Page 59 of A Winter Courtship

The younglings cried out, sticking their hands up.

Ulrich chuckled. “Form a line, then. You’ll each get a turn.”

Lutoth stood slightly to the side, watching Ulrich help the kids one after the other sit on Ethel’s back. Ulrich smiled at the children, talking softly to them. Lutoth’s heart swelled. Elias, Damur, and Gideon wandered off at some point.

After about an hour, Ulrich stood the last child on the ground. He turned towards Lutoth.

“What are you thinking?” Ulrich asked. He slid his arms around Lutoth and tugged him into a loose embrace. “You have a look on your face.”

“I was just thinking how exactly one year ago today, I saw you standing right there with Ethel.” Lutoth pointed to a spot closer to the forest. “I stood over there.” He pointed to one of the firepits. “It was there that I decided I would win your heart.”

“And you have,” Ulrich said.

“And just then, watching you with the younglings and Ethel, I thought, ‘Ulrich would be an incredible father.’”

Ulrich’s arms tightened around him. “You think so?”

“I do. Caring, loving, gentle. A wonderful father. Is that something you’d want?”

“With you?”

“Who else?” Lutoth laughed.

Ulrich swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing. “I think I might.” He smiled nervously.

“Maybe it can be next year’s Solstice gift,” Lutoth said and leaned up to kiss Ulrich, his gentle giant.

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