VI . Baby Shower Shenanigans

Aurora

I t’s baby shower day! During breakfast with Heath, I buzz with excitement. He smiles at me over his pastry and coffee.

“Are you coming to the baby shower?” I ask.

He takes a sip from his mug and sets it down. “I think I’ll leave it for the young people.”

“You aren’t exactly old.”

“Sometimes I feel it.” He chuckles. “I already gave her several gifts, so I’ll leave the partying to you guys. Besides, I’ve got something I’ve got to handle today.”

“I’ll come back with a full report for you on all the baby shower shenanigans.”

“I look forward to it.” He leans back and crosses his ankle over his knee, looking utterly relaxed.

Perhaps someone would stop to retrieve me, but I don’t wait to find out. My pride couldn’t handle it if it was Cedar assigned to me again. It’s a bright morning outside, so I pick my way along the familiar trail to Hazel’s house like a capable adult, clutching my trio of paintings to my chest.

Marigold buzzes around inside, adding individual cut flowers to bud vases scattered across the dining table, tucked between plates of food.

“Wow, this looks great!”

Her head pops up. “Aurora!” She squeezes me in a tight hug, rocking me back and forth enthusiastically. I’m not really a hugger, but today, it makes me feel better and I hug her back with one arm.

“What can I do to help?”

“Oh, I think everything is pretty much set. The games are prepped, food is out, and I think all the decorations are up.” She props her hands on her hips and rotates to survey the room. Two gift bags perch on a side table so I add my offering to the collection.

Hazel descends the steps, gripping the railing for balance. Her belly has visibly dropped, slinging low on her hips. Marigold and I spin, both opening our mouths, but she raises a hand. “I know and I don’t want to hear about it. At least I don’t have heartburn anymore and I can breathe again.”

“See? It’s a good thing!” Marigold claps her hands together.

Hazel scowls but heads straight for the snacks. She piles chocolate covered strawberries on her plate with abandon and then heads to the armchair.

“Ready for us?” Vibrant pink hair grabs my attention as a petite woman slips through the front door. Cedar’s twin walks behind her, his hand straying to her waist as they pause just inside.

“Ember!” Hazel says, pushing herself out of the chair awkwardly. Ember closes the distance between them and pulls her into a gentle hug. Pulling away, she runs her hands over Hazel’s belly, murmuring a greeting to the baby.

Marigold frowns at Onyx. “I thought you couldn’t make it.”

“Heath and Hawthorne took my place.”

“Very thoughtful of them.”

“Something about a game I didn’t want to miss?”

“Oh, you’ll see.” Marigold’s grin is devious.

Slate and Jasper follow Ember and Onyx into the cabin, some friendly argument fading away as they survey the room. Slate moves to my sister, planting a kiss on her forehead and wrapping an arm around her. Jasper moves to Marigold and performs a similar ritual. I find my eyes straying to the door.

The couple I met the first day arrive next. Cassia and Lazuli. Cassia balances a baby on her hip. As everyone eats, I inch closer. Maybe it’s my upcoming status as an aunt, but I’m drawn to her.

“Hello, Aurora, how’s your visit?” Cassia says with a polite smile.

“Good! Your baby is so cute!” I offer my finger and she grasps it eagerly. Her fist is wet with drool.

“Sorry, she’s teething. This is Poppy. Our son, Oliver, is with the babysitter.”

“Two kids?” I cover my mouth with my free hand while Poppy yanks my finger back and forth.

“So far.” Lazuli says, kissing his wife’s cheek.

“That’s plenty!” She laughs and swats at him.

Poppy releases me and I wipe my hand across my skirt. Lazuli whispers something to his wife, so I leave the lovebirds to their banter and wander back to Marigold. She stands by the table, her gaze sweeping the crowd and her mouth in an analytical frown.

“It’s going great,” I reassure her.

“Yeah, I think so too. Just trying to decide if it’s time for a game.”

“Maybe let people clear their plates first?”

“Good idea.” She shakes off her serious expression. “So are you ready to be an auntie? You’ll have to make these visits a regular thing.”

“Hopefully,” I say sincerely. It’s gorgeous here and I feel incredible after a few nights of uninterrupted sleep and quiet days in the fresh air.

“Okay, I can’t wait any longer! It’s game time.” The last sentence is shouted, and the room quiets. Marigold grins, addressing the group. “We have two games, and the first is a competition. I need five volunteers.”

Among the familiar faces, I spot a few strangers, but no Cedar. Disappointment sinks in my chest.

“Slate, you have to compete,” Marigold demands, before picking four others from the raised hands. Jasper and Onyx play along, along with Cassia and a gorgeous woman with long, dark braids named Fern.

