"Happy birthday Isla-Isabelle Estephania Corazon Maria-Angelus Windsor." Syla gave the little girl a bear crushing hug.

     "Thank you aunt!" Isla hugged her back. "I love you very much."

     "Awwww, I love you too my little baby girl." Syla gave Isla tons of face kisses before dropping her on her feet.

     "Mommy, when are we leaving for grandma's house?" Isla asked going to meet Anna who had just entered.

    "When your dad gets here." Anna told her, placing freshly baked cookies on the dinning table. "I can't believe you're all grown up Peaches." Anna pulled Isla closer to her body. "I remember when you were just so tiny." Anna rained kisses on her daughter.

   Isla giggled happily. "Mommy, I'm really happy today."

    "Sure, it should be your happiest day." Naraya said, walking in with a tray of treats.

     She placed her hands on her mother's shoulder. "I'm happy because daddy is finally celebrating my birthday with me and grandma is throwing the biggest party for me. I feel so lucky to have people who love me too much."

     Anna smiled proudly at her little girl. "You're the best gift ever given to me." She stroked Isla's hair. "Mommy loves you more than you can ever imagine. You'll always be my little girl munchkin."

     "And I love you too Mommy." Isla grinned before giving Anna a peck on the cheek.

     "Okay now, let's get ready before your dad comes." Anna said, kissing Isla's forehead.

    "My tiaras!" Isla raced out happily.
..................................................................................

   "You look happy. No, you're glowing." Naraya said, smirking at Anna.

   "Of course! Isla is growing so fast and everything is returning back to normal and..." Her mind drifted back to last night with Scott.

   "You're lost again." Naraya teased her in a sing song voice, making Anna blush. "So were you able to talk to Daniel?"

  Anna placed a hand on her cheek, suddenly she remembered the slap she had given Daniel. "I did something so terrible." She sighed.

   "That would be?"

   "I had hit him." Anna groaned out.

  "Hit him? Like..." Naraya raised a brow.

  "Um, like a s-slap?"

  "What? Are you serious, for real?" Naraya blinked at her.

   "I know, I know! I just..." She ran her hand down her hair, feeling a bit frustrated. "I feel guilty."

   "What happened?" Naraya asked her.

   "He broke up with me because I thought he was afraid of losing me to Scott. Naraya I do like Daniel, I don't what him to think I'm an ungrateful bitch. He's done a lot for Isla."

   "You need to stop feeling a sense of... A sense of obligation towards Daniel. You don't have feelings for Daniel romantically Anna, it's only a feeling of gratitude. They are two different things." She shook her head at Anna.

  "I feel so terrible for hitting him like that." Anna sighed sadly.

   Naraya smiled at her. "You didn't mean it. He's Daniel, he'll get over it."

   "I don't know Naraya..."

  "Okay stop. It's Isla's birthday today, I'm sure if you talk to him he won't be all that upset anymore." She assured her cousin. "Now... Speaking of Scott..." She smirked at Anna.

   "Uh-uh." Anna turned around. "Let's not talk about him."

   "Look who's getting shy huh..." Naraya chuckled, going around Anna. "You like him right, no need to deny it anymore."

   Anna bit her lower lip, lowering her lashes. "I-I.... I... I... I" She stuttered, feeling uncomfortable about the topic.

   "I I I... What's with the I's! Stop behaving like a teenager in love for the first time." Naraya roller her eyes playfully.

   "But I am in love for the first time." Anna blurted out, making Naraya smirk. "N-no." She hurried countered herself. "What I mean is... Scott is such an asshole yet I can't help falling for him... Just like before." She said calmly.

   "Oh dear." Naraya laughed, wrapping her arms around Anna. "Finally you admit your true feelings. Although I know you have your fears concerning him, he looks sincere."

   "Thank you." Anna hugged Naraya with a big smile.

   "If he hurts you, I'll kill him." Naraya told her and she laughed.

