I laugh. “No worries.”
“So, do you guys live here or in Kieran’s and my time?” she asks.
Gunnar takes a hearty swallow of mead. “At first, it was a bit of both. Arlo worked in your time at the TTA.”
“The Time Travel Agency place?”
“Yeah. I worked the farm here. When we decided to start a family, it was just easier to stay in your time.”
Amanda nods. “Makes sense. That must have been crazy for you, huh? To go from living here to our messed-up timeline.”
Gunnar shrugs, but I remember too well how he struggled at first with all the differences from this timeline. “It was an adjustment. Arlo got me a job at the TTA. I help feral ulfhednar recover.”
“And he’s bloody brilliant at it, too.” I can’t help but give Gunnar’s hand a squeeze, overflowing with pride for him.
My potion was a major success, helping to treat countless ulfhednar alphas and prevent others from going feral, and the TTA started a new program to treat those who had already gone feral. Gunnar has helped many patients rehabilitate after months or even years lost to their berserker rage.
It warms my heart knowing we’ve helped make a difference.
“Gather round!” Wulfric’s booming voice rings through the house. He sets a bowl of salmon and turnip stew on the table. “Supper is ready!”
Just in time, the door bangs open and in walks Lyall carrying several heavy-looking bags. “Wait! Don’t start without us!”
Behind him, Soren snorts. “Relax, sweetheart.”
They don’t seem to be in a hurry to have kids. Last we spoke, Soren did say they’d adopted a second cat, though, so it seems they have their hands full as it is.
Against Gunnar’s chest, Riley starts to fuss. Gunnar sniffs the air. “Time for a change.”
“Here you go!” I fling open the diaper bag and hand him wipes and a fresh diaper.
“Thanks, Lo.” He pats my back, telling me without words he’ll return shortly.
I join the pack at the table where we’ve assembled a bit of a potluck. Wulfric made his stew. Helga prepared venison with a red berry sauce. Amanda brought pizza covered in all sorts of toppings. I brought fish and chips from our favorite pub. Lyall and Soren brought—
“Are those… peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?” I ask, leaning over to inspect the pile of sandwiches on the plate. I know they’re an American staple, but I can’t say I ever understood the hype.
Lyall nods enthusiastically. He points to different sandwiches on the plate as he says, “That one is made with chunky peanut butter and raspberry jam, that one has strawberry, that’s blueberry, and grape. That side of the plate is all the same flavors, but with creamy peanut butter. That pile is all fried PB and J. Those are sweeter varieties with whipped cream, marshmallow fluff—”
I gawk at Soren, who smiles at Lyall like he’s the most adorable thing to ever exist. “Do you think he likes PB and J?”
He laughs. “The customers at the bar love them. Our revenue has gone way up since Lyall redid the menu.”
“What’s next, PB and J cocktails?”
Lyall’s head snaps in my direction. “Soren! Write that down. That’s a fantastic idea!”
Oh goddess…
Gunnar drops into the seat beside me, grinning. “Is he going on about those sandwiches of his?”
“Your brother is a culinary genius,” I assure him. “How’d he do?” I give Riley a kiss on his hair.
“He’s perfect,” Gunnar says, his voice so full of warmth I can practically feel it. “Like you.” He sweeps down for a quick kiss on my lips, and my heart damn near beats out of my chest.
“Jace, shift back. We’re eating!” Jamie calls, setting Astrid into her high chair. Anders opens a baggie with Cheerios and hand feeds them to his daughter, his eyes all soft and gooey.
When the rest of the pack joins us at the table, Wulfric takes in a long breath, gaze sweeping over every face. He bounces Ed on his lap, allowing the boy to play with his beard. Wulfric takes Kieran’s hand, lacing their fingers. He smiles and says, “It warms my heart to see you all here. The gods may have taken us in many directions, but as always, they have brought us back together. I love you, all of you. Truly, there is nowhere else in all the nine realms I would rather be. Now, let’s eat!”