Marigold produces five babydolls and a pile of diapers from a bin behind the table. She gives Slate and Hazel a guilty smile. “I know you’re cloth diapering most of the time, but I figured you’d need a few disposables just in case. And I thought we could test them out! Let’s see who can diaper their baby the most times in sixty seconds.”

Fern lets out a throaty laugh and winks at the boys. “You guys are screwed. We’re the only ones with experience.”

Slate shrugs. “Might as well start now.”

“Get your babies ready!” Marigold distributes materials gleefully.

The competitors sit in a row on the living room rug and pull their babydolls closer. Each has a stack of diapers within reach.

“Set, and go!” Marigold yelps, jumping in place.

Disposable diapers fly as the boys struggle to place a diaper under their baby’s butt and line up the tabs. Cassia and Fern move like professionals, unfastening their first diapers and slipping a second around their babies.

Onyx tears the tabs off his first diaper but keeps trying to fasten it anyway. Finally he tugs off the diaper and tosses it behind him. Ember and Marigold double over in laughter, and I can’t help but join in. Even Onyx throws his head back and laughs wildly while he reaches for a new diaper.

Slate tugs a diaper off his babydolls too forcefully, causing his baby to somersault and land on its head. He stays focused, centering his baby and slipping another diaper under its butt, only to hit it with the heel of his hand and send it skidding toward Jasper.

“Watch it!” Jasper growls, picking his babydoll up by the ankle to avoid Slate’s flying baby. His half-fastened diaper sags and flops down to its knees.

“And time!” Marigold squeals, bouncing in place as she claps.

Fern and Cassia hold up their babydolls with triumphant smiles. Slate sets his reclaimed baby down with a thunk, his face the definition of resigned. Onyx exhales dramatically and flings another torn diaper over his shoulder, but it curls around his hand and slings sideways to hit Jasper in the head.

“Let's see how many diapers you did!” Marigold manages to say between giggles. “Come on guys, it can’t be that bad.”

Slate glares at her, only for Jasper to shove his shoulder and knock him sideways into Onyx. Marigold shakes her head, counting their piles.

“Alright, in last place is Onyx with two diapers. At least you got two!”

Onyx pumps his fist in the air.

“And in fourth place is Jasper, with four diapers. Slate is third with five diapers! And then Fern takes second with twelve diapers and Cassia wins with thirteen!”

“Thirteen?” Onyx says, holding up his hand to high-five Cassia.

She smiles at him ruefully. “It’s okay, you’ll get better someday, when you have your own kid.”

“No, no way, nope,” Ember says, standing and stepping away from Onyx. He grins and scrambles up to pursue her. She shrieks laughter and darts out the front door with her boyfriend on her heels.

That’s when I spot Cedar leaning against the wall. He looks like a kicked puppy. One look in those apologetic eyes and I’m rethinking our disagreement. What if I was being unreasonable? I should make things right. It wouldn’t be right to risk making things awkward for Hazel. Though if I’m honest, I’m more interested in repairing the relationship so I can continue to enjoy his company.

“Cedar! Come here, I need you for the second game!” Marigold calls. Our eye contact breaks as he pushes off the wall and stalks toward the gamemaster. “Someone go get Onyx!”

Sighing, I reach for my plate to refill my snacks. It’s time for some chocolate. Reaching for a strawberry, I pause. A tendril from the closest flower curls over the plate of strawberries. Why didn’t Marigold trim this? I unfurl the tiny vine and wrap it around the bud vase until it’s safely away from the food.

“Ready for Pregnant Twister!” I can’t help but laugh at her second game. As Marigold lays out the floor mat covered in rainbow spots, I sidle up to my sister and sit on the sofa nearest her chair.

“How are you doing, Haze?”

“Good! Ready to heckle the shit out of these boys.” We watch the line of four men walk out with balloons under their shirts. Hazel lets out a “Whoop!” and Slate gives her a flat look.

“Alright guys, normal rules, but you gotta protect your baby belly or you’re out!” Marigold cackles and presents the spinner to Hazel.

“Slate, you’re first!” Hazel flicks the arrow. “Get your right leg on Blue!”

A disgruntled Slate steps onto the mat and plants his right foot on a cyan circle.

“Jasper, right leg on Yellow, please,” Hazel calls. He complies. “Cedar, right leg on green!”

It’s not until she starts calling out hands that things get interesting. Slate crouches first, reaching one arm across the mat. Seconds later, Onyx folds over him so his balloon belly presses into the back of Slate’s bowed head.

“Having fun, darling?” Hazel calls out. He lets out a grunt of indignation.

A few more spins and Cedar’s butt hovers inches from Jasper’s face. I almost choke on my strawberry thinking of yesterday’s hike. At least his pants are clean now.

Onyx is the first to fall. He wiggles his ass in Slate’s face and Slate gives him a shove. “Foul!” he hollers, crab walking off the mat.

