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LIFE

Chapter 46

Our trip to Anchorage was going along fine. The people I bought the cattle from was following us back to our ranch, and were transporting us an additional fifty head of cattle. We were able to carry about fifty head in our two haulers, but it was awfully tight. I was thankful we didn't have any further to travel, as it would have been to strenuous on the cattle.

They had gotten done with the fencing on their pasture, and only had left to install a couple gates for easy access to the pastures, and sheds. Things were looking awfully nice, and I would be glad to get them home, and settled. There also was a company from Anchorage, and Fairbanks bringing out some rolls of hay. I wanted to put a couple by the fencing for the horses, and put some down at the heifer sheds. I was also looking to get a metal shed specifically for storing hay down at the heifer sheds, or maybe as an extension of the storage building.

I had called two different companies about their metal buildings, and it was left up to how quickly they could get it to me. I was going with the one who could get it to me the fastest, as I didn't have a lot of time to wait.

Emmett and his men were working their asses off trying to finish the greenhouse by this next weekend. They had the metal framing up, but were now installing the plexi-glass. Then, Jasper and Peter were going inside to determine how to cut some wood for the shelving, platforms for different plants, and a walkway.

Emmett was then taking a slight break for him, and his men. They would resume work on the two medical buildings. The foundations were already poured, and cured. They might start on the frame work to them, but nothing to time consuming for a few days. They really needed the break, and I understood that. I was thinking once we got back with the cattle, taking the rest of the week to just lay back, and relax. I think everyone needed the break, and to take stock on what all we got done.

It would give us a chance to see what we got done, what we wanted done, what needed to be done as soon as possible, and getting the supplies to do all these things. I looked over at Edward as we moseyed on down the road. Our new dog was firmly attached to Edward like a second growth. He really liked Edward, and I do believe he liked him. I told him what I named him, and he tried calling him by his name...Sam, not so much...Neve, he came running. I guess that is his name.

I reached over loving on both of them, and then reached in the back seat loving on my other babies. Hell would be paid if I didn't dole out copious amounts of love all around. Edward then picked up my hand kissing my knuckles, and then licking at my wrist. I gave him a scolding look to behave, and he laughs at me.

Then he reaches over running his hand over my stomach...I so love this man. We had about another forty five minutes until we were home. The trip wasn't too bad. I actually had fun, and was very pleased with the cattle. We ended up with one hundred head of Beefmasters, and Beemaster Springers. They were beautiful cattle, and I know I'll be buying more of them. They gave us a good price, and even delivering them. I definitley will be doing more business with them.

As we reach the ranch we have four very big cattle haulers we have to get down to their pasture. We got Charlie, Tom, Alec, Laurent, Seth, Sean, and Paul helping unload the cattle. Sean and Paul are giving them cursory exam not seeing anything needing immediate attention.

They work them over towards the sheds with some horses, and riders. Before I known it Baxter has ran out there circling the cattle running them towards the building. I can not believe it. Neve is itching to get out there, but not until he gets bigger. He could get stomped as he's only eight months old. It is to cute watching Baxter hauling his big butt out there, but he's doing a good job.

I walk over to the truck sitting inside watching how everyone works together, herding the cattle. I have so got to get them some help, like yesterday. I will call the labor board in Fairbanks telling them to send me some people out here quickly. Oh yes, we are taking a break. These people need it. We had another well ran out to the heifer sheds. They have water, feed, and now hay. They will be fine. I plan on letting them stay in the sheds for a couple days like the horses. To get use to their new home, and then Sean and Paul can get in there to do a more thorough exam.

I was guaranteed they were very good cattle, and I had a hand full of paper work to verify their health. I also need to get ready to do some branding, but after our break definitely. We were finally winding things down, and the other haulers were taking off back to Anchorage. I had already paid the bill in full for the cattle, and their transporting them.

The men worked putting the haulers in the big parking area we had for practically everything. The only thing in the storage building was the ATVs, the snow mobiles, the tractor, and a bunch of hay stored in the loft. We still had a bunch of freezers, shelving full of food, tarps, ropes, everything you could imagine.

I was not going to have us go through what we did this past winter. Jake and his men were working on the fifteen cabins up on the ridge. They had nine of the foundations ready for them to work on. The other six had a little over a week to finish curing. Once Emmett, and his men finished the greenhouse, the veterinarians, and our medical clinic were next in line.
We were almost a fully running totally independant ranch. Well, we might be by next spring, once we got the garden to producing, and the chickens laying eggs. The only other thing was milk from some of the cows.

