Remy woke with the alarm and groaned. They’d gone to bed early but they’d gone to sleep late. They still couldn’t be overly loud but still, the sex had been passionate and he’d felt an overwhelming sense of possessiveness towards her. She’d kept pace with him, her need and desire as obvious as his. Maybe it was being free of her father, maybe it was not being in a strange hotel bed, but they’d both felt the difference in the sex last night.

He rolled out of bed and grabbed his clothes as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Tara. He dragged his stuff to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The pink bottle caught his eye. Travel size shampoo, floral scent, sitting next to his drugstore brand two-in-one, generic shampoo. Tara’s.

He smiled all the way through his shower.

Her toothbrush was in the cup next to his. There was a pink razor in the medicine cabinet. He found her make-up in the drawer beside his cologne. Out of curiosity he opened the cupboard under the sink and found a now empty toiletries bag tucked behind the extra toilet paper.

He got dressed and made coffee before remembering that he was out of milk. He left a note in front of the coffee maker, doubled back to kiss Tara’s cheek, and headed off to work.

---

Tara woke up alone in a bed that smelled of Remy, and smiled. The whole apartment smelled like him. She tossed on the shirt he’d left on the floor and wandered around the apartment. It was empty. On her way back towards the bedroom, she spotted the half-full coffee pot and wandered into the kitchen. There was a folded piece of paper with her name on it in crisp black letters.

Tara, had to go to work this morning. I left the second set of keys on the hall table. The odd silver one is for the front door, the little brass one is for the apartment door. Left some cash, too. There’s no milk or anything else that would go bad left in the apartment.

Feel free to unpack, just shuffle things around. If you’re feeling cooped up call a cab. You can do the grocery shopping. Then we’ll have things you like, because I don’t know what to cook for you yet.

There’s a clan meeting tonight so don’t plan anything for dinner. I’ll call on my coffee break. Remy.

She smiled at the letter and poured herself some coffee. After a long hot shower, she snooped through the kitchen, making a list of things she’d like to buy. She unpacked the few outfits she’d brought and texted her mom to get a status update on the rest of her clothes.

True to his word, Remy called mid-morning with good news. “You’ve got a job interview here on Wednesday,” he said.

“I appreciate this, but ...”

“I already told you, you have to get this job on your own,” he said. “This is all the help you’re getting from me.”

Since there really wasn’t much in the apartment by way of food, she grabbed the keys and the cash and called a cab as he suggested. There was a coffee shop across the parking lot from the grocery store so she jogged over there for lunch, then went and bought groceries.

She was back at the apartment, the food put away, and her laundry in the machine when Remy got back from work. She put her phone down as he came in and said, “How was your day?”

“Long and boring. Everyone had to catch me up on everything I missed while I was away. I have two week’s worth of work to do in the next few days. And right now I just want to hold you.”

She came to him and stepped into his arms.

“I could get used to this pretty fast,” he said.

“Me too.” She took a deep breath and sighed, content. “When do we have to leave?”

“Gia’s on mat leave so we can leave whenever, she’ll be home. Why? Something on your mind?”

“Just waiting for the washing machine. I need to swap it into the dryer before I can go anywhere.”

“I see you made yourself at home.”

“I’m sorry, I was kind of bored and I thought ...”

He squeezed her. “No, it’s okay. I like it. I was worried, you know? I’ve lived alone here since I moved out of my parent’s house. I wasn’t sure I’d adjust to having someone else living here with me.”

“I might still drive you crazy.”

He chuckled. “You most certainly will, but I don’t think I’ll mind. We’ll fight about where the plates go and who has to wash the dishes and how often we can afford to eat out but I don’t think I’ll mind the hassle.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re very romantic?”

“No, surprisingly not. How long until the machine needs changing?”

“Not sure, exactly. Why?”

He kissed her deeply.

“Oh. Yeah, we should have time for a little of that.”

---

“Are we the first ones here?” Tara said as they pulled into Brock’s driveway.

