Epilogue
The snow crunched beneath the bear’s massive paws as he carried Emmy up the ridge, her small hands buried deep in his thick fur. Michael’s bear moved with surprising grace for a creature of such size, finding sure footing on the snow-covered trail that wound through the pines behind his cabin.
Our family, his bear rumbled inside him, a deep well of contentment spreading through Michael’s chest as he glanced back at Sarah walking beside him.
Her cheeks were flushed pink from the cold, her dark hair peeking out from beneath a knitted beanie—the same one she’d worn a week ago, when they’d first met at North Peak Pines.
How much had changed since then. How perfectly everything had fallen into place.
Like magic, Michael added.
Christmas magic, his bear corrected.
“Are we almost there?” Emmy called from her perch on his back, her voice bright with excitement.
“Almost, Sarah replied.
“Great!” Emmy said, threading her fingers deeper into his fur. “Not that I want this to end. But I can’t wait to toast marshmallows when we get back to the cabin! I’m going to make mine golden brown all the way around.”
Michael huffed in response, a sound halfway between a chuckle and a growl. He couldn’t speak in this form, but Emmy seemed to understand him anyway.
“You know I love you,” she giggled, leaning forward to wrap her arms around his neck in a tight hug. “You’re the cutest bear ever. And the fuzziest.”
The bear turned his head slightly, catching Sarah’s amused expression. She reached out and patted his shoulder, her fingers sinking into his dense fur.
“She’s not wrong,” Sarah said, her voice warm with affection. “You are pretty cute.”
His bear preened under the attention, soaking in the approval from their mate. But more than that, he felt a surge of protectiveness toward Emmy. The little girl had accepted his true nature with a child’s remarkable ability to adapt.
The trail steepened as they approached the ridge top. Michael slowed his pace, making sure Emmy was secure on his back as they climbed the final stretch. Behind them, the sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows through the trees and painting the snow in shades of gold and amber.
When they finally reached the summit, the view took his breath away. Not that he’d ever tired of it but everything was more special somehow when he shared them with Sarah and Emmy. And this view was no exception.
Bear Creek spread out below them, its lights just beginning to twinkle in the gathering dusk. Beyond the town, mountains rose in jagged silhouette against the darkening sky, their peaks still touched by the sun’s dying rays.
Sarah stepped forward, her breath clouding in the cold air. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, reaching for Emmy. “Come here, sweet pea. Let’s give Michael some space.”
She lifted Emmy from his back, setting the little girl down carefully in the snow. Emmy immediately turned and planted a quick kiss on Michael’s snout, making his bear rumble with pleasure.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said solemnly, then stepped back, eyes wide with anticipation.
Michael moved a few paces away, and then the air around him shimmered and popped with static electricity. In the blink of an eye bear-Michael disappeared to be replaced by not-bear-Michael.
Emmy clapped her hands and bounced on her toes. “That is so cool! I’ll never get tired of watching you do that.”
“Remember,” Michael said, adjusting his sweater, “it’s our secret, right?”
Emmy nodded vigorously, her expression serious. “I promise I’ll never tell anyone that you’re a bear shifter. Not even Dad.” She mimed zipping her lips shut, then throwing away the key.
“Good girl,” he said, ruffling her hair.
A streak of light suddenly flashed across the darkening sky above them—a meteor burning bright as it tore through the atmosphere.
“A shooting star!” Emmy gasped, pointing upward. “Quick, make a wish!”
Michael crouched down beside her, his heart full as he watched her squeeze her eyes shut, her face scrunched in concentration. Sarah closed her eyes, too, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
For a moment, Michael couldn’t think of anything to wish for.
Every dream he’d ever had was right here before him—Sarah, his mate, the woman who had accepted him wholly, bear and all; Emmy, this bright, wonderful child who had already claimed a huge chunk of his heart; their future together, full of love.
Even Liam had been trying more lately—he’d even shown up on time for skating two days ago—and that mattered for Emmy.
What more could he possibly want? He was happy. Truly blessed.
Emmy opened her eyes first and caught the glint of silver on Sarah’s wrist. “Mom, your bear bracelet sparkled when the star went by.”
Sarah touched the tiny charm. “It did, didn’t it?”
“Can we add a snowflake charm? For tonight?” Emmy asked, breathless. “So we always remember.”
Michael slid an arm around Sarah’s waist. “We’ll go into town tomorrow and choose one together. As a part of our story together.”
And what a story it would be!
Michael rose to his feet and moved to Sarah’s side, slipping an arm around her waist and drawing her close against the evening chill. She turned her face up to his and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, her lips warm against his cold skin.