“Sorry, babe,” Ember says from her spot beside Marigold.

“Don’t be so annoying next time,” Slate mutters.

Jasper is next when he tries to reach between his own legs for his assigned color and tips forward. He flings his arm out but can’t prevent himself from face planting across the rainbow dots and ramming into Cedar’s shin. Cedar balances precariously with one leg crossing the other, and when Jasper bumps him, he topples over too.

Both boys laugh and I’m entranced. Hazel cheers for Slate, her face flushed and excited. He straightens and one of those heart-melting smiles crosses his face. Marigold holds up his hand in victory before he marches straight to Hazel and kisses her soundly. I have to look away and my gaze strays to Cedar. He stands in the kitchen, eyes already on me. His face is that unreadable calm that drives me crazy.

With a mental groan, I head his way. I hate apologizing, but it feels worse not to. For someone who picks fights constantly, I don’t handle conflict well.

“I wanted to spend time with you,” Cedar blurts before I can apologize. The ball of anxiety in my chest starts to unfurl.

As I draw closer, I reach for him to pat his arm reassuringly. “I know. I’m sorry, I’m a little touchy about being a burden. I shouldn't have gotten upset like that.”

“It’s okay,” he says. My hand rests on his forearm and it feels too heavy to lift, or maybe he has more gravity than he should. His throat works as he swallows and my eyes follow the file of his throat and across his shoulders. Finally, I tear myself away and turn back to the party where Hazel holds court with the rest of her guests.

“Have fun with the game?” I ask, peeking over my shoulder at him.

“Oh, it was a blast. I think I want to play every future game with a balloon stuffed under my shirt,” he says. I giggle at his dry sarcasm. A warm hand rests on the small of my back, sending tingles up and down my spine.

“I’d like to see that. You could even garden with a balloon baby.”

He laughs. The sound is rough, like it doesn’t get a lot of use. I love cracking that serious outer shell.

“Thank you everyone for coming,” Hazel says, standing. “We have one more activity.”

Marigold’s eyes widen. It seems Hazel has kept at least one secret from her bubbly best friend.

“I’ve prepared a scavenger hunt and the winning team will learn the baby name we picked. And they can keep that information to themselves or share it.”

I tense, competition gripping me. I have to be the first to know.

“Form three teams of four people each and then come get the first clue.” She waves a trio of small cards above her head.

“Can we pick team names?” Onyx hollers.

Hazel’s look is so derisive I almost cringe, but Onyx just grins at her. She rolls her eyes before answering. “Sure, pick a team name.”

Onyx’s eyes light up, and I turn to see Cedar shaking his head.

Grasping my hands together, I bat my eyelashes at him and pout my lip. “Will you be on my team?”

He stares at me, mouth slightly open.

“Well, will you?”

He coughs. “Yeah, of course. Anything you want.” The words tumble over themselves.

“Cool.” I feel the blush climbing up my neck. Making him flustered was accidental, but greatly enjoyable. “Who else do you think we can get on our team?”

“Onyx and Ember.” He states it like a fact, no hesitation or second thoughts. When I raise an eyebrow at him, he shrugs. “Twin thing.”

“Twin thing,” I repeat to myself with a small laugh. People used to think Hazel and I were twins, but we were never that in sync. I’m interested to see Cedar and Onyx in action together. They’re noticeably different yet matched like a set.

Without being summoned, Onyx tugs Ember behind him as they circle around the counter and join us in the kitchen. Twin thing indeed. “So what’s our team name going to be?”

Ember rolls her eyes behind his back, her smile fond.

“Do we need a team name?” Cedar asks.

“You heard Hazel! How about the Super-powered Siblings?”

“Only two of us are siblings,” I point out, propping a hand on my fist.

Onyx tilts his head. “Well, you are Hazel’s sibling. And Ember is Slate’s sibling. And we are, obviously.” His eyes are darker than Cedar’s. Like a night sky instead of a rainy day.

“Fine, whatever.” I raise my hands in surrender. “Why don't you go get our first clue?”

He practically bounds away, and I survey his girlfriend. Ember exudes confidence. She’s likely the shortest person here, aside from the baby on Cassia’s hip, but she holds herself like a queen. A queen with vivid pink hair.

“Nice to finally meet you,” she says. “Onyx said you’ve been hanging out with Cedar?”

“Um, not hanging out. Well, yeah, I guess so, actually.” Now I’m the flustered one. Ember’s eyes jump to Cedar’s face above my shoulder. “We went hiking. I’m an artist and I wanted to paint some cool scenery. He was nice enough to take me to this gorgeous overlook.”

“He is very nice, isn’t he?” she says with an enigmatic smile. “He’s done a lot for me and Onyx. Helped me out of some tight spots.”

