It took seven days for the smell to finally go away. They ended up riding home with their parents, because it wasn't drivable in that condition. We all played dumb when the family approached us at first, but I came clean to my dad the next morning. I even paid someone to come out and detail the vehicle just to make sure it was no longer lingering.

The next few weeks were a little chaotic. Between working on my secret project with my dad, and Christmas shopping for our huge family, Shalan and I didn't have much time to relax. It felt like she was being distant, but my cousin Bells assured me it was the season to be unpredictably stressed.

She also told me it was my guilty conscious getting the best of me. I mean, I was the one with the huge secret that I was keeping from the woman I loved.

By the time the twenty third came around I thought I was going to explode. We'd been tiptoeing around for weeks, and were finally down to the grind. I had twenty four hours to pull everything together.

The family started showing up that night, and since we were hosting Christmas, Shalan was a nervous wreck. She was all over the place with orders and seemed to be freaking out about everything. On top of that, she wouldn't stop crying. Literally she cried about everything.

It drizzled and she cried. The sun came back out and she cried. I was honestly wondering if she was losing her mind.

Thankfully Bells and Rusty showed up, and with the assistance of my mother and grandmothers, Shalan got the help she needed.

My dad and I met all the guys in the barn. We'd gotten all the lighting set up, and put the tablecloths and centerpieces on all the tables. They were supposed to have been delivered a week before, but finally came in after being on backorder. My nerves were shot, but the place looked spectacular. I could see everything coming together.

My dad stood back and gave it all a once-over. "You managed to incorporate all of her ideas into this place. She's goin' to love it, son."

I smiled, imagining her face when she saw it. "I hope so. I've waited for this day for a long time. It's important for it to be perfect."

"She could still change her mind," Jake yelled from behind me.

"Don't listen to him. He's just pissed because he wants to bat for the other team and doesn't know how to tell dad."

We all turned to watch Jake punching his brother in the arm. "You're an asshole. Just because I think your girl is a waste of space don't mean you can give me shit, Jax. Back off, dude."

"Geez, you can't even take a joke," Jax replied.

"Guys, come on. Knock it off. Jax, go hang out with Reese for a while. I'm sure all those women are making her nervous." Uncle Ty did his best to keep them apart, even if it was using Jax's girlfriend to make it happen. I didn't know much about it, but from what I could see the new girl was causing all kinds of problems for the once inseparable brothers.

When Jax left everything got back to normal. Jake helped carry in a few more boxes, and we managed to get the entire area finished for the event. I could feel my nerves getting the best of me, so I decided to sit down for a second. My dad and uncle walked outside to grab a beer, but Jake stuck around inside with me. "You look like you're goin' to be sick, cuz. You havin' doubts?"

"Na, it ain't like that. I reckon I'm nervous about how she'll feel about all this."

"You think she'll get on a horse and run, like that one movie?"

I laughed and shook my head. "No. Shalan wants to be my wife. It's all she talks about. Here lately it's been even worse. I'm just worried that she'll be overwhelmed from this bein' a secret."

"What's it feel like?" He asked. Honestly I had no idea what he meant, until he reiterated. "Bein' in love. How do you know?"

I lifted my hands up feeling like it was hard to explain. "I don't know. I guess it's a feelin'. I know I want to wake up next to her every single mornin'. I want her to be the mother to my kids, and the thought of ever losin' her makes me feel terrible."

"Yeah, I get it." He looked down at the ground for a second. "If I tell you somethin' can I count on you to keep the secret?"

Before I could agree to anything my dad and uncle came back in the barn. Jake walked out, leaving me more curious than I was before.

His secret was easily forgotten when I got around the rest of family. After a nice meal, a full house of people, and a lot of conversation, everyone retreated back to wherever they were sleeping.

The only people left in our house besides Shalan and myself was my cousin Bells, her husband Rusty, and their daughter. I watched as Shalan held our niece in her arms. She seemed like such a natural, and as much as I wanted to talk to her about starting our family, I knew I didn't want to have any negative feelings when I was about to spring a wedding on her. It was important to make sure everything was perfect, even when I was dying to spill the beans.

That night while she slept peacefully beside me, I laid awake going over everything that was supposed to happen in the morning. I'd hidden my tux at my parents. Christian and Addy were going to get dressed there, and Bells was going to wait until the last minute.

My mom had come up with the idea to lure Shalan to the barn, by telling her that a professional photographer was coming to do photos of her in the fancy dress she'd chosen. Since I wasn't allowed to see it, the plan was that all of the men were going out for last minute shopping.

Thankfully she'd fell for it, and was actually excited to be able to wear her dress. My aunt Miranda was going to do her hair and makeup, for what she called a practice run of how she'd do it for the real event.

That night I spent nearly half of it worried sick that something would go wrong. The other half I tossed and turned in the bed, unable to settle down. By the next morning I was a force to be reckoned with.

Like every day I got up early and left the house, except I wasn't off to work on the ranch. I was off to get ready for my wedding.

The look on my mother's face was priceless when I walked inside of her house. I found her waiting for me at the window, anxious for a few moments alone to talk. She brought out two cups of coffee to the front porch, and we sat together on the old porch chairs. "What's up, mom? Is somethin' wrong?"

