It Goes On - Book l

Color Me America - Part 2

Simon's Point of View:

"Come on, love, just one picture. You look beautiful." I cooed at her, watching her sigh in frustration at her body image once she was in snug-fitting clothes. It wasn't anything too fancy – just a blue button-up shirt, dark jeans, black shotgun chaps, and a black felt hat with a red "wild rag" to complete it. She looked gorgeous, her smile bright and that baby bump showing when she tucked the shirt in, and I loved how I had to help her put zip the show chaps up her legs because she couldn't do it herself as well as put her boots on. The horse looked just as flashy – red, white, and blue glitter all over his arse and in his tail, glittery-red saddle pad cover, and a matching headstall and breast collar that had red, white, and blue fringe on it. Sparkles everywhere, even me!

She shined like a diamond, yet still found a way to frown on how she looked. She thought she looked fat, but she was far from it. "Fine, Simon. Only one." She pouted. I was so proud of her, and I couldn't wait until tomorrow night when she would finally figure out that Cash was coming home with her. She posed next to the horse, and I stuck my free hand up to make him curious and prick his ears forward so he didn't look like a grumpy bastard.

Yes, I learned that trick too when it came to taking photogenic pictures with a horse involved. "Smile like you're happy, love."

"I am, Simon!"

"Nah, that's a fake smile," I arched my brow at her. "Don't make me accidentally hit play on my recent video."

"You wouldn't dare!" She blushed, smiling in embarrassment at my threat, and that's how I baited her into taking a picture with an actual smile. Gotcha, love. Fuck, you're so beautiful.

"You're right, I wouldn't, but I sure did get you to smile instead of faking one!"

"My God. Suddenly I wish you were in the stands."

"Not on your life, sweetheart. I'll be right there at the end of that alley waiting to lend a hand when you need it. That flag change is going to be tricky."

"Why's that?"

"I somehow found myself into being asked to help the other poor blokes with the girls on the team to hand out flags when the time came. Other than that, I'll be taking plenty of videos for you and your mum. She's here, by the way."

"Is she?!"

"Yep. Johnny couldn't make it because of his head, but I promised I'd show him videos."

"I'd rather him be at home resting. Does she have the twins?"

"You know she does, love." God, I was so excited to see my twins, to smother them in kisses and hold them close to me, the thought of their cute matching outfits sending my mind into overdrive. I was so happy to be a father, and I was so glad I left the military life behind. "I'm going to wait to see them when you get the chance. You missed them more than me, I'm sure."

"I think it's mutual."

"Probably so," I hummed, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips, not caring if it ruined that red lipstick or not before she tightened the cinch of Cash's saddle. "Alright, lad, you've got precious cargo on your back. Take care of her, yeah?" I threatened playfully, pressing my index finger between the horse's eyes before I rewarded him with a treat I had hidden in my pocket. I was no better by spoiling this nag, but I couldn't help it.

"Hey! Kiera!" Lexi exclaimed, trotting her horse up to her before stopping. "They're doing things different this year. We're still doing the same routine, but they're wanting one of us to perform to a song to get everyone in the mood for the military ceremony, and I think you're the one to do it."