NATASHA

Hector starts his day in an odd mood. I suspect he's had a bad dream. I wake to him crawling in bed with me. His blue eyes are intense as if he doesn't feel safe. I wrap him in my arms and kiss his little face. Hector mimics me when I play with his hair. His fingers go to my eye, still noticeably bruised when I don't wear makeup.

"You're going to see your new room today," I whisper. "Bear painted the walls blue because he knows you like that color."

Hector seems confused. I don't blame him. We're getting settled at the mansion. The kids are attached to my room and often look at the pictures on my tackboard.

With their lives starting to make sense again, the kids don't really want to move. If I could have Bear and also stay at the mansion, I'd agree in a heartbeat. This house feels so much more exciting since the kids came to live here. The size always intimidated me. Now, I can see all the places for them to explore. The mansion has become a wonderland.

Despite my newfound affection for this place, Bear lives somewhere else. Our lives are with him now. Today, I'll help the kids see past their current comforts to the future we'll share with their new father.

We arrive at the house around eleven with Petra and Laszlo in tow. The plan is to show the kids the new setup before Siobhan and the twins join us for lunch.

The three black SUVs pass through the house's security gate before parking on the large driveway. Hector doesn't want to get out. He asks to see the dogs back at the mansion.

"I know you're nervous," I whisper to him as Jacinda watches us. "Whatever happens, Mommy will be with you. We'll stay together, okay?"

Hector looks at his sister who seems to understand his fear. He whispered something to her earlier, and she's been edgy since then.

Breakfast was quiet. Petra and Laszlo were the only ones around. My brothers rarely show up, even Leon who still lives at the mansion. This morning, my parents ate alone in their suite. I like to think they were enjoying a romantic morning together.

Petra is my chaperone for today. I know she's excited to get out of the house. Plus, she's curious about Bear.

"Oh, this is quite nice," Petra says as we exit our SUVs and wait for Bear. "Very masculine. Suits Bear, for sure."

Frowning, I mumble, "That sounds like a backhanded insult."

My sister's painted red lips curve upward in a big smile. "Is there anything sweeter than you wanting to protect that big, violent man?"

"Bear's house is beautiful," I say as I admire the tall roofline and honey-colored wood exterior.

"No, I know. I just worried it was silly, that's all. Carys claimed he bought this big, fancy house as if he knew you'd come back. I imagined a fussy place in my head. But this house looks rustic like a man would crave. Big and upscale but rustic. Don't take offense."

"Well, okay," I mumble, feeling guilty for getting upset. "I hate how Bear's lived alone in this large house. Mostly, I think he spent too much money because he had ideas about me coming back."

"But you did come back."

"True."

Getting emotional, I admit, "I'm hormonal. I didn't mean to get so irritable with you."

"You want to protect him. I did the same for Brandon when people mocked him for being a lightweight," Petra says and sighs as her gaze flashes to Laszlo standing next to her. "The difference is Bear is protective of you, too. I'm glad everything has worked out."

I hug Petra and refuse to let go. I want my sister to get everything she desires in life. She suffered in her marriage, even if she always put on a brave face.

When I remain wrapped around Petra for too long, the kids decide to join in on the cuddling. Our five-person hug is what Bear walks outside to find.

Hector hurries over to him and makes bear sounds. I can tell the biker isn't sure if my son is taunting him or being cute.

"He's a baby bear," I explain, so Bear won't get his feelings bruised.

Kneeling, Bear pokes Hector's belly. "You're wearing a giraffe shirt. I don't know what kind of noise they make."

Jacinda runs over to them to show how she's also wearing a giraffe shirt. The kids point at each other's outfits, shocked to realize they match. I've always been lazy about dressing them. I tend to choose the same items for them both since they're essentially the same size. I've long suspected I'm copying Siobhan who dresses her twins in the same outfits.

"I got everything ready like you wanted," Bear tells me as if irritated.

"Time will tell if the changes are up to my standards."

Bear frowns harder and stands up to loom over me. I laugh at both my attempt to screw with him and how easily he took the bait.

"It's not funny," Bear says despite his lips fighting a grin. "I didn't like having stuff changed."

"I'm sorry," I say, still grinning at how easy he is to tease.

"No, you're not."

As Petra introduces him to her son, Bear looks freaked out by another small human in his domain.

"Nice digs, biker," Petra teases while walking inside the house with Laszlo.

My future husband glares hard at the back of my sister, assuming the worst. When his gaze finds me, I just smile.

"I picked out my wedding dress. It really flatters my chest," I say and look down at my cleavage revealed by my low-cut T-shirt.