“Probably. But I wanted to be early. Then you can meet everyone in ones and twos as they come in instead of being last and getting overwhelmed.”

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks.”

The door was opened before they’d reached it and a middle-aged woman was waiting for them. She was dressed in soft, comfortable clothes and had her greying hair pulled back from her face. “Remy, how was your trip?”

“More exciting than I had planned. I’m sure Brock’s been teasing you with vague hints.” He hugged her. “Tara, this is Connie. She’s Brock’s housekeeper and she kept him out of trouble after his parents died. Connie, this is Tara Brown of Boston.”

“Oh, I’m just pleased as ever to meet you. That Bryce is a nice fellow and all but it’s so nice to get another girl around here. I felt sorry for Jane, no matter what she says about being fine with a bunch of men around.” Connie took Tara by the arm and led her inside. “But come inside, I’ll get you a drink. You’re going to love New Orleans.”

Tara looked over her shoulder as she was led away. Remy just smiled and waved.

“And this is Gia, Brock’s wife,” Connie was saying as they entered the living room.

“Connie, the poor girl looks like a deer in a set of headlights.”

“I can’t help it, I get excited. I’ll fetch some punch.”

“Unless you want a beer or something?” Gia put in.

“Uh, just punch for now is fine.”

Connie bustled out.

“Don’t mind her, she’s overbearing but in the best of ways. Soon you won’t remember what it was like not having her in your life.”

Tara glanced around. “I was expecting ... more.”

“Oh, you mean the cheap couches? We moved the antique ones to the parlor that no one ever uses and put these in because someone is almost walking now and usually has very sticky hands.”

Someone stuck his head out from around the corner of the couch and grinned a toothless, chubby grin.

“Oh, he’s darling!”

Remy put his shoes away, gave Connie his drink order, and found Tara on the floor in the living room playing with Gia and Brock’s son. The little guy had the same dark hair as his parents and the same round cheeks Remy remembered from Brock’s baby pictures. It was likely the little guy would inherit his father’s wide frame and not his mother, and grandfather’s, finer build.

“How was your trip?” Gia asked.

“I’m going to hear that a lot tonight.. it was exciting and I’ll tell you all about it when everyone gets here.”

“Shouldn’t be long. Brock already called that he’s on his way home and Jules should only be five minutes behind him.”

There was a knock on the door.

“And that should be Jane.”

“Is she bringing Bryce?” Remy settled on the arm of the couch where he could be close to Tara.

“She was planning on it.”

The voice around the corner was masculine so Tara was expecting two people, Jane and Bryce, instead a massive man in a black shirt that looked ready to tear.

“Philippe. You beat Jane here.”

“I was hoping to. I was also hoping to check in and then head out.”

“Do you work?”

“No, sir. Just wanted to avoid the drama.”

“I know it’s only been a few weeks, Philippe, and I’m not asking you to forgive her, but this meeting can’t be summed up for you. I would really like you to stay.”

“Sure, boss.”

Connie came in with punch and a couple of beers. “Here you go. Is there anything else?”

“You’re doing everything again,” Gia said. “I’m perfectly capable of helping, you know. I’m not waddling yet.”

The room fell silent, except for the baby rattle.

Remy cleared his throat. “You did mean to say that you don’t waddle anymore, correct?”

Gia’s cheeks went bright red.

“You’re pregnant again!?” Remy said, loud enough to startle the baby.

“You let the cat out of the bag, didn’t you?” said a man in the doorway.

“I’m sorry, it just slipped out. Connie was mothering me again.”

“You won’t be able to stop her,” he said, crossing the room and kissing her cheek. He turned to Tara. “You must be Remy’s Tara.”

She scrambled to her feet. “Yes. And you’re Brock Tandell.”

“That is correct.” They shook hands.

“We’re almost all here,” Remy said. “Why don’t we move to the kitchen and start setting the table?”

