Ch 28 Butterfly Kisses
A/N I don't own Fastlane or it's characters. R/R!
Billie groaned and tried to block out the insistent high pitched noise coming from the bassinet that was next to the king sized bed where she and Van were sleeping.. The noise sounded a lot like the bleating of a newborn fawn. No matter how hard she tried, the noise kept growing. Finally, Billie cracked open one eye and peeked into the bassinet to find her 4 week old daughter, awake and hungry. Billie looked at the alarm clock by the bed and, realizing it was only 3am, groaned. She reached in and put her hand on the tiny infant hoping to calm her down without having to offer her the breast. Bella had developed quite the appetite, and ate every three hours around the clock now. "I guess you have no concept of what a Sunday is, huh baby?" She asked her child as she sat up and prepared to nurse the little girl back to sleep. Before Billie could take the baby out of her bed and place her on the breast, Van woke up and put his hand on Billie's shoulder to lay her back down. "I'll get her. You've earned your sleep." Van said groggily as he placed a soft, loving kiss on Billie's temple before getting up to lift his daughter out of her bed and take her to get a bottle. "Hey there, sweet baby. Are you hungry? Let's go get you a bottle and give mommy some peace and quite." Van cooed to his daughter as he lifted her against his strong, bare chest. "Go back to sleep, honey." He said to his wife with a smile, noticing that she was watching him intently. Still, Billie stared on, a sleepy smile brightening her beautiful face. Van picked up Bella's little fist and waved it at Billie as they headed for the door. "Good night, Mommy. I love you." He said in a little girl voice. Billie smiled at this and laid down. "Good night you two. I love you both." She sleepily mumbled.
Van carried his daughter downstairs towards the kitchen where Billie had a couple bottles already prepared for him to heat up. As he sat a bottle of milk in a saucepan of hot water and waited for it to get warm, he gently swayed with the tiny girl in his arms to keep her calm. "Okay, sweetie, it's chow time." Van told her as he removed the bottle and checked the temperature before taking a seat in the black leather recliner and grabbing the remote before giving the crying infant her much anticipated midnight buffet. "Well, let's see what's on television." Van said softly as he switched on the device and began to look through the channels. Soon, he stopped on A&E, seeing that there was something he liked on. "See that baby? That's Neil Diamond. He's the best singer ever. Your mommy would laugh at me for teaching you that, but she's not here. When she's around, some bad ass boy toy named Dave Navarro is the best ever." Van said with an exaggerated shudder. What he hadn't noticed is that Billie had quietly crept downstairs to watch the two of them, when she thought Van would be too busy to notice her. When Billie saw the shudder at the mention of Dave Navarro, she about bust out laughing. After all, she and Van had had their fair share of discussions about what in the world women liked about that guy anyway. Still, she kept her composure and watched the sweet scene before her as Van continued to talk to his daughter.
"I think she just likes him because it bugs me. She says he reminds her of me. Why she needs reminding of me, I don't know. When we go to work, she spends all day telling me what to do." Van explained his logic to the baby. "That's right sweetheart, Sassy is the boss. Did you know that?" Van asked his daughter as she looked at him with the greenish eyes she'd inherited from him. Except for her eyes and hair, Bella was the spitting image of Billie, and Van wouldn't have it any other way. Billie continued to stand at the entrance to the family room and watch her family quietly as tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of how much she loved those two.
"Bella, this is your second bottle ever, you know. I bet your mom is upstairs doing what she did when I gave you your first one yesterday. Do you remember that? I do. Well let me tell you all about it. You're mommy is going to go back to work in a couple weeks with me, so your doctor said we should give you a bottle to get used to it, now." Van began to explain animatedly as the baby finished the last of her bottle. "Well, after one of your naps, we decided it was time to give the bottle a try. Only, mommy couldn't do it, so I got to. And you know what? You ate it and went back to sleep, just fine. So, after you were asleep, I went to find mom and see what she was up to. And when I found her, she was outside crying and babbling about how she wasn't ready for this and you're growing up to fast." Van finished telling his daughter as he sat the bottle on the table next to him and lifted the infant to his shoulder to burp her. "See? That's just proof of how much she actually loves you, Bella." Van told the sleepy child as he patted her back.
