Page 56 of The Reality of Wanting Him (Love Without Labels #1)

LIAM

October

I never thought I’d be waking up to the sound of a goat screaming outside my window, but that’s my life now.

I groan, shoving my face into the pillow.

Jolene, our chaotic little gremlin of a goat must be somewhere she’s not supposed to be.

Again. “Jolene” is what I get for letting Blake name the animals.

He gave them all pop star inspired names and hypes them up by following them around with a camera all day.

Even though they are literal farm animals, they act like they’re the ones in charge here.

Beside me, Blake is dead asleep , with Lucky rolled on her back right next to Blake despite the fact that Jolene is begging for attention. I don’t know how he does it, but I decide to let him sleep, pressing a quick kiss to his forehead before climbing out of bed.

Today is the first morning of our Fall Festival, there’s no use in me staying in bed, I’m far too excited to go back to sleep.

Mom would be too.

This was always something she dreamed of—bringing more of the community to our farm and making it a place people want to come rather than just a spot to pick up produce and leave. She wanted it to be a core memory for families, and I’m excited we’re finally able to make it happen.

Fall has always been my favorite in upstate New York, but now that Blake is here and we’re finally making this happen, it’s even better.

We have a field full of pumpkins, games set up, a corn maze, a petting zoo that the animals are probably going to like more than the humans because Blake’s trained them to love attention, and even a live local band.

I grab a cup of coffee and step outside into the quiet, crisp October air.

The farm looks like something out of a Hallmark movie, and honestly, that was kind of the point.

There are pumpkins piled high in wooden crates for people who don’t want to go into the field, hay bales stacked up near the entrance, and a parking area we set up waiting to be filled.

The peace of taking in the view only lasts about thirty seconds before I see the chaos. The goats have already gotten out of their pen, Jolene standing on top of the shed. How does she even get up there?

“Don’t do it,” I warn, and she doesn’t listen. Of course she jumps. She’s fine, and I roll my eyes at the crazy animal. I sigh and walk over to the chickens who I know are eager to get out of their coop. I throw out some feed for them and collect their eggs.

Next, I move to the cows, filling their trough with fresh water and checking to make sure they still have enough hay, and they do. They’re far less excited than the chickens or goats to see me, but they’re so damn cute. I know they’re going to be a huge hit today at the petting zoo.

The goats on the other hand, they better behave.

Blake has given them so much attention that they expect snacks every time they see a human, which I guess is good for a petting zoo, but it gets pretty annoying when it's just us here. I bring them alfalfa hay and check their water while they jump all over everything that isn’t nailed down.

The goats are a handful, but I do love them.

Then there’s the alpacas, they just watch me with the most judgmental stares. It’s quite rude, but I ignore their attitude and make sure they have food and water too.

By the time I make it back to the house, Blake is at the kitchen table, scrolling through his phone.

“They love me,” he says dramatically, holding it up.

By they , I know he means the internet and his followers. Somehow, Blake has turned into a viral sensation. He started by posting silly farm updates, recording himself talking to the chickens like they were his coworkers or dressing up the goats, but people loved it. They still do.

He posts new videos almost every day and he’s been hyping up the Fall Festival for weeks now.

“I think today is going to be a hit,” I say, grabbing his coffee from his hand and taking a sip before handing it back.

“Obviously.” He grins. “The people are so excited for our opening and they all want updates.”

The farm was already growing in popularity from the show, but since Blake started making videos, we’ve been busier than ever.

Our summer produce membership was completely sold out and we actually had to turn people away.

We did build a roadside shop, though, and any extra produce we had, we were able to sell there.

It turned out to be successful, and Blake absolutely loved being the one to run the store.

Between the shop, the video content, and the animals, he really is living his best life, and it makes me so damn happy to see that this really is his dream too.

“Speaking of updates,” he continues, pulling out his phone and flipping the camera to selfie mode. “We’re live, babe!”

I stare at him in mild horror as he zooms in on my face. I should be used to this by now, but his antics are always amusing in different ways.

“Say hi to the people, future husband. ”

I just blink at the camera, then deadpan, “Help me.”

He laughs, pointing the camera back at himself. “Guys, don’t listen to him. I treat him so well. Anyway, today is day one of our big Fall Festival and we finally finished setting everything up last night. Who’s ready for a tour?” he asks the camera like they’ll respond.

He grabs my arm before I can protest and drags me with him as he narrates what we’re walking past to the phone.

