When she woke up the next morning, Kassie was almost able to convince herself that everything that had happened the day before had been a dream, but she could already hear movement in the next room. Even though she had miraculously been able to sleep, it seemed that Cole was restless. Getting up, she slipped on her robe and made her way to the living room to find him sitting up on the sofa.

He wasn’t alone. Taylor had already made her way out from her bedroom and was sitting with him, a stuffed bear in her lap.

“Good morning.”

He looked up at her from where he sat and nodded. “Hey. Glad to see you were able to get some rest after everything.”

“I’m just as surprised as you are.” She sighed. “And it looks like you’ve got company.”

“She just made her way out a few minutes ago. I hope it doesn’t bother you.”

“Why would it?” said Kassie. “You’re just being friendly to Cole, right Taylor?”

The little girl smiled cheerfully, oblivious to why the two grownups were so tense. It was a small miracle that she didn’t have anything to worry about and that she hadn’t picked up on the fact that they were so anxious about everything that was happening. Of course, if things kept going the way that they were going, they might not have that luxury. The girl was a perceptive child, and she was bound to figure out that something was wrong before long. Especially if Kassie couldn’t pull herself together.

“I don’t have work today, so we can talk about… this.” She shook her head. “These men. Everything that’s happening.”

“Right,” said Cole, glancing again at Taylor. He too seemed very aware of the fact that he didn’t want to pull the little girl into this mess, even though it was inevitable that she would be. She already was a part of it by virtue of being his flesh and blood. He was shaking his head now, looking extremely distressed. “If I hadn’t come back here…”

“Don’t think that way, Cole,” said Kassie firmly. The last thing she wanted right now was for him to start blaming himself for everything that was going on.

“I can’t help but think that way.”

“There would have been problems eventually. You already said it yourself. She has powers, like you do. They would have appeared sooner or later, and what then? Who knows what sort of trouble may have arisen from that. Having you here, it means… It means she won’t be alone.” And from the way Cole acted about his past, Kassie knew already what being alone with that sort of information, that sort of power, could do to a person.

On his end, Cole sighed. He appeared to be thinking the same thing as he looked over in Taylor’s direction again, pushing a hand through his hair. She hoped that what she had said had brought him some small comfort, and more importantly that he realized how big of an impact he really could have on his daughter’s life.

“For now,” he said after a long moment, “let’s just worry about the best way to keep the both of you safe. This man is determined, and who knows what that determination will make him do.”

“I agree,” said Kassie. “For one, you’re more than welcome to stay with us from now on. Although I wish I had something more comfortable than the sofa to offer you…”

Cole chuckled in response. “It’s a hell of a lot better than what the military provided me, so be assured that I’m not going to complain.” Shaking his head, he turned toward her, piercing her with his gaze. “But is it really okay? Me being around…?”

“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I weren’t okay with it,” she said with a reassuring smile. “And… well.” She took a deep breath. “It’ll give you a chance to get to know Taylor. To really get to know her. Because I think… if it’s okay with you… I want her to know the truth. About who you are and what you mean to her. To us.”

At this, Cole almost seemed to jump out of his seat. She didn’t think that she could have said anything more surprising to him at that moment. However, she had been mulling this over for a while now, and she knew that it was the best thing, for her, for Taylor, for Cole—for all of them.

“Kassie, what—”

“I mean it. I know she’s a bit young, but that makes it even more important for her to know now. To grow up knowing…” She took a deep breath. “But it’s up to you in the end. If you want that… If you want her to know…”

“I… do. I do more than anything,” he said. “I just never expected…”

Moving to the sofa and sitting down beside him, Kassie placed her hand over his. While he had only known about Taylor for a little while, he had told her about his connection to their daughter. She understood perfectly well what this must mean to him, and seeing his reaction only confirmed that Taylor had already become an important part of his life.

Cole squeezed her hand back in response, and she felt her heart flutter inside her chest. Which brought about a second thought. It wasn’t only Taylor that was important to him. Just as she was drawn to him, she could tell instinctively that he was drawn to her, that something special was brewing between the two of them.

