“Robert, she is absolutely beautiful, and she loves those kids.” Peg remarked as Heidi left with the two kids. “She is really going to miss them.”

“Even more reason to start a family of our own. Did we tell you we’re planning a double wedding?” Robert asked.

“And a double bonding ceremony.” Charles added. “We thought we’d ask the Elders if they could do it while they’re here? We don’t want to take anything away from Bill and Mary’s ceremony.”

“I’m sure it won’t be a problem. They’re getting married on Christmas Eve, maybe we could make arrangements for the night before, would that work?”

“Yeah, that would be great. Is it Elders Elijah and Brent? If it is, I know they won’t mind an extra ceremony.” Charles told them. He looked at Jackie and gave her a hug.

“When is your wedding going to be?” Peg asked.

“Not until after the baby is born, the doctor is being very strict,” Jackie added. “We had a close call last week and it scared the hell out of us. I thought I was going to lose the baby.”

“Oh no! Is everything okay now?”

“We think so, I just have to be very careful and not get stressed.”

That made Peg laugh. “If you wanted to avoid stress, you definitely came to the wrong place. We have a bonding ceremony, a wedding, a reception and a possible baby delivery in the middle of everything, as well as Christmas and the arrival of Santa Bear, for you know who. I hope everything goes as planned.”

“If anyone can pull it off, it’s Peg.” Mack remarked as he walked back into the room with Simon on his shoulders. “Simon has something for the top of the tree.” Everyone watched as Mack leaned as close as he could so Simon could stretch and reach the top of the tree and remove the star that was already there. He gently kissed a beautiful angel bear, whispered something and placed it on top of the tree.

“Thank you, Papa.” Mack lifted him off his shoulders and spun around, making Simon laugh. Robert, Charles and Jackie looked at each other, it was the first time any of them had heard Simon laugh. Just then, Heidi, Elyse and Colin came into the living room with their arms full of gifts. Heidi stopped and looked at Simon. Robert put a finger to his lips so she wouldn’t spoil the moment. Mack set Simon on his feet.

“Elyse, Colin, look.” He pointed to the top of the tree. “Papa let me put momma’s angel on the top of the tree.”

“It looks beautiful, Simon.” Heidi looked up at the angel. “Where was it, I don’t remember seeing it”

“It was in a box of things that was in our new room. Papa was helping me unpack and we found it.”

Heidi gave Robert a questioning look. She knew he had packed up and sent some of the kid’s personal belongings, apparently, he did much more than that. Robert shrugged his shoulders. She didn’t know he had taken the time to go through everything in the parent’s apartment and picked out what he thought might have sentimental value just for the kids. The angel bear was an excellent choice.

There was a knock on the door. “I’ll get that.” Robert opened the door. “Paula, Luke, what a surprise,” Robert gave Paula a hug. “Paula, you look radiant and very pregnant.”

“Yes, I am. Robert, it’s wonderful to see you, are Charles and Jackie with you?” Just then Charles appeared. He wanted to pick Paula up in a bear hug, but decided against it.

“Come in, come in, I’m so glad you made it.” Mack told them. “Peg, Luke and Paula are here.”

Luke already knew Jackie and Heidi. “Heidi, what are you doing here?”

“She’s my mate, Luke.” Robert answered for her.

“Well, I’ll be, that’s wonderful.” Luke gave Heidi a hug. “That’s five now from that case that have found mates in your neck of the woods.”

“Five?” Charles was trying to remember who was with whom. There was Jackie, Beth, Holly and Heidi. How do you get five?”

“Vicki, she found her mate.” Paula added.

“We knew she was working for you, is she going to be leaving you to be with him?” Heidi asked.

“No, she and her mate, Dorran, will be staying with us. I had planned to bring Vicki with us, but something came up, it’s a long story, we’ll tell you later.

“You can add one more to that list and make it six.” They all turned to Robert. “David Wolf, we’re pretty sure his mate to Becky Brooks, they haven’t met yet.”

“No kidding, that’s great.” Luke was amazed.

“Who do these beautiful children belong to?” Paula asked.

