Long Live Us

Alex’s POV.

I woke up later that night with my head buried in some form of t-shirt material. I looked up to see Bella sleeping soundly above me, her head turned at an awkward angle and light snores erupted from her. I smiled softly to myself, getting up from my place. She shifted softly, her eyes fluttering open.

“Evening.” She murmured tiredly and I smiled softly at her, moving so I was sitting comfortably.

“Good afternoon.” She looked over at me and smiled.

“The bags have gone from under your eyes. We must have been sleeping for quite a while.” She murmured as she patted down bits of her hair that was now sticking up. In all honesty she still looked as beautiful as ever. I sighed looking down at my phone and noticing it was 7pm, I looked over at Bella and she nodded her head softly, Knowing that I now really had to go. Jack would be having a handful with Caitlin and I didn’t want my house destroying just yet. I got up and walked over to the door, putting my shoes on and then turning around to Bella.

“I’ll see you some other time then?” I asked and she nodded her head softly. I was about to walk out but she stopped me.

“Hand me your phone?” She asked. I got confused but passed it her none the less. “You ever need anything, now I’m only a phone call away.” She said with a warm smile and I grinned as I pulled her into my arms.

“Thank you.” I said with a smile and left. I turned back to see her closing the door and a wide smile spread across my face. I really liked this girl, I just had to introduce her to Caitlin somehow.. I climbed in my car and instantly made my way back to my house. Once I got there I climbed out of the car and walked up to the door, pushing it open softly to see Jack and Caitlin sat on the floor doing finger paints.

“Daddy!” Caitlin exclaimed and got up from her place on the floor to run over to me and hug my leg. I leaned down and gave her a big hug, paint going on my face in the process but I didn’t mind. “Hehe, Daddy, you have paint on your face.” She stated as she tried to rub it away. Once she was done she walked back over to Jack and sat down on the floor, instantly dipping her fingers in some more paint and smearing it across her piece of paper. She seemed to have warmed up to me more during the week. We’d spent a lot of time together and I think she’d mostly forgot about the horrible events that happened almost five months ago now. I sat down beside Jack who was also finger painting and he grinned at me as he showed me his photo.

“Look Lex, It’s me, you and Caitlin!” He exclaimed before putting the photo on her ground and carrying on. I smiled at my best friend and daughter and realised, as bad as I thought it was going to be, my life was pretty great.

Around an hour later Caitlin fell asleep on the large couch and me and Jack sat down on the smaller one. He turned to me instantly once we where seated.

“So come on then Mister Lovin’ where did you go earlier?” He asked and I smiled softly to myself.

“I was at Bella’s-” I said and he cut me off before I could finish.

“You slept with her?!” He exclaimed quietly so he wouldn’t wake up Caitlin and I rolled my eyes softly.

“No! She said that if I ever needed a place to crash to catch up on my sleep then I could sleep there. Caitlin never sleeps because of the nightmares and I’ve been really dick like lately because of the lack of sleep and she’s been there for me. She knows about mine and Lisa’s relationship already, I’ve never told a girl about that..” I mumbled the last part softly and Jack smiled.

“Wow.. Good for you dude! Think you might have found the one?” He asked and I sighed softly before shrugging.

“I don’t know yet.. I still have to tell her about Caitlin.. If that goes well then I have to introduce them and that might be messy so I don’t know yet.. I guess I’ll just have to see how this all works out..” I said with a soft sigh and he smiled as he patted me on the back.

“Dude, you don’t know unless you try. Introduce them. It might go better than you think.” He said with a giant smile and I grew confused. Had he said something to Caitlin? Did she already know about Bella? I sighed softly an buried my head in my hands.

“Daddy, are you okay?” I heard Caitlin’s little voice and I smiled as I looked up at her.

“Of course I am baby, why wouldn’t I be?” I asked as she climbed onto the sofa beside me. She turned to me, sitting Indian style so she could see me better.

“Daddy, how come you and Mommy split up?” She asked and my eyes widened at the question. I knew she was mature for her age but I didn’t expect these questions.

“Well baby, me and your Mommy loved each other very much at one point.. But we grew apart and decided it was better off if we saw other people..” I explained and she looked at me with puzzled eyes.

“Then.. Why don’t you find someone new Daddy? Mommy found someone new, you should too. I want you to be happy now Daddy, Mommy’s in heaven and she’s got the best up there! Now you need the best down here.” She said with a wide smile and I grinned back at her, pulling her into my arms and tickling her sides. “Daddy stop! Ticklish!” She exclaimed in fits of giggles and I laughed along as I stopped and kissed her forehead.

“I think there’s someone I’d like you to meet, baby. She’s a friend and I think you’ll like her very much.” I said with a smile and she grinned a perfect toothy grin.

“I think I will too Daddy, I’d like to meet her.” She said happily and I grinned down at the child in my arms.. Now I just needed to explain everything to Bella.