Twenty-Five Levi
Six months later
I’ve been watching the clock for hours. Ever since the first sliver of dawn peeked through the curtains, my eyes keep darting back to the glowing numbers on the bedside table. 5:58 a.m. Almost there. I can’t sleep, too wired, too excited about today—Sunny’s birthday.
I’ve been planning this for weeks, and now, it’s finally here. But time has never moved slower. Every second feels like a lifetime, and I can’t stop looking at her, sleeping peacefully beside me, completely unaware of what’s in store. Her auburn hair spills across the pillow like fiery halo against the soft white sheets. She looks so perfect, wrapped up in the warm, early morning light.
How’d I get so damn lucky?
6:00 a.m. finally ticks over, and I can’t hold back the grin spreading across my face. Showtime. I lean in, kissing her forehead softly, making sure not to wake her. She stirs a little, her lips twitching into a sleepy smile, and I almost lose it right there. Damn, I could wake up to that face every day for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. She’s everything—my everything—and today, I’m going to make sure she knows it.
As much as I want to stay, pulling her into my arms and spending the morning tangled up in her, I’ve got things to do. Sliding out of bed as quietly as I can, I pull on my clothes and head downstairs to make breakfast. Pancakes, strawberries, whipped cream—the works. She loves ‘em, and I want today to be perfect. As I whisk the batter, I can’t stop my thoughts from drifting back to everything that’s happened in the last six months. The way she’s fit into my life, into the ranch, into my family.
My dad practically worships her. He’s always singing her praises, telling me how she reminds him of Mom—his Rose. The first time he said it, it hit me hard. I’ve always looked up to my parents’ relationship, the way they were together, and to hear him compare Sunny to her… it means more than I can say. The two of them are thick as thieves now, always ganging up on me, laughing at my expense. And you know what? I don’t even mind. I love seeing her so close with him, love that she’s found a place not just in my heart but in his too.
The guys always take her side when she teases me. It’s a running joke now—Levi’s outnumbered. Bodhi especially loves stirring the pot, jumping in on whatever Sunny’s giving me hell about. She finds it hilarious, and honestly, so do I. Seeing her so comfortable, so loved by the people who matter most to me, makes everything feel even more right.
The house feels different now though, full of quiet anticipation. I glance around the kitchen, everything in it’s place. There’s something about this moment that makes me feel grounded, like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, this house isn’t just mine anymore—it’s ours.
The sun’s rising higher now, casting a golden hue over the yard outside, and I know I’ve got to head to the barn. The guys are already there, setting up the scavenger hunt, making sure everything’s in place. We’ve been planning this for weeks, mapping out the route that’ll take her through some of the most meaningful spots on the ranch. Each one holds a memory for us—a laugh, a conversation, a stolen kiss. And at the end of it, something even bigger.
I plate the pancakes, adding a little extra whipped cream, and leave them on the table with a note for when she wakes up. Taking one last look to make sure it’s perfect.
When I step outside, the cool morning air hits me, a little bite in the breeze that wakes me up fully. I climb into the truck, throwing it into gear as I head down the familiar dirt road toward the barn. As I drive, I can’t help but let my mind wander back to Sunny, she’ll be up any minute now. There’s this excitement thrumming under my skin, a nervous energy I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s not that I’m unsure of today—I know she’ll love it—but there’s something about this woman that makes me feel like I’m constantly on the edge of something big. Like every moment with her could be the start of something new, something even better than what came before.
I pull up to the barn, the guys and Paisley already here, waiting for me. seeing them all, ready to help me make this day special for her, just reminds me of how lucky I am. Not just for Sunny, but for all of this.
“All set?”
I call out as I hop out of the truck, the nervous energy starting to creep back in.
Colton smirks, lifting a brow.
“We’ve been set for ages. You’re the one taking your sweet time.”
“Yeah, yeah,”
I roll my eyes, but there’s no hiding the grin on my face. “Let’s get this show on the road. I want today to be perfect.”
“Don’t worry, Levi. It’s gonna be great,”
Paisley says, squeezing my arm. “She’s gonna love it.”
I nod and give her a warm smile, but my mind’s already racing, thinking through every little detail. We go over the plan one more time, making sure everything’s in place. The scavenger hunt will take her all over town, leading her to places that mean something to both of us—places where we’ve shared memories, laughed, maybe even…you know.
By the time we finish, my heart’s pounding in my chest, a mix of excitement and nerves. I know it’s silly—I know she’s going to love this—but part of me can’t help but feel anxious. I’ve never done anything like this before, never gone out of my way to make a day so special for someone. But with Sunny, it feels right. Everything with her feels right.