1.7 New Beginnings

 Not long after the custody hearing, Gavin and Annelise decided it was time to move. They bought a house on the edge of town, surrounded only by hills and trees. They were so excited to have a bigger space, and a home to grow into when their family expanded. They didn't have many close neighbors, and were about 20 minutes away from town. Being somewhat isolated made them feel safe, and it was a new beginning for them.

On one of their first nights in the new house, Gavin decided to put Clara down to sleep a little early, so he could be alone with Annelise. He cooked dinner, and lit the tiki torches and candles on their new patio in the backyard. Their backyard was gorgeous, with mature trees and beautiful landscaping. What sold Gavin on the house was the hot tub the previous owners left, and he was hoping tonight would be the night they would get to break it in for the first time. Of course, Gavin had other plans for the night as well.

"Thanks for dinner, babe. This is great!" Annelise said as she enjoyed her pasta. She usually cooked, but loved the rare nights Gavin took over in the kitchen. "I'm so happy here, I feel so relaxed and just at home." She said happily. "I can just see the memories we are going to make in the house, the hours Clara will spend climbing that tree house and swinging on the swings. I can't wait to sit in that hot tub with you after a long day, and curl up by the fire this winter." she said dreamily.

"Me neither baby. I can't wait to watch our family grow in this house, and fill up those rooms with more babies. This is our home now. And its more than just about the house. You being here with us, with me and Clara is what makes this home. Annelise, life never felt complete for me until you walked into our life. Being with a woman as gorgeous, kind hearted and loving as you feels like a dream come true." He stood up, and took her hand, pulling her up out of her chair. "Come here baby. I want to kiss you."

They stood on the patio in the backyard of their first home together. Gavin felt so happy, he had his daughter and the woman of his dreams that he couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life with. Holding her hands, he softly kissed her, and felt her melt into him. "You are a dream come true, Annelise." He murmured. 

Before Annelise knew it, he stopped the kiss and pulled away from her with a smile on his face. As he reached into his pocket he dropped down to one knee.

"OH MY GOSH!" She squealed before he even said anything.
"Annelise, will you make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife?"

 He held open a perfect round cut diamond that sparkled in the candle light. Annelise felt her eyes well up with tears. "Is this really happening?! Oh my gosh! Yes! Yes Gavin!"

Gavin placed the ring on her finger, and laughed as she continued to repeat "Oh my gosh!" and stared at her new shiny finger. "This is gorgeous. This is perfect. I can't believe this is happening! Gavin!!" 

Gavin stood up and they wrapped their arms around each other, both of them filled with joy. Annelise had thought at one point that she'd never love again, and that she had lost her chance of true love. She never could've imagined falling in love with a single dad, and raising his young daughter was in her life plans, and she closed her eyes and thought to herself "Someone upstairs had far better plans for me than I could've ever had for myself." 

"What do you think baby, you want to give our hot tub a test run?" Gavin said with a smirk.

"You bed I do, handsome."

The two of them sat in the hot tub, talking, laughing, kissing and dreaming ideas about their wedding and honeymoon. Before too long, Gavin's playful kisses were more intense and both of their suits were off, laying in a pile next to the hottub. They made love in the hot tub underneath the stars, showing each other with only kisses and their bodies how much they loved each other.

They settled quickly in their new home, with the excitement about their engagement in the air all around them. Annelise and Clara quickly developed a routine during the week, and Annelise felt so fulfilled by just being a "mom". Every morning Gavin left for work while both of the girls slept in. Annelise's favorite part of the day was waking Clara up in the morning, as she was so giggly and full of life when she first woke up. She was beginning to have little conversations now that she was almost out of her toddler years, and called Annelise mommy.

Annelise set Clara down in her highchair while she made oatmeal for the two of them. She loved starting her mornings slowly with her, and already wondered what she'd do once Clara went to school in just a little over a year.

"Here you are princess! Cinnamon Oatmeal" Annelise said. "What do you say, Clara?"

"Tank you mommy!" Clara said sweetly.

"Good girl. You have such good manners, sweetie!"

Annelise made her coffee while Clara ate, thinking about what was on their agenda for the day. She knew she had to do some grocery shopping. "What do you think Clara, should we stop at the park after we finish shopping? Or maybe the bookstore? Do you want to call your friend Hallie and see if her and her mommy want to meet us for a playdate?"

Clara clapped her hands and giggled. She had met Hallie at the park, and Annelise enjoyed the times she got to sit and talk to Hallie's mom at the park while the girls played. Annelise really didn't have many friends in town, and sometimes it felt lonely. "Maybe I'll go back to work when Clara goes to school next fall," she thought.

Part of her really liked the idea of getting back into a career, but there was also a part of her heart that desired to have a baby of her own, and just be a mom. "Oh, no use worrying about it now," she thought to herself. "Lets just get this wedding planned, and cross that bridge when we get to it."

Before they knew it, it was time for Clara's birthday. She turned five that summer, and that fall, she'd be going to kindgeraten! Gavin and Annelise threw her a little party, inviting some of their neighbors and his coworkers, and their children.

Little Clara blew out her birthday candles, signifying the end of her toddler years. She aged up into a gorgeous child, who was a spitting image of her dad, but also resembled her birth mother in many ways.

Clara was full of life just as much as she was as a toddler, who loved to play and laugh. Gavin and Annelise couldn't wait to see what life had in store for their family as they embarked on this new season of life. Clara was much more independent as a child, and it was going to be quite and adjustment for both Annelise and Gavin as they had spent the first few years of Clara's life babying her and protecting her. They knew they were in for some fun, but also trying times as Clara grew up, and hoped that someday soon they could give Clara a couple brothers and sisters.