The Secret Baby

Chapter Twenty-Four

Three Months Later...

It's hard to believe that my life has changed so much this past year. I married the love of my life three months ago, and last week we got the exciting news that he has officially adopted my two beautiful children. I've started going to college online and only working two nights a week at the tavern to spend more time with our children and focus on my schooling.

"Hey, Mrs. Rhodes," Sam said seductively, walking into the kitchen. "Are you ready for this party?"

"To celebrate our family? Absolutely." I replied, walking over to give him a kiss. "I'm also looking forward to meeting all your unit buddies."

"I can't wait to show off my wife and kids to all my buddies," Sam commented, pulling me into his arms. We kept the wedding guest list small and simple. Only our closest friends and family attended, which made it more memorable. "I love you, Charlotte Rhodes."

"I love you." I gave him another kiss and wiggled away. I handed him a tray of food that I had prepared for the party. "Can you take this downstairs?"

He took the tray as I grabbed the last tray and headed down the back-deck steps to our backyard. We set the food trays on the table and turned to see our kids playing in the backyard with their grandparents. Ashtyn is already 3 and a half, and Fred is now one. They are growing up so fast.

"Today is a good day." I sighed as Sam wrapped his arm around my shoulders. It's the Fourth of July, and Sam wanted to throw a party to celebrate everything with all his unit men, except Jaxon, of course. Will took care of the invitations to help ensure Jaxon didn't find out.

More and more people started to trickle into the backyard as Sam brought me over to meet the guys as they arrived. I recognized some from the tavern but can't recall their names. Fred crawled over to me since all these strange faces were making him nervous. I held him close until it was time for his nap. Right on time, he began rubbing his eyes. I excused myself from the small group Sam and I was chatting with to put Fred down for his nap.

"Hey, babe, can you bring the wedding album when you come back out?" Sam asked. I nodded and proceeded up the stairs to the back porch and into the house.

I put Fred down, grabbed the monitor and photo album, and headed back outside. As I began to walk down the steps, I froze. Ricochet walked in, followed by none other than Jaxon Kelly. This was not going to end well. I walked over to Sam just as Ricochet and Jaxon made their rounds through their friends.

"Daddy!" Ashtyn called through the crowd running to see Sam. She was carrying something in her hand, and I could only imagine what it was. She is in the phase of finding bugs intriguing lately. At least I knew whatever it was, Sam' dad told her it was safe to pick up.

I watched as Ashtyn excitedly called for Sam' attention. Sam turned around with a smile on his face to answer as Jaxon crouched down to her level. Ricochet gave him a strange look, but Jaxon ignored it. "There's my little girl. What are you doing here?" Jaxon called to Ashtyn.

She froze, took two steps back, and then ran a wide girth around Jaxon to Sam. "Daddy, look what Pop-pop and I found." She said, opening her hand slightly for Sam to see.

"Wow, look at that. Did Pop-pop tell you what it is?" Sam asked, scooping her up into his arms so she could show Will.

"Yes. It's a ladybug." She stated proudly. She opened her hand flat so Will and the others could see, and the ladybug flew away. "Uh-oh. It needed to go home." Ashtyn giggled. "I'm going to go find more bugs with Pop pop." She wrapped her arms tightly around Sam' neck and kissed his cheek. "Daddy, who is that man?" She asked as he lowered her back to the ground. She was pointing to Jaxon, who was glaring at Sam.