Chapter Twenty Eight - Sweet Dreamer

One year later.

"Ella, trust me and get it!" I laugh as the brunette becomes double minded again.

I found this stunning sleeveless jumpsuit for Ella. But she refuses to buy it because she's become a little self-conscious of her body after having Isaiah and Mila.

"No, maybe another time. I still have some baby weight –"

"Girl, where?" I scoff as I walk around her in a circle. "Because I can't see any! Ella, you're gorgeous, fit, sexy as hell and Ryder's going to drop dead when he sees you in this and –"

"If I buy it will you shut up?" She deadpans with an amused smirk.

"Pinky promise." I nod with a cheeky grin.

She shakes her head in amusement and with a low chuckle she picks it up and puts it into her basket. Grinning triumphantly, I turn and shoot a thumbs up to Michelle who's on the phone to someone. She smiles widely and nods before I turn back to Ella.

We're all back in Dallas again but Ryder and Hunter had told Ella and I to take the day off and go treat ourselves. Of course, we didn't dare decline but I am feeling some mom guilt from time to time about leaving my daughter at home. I know she's perfectly alright with Hunter but I still can't help but worry. She's only three months old so I often wonder if this feeling will remain no matter what her age is.

Me, Michelle and Ella had spent our morning at the spa first before coming to the mall and getting a bit of retail therapy done. After paying for our items, we leave the store and head to the food court with Michelle. We quickly grab a bite to eat since the boys told us they'll make dinner tonight. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

After finishing our food, we grab some coffees to go before leaving the mall and getting into the car. I certainly need the energy because Ariel's sleeping pattern hasn't settled yet so she's been waking up randomly throughout the night. Some time off is just what I needed but now I can't wait to get back to her and Hunter.

"How long are you guys staying for again? Please don't tell me you're leaving early?" Michelle asks which makes me smile.

"Me and Hunter are staying for two weeks." I reply and watch Ella nod.

"Yeah, we're the same. I think Ryder and Hunter booked our flights back for the same day." She explains before Michelle squeals excitedly.

"I'm so happy you guys are staying for longer this time round. It's been so long since I've seen my little grand babies!" She sighs with a sweet smile.

"Any plans for more, Zoe?" Ella teases and I laugh loudly.

"Not yet but we have planned to maybe have three or four. We'll see." I shrug and grin when Michelle seems to be over the moon.

"Who do you think will be the next to get married? Any guesses?" Ella asks us and I hum thoughtfully as I stare out the window.

"Roman?"

"Oh, that boy is so serious about his job. I doubt he's ever dated! All he can think about is work, work, work!" Michelle huffs with a roll of her eyes. "He better be next to settle down! He's not getting any younger and neither am I!"

Me and Ella burst out laughing at her words before she takes her guess. "I think it'll be Theo."

"Ooh interesting." I chuckle as I can certainly see that happening.

"Theo would rather shoot himself in the foot than step off the ranch to go on a date with someone! I swear, it feels like they plan to stay single all their lives." Michelle states with a shake of her head. "He's a total sweetheart for stepping up and taking care of the ranch but he forgets about himself sometimes."

"I'm sure they'll both find someone special very soon, just like Ryder and Hunter did." Ella winks at me and I grin cheekily in response.

Eventually, we arrive back at the ranch. We grab our bags before heading inside only to stop dead in our tracks at the sight before us. The living room is a mess but the men passed out on the couches and the floor is more comical. Hunter and Ryder have the two girls sleeping beside them, both in their baskets while Isaiah lays on top of his dad.

Michelle sighs from beside us but even she can't help laughing along with Ella and I as we take in the scene. "I'll get started on dinner."

"Let's move the girls into the bedrooms." I smile in amusement as we navigate through the mess of limbs and bodies.

After making sure Mila and Ariel are sound asleep me and Ella put away our things before joining Michelle in the kitchen. Together we whip up something quick in under an hour and set the table. Michelle leaves to wake everyone up and by then the baby monitors go off which makes Ella and I rush to the bedrooms.

I pick up Ariel and sit cross legged on the bed. Hushing her softly, I start feeding her and smile when she calms down immediately. Her golden blonde hair is all messy as I take off her hat and smooth them down. Her eyes were completely blue at first but now I've noticed the slight greenish tint to them so I can't wait to see what color they'll be. She's beautiful and my love for her is just indescribable.

