Chapter 34 Axel
Axel
The party at the ranch is in full swing by the time we arrive. Mom's gone all out, streamers hanging from the porch rafters, a hand-painted Welcome to the Family banner strung between two oak trees, and the scent of her famous barbecue filling the air.
"You ready for this?" I ask Sadie as I cut the engine, watching her fidget with the engagement ring she's still getting used to wearing. We managed to keep our secret for exactly two days before my mother's intuition kicked in over a casual phone call.
"No pressure," I add, covering her hand with mine. "If it gets overwhelming, we can always make an escape."
She shoots me a grateful smile, though her eyes betray her nerves. "It's not that. It's just… I'm not used to being the center of attention."
"Poppy will steal the show," I assure her, nodding to the back seat where our girl is already bouncing with excitement. "Trust me, nobody can resist those cheeks."
As if on cue, the front door bursts open and my mother appears, waving frantically.
"They're here!" she calls over her shoulder before hurrying down the steps, not even bothering with a coat despite the crisp fall air.
"Brace yourself," I whisper, pressing a quick kiss to Sadie's temple before climbing out.
Mom reaches us just as I'm opening Sadie's door, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Let me see it again," she demands, grabbing Sadie's left hand before she's even fully out of the truck. The tears that spring to Mom's eyes are immediate and genuine.
"It's even more beautiful in the daylight."
"Thank you, Mrs. Slade," Sadie says, that shy formality creeping into her voice.
"Oh honey, it's Diane. Or Mom. Whichever feels right." She pulls Sadie into a hug that would crush a lesser woman. "You're family now."
Over Mom's shoulder, I see Sadie's eyes widen slightly, still adjusting to this immediate, unconditional acceptance. She hugs back tentatively, like she's not quite sure of the protocol.
"And where's my grandbaby?" Mom asks, releasing Sadie and peering into the truck.
The word 'grandbaby' hits me right in the chest. There's no hesitation in Mom's voice, no qualification. Poppy isn't her step-granddaughter or her future granddaughter. She's simply family, already claimed and cherished.
I unbuckle Poppy from her car seat, lifting her into my arms where she immediately starts pointing at everything she sees. "That! That!"
"Yes, sweetheart, trees," I confirm, kissing her curls. "And there's Grandma Diane."
Mom's eyes fill with fresh tears as she reaches for Poppy. "Come here, beautiful girl."
Poppy goes to her without hesitation, patting Mom's cheeks in that way she does with people she trusts. Mom looks utterly besotted, pressing kisses to Poppy's forehead.
"She looks just like you," she tells Sadie. "Those eyes, that smile."
Sadie blushes, clearly pleased. "She's got her own personality, though. Stubborn as they come."
"Sounds like she'll fit right in with the Slade women, then." Mom laughs, already heading toward the house with Poppy. "Come on, everyone's waiting."
I grab the diaper bag and take Sadie's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You okay?"
She nods, though I can feel the slight tremble in her fingers. "It's a lot. Good—but a lot."
"I know. Just remember, you can tap out anytime."
She straightens her shoulders, that quiet determination I love so much settling over her features. "I've got this."
The scene that greets us inside is controlled chaos. My aunts, cousins, and sister have transformed the usually rustic living room into celebration central. There's a cake on the coffee table, gifts piled nearby, and enough food laid out to feed half the county.
My sister Adrienne spots us first, detaching from a conversation to rush over. "Finally! Mom's been driving us crazy waiting for you guys."
She hugs me quickly before turning her full attention to Sadie. "I've been dying to meet you properly. Axel refuses to share you with the rest of us."
"Because I know what vultures you all are," I retort, but there's no heat in it.
Adrienne ignores me completely, linking her arm through Sadie's. "Come on, let me introduce you to everyone. Don't worry, we only bite a little."
Before I can intervene, Adrienne is leading Sadie toward a cluster of Slade women, all of whom immediately envelop her in their circle. I watch as my aunts examine the ring, my cousins pepper her with questions, everyone talking over each other in their enthusiasm.
To her credit, Sadie handles it beautifully, answering questions, accepting hugs, smiling through what must be an overwhelming onslaught of attention. But I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way she keeps glancing around the room as if checking escape routes.
Mom reappears at my side, Poppy still happily perched on her hip. "Your girl's doing great."
"She is," I agree, though I'm ready to wade in and rescue her if needed. "Where's Rowan?"
