Page 37

Story: Her Former Bear Mate

"Totally.Maria might pop out her baby prematurely," Lena joked, sighing into the wonderful embrace.

"Imagine.That would be something."

"I guess it's a worry for later."

"It is.This is about you and me and nobody else."Aditi touched her face."Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"It's a little late if I wasn't," Lena replied, touched that Aditi was checking though."But yes, I'm okay.I thought I'd be freaked out more but actually, no.I feel really calm, calmer than I have in months.This is right.This is what I want."

Aditi looked relieved."Good."

"Areyouokay?"

"Yes, this feels like a dream."

"It's not a dream."Lena pulled the blankets over them, chuckling when it made Aditi shriek and giggle."And I know just how to prove to you that it's not a dream."

"Really?What did you have in mind?"

Grinning so much it hurt her cheeks, Lena nipped at Aditi's earlobe.

Aditi's laughter was muffled from the blankets."You do that in my dreams too."

"Oh?What about this then?"Lena said as she pressed her lips into Aditi's neck.Maybe this was a dream but if that was the case, she never wanted to wake up.This was just so right.

Her own bed, Aditi in her arms, the rest of their life ahead.

This was home.

EPILOGUE

Aditi

Aditi pushedthe cart through the aisle, pausing it in front of a small stuffed bear."Oooh, look at this guy."

"We already have six presents," Lena reminded her, practical as always.

"Yeah, but this is too cute."Aditi picked the stuffed plushie from the shelf."Aww, he's perfect.Don't you think Maria's new baby is going to love him?"

"I guess?But this one is massive, it's bigger than a newborn."Lena scanned the shelf and stood up on her toes to pick a much smaller bear."What about this one?"

It was just as cute so Aditi nodded."Okay."

"That's the last one though.We're already spending enough money," Lena warned, even though she said that three gifts ago too.

Aditi looped her arm through Lena's for a rare moment of public affection.She didn't care who saw them, she just wanted her beautiful fated mate to know how much she loved her.

"Maybe one more?Eight is a lucky number," she said.

Lena chuckled."Is it?I've never heard that."

"It's a thing, it started yesterday."

"If you say so.I suppose too many gifts is better than no gifts.I did buy that super expensive car seat for the baby shower cause I didn't know what else to get and then I forgot."

Aditi snorted."Is that why?I don't know why I'm surprised.What would you do without me?"

"Cry."A rather serious look slipped onto Lena's face."I know what it was like to be without you.I never want to do that again."

The mark on Aditi's stomach tingled and it made fireworks explode in her stomach.This was everything she wanted.Nothing grand, nothing extravagant, just the simple mundane things that made up a life with the woman she loved.

She smiled and pushed the trolley, wondering how she got so lucky.

Yes, this was perfect.

* *