“This is my new family,” Mack announced proudly, “Simon, Colin and Elyse, this is Aunt Paula and Uncle Luke.” Colin immediately informed them who he was.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. When did this all come about?” Paula asked, looking to Mack. Mack filled Luke and Paula in on all the events of the past month when the children were out of hearing range. Peg instantly took a liking to Heidi, the two of them disappeared to the kitchen to check on dinner, leaving the others to relax and watch the kids.

“So, are Bill and Mary ready for the big day?” Paula asked. “I can’t wait to see Mary. I’ve missed Peg and Mary, we used to do so much together. Most of all, I’ve missed Bill.”

“I think Bill is hiding,” Mack joked, “I haven’t seen him in a couple of days.”

“What about Mary?”

“She’s coming over later. I almost forgot, we’ll be having a double bonding ceremony for Charles and Robert the day before the wedding.”

Luke looked at Charles and Robert. “Congratulations, you guys. It’s a shame Robert didn’t come to Oregon, Charles, he would have met Heidi so much sooner. By the way,” he looked to make sure Heidi couldn’t hear him, “that other situation, her boss in Oregon, has been taken care of. I’ll talk to you both about it later.” Just then, Peg announced that dinner was ready. The kids sat at the serving bar, only because there wasn’t room for them at the dining room table. Peg assured them they would always eat together when the company had gone home.  The kids thought it was great, they felt very important sitting there.

After dinner, everyone relaxed. Peg and Heidi got the kids ready for bed. Elyse and the twins went to say good night to everyone. Simon went straight to Mack and gave him a hug. “Good night, Papa.”

“Good night, Simon. I’ll be in shortly to say good night and tuck you in.”

Simon, Elyse and Colin said they’re good night’s. All three went to Robert and Heidi to give them a hug and tell them good night. 

“If you’ll excuse Peg and me,” Mack announced, “we have some children to tuck in bed.”

Heidi and Robert planned to look in on them later. They didn’t want to disrupt the new family connection that was quickly forming. Robert was dying to find out what Mack said to Simon, causing such a change in the sad little boy.

While Mack and Peg took care of their new family, everyone else visited. There was another knock and before Charles could answer, Bill and Mary were coming through the door. Hugs and introductions were made.

“Where are Mack and Peg? Mary asked.

“They’re putting the kids to bed.” Charles told her.

“We’re too late.” Mary gave Bill a gentle punch to the arm. “I told you it was getting late. Now I’ve missed meeting the kids and I won’t get to meet them until Christmas.”

“You’ll get to meet them at our bonding ceremony the day before your wedding.” Robert told her.

“That’s wonderful, when was that arranged?”

“Well, we haven’t talked to the elders yet, but I’m sure they’ll approve.”

“I never thought I’d see the day all of us had mates.” Bill remarked.

“No kidding.” Mack added as he and Peg returned.

“Is everything alright?” Heidi asked.

“Yup. I only had to read the story of Santa Bear twice and they were fast asleep before the second ending. They are great kids, I love them as my own already. Bill, you and Mary ought to adopt.”

“No, that’s okay,” Bill chuckled, “we have our hands full with the grandkids and Nancy is expecting again, did I tell you?”

“At least a dozen times.” Mack laughed.

Everyone finally settled down and talked about the coming days. After a while, Mack suggested the guys go have a drink in the den and let the girls catch up on gossip.

Robert had spent the most part of a month, arranging a surprise for Heidi. He had turned everything over to Mack and Luke to make all the arrangements. He couldn’t risk Heidi accidentally finding out what he was up to.

“So, little brother, how are the arrangements going?” Robert asked.

“Couldn’t be better, everything is all set,” Mack told him, “everyone is staying at the lodge. The bonding ceremony is going to be amazing.”

Robert let out a long breath. “I can’t thank you enough. I could never have done it myself, she would have known I was hiding something from her.”

“Hey, I was a little put out at first, but now that I’ve met her, it was worth it.”

“What do you mean, you were put out?”

“Just kidding. I think Luke handled the complicated stuff, I just made traveling arrangements.” Mack laughed.

“Well, I can’t thank you enough.” Robert hugged both his brothers and shook Luke’s hand. “Let’s hope the final results go as well.”

“Stop worrying,” Mack handed him a beer, “everything is going to be just fine. A toast to my two big brothers, may you be blessed with mates as wonderful as mine.” Peg was the first one to mate with a McCormick and they all loved her.