"No," she shook her head and stared into her mug. "It's not every day that your son gets married. I'm a little nervous for you, and I guess for myself. We've been through so much this past year. It's about time something good happened for a change."

I took my mother's hand and brought it up to my lips, kissing it. "Mom, I couldn't do any of this without you. I hope you know that."

She smiled confidently. "I appreciate that, Noah. I've done my best with you kids. Lately I've been feeling like it wasn't enough." She started to sniffle, even though she still looked happy. "I failed your sisters. If I'd taught them to be stronger . . ."

"Stop! You didn't fail anyone. We have to learn from our mistakes, no matter how bad they are. You taught us that everything happens for a reason. If that's true, and you believe that wholeheartedly then you can understand why I disagree. You're everything a mom should be. We're lucky to have you, and dad. I get that now. If I can have half the life that you and dad do than I'll be content. I'm so lucky to be your son."

She leaned her head on my shoulder. "Oh, Noah. I'm so proud of you. I know you'll be a good husband and an even better father someday."

I patted her hand. "I hope I can, but if I struggle I know where to turn for advice. It's not like I'm movin' away. We're just down the path, and that's where we intend on stayin'. Like it or not, you're never gettin' rid of me."

"Of me either," Christian added as she walked toward us. "I'm only movin' up the road a bit. It's still not for a while, though."

Chris sat down on the other side of our mother. We both looked at the woman who'd raised us, who'd showed us what love was, and how to forgive. Our mother looked from me to my sister. "I can't believe that you're both grown. It seems like just yesterday you were little children. Where has the time gone?"

I lifted my hand to wipe away her tears. "I guess it's time for a new chapter in our lives. Soon your house will be full of grandchildren, right, Chris?" I need my sister to go along with it, because I could tell our mother was a bit depressed.

"Of course. Ethan wants like ten kids."

We all laughed. "And once I convince my wife to stop doin' world tours, maybe we could add to the pile."

"I just want you to be happy. I want all three of you to be happy." She sniffled, but managed to smile. "I'm just very proud. Let me have this moment, for just a second. Let me pretend you're little children again, running around the yard, playing with Sam. Do you remember how much you both loved that dog?"

My mother was rambling, and while I thought of ways to comfort her, I saw the one person who could do a better job. Our dad climbed the steps to the porch and came over to kneel in front of her.

"What the fuss about, darlin'?"

She shrugged. "They're all grown up."

"That ain't nothin' to cry about, love. It's somethin' to be proud of."

She lifted her head and looked to our dad with tear-filled eyes. "I am proud. I just can't stop crying."

We all hugged her together. "Hey, what about me? Am I chopped liver?" Addy walked out the door in a pair of flannel pajama pants. She joined in, putting her arms around our dad. We sat there for a few seconds, all huddled together. I couldn't remember the last time we'd done something like this, and I didn't know if it would ever happen again, so I savored every second of it, and I think they all did too.

Chapter 9.

Shalan The morning sickness had gone away, leaving me with only a queasy feeling when I had to look in Noah's eyes knowing I had such a huge secret. Time had gotten away from me, and I'd been holding back the news that my tour had been postponed, indefinitely. I knew how the entertainment business worked. I'd be around one day, and gone the next. I'd had enough time to consider my options, and how I wanted to approach the people who represented me. However, at the end of the day my decision was final, with little to no regret. I was going to stay home and be a wife, and a mother. I'd write music, and hopefully be able to record it, albeit I wasn't in any hurry.

My priorities had changed, and for some reason all I could see was the good that would come out of it.

Once I'd checked the house to make sure Noah was off doing whatever it was that he did before the sun came up, I hurried back to our bedroom to prepare his present.

What I was giving him didn't cost me a cent, well not really. I'm sure at some point I would have made a pretty penny out on the road, but his was different. This gift was from the heart, and I intended to make it special.

After removing the sonogram picture from inside the center of a bridal magazine, I pulled out the fancy frame that I'd had made for Noah. Written on the bottom of it, in block letters displayed the name, BABY MITCHELL. I traced them with my fingertips, all the while smiling with anticipation. This gift would be better than any fancy item that money could purchase. This was sentimental, and Noah was going to love it.

When I heard the front door opening and closing I began to panic, in fear that Noah had stopped by. I shoved everything under the mattress and turned to address him, only to see that it was his cousin, Isabella. "Bells, you scared the crap out of me."

"You haven't even showered. The photographer is goin' to be here at noon, and you're never goin' to be ready."

"I just got up. I've got plenty of time. It's just pictures. Who cares if I'm a couple minutes late?"

"My aunt Van will care, because she set all this up. My mom's already on her way over to do your hair. Hurry up now, go get a shower."

I rushed into the bathroom, climbing in the shower, while Bells got my dress out and ready for me to put on.

She talked to me while I continued washing my hair. "You better hope you haven't gained anything in the last month. What if it doesn't fit?"

"It was a little big to begin with. I held off on alterations."

