Page 34 of Single Mom’s Navy Seals (Claimed by the Alphas #2)

JAX

S unlight streams through the curtains, while I sit at the kitchen table.

I nurse my second cup of coffee, my mind spinning through a thousand possibilities.

Last night was incredible. Better than I’d imagined.

Fuck, better than I’d even dared to hope.

But now comes the tricky part. Now we face the morning after.

Ava is mine through and through, but God, does she love to run from us the second things get real. I can only hope that won’t be the case today.

My thoughts are interrupted by a creak on the stairs and the following energetic patter of little feet. Eli bursts into the kitchen like a hurricane of joy, his bright smile lighting up the room.

“Good morning!” he shouts, rushing forward to wrap his little arms around Liam’s legs first. Liam smiles warmly, running a gentle hand over Eli’s messy bedhead.

“Morning, buddy,” Liam says.

Liam’s face has relaxed lately, as if he had finally let himself love Eli, lifting a heavy weight from his shoulders. A week ago, he’d admitted to Cole and me that he’d told Eli he loved him—that he’d meant every word—and realized then that he was entirely on board with our plan to share Ava, too.

Eli moves from Liam to Cole next, laughing happily as Cole lifts him briefly off the ground in a playful hug.

“You sleep good?” Cole asks, his voice calm and gentle as always.

“The best!” Eli beams up at him, and Cole sets him down with an affectionate squeeze.

Finally, Eli barrels into my legs, his tiny arms tightening around my legs. Bending awkwardly at the waist, I hug him back with a wide smile.

“Morning, bud. You ready for another big adventure today?”

"Always!”

As he pulls away, I glance up toward the doorway.

Ava stands there, watching with a gentle smile playing at the corners of her lips.

My heart skips a beat at the sight of her.

She looks stunning in a pale blue sundress covered in watercolor flowers.

Her hair flows loosely around her shoulders.

The strands are catching the sunlight like woven lines of bronze.

“Morning,” she says, stepping into the kitchen. Her eyes are bright and hopeful with none of the hesitation or anxiety I feared would linger.

She moves toward Liam first, surprising him and us by stepping close and wrapping her arms around his waist. Liam’s eyes widen briefly in surprise, but he returns her embrace, his arms tightening around her as he holds her close.

Ava murmurs something quiet that only he can hear, and Liam’s expression softens, gratitude and affection clear in his gaze as she steps back.

She turns next to Cole, offering him an embrace as well. Cole’s arms fold securely around her. For a brief moment, his eyes close. Ava whispers again, and he nods, smiling softly in return.

Finally, Ava steps up to me and I don’t hesitate to gather her close.

I wrap my arms around her waist. I want to hold her just a little longer.

Her scent fills my senses. She’s all lavender, vanilla, and something uniquely her.

Her heart beats rapidly against my chest, and the beat matches my own quickening pulse.

“Morning, Jax,” Ava whispers, pulling back to look into my eyes. Her cheeks flush, a beautiful shade of pink that makes my heart race. “Thanks for last night.”

I grin playfully, squeezing her one last time before releasing her. “Trust me, Ava, the pleasure was all ours.”

She laughs, rolling her eyes, before stepping over to accept the cup of coffee Cole holds out to her with a warm, “Thanks, Cole.”

Eli looks up, oblivious to the deeper emotions swirling around the room.

“What are we gonna do today?” he asks, bouncing eagerly on the balls of his feet.

Liam shrugs, looking at me, and I raise my hands in surrender. “Not sure yet, bud. Got any ideas?”

Eli wrinkles his little nose thoughtfully, glancing between the three of us. Cole clears his throat, speaking up.

“I was thinking that maybe we could bring Cocoa up and see if she’ll let Eli sit on her today.”

Eli’s mouth drops open in a delighted gasp. “Really? I can ride Cocoa?”

“Cole, are you sure that’s safe?” Ava asks nervously.

Cole nods confidently, meeting Ava’s gaze steadily. “Absolutely. Cocoa’s bonded with Eli. She’s gentle and trusts him. Besides, Morales said they’re rideable, just bareback.”

Ava hesitates only a moment longer before her lips curve into a soft, relieved smile. “Alright. If you’re sure, that actually sounds fun.”

“Yes!” Eli cheers, jumping up and down. “I’m gonna ride Cocoa! Can we eat fast, Mama?”

Ava laughs, ruffling his messy hair. “Okay, but you have to eat all your breakfast first.”

Breakfast becomes a casual affair, everyone making whatever they feel like eating.

Liam tosses bread into the toaster, slathering on enough creamy peanut butter to feed a damn small army.

Cole methodically prepares scrambled eggs and bacon, seasoning everything precisely.

