Small Town Love

Chapter 2

Dustin's POV

I'd woken up to Hailee moving around in bed, trying to get comfortable. I looked over at the alarm clock on her side of the bed, it was 3 am. She eventually snuggled into my chest and tossed a leg over my hips, as if to cage me into the bed. I didn't mind it though, I was the most relaxed when I had her next to me. I kept an arm around her shoulders and kissed her head, she looked so peaceful that I couldn't wake her up. I felt Alecia climb in the middle of Hailee & I as she whisper shouted, "Daddy, be careful, there's a baby in momma's belly!" I looked at my 3 year old, in shock. Hailee hadn't told me about the baby, I didn't even know about it. Hailee stirred in her sleep and woke up slowly as she rubbed her eyes, "Hey baby, what's wrong?" I looked from her to Alecia and back, "What's this about a baby?" She looked at me, wide eyed, "Alecia, that was supposed to be a secret. I was gonna tell Daddy this morning with breakfast."

I smiled as I rubbed her back, "Either way, I'm still surprised, honey. This is probably the best news to come home to." She leaned back into bed, as Alecia climbed over me as if I was a jungle gym. I smiled as Hailee leaned back into her position against me and Alecia snuggled between us. I'd fallen asleep for about 3 more hours before I woke back up at 6 am and went downstairs. Hailee and Alecia were still asleep in the bed as I made breakfast. I held our son, Alex, who was almost 1 as I finished up with the scrambled eggs. "Let's go see if your momma's up, little man. I'm sure you're hungry and daddy's just not built like momma is." I said as he snuggled into my chest. I loved this feeling, being a dad and a husband, I loved every minute I was home. I heard my acoustic version of 'Cowboys & Angels' playing off the Bluetooth speaker in our bathroom and Hailee singing along. I smiled, her voice fit the melody perfectly. I waited in the bedroom with Alex as he was moving around but, still asleep. I swear, both my kids are just as squirmy as their momma. When I'm home from the road, I get kicked every other night by my wife it seemed. I heard the shower turn off and saw Hailee step out into the bedroom in her robe from my music video for 'Seein Red'. She smiled as I looked up, "Good morning, I didn't know it took this much brain power to help me get dressed and ready for the day." I smiled and laughed before I kissed her softly, "Good morning, beautiful. Breakfast is almost done but, little man was starting to fuss and get hungry. Like an idiot, I didn't think to check the fridge. Please tell me there's a few bottles made up."

She nodded and smiled as she kissed me back, "Yeah, there's a few in the fridge. There's probably three more in the freezer. If you can put them in the sink or the fridge, that'd help out a lot." I nodded and laughed as Brinkley ran into the room and onto the bed, waking Alecia up. "BRINKS! I need my beauty sleep!" Alecia yelled, but still hugged his neck. I laughed along with Hailee as he jumped down and headed back down the stairs. I walked back down with Alex in my arms as Alecia followed soon behind us. "Alright, little dude, let's get you set up and finish up with breakfast." I said, as I sat Alex in his play pen with a freshly heated bottle. He looked up at me then laid back onto the cow pillow that my sister, Kristin, had gotten him when he was first born. I stepped back into the kitchen to see Hailee and Alecia finishing up breakfast for me and smiled. "What are two beautiful girls doing in my kitchen?" Alecia ran over to me and hugged me, "Daddy, we're tryna help you finish up!" I picked her up and kissed her cheek, "I appreciate that, princess. Thank you. And, thank you, sweetheart." I said, as I kissed Hailee gently.

"You're welcome, honey. Now, where's my baby?" She asked, looking at me. "Uhm, right here? He's over in the play pen, babe. He's got his bottle, propped up on the cow, he's good." She still walked over and picked him up. She walked back over with Alex and Brinkley soon followed from outside. Brinkley was my family dog that somehow became our dog. I think it was because once Alecia started walking, she followed that dog anywhere. He became her best friend. That dog got me through a lot when I was a kid, so, I can see why he took a liking to Alecia. She was currently sitting next to Hailee, who had Alex on her lap and Alecia was holding the bottle up for him. I grabbed my phone and took a photo of the four of them.

