13. Jaxson

Ihad just wrapped up with a new client and was adding them to my schedule when Rhys strolled into the office with Emilia cradled in his arms, her chubby fingers clutching a stuffed bunny. His presence was like a breath of fresh air, always brightening the room with his easygoing smile.

“I’m heading into town to run some errands,” Rhys announced, “And I’m taking Emilia with me. We could use a little adventure, right, little one?” He nuzzled her cheek, eliciting a delighted giggle.

I glanced at my laptop. The screen was filled with the work I had planned to tackle today. It was the same routine: wake up, squeeze in a run, and then work from home.

The walls of our house had become my whole world. Since Rhys had come into our lives, I rarely left except for Emilia’s pediatrician visits and my morning runs. He took care of everything.

Rhys must have sensed my hesitation. “If you have time, you should come with us,” he suggested casually, but his eyes held a hopeful glint. “It’ll be good for you to get out.”

I bit my lip, considering his words. It had been too long since I’d ventured beyond our immediate neighborhood. “You know what? You’re right. I could use a change of scenery.”

His face lit up. “Great! Let’s get going then.”

I quickly saved my work, shut down my laptop, and laced up my boots. As I reached for a light jacket, I felt a flicker of excitement. The three of us were heading out to explore the town together.

We bundled Emilia up and stepped outside, the crisp air invigorating. Rhys had parked the car in the driveway, and as we settled in, I felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension stepping out of my comfort zone.

The drive into town was scenic, the rolling hills and expansive skies of our small town reminding me of the beauty of our new town. Emilia cooed happily in her car seat, probably as fascinated with her toys as I was at the passing scenery.

Our first stop was the grocery store. Rhys took charge, maneuvering the cart with one hand while holding Emilia with the other. I followed, still in awe of how seamlessly he had integrated into our lives. He moved with ease, selecting items with the confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times. Which he had since he was the one that had kept us stocked up since the first time he brought groceries over.

I couldn’t help but smile as he playfully introduced Emilia to different fruits and vegetables. “This is an apple,” he said, holding one up for her to inspect. “And this is a banana.” Emilia’s eyes were wide with curiosity, and she reached out to pull everything into her mouth.

“You can’t eat these yet, little one. We must prepare them for you so you won’t choke.”

After purchasing a few more non-perishables, we made another stop for a few more essentials from a small local market that was open three times a week.

At each stall, Rhys introduced us proudly. I found myself enjoying the simple interactions, the friendly smiles, and the casual conversations with shopkeepers and shoppers who seemed to all know Rhys by name.

I didn’t realize how much I’d really isolated myself until Rhys came into our lives. It was like a switch had been flipped, and I could finally see a world beyond the four walls of my house.

Rhys picked up everything we needed, and the infuriating man refused to use the card I gave him. Even when I tried to pay, he wouldn’t let anyone take my card. It was a sweet gesture, showing his commitment to taking care of us. But I had to figure out a way to get him to use my money. I was meant to provide and care for my omega, and Rhys brought out that side in me more than ever before.

“Do you know everyone?” I asked as we walked back to the car.

Rhys shrugged with a grin. “My family has lived here for generations,” he replied. “Everyone knows everyone in a small town.”

I wondered when I would get to meet his family, but I didn’t want to push. I figured we would get there in time.

As we stepped outside, this time on Main Street, the crisp mountain air hit me again, invigorating and fresh. The streets of our small Montana town were lined with quaint shops and more friendly faces. Rhys took the lead, pushing Emilia in her stroller, while I walked beside him, taking in the sights and sounds of our community properly for the first time.

Our final stop was a café on Main Street. It was the local bakery, a charming little place with a sign that read “Three Bears Café and Bakery.” The smell of freshly baked yeast bread and pastries wafted through the air, drawing us inside. The bell above the door jingled as we entered, and a woman behind the counter greeted us with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Rhys! And who is this?” she asked, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Emilia.

“This is Emilia,” Rhys said proudly. “And this is Jaxson.”

I extended my hand, and she shook it warmly. “Nice to meet you, Jaxson. I’m Claire.”

“Nice to meet you too, Claire,” I replied. “This place smells amazing.”

“Thank you! What can I get for you today?” she asked.

We ordered a selection of pastries and a couple of coffees, and Claire threw in a small cookie for Emilia, who squealed with delight.

I was about to say she was too young for a cookie, but Rhys told me it was made from peanut butter, bananas, and oats. The cookies were made for people watching their sugar intake, making them perfect for small children.

As we chatted with Claire, I could tell she and Rhys knew each other. And I loved how he didn’t seem to hide what we were.

Leaving the bakery, we continued our exploration. We rode by the local park, where, when the weather was warmer, we could push Emilia on the baby swings. The park was beautiful, with a playground, a small pond, and plenty of open space.

