Aiden

“My sister went a little crazy when I told her we’d be there.” Macy has been trying to get me to bring her home for months.

“I knew she’d be excited. She’s been calling me every day, making sure I know I’m considered family and would always be welcome.”

“What can I say… they probably like you better than they do me.” She smiles as I thread my fingers between hers and we both begin to walk toward the front of the airport.

“That’s what Macy said a few times.” I take in her smile and allow her to tease me. I love this playful side of Kimber. It took her a while to get comfortable enough in our relationship to let it out, but I’m fucking grateful to see that shift in her.

I’ve done everything I possibly could to be patient with Kimber, knowing she needed the space and time to get through the tough hand she’s been dealt. What once was a deep attraction and connection to a woman I felt inclined to protect is now something I have never experienced in my life.

I love Kimber and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. It took me a bit to get her to realize I’m not going anywhere and I knew that would be my biggest challenge, but she’s worth the effort.

She’s a determined person… but so am I. Luckily for me I also have patience on my side.

“She said the entire Rebel Walking crew wants to see us tonight at Smitty’s.” And just like that the smile falls from her face and I regret saying anything about it. I can almost see her thoughts spinning in her mind with each step we take.

“Maybe I should just let you go.” And with that I stop us both in the middle of the airport, causing people to have to maneuver around us and not caring one fucking bit that I’m in their way.

“If you don’t want to go, we won’t go. End of story.” She seems to think there’s some fucking way I can have two separate lives and never mix it all up, which I have done since got together. What she doesn’t understand is… she’s part of that crew herself. There’s not a single one of them that doesn’t constantly ask about her, even the Walker men want to know that she’s taking time for herself to heal. It’s that protective nature we all seem to have. I guess that’s why we’re all such good friends and it seems more like a chosen family than anything else.

“I don’t want to keep you from your friends.”

“I want to spend the entire time with you.” I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like with work being so busy, but I’ve been managing at least a once a week flight to see her.

“Okay.” I sense a look of defeat in her reaction, but choose to ignore it for the time being. There’s no doubt in my mind she’ll feel the love of the group again the second they know we’re here. Eaven and Ivy have never been known for their subtle behavior, so it wouldn’t surprise me if we have a welcome crew right outside these doors.

Just as that thought flashes through my mind… I see the girls all standing with signs waiting for us to arrive. ‘Here for Future Mrs. Cowboy’ is what I see first. I can feel the grin on my face just thinking of that possibility. I just need her to accept this side of my life too before I can officially ask her for the forever that I have every intention of giving her.

She pauses for a second before she smiles and holds her arms out to the screaming trio headed straight for us. Macy hugs her first, followed by Eaven and Ivy. All three of them wrapping her into one giant embrace of squeals and tears.

“Don’t you ever refuse to come home with Aiden again.” Macy immediately starts in on Kimber even though I know she’s had many conversations on the phone about it.

“In fact, we’d really just rather you never leave.” Eaven takes the opportunity and jumps right in with Macy to work on my girl. That’s right ladies… keep this up and it’ll make my job much easier convincing her to agree to what I have planned.

“I mean really. How could you not want to spend every single minute with these bitches.” Ivy glances over her shoulder at me, giving a wink before she circles back around and slides her arm under Kimber’s.

She knows what she’s doing… they all do. They’ve all been foaming at the bit to have her in their little clutches. I’m actually surprised they gave her this much time. I figure the conversation I had with Ivy last week is what sparked all of this.

I walk behind the four of them, carrying our luggage and smiling like I just won the fucking lottery.