“You’ll have to tell me more sometime, but right now we have a scavenger hunt to win. I’m dying to know the baby name!”

“Agreed.” The glint in her eyes tells me she’s just as competitive as I am.

Onyx throws his arm over her chest and tugs her against him while he holds up the first clue.

“What took so long?” Ember asks, tipping her chin up to peer at him.

“The other two teams couldn’t decide on appropriate names. I had to help them out.”

“Of course you did,” she replies.

“Well, let’s hear the clue!” I say, my eagerness getting the better of me.

Ember plucks the card from Onyx’s hand and flicks it open. “ Where milk turns to treat, your next riddle you’ll meet. ”

“Would it mean the diner?” Onyx asks.

“What about the girls?” Cedar rubs at his jaw.

Ember shakes her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

Onyx snaps his fingers. “It’s gotta be dad’s.”

“Yeah!” Cedar nods.

“Okay, I believe the whole twin thing now. Please stop using shorthand and explain,” I grouse.

“Did I tell you our dad makes cheese?” Cedar asks.

“Yeah.” I cross my arms, waiting for an explanation. Onyx and Ember are already moving toward the front door.

“He has a whole kitchen built in the back of our house for it. Like with a fridge for aging the cheese and a commercial stove and one of those triple sinks.”

“That definitely fits the clue.” I feel Cedar’s hand at my back again, urging me forward. We slip past the other groups, following his twin onto the patio.

Onyx takes off in a run, and I take a deep breath and push myself into a jog. I’m not athletic on a good day and definitely not in this thin mountain air. Cedar stays beside me, guiding me to their cabin.

We slip through a door on the side of the cabin and into the sterile workspace. The stainless steel countertops reflect the industrial style lights swinging above us. Two fridges stand against the far wall, and another door shows a cozy kitchen beyond - this is where Cedar grew up with Onyx and their parents. Any other time, I’d want to explore, but not when we have a task to complete.

Ember and Onyx search through the shelves for the clue. I circle, trying to spot anything that looks out of place.

“This is really cool,” I murmur, surveying the ingredients displayed on open shelving. It’s mostly spices. “Did you grow some of these?”

Cedar’s voice is closer than expected and it sends goosebumps over my arms. “Yeah, all of the herbs. Not the spices.”

“Oh, what’s this?” I draw another card from between jars. Turning it over in my hand, I recognize Hazel’s loopy handwriting. “We’ve got it!”

“Awesome!” Onyx spins, his mouth curving into a grin.

The door squeaks as Marigold pushes her way into the space. Jasper and two people I don’t recognize follow her in.

“Let’s take this somewhere else,” Cedar says, ushering me toward the interior door.

“Did you guys find a clue?’ Marigold asks.

“Nope, nothing here! Total bust!” Onyx says, his voice jumping in pitch. Marigold narrows her eyes and crosses her arms, but he just shrugs as we escape into the main house.

Ember closes the door behind us and spins. “Alright, let’s hear it!”

Gingerly, I split open the sticker sealing the card shut and reveal the clue. “ Where feathered ladies play, your next clue is on display .”

“Well that seems pretty obvious,” Ember says.

Biting my lip, I glance up at Cedar. “The chicken coop?”

“Yeah.” He leans forward, into my personal space. “Are you okay with that?”

“Sure, totally.” I swallow the jittery feeling and paste on a smile. He studies me for a moment, but Onyx and Ember are already moving through the house, so he has to drop it.

It’s a short jog from the cabin to the garden. The familiar space settles my nerves, but they spike again when we get close enough to the little building to see the chicken wire and plump birds ranging around inside.

“Hi, pretty girls. Did you miss me?” Onyx croons as he unlatches the cage door. Ember follows him in.

Cedar presses against my back, but my feet are heavy. “Are you okay with chickens?” His voice is soft in my ear.

“They’re not exactly my favorite.”

“You can stay out here.” His hand runs up my back and rubs circles between my shoulder blades.

“I want to help. It’s fine. I’m good.”

“Okay,” he says, frowning at me. When I don’t move, he holds out his hand, palm up.

With an awkward laugh, I give him a high five and force myself through the coop door before I have to witness his reaction. I’m going to die of shame. But I don’t want him to see my hands shaking or realize I’m sweating.

Onyx stands in the center of the small space, cuddling a white chicken to his chest. Behind him, Ember goes from cubby to cubby, looking for the clue.

The chickens ignore me. As I step forward, they move away, and I exhale in relief. This is fine. No chickens are going to attack me.

Gritting my teeth, I peek into the first cubby. A pair of beady eyes stare back. With a squawk, the hen lurches forward. I echo with my own screech and throw myself backwards. Arms close around my waist and catch me before I fall and crush a few of these mother cluckers.