The idea of romance was foreign to Kassie right now. She hadn’t dated much in the years since Taylor was born. It was difficult to even find a man who was willing to entertain the idea of being with someone who had a kid. To have Cole come right into her life the way that he had… Even without everything else that was going on, it would have been a strange thing to experience this reunion. A part of her wondered if the things that were stirring up within her were simply a response to the mind-blowing things she had learned, but somehow, she knew that wasn’t the case.

Even back then, on that night they had met, there had been something special between the two of them. And now she was feeling that same something every time they were in each other’s presence.

She would have to think about that more later. Even if it was confusing to her, even if she didn’t quite know what to make of all the things that she was feeling, she knew that she would have to take the time to think about the way that she felt.

For now, though, she spared a smile for Cole and hoped that he would pick up on what it meant. He gave her a small smile back, sending a tremble going through her center and forcing her to take a deep breath.

Since she wasn’t working that day, she was going to get the chance to spend some time with Cole and Taylor, and already the prospect was making her head spin. Every moment that she was with him was another moment thinking about the possibility of a future. It was frightening and strange, and something that she hadn’t thought about in a long time—a future with another person.

But the possibility of romance hadn’t even come up between them yet, so why was she so apprehensive about this possibility? In truth, Kassie thought, she was probably working herself up over nothing. After everything that she had been through with the man in the parking lot, it was entirely possible that her head was all over the place, and she was just letting herself get worked up.

And yet…

Looking at him, it was impossible to deny her feelings. But, for now, she didn’t want to think about that.

“I’m going to make some breakfast,” she said suddenly, realizing that she had been sitting there for a while, lost in thought beside Cole while Taylor continued to play.

“Right,” he said, looking back at her with a small smile on his face.

“And after… I would like the three of us to do something. Together.” She was surprised to hear herself say it. The words slipped off her tongue almost without her thinking them, and Cole himself seemed just as surprised when he heard them. “Oh,” she started to stammer afterwards. “I… I know it might be dangerous, with those men around… you know, to go out? But maybe we can find something to do?”

“Ah… right. Yes,” said Cole, smiling even more brightly than he had before. “I would like that. Very much.”

Kassie smiled back as she rose and made her way to the kitchen to start breakfast for the three of them. Having a morning meal, making plans… it was like… It was like they were a family. What a strange, wonderful thought.

After breakfast, the two of them got together and thought over the possibility of going out together yet again. They ended up settling on the idea of taking Taylor out for the day at the local park where she had first seen Cole. While there was the possibility that the men, the other shifters, might still be around, having Cole there to watch out for them meant that they were safe enough. At least, they hoped so.

As she drove with Cole in the passenger seat and Taylor in the back, Kassie looked through the window. Every shadow she saw represented danger, but she knew that she couldn’t stay inside her apartment hiding. That presented a more dangerous possibility. Besides, those men had tracked her down at her work. They likely already knew where she lived. Who knew how long it would be before they showed up at her place? Just the thought of that sent shivers down her spine.

“Mommy! Mommy, look!”

“What is it, sweetheart?” They had just pulled into the parking lot, and Taylor was gesturing at some point outside the window. Her heart jumped into her chest, afraid that the something her daughter wanted her to look at was bears in the trees that edged the play area or something equally dangerous. But it was just a family putting together a party nearby.

“Isn’t that nice?” said Cole. “We’ll have to throw a party like that sometime. Wouldn’t you like that?”

“Yeah!” said Taylor excitedly.

“She’s really warming up to you,” said Kassie, smiling over at him and noting the way that he smiled back. It was the warmest look she thought she’d ever seen on his face, and it had transformed him completely from that man she’d first met.

“You think so?” he said, a hopeful tone in his voice.

“Why don’t you ask her?” Kassie said in response. “Taylor? What do you think of Cole?”