It was then that Billie decided to make her presence known to Van and the baby. She walked into the living room, tear tracks staining her cheeks. "That's how much I love you both." She whispered as she walked over to the chair. Van stood up and looked at his wife with a smile on his face. "And we love you too. I love you." Van said as he pulled Billie into his chest with his free arm and pressed his lips into her hair as she hugged him with one arm and ran her fingers over Bella's head with the other hand. "Let's go to bed." Van said as he led his wife to the stairs. "Let's go." Billie agreed with a smile as she followed her husband. Billie swore that since he'd become a father, Van had become even more sexy than she ever thought possible.
A couple minutes later, Billie laid Bella down in her bassinet and climbed into bed next to her husband, snuggling against his firm chest as she sighed contentedly. Van wrapped one of his strong arms around her waist and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. Billie laced her fingers with his and pulled him closer as she snuggled down farther into the sheets. Van's lips moved from her shoulder to her neck, as he pulled his wife closer. "Van, we can't." Billie quickly protested before she let herself get to wrapped up in Van's affections. "What's the matter?" Van asked as he leaned up on his elbow. "We can't. It's not the right time." Billie explained, rolling over to face her husband. "You heard the doctor honey. She said you're fine we can start…" Van began before Billie cut him off. "No, no, no. It's not that." Billie quickly said before he got the wrong idea. "Then what is it?" He asked gently. Billie looked down and didn't answer. "Billie, talk to me. What's wrong?" Van gently coaxed her as he placed his fingers gently under her chin to look at him. "We just can't. What if she wakes up?" She finally answered him. Van chuckled as Billie looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "What's so funny?" She asked as he continued to laugh. "You." Van told her as he kissed her forehead firmly. "And why is my worrying about our daughter so funny?" Billie asked, a hint of amusement at his laughter in her voice. "Because" Van answered trying to come up with the right way to explain his reason. "Wow, that's vague" She sarcastically replied. "Smart ass." Van quipped. "It's funny because you are such a mom now! Two years ago, I never would have imagined you like this." Van finally elaborated on his answer. "Having a baby does that to a person. You don't find yourself worrying about things more, where Bella's concerned?" Billie asked. "Sure. The other day, Deaq and I were in a little situation where we were driving too fast" Van began to explain. "And someone was shooting at you" Billie supplied, causing Van to give her a dirty look and tweak her nose before continuing. "Anyway," he supplied dramatically "I suddenly realized that I didn't have my seatbelt on. Immediately I thought of the two of you, what if I died. Who would take care of you? Who would put Bella down for her nap and be around to listen to you talk about your day?" Van answered smiling at her as he glanced over her shoulder at the sleeping infant. "I love you." Billie cooed and pulled him in for a deep kiss. As they kissed, Van rolled Billie onto her back as his hands roamed over her body. "I've missed you, so much." He whispered as his lips kissed her neck, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from his wife.
"She's still asleep." Van whispered quietly. "Uhuh." Billie agreed as she laid with her head on his bare chest, running her nails up and down his body. Van captured her hand with his, and kissed her damp hair. "I almost forgot how much I love doing that with you." Van commented, running his hand over her naked, back. Billie was still breathing heavily from their lovemaking as she snuggled deeper into Van and ran kisses from his chest all the way up to his lips. There, she lingered to savor the sweet, simple taste of him. "I'm so lucky to have you." She whispered as she broke the kiss and laid her head back on his chest and closed her eyes. "I'm the lucky one." Van whispered into her hair as he traced patterns over her upper arm and listened as her breathing became slow and deep to indicate that she'd fallen asleep. For several minutes, Van just laid there, watching his wife sleep and thinking about their future together. He knew Billie was the only woman for him and that this marriage would last forever. Soon, he grew tired of thinking and nodded off as well.
There's two things I
know for sure
She was sent here from heaven, and she's Daddy's
little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She
talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank God for all of the
joy in my life, oh but most of all...
The day was early to start in the Ray household. Just before six o'clock, Bella started to chirp for her next feeding. At the first noise, Billie sat up and lifted the squawking infant out of her bed and brought her to her breast. "Maybe she's not ready to eat yet." Van mumbled, sleepily from beside the bed. "My boobs disagree with you Van." Billie said dryly as she latched the hungry child on. "And so does Bella" she finished as she watched her daughter eat. Van laughed. "What?" Billie asked, annoyed at his jubilance this early in the day. "You're such a mom!" He said with a final fit of laughter. "I know. You caused it. Remember?" Billie snidely commented. "I know. Don't make me cause it again." Van said, with mock sternness. "Maybe we'll talk seriously about that in a year." Billie said. "A year?" Van asked, disappointment in his voice. "Unless you want to get pregnant?" Billie half asked, half stated. "I think we'll wait a year to discuss this again" he quickly conceded as Billie finished feeding the baby and handed her to Van to burp.