“We’ve got the pumpkin patch over here.” He points.

“The corn maze is behind me. Who wants to take bets on how many kids get lost? I’m kidding!

I’m kidding! It’s pretty tiny so it’s not hard this year. And last, our star attraction…”

He flips the camera to the goats. “My babies!” he yells happily.

As over-the-top as Blake is—about well, everything, especially the farm—it’s part of why I love him so much. It’s also why I know this festival will be such a hit.

Today was truly better than I could have ever imagined.

Blake really helped Dad and me make Mom’s dream a reality. I glance over at my dad where he’s petting Lucky and feel a deep sense of pride in my chest that he got to experience this. That we did it.

“You look happy,” he says, and I nod.

“It’s just surreal, this was always something Mom wanted.”

His answering smile is warm. “She’d be proud of you, son. She’d love this.”

I smile to myself as my throat gets thick with emotion. My eyes land on Blake, who’s still with the goats. He seems like he’s checking in with each of them to make sure they had as much fun as he hoped they would today.

My dad nudges me. “You ready? ”

I let out a slow breath and nod. “Yeah, I am.”

I walk toward Blake, my heart pounding in my chest. He’s still busy paying attention to the goats so I grab his hand and tug him toward me.

“Hey, babe. Oh my god, today was awesome! Wait, what are you?—”

I don’t answer, I just drop to one knee, holding the ring in my hand that he gave back to me all those months ago, and his mouth falls open.

“Blake,” I start. “You are the best damn thing that has ever happened to me. You showed up in my life, to the farm, and you’ve made everything infinitely better. Better than I ever could’ve imagined. Your happiness is infectious, and I love that life with you is never boring.”

Tears well in his eyes and I let out a deep breath.

“I told you I don’t want to rush anything,” I continue. “And I still don’t, but you know I’ve already chosen you. Now and forever, I choose you. I love you, and I don’t want to wait another second to make you my fiancé again. Marry me, Blake.”

He nods frantically and throws himself in my arms. “Yes. Fuck yes, babe!”

I pull him to me and whisper in his ear. “I love you so much, today was perfect.”

“I love you too. I can’t wait for every day with you. They’re all perfect.”

I grab his hand, sliding my dad’s ring back on, and then pull him with me toward the house, knowing there’s one more thing I want to do to cement this amazing day.

We turn to my dad who says his congratulations and waves us off.

When we get to the house, I go right to the liquor cabinet and pull out the bottle of whiskey.

“Mom left me this for my twenty-first birthday,” I explain.

“I’ve been saving it. I thought we’d toast with it on our wedding day, but today feels just as special.

You helped her dream come true, and mine and dad’s.

This is something we’ve been dreaming about forever, but you made it happen.

I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together. ”

Blake nods, reaching out for my hand, squeezing it gently. I pour us both a glass, then pull a small envelope from the cabinet drawer.

Blake’s breath catches. “Is that?—”

I nod. “The letter she wrote me. For my wedding day.”

His fingers tighten around mine.

“I couldn’t read it that day,” I admit, my voice cracking. “Not after everything.”

Blake nods in understanding.

“But I want to read it tonight. With just you. No cameras, no waiting for whenever we actually say ‘I do.’ Today feels just as special, way more than whatever ceremony the show would have planned.”

I let out a slow breath, unfolding the letter with trembling hands. Her familiar handwriting stares back at me, and I blink rapidly, forcing back the tears already threatening to fall.

I take a deep breath, then begin to read.

My sweet boy,

If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found the kind of love your dad and I always dreamed you’d have. A love that makes you smile every day, that makes life bigger, richer, and fuller. The kind of love that makes you better.

Your dad and I had that. And my greatest wish for you is that you do too.

Love is a choice, Liam. Every single day, you will choose each other. And if you’ve chosen this person, then I already love them too.

Dance, laugh, celebrate, and hold each other close through it all. And know that I am celebrating with you. I’m so proud of you.

I love you, always.

Mom

I exhale shakily, wiping at my face as Blake squeezes my hand so tight, it almost hurts. He doesn’t say anything though, just lets me feel every emotion her letter has inspired.

After a few moments, I take a deep breath and lift my glass.

“To Mom,” I say.

Blake lifts his glass to meet mine. “To Mom.”

The whiskey burns as it goes down, but when Blake leans in to press a soft, comforting kiss to my lips, I swear I can feel her here with us, smiling.

And I know with absolute certainty—he’s the love I’ve always dreamed of finding.

THE END