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Caiden Lowndes. Twenty-Three. Father. Husband. Former solider.

[thirstprone-deactivated20200211]

“I wouldn’t dare to come back for anyone else. Afterall, I am the one to pick back the pieces of your broken heart that I left behnd. If I break something, I will always put things back together. Although if you asked kindly. I will make them in the near future. Can’t believe you want something from the bakery when I am more the capable to make them myself silly.”

[caidenlowndes]

“You sure do remember how to make a man feel special there. Good luck finding those broken pieces now. Might have yourself a little scavenger hunt to deal with since I kind of hid them around. I am willing to take macaroons from wherever you happen to find them whether they be in a bakery or in your oven. Please? You know those are some of my favorites.”

[kennabuchananxo]

“Right, except Ariel. How could I have forgotten that lying to a two year old is practically not lying at all?” Kenna laughed with him, sucking her lip back in and laughing through his groan. “I won’t ever again, okay? You just had to know that I’m capable of it too.” Caiden was so reassuring, never letting Kenna feel as if she had to do any of this on her own. It had been her battle her entire life and she wasn’t sure how it would feel to share it with others, yet venting to Caiden didn’t feel so bad. Plus he knew what she was going through for the most part. Nodding, she bit back a smile at his pet name for her again. He wasn’t going to stop calling her that, was he? “You think you’re funny don’t you?” Kenna asked, her arms draping over his shoulders and kissing him quickly. “You should know by now not to test me.”

[caidenlowndes]

“You’ll learn. I had to the hard way when I lied to her once and several days later she caught me in that lie.” Caiden admitted with a laugh as he shook his head at her. “Thank you very much. As tempting as a pout as that was, I just can’t take it. My heart will explode by how adorable you are.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek with a smile.  He had questioned himself a lot in the beginning of this thing but now he was growing more comfortable. Considering Kenna someone that he could confide in and he almost forgot how life was without her. “I’m hilarious and you know it.” He smiled against her lips as he kissed her back softly. “Hmm.. teacher, do you worst.”

[misshaydengrey]

“Relax, if your daughter was here, I would not have made the statement I did. I’m not angry… I’m just frustrated. Rhett was an ass. He was a complete ass, and Scarlett was always like Rhett… Rhett… Don’t leave me. She just seems so needy. I don’t think that everything has a happy ending– I know well that it doesn’t. I’m not always mad about it… I am simply frustrated with how this book is turning out.”

[caidenlowndes]

“I thank you for that because I couldn’t have dealt with the tears and the months it would take the build up that belief again.  Then don’t read it. In some books the girl is just so blind to the facts that she allows herself to be played over and over again. I don’t support such behavior coming from my gender but it happens and sometimes the girl realizes her worth and that’s a great story.  Are you frustrated for other reasons?”

[kennabuchananxo]

“It probably is. I don’t mind her calling me that. I love Game of Throne and Rio could call me just about anything and I’d be okay with it. –Like this?” Kenna asked, jutting out her bottom lip into a pout and giving Caiden her best puppy dog eyes for a moment. “I used to be daddy’s little girl once, I have it mastered.” She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing a little. “Easier said then done, but you’re right. Your sister is right too. Hope for the best and expect nothing.” She allowed the silence for a couple of moments, watching Caiden’s fingers mess with one of her curls. “Yeah, let’s drop it for now. I…I’m just not in the mood to bring up a bunch of shit like how disappointing my parents are.” Hoping that it wouldn’t offend him that she wasn’t ready to open up about that kind of stuff just yet, Kenna changed her expression, raising her eyebrows at his challenge. “You really want to talk about punishments? Or how I can shut you up in two seconds if I wanted to? Don’t shush me,” she teased playfully, maneuvering herself from sitting next to Caiden, to sliding onto his lap. 

[caidenlowndes]

“Except Ariel because you’re uncover, remember? She’s going to test you to make to sure you weren’t lying to her.” He warned her with a laugh before letting out a groan. He hated pouting and it didn’t help that Kenna looked absolutely adorable pouting at him like that. “No. Never. Don’t do that.” He laughed as he rested his head against hers and sighed. “That’s bad news for me. One pout is enough.” He mumbled, kissing her head. “I know how hard it can be but you have me rooting for you. “ He assured her, his hand starting to rub circles against her arm lightly. “Then we can drop it. Baby, whenever you want to talk though don’t hesitate to just talk. Parents are shit and I get that but you can always share with me. Thank you for sharing with me what you have.” He didn’t want her to think that he was mad at her for closing off. She had given him more than enough and he was happy that she was coming around to trusting him. “Shush.” Ciaden challenged with a laugh as he leaned back to allow her to sit on his lap, his hands coming around to hold her waist.