Just then, Syla entered the bedroom breaking the two ladies apart.

   "Sorry to interrupt ladies but Scott's here." Syla told them.

   "Oh wow, lover boy's here." Naraya nudged Anna.

    "Stop teasing me." Anna couldn't help but blush.

   "Go on already." Naraya said, shooing Anna away.

   Anna arranged her hair before walking out of the room.

   "She's in love." Naraya said to Syla.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

    Anna saw Scott looking at a picture frame of Isla hanging on the wall. He was looking sinfully alluring that she could smell his magnetic cologne from where she stood.

  "Sc-Scott..." She called him when he still didn't notice her presence.

   Scott turned to her and she suddenly lost her breath. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He looked different! Her eyes trailed down his face, down to his halfway buttoned shirt.

   "Anna are you okay? You're turning blue." Scott was filled with worry, holding her in his arms.

   Senses knocked into her head and soon she gasped out for air.

   "Oh my God are you okay?" Scott frowned at her.

  "I'm fine... Oh dear..." Anna felt so embarrassed. "I got so caught up in staring at..." She cleared her throat. "I'm fine now." She swallowed nervously.

   "Staring at me?" Scott narrowed his eyes at her.

   She faked a cough. "Wh-what? No, not you." Anna tucked her hair behind her ear.

   Scott smirked at her, folding his arms over his chest. "It's okay to stare at me. I mean, I get that a lot." He joked.

   Anna rolled her eyes. "I wasn't staring at you. You're so arrogant." She shook her head.

   "And you're so... Beautiful." Scott reached out for her hand but Anna avoided it.

   "I'm gonna get Isla." Anna said, about to turn. Scott pulled her to himself and wrapped his arms around her body.

   "There's no need to be shy around me anymore sweetheart." Scott smirked at her proudly. "I missed you."

   "Scott Isla might see us." She felt her cheeks heat up.

   "Isla won't mind. God, you smell heavenly." He immediately buried his face in her neck.

   Anna couldn't help but smile. "And so do you." She whispered. She felt him chuckle against her skin. "Happy Birthday."

   He inched away. "Come here." He took her by the hand, taking her to a corner of the house. "As cute as you may look right now, I still think you should feel comfortable around me. Relax."

   Anna gaped at him. How was he able to read her mind? She was so nervous being in the same space with him. "Is it that obvious?" She unconsciously bit her lip.

    "Don't do that." He placed a finger on her lips. "It turns me on." Scott kissed her lightly on the lips.

   Anna smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You're crazy." She stood on her toes, crashing her lips on his.

   Scott hoisted her, allowing her to wrap her legs around his torso.

  She giggled. "Scott.." She chuckled against his lips, when he felt his hands glide to her butt.

    "Mommy what are you doing?" Isla stood, looking at her parents.

   Anna got down immediately, turning to Isla in shock. "Well, sweetie... I.. I um.." She turned to Scott for help.

    "Happy birthday my baby!!" Scott hurried to Isla hoisting her up in the air.

   Isla screamed in ecstasy. "Daddddddddy!!!"

     "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you." Scott chanted every time he placed a kiss on Isla's face.

    His daughter laughed nonstop. "Daddy." She laughed,  "I love you too." She kissed his forehead lovingly. "And happy birthday daddy." She grinned at her father.

   "Thank you sweetie." Scott rubbed foreheads with his daughter. "Oh baby girl you smell so great. You smell like your mom." Scott crooned into Isla's neck.

    Anna smiled, stroking Isla's hair. "Hey sweetie, are you ready to leave now?"

  "Yes I am." Isla smiled back at her mom.

   "Okay." Anna nodded. "I'll get your backpack."

   "No, let me get it." Isla said, wiggling from her father's arms.

   "Okay." Scott dropped her on her feet and she ran to get her backpack.

   "We'll continue from where we stopped... Later." Scott smirked at her before placing a kiss on her forehead.
.......................

