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As they sipped the wine—rich with notes of blackberry and oak, the culmination of years of patient blending—Alfie felt a profound sense of love and belonging wash over him. This was his heritage, his roots. And now he had the chance to share it with Marion and Charlie, to show them what it meant to belong somewhere, to someone.

To us.His bear rumbled contentedly inside him, already considering Marion and Charlie as theirs to protect, to cherish. And Alfie was in complete agreement with his other half.

Life wasn’t just good. Life was extraordinary.

Chapter Ten – Marion

Marion sat on the back porch of the rental house sipping her first coffee of the day as a fluffy bumblebee worked its way methodically from flower to flower. As she watched, her mind drifted back to yesterday and her encounter with Alfie Thornberg.

There was something about him that made her heart race, and yet he also gave her a sense of peace. A peace that was shattered as the screen door creaked open behind her, and Charlie padded out in his dinosaur pajamas, his hair tousled and eyes still heavy with sleep.

Not that she minded her nephew shattering her peace. She loved these quiet moments, just the two of them.

Marion shifted to make room as he slid onto the seat next to her. “Good morning, sleepyhead. You’re up early.”

Charlie didn’t answer immediately, his attention captured by the bumblebee as it hovered momentarily before diving into another lavender blossom.

“The bees are busy,” he observed, voice rough from sleep.

“They have important work to do.” Marion took another sip of coffee.

They sat side by side for a while in companionable silence, watching the bee’s industrious movements. Marion stole a glance at her nephew’s profile. He appeared far more relaxed this morning, as though he had finally shed the tense wariness he’d developed over the last few months.

It was as if there had been a profound shift in Charlie.

Alfie.

The name drifted through her mind, warm and comforting. She couldn’t deny the impact he’d had on Charlie, drawing him out with talk of butterflies and plants, treating him with such gentle kindness.

“I’ve been thinking,” Charlie said suddenly, turning to look at her with an earnestness that tugged at her heart. “We should make a bug hotel.”

Marion blinked in surprise. “A bug hotel?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, enthusiasm building in his voice. “I looked it up online this morning. It’s like a special house where bugs can live safely. Because we all need somewhere safe, right?”

“We do,” she said, forcing herself to keep her emotions in check. “Where did you learn about bug hotels?”

“I searched for ‘how to help bugs in your garden’ after we got home yesterday,” Charlie explained. “There were lots of videos. Some people make them really fancy, with different sections for different kinds of bugs.”

Marion smiled, reaching out to rub his back. “I think that’s a project we can definitely tackle.”

“Really?” Charlie’s eyes lit up.

“Really,” she confirmed. “But first, breakfast and getting dressed. Bug architects need fuel and proper attire.”

Charlie groaned theatrically but was already on his feet, full of energy as he shook off the last of his sleepiness. “Can we start right after breakfast?”

“As soon as you’re dressed,” Marion promised.

With a whoop of excitement, Charlie darted back into the house, the screen door banging behind him. Marion remained on the porch for a moment longer, savoring the dregs of her coffee and the sweet mountain air that filled her lungs. She’d been so afraid when they’d first arrived in Bear Creek. Afraidthey wouldn’t fit in, afraid she wouldn’t be able to provide Charlie with what he needed, afraid the shadows of the past would follow them here.

But now she was filled with tentative hope. She’d found the courage to make this move, to start over. Maybe that had been the hardest part.

With a decisive nod, she drained the last of her coffee and went inside to make breakfast.

In the kitchen, she pulled out cereal and milk, setting them on the table before popping bread into the toaster.

Charlie reappeared, dressed in jeans and his favorite blue t-shirt, hair still unruly despite his apparent attempt to smooth it down.