*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter. They were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much*
AZALEA:
Gideon and I arrive at a Mommy and me class to meet up with Brooke and Kylie to spend the day together doing mommy and baby stuff. I've never been to one of these classes before but Brooke says they are a lot of fun for the babies. They can learn to socialize with others and the moms can socialize too. "Hey," I say with a smile as I meet her on the mat.
"Hey," she says with a smile. "I'm glad that you could make it," she says.
"Thanks for inviting me," I say with a smile. "So what do we do?"
"We'll sing songs, the babies will dance stuff like that. It gives you and Gideon a chance to make friends."
"I need to make friends," I say. "A lot of mommy friends. I have none."
"You have me," she says with a smile.
"I know but I need mommies with little boys so Gideon can have some boy friends between his sister and Kylie he's going to need some boy friends."
"That's probably true," she says. "You're going to have a lot of fun," she says to Gideon as he gives her a toothless smile. "He's getting so big," she says to me.
"I know. He's 15 pounds now he had his 4 month check-up a couple days ago. He got a couple shots but not all the ones he was supposed to. He hasn't been too miserable. I'm thankful for that and he started some baby food yesterday. He loves it."
"Awesome," she says as I hand him to her. "He really looks like you."
"I think he looks like both Dean and me," I say. "He has his mouth and his eyes the rest is all me."
"I can see that," she says. "He's getting so chunky."
"I know I love his little chunky legs they are the cutest things I have ever seen. I love being his mom."
"I know," she says. "Being a mom changes everything huh?"
"Yeah," I say. "I never knew I could love something so much. He's everything to me. I'm so lucky to have him in my life. He makes every day a gift."
"Aww," she says, "I'm so happy for you. How is Dean?"
"He's good," I say, "we're back together."
"Oh wow, how is that going?"
"Really good, we just got back from Hawaii last week."
"Hawaii? How was that? Did you have fun?" she asks as we take a seat and I hold Kylie in my lap as she holds Gideon.
"It was amazing. It is something I never experienced before. It was absolutely beautiful. I got to swim with dolphins and sea turtles. I got to hike up a volcano it was amazing. He did a really good job. It was his Christmas present to me."
"He is really working you over huh?" she asks.
"I wouldn't say he's working me over but I would say that he's being an awesome boyfriend and an even more amazing father to Gideon. I love watching him with him. He does so well with him. It's like he's wanted to be a father all his life. I mean I guess he never really got to be the father he wanted to be to McKenna but he's making up for it with Gideon. They're going to have such an incredible bond. I love my two favorite guys."
"So do you think you'll ever end up marrying Dean?" she asks me out of nowhere. "I mean have you ever thought about marrying him since you got together?"
"I would love to marry Dean someday as long as he would take me for his wife. I love him so much and I would love to spend the rest of my life with him and have more kids with him if I could. I love him, Brooke."
"I know you do and he loves you. You two have been through a lot over the last year and yet still accept each other and love one another as deeply as you do. You are on birth control though right?"
"Of course as much as I love Gideon," I say as I touch his little chubby cheek, "I do not want another baby right now. I want to take the time to enjoy being his mommy first before I make him a big brother isn't that right Gid?" I ask him with a smile as he gives me a toothless smile. "I have never seen a happier baby than him."
"He is really happy. Is his addiction gone?"
"It's not as bad as it was but we still have our nights where it's pretty bad. It's not as often as it used to be but he's getting so much better. I can't wait until he is completely over his addiction. I feel really bad that I allowed that to happen to him."
"But he is a happy and healthy baby boy who is very well loved by his mama and dad. He is a very lucky little boy to have such wonderful parents. How is Dean's daughter McKenna? Is she adjusting well to being here in Ohio?"
"Yeah for the most part," I say. "Dean hasn't really seen her much lately. He had her on Christmas and that was about it. I don't think that her mom likes me very much."
"Why wouldn't she like you? What did you ever do to her?"
"I don't know but I don't really care if she likes me or not. I don't know her and she doesn't know me to pass judgment on me. I'm going to guess it has something to do with Dean. That would be my guess."
"That she has feelings for him still but he doesn't want her because he has you?"
"Yeah," I say. "I'm aware that there are a lot of women out there that want my man and I'm okay with that as long as he comes back to me every time he's away and I'm the only one he's getting the cookie from. He better not be near anyone else's cookie but mine. I don't think he would ever cheat on me though."