.............

........

  The Ontario's backyard garden was filled with with balloons and massive flower arrangements. It was kid's friendly with a lot of rides for Isla's friends. Kids were seen playing loudly and happily. It was a jewelry themed party and so everywhere was lit with everything sparkly.

   "God, It feels good to plan Isla's party. It's been years! And the party is coming out better than I expected." Rhonda smiled, watching Isla running around in her gorgeous purple Dior ball gown with her friends.

    Daniel stood beside her, watching Isla. "She's really happy."

   Rhonda chuckled. "We need more kids running down the hallway Daniel." She turned to him. "When are you going to settle down?" She asked him.

  Daniel couldn't help but laugh. "Mom please."

   "I could pair you up with one of my friends's daughter. You need to start dating already." Rhonda told him.

   "Mom, thanks but no thanks. I don't need anyone." Daniel said. His eyes caught Anna who was walking towards Isla. They hadn't been at close distance since yesterday's incident. He was sure she was avoiding him.

   "You shouldn't look at her that way Daniel." Rhonda who noticed him staring at her said to him. "You'll only keep hurting yourself."

   He looked at his mom with a frown.

  "I know Daniel. Just let it be." Rhonda advised him.

   Daniel walked away with the intention of catching up with Anna.

    "Anna," Daniel called her and she turned to him. "Hey."

    "Dee you've got to see the gigantic teddy grandpa got me!" Isla said, going over to him. "It's humongous!!!"

    "Wow, nice vocabulary." Daniel ruffled the little girl's hair. "Are you having fun?" He said, taking her up in his arms.

   "Uh-Huh!" She nodded. "The best party ever!" Isla was more than just excited. "I wish everyday is my birthday."

   Daniel laughed heartily. "Did you like my gift?" He asked placing a peck on her nose. Daniel had given her a foldable princess castle playset with five sets customized princessly miniature Isla doll playset.

     "Of course I did!" Isla giggled happily. "I can't believe I get my own lookalike doll. Thank you so much Dee!!"

  "I'm glad you like it." He said with a smile before glancing at Anna who had a small smile on. "Isla can I steal your mom for a minute or two?"

   "Sure! She's all yours." Isla agreed immediately.

Daniel dropped her on her feet. "Thanks."

  Isla was about running off but her mom grabbed her hand.

   "Hey, hey, hey." Anna trapped Isla before she could escape. "Go to your dad, I mean it peaches. To your dad." She gave Isla a dead look of seriousness because she knew Isla wanted to sneak off to where the fireworks were kept so that she could handle one.

    Isla smirked at her mom mischievously. "Okay."

   "Don't do that." She rolled her eyes at Isla.

   "What am I doing?" Isla kept on smirking but her mom kept a straight face. "Okay I won't go to the firework stand, I'll meet daddy first." She agreed.

    Anna gave her a big fake smile. "Promise?"

    "Pinky promise!" Isla laughed.

   Anna released her daughter who immediately took off. "Careful." She cautioned Isla before turning to Daniel who was only staring at her.

    She cleared her throat, looking away from him. "Hey."

   "You've been avoiding me. I tried reaching out to you but you weren't answering any of my calls or texts." Daniel told her.

   "I'm sorry." Anna was looking for the perfect excuse. "Well I... I was.. I was busy with the birthday preparation and I got caught up in it. I'm sorry." Truth was, she was avoiding him. She didn't know how to face him.

   "Can we talk now?" He asked her.

   She took in a deep breath before making eye contact with him. "Dee I'm sorry I lost my temper and I hit you. I shouldn't have done that... Plus, you were right."

   "About what?"

  "Scott and I?" She shrugged, running her hand down her hair. "I'm different when I'm with Scott, I've only been scared of the feelings I feel for him." Anna licked her lips nervously. "I... I... I love him. You made me realize that."

    Daniel parted his lips slightly to speak bit words failed him.

