EPILOGUE
THORNE
I couldn't believe our sweet baby girl, Piper, was turning five. To celebrate her birthday weekend, we were going to Raff’s parents’ house. We’d already celebrated her actual birthday with my parents, and the beginning of her birthday week with Junior and crew at the diner. It was safe to say this little girl received quite a bit of spoiling, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I set my hand on my belly. It was at that awkward stage where people couldn’t tell if I was pregnant or just eating too much of my cooking. I was going to have a new baby just as my youngest was heading into kindergarten and our oldest was going into middle school. It was going to be an exciting year for our family.
The kids were great in the car. Rupert spent the entire time reading, and Piper went on and on about all the things she was gonna do when she got to her grandparents’ house. They made the two-hour drive seem not so bad, despite my current state of perpetual nausea.
His parents greeted us at the car and did not hide their excitement at our presence. We tried to go as often as we could.We went inside after ample hugs. Only as I reached the door, my alpha father-in-law, Pop, held me back.
“I think today is gonna be a big day,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“I think we’re about to meet his wolf.”
We’d been suspecting Rupert was a wolf for a couple of months now. He’d growled a few times, and his facial hair was growing much faster than it was for other kids his age. But there was nothing definitive that couldn’t be explained away as having grown up around shifters and being in the early stages of puberty.
A hand cupped my shoulder. “I just wanted to give you a heads-up so it doesn’t freak you out at all.”
“I don’t get freaked out, Pop,” I said.
“I’m just saying.”
Once inside, we chatted for a few minutes, discussing the plans for the day, which included grilling outside and, of course, cake and presents. That was when my omega father-in-law dragged me into the kitchen to show me some new gadget he’d picked up that he was sure I’d love.
I never felt like a guest here in all these years, and I loved that.
The gadget in question was one of those useless “As Seen on TV” things he’d never use. It excited him, and I listened as if I loved it too.
“Let me help finish up cooking.”
“Absolutely not!” he said. “You are carrying our grandbaby. Go outside and enjoy.”
I’d learned early on that it was best not to argue when he got like this. It only prolonged the inevitable. Instead, I thanked him and went to find the others.
Raff was put in charge of the grill. It wasn’t a choice I’d have made, but he appeared happy enough. The grandparents were out playing with the kids, taking their wolf form, and running around with them, and I took it as an opportunity to sit down and relax, soaking it all in.
I’d been worried that as Rupert grew up, he’d no longer enjoy this time. So many kids his age were all about acting five years older. I treasured each of these times, knowing they might be the last.
“Are you sure you don’t need help, mate?” I called over my shoulder to Raff. Relaxing was great, but there was only so much sitting I could take before my back got pissy at me.
“Need help? No. But if you wanted to give me a kiss right here,” he tapped his cheek, “I wouldn’t be opposed.”
As if I could resist that.
It was all I could do not to take over the grill. The meat would not be tender the way he kept flipping it over, but that was fine. Tough steak was kind of par for the course with family barbecues. Not everything had to be a gourmet meal. Still, the urge was there.
Just as we were calling everyone to the table to eat, a woman I’d only seen on video chats came into the backyard.
“Auntie!” Raff rushed to her and hugged her tight. “I thought you were overseas.” She’d been managing some big exhibit that toured the biggest galleries. It was quite an exciting time for her.
“I was, but now I’m back.” She was over-the-top, and anyone looking at her would see that she was a creative type with her bright colored clothing, her stacked jewelry, and her purple hair. “Couldn’t miss Piper’s big birthday.”
The conversation was never dull when we were here, but with Auntie, it rose to a whole new level. We had a blast eating and talking about Europe, school, hockey, and work.
“Presents or cake first?” I asked Piper. Having just devoured two entire steaks, she picked a present.