Cedar’s reassuring herbal scent envelops me, his hands warm against my ribs. He doesn’t say a word, just sets me back on my feet and releases me. My blood rushes in my ears and I scramble to grab his arms and steady myself further. My fingers close over his, and he shifts our hands until our fingers lace.

“What happened?” Cedar asks, his voice low.

“That freaking chicken attacked me!” I hiss, scowling at him. From the corner of my eye, I see Onyx grinning at me. Relieved to have an outlet for my emotions, I turn and glare at him.

“I got it!” Ember says, waving a card.

“Good job, babe,” Onyx praises.

She opens the card and scans it, before clearing her throat and reading. “ In a house among the trees, find your next clue with ease .”

“What?” I say. “All the houses around here are in the trees.”

“It’s the treehouse,” Cedar says.

Ember frowns at him.

“Hawthorne and Crickett have a treehouse behind their cabin,” Onyx explains. Ember’s mouth opens into an O, her hand drifting to the chicken in her boyfriend’s arms. She strokes down its back, and I suppress a shiver.

“That makes sense with the clue,” I say, eyeing the gate longingly.

“Alright, let’s go. You’ll have to put Piccata down,” Ember says, laughing. With a dramatic pout, Onyx sets his chicken down.

Unable to wait a second longer, I unlatch the gate and push through. My hand feels cold without Cedar’s fingers wrapped around mine. I shouldn’t need his support. I’m being ridiculous.

Ember and Onyx pass me, breaking into a jog. But Cedar stops beside me. His brows furrow.

“Are you ready to go?” I ask.

“You’re afraid of chickens and you didn’t tell me.”

“No, why do you say that?” My faux-confidence is broken when another shiver washes over me.

“You should have told me.” His tone is soft, like a request instead of a reprimand.

“I’m sorry. Do you want me to confess all of my phobias to you?”

“Maybe just the ones we are possibly facing.” He crosses his arms, and I can’t help myself.

“Well, I don’t like clowns either.”

He ignores my snark and looks down my body like he is evaluating me. “Are you really okay?”

Jasper and Marigold’s group enters the garden and sprints past us.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go get the next clue.”

Brushing past him, I navigate out of the garden and break into a jog to catch up with Onyx and Ember. They lead us across the meadow and past the diner to another two story cabin. A towering maple tree hides a small treehouse in its thick branches.

Onyx scales the ladder and we crane our necks back to watch him search the tree house. It doesn’t take long for him to find it, and then he climbs back down. A few feet from the ground, he holds out the card to Ember. His shirt has slipped sideways, revealing an oval scar in the crook of his neck. It looks like a series of dots painted in white ink or pale pink. What on earth would have caused that? His collar covers the marks again when he jumps to the ground.

Ember clears her throat and reads, “ Find a crib, take a peek, and find the prize you seek. ”

“Back to the baby shower?” I ask.

“Yup!” Onyx gives me a thumbs up, and then takes off.

I can’t keep up with them. My lungs tighten painfully and my muscles protest. Cedar slows his pace to stay with me. I wave him on, but he stubbornly stays by my side. Affection for his loyalty bubbles up in me, and I suck in deep breaths and force myself to keep moving. Finally, we make it back to Hazel’s cabin.

Ember leads the way to the secondary bedroom they’ve converted into a nursery.

Hazel sits in a rocker, her hand resting on her belly. She lights up when we crowd into the room. “Have a good time?”

I double over, resting my hands on my knees. “Wish there wasn’t quite so much running.”

“But we won!” Onyx says, squeezing Ember and lifting her feet off the ground.

“Are you ready to hear our baby name?” Hazel beams. Slate slips past us to stand beside my sister, and she reaches up to take his hand.

“So what is it?” I say, straightening.

“We decided no matter if it’s a girl or a boy, we are naming the baby Timber,” Hazel declares. Slate’s face breaks into one of his rare smiles as they look at each other.

“Timber,” I say, testing it out. “I love it! It’s so cute!”

“It really is a great name,” Ember says. She leans over Hazel and hugs her.

“Thanks,” Hazel says. “It was Slate’s idea.”

“Good job, Baby Daddy,” I tease. He ignores me.

“Are we first?” Marigold says from the main room. The door swings open, and her expression shifts into a scowl. “One of you better tell me!”

“Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Onyx says.

“Onyx!” Marigold says.

“Goldie,” he replies with a grin.

“You should just tell her. Otherwise she will pester us until the baby comes,” Cedar says. I find myself drifting closer to him. In a room full of couples, it’s nice to have someone to pair with.

Marigold and Onyx argue like siblings, while Ember and Jasper watch with identical smirks. Eventually, Hazel shoos them out. I’m disappointed when Cedar leaves too. Unfortunately, I’m getting rather attached to him.

