Why does time pass so slowly? Alfie’s bear asked impatiently.
Alfie chuckled. It was Wednesday and his bear had been wishing the day away, counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until it was time to leave to pick up Marion and Charlie.
As if you have not been counting down those same hours, minutes, and seconds, his bear snorted.
Alfie glanced at the clock on the wall, squinting through the humid greenhouse air. Three-thirty. Still fifteen minutes before he needed to leave to pick up Marion and Charlie. Each minute seemed to crawl by with excruciating slowness.
He returned his attention to the delicate seedlings, carefully transferring them from their starter trays to larger pots. The repetitive motion should have been soothing. However, today his mind kept wandering to his mate’s eyes, and a guarded smile that had haunted his dreams for days.
Since Saturday, when Marion had driven away with Charlie after their impromptu café visit, Alfie had felt her absence like a physical ache.
Monday had been the worst. He’d sensed her presence while delivering plants to the hardware store, that invisible thread between them pulling taut.
His bear had nearly clawed its way to the surface, desperate to follow that connection to its source.
We should have gone to her, his bear grumbled. Even now, he still sulked about the missed opportunity.
And risk scaring her off completely? Alfie had been worried that if he suddenly appeared unannounced in the middle of town, then Marion would think he was a stalker. No, it was not worth the risk.
He pressed another seedling into its new home, tamping down the soil with perhaps more force than necessary. Their relationship was too new, too fragile, to risk any missteps.
I miss her, his bear said plaintively. And Charlie .
I know, Alfie sighed, straightening to stretch his back. I miss them, too.
It was ridiculous how much he missed someone he’d spent less than a day with. And yet the feeling was undeniable, like a piece of himself had driven away in that car with Marion and Charlie. Today, for a few precious hours at the vineyard, he would feel whole again.
If you would just tell her we are mates and meant to be together forever, then we would be complete always, his bear pointed out, not for the first time.
And that wouldn’t freak her out at all, Alfie replied dryly. Nothing says ‘I’m completely normal and trustworthy’ like declaring eternal love after one coffee date.
But when she knows we are fated mates, she will understand, his bear said.
The greenhouse door creaked open, and Alfie looked up to see Daisy entering, her arms full of empty seed trays.
“I can finish up here,” she offered, setting down her load on a nearby workbench.
“I’m nearly done,” Alfie said, carefully pressing the compost down around a tiny seedling.
Daisy studied him with knowing eyes. “You aren’t going home to change first?”
Alfie glanced down at his t-shirt, which read “I PLANT TO BE DIFFERENT” across the chest, complete with a small illustration of a seedling.
“No,” he replied, suddenly self-conscious. “Why, do you think I should?”
He’d always been a pun -loving guy. He enjoyed how they brought smiles to most folks’ faces. But now he wondered if his casual attire was too unprofessional, too childish for someone like Marion.
Daisy reached out and brushed dirt from his shoulder. “No, I guess Marion should get used to you just the way you are.”
“Charming, adorable, and patient?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Daisy chuckled. “Let’s go with that.”
Alfie straightened up and held out his hands. “Maybe you could take over. I don’t have time to get changed, but I should go get washed up.”
“Good idea,” Daisy nodded. “Scrub under your fingernails.”
“I will.” Alfie chuckled and walked away, heading for the washroom. He quickly scrubbed his hands, paying special attention to the dirt that always seemed to find its way under his nails. He splashed water on his face and ran damp fingers through his hair, trying to tame the wayward strands.
Studying his reflection in the mirror, he wished he’d thought to bring a change of clothes, but it was too late now. After waiting what felt like an eternity to see Marion again, he was out of time.
He headed out of the garden center, crossed the parking lot to his truck, and climbed inside, feeling a flutter of butterflies in his stomach.
What if Charlie wasn’t as enthusiastic about the bugs as he had been on Saturday?
What if the evening ended in disaster and he lost his mate before he even truly had her?
It’ll be fine, his bear assured him. Charlie is still going to be enthusiastic about bugs and plants. It was obvious how enthralled he was.
Alfie nodded in agreement. The boy had reminded him so much of himself as a kid. The same wonder at the natural world, the same careful attention to details others might miss.
