Chapter 162: Jaxon

Chapter 162: Jaxon
The sun is beginning its slow descent toward the horizon, casting a golden glow over the fields ahead. The light catches in Paige’s hair, turning it into strands of molten gold as she walks a few steps ahead of me, holding Everleigh’s tiny hand in hers. Everleigh, all small and wobbly steps, tugs on her mother with excitement, pointing wildly at the flowers that stretch out in every direction.

A light breeze rustles through the wild grass, carrying the scent of lavender and sun-warmed earth. The rolling hills ahead of us are a patchwork of soft green and gold, dotted with clusters of bright wildflowers. The sky is a flawless shade of blue, with wisps of white clouds stretching lazily across it. Portugal has given us some breathtaking views over the years, but this? This moment right here? This might be my favorite one yet.

Everleigh lets out a little squeal of delight as she crouches down, reaching for a daisy that’s almost as big as her hand. She tries to pluck it, but her tiny fingers struggle against the stubborn stem. Paige kneels beside her, showing her how to twist it gently, and when Everleigh finally manages to snap it free, she looks up at me with a triumphant grin, holding her prize high above her head.

“Look, Daddy! I got one!”

Her voice is the purest thing I’ve ever heard. It knocks the breath right out of me every damn time.

I crouch beside her, brushing a stray curl from her face. “You did, baby girl,” I say, my voice softer than I ever thought it could be. “It’s beautiful.”

She beams, all pride and joy, and then—without hesitation—reaches up and places the flower in my hand instead of keeping it for herself. I stare at the tiny daisy, feeling my chest tighten.

This kid.

This little girl, who waddled into my life two years ago and flipped my entire world upside down in the best way possible.

I never thought I’d have this. I never thought I’d want this.

But standing here, in the middle of this wildflower field, with my daughter giving me the only daisy she picked, and Paige watching us with a look of love so deep it makes my bones ache—I know I’d burn the whole world down before I let anything take this away from me.

Paige straightens, brushing dirt from her sundress. “Everleigh, do you want to pick more flowers or go see the horses?”

“Horses!” Everleigh immediately throws both arms in the air and starts running toward the nearby stable before Paige even finishes the question.

Paige laughs. “That was quick.”

I smirk. “She’s got her priorities straight.”

We follow our daughter toward the wooden fences where the horses are grazing. A few of them lift their heads, ears twitching in curiosity as Everleigh rushes forward. The stable owner, an older Portuguese woman named Rosa, waves when she spots us approaching.

“Boa tarde, meus amores,” she calls warmly. Good afternoon, my loves. She always calls us that. Paige and Everleigh adore her.

Everleigh tugs on my hand excitedly. “Can I pet them?”

I nod, hoisting her up so she can reach. “Be gentle, baby.”

She reaches out, tiny fingers brushing the horse’s nose, and giggles when it huffs against her palm. Paige is next to us, smiling, her green eyes reflecting the warm light of the setting sun. She looks peaceful. Happy.

Rosa steps closer, resting her hands on her hips. “Are you finally letting her ride today?” she asks in Portuguese, eyeing me with knowing amusement.

Paige smirks, turning to me. “Yeah, Jaxon. Are you?”

I exhale through my nose. The thought of Everleigh on a horse—even a small, gentle one—makes my stomach tighten. But she loves them. She talks about them constantly.

I rub my jaw, pretending to think it over. “I don’t know… do you think she’s ready?”

Everleigh whips around so fast I almost laugh. “Daddy! I’m ready!”

I look at her big, pleading eyes, then at Paige, who’s watching me with that teasing, knowing smirk, and I sigh.

“Alright, princess. Let’s get you on a horse.”

Everleigh shrieks with excitement, and Paige laughs, nudging me. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”

It takes a few minutes to get Everleigh settled on the small pony Rosa has picked for her. I stand next to her the entire time, hand resting lightly on her back, ready to catch her if she so much as wobbles. Paige stands a few feet away, taking pictures with her phone, beaming like the proudest mom on earth.

Everleigh rides in slow, careful circles while Rosa leads the pony. She’s got the biggest grin on her face, and every so often, she looks back at me as if to make sure I’m watching.

“Look, Daddy! I’m doing it!”

I nod, swallowing the tightness in my throat. “You’re doing amazing, baby.”

And she is. She’s amazing. This whole damn life is amazing.

After horseback riding, we walk back to the field where we left our picnic blanket. The sky is burning orange and pink now, and the ocean in the distance looks like it’s on fire with the way the light dances on the waves. Paige lies back on the blanket, propping herself up on her elbows, while Everleigh crawls into my lap, exhausted from all the excitement.

Paige sighs contentedly. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to sunsets like this.”

I hum in agreement, brushing a hand over Everleigh’s soft curls. She’s already half-asleep against my chest.

Paige turns her head to look at me, her expression shifting into something softer. Something deeper. “You’re happy, aren’t you?”

The question catches me off guard, but not because I don’t know the answer.

I do.

I just never thought someone would ask me that before.

I glance down at Everleigh, her tiny fingers curled against my shirt. Then back at Paige, her green eyes full of warmth and understanding.

I let out a breath. “Yeah. I am.”

She smiles, reaching out to brush her fingertips along my jaw. “Good.”

I tilt my head, pressing a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Are you?”

Her smile widens. “So much.”

And that’s all I need.

I tug her closer, my hand resting on the back of her neck as I kiss her—slow, deep, full of everything I don’t know how to say with words. She melts into me, fingers sliding into my hair, and for a moment, there’s nothing but this. Nothing but the scent of wildflowers, the sound of the waves in the distance, and the warmth of Paige pressed against me.

Eventually, we pull back, breathless but smiling. Everleigh shifts slightly in my lap, making a sleepy noise, and Paige laughs softly.

I exhale, shaking my head. “Our kid’s gonna be a heartbreaker.”

Paige smirks. “She takes after her dad.”

I roll my eyes but don’t argue. Instead, I pull her against my side, tucking Everleigh closer, and together we watch as the last bit of sun dips below the horizon.

For the first time in my life, I don’t feel like I’m running.

For the first time in my life, I don’t feel like I have to fight to survive.

I just feel… at peace.

And I think, yeah. Maybe this is what happy feels like.