Love Under the Western Skies

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ ɴɪɴᴇ

ꜱᴛᴇᴠᴇ

➵➵➵➵➵➵➵❂➵➵➵➵➵➵➵

It's Goldsprings rodeo week, and the town is buzzing.

My hometown rodeo, and the first rodeo where Madison and I are public. I had a thrill of excitement around me at all times. I loved her so goddamn much, and as she walked around the rodeo grounds with Rosie, carrying our son and our unborn child in her, I couldn't help but love her a little more. The house had been buzzing for the week, Rae and Nathan flew in earlier in the week to prepare for the rodeo, and Kristina and Nash arrived in the early hours of the morning. I swore if I had to drive to the airport one more time in the next three days I was going to scream.

But I'd do it for Madison, these people were important to her, and in turn, they were now important to me, and the giant smiles she wore every morning when she came downstairs to the chaos of my home, I'd do it over and over.

"It's the first rodeo since your big announcement," The reporter in front of me brought my attention back to him, trying to hide the smile that was forming, "What's it like dating one of the most prominent names in the circuit?"

"Madison is amazing," I smiled, I couldn't help it, if I could she would be the only thing I talked about, "I'm so lucky Nash decided to send her here to help me out, she's one of the kindest souls I've ever met," I tucked my hands in my pockets, glancing up at Madison who was blowing raspberries on Rhett's tummy as he giggled, squirming in her hold, Rhett loved her so much, it was evident by the way he kept giggling mama, and the smile on Madison's lips gave away how much she loved him as well, "She's such a good mother figure for Rhett, my son, and she's made me want to be an even better father, Madison pushes me to be a better person."

"Madison Sawyer has always been a big name, it's good to hear that she's still as humble as she was when I talked to her all those years ago. It was nice talking to you."

I nodded, shaking the man's hand before jogging over to where Madison was leaning over the tailgate, tickling Rhett and I could finally see why. His nose was red and two thick tear tracks were on his cheeks. But he was no longer crying, Madison had him giggling and kicking his feet. "Hi buttercup," I placed my hand on her back, smiling when she turned her head, puckering her lips for a kiss, which I granted her immediately, and then I turned to Rhett, who was reaching up for me. "Hi, cowboy."

"Dada," Rhett smiled, wrapping his arms around my neck when I lifted him, settling him on my hip.

"Do I even want to know what had him crying?" I asked, pulling Madison closer to me, my palm resting on her stomach, her smile growing when she laid her head on my shoulder.

"He just got scared of a bull," Madison pulled her sleeve over her hand, wiping down Rhett's cheeks when he looked at her, "We went to watch Nate warm up and one of the bulls crashed into the fence, he got spooked," Madison pressed up on her toes to kiss Rhett's cheek, "But we're better now, we got some ice cream and we're all smiles again."

"God I love you," I murmured, pulling her closer to kiss her softly, smiling against her mouth. "How's my girls doing?"

"We don't know what the baby is," Madison chided, and I rolled my eyes, kissing her cheek before rubbing her stomach, "If you keep saying that it's a girl, you're going to be sad if it's not."

"No baby, I'm happy regardless," I slid my hand into her back pocket as we started walking towards where Rae was squealing, "As long as you both are healthy that's all I care about, but I have a feeling it's a girl."

Madison smiled, leaning into me as we crossed the staging area, Rhett watched Rae closely as she squealed, bouncing on her heels, as Nathan smiled at her. I imagine how Nathan looks at Rae is how I look at Madison, with stars in our eyes and love exuding from us. I climbed down the stairs first, sticking my hand up for Madison helping her climb down. When Rae spotted Madison she bolted, crashing into Madison so hard I winced, placing my hand on Madison's back to make sure she didn't tumble over, "Careful Rae," I teased, "She's got precious cargo on board."