by V. Vaughn
Chapter 10
“You are not going to believe what they want me to do!” I slap the contract on the table in front of Kimi. After another half hour of going through the paperwork with Carly and Brady, I left with the suggestion—no, the order to read it over and let them know my decision in the next few days. I say, “They’re demanding I find a soul mate and have more children. Demanding!”
Kimi lifts the packet up and reads, and my feet pound the floor as I pace the kitchen. “As if that’s not enough, they expect me to have a werebear be a part of Sadie and Sophie’s daily lives. Like I can’t take care of the girls on my own.” I let out an angry huff. “What do they think I’ve been doing for the past four years?”
Kimi is still reading as if I’m not having a meltdown.
I ask, “And where was my freaking nanny when I didn’t sleep for the first six months of the twins’ lives? Huh?”
It’s hard to maintain anger when nobody is either fighting back or getting worked up with you, so I walk back and forth a few more times before my anger fades. Then I sink down into a chair across from Kimi as despair takes over. My elbows thud on the table as I drop my head to my hands. “What am I going to do?”
“Are you opposed to having more children?” asks Kimi.
I look up at her. Her dark eyes are compassionate, but her expression is the serious one she gets when she’s about to teach me a lesson. Because I respect her guidance, I will listen. I think about my time running a daycare and how I enjoyed a house full of children. The truth is I did fantasize about having more kids.
“No,” I say. “I love kids and don’t have a problem with having more. But—” Kimi squints at me, and I shut up instead of going off on another rant.
“Do you want a soul mate?” she asks.
“If one comes along, of course.”
“A father figure for your children?”
I scowl at her now as I try to figure out what she’s getting at. “Yes.”
“So these are all things that would be good for you?”
“Yes,” I agree.
Kimi’s brow furrows as she crosses her arms. “But because someone else is telling you to do them, you don’t like it.”
“Right.”
“Huh,” says Kimi, and she leans back in her chair with her arms crossed. My brow knits as I try to figure out what she knows that I don’t. I don’t like what Brady and Carly are telling me and… her message sinks in. I say, “These rules are making me feel like Ian did when he found out I had the girls without consulting him.”
She nods. “And?”
“He told me I controlled his life. The way I feel Carly and Brady are trying to control mine. And the way—” I sigh when I get it. “I’m trying to get Ian to want me back.”
My shame burns in me, and I’m embarrassed at how insensitive I’ve been concerning Ian’s feelings.
“I know we’re soul mates, and I think he does too. But I can’t hit him over the head with it. We will end up together, but Ian wants it to be his decision. Not something I force him to do.” I lean back as calmness comes over me. “I need to be patient and wait for him to make the first move.” I chuckle. “Even if it kills me.”
I look at the paperwork in front of Kimi and frown. “What about this contract, though? Don’t you think it’s a bit much?”
If Kimi were the type to roll her eyes, I think she would, because she definitely gives me an are-you-really-that-stupid look. And it comes to me why.
“Oh. Wait a minute.” Now I grin. “Once Ian and I get back together, the demands I hate won’t be a big deal. I’ll have my soul mate and a significant werebear in my children’s lives and will be happy to have more kids with Ian.”
I hop up from my chair as excitement fills me. “Oh my gosh! I need—” I freeze and let out a sigh as I shake my head at myself. I sit down and slump back like a deflated balloon. “I don’t need to do anything. Well.” I chuckle. “I need to let that freaking fourth pea fall into the bowl when it’s ready.”
Kimi places the contract in front of me and smooths out the top page slowly as she smiles at me. “Shall I get you a pen?”
The paper of the contract is smooth under my hand as I flip through the pages to find where I sign, and I take the pen Kimi hands me. It occurs to me that I’m signing more than an agreement to join the LeRoux clan. I’m signing up for the rest of my life. And happiness fills me, because it’s not only the life I believe I’m destined to have; it’s the one I want.
Chapter 11
The next morning, I go to the LeRoux’s to drop off my paperwork. After I do, I take a moment to look over at the training center. Ian is in there. Just because I know we’ll eventually become a family, it doesn’t mean I’m not hurting. I hate that making decisions for Ian has caused him so much pain. And I can’t act as if nothing’s wrong. Not only did I deprive him of the first four years of his daughters’ lives, but I took the right he had to decide their future out of his hands. To make this right, I have to do more than apologize for Ian to forgive me. My heart aches as I force myself to get back into my car to leave.
Acorns clatter on a shelf I just dusted as I set them back down. I’m not being as patient as Kimi would like, because I’m pretty sure she’s going crazy with the way I’m finding little things to do in her home.
“Elise.” I stop dusting and look at Kimi, who has my girls counting out seeds to make tiny piles of ten. She says, “Go weed.”
“No way,” I say, “Ian needs me to wait until he’s ready to come to me.” I wink at her. “A wise woman told me that once. She should be glad I’m listening.”
“Then maybe you need to listen somewhere else.”
A knock on the door interrupts us, and I walk over to answer it. I open up and stare in surprise. “Ian.”
I notice he’s wearing a nice button-down shirt and slacks as he offers me a sheepish smile. “I was hoping to find you weeding. Are you busy?”