[kennabuchananxo]

“Kensa. Sounds like a character from Game of Thrones,” Kenna laughed imagining Rio’s little voice with her accent saying her own rendition of Kenna’s name. “Tell her any time she wants to come and play with Sully or me, I’m free. I see your dilemma. No one can say no to her.” She kissed him back, letting herself linger on his lips for the millionth time. Every time he kissed her it got better and better. “I know my parents won’t change. It’s just when they give me the run around and build up my hopes –that’s when I get upset. They could have at least stayed for dinner. Instead they rushed off to Paris and didn’t even stay for Father’s Day. I know, it’s not like Father’s Day is my day or anything. But it would have been the first time since I was in high school I would have seen my dad on that specific American holiday. Dumb, I know. But he didn’t even let me give him his gift.” Now she was venting and it was embarrassing, sending a flush to her cheeks. Kenna rarely blushed, but when she did it was when she ended up letting her guard down to people, saying something she had held back. “Let’s just move on from it. Is that okay?” Her heart skipped when Caiden pulled her hand to his lips, though she rolled her eyes and gave him a look. “Did you just shush me?”

[caidenlowndes]

“It’s cute though! Kensa. She’s in the habit of adding an S to add her words and I’m hoping that’s just a phase.” He admitted with a chuckle. “I will pass on the message and she will be delighted.  It’s worse when she breaks out the pout so be thankful you haven’t seen that.” He smiled against her lips It was one of the many things he loved about spending time with her. “Then don’t expect anything from them. Hope for the best, and expect nothing. That’s what my sister always says.” He allowed her to vent. Not offering up anything else because he understood that she just needed to get these frustrations out and he would allow her that. Instead he made sure that she knew his full attention was on her. His hnds slowly playing with a loose strand of hair.  “If that’s what you want then we don’t have to talk about it.” He agreed as he smiled down at her and nodded. He wanted to hear her let go buthe knew he couldn’t push it. When she was ready then he’d be there. “I did. What are you going to do about it?”

[lester--dylan-deactivated201508]

Sitting out on her roof, Dylan put out the cigarette she had just finished. Getting ready to climb back in her window, she heard rustling under her. Edging up to the edge, she sat down to look over. “Can I help you?” Dylan asked, spotting the silhouette of a person.

[caidenlowndes]

“Huh? Oh no. I’m sorry if I was interrupting anything. I was just getting some fresh air.”

[misshaydengrey]

“I would hate to crush her dreams, Caiden, but at some point, she is going to figure it out… ‘Gone With the Wind’. Her name was Scarlett too, so I was like, why not?”

[caidenlowndes]

“But that’s not your place to do so. I prefer the grow out of it method so as long as she believes in fairytales then so do I. And now you’re angry at one of the greatest books of all time? It happen. Not everything always ends in a happy ending but that doesn’t mean you should be mad about it.”

[kennabuchananxo]

“If it makes you feel any better when I see you, I want to kiss you too,” Kenna murmured, reaching over to grab her wine glass again, this time finishing off what was left. Instead of pouring herself another, she set her glad back down and cuddled back into Caiden’s side. He was all muscle, really, and even so, he was comfortable and comforting to be near. “I wouldn’t argue with her either. She seems pretty eager about things. Does she still believe I’m Ariel in disguise? I can’t believe she bought it,” she mentioned, thinking back to the first time she had met Caiden’s little girl and how Rio thought she was looking at The Little Mermaid in the flesh. “Don’t let her murder you. I’d be very upset about that,” Kenna teased back, reaching up to kiss Caiden’s jaw quickly. “I try and not let it bother me. I’m trying not to think about it now, but for a couple of days I was bitter about it. Everyone else had their parents, you know? Or most of them did. I never have. They’ve always found something more important. I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I was. Thank you for listening to me, though. Really, there are much more important things I should be upset about and for you to care about.” Kenna swallowed, using all the willpower she had to not bite her lower lip and instead smiled back at him. There were several reasons for Caiden to not be proud of her, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue with him or reveal those reasons in the first place. “You are so damn sweet.”

