jordan, who was asleep again. We laughed.
Taylor's POV
"Oh my God, it really is obvious," I whispered to Demi as we see Selena and Taylor sitting and laughing together. "I know, right? I think they're destined together. I mean, God won't bring back old lovers together for nothing." Demi said wisely.
I giggled, "I had no idea you can be so deep!" She punched my arm. "Hey, Maddie," I crooned to the birthday girl as she wobbled over. "It seems like such a short time," Demi said softly, stroking Madlyn's fine, black hair.
"Is that Moises? I haven't seen him in a zillion years!" Demi ran off to greet Miley's old co-star. "I guess it's just you and me, sweetie pie," I sang to Madlyn, who clapped her hands joyfully. "Hey," Joe plopped down beside me. I grinned, "Hi, Joe. Where's Camilla?" His expression dropped, "I haven't told this to anybody yet, so promise me you won't tell." I frowned, but promised, "Cross my heart." He sighed, "I broke up with her last night."
Joe's POV
"What!? Why'd you that?" Taylor exclaimed, settling Maddie on the ground and she toddled over to my mother. I shrugged, "I don't know. It's just that, she's never around, you know? I got sick of waiting for her. It sucks." She shook her head, her blond curls bouncing. "Joe, you've been with her forever. Five years, Joe," she pointed out. I shot back, "Well, those five years weren't that pleasant. She's barely around and we've been on and off all the time." A thick silence enveloped us.
"Why'd you break up with her? I want the truth," Taylor demanded quietly. I replied softly, "You really wanna know?" She nodded. "It was because of you." Her eyes were shocked.
"Me? What did I do?" she answered fretfully. I chuckled softly, "No, Tay, you didn't wreck our relationship. It's just that, I realized that—okay, I'm just gonna say this out. I didn't want her, okay? I want you." She looked surprised again. "You didn't want me before," she replied matter-of-factly. I can't help but smile, "Tay, sometimes it takes a long time to realize who you really love. If five, six years is what it takes, then six years it is."
"I'm afraid, Joe. I'm afraid of loving you. I'm afraid that you'll hurt me again," her voice cracked as she tried to blink back her tears. I sighed, "I know I have a lot of damage control to do, and I'm so sorry. But I want you, Taylor Alison. I realize that I loved you, I love you, and I always will love you. Forever and always." Her laughter came out watery, "That's what the whole song was about. You said forever and always, but it didn't turn out that way."
I ran my hand through my hair, frustrated. "People make mistakes, Tay, bad mistakes. But all of us deserve a second chance," I begged, "and I'm asking you to give me a second chance. A second shot at winning your heart back and keeping it." She looked up hesitantly, and blue met brown. At that moment, I was lost in her eyes. I would do whatever it takes to make her mine—forever.
"I can't believe I'm about to do this. Alright, Joe. I give you a second chance to win me back. Will you be my boyfriend?" Taylor asked shyly. I laughed, "Okay." I sealed the deal with a kiss. (A/N: Cue Jaylor! ;p I know I said that I couldn't choose between Jaylor and Jemi, but I figured Jaylor fit in better. Jemi would be awkward now, won't it?)
I swear I'd only update when there's more than 70 reviews. :) R&R! XOXO.