For butterfly kisses
after bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair
Walk beside the pony Daddy, it's my first ride
I know the
cake looks funny Daddy, but I sure tried
Oh with all that I've
done wrong, I must of done something right
To deserve a hug every
morning, and butterfly kisses at night.
The rest of the day went well. Van had French toast, sausage and coffee for breakfast. Billie rented a few of his favorite DVD's, and while Van lounged on the couch with his daughter to watch them, Billie cleaned the house, barbequed the chicken, made the potato salad and grilled the corn, for dinner when Bob, Ruby and Deaq came over that night. She had decided to save the presents for when everyone was there to see Van's reaction.
Sweet sixteen
today
She's looking like her Mama, a little more everyday.
One
part woman, the other part girl
To perfume and makeup, from
ribbons and curls.
Trying her wings out in a great big world
But
I remember...
About 6 pm, the doorbell rang. Billie trotted down the stairs wearing a low cut black dress with purple flowers on it and black sling back heels. Her hair was curled and pulled back with a gold and lilac clip. Van stood at the bottom of the stairs wearing a lilac button down shirt with gold and onyx studded cufflinks and black slacks that hugged his slender hips. In her baby swing in the living room, Bella sat swinging contentedly. She wore a short sleeved, cotton lilac dress with white lace trim and white socks. Around her head was a lace hair band with little lilac rose buds on it. When Van saw Billie come down the stairs, he couldn't help but smile as he whistled approvingly. Billie smiled slyly and headed for the door to see who was there. As she reached the bottom, and walked past Van to the door, he reached out and pinched her ass playfully. "Hey!" Billie shrieked with a laugh as she turned around to swat at his hand. "Owe!" Van whined playfully as he pulled her in for a deep kiss. The pair kissed passionately and ignored the doorbell. After a solid thirty seconds, there came a fourth ring and a loud knock. Van pulled away from Billie and took her hand as he walked to the door to answer it.
Butterfly kisses after
bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair.
You know how much I love you Daddy, but if you don't
mind
I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time.
With all
that I've done wrong, I must of done something right
To deserve
her love every morning, and butterfly kisses at night.
"Deaq! Hey man! How's it going?" Van greeted cheerfully as he and Billie stepped aside to let their partner and employee, inside the spacious foyer. Deaq just looked at Van with a wide grin on his face. "Having a good Father's Day?" he asked, taking in the lipstick prints on Van's lips. "Yeah. It's been great." Van said sheepishly when he realized what Deaq saw on him. Deaq ignored him and looked at Billie. "Isn't that how you got pregnant the first time?" he asked with a snicker. At this, Billie's eyes narrowed on the ornery little shit, as her jaw tightened and her arms crossed in that angry way she usually did. After a tense minute, she uncrossed her arms and gave Deaq the finger, before walking towards the kitchen to check on dinner. Van chuckled immediately, upon seeing the obscene gesture. Before he could close the door, he heard to voices. "You had that one coming, Deaq." Bob said plainly. "Remember, she can still blame the hormones for awhile." Ruby said as she walked up next to her husband. The foursome exchanged their hellos before Bob went to see Billie and Ruby went to pick up Bella for a cuddle.
All the precious
time,
Oh, like the wind the years go by.
Precious
butterfly,
Spread your wings and fly.
A few minutes later, the group sat down for their meal. Van sat his sleeping daughter, in her bouncy seat next to him on the floor. "Billie you look gorgeous tonight." Deaq commented as he took a bite of the chicken. "Why thank you Deaq. I'm glad SOMEONE noticed." Billie said with a teasing look at her husband. "Hey! I noticed! I think you look wonderful!" Van defended himself playfully. "Apparently" Deaq said dryly, referring to what he'd seen earlier. Billie stuck her tongue out at him as the others at the table laughed and continued to eat and chat. "When do you think you'll be coming back to work?" Bob asked her. "I don't know. Maybe a month." She answered honestly. "A month?" Bob asked, hoping he'd heard her wrong. "Yeah." Billie said with a smile. "I can't take care of them for a month! I'll go crazy!" he exclaimed, referring to Van and Deaq. "Why? Are they making you go gray?" Billie snidely remarked. "I'm gonna just chalk that one up to hormones." Bob said as he eyed her sternly, causing everyone at the table to laugh.
She'll change her name
today.
She'll make a promise, and I'll give her away.
Standing
in the brideroom just staring at her
She asks me what I'm
thinking, and I said I'm not sure.
