by Olivia Harp
“You make me strive to be a better person, and the way Deedee looks up to you and learns from you is something I can never be grateful enough. I truly, completely adore you. I love you, Cassie.”
She let out a small laugh, unable to contain her happiness. Then she almost fainted when he went on one knee, taking a small, velvety box out of his pocket.
His eyes looked up and found hers.
“I want to be with you forever, my love. Will you marry me?”
He opened the box and she felt like fainting, the engagement ring had a beautiful round, brilliant center stone, complemented by pavé-set diamonds going all the way around the ring.
She covered her tears, her smile big as ever.
“YES!” she shouted, “Of course I’ll marry you!”
He put the ring on her finger and stood up, lifting her in his arms, his chest pressed against her, his heart raced just like hers.
“I love you, I love you,” he was saying, when the door burst open.
Deedee ran in, laughing, straight to them, Paulie following behind, camera on hand.
Cassie opened her arm and Deedee hugged them.
“I love you Cassie,” Dee said.
“I love you too, Dee-Tank,” she replied, to which all of them laughed in unison.
Paulie pulled a thin pink lace just beside the door. A couple of small balloons above blew and rained flower petals around the room.
“Stay still, stay still,” he said as he took a dozen pictures, but it was impossible.
This was the best moment of her life.
“How did you do it?” she asked, still in surprise.
“Your friends helped me,” Raiden said, “and Deedee of course.”
“I told him about the flowers,” Dee said, “and Paulie set up cameras there and there.”
She looked at Paulie,
“I thought you were on Cincinnati, at the governor’s ball,” she said,
“I sent Mark, this party would be much more fun.”
“Party?”
Dee, Raiden and Paulie looked at each other, holding a smile.
“Come on, they’ll be here soon,” Dee said, taking Cassie’s hand, extending her other hand to Ray, “come on dad!”
Cassie saw him take his child’s hand and she knew she’d met the love of her life.
It was no accident that this warrior bear came into her life.
This was destiny.
And you can’t fight destiny.
Epilogue
The day had been long but very productive. After the small debriefing at the White Paws headquarters area, up in the mountain, Raiden headed home.
It had been six months today since the wedding, and he wanted to celebrate, maybe go down to Rosenberg, have a romantic dinner with his wife.
His bear was still the same monstrous pain in the ass it always had been... stubborn, loud, but when he was with Cassie or Deedee the animal quieted down and purred like a puppy.
He loved that. Just thinking about his wife made him feel a warmth inside he didn’t remember existed.
He walked the steps up to his big cabin and opened the front door, greeted instantly by the warm, cozy interior and the faint sound of music coming from the studio.
He sneaked inside and peeked through the corner.
Dee was doing her homework on the floor, Cassie was on her computer, editing a photograph.
“Yes, dear,” Cassie was saying, “some girls develop later than others, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Develop? What?
“But Jo is already wearing a b-cup, and—”
Oh crap, girl talk, he shouldn’t be snooping.
He cleared his throat as loud as he could and both of them jumped.
“Hey girls,” he said, casually.
Dee turned to Cassie, half embarrassed, thinking Cassie might carry on with the conversation but Cassie just answered “hey, love.”
The studio had floor to ceiling bookshelves, a sofa, hardwood floors and a big window. It was the perfect place to work or read. He’d made sure Cassie was as comfortable here as she was on her own studio.
“Six months today, darling,” he said with a wink.
“You remembered?”
He walked over to her, leaning for a kiss.
“Always. Do you want to go out and celebrate?”
Cassie considered the idea, but she wasn’t as excited as he was.
“Maybe we could stay here?”
“Oh, still feeling bad?”
She sighed.
“I’m better now, but I don’t want to risk it.”
“Besides, you should watch your diet,” Dee said.
Raiden gasped, he could feel Cassie sinking on her chair, embarrassed.
“Deeandra,” he said, “What’s with you? Apologize immediately!”
“What? Why?”
“You don’t say that to people.”
“It’s fine,” Cassie said, “maybe I’m gaining weight and—”
“No. You’re perfect,” he interrupted, his eyes fixed on his child, “Dee?”
“What?”
“Say you’re sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Cassie repeated, walking up to Dee and kneeling beside her, “she didn’t mean it, right, dear?”
“Cassie I love you,” Dee said, “but you have to watch your diet, for the babies.”
Raiden shivered.
Dee continued on her homework and Cassie turned to him, her face a question-mark.
“Dee,” Raiden said, breaking the silence, “what babies?”
She continued writing on her notepad, as if it was just another conversation.
“My brothers and my sister,” she said, “in here.”
Dee touched Cassie's belly. Raiden’s heart was about to jump out of his chest.
Cassie’s eyes were lost, fixed on the wall. Thinking.
Everything made sense now.
She’d felt bad every morning but they thought it was just food poisoning.
The thought of her being pregnant hadn’t even crossed their minds.
“Triplets,” Dee said, “I looked it up online.”
“Dee,” Cassie said, “I don’t think I’m—”
“Yes you are, mom. Two boys and a girl. They’re happy.”
She called her mom.
The world was turning upside down, in an absolutely good way.
Dee had an Elk spirit. She could sense things like this. A sudden realization came unto Raiden.
Dee never lied. Ever. It wasn’t in her.
“I need a test,” Cassie said, nervously.
Raiden nodded and ran outside. Zoe, Damien’s mate, must have had some. She’d given birth the previous year to a beautiful baby boy.
But he knew what they’d find.
He knew Deedee was right.
Cassie knew it too.
The cabin almost exploded with happiness when the test came back positive.
Cassie was pregnant.
Raiden and Cassie yelled in delight, holding each other.
There was no better way to celebrate their marriage.
“Adults...” Dee said, rolling her eyes, “when will they learn?”
Nine months later Paulie took pictures of the big family.
The smile on their faces full of hope, happiness and love.
Life was perfect.
Thanks for reading!
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Completely standalone story. This novel has a HEA and absolutely NO cheating and NO cliffhangers.
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