Once I finished with my shower she helped me get into the dress. It fit perfectly, I worried that I'd have to have it taken out. "Oh no! This won't fit me for much longer. What am I going to do?"

"Just don't worry about that today. We're goin' to make you beautiful. You can worry about the size of the dress later."

When we heard her mother coming inside we stopped talking about anything that would lead on to my pregnancy. She'd kept my secret for all these weeks, but only because she knew her cousin was going to be thrilled. Plus, it gave me time to make it through the first couple of weeks where miscarriages are more likely to happen. Since this was my first pregnancy it was important to prepare for anything.

Thankfully I was feeling better. After the initial sonogram we learned that I was further along than they first anticipated. In two more weeks I'd be through my first trimester. It explained why I'd been eating everything in sight for the past couple of months.

Noah's aunt Miranda did my makeup first, and then finally my hair. She put half up and half down in ringlet curls. A thin headband wrapped around my forehead, and in the back held the removable veil. Seeing it all on, and how it would be when I actually got married, was bittersweet. It made me want to get married immediately, as if I could call Noah over from working with the animals to come say our vows. I didn't even care if he smelled like manure.

Okay, that's not true. I was however, very excited for the real day when we could be married.

After thanking his aunt a dozen times, Noah's mother came in and froze. She put her hand over her mouth and began to tear up. I couldn't believe it. She was crying, and then I was crying, and then they were all worried about my makeup.

The photographer came in shortly afterwards. She started taking photos of me looking in mirrors and doing other things. Then we headed outside where I got the surprise of my life.

Sitting in the driveway, all decked out in garland and bows was a horse drawn carriage. I could tell right away that it was brand new. On the back it said 'Mr. & Mrs. Noah Mitchell'. I turned to look at Noah's mother, who handed me an envelope.

"Noah wanted me to give you part of your Christmas present. He said not to open it until you're taking your ride. Don't worry. I'll meet you there in a few minutes. I just want to grab my own camera from the house first. Enjoy your ride."

Climbing down from the carriage was Noah's father, Colt. He was decked out in a suit, and I'd never seen him look so sharp. "You look beautiful, Shalan. Do you mind if I give you a lift?"

"This is crazy. All this for pictures?"

He helped me up, and to get seated before climbing in beside me. "It is your present. He worked hard on this carriage. I can honestly say that we made it all ourselves."

I was in awe. The pictures were a beautiful gift, especially after having to postpone the wedding, but Noah going out of his way to give me something special for Christmas was amazing. I had to concentrate to keep from crying and running the makeup down my face. Halfway there I looked down and remembered that I had a note to read.

I tore the envelope and pulled it out, unfolding the paper.

Shalan: I wanted to give you something as beautiful as you are to me. I know we've had to wait for our perfect wedding, and it seems like everything keeps going wrong. I decided to take matters into my own hands, so that I could be able to give you the beautiful wedding that you deserve.

I made the carriage that you're riding on, and when the ride is over, we'll keep it around in the yard, or wherever you want to put it. I don't' care if you doll it up with your crazy glitter decor, just as long as when you look at it you think of our special day.

I love you, and if I could I'd give you the world.

I'll be seeing you soon.

All my love, Noah P.S.

I was wondering if you'd join me and my family in the big red barn, because on this very Christmas Eve we're going to tie the knot, in front of everyone we know and love. I'll be waiting.

When his father saw me tucking the note back in the envelope he snickered. "We're almost there, darlin'. You okay?"

"Am I dreaming?"

"Well, it does take a lot for me to put on a suit, but no, you're not dreamin'. My son's in that barn waitin' on you. Now, if you don't mind, I'd love to be able to walk you to him."

I reached over and hugged Noah's father. "Thank you for this, for everything."

He patted me on the back. "Don't you even worry about it. You're already a part of this family."

I don't know what made me do it, or why I couldn't wait to tell Noah. It just came right out of my mouth. "You're going to be a grandfather."

The man who I was about to call my father-in-law backed away. I watched his eyes gloss over as a smile as big as the horizon filled his face. "Does Noah know?"

I shook my head. "I was going to tell him tonight. I just . . . I just wanted you to know."

He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "We'll just keep this between us until you tell Noah. I've got to say, it's the best Christmas gift I think I've ever received. I'm sure my wife's goin' to say the same thing, after she hugs you to death."

We stood in front of the large red barn doors and that's when it all hit me. "This is where you were married, isn't it?"

He held out his arm for me take. "Yep, it sure is. Now I get to watch my son do it. I couldn't ask for a more perfect location if I didn't pick it out myself."

I faced forward as we opened the doors together, getting our first glimpse of everyone inside waiting.

I couldn't contain my emotions as we walked through the threshold. Seated all around the room was the entire family. They stood up to welcome us inside. Straight ahead, standing in a tuxedo, looking more handsome than I'd ever seen, was my beautiful future husband. I almost let go of his father's arm and ran full-force toward him. This gift, this beautiful surprise was more than I could have ever dreamed. It wasn't just perfect, it was magical.

From the lighting, to the music, from the tables to the linens, he'd gotten everything right. The flowers were the ones I'd picked out, and in the far corner was the cake that we'd driven a whole day in order to sample it in person.