Page 10 of Burned By My Mate (Twisted Oak Pack: First Responders #3)

Logan

Five Years Later…

The scent of pine and fresh-baked cookies fills the air as I step onto the porch of our home, shaking the light dusting of snow from my jacket. The sun is dipping behind the trees, casting a golden glow over the property, and inside, I can hear the soft hum of Emerson’s laughter mingling with the high-pitched giggles of our kids.

My chest tightens in that familiar way, full of a love so deep, so consuming, I sometimes don’t know how I ever lived without it.

Five years. Five years since I almost lost her before I even had the chance to truly have her. Five years since I held her as her world burned, promising to protect her, to love her, even when she didn’t fully understand what we were to each other yet. Five years since she walked into my life and completely reshaped it.

And now, this—this home, this life, this family—is everything I never knew I needed.

I push open the front door and am immediately greeted by a tiny, red-haired missile.

“Daddy!”

I barely have time to brace myself before our daughter, Hazel, launches into my arms, her tiny limbs clinging to me as she buries her face in my chest. She smells like vanilla and paint, a combination that always reminds me of Emerson.

“Hey, baby bear,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her temple. “What’s got you so excited?”

“She made a new masterpiece,” Emerson calls from the kitchen, her voice warm, teasing. “And by masterpiece, I mean our dining room table may never recover.”

I shift Hazel in my arms and glance at her hands—streaked with blue and purple paint. “Oh yeah? Did you and Mommy make something special?”

Hazel nods vigorously. “It’s a surprise! But Mommy said I can’t tell you yet.”

I chuckle, setting her down. “Then I guess I’ll have to wait.”

She beams up at me before dashing off toward the living room, where I spot our son, Theo, sitting cross-legged on the rug, completely engrossed in a book that looks almost as big as he is. My heart swells at the sight of him, so serious and focused, just like Emerson when she gets lost in her art.

I make my way toward the kitchen, and the second I step inside, my mate turns to me with that soft, knowing smile that never fails to undo me.

“Hey, grump.”

I smirk, stepping behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. “Hey, sunshine.”

She leans into me, tilting her head back so I can kiss her properly. The moment our lips meet, that familiar spark ignites, the same one that’s been there since the beginning, only stronger now, deeper. It’s never faded, never dulled—not once in five years.

“How was work?” she murmurs, her fingers trailing lightly over my arm.

I exhale against her skin. “Good. Nothing too crazy. Just how I like it.”

She hums, turning in my arms to fully face me. “That’s good. We like when you come home in one piece.”

I glance down at her, my gaze sweeping over the way the firelight flickers against her auburn hair, the way her eyes—still the most breathtaking shade of green—hold a love so fierce, so unwavering, it makes my chest ache. She’s just as stunning as the day I met her, maybe even more so now, with the years of happiness reflected in her smile.

I brush a thumb over her cheek. “I always come home to you.”

She leans into my touch. “You better.”

I steal another kiss before a tiny voice interrupts us.

“Ewwww.”

We turn to find Hazel standing in the doorway, hands on her hips, her face scrunched in exaggerated disgust. Theo trails behind her, peering up at us with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Emerson bites back a laugh. “You’re going to have to get used to it, sweetheart. Your dad’s a big fan of kissing.”

Hazel groans dramatically, covering her eyes, while Theo just shrugs. “It’s science. Mates are supposed to kiss.”

I shoot Emerson a look. “That one is definitely your kid.”

She grins. “He gets it from me.”

I ruffle Theo’s dark curls before scooping Hazel up again, making her squeal as I nuzzle into her neck. “What do you think, baby bear? Should I give Mommy even more kisses?”

She shrieks, wiggling in my hold. “Nooo! That’s gross!”

I chuckle, setting her back down, and Emerson nudges my side. “You’re relentless.”

“You knew that before you married me.”

“Mmm, and yet I married you anyway. Poor life choices.”

I grip her hips, tugging her flush against me, my voice dropping just for her. “I don’t think you regret a single one of them.”

Her cheeks flush, her eyes darkening just slightly, and I know she’s remembering last night, and the night before that, and every single night we’ve spent wrapped up in each other for the past five years.

Theo coughs pointedly. “Are we still having movie night, or are you guys just going to stare at each other all evening?”

Emerson smothers a laugh, pulling away reluctantly. “Movie night. Of course.”

I huff, giving her one last squeeze before stepping back. “You heard the boss, let’s get to it.”

Within minutes, the four of us are curled up on the couch, blankets piled high, bowls of popcorn in our laps. Hazel snuggles against Emerson’s side, Theo rests against mine, and I drape an arm over my mate, pulling her in close.

The fire crackles, the snow falls lightly outside, and in this moment, I have everything I’ve ever wanted.

A home. A family. A love so strong, so absolute, it withstands everything.

I press a kiss to the top of Emerson’s head, inhaling the scent of paint and sugar and her.

She looks up at me, eyes shining, and whispers, “Happy?”

I don’t even have to think about it.

“Always.”