“She’s going to be perfect.”
“Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive.”
I laugh and pull Fern closer. “No, they’re not.”
The celebration continues around us. Someone has set up tables covered with food and drink, and pack members mingle and chat as music drifts through the trees. It feels less like a formal ceremony and more like a family gathering, which I suppose is exactly what it is.
Luna approaches us with two glasses of something sparkling. “Non-alcoholic for the nursing mother,” she assures Fern. “Though I’m told it’s delicious anyway.”
“Thank you.” Fern accepts the glass and takes a sip. “For everything, Luna. Not just the drink. For saving me that day at the clinic. For being there when I needed someone.”
“That’s what a pack is for.” Luna reaches out and strokes the baby’s cheek. “Besides, I wasn’t going to let anything happen to this little one’s mother. She’s too important.”
“The baby or me?”
“Both.”
After Luna drifts away to join Nic, I guide Fern toward the edge of the Hollow, where it’s quieter. We find a fallen log to sit on, and Fern adjusts the baby in her arms while I settle beside her.
“How do you feel?” I ask.
“Happy,” she replies, beaming. “Overwhelmed. Like, I can’t quite believe this is my life now.”
“Believe it.” I wrap my arm around her and rest my chin on top of her head. “This is real, Fern. This is forever.”
“Forever is a long time.”
“Not long enough. I could have a thousand forevers with you and still want more.”
She laughs softly and shakes her head. “You really have been practicing.”
“I told you.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the pack celebrate. The baby falls asleep against Fern’s chest with her tiny fingers curled into fists. I study her face—the shape ofher nose, the curve of her cheeks, the way her mouth puckers slightly as she dreams—and feel a love so fierce it almost hurts.
“I’m going to protect you both,” I declare. “I know I’ve said it before, but I need you to hear it again. Nothing is ever going to hurt either of you. Not while I’m alive.”
Fern turns her head to look at me. “I know.”
“After everything that happened with Robbie, after how close I came to losing you both… I won’t let anything like that happen again. Ever.”
“Connor.” She reaches up and cups my face in her hand. “I believe you. I trust you. I know you’ll always keep us safe.”
“Always,” I promise. “No matter what.”
She leans in and kisses me, soft and slow, and I pour everything I’m feeling into the contact. All the love I have for her. All the gratitude that she chose me. All the hope I have for our future together.
When we break apart, she’s smiling.
“Take us home?” she asks.
I stand and offer her my hand, helping her to her feet without jostling the sleeping baby. The celebration is still going strong behind us, but no one tries to stop us as we slip away into the trees.
The walk back to our cabin is quiet and peaceful. Fern leans against my side, and I keep my arm wrapped securely around her shoulders. Above us, the moon hangs full and bright, casting silver shadows across the path.
“I love you,” I tell her as our cabin comes into view.
“I love you too.”