I opt for cereal because I’m not patient enough to cook anything this morning.

Ava moves around the kitchen gracefully, slicing fresh avocados and mashing them with practiced ease, spreading them generously onto thick slices of toast. For Eli, she prepares strawberry and cream oatmeal, dropping in extra sliced strawberries because she knows they’re his favorite.

I lean against the counter, watching Ava quietly.

Something shifts inside me—warmth, pride, belonging.

After last night, everything feels new, charged with possibility.

I glance toward Cole and Liam, both watching Ava and Eli with similar quiet intensity.

I’m sure they’re feeling the same sense of fulfillment I am.

Eli finishes his oatmeal, hopping down from his chair and tugging at Cole’s arm impatiently. “Can we go now? Please?”

Cole chuckles, ruffling Eli’s hair affectionately. “Alright, buddy. Let’s go get Cocoa ready.”

Ava glances at me as Cole and Eli head outside. “You coming?”

Stepping forward, I take her hand in mine. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

She squeezes my fingers, and we follow Eli and Cole outside. Liam trails behind us, quiet satisfaction clear in his expression.

As we step out of the cabin and head toward the pasture, Eli practically skips alongside Cole, gripping his hand tightly.

The morning air feels clean and fresh, the lingering scent of hay and desert earth calming my thoughts. I catch myself smiling like an idiot, but school my expression into something more composed.

Cole unlocks the gate to the pasture, swinging it wide as Eli bounces eagerly on the balls of his feet.

Cocoa waits patiently at the fence line, the mare’s gentle eyes focused on Eli.

He hurries over to her, tiny hands reaching out to stroke her nose.

She lowers her head, nuzzling affectionately against his palm.

“See, Ava?” Cole gestures toward them with a gentle, knowing smile. “She trusts him completely.”

Ava nods, a faint look of maternal caution still etched into her features. She folds her arms loosely, watching Eli closely. “I see that. But are you sure he’s ready for this?”

“Absolutely,” Cole reassures her. “I’ll be right next to him the entire time. Cocoa’s patient, and Eli listens well.”

Ava exhales, finally nodding again. “Okay, then.”

Eli looks back at her, eyes wide and pleading. “Can I get on now?”

Cole chuckles, crouching down beside him. “Slow down a minute, buddy. You need to let her smell you again and get comfortable first.”

Eli eagerly reaches out and lets Cocoa sniff his hand once more. She snuffles, ears twitching in relaxed curiosity.

“Good,” Cole praises, patting Eli’s back. “Now, I’ll help you up, okay?”

“Yes, please!” Eli bounces again, barely containing his excitement.

Cole lifts Eli onto Cocoa’s broad back. Eli settles, and his small hands clutch at her mane. His smile spreads wide, pure joy lighting up his face as he beams down at us.

“Look, Mama! I’m riding her!” he shouts, delighted and proud.

“You sure are,” Ava calls back warmly, her voice steady even as she shifts nervously beside Liam. Liam places a reassuring hand on her lower back, a silent gesture of comfort.

“I’ve got you, Eli,” Cole says, his voice steady and calming. He walks alongside Cocoa, one hand resting on Eli’s knee to keep him stable. “How’s that feel?”

Eli’s expression turns serious as he considers the question. “I feel tall. And really strong.”

I chuckle softly at his earnest tone, unable to keep myself from grinning. “You look strong up there, Eli. Like a real cowboy.”

Eli’s eyes widen in awe at the compliment. “Really, Jax?”

“Absolutely,” I confirm. “You’re doing great.”

He beams proudly, his little chest puffing out as he sits up even straighter. Cocoa seems unfazed by the additional confidence; her steps slow, even as Cole guides her in a small circle around the fenced area.

Ava relaxes more visibly with each step Cocoa takes, her shoulders finally dropping entirely.

Liam’s expression softens as he watches her, his thumb stroking absentmindedly against the fabric of her dress.

Seeing them together like this is a relief.

Everything about this moment feels right, as if we’ve finally found our footing after weeks of cautious navigation.

After several more careful circles around the pasture, Eli wraps his arms around Cocoa’s neck, whispering heartfelt thanks against her warm, silky coat. Cocoa patiently allows his enthusiastic embrace. Then, Cole helps Eli slide down off Cocoa’s back.

“She likes me,” Eli declares solemnly as he steps back. “She said so.”

“She definitely does.”

Eli hurries back toward us, his face flushed with exhilaration. Ava kneels down to his level, reaching out to brush his hair off his forehead.

“Did you have fun, baby?”

“So much fun!” Eli exclaims happily, throwing his arms around her neck. “Did you see me?”

“I sure did,” Ava replies, her voice filled with quiet pride. “You were amazing.”