Page 64 of Axton

She finally turned and looked at me, but she was laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I was confused.

“Just some things Kayla said. They were very funny and it’s girl code. Sorry, can’t share.”

I snorted. “Knowing my sister she probably made the girls keep the conversation clean. That makes me feel better.” I started the truck and put it in reverse. Maybe Kayla would have been a good person to consult about clean dating. What kind of things I could take Belle to do to make sure there was no focus on sex. I honestly had no clue how to date a woman. I had an idea how to treat them because respect was everything, but not how to date them. Holy shit, Irons ordered her documents and had them overnighted. In a few days she would have a state identification, and I would be married to the girl I wanted to date. The thought was absolutely insane. I was glad we had that talk earlier. I didn’tfeel as if I would have been holding her back as much if I wanted to work our way up to something more serious. I couldn’t do that until things were settled with Natalie and put to rest. My biggest problem was keeping Creed in the dark. I never told Natalie’s story to anyone and not even Kayla knew the whole story. It was something I never wanted anyone to know, but in reality I knew it was going to come out eventually.

“Do you think it will snow soon?” She asked. “Heidi said there was some weather coming tonight.”

“Yeah, but it’ll only be a few inches.” I answered.

“Do you mind if I want to celebrate Christmas? Everyone is so excited about it, and I’ve never really celebrated anything before.”

I glanced at her as I drove. “Do you want a tree and the whole nine yards?”

Her eyes lit up. “Really? We could have one?”

“Sure, maybe after work tomorrow I’ll take you to get one of the trees Morgan ordered then get some decorations from the commissary.”

“Yay!” She clapped and making her happy was the best feeling ever.

“You’re growing into this outside world way faster than I expected.”

She glanced at me with a smile. “I trust you, Michael. You said for me to start enjoying things and forget all the false sins I was taught to fear. Life doesn’t seem so scary anymore.”

I pulled into the community center parking lot. “I’m very glad you’ve decided to make the best of it.”

Her eyes were beaming with joy, and her smile warmed me up inside. “Are you kidding? I’m about to give Santa my first ever Christmas list. Oh, I didn’t have to write it down, did I?”

There wasn’t much of anything I wouldn’t get her. “No, just tell Santa and he will remember.”

She went to get out, but I stopped her. “Wait, don’t move.”

I hopped out and jogged to the passenger side to open her door. I then helped her down and was rewarded with a hug. “Wow, you’re affectionate.” I wasn’t used to it, but I liked how she felt. Anyone else wouldn’t get away with it, just her. I once laid Drakos out for trying to hug me.

I took her hand, and we walked over to stand in line for Santa. We didn’t wait long, and the whole time I got to hold her hand. Jesus, I was down to being a pansy ass bitch. I liked holding her hand, hugging her, and all that shit. Fucking weird.

“Go on.” I prompted her when it was her turn. She clapped and practically danced over to Santa. I gave that prospect one hell of a look that told him to behave himself.

“What would you like for Christmas this year, young lady?” Santa glanced at me a few times, obviously scared shitless.

“I have a long list, but okay, I’ll start with asking you to please pray for my family…oh and please pray for Mr. Drakos and Melissa. Could you make them stop sharing so many stories?”

I laughed and so did Santa. “You’re the third person to ask that question tonight.”

I snapped a photo with my phone.

“What can I bring for you this Christmas, something that can be wrapped and placed under the tree?” Santa asked.

She pointed at me. “Can you bring him?”

Santa looked at me and his eyes squinted. “Axton? Why him?”

I growled and Santa sat up straight. I guess my asshole behavior was catching up to me. “Sorry. I umm…how about a scarf or maybe a necklace?” He tried speaking like Santa.

“Okay, fine. I’ll take one of those cell phones. My papa let me have a computer but never a phone. It doesn’t have to be new, just something that works with the internet.” She finally answered and that was as good as done. I’d buy one off the DV division since I couldn’t leave on lockdown.

“Is that all?” He asked.

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