Six months later - Anna
Anna meant to take it slowly. She really did, but four months after their first kiss, she’d moved in with Shane. Living with her dad was nice but she was used to her own space. It was hard living with your parent as an adult who had experienced living independently. She’d considered buying a place. She had her trust money and had no reason not to invest, but Shane had sweet-talked her into moving in with him.
They were going strong, and her experience with him showed her that her relationship with Mason hadn’t been healthy. It wasn’t toxic exactly, but it was liberating to have a partner who shared the housework and prioritized quality time. He cared for her, no matter what. When she truly had come down with a violent bug (Madame Celeste was not happy and insisted everyone sanitize their hands after each class), he’d been there. He rinsed her vomit bucket out; he brought her soup and was stern with her when she refused to drink electrolytes. He rubbed her back when she had her period. He went to every one of her dance competitions once she’d recovered from her ankle injury and was back in action. He picked her up on Thursday nights when she’d begun teaching a new class for young people with disabilities.
“It’s dark Anna, there’s sickos around,” he argued.
“My car is right outside the back door. I literally walk about 20 feet from the studio and I’m in my car.”
“Don’t care. I’ll be there 10 minutes before you finish,” he insisted and apparently the argument was over.
He even starred in a few of her Insta posts as her dance partner. He wasn’t great, but he was learning, and he was generating a huge following of women who loved to watch a huge, sexy man try to dance.
Elisa and Robert were amazing. In the two months she’d been living on the ranch, they’d become close. On weekends when Shane had to work (rare, but they happened), she spent her time either horse-riding with Elise or baking in the older couple’s spatial ranch home. Elise was an expert baker and cook, and Anna sucked up her knowledge like a sponge.
James liked Shane but Anna knew he had his full approval when she turned 25. She was set to move out the following week when Shane surprised her with a beautiful necklace (with a Tinkerbell charm) and a manilla envelope. He’d signed papers removing any claim he’d have on her inheritance, regardless of whether they ever married or had children. She offered to sign the same. His business was growing, and he’d arguably end up with more than she had within a few years. He refused to have the papers drawn up.
Sometimes, Anna wanted to push further. The thought of marrying Shane was exciting and made her feel secure, but the thought of being engaged and planning another wedding gave her a strange feeling of heaviness. She was happy with where they were, and surely someday she’d feel light again.
Shane
Shane never knew life could be so happy. He no longer dreaded returning home from work. His home wasn’t a tomb anymore. It was bright, airy, and full of joy and pet hair. Barnabus had adjusted well but considered it his duty to stalk their new dog, a Golden Retriever they’d named Snickers. Snickers didn’t seem to care and loved his grumpy, furry friend.
Anna spoiled him and he spoiled her in return. He felt truly loved, truly accepted. With Anna’s love and enthusiastic responses, he’d grown bold and confident in bed. He’d recovered the confidence he’d lost in his years as April’s whipping boy and become what Anna termed “the world’s best dirty talker.” Annagenuinely seemed to love him. He sometimes caught her staring at him with a dreamy look on her face and couldn’t believe his good fortune. She baked for him, was interested in his life, and let him lay his head on her chest after a hard day, stroking his hair and patting his face. He’d never felt as loved by a woman as he did by Anna.
He’d completely redecorated his home, with Anna’s help. April was fully purged from his life. They rarely discussed Mason or April, seeing them only as the catalysts that brought them together. They belonged in the past, along with the hurt and anger that saga had wrought.
Shane wanted desperately to propose. He needed Anna in his life permanently as much as he needed his heart to beat. But he was a patient man. He could sense she became uncomfortable when people made jokes about marriage or children, so he held off. He kept one secret from her though, but didn’t feel guilty about it. She knew nothing about the beautiful diamond ring he’d placed in his parents’ safe. He’d bought it two months into the relationship. One day, when she was ready, he’d come clean about it.
Chapter 29: Anna—Happy endings and good friends
Anna—Two years later
A year after living together, Shane had proposed. When he dropped to his knee one night as they were having a beer at the ranch while watching the sunset, her heart leapt. She knew the time was right. There was no heaviness, no reluctance to think about marriage. Shane had broken in the idea gently, and she knew he was assessing her reactions. He’d made comments about how her last name didn’t suit her, or how his grandmother would be fluttering in her urn at him “living in sin.” When he’d commented that her ring finger looked bare, she gave him the signal he’d been waiting for. “Yes, it really does, doesn’t it?” A week later, he proposed.
Having been married before, Shane told her she could have whatever she wanted as long as the result was them being married. She’d opted for a simple sunset wedding on the ranch with their friends and family. Kegs of beer, lots of dancing, and sincere vows made it the perfect day. They really were Mr. and Mrs. Morgan now, no fake ID needed. Their cake had Smurf toppers. Smurfette wore a tutu and ballet slippers, while Happy Smurf wore camouflage.
Mel and Brax had been together for a year, having taken their sweet time to sort out their feelings. Rosa had moved to LA to pursue a career in pop music choreography, and she was absolutely smashing it. Madame Celeste valued classical dance but took every opportunity to promote Rosa’s success on the studio’s official social media channels.
Mason had tried to contact her six months ago, but she’d ignored his Facebook message. She’d blocked his number and his Insta when they broke up, but being a very occasional Facebook user, she’d forgotten that avenue. She didn’t ignorehim out of spite. She just simply didn’t care about what he had to say. He belonged firmly in the past. She occasionally messaged Marla, so she knew Mason probably knew about her life, but she never asked Marla about his and Marla never offered information.
April had maintained her Insta profile, but neither Shane nor Anna cared to check up on the details of her life.
Anna shuffled around the kitchen, dodging a very irritating Barnabus who had decided he wanted affection today. “Move Barnabus, I can’t see you,” she scolded, seeing only his tail sticking out from under her huge belly.
“Oi! Move,” Shane pushed Barnabus away from the kitchen.
“What are you doing? I said I’d cook. You’re gonna pop any day. You shouldn’t be moving around so much,” he commanded.
Their first baby was due any day. It was a boy. “Morgans only make boys,” Elise had warned. “If you want a ballerina, you’re out of luck.” Anna didn’t care. She’d have ten boys with Shane if he wanted. She knew he wanted a big family. She hadn’t really put a number on it, but Elise told her she’d just know when she was done.
Shane rubbed her belly, lifting it to ease the weight on her back.
“Has he been a good boy today?”
“No, he’s been beating me up from the inside. The little turd is either a kickboxer or an Irish dancer,” she complained.
He kissed the top of her head. “He’s going to be amazing. He’s half you.”
