chapter fifteen

I'd been thinking about this day for days, maybe longer. When I found out from Phil that Kayla had been horseback riding for years, it just clicked in my head.

I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it sooner. She was the kind of woman who deserved something special, and I was finally getting to the point where I wanted to show her exactly how much she meant to me. I'd always known I wanted her in my life, but today—today felt different.

I was doing something just for her, to thank her for everything. And deep down, I knew I wanted more. Kayla wasn't just my girlfriend. She was someone I could imagine being by my side forever.

The horses at the ranch were waiting for us when we arrived. There was a crisp breeze in the air, and the sun was already starting to dip a little lower in the sky.

It was the kind of late afternoon that made everything look golden. The ranch itself was peaceful. You could almost hear the land breathing—an unhurried rhythm that felt right. I smiled to myself. This was perfect for her. I couldn't wait to see her face when she got on a horse again.

"Ready?" I asked as I led her toward the stable.

Kayla had this energy about her that was impossible to ignore—confident, radiant, the kind of woman who lit up every room she walked into.

She gave me a playful grin and nodded. "Born ready," she said, already reaching for the reins.

I couldn't help but chuckle, watching her get comfortable so quickly. There was a calm in her movements, a familiarity that told me horseback riding wasn't just a hobby to her. It was a passion. And now, I had the privilege of sharing it with her.

I made sure she got settled on a horse that I knew was gentle enough for a fun, relaxing ride. I wanted her to enjoy every minute of this, and not feel nervous or tense. It was her time to shine.

I filmed little clips of her as she got on, snapping pictures, capturing the way she looked so at home in the saddle. I wanted to hold on to these moments for as long as I could.

"You look amazing," I said, adjusting the camera on my phone.

Kayla smiled, glancing back at me. "You're such a dork." But there was no malice in her words—just affection, teasing.

I watched her ride for a while, smiling like an idiot. There was something about the way she moved, the way she handled the horse like it was second nature. It made my chest swell with pride. This wasn't just a woman I cared for. This was the kind of woman who made you believe in better things. She was steady, graceful, and full of surprises, like a force of nature. And I was lucky enough to be in her orbit.

I couldn't stop thinking about the future. Kayla wasn't just here for today. She was going to be in my life forever. I could see it so clearly now. Every little piece of the puzzle was falling into place. The way she loved India. The way she wanted to be a mother, not just to her own kids but to the people she cared about.

I could already imagine her teaching India to ride when she was old enough—teaching her everything Kayla had learned over the years. It warmed my heart, imagining the two of them side by side, galloping across fields together.

"Alright, let's take a break," I called out after a while, not wanting to rush anything.

Kayla steered her horse toward me and brought it to a stop with ease, her smile wide and content. "This was perfect," she said, breathless in the best way. "You're full of surprises, Zilla."

I reached out to help her off the horse, and as she jumped down, I couldn't help but pull her into a tight embrace. She smelled like the fresh air and earth, like freedom.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," I told her, my voice thick with emotion. "I wanted today to be special for you. You've done so much for me and India, I just wanted to show you how much I appreciate you."

Her eyes softened as she looked at me. "You don't need to thank me, Zilla. I'm happy to do it. You and India are my world."

It was moments like this that made me realize how lucky I was. Kayla wasn't just supportive in the practical ways. She was there emotionally, always with me when I needed someone, and she was endlessly patient with me as I navigated fatherhood. She'd never made me feel like I wasn't enough, even when I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. With her, I always felt like I was enough.

We walked toward a small clearing by the river for our picnic. I'd packed a basket with all of Kayla's favorites—nothing too fancy, but I knew she'd appreciate the effort.

The river was calm, the sun hanging low and golden, reflecting off the water like liquid amber. It was a beautiful scene, the perfect backdrop for the perfect day.

As we spread out the blanket and sat down, I couldn't help but smile at her. She was glowing like she always did, and I knew I was falling deeper and deeper for her.

My mind kept drifting to the future. I wasn't just planning to be with Kayla for the next few months or years—I was planning for a life with her. I wanted to be her partner, her husband, the father of more of her children. It was the kind of love that made everything else feel insignificant.

Kayla pulled out a sandwich, took a bite, and looked at me with those eyes of hers—eyes that saw through me, understood me, and made me feel like I wasn't just some guy but someone worthy of her love.

"You know," she said, "I've been talking to Reeva lately."

I raised an eyebrow. "Reeva? What about?"

Kayla chuckled and took another bite. "She's doing a new music video for one of her songs. And she wants us to be in it."

My heart skipped a beat. "Us?"

"Yep. She wants you and me to star in it," Kayla said, grinning. "It's a love song, so I think we gotta be affectionate and over the top for it."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Over the top, huh? I can do over the top."

Kayla smirked. "I'm sure you can. You're always a little over the top with me anyway." Her voice softened, and she leaned in, her hand brushing mine. "But you know what? It'll be fun. I think we're gonna make a good team."

I squeezed her hand and leaned back, letting the moment settle between us. "I'll do it for you," I said, the words slipping out easily. Because I would. I'd do anything for her.

Kayla gave me a look that I couldn't quite place. "We're gonna be video vixens," she said with a chuckle.

"Video vixens?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know it. We're gonna have to be all sexy and affectionate on camera. It'll be ridiculous, but I think we can pull it off."

I grinned, loving the sound of her laughter and her playful teasing. "I don't mind being ridiculous with you."

Her gaze softened then, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fall away. "I love you, Zilla," she said quietly, almost as if she hadn't meant to say it out loud.

The words hit me like a wave, and I didn't hesitate. "I love you too, Kayla. More than anything."

And in that moment, as the river flowed beside us and the sun continued its slow descent, I realized this was only the beginning.

Whatever came next, whatever challenges we faced, I was ready for them—with Kayla by my side. I was ready to build the life we both deserved.

God had truly blessed me with an incredible woman.

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