"I doubt he would either but that doesn't excuse McKenna's mom of disliking you. I mean your kids are half-siblings I'm not saying be best friends but at least be civil because the only ones getting hurt are the kids."
"I know. I'm not the one with the problem. She's going to need to accept me in her life and McKenna's. I'm not going anywhere and I love McKenna to death. She is such a sweet girl. She's an awesome kid. I don't want whatever her mom has against me to be taken out on her or Dean. That's not fair. We're all adults here."
"Very true," she says. "You have really matured in the last few months, Azalea, I'm proud of you."
"Thanks," I say with a smile. "Dean asked me to move in with him."
"Are you going to?"
"I'm thinking about it," I say, "I feel like it is too soon but if I want a life with him and a future maybe it's not so bad. His heart is in the right place. He just wants to protect me from Chris and Ty."
"What do Chris and Ty have to do with anything?"
"I pressed charges against them," I say. "They have a warrant out for their arrest and since they can't find them it's hard to arrest them. The detective thinks they are going to come back and you know how dangerous they are. Dean just wants me to be safe. Do you think it's too soon for me move in with him?"
"I can't make that decision for you. I wish I could but I can't. If you're questioning it though you're not ready, if you were ready you wouldn't even have to question it. Just think about that."
"I guess you're right," I say as the woman instructor walks into the little gym to start the class. I hand Kylie back to Brooke as she hands Gideon back to me. The instructor starts the class by having us sing a song and introduce ourselves. We go on to sing more songs and do hand clapping games as well as play instruments. Gideon loved every minute of it and I have to admit that I did too. During free time I set off to make a couple friends that have little boys about Gideon's age and set up a couple playdates. I want to surround myself with the best people possible and that will have a good influence on me. I need more friends that will do that for me.
After Gideon and I are done at the Mommy and Me class we go to the grocery store to pick up some things for me to cook for dinner at Dean's house. Dean hasn't gotten home yet from being on the road and I want to surprise him when he walks in tonight with a home cooked meal. I know he doesn't get one very often with the traveling but I want to spoil him tonight. I don't live with Dean but when he's home Gideon and I usually spend the night at his house so that we don't have to pass Gideon back and forth besides I like to get my loving from my man. After picking up chicken and an enchilada kit I pay for it and we head back to Dean's house to wait for him.
LATER THAT DAY:
"Honey, I'm home," I hear Dean say as he walks in the front door of his house as I am in the kitchen making dinner while Gideon is sitting in his high chair playing with a toy to keep him busy so I can keep an eye on him.
"In the kitchen!" I say with a smile.
I hear his footsteps in the hallway and smile as he appears in the kitchen. "Hello, Beautiful," he says with a smile as he greets me with a soft kiss.
"Hey, Baby," I say with a smile.
"And there's my boy!" he says as he picks Gideon up out of the high chair. Gideon gives him a big grin as he holds him. Dean gives him a thousand kisses on his cheek as he holds him. "How was his doctor appointment the other day? Is everything looking good with him?"
"Everything is looking good," I say. "Thank God. He is almost over his addiction which is good and he got a couple of shots. His heart and his breathing are wonderful and the doctor said he is growing the way he should. He is 15 pounds now."
"That's my big boy!" Dean says with pride as he kisses him once again. "When did his hair start to get so curly?" he asks running his fingers through it.
"I don't know those curls just started to appear out of nowhere," I say. "They're cute though aren't they?"
"Adorable," he says with a smile. "So what's for dinner tonight?"
"Chicken enchiladas and Spanish rice," I say.
"Sounds delicious. I have to ask you are you coming to the Rumble in a couple weeks?"
"Do you want me to go in a couple weeks?"
"Yeah," he says as he walks over to the fridge to get a drink. "It's a really big match for me and I want to see you and Gideon front row for me."
"I'll be there, I promise."
"Okay," he says. "So how did the mommy and me class go today?"
"Gideon loved it! He had so much fun. It was a really fun and cute class. We sang songs and Gideon danced. He loved it so much. I'm going to go again next week since I am off on Thursdays. I really liked it. I made a couple friends."
"That's awesome, Az," he says taking a sip of his milk. "That's really good. I'm glad you're starting to make friends."
"Me too," I say, "and they all have a little boy about Gideon's age so we set up a couple playdates."
