“You two behave,” I said. “We’re going to Grandfather and Granddad’s house today.”
Ginger looked up at me with big brown eyes. “Daddy, are we going to drive there again?” She started giggling.
“What’s so funny?”
“Because it’s soooo close. We can walk.”
“Yay,” Timber joined in. “We’re walking today!”
“You two both always end up asking us to carry you,” Griffith pointed out. “And it’s soooo close.” He addressed his words straight at Ginger.
She shrieked then giggled as he tickled her.
It was funny that we drove when we visited just down the street. But, with two little ones, we had so much stuff. Their favorite must-have toys, their changes of clothes—because they always got into messes—their favorite snacks and drink boxes—although the grandparents tended to have everything food-wise in stock—and other odds and ends. At least they were potty trained now. That eased the carry-on load.
My flight had accepted the two of them into their hearts, and officially into their community, complete with paperwork and official signatures. The dragons loved Timber and Ginger. And they accepted my mates without question, as well.
Hugo and his family had been out to visit twice. My cousin Jin from Oregon had also visited. And every year at Christmas, Animals SD sent us a card. We were part of a growing group of shifters who’d all found their fated mates at that fine establishment. That honor placed us on their VIP list. If we ever went to San Diego, we would get in for free.
We spent the next hour preparing for our very short trip to spend the day with the grandparents. Griffith loaded everything into the car. Kyle and I got the kids into their car seats.
“Daddy.” Timber looked up at me.
“What?”
“I pwomise not to howl at the gwandpawents.”
“That’s good. I hope you remember you said that.” I patted him on the head. I guess he’d never forgotten the day he’d abruptly shifted at their house and his baby wolf howls had pierced the air as well as everyone’s ears.
Griffith wanted to drive, so I climbed into the passenger seat and Kyle got into the back with the kids. We pulled across the little creek bridge and out onto the street. Then drove. For about ten seconds.
As we pulled into my parents’ driveway, Kyle announced, “Here we are already?”
“Already?” the kids echoed him and clapped.
Everyone laughed.
“Butter! Butter!” Ginger called out as we pulled up to the front porch columns. She waved out the window.
As I looked up, I saw Sergio come out to meet us. The kids’ favorite butler. Not butter.
My parents came onto the porch behind Sergio, who immediately came down to us and grabbed up the bags of supplies we’d brought.
As soon as we set Timber and Ginger on their feet, our babies were running right up the porch steps, one each plowing straight into a grandparent’s arms. Father and Dad lifted them up, showering them with kisses all over their little faces.
I stood in front of the car at the foot of the steps, arms crossed, watching everything. Kyle and Griffith waved and came up the steps to greet them. My little family was comfortable and loved here. Treated with respect and acceptance.
A tear caught in my eye. I couldn’t have asked for a better community. Months before I met them, my dragon had been restless. But it wasn’t because he had ever wanted to leave. It was mate-time. He had been right all the while he’d repeated the phrase.
I’d stopped in San Diego on a whim, and now look where I was. I’d had an encounter with Fate and never looked back.
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a small plush toy. This one did not belong to the kids. I gazed at the stuffed goldfish blinking hard, remembering that time when Kyle hadn’t been sure of me and Griffith but had given me the goldfish right before our first kiss.
I had promised to keep it forever. It was a little scruffy now, and faded, but I took it with me everywhere, hidden in a briefcase or a pocket. To me, it represented not only Kyle and how he’d finally opened up to me, but Griffith, too, because we were already committed when we met Kyle, two lost alphas who’d found each other just before our third, our beloved omega, showed up and changed our lives.
I stuffed the fish back into my pocket and looked up the steps. My family was smiling at me, waiting for me.
I sprinted up the stairs and into their warm embrace.