The third group returns eventually. We’ve already cleaned up the remaining snacks, so they wish Hazel and Slate the best and leave. Even Marigold goes home with Jasper after she’s satisfied with the clean up.

Once it’s just me and my sister, I transport her gifts back to the nursery. Hazel settles in the center of the rug and unpacks all of the baby items. I carry things to wherever she tells me while she tucks items into the dresser in front of her.

“Happy with your baby shower?” I ask. She hums in affirmation, continuing to fold the tiny onesies into the pine drawer. “So, I was wondering about something.”

She hums again, swaying slightly as she folds a baby blanket.

“So it’s no big deal.” Chewing my lip, I take the empty gift bags and fold them, laying them in a neat pile. With a deep breath, I force the words out. “I like hanging out with Cedar. He seems really nice. Does he have a girlfriend or anything?”

Hazel’s eyes snap to mine while her mouth opens, closes, and then opens. “Rory,” she begins.

“I wasn’t thinking anything, just curious. I wouldn’t want to accidentally flirt with a taken man.”

“No.” She sighs and smooths her hands over her belly. “Look, there’s something you need to understand. The men here aren’t like the ones in Los Angeles.”

“No kidding,” I mutter.

“That’s not exactly what I meant.” She hesitates again, and my heart does a flip. What is so difficult to say? With another exhale, she runs her fingers through her hair. “It’s just that they’re very serious. They don’t mess around. Slate wasn’t with anyone else before me, didn’t date, nothing. And as soon as we got involved, he was completely sure I was the one.”

“Aww, that’s sweet,” I say, ignoring the blush creeping up my throat.

“Cedar’s twin, Onyx, is with his first girlfriend too. He ignored all women until her, and then he was all in.”

“But they’re just dating,” I say, unsure of what she means.

“They live together. It’s as permanent as any marriage. Shared finances, the whole deal. Just like Slate and me.”

“Okay, so I’m hearing they don’t do casual.”

“That’s probably the best way to put it. They don’t date until they’ve met the girl they want to commit to,” she rephrases, her cheeks hollowing as she thinks.

It’s clear Cedar is off limits to me. Message received loud and clear. But if she can make me this uncomfortable, I can do the same to her.

“So, are you guys going to put a ring on it, considering you have a kid now?”

Hazel lets out a dry laugh. “We might.”

“He’s an idiot for not doing that already.”

She shrugs, focusing back on her gifts. “It’s not a priority for his family. Once they’re serious, that’s it. No ring required.”

“Mom would be happy if you did, though.”

“Mom can deal with it.”

I can’t help the bark of laughter bursting out of me. I like this new Hazel. Her take-no-shit attitude is way better than the people-pleasing habits she used to have.

“I’m really happy for you, you know that right?”

Her brows furrow for a split second as she regards me. “I appreciate that. I’ve got it pretty good, but I do miss you. We need to see each other more often.”

“Yeah.”

It’s easy to agree. But it took me years to come visit her here, and she doesn’t seem inclined to leave even for a short while. At this point, I can’t imagine her back in the city. I’m the one who needs to change, not for her, but for myself.

Cedar

The feel of Aurora’s hand grabbing mine while she pretended she wasn’t frightened of the chickens clouds my thoughts even after a night of broken sleep. She’s all I thought about as I ran as a wolf through the woods. Even sitting at the kitchen table eating french toast, I’m thinking about the way her body relaxed when I touched her. This girl has her claws in me, and instead of concern, I feel some sort of giddy excitement.

“How was the baby shower, sweetheart?” My mother sits across from me and blows away the steam wafting off her mug. From the creamy, dark color, I suspect it’s half coffee, half hot cocoa, her favorite.

“Nice,” I answer without thinking. Angling my fork, I cut another bite and stack up strawberry and then french toast followed by another strawberry.

“Yeah?” She takes a sip, her eyebrows rising as she peers at me over her drink.

“They had some games. Onyx was last place in a diapering race. And Marigold made me play twister with a balloon under my shirt like a pregnant belly.”

“I’m sorry I missed that.” She laughs, the light sound filling the kitchen. “How is Hazel doing?”

I was so distracted by Aurora, I almost forgot to check on Hazel. Luckily, I remembered my duties. “Good, I think. She looked better yesterday.”

“That reminds me, I need to start making lactation cookies for her,” she says nonchalantly.

My ears perk up. “What goes into those?”

“The herb fenugreek.”

I’ve heard of it, but I know I don’t have any in the garden. That prickles at me. “Why didn’t you have me grow any?”

“It uses the seeds. They wouldn’t have been ready in time. You can’t grow absolutely everything we ever need.” She means to comfort me, but it just makes me feel inadequate.

“I grow a lot of medicinal herbs for Sable,” I argue. “I can start some fenugreek now and you can switch from purchased seeds to our harvest as soon as they are ready.”

