Ready For Love?

Chapter 36

Reid POV

I tried not to puff out my chest and beat it like an ape. I had bought a home, a beautiful home that my future wife loved.

A home. I bought a home, a real home, not a house, a home.

I have accomplished a lot in my life, more than most foster kids could ever dream of. It has always been a good outlet, a way to control my anger as well.

I also know that’s why they choose people like me. No real family, no aversion to violence or blood. The only problem could be loyalty, as a lot have no loyalty to anyone as they don’t trust anyone.

I get that, I do, but I also get the bigger picture. Granny taught me that. She was my last home and the one that any child in foster needs. She gave me a steady home, good food, good advice and a clip over the ear when I needed it, even though I was already so tall and dwarfed her.

She’s the one that steered me towards the military, knowing they would help straighten me out. I owe her everything.

Pride… that’s it. I actually felt pride at the thought that I had just bought a home, a family home.

I knew I would buy one eventually but never thought about it having this much emotion behind it. To me it just had to cover the basics, Annie certainly taught me otherwise, and I actually enjoyed today and the process.

She would point out things I would never have thought of, and I couldn’t help but laugh when she said a house was too small for my size. Yeah, that had me puffing out my chest as well.

She would walk around and talk about how I needed space for my ‘massive ass Yank Tank Truck thing’, my bike and tools. She made sure the place had a spot for the ‘man cave’ as well as the ‘lounge’… Australian for living room. She spoke about making sure the dining space was actually big enough for a good table, the bedrooms big enough for beds and furniture, even down to the size of the ensuite.

She looked at storage, layout, back decking, privacy, kitchen counter space, appliances… so many things that I would never have even guessed to think about.

I did like the ‘glass house’ as she called it, but she didn’t, so it was off the list. And when I thought about it, she was right, it was not a home for young kids, and we hadn’t talked about whether she wanted more kids… well, we haven’t actually talked at all.

We will get to that.

This last house was last for a reason. My instincts told me that this was the one, and I was right.

I can see her sitting on the back deck, cooking in the kitchen with me, trying to help, making love in the bedroom with the kids a good distance away.

I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her screw up her nose at the kid’s bathroom. “What is it?”

“American bathrooms are so poky, and they always put the toilet in them, which should only be done if absolutely necessary, like in apartments. It’s just so gross! Have you ever seen a boy try to aim first thing in the morning? Or smelt the bathroom after they have had junk and nothing but sugar at a friends? It's nasty!” See, I would never have thought of that... and I couldn't help but laugh at her screwed-up expression. I have to admit, I have been using the downstairs facilities when doing anything but a piss with her around.

It was probably better to have the toilet separate, and good ventilation.

I made a note to come back and get it fixed to the way she liked.

I want her and the kids to turn this place into a home and have it exactly the way they like.

There were a few other little things, like covering the back deck, putting in a firepit out back. All would be done with a cubby house, trampoline and swing set, even if she didn't mention them. The thought of it all made it feel more and more like our home.

Our home.

Her kids arrive tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to finally meeting them. I have bought them some presents and I can’t wait to see what they think of the house and the horses.

The dumb realtor started spouting the story of the owner like a teenage girl telling gossip in the cafeteria. I wanted to tell her to shut the f**k up, especially as I saw Annie’s face.

I waited and pulled her in, holding her tight when toher emotions finally spilled over. She may think she’s an emotional mess, I think she’s amazing. So many deep feelings that she wears on her sleeve.

My possessive side doesn’t like the fact that she will forever have someone else in her heart. But we all have a past and I know I wasn’t ready for Annie or the kids until now.

It has f*****g blown everyone’s mind that I’m here, and I’m claiming a woman with kids. A smart, beautiful, caring woman who is the complete opposite to my selfish, self-centred ass.

I know I am, there’s no pretending I’m not. I am who I am, and you can f**k off if you don’t like it.

After we finished up, I took her to the best little Italian restaurant in town. I wasn’t sure when the next time was that I would get her to myself, so didn’t want to go back to the clubhouse yet.

No doubt Beast would be there as well, ready to keep f*****g trying.

I sent a text to Keys to let him know I bought the last place. I got him to do a deep dive on any issues with the builder we should be aware of, the land and the guy we are buying it from.

Then I sent a text to Viking to let him know as well and ask for some trades to be assigned to finish the house off and make the modifications to the bathroom, ensuite and deck that Annie spoke about. Also put in the best security system on the market.

I didn’t expect him to text back that Basket grew up working in a stable so would be able to help with the horses. It was a good idea and the small one bedder would be perfect for him if he wished to stay.

He’s too heavily medicated at the moment to ride or drive, but there’s more than enough of us to drive him around. I also know Annie will dot on him and take him under her wing, or should I say continue to. Doc is happy with how she even got him and everyone out for a walk yesterday.

I don't know the last time he has left the compound since Doc and his psych come here. Doc brings all his medication and there was always food in the fridge for him. There are cleaners that restock his bathroom even so there was really no reason for him to leave.

When he is stable enough he said he was going to try out in the landscaping company, but if he looks after the horses and land of my property, it would work out perfectly.

I text Viking back asking if he could word Basket up, see if he was up to coming for a drive tomorrow as well.

Sitting in the restaurant with Annie was easy once again, the whole day was. There was never any uncomfortable silence.

I finally understood it. Really understood it.

“So how old are you?” She c****d an eyebrow and stabbed her fork into the pasta.

“Thirty-five and no I have no idea what star sign I am.”

Luckily, she hadn’t put the food in her mouth, or I think I would be wearing it right now. Her laugh came out quickly from surprise before she quickly brought the napkin up to her mouth.

“I would be very surprised if you did know. You're actually older than I expected. I thought I was hitting cougar territory.”

That had me laughing as I shook my head. “Well, sorry if that disappoints you. Plus, I doubt you're over thirty-two.” She did have amazing skin.

“Oh you be lying through your ass… but I’ll take it.” She put the fork in her mouth.

I already knew her age from the reports Keys gave me. I had no problems at all even if she was forty-nine, but I certainly wasn't dumb enough to tell her anything over thirty-five.