Mockingbird: a Songbird Sequel INCOMPLETE- ON GALATEA 11/10

Two: Lennie

"I mean, I don't swing that way but I guess..."

Without another word Colt just cranked the stereo as loud as he could while Carter and I dissolved into laughter. Yeah. This trip was going to be great.

We arrived at the airport just before eight and checked in, sending off our bags before we grabbed breakfast and headed to our gate. While we were waiting, Colt checked in with his mom before she handed the phone to Beau.

"Hey kiddo," Colt began, his tone already apologetic. "I know, bud. I'm sorry, too. It's okay, Beau. We're gonna butt heads, we're too much alike not to."

I just watched him and smiled. My man put off some hard as stone energy, but he was a great big pile of mush when it came to his kid, and to me. Honestly, it was one of the things I loved most about him. All gruff, growly alpha male on the outside, soft, squishy teddy bear inside. Just not many people got to the teddy bear part.

Colt glanced at me before stretching his arm around my shoulders and pulling me into him. "How's Maggie?" he asked before planting a kiss on the crown of my head. "Yeah, I know. Her folks are pretty... straight and narrow... We'll figure it out, Beau. I know you don't like it, but you gotta play by the rules here. It's only gonna get worse if you two keep sneaking around. School will start pretty soon and you'll see her every day." He then turned and inhaled, definitely getting a nose full of my coconut shampoo, which, I suspected was exactly his motivation. "Okay. I love you, too, kid. Yup. She's right here. Hold on." He held his cracked and scratched up iPhone out to me. "Boy wants his momma."

I beamed as I took the phone from his hand. "Hey honey."

"Hi. I'm... I'm really sorry about last night. And I'm sorry I made you and Dad fight."

"Sweetie," I cooed. "Your dad and I fighting is not on you, okay? And we're fine. We just... needed to have a talk."

"About me."

"More about the both of you," I corrected. "You two are too hard on each other sometimes. Both of you."

"I know."

"He's right, ya know? You're basically just a mini version of him. Even if you're not so mini anymore."

Beau chuckled at that. "If I put on his muscle, I'd be happy."

"Jeez. The poor girls of Snyder won't stand a chance," I smirked. He chuckled again. "How's Maggie?"

"Grounded," he answered. "She still has her phone but I'm pretty sure her parents are gonna make us break up."

"Oh, honey," I responded with a gasp. "We'll talk to em, okay? We'll figure it out."

"They don't like me. They think I'm a bad influence. They're all church-y and righteous and apparently my farm-boy ass isn't good enough."

"Well that is not true in the least," I stated firmly. "You're a good boy, Beau. And there ain't nothing wrong with growing up on a farm. It means you know the value of hard work and you're not afraid to get your hands dirty. Your dad and I will talk to em when we get back."

"Okay."

"Just hang in there, honey. It'll be okay."

"I hope so."

"It will be. I promise." I sighed as I looked at Colt who gave me a sad smile. "Try to have a good time with your grandma, okay? Go hang out with Dylan and have some fun."

"Yeah, I think we're gonna go out to the house so we can take out George and Reba."

"I think that's a great idea."

"Okay."

"We'll call you later."

"You don't have to keep calling me," Beau said with a laugh. "You guys are supposed to be having fun, not worrying about me."

"We can do both, silly. I love you."

"Love you, too, Mom."

My heart always got a little flutter when he said that, no matter how many times I'd heard it. "Don't forget the chores."

"I won't. But I'm making Dylan help."

I laughed. "Good idea."

"Bye."

"Bye honey." I pouted as I handed the phone back to Colt. "His poor little heart."

Colt chuckled softly and pulled me close again. "He'll be okay. We'll make sure of it."

"I wish they'd just give him a chance. He really doesn't mean any harm. He cares about her."

"I know he does, baby. We'll talk to em. Maybe... we should invite em all to the wedding. Try to get a little family bonding going."

I nodded against his shoulder. "I like that. That's a good idea."

"Good," Colt stated, before brushing a kiss against my forehead. "Then that's what we'll do. For now, let's try not to worry about it, okay? Let's... enjoy whatever shit show this is going to turn out to be."

I laughed. "Why a shit show?"

"We brought Carter, didn't we?"

I laughed again. "It'll be a blast," I said with a dreamy sigh. I craned my neck, turning to look up at my dreamy man, solid as always. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby girl."

I stretched up and kissed him, gentle but firm. This man was my rock. Fight as we may, because lord knew we both were stubborn as hell, he was the most dependable human being I'd ever met. And I could hardly wait for the next six weeks to pass so I could be his wife.