I could see us meeting up with other parents there, striking up conversations about the town, parenting, and life in general. It felt good to be out and about.

It was getting close to meltdown time with Emilia, but I need to pick up a few things at the hardware store. As long as she was content, we could continue our outing.

The store owner, Tom, was a grizzled old man with a heart of gold. He greeted me with a firm handshake and a friendly grin.

“Good to see you, Rhys! And who’s this fine family you’ve got with you?” Tom asked.

“This is my ma—boyfriend, Jaxson, and our daughter, Emilia,” Rhys said without hesitation.

My heart swelled at his words. I felt a rush of warmth and pride. This was my family, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Tom spent a good twenty minutes chatting with us, offering advice on home repairs and sharing stories about the town’s history. He had a wealth of information and a way of making us feel right at home.

By the time we headed back home, my heart was full. Rhys, Emilia, and I had spent the day not just exploring, but truly connecting with the community. It was more than just a town now—it was home.

As we settled in for the evening, Rhys looked at me and smiled. “Today was a good day, wasn’t it?”

I nodded, feeling a deep sense of contentment. “It really was. I’m glad we did this.”

He reached out and squeezed my hand. “Me too, Jaxson. Me too.”

I glanced at Emilia, who was already drifting off to sleep in her pack and play.

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this alive since I’d lost Jayson and Leanne.

That night,the house was wrapped in a cozy silence, broken only by the soft sounds of Emilia’s contented coos. I stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching Rhys feed her. His movements were gentle and precise, his expression one of tender affection. There was something about this moment, this quiet intimacy, that made my heart swell with a rush of emotions.

Rhys looked up and caught me watching. He smiled, a small, shy smile that made my heart jump. Emilia’s tiny hand reached up to touch his face, and he nuzzled her fingers playfully. The sight was almost too perfect, too precious, and it stirred something deep inside me.

I stepped into the room, drawn by an invisible force. As I approached, the words I’d been holding back for so long bubbled up, demanding to be spoken. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of them pressing on my chest.

“Rhys,” I began, my voice softer than I intended. He looked up, his eyes curious and a little apprehensive. “Whatever it is that you’re hiding, it doesn’t matter. I can’t imagine anything that could make me stop loving you.”

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and charged. Rhys’s eyes widened in shock, his hands stilling for a moment. The realization of what I’d just confessed hit me, and a wave of vulnerability washed over me. I braced myself for his reaction, fearing that I might have said too much, too soon.

But before I could let embarrassment settle in, Rhys set the bottle down and carefully placed Emilia in her high chair. He stood up and closed the distance between us, his eyes never leaving mine. He took my hands in his, his touch warm and reassuring.

“Jaxson,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I love you too.”

The simplicity and sincerity of his words knocked the breath out of me. Relief and joy crashed over me in a dizzying wave. I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but all I saw was truth and so much love it damn near stole my breath.

I held him close, my arms enveloping him. I nuzzled my head against his, taking comfort in the steady rhythm of his breathing beneath my cheek. In that moment, everything felt right. I knew he loved me, and I loved him just as much.

We stood there for a while, just holding each other. Eventually, he pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes again.

“I’ve wanted to tell you for so long,” Rhys confessed, his voice filled with emotion. “But I was afraid. Afraid that I didn’t have a right to say anything until I told you everything.”

I shook my head, placing a hand on his cheek. “Nothing could drive me away, Rhys. We all have things we’re not proud of, things we’d rather keep hidden. But that doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

He smiled, a mixture of relief and happiness transforming his face. “I don’t want to keep secrets from you anymore, Jaxson. You deserve to know everything.”

I nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude for his honesty. “We’ll face it together, whatever it is. We’re a team now.”

He kissed me then, a soft, lingering kiss that spoke of promises and forever. When we finally pulled apart, Emilia let out a little giggle, as if sensing the happiness that filled the room.

Rhys and I shared a laugh, feeling the tension dissolve. We both shifted our focus to her—this little miracle that had somehow strengthened our bond even further.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of shared glances and quiet conversations. We bathed Emilia, put her to bed, and then settled on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms.

That night, as things wound down, and the house got quiet, it hit me—this was just the beginning. Rhys would be here through all the ups and downs. With Rhys and Emilia right here with me, it felt as though a missing puzzle piece had returned to its place.

That night, as I drifted off to sleep with Rhys beside me, I knew that we had something truly special. Love had found us, despite our fears and doubts, and it would see us through everything. I felt a deep, abiding peace, knowing that I was exactly where I was meant to be, with the people I loved most in the world.

I hadn’t seen this when I moved here, but Rhys he was a gift I’d never take for granted.