"Awesome," he says. "You're doing so well and I'm proud of you. I know I have said it before but you are doing really well. You're making so much progress and that's what I want to see."
"Thanks," I say as I continue to cook dinner.
After we have dinner Dean cleans up the kitchen and does the dishes while I put Gideon to bed before I meet Dean in the living room. "Is he asleep?" he asks as we take a seat on the couch. I put my feet into his lap and he starts to massage them for me.
"He was getting there when I left the room," I say. "So he should be asleep soon. How was your time out on the road?"
"It was good. It was busy but it was good. We're getting ready for the Royal Rumble which is a big pay per view. It is the official start of Wrestlemania season and I am the main event for it."
"That's awesome," I say as he massages my feet. "I'm really happy for you. You've worked really hard to get there."
"Thanks," he says as he leans over and kisses my lips softly. "So Cassie said I can't get McKenna again."
"Why?"
"I don't know something with school," he says rolling his eyes. "I thought the point of them moving to Ohio was so that I could see McKenna more but I haven't really seen her that much like I was promised. Every time it gets close to her visit Cassie comes up with some type of excuse as to why she can't come or whatever. It's killing me. I just want to see my daughter. I'm scared she could run off again."
"I don't think she's going to run off again. What I do think is she needs to put her big girl panties on and suck it up, accept the fact that you are with someone else. She doesn't have to like me I'm fine with that but she shouldn't be keeping your daughter away from you because of me."
"How do you know she doesn't like you?" he asks.
"Let's call it a good guess. I'm assuming that at some point she wanted you back but you didn't go back and then ended up with me."
"She left me. She had her chance with me but she chose to run away. I have no feelings for her besides you're the only woman I want in my life. I love you, Azalea."
"I love you too," I say with a smile before we share another soft quick kiss. "So I have been thinking about this moving in with you thing."
"Oh yeah? What have you been thinking?"
"I don't think I'm ready. I'm fine with spending the night here a couple nights a week when you're home but I'm not ready to officially move in with you. I know you want me to be safe but I want to be able to be independent too. I want to be able to live on my own for a while and do what I need to do. I know it seems so trivial but it means so much to me for me to have this independence and to be able to live my life freely. I'm willing to move into a safer apartment building but I'm not willing to move in with you. I strived for so long to get my independence that I don't want to give it up now. It's hard to explain. For a couple years I wasn't able to be free or do the things I want. I have that freedom now and I like it. It's nothing against you. I'm just not ready to move in with you."
"I understand," he says. "I told you before I'm not going to force you to do anything you're not ready to do or anything you don't want to do. We'll find you a safer apartment and maybe get you a nice watch dog you know just in case," he says.
"A dog?" I ask. "I'm not really into dogs and what kind of watch dog can I have in an apartment?"
"I'll think of one," he says giving me a smile. "I have some apartment buildings in mind for you. I figured you wouldn't be ready to move in with me just yet so I have been researching apartments. We'll check some of them out. How does that sound?"
"Good," I say with a smile. "Thanks for understanding me."
"You don't have to thank me it's my job to understand you and it's my job to make sure you stay on the right track. You're not ready to move in and I understand that but someday you know I'm going to make you my wife and you're going to need to live with me."
I can't stop smiling on the inside at his words. "You're going to make me your wife?"
"Not tomorrow but someday," he says, "and we'll have our whole lives together. We'll have a beautiful home, maybe a couple more kids and we'll be happy. We'll have it all. We'll have forever. I promise you that one day I'm going to make you my wife."
"Baby," I say, "that's beautiful. I want that forever with you and I want all of that with you. I love you."
"I love you too," he says with a smile before he kisses my lips softly. "Wanna go upstairs?"
"Are you asking me or suggesting?" I ask before he scoops me up.
"I'm suggesting or else I'm going to make love to you right here on the couch."
"The bedroom it is," I say with a smile before I kiss his lips deeply and passionately as he carries me up the stairs to his bedroom where we spend the night making love to one another, exploring each other's bodies and then spending the rest of the night talking till the sun comes up.
A/N: Do you think it's good for Azalea to make other mommy friends? Does she need that positive influence in her life? What do you think about Azalea telling Dean she didn't want to move in with him? Did she make the right choice? Were you surprised that he understood her? What did you think of Dean telling Azalea that someday he is going to make her his wife? Please review and thank-you for reading