Page 64 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
JAX
Sunlight streams through the curtains, while I sit at the kitchen table. I nurse my second cup of coffee, my mind spinning through a thousand possibilities. Last night was incredible. Better than I’d imagined. Fuck, better than I’d even dared to hope. But now comes the tricky part. Now we face the morning after.
Ava is mine through and through, but God, does she love to run from us the second things get real. I can only hope that won’t be the case today.
My thoughts are interrupted by a creak on the stairs and the following energetic patter of little feet. Eli bursts into the kitchen like a hurricane of joy, his bright smile lighting up the room.
“Good morning!” he shouts, rushing forward to wrap his little arms around Liam’s legs first. Liam smiles warmly, running a gentle hand over Eli’s messy bedhead.
“Morning, buddy,” Liam says.
Liam’s face has relaxed lately, as if he had finally let himself love Eli, lifting a heavy weight from his shoulders. A week ago, he’dadmitted to Cole and me that he’d told Eli he loved him—that he’d meant every word—and realized then that he was entirely on board with our plan to share Ava, too.
Eli moves from Liam to Cole next, laughing happily as Cole lifts him briefly off the ground in a playful hug.
“You sleep good?” Cole asks, his voice calm and gentle as always.
“The best!” Eli beams up at him, and Cole sets him down with an affectionate squeeze.
Finally, Eli barrels into my legs, his tiny arms tightening around my legs. Bending awkwardly at the waist, I hug him back with a wide smile.
“Morning, bud. You ready for another big adventure today?”
"Always!”
As he pulls away, I glance up toward the doorway. Ava stands there, watching with a gentle smile playing at the corners of her lips. My heart skips a beat at the sight of her. She looks stunning in a pale blue sundress covered in watercolor flowers. Her hair flows loosely around her shoulders. The strands are catching the sunlight like woven lines of bronze.
“Morning,” she says, stepping into the kitchen. Her eyes are bright and hopeful with none of the hesitation or anxiety I feared would linger.
She moves toward Liam first, surprising him and us by stepping close and wrapping her arms around his waist. Liam’s eyes widen briefly in surprise, but he returns her embrace, his arms tightening around her as he holds her close. Ava murmurs something quiet that only he can hear, and Liam’s expressionsoftens, gratitude and affection clear in his gaze as she steps back.
She turns next to Cole, offering him an embrace as well. Cole’s arms fold securely around her. For a brief moment, his eyes close. Ava whispers again, and he nods, smiling softly in return.
Finally, Ava steps up to me and I don’t hesitate to gather her close. I wrap my arms around her waist. I want to hold her just a little longer. Her scent fills my senses. She’s all lavender, vanilla, and something uniquely her. Her heart beats rapidly against my chest, and the beat matches my own quickening pulse.
“Morning, Jax,” Ava whispers, pulling back to look into my eyes. Her cheeks flush, a beautiful shade of pink that makes my heart race. “Thanks for last night.”
I grin playfully, squeezing her one last time before releasing her. “Trust me, Ava, the pleasure was all ours.”
She laughs, rolling her eyes, before stepping over to accept the cup of coffee Cole holds out to her with a warm, “Thanks, Cole.”
Eli looks up, oblivious to the deeper emotions swirling around the room.
“What are we gonna do today?” he asks, bouncing eagerly on the balls of his feet.
Liam shrugs, looking at me, and I raise my hands in surrender. “Not sure yet, bud. Got any ideas?”
Eli wrinkles his little nose thoughtfully, glancing between the three of us. Cole clears his throat, speaking up.
“I was thinking that maybe we could bring Cocoa up and see if she’ll let Eli sit on her today.”
Eli’s mouth drops open in a delighted gasp. “Really? I can ride Cocoa?”
“Cole, are you sure that’s safe?” Ava asks nervously.
Cole nods confidently, meeting Ava’s gaze steadily. “Absolutely. Cocoa’s bonded with Eli. She’s gentle and trusts him. Besides, Morales said they’re rideable, just bareback.”
Ava hesitates only a moment longer before her lips curve into a soft, relieved smile. “Alright. If you’re sure, that actually sounds fun.”
