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S ix months had passed since all the criminals were charged with various crimes.

And with them all behind bars, most of the DEA money had been recovered.

All of them were found guilty and were serving prison sentences.

Harvey Marquart was found guilty of his drug involvement and attempt to kill Monica at the motel, resisting arrest, and other charges.

Eloise, likewise, had taken money in a faux kidnapping scheme, drunk driving, and resisting arrest.

Denny was charged with pistol-whipping Pierre, taking money in a faux kidnapping scheme, and resisting arrest. Helen and Lionel had attempted to murder police officers, resisting arrest, and taking money from the faux kidnapping scheme, and received longer sentences.

Harvey did too for trying to murder Monica and for all the drug charges.

Teague was charged with evading arrest, taking money from the faux kidnapping scheme, and tampering with Monique’s brake lines, putting her in danger.

The Williamson brothers were returning to prison for their latest bank robbery.

Pierre was found to be innocent and an informant who had helped them with a major trafficking and faux kidnapping case and was in Witness Protection.

And Monica had finally decided on a new car to replace the one she’d wrecked when she’d hit Andy’s patrol car.

Only two weeks after Monica had given her mother the news that she was marrying Andy, the wedding had been spectacular—Monica’s mother insisted they do it right away as she had sold Monica’s home for top dollar. She wanted to legitimize this whole process.

Luckily, everyone got along, though Monica’s dad often tried to outdo Andy’s dad by bragging that he was a better chef, all in good fun.

Snow leopards, Arctic foxes, grey wolves, Arctic wolves, grizzlies, and polar bears were in attendance. Monica’s parents were thrilled that she had found a mate, and they adored both Andy and his extended family, doting on the little ones as if they were their own grandchildren.

Genevieve had added Monica’s shrimp dish to their menu, and Monica and Andy’s oil portrait of them in their bear coats was now on the wall in the tavern, along with the rest of the family members, which had thrilled Monica and Andy.

Today was the Fourth of July, and everyone was there for the big celebration.

But they had more to celebrate today than family, food, and fireworks. Monica and Andy had news they needed to share. As everyone was getting hot dogs or hamburgers, feeding little ones, or eating their own food, Alicia kept casting surreptitious glances her way.

Monica wondered if she’d had a premonition about her pregnancy and was waiting for the announcement to prove her vision.

However, Monica was afraid to mention it because Craig and Margot hadn’t had children yet, and they loved their nieces and nephews as if they were their own. But Monica and Andy had to share the good tidings, or everyone would know before long that she was pregnant.

Andy brought her a glass of milk. Subtle he wasn’t. “Are you ready?”

“You don’t think Craig and Margot will be too upset?”

“There’s no denying they want babies too and feel a little left out. I see Alicia watching you like a hawk. I suspect she envisioned you’re pregnant.”

“Well, you”—Monica shoved the empty milk glass at his chest—“couldn’t be more obvious about it.”

He smiled like a giddy boy. He was so excited to announce the news that he wasn’t waiting another day. “I want everyone to know.”

“You are a proud papa.”

“Certainly.” Then Andy cleared his throat and waved the empty milk glass. “We have an announcement to make.” He wrapped his arm around Monica’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “We’re having twins at Christmas.”

Everyone clapped and cheered. Monica wanted to hug Margot, holding Lucas, one of the seven-month-old twins, on her hip. She smiled and wished them the best while tears dribbled down her cheeks.

Craig was holding Lucas’s twin brother, Sawyer, and rubbing Margot’s back consolingly.

Monica prayed they would have good news soon.

“You knew, didn’t you?” Andy asked Alicia as everyone gathered close to give them hugs.

Alicia smiled brightly. “Why do you think I was building the snow cave? I felt compelled to do it because I saw Monica needed it for your twins.”

“Twins?” Andy beamed. He glanced at Rob. “And you too?”

“Yeah. Twice, our little Jenny pointed at Monica’s belly and said, ‘Babies.’ But luckily, you didn’t hear her. And her brother nodded, envisioning the same. We felt you needed to enjoy the experience of learning it for yourselves.”

“So your daughter and son do have premonitions.” Monica was really in awe.

“They do,” Alicia said.

Monica’s mom hugged her the most. “I’ve enjoyed being the top sales real estate person in Anchorage for years, but it's time to let someone else hold the honor from now on.”

“You’re retiring?” Monica thought her mother would never leave the job because she greatly enjoyed it.

“No, honey. I’ll either work for another office in White Bear or start my own.”

Tears sprang up in Monica’s eyes. Her most fervent wish was that her parents would move down here to join them.

Her dad nodded and smiled. “We’ve talked to Genevieve and Ned about buying some of the extra land they reserved for family.

Mom has shown them the house plans for the home she wants to build.

We’ll buy the land and start building right away.