[caidenlowndes]

Caiden let out a relieved breath that he hadn’t completely scared her away and nodded in response as his eyes followed her every movement. “Much better, thank you.” He breathed out, happily wrapping his arm around her shoulder as she cuddled into him, laying a soft kiss on her forehead. “She definitely is. When she puts her head to something then that’s it. I often don’t know what I’m talking about according to her. Yes, she does. She keeps asking when Ariel and then she does this cute little gasp and corrects herself to Kensa is going to play with her again?” He answered with a laugh as he leaned into her lips. “Sleeping with one eye open so don’t worry.” He turned his head to kiss her lips softly.  “I understand. My parents have never been around for anything either so I know first hand how you feel. You’re allowed to be mad. You’re allowed to be bothered so don’t feel dumb for that. We all want our parents to change but as long as we find happiness within the things that we do then it their opinion starts to slowly not matter as much.” He mumbled as he intertwined their fingers once more and kissed the back of her hand softly. He truly felt angry at her parents for hurting her. “Shh.. I’m honest with you.”

[thirstprone-deactivated20200211]

“what can i say. France was everything i hoped for and more. yet i kind of missed having you around.”

[caidenlowndes]

“You came back just for lil’ old me? You shouldn’t have. I’m not as fun as I used to be. Plus, you betrayed us for France, once again. Did you bring me back anything? Macaroons? A block of cheese? -- Joking, welcome back.”

[misshaydengrey]

“You know– I don’t understand books like this. The guy gets the girl and then he lets her go. Why is she stupid enough to back to him after he was a complete asshole? Like, people are addicted to romance novels, when all they are is a facade. For all we know, Cinderella and Prince Charming may have gotten a divorce. Not everything has a happily ever after; it just gives unrealistic expectations to teenage girls.”

[caidenlowndes]

“Someone seems a bit upset there. I’m kind of glad that I don’t have my daughter with me right now because that would have just ruined the last year of her life. What are you reading there that’s getting you so riled up?”

[viktoriya-dragov]

That might be a bit complicated if I’m going to stand here and talk to you.  Not many things in this world are how they should be.  I don’t see that happening in this lifetime or the next, so yes, it is certainly far off in the future.  Which is unfortunate, because I’m sure that would be a nice world to live in.  That’s what they all say, but th– I’ll try not to say thank you again. Well, good to know, because I try not to upset too many strangers.   I’m glad, and you’re welcome.

[caidenlowndes]

True. If I give you advice then just don’t take it. Better? Which is extremely sad. If only everybody advocated for the same things then maybe this world wouldn’t be as crazy as it is. Sorry if I seem a bit cynical. I have a two year old and -- sometimes it scares me that I have to raise her when things are kind of crazy. Thank you for trying not to say thank you. I’m not very easily upset so you wouldn’t have to worry about that.

[kennabuchananxo]

Kenna didn’t let people play with her hair, but Caiden did it so often that she had stopped flinching when he reached for it. Now it felt almost second nature for his fingers to be through it somehow. “It feels weird when you let yourself kiss me?” she asked curiously. “You shouldn’t feel like you can’t let go when you’re with me. I like it. And I like your lips so keep at it. There’s a time and place for composure. This isn’t it.” Placing their hands back down in her lap, she smiled up at him, wanting him to know how sincere the comment was. There was no harm done if Caiden wanted to kiss or touch her. She wanted it just as much as he did. “Fairy dust, huh? Since when did she become Tinkerbell? –Yeah, uh… they left right after the ceremony. My mother made a huge deal about them coming and I made dinner reservations. The whole nine yards. My father spent the day before graduation with the Mayor and his son and a few other political friends instead of –you know what, don’t worry about it. It’s fine. They didn’t ruin all of it. I graduated. And that’s huge. Thank you for being proud of me.”

[caidenlowndes]

“No. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant-- I don’t know. I’m so used to thinking everything out and with you-- I just don’t. Like I see you and I just want to kiss you and hold you. It’s an odd new feeling for me.” He explained quietly as he looked down at his hands and took a deep breath, not sure if he had completely embarrassed himself.  He honestly hadn’t meant for that to come out but it had like word vomit and now there was no taking it back.  He looked up at her next statement and smiled softly as he let out a nod. “Okay.”He agreed, taking in what she had just said and reminding himself of that. “I don’t ask questions. Every day she has a new power so I kind of just go along with it. She can basically kill me if she wanted to.” He joked with a large grin. “No, no it obviously bothered you so I want to know. If you need to talk,or vent then lay it on me. I’m all ears, I promise. And I’m sorry that happened. You deserve to be celebrated.” He smiled softly at her and nodded. “I’ll always be proud of you.”