He drove over to Marion’s rented house and parked in the driveway, taking a deep breath before cutting the engine. But he hesitated as he reached for the door, as the sudden enormity of the situation hit him. What if he messed this up and lost them forever?
Before he could overthink things any further, the front door opened, and Charlie burst out, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Alfie! You’re here!” the boy called, racing down the steps. “Come see what we made!”
Marion appeared in the doorway behind him, smiling at her nephew’s enthusiasm. When her eyes met Alfie’s, that now-familiar jolt of connection shot through him.
“Hi,” she said simply, but the warmth in that single word was enough to chase away any lingering doubts.
Alfie stepped out of the truck, grinning. “Hi yourself.”
Charlie rushed to Alfie’s side, tugging at his sleeve. “Come see what we made! It’s a bug hotel! We built it ourselves!”
Alfie followed Charlie to the handcrafted structure, crouching down to examine it properly. The care and attention to detail were impressive. It had different sections for various insects, carefully arranged materials, and even a small roof to keep everything dry.
“This is incredible,” Alfie said, genuinely impressed. “You’ve created different chambers for different bugs. That’s exactly right.”
Charlie beamed with pride. “I researched it online. The spider section is already occupied!”
Marion approached, watching them with a look Alfie could not quite read. “He’s been checking it every hour to see who’s moved in.”
Alfie stood, his eyes meeting hers. The connection between them hummed like electricity, making his breath catch. “You’ve both been busy.”
“Charlie’s enthusiasm is contagious,” she replied, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
They stood there for a moment, simply looking at each other, the world around them fading away until Charlie tugged at Alfie’s sleeve again.
“Are we going?” Charlie asked, breaking the moment.
There’ll be plenty of time for googly-eyed staring later, his bear told him.
Alfie grinned down at him. “Yes, we are.”
“Great! We have logs to collect,” Charlie said excitedly, already heading toward the truck.
Alfie gestured toward his vehicle. “Shall we?”
“I just need to grab my bag.” Marion hurried back to the house and then joined them, her tote bag on her shoulder. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Me, too, Alfie’s bear said.
“Here we go.” Alfie opened the passenger door and offered Marion his hand to help her up. When their fingers touched, that now-familiar spark traveled up his arm, and he relished the sense of connection, the recognition that pulsed between them.
She smiled shyly at him as she held his hand, and he knew she felt the inexplicable bond that had formed between them.
As if to confirm this, her fingers lingered in his for just a moment longer than necessary before she climbed into the truck. Alfie hesitated for a moment, relishing the nearness of her, then he turned around and helped Charlie clamber into the truck beside his aunt.
His bear rumbled contentedly inside him. This is our family .
Alfie smiled at his bear, as he went around to the driver’s side and climbed in. He was right, this was their family. He started the engine, feeling like he was living in a dream he never wanted to wake from.
It’s not a dream, his bear told him.
I know, but it sure feels like one, Alfie said as he glanced sideways at Marion and Charlie.
As they drove out of town and into the mountains, Charlie chattered excitedly, his face pressed against the window. “I’ve never seen mountains so tall!” he exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder. “They go right up into the clouds!”
“Wait until you see them from the vineyard,” Alfie promised. “The view is breathtaking.”
Marion seemed equally enthralled as she watched the landscape unfold, pointing something out to Charlie, from a hawk circling overhead, to a cluster of wildflowers painting a hillside purple, or the way the sunlight dappled through the pine forest.
When they finally turned onto the winding drive that led to Thornberg Vineyard, Alfie felt a surge of pride watching Marion’s reaction.
Her lips parted in surprise as the vista opened up before them.
“Wow,” she breathed as she took in neat rows of vines stretching across the hillside, the hacienda-style house nestled among them, and beyond it all, the majestic mountains rising against a crystal-blue sky. “This is...incredible.”
“Wait until you taste the wine,” Alfie joked, pulling up in front of the house.
As they got out of the truck, Alfie sensed his parents hovering inside, their anticipation even from this distance.
We should put them out of their misery and introduce them to our mate, his bear suggested eagerly.
Alfie agreed though he didn’t want to overwhelm either Charlie or Marion. This was all unfamiliar territory. For all of them.
Charlie spun in a slow circle, taking in the sweeping views and endless sky. “This is amazing,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “You’re so lucky you grew up here.”