Bear goes soft and willing as soon as my breasts enter the conversation. He leans down and kisses me. There's an aggressive vibe to how his lips claim mine. He's nearly daring me to tell him no. Rather than play his game, I wrap my arms around him and tug his body closer.

His hands sink into my hair, trapping me in a wholly appealing way. Despite how wonderful he feels, I finally pry my lips free.

"The kids are waiting," I say and lick my lips. "You taste so damn good."

Bear hears the hunger in my voice. His irritation quickly turns to smugness. I ought to pitch a fit over him acting as if my interest in him is something he's struggled to win. After all, I was the one throwing myself at him while he casually decided if he wanted to submit to my charms.

Rather than start a fuss, I walk past him and toward the front door. "Let's see if you fucked anything up," I tell Bear before noticing the kids are searching for the cats under the couch. "Want to see your new bedroom and playroom?"

The kids bounce up from the floor and run after me. They instantly love their new spaces. The Sesame Street touches have them jumping up and down like it's Christmas.

I catch Bear wearing a little grin at their excitement. I want nothing more than for him to love Hector and Jacinda like I do. We could be the happy family I always wanted.

While Laszlo plays with Hector and Jacinda in the playroom, Petra relaxes on the couch and tries to coax out a cat.

"Hello, tater tots!" Siobhan calls from the door. "We have arrived."

Bear grunts at her, and she grunts back. The twins give him high-fives before checking on the playroom with the three younger kids.

Siobhan hugs me against her and doesn't want to let go. "I'm still getting used to having you back."

"Can I do that shit?" Bear asks, sounding put out by how I'm not currently molesting him.

Siobhan grudgingly releases me and smiles at Petra. "I met a man."

"Where?"

"He's a dad at the school."

"Married?" Bear asks as I hug him.

When I frown and try to pull away, he keeps his hand pinned against my back so I can't easily escape.

Siobhan ignores how I'm wrestling to break free from Bear and continues sharing about her new dating possibility.

"He's getting divorced. Doesn't seem bitter. We're going out for drinks this Friday."

Petra gets tight-lipped and refuses to burst Siobhan's bubble.

Siobhan cocks an eyebrow. "Only give me advice meant to feed my delusion. I'm not looking for any truth-telling shit today."

Petra nods. "He sounds lovely."

"I don't like him," Bear says after I squirm free of his grip and shake my head. "What?"

"Siobhan needs our support."

"I'm supporting her by being honest. A guy in the middle of a divorce won't stick things out. He just wants hot pussy."

Siobhan gasps and bats her eyes. "It means a lot to know my big brother thinks I have a hot pussy."

Bear rolls his eyes at her taunting while my friend hugs me again.

"You smell like the biker," Siobhan says and flashes Bear a dirty look. "Stop stinking up my bestie."

Petra leans over and sniffs Bear. "Is that cedarwood?"

"I don't know. Carys bought the cologne for me last Christmas."

Siobhan shakes her head dismissively. "Carys has terrible taste. My moronic sister makes Pork Chop wear a sage-smelling cologne, when he has such a lovely white meat scent. Just a shame."

Siobhan looks at the kids' room and smiles at me. "It's just precious."

"I always wanted to paint their room back with that person," I say, editing myself to keep from bothering the kids in the next room. "That person said no and claimed I spoiled the kids. He even said if they were spoiled as babies, they'd be monsters as teenagers. I tried to explain how all teenagers are monsters, but he wasn't hearing it."

"Well, you're with a quality man now," Siobhan says and then adds, "Even if he smells like cedarwood."

"Thank you," Bear replies and narrows his eyes. "Just for that I won't tell the guys about your date with the dumbass from school."

Siobhan is in his face immediately, challenging her much taller brother. "You better keep your trap closed, Bear O'Malley. I can't have any barriers between Natasha and me. I need to share everything with her. If I tell her and she tells you and you ruin shit for me, I'll have to hurt someone and it won't be Natasha or me."

"What can you do?" Bear says, standing over Siobhan.

"Why would I share my plan? No, I'll sneak up and hit you when you're unprepared."

"How about we stop being so, um, gruff with each other?" I suggest when they seem ready to start shoving each other like two siblings in need of a nap. "Today is a good day, right? We're all together. Plus, the kids are so happy. Let's just settle down and enjoy each other's company."

Siobhan shakes her head. "Nerd."

Bear chuckles at his sister's taunting. He also reaches out and runs his hand down my hair as if to reassure me to how I'm a hot nerd.

I smile at them, feeling my future coming into focus. I can see myself living in this house. I imagine my soon-to-be-free sister visiting often. There'll be plenty of playdates with Siobhan and the twins. My babies will grow up safe and loved here.

Over time, Bear will learn to trust me, and I'll forgive him for what happened to Ollie. We'll stop being strangers and become real.