Page 70 of Levi
“I’ve got her,” I say, and I hear Saylor tell our daughter, who cheers and claps.There is no better life than this.
“Please don’t forget her and don’t pack her away.Halo will need her for the plane ride.”
“Yes, dear!”I mock, making Saylor giggle.“I’ll be there shortly.”
We hang up and I text Mitch, to let him know that we are ready to head out.Mitch has been back and forth between Los Angeles and Montana these last two months.Both Saylor and I agreed that it was too long for him to be away from his life there.We both know how it feels to be separated for long periods of time and so he has Ryan stay with us, and took the other two back with him.We aren’t in any danger here, so it’s only been him and Ryan these two months.
Once we made it to the jet, it took three men to load all of our things under the plane.I understand Saylor’s load because she’s had two years worth of belongings and Halo’s things, but what Grandma is sending us home with is another story.She didn’t want to leave anything that Halo might miss at their home.I feel as though Grandpa is going to have to add an addition onto the house with all of Grandma’s things, if she keeps this up.Little do they know, but Reid has had a playground built in their backyard for Halo to play on.He’s sent me pictures and even I’m excited to have a go at it.
After forty minutes, we are in the air, and I couldn’t be happier to have my family with me heading back home.I’ve only dreamed of this, and it is finally becoming a reality for me.
Reaching over, I place a hand on Saylor’s, and she turns away from looking out the window.She accepts my touch more and more, as time goes on.At first, she avoided all touching but as each day goes by, I’m able to freely brush against her or hold her hand.My body craves hers, and I find I’ll do anything to be next to her.I do notice, when we go out in public with high traffic, that she touches and holds onto me just the same and I love when she does.It’s a step in the right direction for us to becoming more of a married couple and finding our way back to each other.
“What are your thoughts on a home outside of the city?”I ask.I know we talked about living in one of the rental houses we have, or finding something further out, but I just want her and Halo to be happy, wherever we pick.
“I’m not sure, maybe something with some land to let Halo and the dogs roam easily.”She looks forward at where Zeus and Ginger are crated with Ryan up front, then back at me.
“Do you want cows and horses like at the ranch?”I leave outhisname as best as possible and Saylor understands.We don’t discusshimanymore and I think Saylor is still dealing with his betrayal.I know what I did by keeping her in the dark about the threats, but whathedid was deliberate.
“Good lord no.Can you imagine the upkeep of a place like that?No, but I would like to have plenty of space away from neighbors,” she admits, and I feel some relief.I’m not too keen on having to hire a bunch of men to take care of the land and be there when I can’t.“Is that going to be a problem with your commute into the city for work?”
I love that she still considers me in our decisions, as I will do everything in my power to include her in mine.No more secrets between us.
“Baby, I haven’t been doing much work the last two years, and if it means I get to spend more time with you, then I’ll continue to only take on a few renovating house projects a year.You and this girl of ours are my whole world, and nothing is more important.”And I mean every word.
The flight attendant comes by and gets our drink orders.She brings me a black coffee, Halo gets milk in a sippy cup and Saylor orders a ginger ale because she’s been having an upset stomach lately.She blames it on moving, and I don’t blame her.Coming back to a city where she was treated horribly must be hard and nerve-racking.Not to mention, the press is going to have a field day when they notice she’s back and with my baby.
“Will you stay with us at Glammy’s house or are you heading back to the apartment when we land?”she asks.
“I’d like to stay, if that’s okay with you.Being away from you and Halo is the last thing I want.”
She nods and squeezes my hand, as Halo hands me her empty sippy cup.She’s rubbing her eyes and I know it’s almost naptime for our little girl.I check her buckles again for the fiftieth time since we’ve boarded the plane, and make sure Teddy Bear and blankie are near for her to snuggle with.
Once we land and the SUVs are loaded, we start our drive to Glammy’s home.I hate that once everyone is settled, I’ll be in a different place once again by myself.Alone.I can’t wait for the day when I’ll have my wife in bed with me every night.I might even have Halo share a room with us for a while, just so all of my family is together.I know that’s not logical but man, I can almost taste having it all.
Halo sleeps through the entire ordeal of moving from the plane to car and then to her and Saylor’s room at the house.Ryan put together the portable crib quickly, and my little girl let out a long sigh when she was able to stretch out and lay on her belly, with her cute little butt up in the air.
I watched for a long while as she slept and couldn’t picture my life before having her in it.A gentle hand touches my upper arm, and I turn to find my wife standing there.She nods to the other side of the room and I follow where she pointed with her head.
“Levi,” I turn my attention away from Halo, who just started to babble in her sleep like her mother.“I think I’m ready to try again.I’m not saying we jump in and become man and wife, but I think we can be more than friends.I feel like we’ve been through so much and have missed out because of one bad decision, and a line of gigantic misunderstands.”
Saylor sounds hesitant and timid with her words.
“I’m not saying that what you did was right, and if you ever do something like that again then it’s over, Levi.I won’t be in a marriage where we aren’t equals.Deep down, I can see where you thought you were making the right decision for me and our family but it can’t happen again.If you can promise me to always be honest, then I would love nothing more than to try and rekindle what we had before.”
“Oh, baby,” my voice croaks and my knees buckle.I end up crouched down in front of her as I basically push her to sit on the bed, while grabbing for both of her hands.“I promise you won’t regret this.Every day, you’ll see how I’m not the same man I was when we first met.I love you more than I ever thought possible.You and this little one are my whole life and I plan to prove that.”I start to lean in but stop.“Can I kiss you?”I ask because we haven’t been intimate since we spent that night together.
Saylor smiles then nods, leaning forward towards me, giving me the green light.I don’t hesitate in capturing her lips and sealing mine over hers.My body moves closer so my hips are between her knees, while my hands release hers and wrap around her waist.She gasps with the sudden movement, and I take advantage as I plunge my tongue in and dance with hers.
I think we’ve passed obscene and only stop when we hear a small squeal.
“Me, me!”
Saylor and I pull apart and laugh as Halo is bouncing in her crib, trying to escape, wanting the same attention.
“Does my baby doll want kisses too?”I ask in a sing-song to Halo.She cheers and I’m more than happy to oblige, never releasing my hold on Saylor.This couldn’t be a better day if it tried.Finally, all the pieces are starting to come together and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
A while later, Mitch barges into Alan’s study, not bothering to knock, where I’m doing some research on houses and replying to some emails.