The doorbell rang again. “I’ve got it,” Connie said but they could hear the door opening before she even got out of the living room. Gia, Brock, and Philippe followed close behind and soon the hallway was full of happy voices.

“How are you doing?” Remy said, taking Tara’s hand.

“So far so good. So Philippe is huge.”

“He’s a bouncer.”

“He looks it. Brock is not what I expected and Gia is delightful. Only a few more to meet, right?”

“Right. Come on, or they’ll be teasing us like a couple of teenagers.”

Apparently Jane had been running late and Jules had been running early because the entire clan, plus significant others, was waiting for them in the kitchen.

“Everyone, this is Tara Brown of Boston and she is transferring to our clan, effective immediately. And before you start, yes, we’re officially together.”

There was a round of ‘welcome’s and ‘congratulations’.

“Tara, you met Brock, Gia, and Connie, and Philippe. The short one is Jane.”

“Hey!”

“And with her is Bryce. The other giant there is Jules and his girlfriend Kaylee. Gia, Bryce, and Kaylee are all human but they’re safe. You don’t have to worry about discussing werebear stuff in front of them.”

There were hellos and handshakes all around and Connie bustled about getting food set out. They pulled all the chairs and stools up to the large kitchen island and settled in.

“Since everyone wants to know,” Remy said, bringing the meeting to order. “The conference was a success, as far as I’m concerned. A lot of people were able to voice concerns and get the help and information they needed. For me personally it was a lot more eventful than I anticipated.”

“Oh no,” Brock said. “You’re not getting off that easily. You have to tell us the whole story with as much detail as you can manage without blushing.”

“Be careful,” Tara said. “I don’t blush easily.”

Everyone laughed and Tara and Remy took turns filling in all the details of the conference and of their brief but exciting courtship.

“We’re the poster group for asshole fathers,” Jules said.

“How’s that?” Tara asked.

“Kaylee’s old man is an addict and gets nasty when he’s looking for a fix. Jane’s step-dad ...”

“Foster father,” Jane cut in.

“Sorry. Foster father. He tried to marry her off without her consent and was blackmailing members of his clan.”

“To be fair,” Jane said. “My real father was amazing.”

Jules nodded. “And my father tried to use me to overthrow Remy.”

“My parents were normal,” Philippe rumbled.

“What’s the plan from here on out?” Brock said.

“What do you mean?” Remy countered.

“For the two of you? If she’s transferring here already ...”

“I just got home last night,” Remy laughed. “I’ll propose in my own time. But yes, getting married is the plan.”

Kaylee slapped Jules’ arm.

“Ow. What was that for?” He rubbed at his arm.

She smiled sweetly. “What was what for?”

Brock cleared his throat. “Well, since Gia already let her tongue wander I guess we’ll make our announcement next.”

“Great,” Jane muttered. “Another one.”

“Is it that obvious?” Gia asked, glancing down at her stomach.

“Not at all,” Brock said, kissing her cheek. “Yes, another one. But we’re only six weeks along so keep it within the clan for another six weeks.”

“We won’t say a word,” Remy said.

“They’re going to have a full house before I even get a wedding,” Kaylee said with a great, heaving sigh.

“It’s been like this for months,” Jules muttered.

“Well, how long are you going to make me wait?” Kaylee said.

“I don’t know!”

“How can you not know?”

Tara glanced from one to the other, feeling a little bewildered. “Uh, is this normal?”

“Yes,” Remy said. “Kaylee’s not at all shy. Jane, what about you? Anything to report?”

“Uh, well, since you’ll probably hear it from your friend at the police department...”

“You got arrested?”

“No.” She took a deep breath. Her next words came out in a rush. “Bryce’s cousin needed to get free of a drug ring so we sort of scared them off.”

“Sort of?”

“Okay, really. We really scared them off.”

“And you shifted, didn’t you?”

“Well ... yeah. Yeah, we were bears.”

“Who’s we?”

“Me and Jules?”

“Thanks,” Jules said. “I do you a favor and this is what I get.”

