New Beginnings (The Billionaire’s Baby #4)(42)
Author: Helen Cooper

“Oh?”

“Being in here with Winter makes me feel creative.”

“That’s great.” She smiled at him tenderly.

“She looks like you.” Max stared into Sophie’s eyes. “She has your eyes, your hair, your smile, your perfect little nose.”

“But she clings to you more than anyone else.” Sophie laughed. “She’s definitely a daddy’s girl.”

“She just knows how much I adore her.” He laughed. “I could watch her all day and night, Sophie. I never knew my heart was capable of this much love.”

“I know.” She stroked his hair. “Our love is all consuming as parents.”

He pulled her towards him. “I swear that my life is the stuff of daydreams, Sophie.”

“But it’s real.” She pinched him. “See?”

“You’re incorrigible, you know that right?” He laughed at her and rubbed his arm.

“That’s why you love me.” She grinned and he pulled her towards him and held her tightly.

“You know, if you ever want that huge wedding, you just let me know.”

“I don’t need that Max. I never did.”

“I know.” He rubbed her back as he stared into her eyes. “I can’t believe how close we came to losing everything.”

“We would have found each other Max.” She spoke with a firm resolution. “I would have hunted you down, Maxwell Van Harkel. I will never let you go.”

“You better not.” He grinned. “I followed you, you know?”

“What?” She looked at him with wide eyes.

“When I left, I followed you, to make sure you were okay.”

“Oh Max.” She slipped her tongue into his mouth and they stood there kissing passionately.

“Ahem.” Ella cleared her throat at the door. “Sorry to interrupt but Jacob wants everyone to come to the living room.”

“Does he now?” Max grinned.

“Daddy, come.” Jacob came running into the room. “Come.” He pulled his father’s hand and then stared at his mom. “Come on Mom, bring Winter and boom boom.”

Ella burst out laughing. “I feel sorry for the new kid. She’s going to have to deal with boom boom for the rest of her life.”

Sophie grinned. “Or he.”

Max turned to her. “What, you found out the gender and didn’t tell me?”

“No Max.” She rubbed his arm. “I don’t know the babies gender as of yet.”

“Oh okay.” He grinned. “I was about to say. No secrets, remember?”

“Uhm, I think it’s you that’s not to keep any secrets from me any more.”

“Whatever.” He laughed.

“Momma and Daddy come,” Jacob called out from the hallway and they all worked to the living room.

“I’ll be right there.” Max turned back and went to get his notepad and guitar and took them with him to the living room and sat next to Sophie on the couch.

“Okay look.” Jacob danced around the room and started singing. “Gang gan style, gang gan style.” He sang and danced around the room giggling.

Max and Sophie stared at each other and laughed as their son danced around the room. Ella jumped up and joined him and the two of them giggled and did the moves to the famous song.

“What have you done to my family?” Max whispered in her ear.

“They’re crazy. Just like you.” She laughed and he tickled her. “Hey.” She laughed and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Momma, Daddy, join me and Auntie.” Jake ran up to them and batted his long eyelashes.

“He’s just as bossy as you.” Sophie rolled her eyes.

“Everyone sit down.” Max stood up. “Jake, sit down with Auntie and Mommy, I want to sing you a song I wrote.”

“Gang gan style.” Jake pouted.

“Not right now, honey.” Sophie picked him up and placed him on her lap and he wriggled trying to get off. “No Jake, sit still for a moment.” She kissed the top of his head. “Be good for Mommy?”

He sighed and looked at her. “Ok Momma.” He rested his head back and sucked his thumb. Ella came and sat down next to Sophie and looked at her brother.

“Oh God, my brother’s Jon Bon Jovi now.” She laughed.

“Ella, shut up.” He laughed. And strummed his guitar to tune it. He looked at his family sitting on the couch and he smiled at them tenderly. “I never thought that I could be this happy, that I could love you all this much.” He paused. “And my beautiful Winter as well.”

“Winter is sleeping,” Jacob informed him as he sucked his thumb.

“I know and I want to keep it that way for now.” Max laughed. “I wrote this song to express my love for you all and I wanted to play it for you all.”

“Oh Max.” Sophie stared at him with adoration in her eyes.

“Please excuse me if I’m out of tune or emotional.” He looked into Sophie’s eyes and blew her a kiss before singing. He strummed his guitar and started playing and singing:

I’ve been blue, I’ve been sad, but I’ve never been down and out,

I’ve been to hell and back but the flames didn’t burn me,

The sun has blessed me with a woman who holds the key,

The key to my heart, my soul, and to everlasting happiness.

Life can’t burn me, can’t stop me, can’t hold me back

Because I love you, I love you, I love you

You’re the yin to my yang, the light to my bulb,

You’re my somebody.

I’ve been used, I’ve been abused, but I’ve never been down and out,

I’ve been to the ends of the earth and back and didn’t get lost,

The paths of fortune have blessed me with a woman who holds the key,

The key to my joy, my peace, and to my families wellbeing.

Life can’t burn me, can’t stop me, can’t hold me back

Because I love you, I love you, I love you

You’re the yin to my yang, the light to my bulb,

You’re my somebody

Max’s voice caught with emotion as he sang to Sophie and he was overwhelmed by the tears that rolled down her face. He put the guitar down and Sophie placed Jacob on Ella’s lap and ran into his arms. He bent down and kissed her tears away. “I love you, Sophie. I don’t know if those words can convey how much you mean to me, how important you are to me, but I want you to never forget how much I love you.”