'No better feeling than being home to witness these moments.' I captioned it after posting it on Instagram & Twitter. It got a 1, 000 likes within two minutes. I smiled before setting my phone back down and putting it on airplane mode so I wouldn't be disturbed during family time. That was a HUGE pet peeve of mine. If I was with my family, or just my wife, I didn't like to be bothered unless it was a major issue. Alecia prayed and we began to eat. I know that just praying doesn't work but, there's hardly any time for us all to be together and go to church so, this was the best we could do. "Mm, baby, this is good. Did you do something different to them?" Hailee asked, looking at me as she finished chewing the eggs. "I tossed in some garlic salt and pepper. That's about it." Alecia nodded and agreed with her momma, "Its really good, Daddy!" Hailee shushed her to keep her voice quiet as Alex was slowly starting to fall asleep against Hailee's chest. "Thank you, sweetie. Can you finish up for momma & daddy then go get dressed? Daddy's gonna head into town and you can help Daddy with a special mission." She nodded, finished her breakfast and then headed upstairs to get ready.

She came down in a dusty blue dress and nude flats without fastening them around her ankle, "I'm ready, Daddy!" I laughed a little but, knelt down and fastened them for her. "Alright, head out to the truck, Daddy'll be there in a second." I said, watching as she took off towards the garage. "I'll be back soon, angel. I love you." Hailee smiled as she leaned in & kissed me, as she held Alex. "I love you too, baby. Drive safe." I smiled and kissed Alex's cheek, "Keep momma busy, little man, I'll be back soon." I walked out to my truck to see Alecia trying to open the door.

"Here, let Daddy help you." She waited for me to open the door and to lift her up. I put her in the car seat, buckled her up and drove to town. We were about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville and it was something I loved. Being far enough away for a peaceful life but, not too far enough away if we needed something. Alecia decided to find her momma on the radio and started to attempt to sing along to "Starving". I had my truck cam on and decided to face it towards her, watching every now and then as she made up her own little movements. Then, "Good Girl" decided to come on right after. I laughed a little bit before turning it up and watching Alecia belt it out. I sang with her, and continued even though we'd parked at our destination. I was getting Hailee a few things, not that she'd asked but, I figured with Alecia's help, it wouldn't be let out and she'd really be surprised.

Hailee's POV, 2 hours later

After Dustin left with Alecia, I decided to put Alex down for his mid morning nap and get a few things done around the house before they got back. I smiled as I found the pregnancy test I'd taken a few days ago after I cleaned the bathroom a little better. It wasn't like it was out in the open, it was in my side of the bathroom drawer. I heard Alex fussing and decided to get him up, he was only down for an hour or so. "Hey, its alright. Momma's here, it's ok." He almost immediately fell back to sleep against my chest as Alecia & Dustin walked into the living room. "mommy! guess what we got!?" Alecia yelled. I shushed her as I motioned to Alex being asleep. She quickly got quieter and asked the question again in a whisper. "What'd you get?" I asked, whispering back. "Alecia Skyrah, I told you not to tell your momma." Dustin said as he walked over to us, leaned down and kissed me. "All she said was y'all got food, baby. What else did you get that I can't know about?" I asked, slightly laughing. "Oh, nothing. Thank you for the help, kiddo. Wanna go play with Brinkley?" Dustin asked Alecia. She nodded and kicked her flats off as she ran and found the dog. "Alright, ready for surprise one of three?" He asked as he gently took Alex off my chest. "Surprise one?" I asked, looking him.

He nodded and walked into our bedroom, where he since had put a few boxes on the bed, one small enough to hold a ring, another big enough for boots. I looked over at him as he gently rocked Alex side to side. "All of this is surprise one?" He smiled and nodded, "Yeah, all for you." I picked up the small one first and opened it, it was a diamond ring.