Page 70 of Bear Creek Father's Day

Everyone clapped and cheered as Zuzu laughed and received kisses from her proud daddies. Levi continued his brief comments.

“For the first time, each of our families gets to celebrate Father’s Day, and I’m sure I speak for the rest of you when I say what a joy and blessing our children are. Congratulations, dads!”

The kids all cheered, showering their papas with hugs and smooches before digging into their dessert. Surprised gasps and laughter erupted as they discovered a chocolate/vanilla checkerboard cake underneath the plain frosting, further reflecting Baxter’s tuxedo patterned fur. Nary a crumb remained by the time they were through, and then Knox announced that it was time for games.

In human form, they played kickball, bean bag toss, and tag. Then it was time to add the dads for hide and seek—each father in bear form searching for their child in human form.No one won or lost, but it did result in tons of laughter and delighted squeals. The last activity was a walk through the woods with (almost) everyone in bear form. Zak lifted Rayn to his shoulders, walking alongside Orrin as they investigated the McCoy territory.

It was a beautiful piece of property that included lots of old-growth trees, a winding stream, rocks to climb, and the scent of woodland animals everywhere. Since Knox knew where the fruit grew, he led the group to patches of wild strawberries and loaded mulberry trees for a natural treat that no bear could resist. Orrin helped locate the good stuff with his superior nose, allowing Zak and Rayn to enjoy the best ripe berries along with everyone else.

The party ended when they arrived back at the cabin, and everyone pitched in to help clean up and put things away before saying their farewells. They’d all had such a good time that they agreed to repeat the celebration again next year. The drive home only took a few minutes, and the kids immediately went down for a nap. As soon as they were asleep, Orrin dragged his mate into their bedroom and worked off some of the sexual tension that had built up over the last several hours.

Fast, furious couplings and muffled shouts of pleasure resulted in multiple orgasms, giving the men exactly what they needed. Zak liked this aggressive side of Orrin, trusting his mate to do what he wanted without hurting him, despite the rushed circumstances. They’d managed to shower, redress, and go downstairs before the kids woke up and joined them. While Zak got out the art supplies, Orrin started preparations for supper—interrupted shortly after by a text.

Tasha

>Check outside your door for a piece of mail. It came to the Cub House yesterday and I forgot to tell you. BTW—happy Father’s Day!

Orrin

>Thanks! We had a good time at the party.

Orrin went to the connecting door and opened it to find a thick manilla envelope lying on the floor. Heart pounding, he picked it up and glanced at the front. It was from the Bureau of Shifter Affairs and addressed to Zak and Orrin Hall.Yes!He simply couldn’t wait to open it and found what he was hoping for inside—Kip and Rayn were now legally theirs! Tears blurred his vision and Zak came running, having sensed his emotional response through the mating bond.

“What’s wrong, love? Bad news?”

Orrin wrapped Zak in his arms, drinking in the man’s incredible scent while he found his voice.

“Good news, mate. The kids are ours!”

Orrin let him read the cover letter for himself, and moments later was swept off his feet and twirled around in the narrow hallway. Hand in hand, they went directly to get Kip and Rayn for a family chat in the living room. Orrin sat Kip on his lap while Zak did the same for Rayn. The kids might not fully understand everything Orrin was about to tell them, but they’d recognize the good news for what it was.

“Kip. Rayn. We got a letter in the mail today that says both of you now belong with us. It means you are legally our children and your last name is Hall, just like mine.”

Kip had a goofy smile on his face, though Rayn’s lower lip trembled and she looked from Orrin’s face to Zak’s.

“I can stay? You want to keep me?”

Zak pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head.

“Yes, baby girl, we want to keep you. We’re your dads and this is your forever home now.”

Rayn burst into tears—a mix of happiness and relief that her tortuous journey to belong was finally over. Zak stroked her back while she cried, wishing once again that the poor child had never been hurt and rejected in the first place. Kip on the other hand was all giddy excitement, and reached up to wrap little arms around Orrin’s neck.

“Dada!”

Orrin tussled Kip’s wavy hair and hugged his son.

“That’s right, Kip. You have two daddies now and we both love you very much.”

Once the tears dried up, Orrin led the family to the kitchen table and picked out a clean sheet of paper and a marker from the art supplies. On it, he printed everyone’s names in big block letters and pointed at the person as he read the name aloud.

Zak Hall

Orrin Hall

Kip Hall

Rayn Hall

“This is what our names look like. When you get a little older, I’ll teach you how to write yours all by yourself.”

Rayn insisted that he put them on the refrigerator door, and Orrin did so with pride. After supper, they followed the regular routine of baths and story time before bed. Orrin and Zak lingered in their room until they were both asleep, and thenretired to their own bedroom. After some slow and sweet lovemaking, they held one another close, revisiting the day’s memories. While this was their first Father’s Day, it certainly wouldn’t be their last, and they looked forward to an exciting future as a family.

THE END