I just feel like I'm losing my
baby girl,
And she leaned over...
Half an hour later and everyone was in the living room, talking and having coffee. Van had Bella on his lap when Billie came back into the room and sat two gifts on the table in front of him. "What are these?" Van asked, smiling. "Open them. One is from me and one is from Bella" she told him as she retook her seat next to him and took the baby out of his arms. Van smiled as he picked up the medium square box wrapped in black paper with different color neckties on it and a white bow on top. Everyone watched anxiously as Van carefully removed the bow and then ripped off the paper in an animated fashion. He lifted the lid off the box to reveal a lovely 5'x 7' contemporary picture frame. As Van stared at it, he took in the picture. It was one Deaq had taken of him and Bella when he got home from his first day back at work. It was a simple black and white photograph of Van holding Bella in his hands protectively as he placed a sweet kiss on her soft little cheek. Next he noticed the inscription. On the bottom of the frame in lovely script was written: "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection" –Sigmund Freud After Van read the inscription out loud, he looked up at his wife and daughter with tears in his eyes. Just the emotion on his face, made Billie tear up instantly as well. "I love you." He said to his daughter and kissed her cheek lightly. "And I love you too." He finally said to his wife and placed a simple kiss on her lips. "I love you" she whispered as he pulled away and the small group let out a collective "aww" at the spontaneous display of affection. Next, Van picked up the white envelope with a blue bow on it and slipped it open. He pulled out a piece of paper that had been folded over into thirds. When he opened the paper, two smaller slips fell onto his lap. He picked up the slips and read them carefully. "No way." He muttered as he read. Billie smiled and laughed. "Really?" Van asked her, not quite ready to believe what the paper said. "Yeah. Just you and me for an entire weekend!" Billie happily told him. "When?" Van asked, still in shock. "September 5th-8th" She answered her delighted husband. "What is in September?" Deaq asked, not knowing what was going on. "We're going to see Neil Diamond in Las Vegas!" Van exclaimed excitedly. Bob and Ruby just beamed. Billie had told them that she was working on getting tickets for this. Unfortunately, they would be out of town the same weekend, so it would be up to Deaq to watch Bella. "Wow! That is so cool! And they will watch the baby?" Deaq asked, gesturing to the older couple across from him. "Well, you see, that's the one problem." Billie began. "Problem?" Van and Deaq said in unison, suddenly very interested in where she was going with this. "Yeah, they're going to be out of town that same weekend, so we need someone trustworthy to watch the baby. Deaq?" Billie said sweetly, deciding flattery was a good tactic to get what she wanted. "You couldn't trust me with your best friend, Billie. How can you call me trustworthy with your daughter?" Deaq pointed out. "Because if you even try to do that with my daughter, I'll send you directly to hell, Deaq." She replied in a sweet tone, batting her long eyelashes, innocently at him. Deaq sighed and agreed to watch the baby that weekend.
Gave me butterfly
kisses with her Mama there
Sticking little white flowers all up in
her hair.
Walk me down the aisle Daddy, it's just about time.
Does
my wedding gown look pretty Daddy?
Daddy, don't cry.
Oh, with
all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right.
To
deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses,
I couldn't
ask God for more, than this is what love is.
I know I gotta let
her go, but I'll always remember...
Every hug in the morning, and
butterfly kisses.
Thirty minutes later, the trio was ready to leave the new family alone to spend the rest of their evening in peace, to enjoy each other's company. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Van took Billie's hand and led her upstairs, his daughter in his arms. Once upstairs Van to got the little girl in her in her mint green sleeper and tucked her into her bassinet before stripping out of his clothes and climbing into bed himself. A couple minutes later, Billie had changed into her yellow nightgown and joined her husband in their big, cozy bed for the night. "Did you have a good Father's Day?" she asked as she turned off the light and snuggled into his side. "The best one yet." Van said happily. "Good." Billie chuckled. Already she was looking forward to what she could do for him next year. "I love you" Van whispered as he kissed the top of her head. " I love you too." Billie agreed as she kissed his strong jaw before laying her head on his hard shoulder and drifting off to sleep.
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There it is! The long awaited update! I hope you enjoy it. I have no idea when I'll have time to post again.
DKM: I hope this is enough precious Van/Bella moments for you! There won't be a whole lot of Bella in the next chapter, but you will get some precious Van/Billie moments! And before you ask, yes, I had to mention Neil Diamond!
Simbagirl: I hope you loved this one too! I haven't heard from you in awhile. I hope things are going well.
