18. Zane

Chapter 18

Zane

‘The big day is here…' Zane said, looking up at the clear blue sky. ‘Are you all set?'

Zane chuckled to himself as he looked down at the puppy as he rolled around on the floor begging for a tummy rub, totally oblivious to the fact that all the decorations around the barn were for him.

‘I don't think Dash cares about the bunting,' Zane said, calling over toward Marshall. ‘But I have a feeling him and the other dogs will enjoy tearing it down and playing tug of war with it later.'

‘I think so too, Daddy!' Marshall answered. ‘And I think Dash is the perfect name for him.'

Zane nodded and noted that Dash was now recognizing his new name. That was a good sign, as if they needed one, that the young dog was settling into life on the ranch with them .

‘What time is everyone getting here?' Marshall asked, looking perfect in his apple-green t-shirt and red shorts. ‘I know Nick and Beau will be arriving later, but the rest of the guys should be here soon, right?'

‘I think so,' Zane replied, putting his arm around Marshall and smiling as they watched Dash zoom around the little obstacle course that they had set up for him. ‘Damn. He's way more agile than me, that's for sure.'

‘And me too!' Marshall giggled. ‘Look at him move. Go Dash!'

‘That's my boy!' Zane cheered, watching on with pride as Dash zigged and zagged with perfect balance and speed. ‘He's going to be up to speed with the other dogs soon enough.'

Zane and Marshall smiled and held one another's hands.

The days since Tag was arrested had seen the pair of them relax and simply enjoy themselves. There was no more drama left to play out. Zane felt more at ease around Eagle Ridge than ever before, and it felt good to know that the whole community appreciated his role in getting rid of Tag. As it turned out, Tag had been applying the exact same bullying tactics to many of the town's residents, and to know that he was gone was a huge relief for all concerned.

‘Come on, let's get the drinks prepared,' Zane said, walking hand in hand with Marshall across the garden and to the refreshment table. ‘There's something I need to say too.'

‘Should I be nervous?' Marshall asked, a look of excitement in his eyes.

Zane felt like Marshall was reading his mind. It was hard to explain, but it felt like the pair of them were telepathically connected in that moment. Zane knew precisely what he wanted to say to Marshall, and he knew that it was important to say it out loud too. But for a brief moment, he simply held Marshall close and looked deep into his beautiful eyes.

‘My darling boy,' Zane said, his voice filling with deep emotion. ‘I know we've had some ups and downs. It's been quite the ride. And I know I'm not perfect. But I'm trying to be the best man I can be. And the best Daddy too. I'd like to ask you something.'

‘I'm listening,' Marshall said, his face full of emotion as he knew full well what Zane was about to ask him.

‘Will you be my Forever Little?' Zane asked, his heart thumping inside his chest as the enormity of the question sunk in. Zane had no doubt whatsoever that this was what he truly wanted, and he strongly suspected that Marshall felt the same as him. Still, he wouldn't believe it until he heard it himself. ‘You don't have to answer now. But promise me you'll think about it.'

Zane took a deep breath and smiled.

No matter what Marshall said in reply, Zane knew that he had opened up to the person who meant the most to him in the world. Truly, Zane had left behind his past and was now a free man in the realest sense. Zane was free to feel love, and to love others.

‘I don't need a single second,' Marshall said, moving up onto his tiptoes. ‘The answer's yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! A billion times yes! '

With that, Zane and Marshall kissed on the lips. Time appeared to stand still as Zane and Marshall held one another close. They were a perfect pair and had found one another at just the right time in their lives.

‘I love you, Marshall,' Zane said, breaking away from their kiss for a moment.

‘And I love you too, Daddy,' Marshall replied. ‘I love you too.'

And with their friends arriving to celebrate their official adoption of Dash, the party was well and truly able to get going!

The adoption party was a resounding success and all of the Daddies and Littles had a wonderful time. The dogs did too, even if Dash's youthful enthusiasm saw him tumble into a big pale of water at one point and splash the other dogs, much to the amusement of the Littles and Daddies alike.

‘I think that was a success,' Zane said, putting his feet up in front of the the log burner with Marshall by his side and a happily snoozing Dash curled up in his bed. ‘Tell me, are you happy?'

‘I'm the happiest boy in all of Eagle Ridge,' Marshall said, smiling sweetly and then yawning. ‘But I'm tired too.'

‘Too tired for a movie?' Zane asked, ready to pick Marshall up and carry him to bed.

‘ Noooo , of course not silly Daddy,' Marshall giggled in response. ‘I'm never too tired for a movie. But if I do fall asleep, please carry me into bed and tuck me in all snug next to you.'

‘I promise,' Zane said, leaning over and kissing Marshall on his forehead. ‘And when I make a promise, I keep it.'

‘I know, Daddy,' Marshall said, smiling and nuzzling in even closer to Zane's strong chest. ‘I love you. And I love the fact that Kipp said we could turn the barn into our Forever Home too. You being a partner at Eagle Ridge Ranch is incredible. And I promise I'll help with all the refurb work.'

‘You'll have to take a crash course in roof tiling,' Zane laughed. ‘And carpentry too. But seriously, I can't wait to make this our Forever Home. You, me, and Dash. A perfect family. And now thanks to Kipp we even have electricity!'

‘Yup. Daddy, Little, and their little doggy,' Marshall cooed. ‘Even saying the words makes my heart sing.'

Zane's heart was singing too.

Having been through so much drama over the previous few years, Zane had given up on the idea of finding his dream life. But all of a sudden, he now found that he was living his most perfect dream.

And it was all down to finding his true home as a Daddy on Eagle Ridge Ranch.

With that, Zane and Marshall put their movie on the TV and felt happier and more contented than either of them could have wished for.

Eagle Ridge had its latest Daddy and Little pairing, and they were well and truly built to last for life. And with work on the ranch continuing each and every day, it was surely only a matter of time before another new couple came together in a perfect Daddy and Little combination.

UP NEXT:

Will Max find his forever love in Eagle Ridge?

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