I step outside and shut the door behind me with a soft click as I say, “Not at all, unless you count driving Kimi crazy with my puttering busy.”
“Puttering, huh?” He runs a hand through his hair as if he can’t stand it being so neat. “I remember that’s your version of being patient.”
I offer him a sheepish smile. “Yeah.”
Ian begins to walk, and I follow along beside him as he says, “I’m sorry I lost control and shifted in front of you yesterday.” He glances at me. “Were you scared?”
“No. I don’t think I could ever be afraid of you. I was amazed.”
“Amazed.” He nudges me with an elbow. “So you think my bear is hot.”
I laugh. “Yes. Your bear is hot. But if you thought I was short when you’re a man…”
Now Ian laughs, and our awkward moment seems to carry away with the sound. “We’ll get you a stepladder to kiss me.”
“So that means you’ll kiss me again someday?”
He stops walking, and we’re at the sidewalk when he turns to face me. “I’d like to kiss you every day for the rest of our lives.”
I smile up at him as hope makes my stomach flutter. “I wouldn’t complain if you decided to kiss me right now.”
He shakes his head. “I need more time, Elise. I’m afraid if I kiss you, then I’ll lose control like I usually do, and that won’t solve anything.”
“Okay.” I start walking away from the house again. “I signed a contract with Carly and Brady, agreeing to become the next medicine woman.”
“You’re staying.”
I look at him in shock, but then I realize after the way I behaved five years ago, why he couldn’t be sure. “Yes. I have always planned on staying, but it was hard for me to sign that contract. And it made me realize something. The reason it was so difficult is because even though all the provisions are things that are good for me, I didn’t like someone else making those decisions for me. In fact, I hated it.”
“How so?” asks Ian.
“Well. I had to agree
to have a werebear be a significant part of Sophie and Sadie’s daily lives, to actively seek a soul mate, and to have more children.”
“Wow. I can see where that might be tough to stomach.”
“No, it’s actually not. They’re all things I want.” I gaze up at Ian. “With you.” When he doesn’t say anything, I try to lighten the mood. “But yes, it was hard when I considered the fact you might not want to be with me. Because that would mean I’d have to have some other’s guys kids. With my luck, he’d be short too. My poor children.”
Ian chuckles and reaches for my hand. I slide my fingers between his as my heart flips.
“We can’t have that,” he says.
We walk in silence for a while, and then I ask, “How do you want this to work? Because it’s completely up to you.”
“Do you mean that? You’re not going to change your mind once we’re good again?”
“I do mean that. But I can’t promise I won’t fall back to my old ways, so feel free to call me on it.”
“Oh, I will,” says Ian, and he grins down at me. “Tell me about our girls. What are they like?”
I smile. “Oh gosh. Well, I think Sadie is a lot like me.” I laugh as it hits me how much. “She likes to run the show and has already figured out how to manipulate people to do what she wants.”
“Oh boy,” says Ian. “We’re going to have our hands full with that one.”
I squeeze his fingers as my heart fills with happiness that he said we. “Sophie is more like you. She’s quieter, and just when you think she’s not paying attention, she comes out with something so profound you have to wonder what the heck is going on in her head.”
“And they both shift.”
“They sure do,” I say. “And I’m not equipped to deal with it for much longer. I know there are things they need to learn about being bear I can’t teach them.”
“They do need a werebear in their lives.”
“They need their father,” I say.
Ian’s voice is sincere. “I’m ready to be in their lives, Elise. What do you say to a picnic tomorrow? I know a great place.”
“They’d love it,” I say. “I’ll—” I chuckle when I catch myself trying to control the situation. Ian laughs along with me, and as we gaze at each other, the strong urge to kiss him takes hold. I whisper, “What do you need me to do?”
He gives his slow, sexy smile that he uses when he’s up to no good. “Not a thing. I’ll pick you all up at eleven.”
I look at Sadie and Sophie in their loose summer dresses. I learned to buy them clothing that can accommodate the size they are when they shift into bear, since ripping things to shreds was getting expensive. I told them we’re going on a picnic with a friend of mine named Ian. I think it’s best if I let him tell them he’s their father.
Sadie has been glued to the window for the last five minutes, waiting, and she squeals while she hops up and down. “He’s here!”
Kimi laughs at her as I grab the small bag I have packed with sweaters, sunscreen, and snacks in case the girls don’t like enough of what Ian packed for food.
I open up the door before Ian has a chance to knock and say, “Some of us are excited.”
“Good,” says Ian. He squats down to the girls’ height. “I’m Ian. And let me guess who is who.”
Sadie rolls her eyes, and I chuckle when Ian points at her and says, “Sadie.”
She smiles at him as she rocks on her feet. “Yes.”
“And you’re Sophie,” he says as she grabs my leg and leans on me. Ian looks up at me. “All set?”
“We are,” I say as he stands and leads the way to his truck. When we get there, I see he must have purchased car seats for the girls. He lifts them up to get inside and winks at me. “Good thing I’ve had practice helping girls into my truck.”
I slap at his arm before I take the hand he offers me. Once we begin driving, Ian says, “I’m taking you to my top-secret hiding spot. Do I need to blindfold anyone, or can you all promise not to tell?”
