I watched Jade start to cry, and Ilsa looked at me, nervous. “Unless you don’t want to.”
I reached out, pulling Ilsa into my arms and holding her tightly. I held her against me, feeling her little arms wrap around my neck, holding onto me just as tightly.
After a moment, Ilsa leaned back, grabbed the first photo album, and opened it. Pictures of her when she was first born were all over the pages. Jade had written detailed descriptions of everything. She had photos of her sleeping, photos of her smiling. There were pictures of Ilsa drinking bottles and lying in her crib.
I took it all in. All the days, all the birthdays, and events. I watched Ilsa grow from this little bean to her third birthdayparty. She was wearing a deep blue dress and waving at the camera.
“Mom said photos were important,” Ilsa said. “I thought she did it for you.”
I glanced at Jade, who looked embarrassed but didn’t disagree with her statement.
“Does this mean you’ll be in the photos now?” Ilsa said, looking up from the album.
I nodded, playing with a strand of her hair. “All of them.”
Ilsa grinned and hopped up. “Let’s get a photo. The day daddy came back.”
I watched Jade wipe at her eyes, trying to pull herself together. Ilsa ran away into the living room, and I hooked Jade’s arm, pulling her to me. I pulled her hair away from her face. “You kept an extreme detail of her.”
Jade blushed. “Well, I figured when you did come back, you’d want to know everything.”
I had been blessed by her. She had no idea how much this all meant to me. I pressed my forehead against her, staring into her eyes. I cupped her face and smiled. “I love you so much, Jade.”
Her eyes widened, and then I watched as light flickered. We both turned to see Ilsa holding the camera. She beamed, proud of herself. She hurried over, squeezing herself between us, and gave the camera to me. “Okay, now again.”
Jade chuckled, pulling Ilsa close. I pulled them tightly against me as I held up the camera and looked at Ilsa. “I love you, Ilsa.”
Ilsa’s eyes widened slightly as I snapped the button, taking our first family photo.
Chapter 26 - Jade
I scowled as I shut the cabinets. “Brandon, where are the graham crackers that I bought? Did you let Ilsa get into them?”
I turned as Brandon stepped into the kitchen. He was rubbing a towel over his head and stood in a pair of jeans that hung low. I felt my heart stop beating as I took him in. My mouth hung open as my eyes trailed down his chest toward the scrape of hair below his belly button. I suddenly felt a wave of want wash over me.
“I packed them already. There is a bag near the front door.”
“What?”
Brandon dropped his arm and raised an eyebrow at me. “The crackers. I already packed them.”
Right, focus. I shook my head and nodded. “Okay, thank you for that.”
He smirked, stepping closer, and I backed against the counter. He caged me as he smirked, his scent filling my senses. I watched as some water trailed down his chest, and heat wrapped around me.
“What’s going through your mind? Something dirty?” His face grew closer, his smirk a full grin now.
I stammered for words and felt my face grow hot. He chuckled, pressing closer, his fingertips brushing against my hips. “You’re getting red, Jade. What are you thinking about?”
My mind slipped back to a couple of nights ago. We had just put Ilsa to bed, and he caught me in the kitchen. He’d slipped my underwear off and taken me from behind. The memory burned, and I felt my face grow even hotter.
“Shall we have a repeat of the other night? Ilsa is upstairs getting dress, so we have a moment.” I felt his hand skate over my hips, his lips brushing against my cheek.
“Daaaad.” Ilsa’s voice bounced down the stairs, and Brandon quickly took a step back, and I gripped the counter from falling. Brandon smiled softly as Ilsa came down the stairs holding her bag. She was wearing a yellow sundress and shoes to match it. It was new, having been picked up just the previous Sunday when we went shopping.
“That is a cute outfit,” Brandon said.
Ilsa twirled for a moment before walking toward us. “I can’t find my teddy bear.”
