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Istartthe engine to my car and pull away from the house. Addy is sitting next to me and Phoebe is strapped in her seat in the backseat. She is ten weeks old today and she has found her voice. She babbles all day long, as long as she is awake you can hear her. Exactly like her mum. Her jet black hair is getting thicker and Ads always puts these stupid arse bows in her hair. I take them out and blame Phoebe. Today is a surprise day for Addy, I have been planning this for the last four weeks, only Jay and Liam know what I have planned today.

“Where are we going, Dex? You know I hate not knowing what is going on.” I know she does. Addy is a planner.

“Babe, you will know when we get there, now stop asking,” I tell her. She huffs next to me and I laugh at her, which earns me a poke to the ribs.

“Meany.”

“Yeah baby, that’s me. Dexter ‘meany’ Castle,” I snark back. She mutters “piss off” under her breath. I drive for about two hours before we get to our destination. Addy sits up straight in her seat, looking around - taking in her surroundings. I drive up the drive to the farm. Mr and Mrs Phillips breed dogs. They breed three different types of dogs, but they bred the one dog I wanted. I want a dog that will protect Addy and Phoebe. Who can protect the house, but also who can play with Pheebs and our other children.

“Why are we here?” Ads asks wearily. I smile at her and lean in and kiss her. I pull away and bounce my eyebrows at her and climb out of the car, ignoring her questions. I round the car and open the door and pull my baby out who is chatting away. I look down at her and smile.

“What are you bumping your gums about, huh?” She just babbles away and smiles a gummy smile at me. I kiss her head and walk to meet Addy who is standing at the front of the car, looking around. You can’t see much from the front of the farmhouse, everything is around the back.

“Come on, babe.” I take her hand and lead her around the house. The kennels are all legit. These guys take care of their dogs, they don’t over breed or mix breed. They have fields that allow the dogs to run free and get plenty of exercise, not only that but they train dogs as well. They will train our dog also. I needed a mean motherfucking dog to match my mean motherfucking character. Addy wanted a puny little fluffball of a dog, yeah I stamped that fucking plan down straight away. I am no way in hell walking a fucking cloud on four legs.

“Are you fucking serious?” Addy stops, still holding my hand. I look back to her and see her eyes are wide like saucers. She now realises where we are. I smile at her and tug her with me. I can see Mr and Mrs. Phillips standing by the small puppy pens, with six pups going crazy in there. Yapping and climbing all over each other. We continue to walk towards the older couple with big smiles on their faces. I have been here a few times but today is the day we get to take our champ home. I remove my hand from Addy and extend it towards the couple; Mr Philips first, then Mrs. Phillips.

“Hey, Dex. Good to see you again. And who is the pretty little thing?” He comes closer to have a look at Phoebe.

“This is my daughter, Phoebe. And this sexy little thing is my fiancée, Addison.” Mrs. Phillips smiles at us both.

“Well honey, if I was twenty years younger I would give this young lad a run for his money.” He winks at Addy, and she chuckles.

“Well Mr Phillips, if you were twenty years younger, this guy here wouldn’t get a look in.” She winks back at him. We all crack up laughing. Phoebe tries to laugh but it all comes out as a garble. I lift her and kiss her head.

“Come you two, let’s get you your furbaby,” Mrs. Phillips says.

“Furbaby? Dex?” I smile at her and kiss her lips gently.

“Come on.” I take her hand and lead her over to one of the other puppy pens. There are four pups; Doberman Pinscher pups, and one of them little shits is ours. I look at Addy who is kneeling down by the cage petting the four over-boisterous pubs. I kneel next to her, adjusting Phoebe so she is resting on my shoulder.

“So, what do you think?” I whisper in her ear.

“They are bloody beautiful, Dex. Can I hold one?” She asks Mr Phillips for permission.

“Of course.” Addy looks at all the pubs and picks up the little brown and black ball of energy that is wearing a red leather collar with the name ‘Deuce’ printed on it. I smile at her choice.

“Do you want one?” I ask her in a low voice.

“Really?” Addy says, shocked at my question.

“What did you think I brought you here for, baby?” She just shrugs. “See the little guy you are holding? He is ours, Ads. I bought him a few weeks ago.” Her eyebrows shoot into her hairline and I can't help but laugh at her. I shake my head and pull her to me. I kiss her head, while I hold our daughter to my chest and she holds our new addition furbaby to her chest. This is the new, extended Castle family. It is growing all the time, I couldn't be more fucking happier.

For the most part, us growing up was good, it was filled with good memories, not all from our parents but from Jay and Liam. After our parents died, everything went to shit. But one day that little ray of sunshine came into our lives and she planted herself there. Now here she is, well and fucking truly planted inside my heart and I have no fucking intention of letting her go.

Addison Cole is my queen and I am her king, and together we will rule our very own Castle.

The End