Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“I know. Like I told Miss Sheridan, the ranch was sold to one of my uncles when my dad died because my mama couldn’t do it all on her own.
I didn’t have anywhere to go back to after school so my life changed in ways I wasn’t expectin’.
You guys have helped me figure out where I’m meant to be and I love my life here with the club.
There’s just somethin’ about bein’ on a ranch though that doesn’t compare to anythin’ else in this world,” he says before letting us know he has to get in the clubhouse to stock the bar for the night.
Axel and I watch him walk away and I can’t help but smile at the young man who is slowly coming out of his shell.
“You doin’ okay, Little Fairy?” Axel asks, taking the other seat on the porch and moving it closer to me before sitting down.
“I’m good, Axel. Life is settling down and I’m finding a routine that works for all of us.
Leo is getting bigger every day and growing so much.
It seems like I just had him yesterday and now he’s a few months old and learning so much each day that passes,” I answer him, looking over with a smile on my face at the man who has made my life the best it can be.
“I’m ready for more kids whenever you are.
I know you wanna finish your degree before we even talk about more kids though.
I don’t blame you and will wait as long as you want.
Though, it would be nice to have a little girl who looks just like you,” he says, completely serious about having another baby.
“I want that more than anything, Axel. It was just so hard to go to school when I was pregnant with Leo. I don’t want to do that again in case I have the same problems as before throughout the pregnancy.
We’re both still young enough to wait a few years before we have another baby.
Plus, it will give us time to spend with Leo and him alone,” I say, looking down at our son as he cuddles against my chest fast asleep.
“Okay. When are they gonna start work at the ranch?”
“Next week. They’re obtaining the last of the permits they need to start the buildings and finalizing all the plans so I can approve them before they break ground.
It’s going to take the longest to build the indoor arena so they’ll start with that.
Once that’s mainly finished, they’ll start the other buildings on the plans.
Eventually, I’d like to go through the house and renovate it.
Make it more modern and updated. It hasn’t been touched in years.
I want it to be a place our kids can call their own when they grow up,” I tell him as Leo stirs in my arms and Axel pulls out a bottle from the inside of his cut and hands it over.
“I knew he’d be wakin’ up soon to eat. Once you feed him, I’ll take him in for a diaper change and tummy time before he goes back to sleep,” Axel says, watching as I feed our son.
Axel doesn’t just anticipate my needs, he’s always one step ahead when it comes to Leo.
He’ll be awake in bed minutes before our son wakes up during the night.
Axel has no problem preparing bottles, changing Leo’s diaper, and sitting up with him on the nights our son decides that’s when he should be awake.
Axel lets me sleep for school the next day and rarely gets me up to help unless Leo is sick and he’s worried he’s not doing something right.
He’s such an amazing dad and I couldn’t have chosen a better man for the father of my children and my husband.
Every single one of my dreams over the years pales in comparison to the reality of life with Axel.
Once Leo is fed and back inside with Axel, I get back to work on studying and preparing for an upcoming test. I’ve gotten my bachelor’s degree and have started my higher education to become a veterinarian.
The classes are harder but I love them. Every test, late night study session, and class I sit through is doing nothing except preparing me for the dream I often thought wouldn’t become a reality.
Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to help animals.
They’re almost defenseless when they’re hurt or sick and need more empathy and help than humans who can verbally express what’s wrong with them.
Animals don’t have the ability to tell us what’s wrong and it breaks my heart to know they struggle and don’t get the help they need unless they’re in a loving home.
My dad never discouraged me or got upset when I’d bring a random animal home that was sick or injured.
If anything, he paid thousands of dollars over the years in my quest to help them.
One of the many reasons I love the man who gave me life and raised me as a single dad my entire life.
After studying and enjoying the warmth of the day outside, I head inside in time to find Axel starting to make dinner.
Like most nights we’re both home, we prepare our food together.
Music plays softly from one of our phones as we work together in the kitchen.
Every now and then he’ll grab me and we dance together.
I love this man more with every passing day and can’t believe I’m lucky enough to call him mine.
As usual, we eat our dinner and then spend the rest of the night together with no distractions.