Mom places her hand over my wrist and squeezes. “Love, you can’t do everything for everyone. I’m sure Sable has a supply on hand already, otherwise it’s easy to order.”

“Let me know if I can help,” I murmur, trying to shake off the sting.

“You’re always helping. You’re the most selfless person I know. But I really think you should consider what you want. Maybe it’s time to move out and have some space for yourself.” She searches my eyes, and I frown at her.

It’s not the first time she’s suggested I move out since Onyx left last year. But since she and my father are often gone, it seems impractical. I don’t need my own cabin.

“Do you really want me out of the house?”

Tilting her head thoughtfully, she smiles at me. “I want you to have your own space where you can relax.”

That doesn’t sit well with me. “But what if you need me?”

“We got along just fine before we had you, and the same will be true when you leave someday. Besides, you’ll still be nearby. You’ll just have more privacy and peace and quiet.”

Her words soothe my building anxiety. All of my friends have left their family’s homes by now. But they all have mates. I’m happy waiting for that to happen before I leave home, but maybe I should reconsider.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Have a good day, sweetheart,” she says, standing and heading to the hall.

“Bye, Mom.”

As I prepare to leave for my garden, I can’t help but think - where would I go? Slate’s old trailer stands empty, or I could get my own. I have plenty of savings, since my salary goes entirely into a savings account. The pack has grown and housing is scarce these days, but there are a few options.

Warm sunshine washes over me as I cross the patio and jog east to my garden. My heart settles as I pass through my archway and walk along the neat and tidy rows of happy plants. The earliest of the spring vegetables gleam on their stalks and herbs sprawl out of their pots. Companion flowers wink at me between the vegetables.

My heart jumps as a familiar figure materializes in the corner of the garden. Aurora sits cross legged against the same tree. The strawberry plants have overtaken the fence, little vines reaching for her. Her pink tongue sticks out slightly as she sketches.

My feet move toward her. I can’t help it. Something about her draws me in.

“Good morning, Cedar,” Aurora says, her smile small and shy, before she looks back down at her art.

I stand there, gawking like an idiot, until my brain starts processing again. There’s something I have to do today, and maybe it’s the perfect opportunity to help her adjust to the chickens.

“So there was something I wanted to show you.”

“That’s never a good thing when a guy in L.A. says it,” she says without looking up from her notepad.

Frowning, I blink at her. “Um, okay. So you’re not interested?”

“No, I am. Just joking.” She spins the pencil over her fingers as she smiles up at me again. A beautiful pink flush stains her cheeks.

“Cool. Well, I’ve got to go get something. I’ll be right back.”

“Sure.”

She goes back to her sketch, and I jog back the way I came, turning south toward the supply store. A special package should have been delivered in the early hours this morning. Sure enough, Fern types away on her laptop, a box with circular air holes covered in mesh sitting beside her elbow.

“Thanks!” I snag my package and walk back to my garden and Aurora. Soft cheeps emanate from the box. I pause in front of her and wait for her to look up. “Whenever you’re ready, would you follow me?”

Her eyes narrow suspiciously. “Wait, are we going to the chicken coop?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m not sure about this.” Her voice jumps in pitch. She tucks her pencil into the spine of her sketchbook, freeing up her hands. She wrings them anxiously.

“You don’t have to go in, just stand outside. I think you’ll like my surprise.” My reassurances seem to work, because she sighs and scrambles up.

Having Aurora trusting me makes my chest puff with pride. We stop a few yards from the coop and I ease open the lid to reward that trust.

Inside, nine yellow balls of fluff teeter back and forth.

“Oh my gosh! They’re so cute!” Aurora bounces on the balls of her feet and covers her mouth with her hands. The excitement glittering in her eyes is all the reward I need. “Why do you have these?”

“We need to add a few hens to have enough eggs for everyone. Especially with baby Poppy getting old enough to eat solids and now baby Timber on the way.”

“And these little fuzzy nuggets are going to provide them?”

I snort at her phrasing. “That’s the idea. Do you want to hold one?”

“I’m just going to keep this one. It’ll live in my pocket, okay?”

She croons over the little chick, and I can’t help but smile. My plan is working and her fear over the birds is fading. “So chickens aren’t so bad?”

“Hey, I didn’t say that. That one almost attacked me.” Aurora pulls back and lifts her chin defiantly. A little chick peeps from within her hands. She lowers her face and whispers reassurances to the little bird.

“You did stick your face in her nesting box, and she’s broody,” I say.

“Broody?” She cocks her head, waiting for an explanation.

“She wants to hatch her eggs.”

“But you don’t have a rooster,” she says, her brows furrowing as she reluctantly lowers her chosen chicken back into the box with her siblings.