“Big bear!” she said. And as soon as she said it, the smile on Cole’s face brightened even more, though he ducked his head down and out of sight, as if too shy to let Kassie see it. That action made her laugh as she pulled out her keys and stepped out of the car before going around to grab Taylor, holding her on her hip as she grabbed her things. Meanwhile, Cole got out on the other side. Then, the three of them were off, finding a nice spot in the park to lay out their things and relax under the sunlight.

“This is really nice,” said Cole. “As you can imagine, I never really got to do things like this when I was a kid. There were too many of us in the orphanage to keep count of, so we didn’t really do things like go out to the park. There was a pretty big play area outside the orphanage where we could go spend time, but it was all… you know… scheduled. So, it was never really all that much fun for us.”

“I bet,” said Kassie. “Though, to tell you the truth, I didn’t have the best time of it growing up either. It was my mom and me in this little two-bedroom apartment in the city, and when she wasn’t working she was spending time with her friends, so I had to make do on my own. I was determined to do better by Taylor when she came along.”

“Oh… ah. Your mom …Taylor’s grandmother.”

“Yeah, she actually passed away just after Taylor was born. An overdose.” Kassie winced. She hated bringing up this story, but Cole had a right to know. Still… She found a patch of grass underneath a tree. As she started to juggle her things, Cole took the blanket from her hands and began to prepare a spot for them, giving her a glance that meant she was welcome to continue speaking.

Hesitantly, she continued. “My mom was an addict for pretty much as long as I can remember, and it finally caught up with her. My grandparents supported me on and off while I was a teenager, but then when I got pregnant, well…” Kassie sighed. “They said I was turning out to be just like her, and they cut me off.”

“Ah. I see.” Kassie looked over at him. The bright look on his face from earlier was gone, replaced by an expression that could only be described as guilt.

“It all turned out for the best, Cole. It was a nightmare at first, as you can imagine. I was on government benefits for a while. But I found this family in town who was willing to give me a spare room in exchange for taking care of their youngest. I did that for a year before getting the job at the diner and my own apartment.”

“And then I walked back into your life.”

“Yes, you did. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Although I could do without all the drama.” And despite all that drama, she managed to laugh as she sat down on the blanket, pulling Taylor into her lap as Cole dropped down across from them, smiling back.

“You’re a really strong woman, Kassie,” he said. “It takes a lot of courage to do what you’ve done.”

“I don’t know about courage,” she said, glancing down at her daughter’s light blond hair and smoothing it out with one hand as the little girl aimlessly played with the stuffed toy she’d brought along. “It’s more like… love. Love can help you get through anything. And from the moment she was born, I knew what real love was. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her, Cole. Someday, you’ll know a love like that and you’ll understand.”

“I think I’m beginning to understand right now,” he said. Kassie looked up, and his eyes were fixated on her own. It sent a shock straight through her system.

For an instant, she thought he meant her. But he couldn’t. He meant Taylor, obviously. She was his daughter, after all. However, there was a part of her that hoped against hope that he meant her as well.

Taking a deep breath, she brushed away the thought. It was too much to process just now, especially when they had come out for a day of fun away from work and, more importantly, away from the very real dangers that had just presented themselves to her and her family.

While there were people around, they were far enough away that she and Cole could talk without being overheard, so she decided to broach a question that had been on her mind for a little while.

“Cole… I wanted to ask…” She glanced at Taylor. “When did you first… I mean, when did you realize that you had your powers? When did you start…?”

“When did I first start shifting?” He ran his hands through his hair. “Well, I told you before that I always knew I was different. My senses were different, and I could sort of feel something inside me. But it didn’t come out until I was ten. But if someone could have helped me, guided me through it, I’m sure it would have happened much sooner than that.”

“You must have been terrified when it happened.”

“Not really. Not as much as you probably think anyway. Honestly, it was a relief. I finally understood what it was that was inside me, what made me different from all the other kids that were around me. And it gave me a release. I always felt so trapped in the orphanage, but when I started shifting, I was able to go off in the night and let my true self out. I was putting myself in danger, in retrospect, but I needed that.”

