19. Arlo

Chapter 19

Arlo

A couple of months into life as an aspiring tree surgeon, and Arlo couldn't have been happier. In fact, working alongside his Daddy and learning about every facet of being a tree surgeon was even better than Arlo could have hoped for.

It didn't matter whether the weather was rain, shine, or even snow.

As long as Arlo was out in the great outdoors along with his Daddy and Laser the dog, everything was right in the world. Of course, it hadn't taken long for Arlo and Axel to officially move in together too. And with Axel's house now looking far more like a Daddy and Little home rather than a bachelor pad, everything was working out in a way that Arlo could only have dreamed of when he first arrived in Eagle Ridge.

‘Daddy, I think this was a great idea,' Arlo said, walking past the tree trunk of the fallen tree that brought his military drama to a dramatic end. ‘And I think planting a new tree is even better. '

‘That's the plan,' Axel replied, looking extra handsome in his new E&Z Tree Surgery t-shirt. ‘Closure. A sign that we can all move on from the toughest moments and plant new seeds for the rest of our lives.'

Arlo smiled.

As the pair of them began to dig out a hole to plant the young tree, Arlo felt a surge of emotion come over him. Not only was he helping to plant a new tree, but Arlo was also putting down his own roots too.

Eagle Ridge was now Arlo's home, and that was the way it was going to stay. Arlo had his Daddy, and his new vocation in life working alongside him. And Arlo had a burgeoning gang of new Little friends too, with hopefully more on the way as Kipp and Dale's Eagle Ridge Ranch grew and became more well known outside of Eagle Ridge.

‘Okay, let's do this,' Arlo said, smiling as he worked with his Daddy. ‘And then afterward let's find the tallest tree here and climb as high as we can!'

‘Don't ever change, Arlo,' Axel smiled, leaning over and planting a kiss on Arlo's soft lips. ‘You're just perfect .'

‘And so are you, Daddy,' Arlo replied. ‘You're my perfect Daddy.'

With that, Arlo and Axel got down to work. They were the perfect fit, and another Eagle Ridge Ranch success story. But who would be next?