Chapter Fifteen
Denali
It had been three months since Christmas. Three months since I’d found my Abel again. Three months since I started living for the first time in years.
Instantly, we wanted to be together every day. I mean, who wouldn’t want to? But my mate was teaching school, and I still had things to deal with at the college. It was much easier for me to switch things around than for him.
And really, school had been more about trying to find meaning and purpose than actually something I wanted.
It had been a way to hide from all the turmoil of losing Abel.
Now that he was back, now that I realized I’d never really lost him in the first place, not in the way I thought I had, I didn’t need the university to be my everything anymore.
I talked to my advisor, and we arranged for me to do the rest of my coursework pretty much all via Zoom and online written communication.
I’d still need to make a few trips out there, but not many.
Quitting my position was easy, especially now that Abel and I were expecting.
Working and living far away from him wasn’t something I’d consider doing.
We wanted something more than his place, a place that was ours.
We lucked out when a cabin came on the market within commuting distance to his school.
It was big enough for a growing family, close enough to amenities that we wouldn’t have to deal with hour-long drives for groceries, but also right in the middle of nature, so we could shift.
And best of all, the price was well within our budget.
And today, we had officially moved in.
In some ways, everything happened incredibly quickly…three months from getting back together to moving into our first home, but it had been literal decades in the making, and it was finally here.
Our families had insisted on helping us get it ready by painting, cleaning, arranging furniture, but they had all gone now. It was just us, for the first time.
“What do you think?” I asked.
I wrapped my arms around him from behind, settling my palms on his growing belly. It was still flat compared to many, but he had the cutest little bump, and I couldn’t keep my hands off it.
“Do you think we could be happy here?”
He turned in my arms, facing me, and kissed me. “I could be happy with you anywhere,” he said, kissing me again. “But yes, I love this cabin. I love being here with you. And I’m so grateful our families are gone. I’m so exhausted.”
In theory, he was out of the first trimester, but the exhaustion was holding on a little longer.
Annoying, but normal, based on his endless internet research, which, honestly, was never the best idea.
Still, his energy levels had been improving every day, even if having a house full of company all “trying to help” had worn both of us down.
“Why don’t you take a shower and get ready for bed?” I suggested. “Then I’ll make us some sandwiches for dinner.”
“How did you know I’d want a sandwich?” he teased, as if he hadn’t been eating sandwiches for nearly every meal for two weeks.
“It was more that I was being lazy,” I said with a grin. “Go on. I’ve got this.”
I took out the salmon I’d grilled up yesterday and flaked it, turning it into a salmon salad and piled it with tomatoes and lettuce all served on the crusty bread we’d picked up from the local bakery.
It was the kind of meal you’d expect a bear shifter to make, but my mate had taken to loving salmon lately.
He said maybe he was having a cub-bear. And maybe he was. But as long as they were happy and healthy, I didn’t care what our little one would be.
I grabbed a bag of chips, poured some onto both our plates, and sat at the table waiting for him to come out. Some days, he was super-fast with his showers, the warm water a little too much for him, and other days, he’d have it blasting full force and stay in there for half an hour.
Pregnancy was wild. So wild. And I was only watching it from the outside. I couldn’t imagine what it was like for him.
When he came out, he had his pajama pants slung low on his hips and no shirt. And, being his mate, I didn’t even try to hide the fact that I was enjoying the view, especially his adorable bump.
“Denali,” he said with a sleepy smile, “you’re wanting to skip dinner and go straight to dessert.”
If he hadn’t been pregnant, I would’ve lifted him up and carried him straight to bed—but he needed rest. They both did.
“Baby needs the vitamins.” I pointed to his sandwich, and he picked it up and took a huge bite.
“This is so good,” he said a few minutes later, his mouth full. “I’ve never had salmon salad. So much better than tuna.”
“It’s different than tuna,” I said. “I’m not sure I’d say it’s better, but it’s definitely good.”
He started yawning as he ate. When he was done, I cleaned up the dishes, grateful for the dishwasher we had installed, truly the best investment ever and then joined him on the couch.
He snuggled up beside me, letting out a long breath. “I want you,” he murmured. “But I’m too tired. Maybe we’ll take a quick nap first.”
I kissed the top of his head. “You need to get a good night’s sleep, love. Grow my sweet baby.”
“That’s not as fun,” he mumbled, but his eyes were already closed.
“I’ll just have to have morning sex, then,” I whispered with a smile.
He hugged me a little tighter. “Night, mate. Thank you for being you. And for waiting for me.”
“Thank you for waiting for me,” I whispered back.
He didn’t hear me, though. His soft breaths had already evened out. He was fast asleep. I carried him to our bed and I climbed in beside him. My sweet mate, still asleep, snuggled right in close to me, as if he couldn’t be away despite being in dreamland. I was a lucky, lucky bear.
“See you in the morning, omega mine.” I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, my entire world cuddled up with me.