Chapter 57

Even though Cole was confused, he would never refuse a kiss from Hailey, especially one he wasn't expecting. She intended a short kiss, but he held her, captivated by her taste. His hands caressed her bottom as he deepened the kiss.

They pulled away after a while. "You remembered?" Cole asked, incredulous.

"I do. Every year."

"Really?" He asked, possessively wrapping his arms around her waist.

Hailey nodded. "How did you get all this done so quickly? I was worried when I didn't see you in bed. I thought you'd left."

"Left for?"

"Left me. Probably because of last night."

"What happened last night?" Hailey asked, feigning innocence.

"You don't remember?"

She shook her head.

"You want me to remind you?"

Hailey blushed.

"You don't want to talk about it?"

"Not yet. Today's for you." She disengaged his arms, took his hand, and led him to the table. "I found all the ingredients in the kitchen. All I had to do was make something. The cake is small, but" She chuckled. "I just felt like making one for you."

Cole smiled, his heart swelling with pride. He couldn't believe this was happening. He kissed her. "Thank you. The cake looks perfect. If you hadn't told me you made it, I would have thought you ordered it. You must have been up for a while to put this together. Thank you."

Hailey shrugged. "It's fine."

Cole glanced at the cake, then back at Hailey. "I don't know what I love more: the cake or the words on it."

The words "Happy Birthday, my love" were written on it.

Hailey shrugged. "You'll know after you taste it."

"What can I do to thank you?" Cole said, hugging her.

Chapter 37

Hailey giggled, returning the hug. She always felt safe against his broad chest. He was still shirtless. She kissed his chest and pulled away.

She pulled out a chair and gestured for him to sit, which he did. He stopped her from getting a chair by taking her hand and pulling her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist to prevent her escape.

Hailey giggled. "I think this is where I sit in my own chair."

"No, I want you here." He kissed her bare shoulder, then reached up and squeezed her breast, locating her nipple through the silky material and slowly circling it.

"Cole, focus!"

"You want me to stop?"

She smiled. "Feels good, but you're distracting me. I want you to open your gifts."

"Okay. I'll open them and come back to this."

"Yeah, and I want to say something, but you're making me lose my train of thought."

Cole smiled, kissed her cheek, and removed his hand from her breast.

Hailey smiled, looking into his eyes. She reached up and caressed his hair. "Some days you look like Enzo, and some days you look like Ollie."

Cole smiled proudly. "Would you have had it any other way?"

Hailey shrugged. "Genes are hereditary, so it's beyond me. Looking at them always reminded me of you."

"So would you have found me to tell me if we hadn't crossed paths?"

Hailey shook her head. "I'm sorry if that hurts, but that was my mindset then. I didn't see you as a good person anymore, so I didn't want you in their lives. And anytime the twins brought you up, I always found an excuse."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad things happened this way. It was unexpected, but that's life. I always do my best to ensure the kids are happy and healthy, but I won't deny they've been happier since you came into their lives."

"We lived together, and during that time, I learned you detest celebrating birthdays. You never did any of that."

"Thank you for persevering and pushing to be in our lives. It's only been a short while, and the boys are glad to have you. Thank you for everything you did for Enzo the other day."

"I know all of this." She gestured toward the table. "It's not the fanciest, unlike what you're used to, but I just wanted to make you smile in the little way I can."

She removed her hand from his hair and caressed his cheek. "You fit right into our lives, and I'm grateful for your presence."

Cole smiled. His heart felt like it would burst with pride.

Chapter 57 (continued)

Hailey picked up the small gift bag and handed it to him. "I hope you like it."

Cole grinned, accepting the gift. He took out the gifts: a jewelry box containing a gold watch, and a beautiful handmade leather wallet. He opened the wallet and saw a picture of Hailey and the twins smiling.

"If you miss us, you can always see our faces."

"I love this even more than the watch. You, Ollie, and Enzo mean the world to me, and I promise to take care of you all for life. And don't you ever say this isn't the fanciest thing I've ever had! This is the best birthday present anyone could ever give me. I'm here with you and our kids. There's nothing else I could ever ask for."

"I'm glad we make you happy. Happy Birthday, Mines." She leaned in and kissed him.

"I love it when you get possessive."

"Really?"

He nodded.

"I don't know what you have planned, but I'd love to take you to dinner."

Cole smiled, kissing her. "I'd love that too."

"I want you to cut your cake now, but the boys would be mad if you cut it without them." Hailey giggled. "They have sweet teeth, just like you."