“You are,” Marion agreed, glancing at Charlie with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Alfie placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled reassuringly. Their eyes met, and she smiled gratefully back at him. In that one look, he understood how thankful she was that he’d brought them here, that he’d helped nurture Charlie’s love of the outdoors.
“My mom and dad would love to meet you,” Alfie said, but then added, “but we could wait until after we collect the logs if you prefer.”
Marion shook her head. “Maybe now would be better. I have no idea what state Charlie might be in after we’ve collected the wood for the bugs.
” She tilted her head and looked back at his truck.
“Especially since I think he plans to crawl around looking for bugs. Maybe I should have brought a change of clothes or a tarp to wrap him in.”
Alfie chuckled. “It’s okay. I don’t mind dirt in there.”
“Good, because I don’t fancy a long walk back to town,” Marion replied with a wry smile.
Alfie led them toward the house. “I need to get my magnifying glass, too.”
“The special one?” Charlie asked, racing to catch up with him.
“The special one,” Alfie confirmed, just as the front door opened and Leanne and Hugo stepped out to meet them.
“Mom, Dad, this is Marion. Marion, this is my mom, Leanne, and my dad, Hugo.” He then placed a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “And this is Charlie, Marion’s nephew.”
His mother beamed, her eyes shining with joy. “Oh, it’s just wonderful to finally meet Marion,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “And you, too, Charlie.”
Alfie’s father cleared his throat, clearly emotional. “Yes, yes indeed,” he added, nodding vigorously.
Marion smiled politely, seemingly unfazed by their enthusiasm. “It’s lovely to meet you both as well,” she replied graciously. “You have a lovely home. And the vineyard is amazing.”
“It’s a labor of love,” Leanne said. “And a wonderful place for exploring and finding bugs.” She looked down at Charlie.
“Which is what we intend to do,” Alfie said. “I’ll just grab my magnifying glass from the kitchen, and I’ll be right back.” He darted inside the house, relieved the introductions had gone smoothly. “Okay, got it.”
“Can we go look at the vines now?” Charlie asked eagerly, providing Alfie with the perfect excuse to break up the greetings before his parents could say something revealing.
“Absolutely,” Alfie agreed, catching his mother’s knowing smile. “There’s an entire world waiting to be explored out there.”
As they headed back outside, Marion fell into step beside him. “Your parents are lovely,” she said quietly. “They seem so…happy.”
“They are,” Alfie replied, watching Charlie skip ahead of them. “They love this place.”
“They must miss having you all close by,” Marion observed.
“In some ways, but I think they are enjoying this time having the house to themselves,” Alfie chuckled. “My brother lived here until he met his mate recently.”
“Mate?” Marion asked.
“His partner…” Alfie said, realizing his mistake.
“Alfie, come look at this!” Charlie called out, and Alfie was more than happy with the distraction.
You could just tell her, his bear said.
But now was not the time.
They followed Charlie toward the nearest row of vines, where he was already examining the leaves with intense concentration.
“Can I use your magnifying glass now?” he asked as they approached.
Alfie handed over the cherished tool, showing Charlie how to hold it at the right distance to focus properly. “See those tiny structures on the underside of the leaf? Those help the plant breathe.”
Charlie’s eyes widened as he peered through the glass. “Wow! They look like little star patterns!”
Marion kneeled beside them, her shoulder brushing against Alfie’s. “May I see?”
As Alfie guided her hand with the magnifying glass, their fingers touching, he felt that now-familiar spark between them intensify. Looking up, he found her eyes on him rather than the leaf, and the heat of her gaze made his heart race.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, and Alfie wasn’t sure if she meant the leaf or something else entirely.
His bear rumbled with satisfaction. She feels it, too. She knows we belong together.
“Come on!” Charlie called, already moving farther down the row. “Let’s find some bugs to study!”
Alfie stood and offered Marion his hand and she took it without hesitation, letting him pull her to her feet. For a brief moment, they stood close enough that he could smell the scent of lavender soap and feel the warmth radiating from her skin.
“We should probably catch up before he discovers the compost heap,” Alfie said with a smile. “That’s where all the really interesting bugs live.”
Marion groaned, but her eyes danced with amusement. “Lead the way, bug expert.”
“Whatever you say,” Alfie replied.
Because he would do anything for her. And Charlie.
Because they were his. And he was most certainly theirs.