Paths Of Paradise

Chapter 20

Justin's POV

"Where are my beautiful girls hiding?" I wondered, closing the white front door of our home after I'd wiped my feet on the door mat. Oliver greeted me with a soft bark, the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies wafting through the air. Demi wanted to have a girls day with Bella, and decided to take her to the spa to get her first pedicure; which allotted me the perfect opportunity to go ring shopping for her. I've been wanting to for a while but never had the chance until today. I'd run by Dianna and Eddie's house on the way home and had a nice little talk with Eddie. I got their blessings which makes me feel a bit better.

But what if Demi says no?

I crept up the stairs, and hid the ring in the pocket of one of my suitcases then made my way into Bella's room with the now emptier jewellery bag which contained two shiny purple wrapped packages.

"There's my girls," I smiled, standing at the door frame watching Demi play barbies with Bella.

"Daddy!" Bella squealed, wobbling into my arms.

"Hey princess, How are you feeling?" I whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Dope!" she grinned.

"Baby say what?" I laughed.

"Dope!" she giggled.

"Yep you're definitely my daughter," I smirked, "We got swag, right Bel?"

"Yeah!" she cheered as I set her down making my way over to Demi who was still sitting on the floor.

"Hey beautiful," I mumbled, placing a kiss on her soft lips.

"Hey handsome," she greeted, stroking her thumb over my cheek gently before patting an empty spot on the floor, motioning me to sit down. Bella crawled onto my lap, letting her head rest against my chest as she stuck her thumb in her mouth.

"What did my gorgeous ladies do today?" I asked, slinging one arm around Demi's shoulders causing her to lean into me, and using the other to wrap around Bella comfortably.

"We went to the spa and got our nails done, and then came home and made home-made cookies," Demi smiled, letting her head rest on my shoulder. Bella fiddled with the bag in my hand curiously, having trouble keeping her eyes open.

"What's this daddy?"

"Presents," I whispered, watching her perk up immediately.

"I get one?" she asked innocently.

"Yep," I said, pulling out the package with her name on it. I could feel Demi grin against my shoulder, "Open it!" Bella tore at the paper, opening the box carefully as I handed Demi hers.

"To my special little lady, daddy loves you princess," Demi read the engraving on the back of Bella's dog tag. The front was bedazzled with a little B made out of diamonds.

"It's soo pwetty!" Bella ran her fingers over the cold metal, "Daddy put on me pwease?" I slid the necklace over her head, and it fit perfectly. I had the jeweler adjust the size of the chain so it wouldn't be huge on her.

"There you go princess," I smiled.

"Thank you daddy, I never take it off," she vowed, placing a sloppy kiss on my cheek, "Momma open yours!" Demi opened hers much slower than Bella did, trying to save the wrapping paper.

"To my beautiful Demetria Devonne, I love you with all my heart baby girl. Stay Strong. Love, your bubba." she read the engraving on the back of her dog tag out loud, tears gathering in her eyes. The front was a identical to Bella's dog tag, bedazzled with a little D made out of diamonds.

"Don't cry," I whispered, kissing her forehead softly.

"It's beautiful Justin," she mumbled, "Thank you so much." I helped her slip it around her neck then pulled my matching one out from under my shirt.

"We all got matching ones," I grinned, switching mine to the backside so I could read the engraving to Bella and Demi.

"My name," Bella pointed out.

"Yeah, who's name is that?" Demi encouraged, pointing to her name engraved on my necklace.

"Momma's!"

"What does this say?" I asked, pointing to the word "my". It was the easiest word on my necklace. She shrugged.

"What letter does it start with Bella?" Demi urged.

"Mmmm."

"What about the other letter?"

"Yyy," Sophia sounded the letters out.

"What sound does M make?" Demi was trying to keep it simple.

"Muuuh."

"What sound does Y make?"

"Iiiiee...."

"Combine them princess," I whispered.

"My!" she clapped her hands excitedly as Demi and I cheered, "What the rest say daddy?"

"It says, my favorite girls; Demetria Devonne & Bella Patricia."

"I like that." Bella mumbled, burying her head in my chest.

"I do too," Demi agreed.

"Do I get a present too?" I teased causing Demi to panic slightly, "Chill babe, I just want some cookies."

"That I can arrange, but little miss Bella I think it's time for bed," Demi tucked her into her bed, and gave her a goodnight kiss before going downstairs leaving me to read her a bed time story. By the time I got to the end of the book Bella was sleeping peacefully. I kissed her forehead, whispering a goodnight before joining Demi downstairs.

"Fresh from the oven," Demi handed me a warm cookie, pecking my cheek in the process.

"Mhmm thank you," I grinned, letting the chocolate melt in my mouth, "These are sooo good."

"Guess I've got swag too," Demi teased, hopping up on the kitchen counter. I placed my hands on either sides of her thighs, leaning up for a kiss.

"I wanna take you out tomorrow, I already got a babysitter for Bel," I mumbled. Sighing, Demi pulled away from my lips.

"Justin, I don't know," she hesitated, "I really don't want to leave Bella alone, I'm sorry."

"Please?" I pouted, "I know you're worried but your parents really wanna spend some time with Bella, and our numbers are on their speed dial in case anything happens."

"I think I need a little more convincing," she whispered, pressing her lips against mine urgently.

"Are you convinced yet?" I asked, my breathing unsteady from our little make out session.

"Yes," she smiled as a smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

"I can't wait." I breathed.