Cole smiled. "Am I not a lucky man to have the most wonderful woman all to myself?"

"There you go, teasing me again."

"I'm not teasing you, babe." He took her hand and kissed it. "This is me counting my blessings. I would have died of jealousy if another man had you."

Hailey blushed. They were lost in each other's eyes when familiar voices called out.

"Daddy!" Ollie and Enzo yelled, running toward them. They were in their pajamas, each holding a gift bag.

Hailey smiled, getting up from Cole's lap.

"Oh wow, cake!" Enzo grinned, running to Cole.

"Happy Birthday, Daddy."

"We love you, Daddy," Ollie and Enzo said, hugging Cole.

"We got presents for you, Daddy," Ollie announced.

"Yes, Daddy. We hope you like them," Enzo said.

Cole lifted his sons onto his lap, kissing their foreheads, fighting back tears. He couldn't believe how fulfilled and happy he was.

"Daddy, are you crying?" Ollie asked.

"No, buddy. Why would you think that? I'm just happy. So happy."

"Okay. Then you need to see my gift." Ollie handed his father the gift bag.

Cole opened it, revealing a drawing. He smiled, trying to make sense of it.

"That's you, Mommy, Enzo, me, and Isabella." He pointed to each person.

Cole smiled. "Who is Isabella?"

Hailey frowned, watching father and son.

"Isabella is our baby sister," Enzo answered proudly.

Hailey facepalmed.

"Oh really? She has a name already?"

"Yes, Daddy," Ollie assured.

"You'll stay in Mommy's room, Bella will have the guest room. Girls like pink, so we'll paint the room pink and fill it with toys and beautiful decorations. And we'll live together!" Enzo's eyes lit up.

Cole chuckled, wondering how lucky he was. "How old are you again?"

"Four!" Ollie giggled.

"I love the gift so much. Thank you, buddy." Cole kissed Ollie's cheek, then checked the other gift: a necktie.

"My turn." Enzo smiled, handing his father his gift.

Cole accepted the gift bag with a smile. He took out a small frame: a picture of Cole and the twins the day Enzo was discharged from the hospital. Cole wiped tears from his eyes.

"Thank you for saving me, Daddy. You're my hero."

"I love the gift so much. Thank you."

Cole put the gift bags on the table and hugged his sons. Ollie and Enzo sang birthday songs. Hailey smiled, recording them on her phone. They cut the cake, took pictures, and ate breakfast.

Connie was smiling at a video on her iPad when her daughter stormed in, upset.

"What's wrong, baby?" she asked as Vanessa paced, wearing a bodycon dress that revealed her baby bump. Her hair was in a high ponytail, and she had soft makeup on.

"You're giving me a headache already. What's going on?"

Vanessa sighed, stopping before her mother.

"Cole is making me crazy."

"What did he do?"

"It's his birthday. Since I can't go to him because of the restraining order, I sent him gifts, but guess what?"

"He sent them back?" Connie mumbled.

"Maybe that would have been better."

Connie frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Cole is nowhere to be found."

"What do you mean? If he's not in the office, he must be at home."

"Exactly! He doesn't celebrate his birthdays; he's always in the office, but guess what? He's missing. Why today, when I planned to give him something amazing?"

"I called people, and they said he went on a trip! Cole never goes on trips."

"Don't stress, baby. It's probably a business trip."

Vanessa shook her head. "I don't think so. I spoke to Itam; he said Cole is on vacation but wouldn't say where. He's always working on his birthday. What changed this year?"

Connie shrugged. "Maybe he decided to take some time off."

"Then why is Hailey missing too?"

"Come on, Vanessa. That child has nothing on you. You need to quit being obsessed with her. You think they're together, having some kind of honeymoon?"

"Of course, Mom. They disappeared at the same time. Something's definitely not right."

"I can't be here carrying Cole's child while he's in some dumb hiding place, screwing another woman."

"Come on, Vee. You might be overthinking. You're just sad Cole isn't in the office. Your hormones have gotten to you, and you're making assumptions."

"No, Mama. This has nothing to do with hormones. I feel in my heart they're together."

"And how would you be so sure?"

"I heard Hailey hasn't been to the office for days."

"It could be for other reasons. She's the boss."

"Stop taking sides with her, Mom. You need to believe me!"

"I would rather die than allow them to end up together. If Cole isn't ready to spend his life with me, then he should be ready to be single forever."

Vanessa unlocked her phone, dialed a number. "Hi Jay, find Cole and let me know where the hell he is and who he's with."