Jedediah's family ended up staying far longer than they originally had planned. They spent lots of time with Aubrey and Cole, laughing and talking as if they all have known one another for a very long time. Cole took to Clay and Joseph just as fast as he had taken to Jedediah almost a year ago. A way with children obviously runs in the Williams family.

Aubrey and Stacy hit it off quickly as they start to discuss things for the wedding as well as things to spruce up the house. Often times Aubrey will look at Jedediah and ask him if it is okay with him when Stacy would suggest something. Every time Jedediah has the same reply, "If that's what you want it is totally fine with me."

After about the third time of her asking him he smiles and takes her hand. "Come here right quick, I need to show you something."

With a confused look on her face she follows him outside to the barn. Grinning at her facial expression he wraps his arms around her shoulders. He sits on hay bail and pulls her into his lap. He nods in front of him to his tall sorrel gelding standing in the pen. "You know Vance, there is my personal horse. You know what that means?"

She shakes her head and looks at him expectantly. Where he is going with this conversation is a pure mystery to her.

"That means that he is yours too because what is mine is yours. That also means that the house is yours to decorate however you like to. You don't have to ask me if everything is okay. Do it how you want to do it. It really doesn't matter to me what you put on the walls or what the curtains look like as long as you and Cole are going to be there living with me."

Placing a soft kiss on his lips she feels like she is the luckiest woman in the world. His words mean more than he knows and more than she can begin to tell him. He has always been loving to Cole, but now that everything is much more serious with the wedding his words of wanting Cole to be there too means that much more to her. "You are too sweet for your own good!"

He chuckles and kisses her again before swiftly picking her up bridal style which causes her to shriek with surprise. In turn this causes him he grins and kisses her cheek before carrying her to the house. He sets her in the chair across from Stacy, places a kiss on the top of her head and walks away to his dad as if nothing happened, all while wearing a smirk. This leaves Aubrey giggling and Stacy grinning like a mad man.

While the women share recipes and talk about their cooking fails, Joseph and Jedediah discuss things in the tool shed and Cole and Clay are off doing who knows what. Aubrey feels a little sorry for Clay, but it makes her very happy that they get along so well and have such an interest in one another.

"I know you, that wasn't how you were planning to propose to her. What was your plan?" Joseph asks Jedediah.

Jedediah grins. "Well I was going to take her up to my favorite place just south of the barn and watch the stars from the bed of my pickup. Then I was going to pop the question."

His dad smiles with tears resting in the back of his eyes. "That is a very romantic idea." He pauses, "Just like you always have been. I have always known that you would make someone a very good husband. Since the time you were about five years old I knew you were sensitive to others feelings and I always prayed that you would find a woman that would appreciate that and compliment that. I believe you that have in Aubrey."

Jedediah hugs his dad with happy tears threatening to fall. "Thanks dad. I have always admired the way you love momma and how you never fail to show her that. And even though as a kid it embarrassed me the way you showed her love in public I know now why and understand the meaning of it."

He pauses and his dad nods while a smile rests on his lips.

Jedediah stares off into space as he continues to speak, "When I am in public with Aubrey I feel like I have to show all the boys that she's mine."

Joseph chuckles and nods. "That's exactly how I feel. Even now that we have been married years I still feel like I need to let the male gender know that she's mine."

"I know exactly what you mean."
***

Aubrey can't get the smile off her face as she tucks Cole into bed, not that she wants to. The happiness that runs through her can't be put down by anything. It is only added to by the smile her son gives her after finishing his bedtime prayers. "Momma, guess what?"

She smiles at him and kisses his cheek. "What's that?"

"I'm glad Jedi is going to be my Daddy. Momma can I ask you something?"

"Yes of course, sweet boy."

He sits up in his bed. "You love Jedediah, right?" 

"Yes, I do I love him very much. Why do you ask?"

"Well he said that you want to marry him and that grown ups marry when they get love each other."

"Yes that's true."

He kisses her cheek. "Well I'm glad we are going to be a family."

She wraps him in a tight hug and kisses his golden locks. "I am so happy too. You go to bed now, we have a full day in front of us!"

"Good night momma."

"Good night Cole."

With a smile on her lips, her heart and even in her mind she takes a quick shower before settling into her big bed. Her thoughts begin to wind down beginning with what it will be like going to sleep with Jedediah laying beside her every night. Then they roam to how she will manage when he isn't there for a week when they work the calves in the fall and spring. Finally they end in thoughts of the joys and sorrows they will share together in the years to come.

A/N
What do you guys think?

Thoughts?