When they got back to Rose, they decided to take things slowly. Barlow had never been in a committed relationship, and Susie’s only experience was with Allen, so they were both a little unsure. So they took it one day at a time, and one month later, they were mated, bonded and living together. On reflection, a month wasn’t a long time, but every day they weren’t apart made the time seem interminable, and they soon realized they just wanted to be together.
Now, their only problem was learning to live with one another. It soon became clear that Barlow’s idea of cooking was picking up a takeout menu, while Susie was a hoarder and had trouble throwing anything away. She still owned two hairdryers that hadn’t worked in years – she was adamant she might need them one day. They were slowly making changes to accommodate each other.
Barlow had finished renovating Maguire’s house and was now considering what he wanted to do next. Susie’s jokes about him being her trophy mate were not well received, and he was actually thinking about trying out to be a pack enforcer. His need to provide for his mate overruled how happy it would make his dad if he actually followed in his footsteps of being an enforcer.
Susie and Jules were getting along a little better, though she wasn’t sure if she would ever be close with Lila again. She understood that Helen had left Allen, though Susie felt no triumph about that – she honestly didn’t care what happened to either of them. At least Allen was no longer bothering her to get back with him – no, he knew he was a dead man if he ever set foot in Rose. Barlow made sure he got that message.
In the end, Jules gave the Hawaii trip to Susie. No one actually managed to finish the scavenger hunt, and since she was the bride, she decided she could do what she wanted. Susie’s grandparents were thrilled with the trip, but even more thrilled when she brought Barlow to meet them. He charmed them immediately and cemented his place in their hearts when he fixed their washing machine and repaired their porch swing.
As for now, they were enjoying another Tanner barbeque. They had already eaten, it was only a matter of time before the football game commenced and everything turned to chaos.
“Beer, little darling?” offered Barlow.
Susie took it and smiled in thanks. Barlow slid an arm around her and planted a thorough kiss on her mouth.
“Don’t we get enough of this at home?” grumbled Greyson.
Violet elbowed him. “Ignore him.”
“Always do,” said Barlow, smirking.
Before, Susie had been renting an apartment with two other women. So, to save money for their own place, she and Barlow moved into his dad’s house. Violet was delighted to have them there. Greyson was pleased, too – he just resented the fact that Violet was shy about having sex while they were there. Susie decided not to bother wasting her time being shy. Either she would scream, or she wouldn’t have sex - she chose to scream and let everyone hear her.
Terri joined them with her pups, and Violet eagerly picked up the toddler, Seth and started fussing over what a big boy he was.
“I hate to tell you this,” said Terri looking at Greyson and Barlow, “but Hank is heading your way to recruit you for a game of football.”
Barlow chuckled while Greyson looked eager. Usually, Greyson and Hank were on opposite sides – and they were the worst of the bunch for starting fights.
“Are you sure you want to play?” asked Violet.
Greyson frowned. “Yeah, I always do.”
“Well, I just thought that you know, because we have a moment alone…” She leaned up and whispered into his ear. His eyes changed to amber, and his face lit up.
“No, I can’t play, c’mon sweetheart.”
Greyson urgently set Seth down, who gave him a consternated growl and tugged Violet away.
“Your parents are about to have sex,” whispered Susie, gleefully.
“Might improve his mood,” muttered Barlow.
Candace flew into the kitchen. “Why on earth would you not warn me about the psychotic love-sick pup?!” she growled at Susie before running in the other direction.
“Uhhh…”
A few moments later Eric made his way into the kitchen, a grin on his face.
“Did you see which way Candace went?”
Barlow pointed, and Eric set off after her.
Susie slapped his arm, and he rolled his shoulders.
“What?”
Susie shook her head. He was just pleased that Eric had transferred his affection away from her. Eric had given her up as a lost cause, and when he met Candace – he was instantly smitten.
Candace was considering moving to Rose – she wanted to open up her own candy store, and Adam the Rose alpha wanted her to do it in his town. He was offering to fund it, and she was tempted to say yes. She had been trying to raise money for her shop for years, but her own alpha refused to step in and help and with six younger sisters, there was always some expense that put her back to square one.
“Poor Candace,” laughed Terri as she left with her pups in search of her own mate.
Susie pursed her lips in disapproval.
“She’ll be fine,” said Barlow dismissively. “She can run fast. Besides, what female wouldn’t want to be caught by a Tanner?”
“You’re an idiot,” she said affectionately.
“Your idiot.”
“Mmm, definitely, all mine,” she cooed possessively.
“You know I don’t have to play football either…”
His eyes turned amber as his excitement rose.
“You’re also a mind reader.”
He bent down and kissed her, and she was grateful that she ever had the nerve to talk to him in Vegas. What had started as one night with the wolf, had turned into a lifetime of happiness, and she planned on enjoying every single moment.
The end