"Well," Grizz's voice boomed across the parking garage, "I hate to interrupt this touching reunion, but we've got paperwork to fill out and a media circus to deal with.Smokie, you and Mr.Snuggles start documenting the scene while I call the federal folks."
"Yes, Daddy," Smokie replied, then held his teddy bear up to his ear."Mr.Snuggles wants to know if Big Timber and Ali are going to have a proper wedding, because he thinks the supernatural trucking community deserves a good party after all this drama."
Tim looked down at Ali, his eyes blazing with possibility."What do you think?Ready to make this official?"
"I think," Ali said.Her magic ran hot beneath her skin like liquid gold."that sounds like the perfect story to document."
***
SIX MONTHS LATER
Ali adjusted her camera settings as she watched Tim check the straps on their latest cargo—medical supplies bound for a banshee community in Oregon whose vocal cord treatments had been delayed by bureaucratic red tape.The Supernatural Truckers Alliance had been officially recognized as a humanitarian organization, with federal support for their medical delivery network.
But some things never changed.Communities still needed help, and there were still truckers willing to risk everything to provide it.
"Ready, partner?"Tim asked, climbing into the driver's seat of their truck.Not his truck, not her truck—their truck.The cab had been modified to accommodate her photography equipment and his massive frame, with a sleeper berth that had become legendary among the convoy for reasons that made Ali blush when other truckers mentioned it.
"Ready," Ali said, settling into the passenger seat and reaching for the CB radio.The simple wedding band on her finger caught the light, matching the one Tim wore that had been specially made to fit his enormous hands."Luna, this is Ali.How's the formation looking?"
"Looking good, honey.Bertha's got her mobile kitchen fired up, Snowman's running point, and we've got civilian support from here to the coast."Luna's voice carried the satisfaction of an alpha whose pack had grown to include truckers from across the country."Oh, and Ali?There's someone at the truck stop in Nevada who wants to meet you.A witch named Sondra who's been following your work."
"A witch?"Ali's curiosity perked up."What's her story?"
"She's a nightclub singer who's been documenting supernatural communities through her music.Apparently, she's gotten herself mixed up with a Jersey Devil street fighter named Clive, and they're having some territory disputes that might need mediation."
Tim glanced over at Ali, his eyes bright with amusement."Sounds like another story that needs documenting."
"Sounds like another couple that needs our help," Ali corrected, then keyed the radio."Luna, tell Sondra we'll be happy to meet with her.After we deliver these medical supplies."
"Copy that.Convoy's rolling in T-minus five minutes."
As they pulled out of the staging area, Ali looked back at the growing line of trucks following them.Supernatural truckers, civilian supporters, and federal escort vehicles ensuring safe passage.The movement they'd accidentally started had become a symbol of something larger—the right of all communities to receive the care they needed.
Her book had hit the bestseller lists, the documentary had won awards, and she was booked solid with speaking engagements at universities and conferences across the country.All of it done from the road, with Tim as her partner in every sense of the word.
"Still think I made the right choice?"she asked, settling back in her seat as Tim guided their truck onto the highway.
"I think," Tim said, his voice carrying the deep contentment of a male who'd found his perfect match, "that we both made exactly the choices we were meant to make."
As their truck rolled onto the highway, CB chatter filling the cab with the voices of their chosen family, Ali watched the landscape roll by and thought about how much her life had changed.She'd gone from documenting safe stories for editors who didn't want to rock any boats to living a legend that was still being written.
Behind them, the convoy stretched as far as the eye could see.Ahead of them, communities waited for the help that would keep hope alive.
And beside her, her mate and partner was ready for whatever the road brought next.
Some legends were born to be told.Others were born to be lived.
They were living theirs, one mile at a time.
