Waking, still in my quokka form, I momentarily wondered why I was so hot. The trailer’s AC had gone off in the night and I was suffocating under the weight and fur of a dingo.
Imri was a cuddler. Adorable, really.
Unable to get the traction to push him off with my stronger back feet, I shifted back into my human form, feeling aches and pains all over. A night on the floor had been a bad idea.
“Move!” I shoved at Imri. The dingo opened a lazy eye. “We can’t sleep in. I’ve got work this afternoon and you better come meet my parents before they find out about us from someone else.”
Imri’s eye closed. He turned his head, pretending to be sleeping. I tapped him with my foot.
“Don’t ignore me. Besides, if I know anything about kids, they’ll be here soon.”
Really, it was like I’d summoned them. Someone knocked on the door.
“Dad? Noona said Sully had a sleepover. Will you make us pancakes?” Sandy shouted from the other side of the door.
My mate shifted back so he could speak. “Give us a few minutes, Sandy. See you back at the house.”
“Pancakes?” he asked hopefully.
“Yeah,” Imri sighed with a fond smile. “I’ll make pancakes.”
Sandy scurried away with a noise of delight.
Imri helped me off the floor, then pulled me into his arms. He dipped me low as he kissed me, earning a laugh for his silly but romantic behavior.
“Breakfast with the kids, then go meet the parents?” he asked, nuzzling his nose against mine. I loved how physically affectionate he was! He pulled away and took his time dressing, his body full of tension.
Why did he look like he’d rather walk over spikes in bare feet than meet my parents?
I laid my hand on his back, feeling the muscles bunch and release with his movements. “Are you nervous?”
“Sully.” He turned, gripping my hips. He continued, mock patiently, “I fear I’m not as brave as you are. Parents scare me.” His shudder was exaggerated.
“If I really thought you couldn’t cope, then I wouldn’t have suggested it. You tookin three kids and made them your family. You are plenty brave.”
He held my hand as we walked up to the house.
“Dad, Gaga let me drive your truck!” Rowan’s face was bright with his excitement.
“I thought the boy should start learning to drive, especially now that you have a pregnant mate,” his mom, Ellie, said, clearly waiting for an argument.
“Okay, well, I’d like to take over lessons, if that’s okay, Mom?” She nodded, pride in her eyes. “Where did you go?”
“Oh, we just drove Trisha down the track to her car, then came back. We really need a better road.” Rowan’s smile dimmed some. “Do you think it’ll be safe to have people come here to do it?”
“Rowan, your magical control isn’t nearly as bad as you think,” Imri stated simply, honesty in his tone.
“You have a problem controlling your magic?” I asked. “Because I didn’t even know you were a witch until yesterday,” I pointed out from my place at the table. The twins were waiting anxiously for their breakfast, Berry cuddledup to Farah, and Sandy almost in my lap. Apparently, I’d made an impression on him.
“Really?” Rowan’s hope was a brittle thing, I could sense it.
“I’d never lie to you,” I vowed. “Until it was mentioned, I had no clue you might have a problem with managing it. I think you’d all be fine if people came to fix the road.”
He took his place next to Imri at the counter, ready to create a feast for us all.
The approval I saw not only in Imri’s eyes, but those of my new in-laws, warmed my soul. These people were my people. My new family and a place where I really thought I’d fit in.
Breakfast was a noisy, chaotic event and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Imri pushed his mom out of the way to whip up an enormous batch of pancakes for everyone. Aware I didn’t eat meat, his mama prepared some fruit for me. They bickered lovingly amongst themselves while cooking.