I guess I'm going to be looking for just some dairy cows. I also found out Simmental was pretty much raised strictly for their meat. It was used for our ground beef in the stores. I found about forty head of them for sale. I found some Charolais cows which are good for their milk production. The Beefmasters I bought are good for both milk, and calf production. I was learning a lot about raising cattle.

Edward was very interested in that aspect of the ranch, whereas I was more interested in the horses. It turned out good for us both.

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A Bit of a time jump...

I was coming up on being four months pregnant, and boy was it getting to be a challenge to do things. We had an ultrasound scheduled a little later this afternoon, and possibly seeing what we were going to have. I personally was hoping for a boy, and Edward was more a girl looking like me. A Daddy's girl all the way. I saw a copper haired, green eyed clone of Edward, but honestly I didn't care as long as it was healthy.

Now, things were moving along, and we had a big cookout planned for July 4th. I had someone go into Fairbanks to buy as much ribs, ground beef, hot dogs, roasts, every kind of meat imaginable. It was coming up on time to stock up for this winter. We also needed to get some hunting done to stock the freezers.

I was sitting outside on my back porch, and you could see everything on the ranch. I saw the horses grazing, the cattle milling around, the chickens raising cane, and my dogs running around. Neve has gotten so big, and loves to follow Edward around everywhere. Now, his baby Sasha pretty much stays right with me. Baxter has totally taken to herding the horses, or cattle. I got him a buddy to help. We got an Australian Sheep dog I named, Aussie Peek Swan-Masen, totally loved Baxter.

Things were turning out nothing like I had thought, and totally better than I could ever have hoped for. I had the most wonderful devoted, loving husband anyone could hope for. Speak of the devil, here he comes. I know he is anxious for this ultrasound so he can boast about the baby.

He comes over bending down giving me a kiss, and asking how I am feeling. I'm really fine, and getting as anxious as him. We take off towards the medical building. We are still working on getting a lot of supplies for it, and the veterinarians offices. It will take a little time, but I will get them everything they need. Carlisle is tickled to have his own office. Jared has done very well with his injury, and is back at work due to Carlisle's excellent care.

We walk inside, and Esme immediately starts with my vitals. I've gained about seven pounds so far, which Carlisle is very pleased. I lay down, he does his feeling around measuring by touch, and everything seems on track. He brings out the new ultrasound machine...one of three we got, and he is quite pleased with it. We get my shirt raised, apply some gel, and he goes to looking. He turns on the sound, and it sounds like galloping horses. He moves the wand around taking his more detailed measurements, and then, "Aahhh, so your wanting to know the sex, right?" turning giving us a sly grin.

Edward is about to jump across the table taking control of the machine to see for himself. Carlisle just laughs, and we both say, "Yes, of course. Quit teasing, and tell us already."

"Well, it looks like your having..." turning the machine to show us, "...a boy."

"Yeah," Edward screams jumping up, and kissing the daylights out of me. "I love you, my Bella. We're going to have a boy. I got a son," and it hits him as he stumbles to sit down. He looks awully pale. Esme walks over patting him on the back, telling him it's alright, He's going to be a wonderful daddy.

"Thanks to my Bella," leaning over, and kissing me again. "I love you," as a tear runs down his cheek. "I love you, daddy," making him smile even bigger. We get me cleaned up, shaking Carlisle's hand, receiving a hug from them both, and head out the door.

We are greeted outside the door by quite a few people..."Well...," Seth say's.

"We're having a...boy," at the top of Edward's lungs. He's just a smiling, pats on his back, shaking hands, and I continue on to my back porch. Angela, and the ladies are waiting on me with a glass of sweet iced tea, some cookies, and talk of a baby shower.

Things are moving right along. I can hardly wait to see our son running after his daddy. I love him already, so damn much. Just a little while longer.

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Alright people, we got us an ultrasound, and it looks like we're having a boy. YEAH...now, just about five more months, and we'll have us a baby. Still got more to prepare for, and another winter coming.

Ya'll do realize we're going to have a December baby, right? Maybe Christmas? We'll see...

Now, pics on group page, and let me know what ya'll think.

Thanks muches...