“Yeah, so she’s sitting on dummy eggs right now. Normally, when they get like this, we have to break it by separating the hen. Especially in the summer when she could get dehydrated. But since we are getting these little guys, I figured she would be the perfect mom.”

“You’re giving her the chicks?” She puts it together and I’m impressed.

“That’s the plan.”

“That’s so sweet. Can I help?”

“Yeah, they are a little over a day old already, so we need to get them under her right away.”

“Let’s do it!” She presses her lips together, the skin around her eyes crinkling as she smiles sheepishly.

We stare at each other for a moment, before I snap into action. Cautiously, I reach for the lid that reveals the nesting box the hen in question has been occupying all week.

“What’s her name?” Aurora bites her lip, eyeing the coop.

“Coq au Vin. We call her Coco.”

“Coco?” She echoes, looking relieved, as if a silly name makes the chicken less unnerving. The soft cheeps of the chicks seem to be relaxing her, bit by bit.

Slowly, I lift the outer lid to her box. Her dark head whips around, tilting to stare one eye at me. Taking a breath, I gently lift the first chick and show it to her. She blinks and lets out a soft trill.

Success!

With a slow and smooth movement, I tuck the chick under her belly and swipe an egg in a quick exchange. I tuck the sphere under my palm as I withdraw my hand so she won’t see it.

Coco flattens her wings and fluffs her belly to accommodate her new chick. Perfect. It’s exactly what I hoped to see. Dropping the dummy egg into the pouch tied to my belt, I hold out my hand. Aurora places another squirming chick into my palm.

We repeat the process eight more times until Coco has all of the babies tucked under her wings. When one little chick wiggles out, she pushes it back to safety.

“That should do it.” I straighten and brush my hands off.

Aurora’s expression is astounded. She moves to the side of the coop where she can peer through the chicken wire at the nesting boxes.

“How do you feel about chickens now?” I can’t keep the hope out of my voice.

“I’m not sure. Better, I think? I still don’t want to go in there, but maybe another day.” She eyes the girls through the wire.

“So what caused you to not like them?”

She hesitates, glancing between me and the chicken coop. I can see the moment she decides to share, because her breath exhales and her shoulders relax. “Let’s just say a field trip to a farm went terribly wrong.”

My fingers tighten on the empty box in my hands. “How so?”

“I got left in the chicken coop and one jumped on my head. By the time the teacher got back, it had pooped in my hair and scratched me up.” Her embarrassed laughter is husky.

“I’m sorry. That’s shit luck.” She raises an eyebrow at me, and I bury my face in my hand when I realize my accidental pun. “That’s not, well, you know what I mean.”

“You’re funny.” Her genuine smile hits me in the chest, taking my breath away. I thought she looked just like Hazel, but standing in my garden with morning light forming a halo around her, she looks uniquely her. I could never mistake her for anyone else. She’s burned into my retinas.

“So what now?” She spins, taking my breath with her.

“What?”

“What are you doing the rest of the morning?”

I stare at her dumbly. “What do you want to do?”

“I’m not the one in charge of the garden, Cedar.”

My name out of her mouth is so distracting, it delays her words from sinking in. Finally my brain processes her meaning.

“Oh, actually I need to make some cheese.”

“You do that too? I thought that was your dad’s thing.”

“He’s been busy working on a special project.” I stumble over the words, unsure of what to say. I can’t very well explain how he's handling retraining our neighboring pack that my twin is the new Alpha of. “But we’re running low on cheese, and the girls’ milk is adding up, so I was going to make a few batches of cheese to get aging. So we don’t run out.”

“That sounds like a lot of work.”

“It can be, but it’s worth it,” I say with a shrug.

“Do you want some help?”

I study her. Is she offering just to be polite? “You’ve got your painting to do and this is supposed to be a vacation for you.” Her mouth curves into a small frown. “But if you want to, I’m happy to have the extra hands,” I backtrack.

She brightens. “Yes, I really would like to. I’ve never seen cheese being made, and it seems cleaner than farm chores?”

“You’d be surprised,” I say with a chuckle. There’s a reason the cheese kitchen is all stainless steel and is outfitted with a commercial triple sink.

The sound of stomping feet grabs my attention. Sable marches across the garden’s north end, moving away from her cottage.

“Everything okay?” I yell, shading my eyes with my hand so I can see her reaction.

“Who is that?” Aurora asks, dropping her voice.

“Our nurse.”

Sable throws her hands up, looking irritated. Her sharp voice reaches us clearly. “Just checking on Hazel. Everything’s fine.” From the speed she’s walking, it doesn’t seem fine.

Aurora tenses beside me. “I think I’d like to go check on my sister. Can I join you for some cheese making in a little bit?”

“Of course. It can wait until you’re ready.”

“Thanks.” She strides after Sable. I watch her progress with an unsettled feeling in my chest.