"On her way. Called to say she was running late." Mom bounces Poppy gently. "This little one is the star of the show. Your aunt Martha already bought her a pony."
"She did not."
"Well, not a real one. Yet." Mom's eyes twinkle. "But there's a stuffed one the size of a small car in the sunroom."
I groan, already picturing our house overrun with gifts for Poppy. "You're all going to spoil her rotten."
"That's what family does," Mom says simply, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
I watch as my aunt Linda approaches Sadie with a leather-bound book that I recognize with a jolt, our family photo album. Sadie looks surprised but pleased as Linda sits beside her on the couch, opening to what I'm sure are embarrassing baby photos of me.
"Should I rescue her?" I ask Mom, half joking.
"Absolutely not. This is an important rite of passage." She shifts Poppy to her other hip. "Besides, look at her face."
Despite the obvious overwhelm, there's something else in Sadie's expression, a tentative joy, a cautious acceptance of the love being showered upon her.
"She's not used to this," I say quietly. "Being welcomed without questions. Being accepted just as she is."
Mom's expression softens. "Then it's about time someone showed her what family really means."
The doorbell rings, and Dad appears from the kitchen to answer it. Moments later, Rowan walks in, looking slightly windswept and carrying a gift bag.
"Sorry I'm late," she announces to the room at large. "Denver traffic is no joke."
Poppy immediately starts squirming in Mom's arms, recognizing her aunt's voice. "Ro-Ro!" she calls, reaching out with grabby hands.
Rowan's face lights up as she crosses the room, dropping her bag to take Poppy. "There's my favorite niece!"
"Only niece," Sadie corrects automatically from her spot on the couch, momentarily rescued from the photo album session.
"Semantics," Rowan dismisses with a grin, spinning Poppy in a circle that makes her shriek with laughter.
Mom watches them with undisguised delight. "Rowan, honey, there's plenty of food in the kitchen. Help yourself."
"Thanks, Diane," Rowan replies, and I'm struck by the easy familiarity between them. Somehow, while I wasn't looking, Rowan has been folded into the family too.
I catch Aiden's eye across the room, where he's leaning against the doorframe watching the proceedings with his usual quiet intensity.
He raises his beer bottle in a silent toast, a knowing smile playing at his lips.
He's been insufferably smug since the engagement, claiming credit for his "perfect timing" in showing up just when I needed backup.
Aunt Martha appears with a plate piled high with food, presenting it to Sadie like an offering. "You need to eat, honey. You're too thin."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly, " Sadie starts, eyeing the mountain of barbecue.
"Nonsense," Martha interrupts, pressing the plate into her hands. "Growing a family takes energy."
Sadie's eyes widen slightly, and I bite back a laugh. "We're not, I mean, we haven't—"
"She means the wedding planning," I interject smoothly, crossing to rescue her. "Right, Aunt Martha?"
Martha winks at me. "Of course, dear. What else would I mean?"
Sadie shoots me a grateful look as I settle beside her on the couch, one arm draping casually around her shoulders. "Hanging in there?" I murmur against her ear.
"They're all so"—she searches for the word—"invested."
"That's the Slade women for you. Once they decide you're family, there's no escape."
A small smile plays at her lips. "I'm starting to get that."
Across the room, Poppy is being passed from Rowan to Adrienne, who immediately begins showing her off to our cousins. My little girl is eating up the attention, babbling and pointing, completely at ease in this chaos of love and belonging.
"Look at her," Sadie whispers, watching Poppy charm the room. "She's in her element."
"Like mother, like daughter," I say, pressing a kiss to her temple.
She shoots me a look. "I am definitely not in my element."
"You're doing amazing. And they adore you already."
Before she can respond, Mom calls for everyone's attention, tapping a spoon against her glass. The room gradually quiets, all eyes turning toward her.
"I want to make a toast," she announces, her voice thick with emotion. "To Axel and Sadie—and our sweet Poppy. Welcome to the family, girls. We've been waiting for you."
A chorus of agreement rises from around the room. Sadie ducks her head, clearly overwhelmed by the sentiment.
"Slade men have always known how to pick strong women," Mom continues, raising her glass higher. "And Sadie, honey, you might be the strongest one yet. We're so proud to call you ours."
"To Sadie and Poppy," everyone echoes, glasses lifting.
I feel Sadie tremble slightly beside me, and when I look down, her eyes are rimmed with unshed tears. Not sad ones—I've learned to recognize the difference. These are the tears of someone who's finally found solid ground after years of drifting.