Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 17637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Gabe watches, grinning like he’s got money on the main event. Gianna is cool as a cucumber, though I can tell she’s bracing for the family express about to barrel into our lives.
No sooner have we crossed the threshold before Mr. and Mrs. Bearly emerge, full of genuine warmth and uncontainable excitement. Mrs. Bearly sweeps Gianna into a hug first and then turns to me, her eyes animated and full of welcome.
“You must be Sawyer!” she exclaims, pulling me into a surprisingly strong embrace for someone so small. “I’ve heard so much about you from the boys.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Mrs. Bearly,” I reply, trying to match her enthusiasm. “I’m scared to know what they said.”
“Oh, don’t worry too much.” She waves a hand. “I never take what they say too seriously. Now, call me Mom! We’re all family now, and you’re stuck with us.”
The words hit me in a way I didn’t quite expect—direct, kind, and absolutely devoid of any pretense. Family. That’s new to me, and nice as hell.
“Mom it is, then.” I chuckle.
Meanwhile, as if on cue, Mr. Bearly sidles up with a presence that could make a man quake if they didn’t know how much love lurked beneath that gruff exterior. He gives me a handshake, grasping my hand hard enough to bring tears to my eyes.
“Call me Dad,” he says, his tone good-natured, but then leans in closer, his voice dropping to a good-natured growl. “But you should know, if you hurt my daughter, me and the boys will make sure they never find your body.”
It's not so much a threat as it is a statement of fact, delivered in his matter-of-fact, unconcerned voice. I find myself smiling, hoping to meet his intensity with sincerity.
“I love Gianna,” I assure him, completely earnest, absorbing the weight of his intent. “I’d rather cut off my hand than hurt her.”
He holds my gaze for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. “Good to hear. Let’s get you a drink.”
We settle in the living room, exchanging stories amidst the clamoring din of dinner being prepared. Lennon and Grant watch while Gabe spins tales of Gianna’s youth that have her cringing with the kind of horror only siblings can incite. Gianna remains slightly mortified, but her eyes shine with happiness, making my chest swell with something undeniably warm.
Just as I’m considering whether to initiate a topic change and save Gianna from further embarrassment, Mom calls us to the dining room for dinner.
Gianna’s hand finds mine under the table, and I squeeze it gently, reassuring her I’m surviving the interrogation.
Driving away from the Bearly household, a sense of relief and happiness settles into my soul. Next to me, Gianna reclines in the passenger seat, a slight smile playing on her lips.
“Feeling better after I survived the Bearly Family inquisition?” I laugh.
Gianna turns her head to look at me, her smile widening. “Heck yes. I’m glad you weren’t scared off. I plan to keep you forever.”
“I’m so glad to hear that, hot stuff. I love you so fucking much and there’s nothing in the world that could scare me off.” I laugh, remembering the barrage of questions, affectionate teasing, and enough stories about Gianna’s childhood to fill a novel. “Your family definitely knew how to make me feel welcome.”
“Our family,” she corrects, laughing happily, and my inner bear relaxes for the first time since I first laid eyes on her. “There’s nothing like a Bearly interrogation, one part shakedown, two parts therapy session,” she quips, reaching over to gently squeeze my hand. “You did great, by the way. They loved you, and now, you’re stuck with all of us.”
“I’m one lucky motherfucker.” I pull up in front of our house and hop out. I open her door and pull her into my arms.
“Yes, you are, sloth boy, and you’re about to get a whole lot luckier.” She reaches between our bodies and wraps her soft hand around my cock and gives it a squeeze.
Fucking hell, life is good.
Epilogue
GIANNA
Six years later, and life has transformed into a kaleidoscope of chaos and joy that I never tire of. Our cabin has grown, not just in spirit but literally, with an added extension to accommodate our large family. Sawyer and I are relaxing on the back patio, watching our five-year-old identical triplet daughters tearing through the backyard like there’s no tomorrow.
The three little rambunctious bundles of energy are romping around in their polar bear forms. Watching them play sends happiness coursing through me. Their white fur sparkles against the emerald grass as they roll and giggle with their little paws pattering with wild abandon.
“I still can’t wrap my head around it,” Sawyer muses beside me, his gaze following their every move with equal parts amusement and disbelief. “Here we are, two grizzly shifters raising polar bears. How’d we get here?”