“We can’t drive, silly,” says Sadie.
Sophie says, “We won’t tell, Daddy.”
I let out a small gasp as Ian and I exchange a glance. I think about how Sophie talked about the bear when she saw Ian after he shifted, and now I realize she knew it was her father. I suspect she has visions like I do.
“Are you Daddy?” asks Sadie.
He smiles at me before looking at her in the rearview mirror. “I sure am.”
Clearly not fazed by the news, Sadie says, “We saw a bee hive this morning. You have to be really careful not to touch, but Kimi says if you leave them alone, bees won’t sting you.”
“She’s right,” says Ian.
We continue the discussion about bees as Sadie shares everything she learned, and while she talks, Sophie soaks it all in. Ian takes us to a gravel parking lot off the side of the road where there are signs with a map for the trails in the national forest. He leads us down a path, and I follow behind the girls as we make our way into the woods. Within minutes, we hear the rush of a river, and he brings us over to the area I recognize from my visions. I smile, because this is where we finally become a family.
Ian looks back at me as we approach the small beach and asks, “What do you think?”
I recall the image of him as a bear with my girls on his back as they walked toward me. I feel a rush of gratitude as I say, “It’s perfect.”
Chapter 12
Ian is pretty good with kids for someone who hasn’t been raising them. He pulled out a variety of containers with two types of cheese, three different sandwich meats, crackers, bread, pretzels, and three kinds of fruit. My girls found plenty to eat, and now they’re standing along the edge of the river, picking up pretty pebbles as Ian and I sit on the blanket and watch. They’ve been given strict instructions to stay out of the water since the current is strong.
“You’ve done a great job, Elise.”
“Thanks.” I lean back on my elbows and let the warmth of the sun soak my face. “They’ve been my world, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
“It must have been a shock the first time they shifted.”
“It was. Sophie did it first.”
“Of course she did,” Ian says as he picks up a stick and snaps a piece of it off. “She’s got a lot going on in her head, but she keeps it close.”
“I know, and I worry about that. She shifted in the middle of the night, and I think it was because of a bad dream because she climbed into bed with me as a cub. I just about had a heart attack before I realized it was my child.”
Ian laughs. “I wish I could have been there for that.”
“I know,” I say. “I’m sorry you weren’t.”
“It’s fine. If we’re going to make our family work, I need to move on from that.”
“Can you, though?” I ask as I sit up.
Ian gazes into my eyes. “I’m trying, Elise. This is something that’s good for all of us, so I’m going to find a way. Besides…” He leans in and brushes his lips across mine. “There hasn’t been a day you weren’t on my mind since we met. You’ve got me under your spell for life.”
Love for Ian fills me with a warm glow as I gaze into his eyes. A splash captures my attention, and when I look toward the river, I notice that not only has Sophie shifted, but she’s in the water. I suck in a breath as I hop to my feet and watch in horror as Sadie, never one to be left behind, shifts and joins her.
I begin to run as I yell, “Ian!” But my call is unnecessary because he flies by me as a bear with strips of clothing flapping in the wind before he dives into the river.
Both girls are moving down the river now, and their front legs flail as they try to fight the swift water. Their cries pierce through my heart as I stand on the shore, helpless. I gasp and put my hand over my mouth as I say, “Oh god.”
Ian reaches Sadie first, and he grabs the back of her neck with his teeth before he flips her up onto his back. She clings to him as he goes
after Sophie. Her head bobs under for a moment, and ice floods my veins as I race down the shoreline. Ian’s strokes are powerful, and it isn’t long before he reaches her. He latches onto her and holds her squirming body up above the water for a moment before she figures out he’s saved her. Once she stops struggling, he swims back to the beach with her still in his mouth.
I rush over and nearly collapse with relief when Ian rises up on all fours with one cub on his back and the other hanging from his snout. He lowers Sophie to her feet, and Sadie slides off his back to the ground. My voice shakes when I say, “Bear time is over, girls.”
As they shift back, Ian does too. And I move to embrace them. But when Ian lets out a low growl, I freeze. I notice the girls staring at the naked man before them with big eyes. He says, “Sophie and Sadie, your mother told you to stay out of the water. Do you realize if I hadn’t been here, you would have drowned?”
Sophie’s lower lip begins to quiver, and Sadie bursts into tears. While part of me wants to chide Ian for making them cry, I realize that he’s doing exactly what he should do right now—scare them both enough that they understand the severity of what happened and won’t pull a stunt like that again.
I walk over and lower myself to their level to pull them into a hug. “You two scared us. Daddy’s right. You can’t ever do that again.” I hold them as they cry, and I gaze up at Ian. “Thank you,” I say as I pour my gratitude into my words.
He lets out a long breath as his body relaxes, and then he gives me a tentative smile. I say to the girls, “We’re very lucky Daddy was here. Now you need to go give him a hug too. He was very brave.”
Sadie whispers to me behind her hand as though he can’t hear, “He’s not wearing any clothes, and he’s got a—boy thing.”
Sophie can’t help herself, and she lets out a little snort of laughter before she tries to hide it.