“And that’s why Taylor needs you,” said Kassie. “Because she can’t go through this process alone. She’s going to need someone to guide her through this process and protect her. And not just in the physical sense.” She smiled at Cole, hoping that he understood her meaning. From the way he looked back her, she was certain that he did.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will.” And again, she reached out for his hand, and this time, instead of just touching it, she let her fingers twine through his.

Then, as they sat there, she heard Cole sigh. And before she knew it he was leaning forward. The sun streamed down over them, and she could still hear Taylor nearby playing in the grass. However, everything froze as she saw his sparkling blue eyes draw near her own. Her heart was thudding in her chest.

Was this really happening? The intensity of it was almost too much to bear. All of her senses were going crazy as Cole’s lips closed over her own, and suddenly she felt transported into another reality. The only thing she could feel was the warmth of his kiss and the point where their fingers were tangled together. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before, save that moment when they had first met. And even then, the chemistry between them had ramped up by a thousand from that time, perhaps because of the bond that they now shared.

When he finally pulled away, she felt frozen in place.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, but she shook her head in response.

“No, that was fine,” she said quietly. Then a small smile crept over her face. “More than fine.”

“Okay. Good,” said Cole with a chuckle.

So, there it was… the sign that she had been waiting for. Kassie could no longer ignore the feelings that had risen up between them, nor did she want to try and ignore them. Despite everything else that was going on, here was the one bright point in her life.

Even though the one night she had spent with Cole had been but a brief instant in her life, it had transformed her completely. Now he had come back to her, and she knew that it was more than a coincidence that they had met.

She didn’t know if she had ever thought about things like destiny before, but now she firmly believed in the fact that he was her destiny. And not just because of Taylor.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go play on the swings,” she said. And as she got up, taking Taylor with her, she reached out for Cole’s hand, and they walked together to the playground.

They spent an incredible two hours together, laughing and playing and doing their best to forget that there was anything out there to worry about. It was an incredible feeling for Kassie. The past few years as a single mother had afforded her few opportunities like this, and it was quickly becoming evident that Taylor and Cole were bonding quicker than she could have imagined.

“Do you want to go on the slide again?” he asked as he crouched down to her level. The little girl responded with enthusiasm, so he scooped her up and over his shoulder. Taylor squealed as he jogged to the plastic slide and helped her to the top. Meanwhile, Kassie watched them, delighted by the sight of the two of them together.

More and more, she was beginning to notice little things about the pair, little similarities in the way that they acted. When Cole laughed, his nose crinkled up in just the same way Taylor’s did. She had always wondered where that came from. And there was that certain sparkle in her daughter’s eyes that was just the same as his.

They stayed in the park for longer than Kassie had expected to, until all three of them started to feel a little bit tired. Even Taylor was showing signs of needing a nap, which was unusual for the girl. She had always been the sort to go all day, to Kassie’s great chagrin (as well as her babysitter’s).

“Why don’t we stop by and pick up something to eat before going home?” she said, only realizing after she had said it that she had referred to her place as home for all of them, Cole included.

“Sounds great,” he said, and from the way he looked at her, the impact of what she had said obviously hadn’t been lost on him. So, they made their way to the car and got inside. It had been an incredible day, and Kassie knew that she wouldn’t soon forget it.

But what was waiting for them when they got back would tarnish the happiness that she had felt for that past few hours. Walking up the steps, her instincts immediately told her something was wrong—even before she saw Cole tense up and push his way past her.

“Hold on,” he said. “Wait here for just a minute. And give me your keys.”

She did as she was told, and Cole moved to the door. But he didn’t need the keys. The lock had been broken, and the door was ajar already. He stepped inside, and she heard a soft curse come from his lips.

Kassie followed him in, and her heart immediately jumped up inside her chest. There, on the wall in bright red paint was a written warning.

GIVE US THE GIRLS

“Cole, they…”

“Kassie.” Cole started to speak, but it seemed that words failed him. All that he could do was gather the two of them to his chest and hold them tightly as Kassie broke down, tears streaming down her face as the full impact of what had happened came over her.