“You think you’ve got it bad?” Remy said. “I leave town for a week and this is what I come home to?” His straight face lasted less than the count of five and then he started laughing. “I can just imagine the look on their faces. Be careful that they don’t try to come after the two of you.”

“Why do they have to be careful?” Bryce asked as everyone else laughed. “They were bears. No one saw their faces. I’m the one they were talking to.”

“Don’t worry,” Kaylee said. “You’re too cute. They won’t come after you.”

“You’re flirting now,” Jules said.

“Well, I’m not sure you want me,” she replied.

“Okay, I’ve had enough. Excuse me for a minute.”

They all watched Jules lumber out. The silence that followed was heavy and awkward.

When he came back in Kaylee said, “What was that about?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“That’s right. Nothing. I just went to visit with James. He understands me.”

“Fine.”

They sat side by side staring at their plates while the awkward silence resumed. Finally Jules leaned over, kissed Kaylee’s cheek, and nuzzled his face against the side of hers. “I love you,” he said.

She shoved him and he laughed.

“How was the weather in Montana?” he asked.

The conversation moved on as they worked on the mountain of food Connie had prepared.

There happened to be a lull in the conversation at just the right moment and they all heard the front door open. “Now who could that be?” Connie asked, getting up.

Brock put a hand out. “We’re not expecting anyone so I’ll get the door.”

“Oh, I’m expecting someone,” Jules said. “I’ll get it.”

He disappeared again, coming back this time with his mother and James.

Brock stood. “Simone, good to see you again.”

“You’ve got legs, and a car, you can see me whenever you like.”

“I have a wife and a baby.”

“Bring them.” Suddenly she was all smiles. “And there’s the little man. Oh, aren’t you just the sweetest thing! Jules, really, when am I going to get one of these to cuddle?”

Remy waved Jules closer. “You were complaining about one so you brought the other one over? Now you’ll have to listen to both of them all night.”

“No, I won’t,” Jules said. “Trust me.” He cleared his throat. “Kaylee, darling, love of my life, will you marry me?” He produced a little velvet covered box from his pocket and presented it to her.

She eyed him warily and then took the box. She cracked it open, peering inside, and then she squealed. “Oh, Jules, it’s amazing!” She pulled the ring out, tossed the box aside and put it on. “Isn’t it wonderful!”

“You know you only get to keep that if you say yes, right?” Jules said.

She sprang from her chair and threw herself into his arms. “YES!!”

“At least he was smart enough to send James out to fetch his mother,” Brock said.

Remy was nodding. “That he was.”

From the other end of the table, Bryce blurted out, “Oh God, was I supposed to bring a ring?”

There was a heartbeat of silence and then a roar of laughter.

“I am so not ready for a wedding,” Jane said.

“Looks like you won’t be last though,” Jules said, dropping a hand on Philippe’s shoulder. “Buddy, you’ve got a bit of catching up to do. I swear you work too much.”

“I’m just fine,” Philippe said.

“Oh, right. I still think you and Patrick would make the cutest couple.”

“Oh, can it,” Jane said. “You’ve been hounding him for over a month. Just because Kaylee’s got you whipped doesn’t mean Philippe has to chase the first girl to come along.”

Jules glanced around. “Guys?” Brock and Remy both shook their heads. Jules threw up his hands. “Okay, two on one, I’m beat. I’ll drop it. Don’t need the two of you cornering me in a dark alley.”

Philippe shot Jane a grateful smile. She nodded in return. They hadn’t spoken much since Jane’s apology when she returned from Quebec. This wasn’t going to fix the broken trust between them, but it was a step in the right direction.

Connie brought out a bottle of champagne, which elicited a complaint from Gia who couldn’t have any. “We’ve lots to celebrate,” she said.

They toasted and Connie fetched an extra plate for Simone. The meeting ran until late that evening and when Remy and Tara finally made it home they tumbled, exhausted, happy and overwhelmed, into bed.