[kennabuchananxo]

As soon as Caiden pulled away from Kenna, she instantly missed his embrace. Instead of letting it show, she settled into the the crook of his arm against his chest, still looking up at him. His green eyes were on her and she wondered what he thought about when he looked at her. Sure, they had just broken away from each other’s lips, but he didn’t look like he was thinking about what she looked like naked. Not yet at least. “Good point,” Kenna chuckled. “I like it when you lose your composure though, so don’t feel too bad about it.” She brought his hand to her lips, kissing his knuckles and examining what their fingers looked like clasped together. “Yeah, they were delicious. Thank you for them. Sorry I was grouchy after graduation. My parents…they kind of know how to make things sour for me.”

[caidenlowndes]

His hand came up to play with the end of her hair. Hair that his two year old had yet to shut up about and he realized just how beautiful it was. The long silky red locks twisted around his finger and bounced away as he let go. “It’s not me so it feels kind of weird when I do. I’m not used to just... letting go.” He admitted with a shrug, his lips turning up into a soft smile as he felt her lips against his skin. “It was our pleasure. Rio sprinkled them with fairy dust for luck. I’m glad you liked them. It;s okay. I figured it was something and I didn’t want to drill you if you didn’t want to talk about it. And I’m sorry that they ruined your big day. I’m proud of you though on the accomplishment.”

[alrena-salton-blog]

“You’re missing out, love. I appreciate the company, though.”

[caidenlowndes]

“I had a very big bowl of cereal for breakfast so I’m kind of full. No problem. I don’t think I’ve seen you around. I’m Caiden.”

[kennabuchananxo]

“Am I?” she questioned, moving even closer to Caiden if that was possible. Kenna couldn’t help but set her gaze on his face again, only to break it when she took another sip of her wine. Patience really had never been her strong suit, especially when it came to attractive men, but she was willing to work on it for Caiden’s sake. He was staying after all so they weren’t in any hurry. “There’s no way I’m already learning to be patient. Especially when you’re around.” Her glass was almost empty, but she set it back down anyway, grabbing Caiden’s free hand and tracing his knuckles with her finger. “What else have you been up to, Cai? Anything fun?” Kenna asked, trying to clear her muddled thoughts of what Caiden looked like shirtless or what his fingers felt like on her back. 

[caidenlowndes]

He let his arms slip from around her as he leaned back allowing her smaller body to fit perfectly against his. His eyes meeting hers and he smiled softly as he watched her. Learned her every movement, her every quirk. She was so beautiful that it nearly took his breath away. “Well, we’ve been sitting here for quite awhile despite the fact that I completely lost my composure a few minutes ago. I’d say that you have patience.” He pointed out quietly as he looked down at their hands and smiled to himself. “Not really. Just the usual being a tour guide and father. That’s as fun as it gets. What about you? Did you enjoy the cupcakes that Rio and I made for you?”

[alrena-salton-blog]

“What? It’s never too early or too late for pancakes. Care to join me?”

[caidenlowndes]

“I can definitely agree with that. Breakfast food, food for all hours. Uh.. I’ll just have an orange juice but sure.”

[kennabuchananxo]

Kenna wasn’t about to apologize for laughing, it was just something she did in any and all situations. She hoped Caiden knew that even as he blushed. Reminding herself that Caiden carried himself differently was sometimes difficult. Patience and manners and careful hands were at the center of what he gave to Kenna, that and an irresistible smile. She reached up to kiss his cheek before taking another drink of her wine. “It’ll come off, don’t worry,” Kenna smirked, wishing she could take a bit of confidence and give it to him. “It is,” she agreed. “I’ve never been good at being patient. I’ll need you to teach me.”

[caidenlowndes]

He smiled softly at her and nodded a he leaned into her embrace slightly. “Take your time.” He mumbled as he placed his chin on her shoulder and kissed her head softly.  Being with her felt so comfortable for him that sometimes he couldn’t help himself and wanted to be completely wrapped in her. He knew getting attached was probably not the best idea. After all, Kenna had made it clear that she did see other guys but he couldn’t help himself. “I can most certainly do that for you. You’re already learning.” He pulled away and smiled before taking a long sip of his drink.