    "Sa-say something." Anna urged him.

  Daniel nodded slowly before finding his tongue. "You love him?"

    She nodded. "I can't help it. But hey," Anna moved closer to him, placing a hand over his cheek. "It doesn't change anything between us."

   "It does." He placed a hand over hers which rested on his cheek. "Because I'm losing you again."

  "Oh Dee." Anna said softly, pulling her hand from his touch and burying her face in his chest.
🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵

   "Where's Isla?" Anna asked Scott who couldn't keep his hand to himself as they walked down the hallway.

    "She's with my mom." Scott answered while sensually running his hand up and down her back.

   "We have an event to prepare for Scott." Anna tried to pry his hand away.

   "We still have an hour or two." He said before pulling her towards another hallway.

    "Where to now?" Anna couldn't resist his advances.

    "My room." Scott swooped her up, placing her over one of his shoulders.

  She gasped in shocked. "Scott! What are you doing?! Someone might see us." She tried to wiggle herself out of his grip.

   "Stay still." Scott cautioned her.

   "Put me down." Anna argued, still struggling to get away.

   He didn't say anything even while she struggled to free herself until he got to his room.

  "What are you doing?" Anna whisper-yelled, getting her balance on her feet.

   "I can't... I can't stop myself from doing this." He said instantly giving her an open kiss. "We're more private now." He said between the kiss.

   She was his drug and addiction which he couldn't do without anymore. Kissing her succulent plum soft lips, Scott could get a taste of the chocolate and velvet cake. Then again he was intoxicated by her feminine scent of lavender, jasmine and probably Ylang Ylang, all together, it drove him crazy. His body pressed her against the door and he trailed warm wet lips down her mouth to her neck. He loved hearing her soft pants, it sounded like music to his ears.

    "Anna..." He whispered softly into her ear before placing a kiss on her temple.

   It was happening so fast that one second Anna was pressed against the wall and another second, she was fumbling to take his clothes off.

     "Wait wait," Anna inched her lips away from his. By this time, they were half naked on the bed and Scott was above her.

    He raised his head a little to look at her face. "Sweetheart..." He leaned back in, giving her a deep kiss.

   She kissed him back but then slightly pushed him away. "Scott, I need to say something first." Anna said, placing her hands on his chest.

    He stared back at her. "Are we moving too fast? If you don't want to then I don't want to." Although he would totally be disappointed but he'll respect her decision.

    Anna ran her fingers down his bare back which caused a sensual reaction from him. It made Anna smile.

   "What did you want to say sweetheart?" Scott waited patiently for her to say something.

     Anna blushed, running her fingers again down his back. "I love seeing you react like that."

     He chuckled, gaving her a quick kiss on the lip. "I'm still waiting..." Scott reminded her with a smile.

   "I haven't...." Anna's eyes trailed down to his toned body. "I haven't..."

    "Yes baby?" He gave her an unsure look.

    "I haven't done this since... You know... Since..." Anna kept running her fingers up and down his back trying to keep her from being nervous.

    "Yeah..." He kept his gaze on her.

   "It's only been you Scott." Anna said almost in a whisper.

     "What?"

   Anna finally caught his gaze. "You're the only guy I've been with." She waited for him to say something or even react. "Is that okay?" She wasn't sure if his silence was a good thing.

    "Anna... You're not... kidding?" Scott looked flustered by her revelation.

   "Is that... Weird?" Anna asked him.

  "Anna are you sure this is what you want. For both of us to...." Scott sighed briefly closing his eyes. "I don't want to take advantage of you."

    "I want to." She nodded.

   "You have to be sure Anna bear..." He stared into her hazel eyes, waiting for her answer.

    "I'm sure Scott, I'm sure." Anna couldn't help but stare into his dreamy eyes. "Kiss me." She whispered, not breaking eye contact.

     Scott selfishly claimed her lips, devouring it with intense fervor before plunging his tongue between her lips to taste her.