Hunter and I had gotten married early on in my pregnancy and months later we had Ariel. Surprisingly, he remained calm throughout the whole thing and has been a great father. Our home is littered with books on pregnancy and parenting so it's no wonder that he's doing so well. He took such good care of me during my pregnancy and still does. I couldn't have asked for a better husband and father to Ariel.

I look up at the sound of the door opening and lock eyes with Hunter's. He smiles sheepishly when he glances at Ariel in my arms before stepping in and closing the door. I watch as he takes a seat beside me and caresses her head gently. Her blue-green eyes stare up at us lazily before closing.

"How was your nap?" I chuckle and watch him grin in response.

"I didn't even realize when I fell asleep! Isaiah had tired us all out and then the girls wouldn't stop crying. After getting them fed and off to sleep I think we all dozed off ourselves." He explains and I nod in understanding. "How was your day?"

"Good, thank you for taking her for a while." I let Ariel go when she starts to fuss and lose interest. "We went to the spa first and then did some shopping. I got some cute new stuff for Ari."

"Show me?" He asks as he takes her from me to help her burp.

I hop off the bed and rummage through the things I had put away. Grabbing everything, I take them back to Hunter and spend the next ten minutes showing him what I had bought. He especially loves the cute little overalls I had bought for her and states that this is what she'll be wearing tomorrow which makes me laugh.

As I'm putting everything back I hear a knock from the door. Judah peeks in after we tell him to come in and his eyes brighten when they land on Ariel. "Hey, anyone up for games night?"

"Sure." Hunter and I nod before I put my shoes back on.

"I'll take her." Judah grabs Ari from Hunter and holds her close. "How's my little niece doing? You look so cute!"

I watch in amusement as Judah rambles on to Ari as we follow behind them. He has a way with kids even though he looks intimidating as hell most of the time. As well as being Noah's favorite brother he quickly became the favorite uncle for his nephew and nieces.

We join everyone downstairs in the lounge and I thank Evan as he hands me a mug of hot chocolate. Taking a seat beside Ella, I manage to peck Mila's chubby cheeks before she too is swept away by her uncle Judah. A soft smile graces my lips as I watch the two girls squeal happily before tugging on his many necklaces.

While Judah keeps the kids occupied we all have a round of various games. Theo even had a bet running with Roman and Hunter which he lost. He must now do their bidding for two days and I can only imagine the torture they'll put him through. Ryder then decides to be brave and places a bet with the gleeful pair and I'm surprised when he wins. Now Hunter and Roman will be cleaning the stables and I can tell that it's not the best of chores. Theo doesn't even look annoyed anymore about losing to them.

Sometime past midnight, I take a sleeping Ariel from Judah's arms. He's fast asleep himself with Mila resting on top of him and Isaiah tucked into his side. Noah's foot is against his cheek which makes me chuckle softly in amusement.

I move over to let Ella and Ryder take their kids before whispering goodnight to them. Making my way upstairs I put Ariel down in the small crib beside our bed. She mewls softly and I rub her chest to calm her. Her arms wrap around my hand and I melt into a puddle at how adorable she is. Pushing up on my toes I lean down to press a kiss to her cheek. Her nose twitches and I refrain from kissing her again before I disturb her sleep any further.

"Sweet dreams, Ari." I whisper as I feel arms wrap around my waist.

I turn and smile up at Hunter. He takes a seat on the bed as he watches me get ready to sleep. I quickly change into pajamas before slipping under the covers beside him. Throwing a leg over his, I wrap an arm around his waist and rest my head on his chest. Half my body is literally on top of his but it's comfortable to me. He chuckles at my actions before I feel him press a kiss to the top of my head.

"When do you think she'll wake up?"

"Two in the morning. No doubt about it." I close my eyes with a smile.

"It still seems so surreal at times." He whispers and I look up at him with a confused frown. "That we're married and have a daughter. I'm so lucky."

I take his hand and brush my lips against the inside of his wrist. "I love you, Hunt. You're amazing and I couldn't have asked for someone better to spend the rest of my life with."

"I love you more, Red." He grins cheekily which causes me to roll my eyes. "I'm so happy we met that day."

And so, we spend the rest of the night talking softly about our memories – from the moment we first met to now. Although we encountered some obstacles along the way I couldn't be happier at where we're at now. Happy with heads full of sweet dreams of what the future might hold. 

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