He recovers quickly though and shakes my head. “You must be Boone.”
“I am,” I say in a firm tone. “Thank you for having me.”
He takes our coats as more people come over—aunts, uncles, kids of all ages, even a young mom holding a baby. They’re all checking me out, trying to get a read on Veronica’s new man. I’m the only one she’s ever brought home, so I’m causing quite the stir of curiosity.
Her mom hands the stuff over to someone and then gives Veronica a big mama bear hug.
I suck in a breath when she hugs me next, stiffening as she pulls me into her welcoming arms. I freeze for half a second, then awkwardly pat her back. No one hugs me. Ever.
It’s… kind of nice.
Veronica watches me, trying not to laugh as everyone surges forward, welcoming me into the family and taking their turn getting a handshake or a hug.
These are good people. I can already tell.
I’m immediately absorbed into the chaos and introduced to two dozen people whose names I won’t remember but whose smiles warm me up and make me feel part of something greater than myself, my bear, and my secluded mountain.
My grizzly is thrilled as he takes in all of the scents as we walk into the house. He loves being around people and happiness. I’m finally giving the bubbly bear a Christmas he deserves.
Enjoy it, buddy, I tell him.Merry Christmas.
If he could hug me too, he would.
The adorable house is packed with people everywhere and it’s decorated so beautifully with a towering Christmas tree loaded with gifts at the bottom. It looks straight out of a movie.
All the laughter and music and conversations going on around me… It should make me want to bolt straight out the window and run back into the woods.
But instead…
I feel something else.
Gratitude.
I’m grateful that my mate has all these nice people who love her and have her back, and I’m grateful they’ve accepted me into their warm wonderful world.
“We saw your segment on the news,” one of Veronica’s aunts says as we get into the kitchen. “Tell us everything!”
Everyone wants to hear the story.
“A grizzly bear,” her dad says, handing me a beer without asking. I like this guy already. “That must have been terrifying.”
“It was definitely a wild time,” Veronica says, sneaking a smile to me. “I can’t believe we got it all on camera.”
“And this muscular god,” her aunt says, sidling up beside me. My eyes widen as she drags her palm up my bicep. “Lifting that tree all by yourself. What a man.”
“Can you help me with the appetizers, Carol?” Veronica’s mom says, rushing over, grabbing her sister’s arm, and practically yanking her away from me toward the oven.
Veronica tells the story to the eager audience, making everyone laugh and lean in during the suspenseful parts. She’s unreal. I’m already obsessed with her. She’s so animated and is completely comfortable under the spotlight. I can’t get over her.
She’s so damn beautiful it makes my heart hurt. Her dark hair is down and she’s wearing the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen. It’s black and sparkly, and she looks simply radiant. I can’t believe she’s mine.
The silver necklace I gave her this morning is hanging around her neck. She cried when I gave it to her, and said she’d never take it off.
I can’t believe I get to hold her and kiss her and love her as fiercely as I desire. I’m the luckiest man in the world.
I spend the next hour chatting with different people, eating amazing food, drinking warm cocktails, and at one point, some kid shoves a Santa hat on my head.
It’s overwhelming, but in a good way. I’m not used to all this, but I can get used to it. I want to get used to it.
