Page 68 of Axton

I shrugged. “Not really outside of West Virginia.”

“I don’t plan to ever live in West Virginia, and I don’t mind being linked to you. I would actually prefer it. You’re a good man, Michael.”

If she knew what I did fourteen years ago she might not have felt the same way. But she was right, nobody outside West Virginia would ask questions. Then I realized she would be Mrs. Axton and eventually Ms. Axton. I didn’t mind being linked to her at all, if anything the idea made me smile. “I think I might appreciate sharing my name with you.”

“Great, then I’ll need a new passport and identification anyway.” She was still wearing that gorgeous smile. For someone facing so many challenges, I could see she was finding excitement and happiness despite her circumstances. Being around someone that shined so brightly lit something up inside me and her mood was contagious. I always had a reason to be moody, but never really gave myself a reason to feel happy since Natalie. I used to live for the moments I got to see her, but after her death Inever really had anything to truly look forward to in my life. For as long as I could remember I lived to work and not worked to truly live. I didn’t consider sharing my life with anyone since I lost Natalie. After her death it was about giving Kayla all the things and experiences I couldn’t have, and since I met Belle it suddenly came clearer that I needed to start truly living and feeling again. I had reservations about being responsible for another person. I was responsible for other people’s happiness and fighting to make their dreams come true for so long that I forgot about my own.

Belle

“So, what do you think? An angel or a star?” Michael asked as he held up two tree toppers.

I thought I wanted another one of his kisses and that was all I thought about all night, but I had to focus on his actual question.

I pointed at the star. “The star can signify us trying to find our way in life after so many changes, while the angel makes me think of papa and his prophecies. I’d rather forget the prophecies and use the star to find my new path.”

He smiled. “Awesome choice.” He placed the star in the shopping cart. We were at the commissary buying Christmas décor and some groceries.

“White lights or colored lights?” He asked.

“White lights are bland like my old life. Let’s go with colors because we need more color in our lives.”

“Perfect.” He grabbed several boxes and placed them in the cart.

I watched as he threw in garland, then he stopped in front of more décor. “Okay, so ribbon, tinsel, or more garland for the tree?” He pointed at the choices.

“Umm…I like the ribbon.”

“Nice choice.” He threw it into the cart. “Now stockings for the fireplace. Red, white, or plaid?”

“Plaid matches the house better.” I said and he grabbed three and put them in the cart.

I was surprised what all it took to decorate for Christmas, and Michael was going all out, which also surprised me. We ended up with a lot of different kinds of ornaments, a tree stand, a tree skirt, and some decorative pieces for around the house. We needed two shopping carts by the time he went to pay. Before long, they were loading a large Christmas tree in the back of his truck, and I was placing multiple bags in the back seat. We got enough groceries to stock up the pantry, freezer, and fridge, not to mention all the Christmas décor. Michael went above and beyond for my first Christmas ever.

Koty finally left his room to help bring things inside, but once they had the tree in the stand he went right back into his room.

I couldn’t help but glance at Michael constantly as we worked on the tree. He had a smile on his face the entire time we worked. I chose one ornament that didn’t match the theme of the rest of the tree, which was country rustic. It was a cross that lit up, then I chose a nativity scene to sit under the tree. I hung the cross and felt Michael’s presence behind me. I smiled before I turned and suddenly I was in his arms again, experiencing the one thing I wanted more than anything all night, which was his kiss. I never experienced anything as powerful and I felt like I was made to perfectly fit into his strong protective arms. It was a kiss that confirmed the one thing I hoped since I met him. What washappening to me with Michael had nothing to do with my papa, but definitely had something to do with God. Only God could have created something so intense and beautiful.

My papa foresaw me as a servant wife to God’s soldier. That it was a duty to serve my future husband. He warned me my entire life that strong marriages were built on a foundation of faith to our God and religion. Being in his arms and the kiss felt nothing like a duty. Michael didn’t want a servant, or to be worshipped. It was the other way around. I felt powerful and the one being worshipped when he kissed me. I didn’t doubt God was responsible, because it felt like I was made to be in Michael’s arms, and I would never fit so perfectly into anyone else’s.

He ended the kiss by tickling me and I laughed as I wiggled out of his arms. “That’s not fair, you caught me off guard!” I could barely run from him because I was laughing too hard. I ran into the kitchen, but he grabbed my arm then spun me around and into another kiss. I was still laughing against his lips as he backed me against the wall. He was laughing and I loved the sound of his laugh, even more than I loved Sam Barber’s music.

He smiled against my lips. “I love dating you, Belle.”

I giggled. “You’re really good at it, Michael. I’ve had the best days of my life so far.” I pulled him in for a deeper kiss. He chuckled, but obliged, pressing his body against mine. I shivered when he brushed his lips across my cheek then kissed just below my ear. The insane pulsating desire from down below told me that my body wasn’t just begging for him, I was wet, and it was inviting him to please touch me. It was just a kiss, but my body was preparing for Michael to make us one.

His lips dove back up for mine and out of nowhere the doorbell rang. Michael groaned then spoke against my lips. “Please pray for me, it’s late, so this could be another Drakos emergency.”

I laughed.

“Dammit.” He pecked my lips then went to the door. I dashed into the bathroom just as I heard. “Mom? Why are you here? It’s late.”

I looked in the mirror and pressed my fingers to my lips as I smiled. They were swollen, my face was red from his beard, and my hair was falling out of the hair clip. I couldn’t meet his mom that way, so I quickly pulled my hair down and ran my hands through it. There wasn’t much I could do about my swollen lips and red face, but at least my mascara wasn’t running.

I was about to meet the woman that gave life to the most amazing human being on the planet, and it made me nervous. I knew nothing about the woman because he never talked much about her and neither did Kayla. I wondered if she looked like Kayla with long brown hair and big green eyes. Kayla was gorgeous, and she had to get her looks from somewhere. I wondered if she was refined and faithful to God. What if she saw us through the window and confused what we were doing with sinning? I took a few deep breaths, and checked my image once again before I left the bathroom. I no longer had the jacket on, and my boots were off, so I hoped I could still make a good impression. The dress might have fit me like a glove but at least it was modest with three quarter sleeves and a proper neckline. After I shut the bathroom door, I stopped to run my fingers through my hair once more and straightened my dress. I held my head high and straightened my posture before I walked through the kitchen and finally to our living room, which was a mess of packaging and garland that hadn’t yet been placed on the fireplace.

I was shocked when I saw the woman. They were speaking quietly about something, and Michael didn’t look very happy, until he saw me and smiled. Their conversation ended abruptly.She turned to look at me then stood. The woman I saw had blond hair, maybe brown but definitely colored blond. She was wearing tight jeans and a tight sweater on her thin frame. She was probably absolutely gorgeous at one time, but she looked older than her age.

“You must be Belle.” She gave me a warm smile then stuck out her hand to shake mine. “I’m Pammy, Mikey's mom.”

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