Bonus Scene

A Handful of Years Later

"Oh my gods," I say, looking at my house with wide eyes. "Oh my gods! We have so much to do! We have so much to clean! They're going to be here soon!"

"Baby, calm down," Carlos says, putting his hands on my shoulders. "Deep breath, everything is going to be fine. We already made sure everything is ready for when your cousins arrive."

When my cousins decided they were going to come for a visit, I could only describe my feelings as ecstatic, but now I'm the biggest worry wart to ever worry. What if they hate it here? What if they decide the trip was too far out of the way and won't be worth doing again?

What if they think it's stupid that we decided to retire and live out our lives here in this little neighborhood?

"You're freaking out," Carlos murmurs, squeezing my shoulders. I finally look up at him, giving him my best pout. He chuckles before he's leaning down and kissing the pout away.

"I'm not freaking out. You're freaking out."

"It's okay to be nervous. You guys haven't seen each other in a long time, but everything is going to be amazing. They're gonna enjoy their time here and by the end, you'll probably be pushing them back out the door."

I let out a long breath, letting my mate ease some of my worries. My shoulders fall away from my ears and I feel like I can breathe safely once more. I nod at Carlos. "You're right. I know you're right."

What's gotten into me? I'm not usually someone who worries so much!

"Remember that the next time I forget to sort the laundry," Carlos says with a giggle, kissing both of my cheeks before pulling away just in time to miss the smack I tried to give him on the ass. I chase him only for a moment, stopping in my tracks when CJ rounds a corner and runs into my hip.

"Can I go play outside? Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with sugar on top?"

I put my hand on to the top of his head, getting him to stop talking long enough for me to answer. "Are the other kids outside already?" He nods his head excitedly. "Then yes, you can go play with them."

CJ cheers to himself before sprinting towards the backdoor. He almost runs right into the glass in his excitement. When the hell did he get old enough to put on his own shoes and make his way outside without us holding his hand? Am I getting old? Is that what's happening right now?

"Maybe we should have another one," I say, more to myself than anyone else but of course, Carlos overhears.

"I'm not opposed to trying it," he says, wrapping his hands around my middle from behind. "At the very least, it'll be fun to go through the motions."

"That was terrible," I say with a groan but even so, I lean back against Carlos' chest, letting him hold me for a moment as we watch our little one sprint from our yard over to the neighbor's. Lily and JJ are already out there, hanging upside down on the playground all the kids share.

"I love you," Carlos murmurs, kissing the back of my neck. A shiver runs through me and I sigh happily.

"I love you too. I love CJ. I just genuinely love our life here," I tell my mate, overwhelmed by the warmth threatening to burst from my chest. I turn around in Carlos' arms, giving him a soft kiss before pushing away and heading outside as well.

I've gotta make sure everyone and everything is ready for when Harbor, Casper, and Bently arrive. They'll be here sometime this morning while Willow, Willow's mate, Callan, and Willow's spark, Nash, will be coming later tonight.

Gods, I'm so excited to see my family again. It's been far too long.

I quickly slip into my shoes before following CJ outside. Carlos is beside me but he doesn't bother putting on shoes, the absolute weirdo.

"Hey guys," I say to everyone sitting on Jeff's back porch. Dorian, Jeff, Ronny, and Martin are all here. They're all holding coffees in their hands and Jeff is quick to offer some for the two of us as well. "Thank you."

"So, you ready to see everyone?" Jeff asks, handing a mug to Carlos and I.

"Yeah. Kinda nervous though. Is everything ready? We got the s'mores supplies and stuff?"

"Everything is all good to go," Jeff says with a nod. "Plus, we cleaned out the spare house across the street so they'll have the entire place to themselves."

I still have no idea how the hell Jeff managed to get all of these houses for us. Even after all these years I just smile and nod. He has his ways and that's all that matters.

"Don't be nervous," Martin says with a kind smile. "They're gonna love visiting. Who wouldn't love all this chaos?"

"They bring their own brand of chaos," I tell them, shaking my head but feeling nothing but fondness.

Just as I'm finishing my cup of coffee, I hear someone pull into my driveway. I quickly hand my mug to Carlos and run towards my house. My stomach is filled with chaotic butterflies and my heart is leaping in my chest.

Oh my gods! It's them! I'm finally seeing my cousins again and all the worries and nerves fall away. They all get out of their RV and I smile to myself, happy that my RV days are past me.

"Jude!" Harbor is the first one out. He runs over to me, grabbing me in a tight hug. He might be smaller than me but he's strong, lifting me off the ground and spinning me in a circle until we're both giggling.

"I'm so happy you're all here! Oh my gods, it's been too long!"

I quickly pull Casper and then Bently into a hug, my chest aching with how happy I am. I promise to talk to them about making visits here more regular. I don't want to go years without seeing them again if I can help it. Sure, our scheduled FaceTime dates are important but there's nothing quite like having them here with me.

"We have so much to tell you," Bently says with a grin. "And I can't wait for you to meet Nash and Callan. I think you're gonna love them."

"If they could handle meeting you lot, I'm sure they're truly special."

I tug my cousins towards the backyard, wanting them to meet everyone. After everyone has had their introductions, Carlos steps over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. I lean against him, just taking a moment to breathe him in.

"I told you there was nothing to worry about."

I look at my cousins mingling with my hunting family. They all seem to mesh better than I even imagined they would. My family. All of them are finally here together. Well, all of them will be here together once Willow arrives. I don't think it's possible for me to be happier.

"Don't let it go to your head," I whisper to my mate, making him chuckle. CJ runs over, leaping into Bently's lap and telling him about all the things he's learning about in school lately.

"Our little family just keeps growing," Carlos says, giving me a knowing smile. "Maybe tonight we can try making it even a little bigger."

I roll my eyes at my mate but don't argue because I may or may not have been thinking the same exact thing.

The End