We’ll be one strong bear force to reckon with, and it’s something we’ve never had.

We really look forward to getting to know everyone better.

” Then her father gave her a big bear hug.

She loved his warm, sincere hugs and gave him one right back. “I’m so thrilled you’ll be here when the babies are born.”

“At Christmastime? You bet.”

Craig had given his charge to Rob and slapped his brother on the back in a fun-hearted fashion. “We’re so proud of you both.”

“We know how much you’re anticipating having babies too.” Monica tried not to sound regretful that they had good news and Craig and Margot didn’t. She would feel the same way if she were struggling to have children. Adopting a polar bear shifter cub was a rarity.

“Oh, the slow turtle wins the race,” Craig said. “We just need to play in the snow more, fall in the snow cave, and then that’s it!”

Monica’s jaw dropped. Had they seen them getting so amorous at the cave?

Alicia laughed. “Yeah, that’s the beginning of how it happened.”

Rob smiled. Had he seen it too?

Monica’s cheeks had to be rosy as hot as they felt.

Ben had his hands in his shorts pockets. “I should be the sad one here. I can’t even find a mate.”

“Oh, she’s coming, and she won’t be anything you would ever dream of mating in a million years,” Alicia said.

Everyone waited to hear what else Alicia had to say about it.

Alicia shrugged. “I just see hazy visions. I know there will be trouble between you and a third party.”

When wasn’t a potential mate trouble for the MacMathans?

Alicia winked at Margot. “Don’t the two of you go to sleep right after the celebration tonight.”

Everyone smiled, realizing the obvious—they had to make love that night after their grand Fourth of July celebration, and that would do the trick. Margot blushed furiously. Craig grinned broadly, looking like he wanted to snatch Margot up and take her home to start early fireworks there.

After the games, food, and fireworks, everyone headed home with tired kids or without. Monica’s parents did not stay with Monica and Andy like they usually did when visiting them, so they could get busy with their plans to move to White Bear.

Andy and Monica showered together, made love in bed, and snuggled. “I can’t believe Alicia, Rob, and even their toddlers knew I was pregnant or how it all began.”

“They are truly remarkable. But I’m glad they didn’t let us in on the secret.”

“I guess Craig and Margot will make love, and they will conceive and have their babies three months after ours.” Monica kissed Andy’s bare chest.

“I figured that was what Alicia was trying to say.”

They closed their eyes, wanting to enjoy the moment together, when Monica’s phone rang.

“Hey,” Craig said, “put your phone on speaker. We’ve got a conference call to make. We’re pregnant!”

“What?” Andy asked.

“I’m sure you all thought that we had to make love to each other, but that wasn’t it. Margot just needed to test with a pregnancy kit again, and voila! Not that we didn’t also make love first.”

Everyone laughed. Monica was sure Margot wished Craig had skipped revealing that part. Margot was crying, saying, “They’re happy tears.”

“Of course they are, and we’re so glad for you.” Monica couldn’t have been more thrilled for them and wondered if their babies would come around the same time as hers and Andy’s.

Then everyone said their congratulations and ended the call to go to sleep.

Snowflake was in her bed until she missed Monica and Andy, and ended up in bed with them. Again.

But the next morning, bright and early, earlier than Monica and Andy had planned to get up, Craig called them again. “We went to see the doctor this morning. Our babies are due about the same time as yours, but we’re having triplets.”

They laughed.

“Wow, that’s terrific news.” Monica was delighted to share the experience with them.

“Just like you, me, and Ben then,” Andy said.

“Yeah, triplets. We’re going to be overwhelmed. Three of everything. What a madhouse,” Craig said.

Now it didn’t matter, if it ever had, which babies came first. Triplets trumped twins.

“We’ll have tons of caregivers to help us,” Monica said, “but I’m so thrilled the little ones will all be about the same age. No details on what they are yet?”

“No, too early,” Margot chimed in. “I’m nervous about having three to manage.”

“We’ll all help you out,” Andy said.

“Okay, thanks, but you’ll have your hands full, too. We’ve got to call the rest of the family with the update. We just called you first because we are due around the same time as you,” Margot said.

“We’ll have a joint baby shower if you would like to.” Monica never thought she would have a sister-in-law experiencing the same adventure simultaneously, and she could just imagine what fun that would be.

“Oh, I would love that, yes!”

Then they ended the call and Andy cuddled some more with Monica, caressing her arm, kissing her cheek. “I’m glad to hear the news.”

“They are over the moon, and I’m so happy for them. But what about Ben?”

“He’ll probably have to solicit our help to get him out of whatever pickle of a mess he will get into. But in the end?”

“He might have a mate?”

“You never know with Ben.”

The End

Want more of the White Bear Series? Ben’s story will be coming up in Rankling the White Bear.