Bearly a Chance: A Second Chances Romance (2 page)

“One.”
Thunk.
Giggle-filled echo.

“Two.”
Thunk.
Shrieks of baby laughter and chubby pounding fists leaving bruises in their wake.

Thankfully, on the third thunk the front door opened. Gran stood tall and willow-tough in the doorway. She seemed spry as ever, and Aria was grateful for her beaming welcome.

“Let me help you, honey.” Gran reached for Faith. Aria sighed when her two year old’s eyes grew round and worried. She watched closely, praying that this time the babe would stay calm, or at least calm enough. A flash of quick-silver tracked across the toddler’s worried gaze when her eyes met Aria’s.

“Shh, sweetheart. Momma’s got you. This is Grandma Tori. Remember? Grandma Tori Fox. You talked to her on the phone.” Faith’s nod eased the butterflies fluttering in Aria’s stomach. “Gran’s going to help us find our room. Would you like that?”

Faith’s slow nod and the fading silver in her eyes hinted that this time the baby would be able to contain herself.

“I’m sorry I scared you Faith.” Gran leaned down so she was at eye level with her great grand-daughter. Aria always felt a bit miffed that Gran was a good six inches taller than her own five feet. She wished desperately she could be more like her strong, courageous Gran instead of taking after her own mother as much as she did.

At least I’ve got strong down. Strong, for Faith.

Aria was fascinated by the unspoken conversation underpinning the words that flowed between Gran and Faith. Gran had always had a way with babies, and Aria was desperately counting on that instinct to help keep her wayward cub in hand. From the looks of things, Faith’s secret could stay secret for a bit longer. At least long enough to unpack and get settled into their new home. It was hard to believe they’d had to retreat to this hamlet secreted amongst the pines. Aria had been desperate to escape this refuge just three short years ago, desperate to leave behind the overly sympathetic glances, and the whispered comments that followed her everywhere. But three years had been enough time for life to throw a hell of a curve ball at her, and Aria didn’t have anyone else to turn to for help.

Gran talked Faith out of her mom’s arms with the solemn promise of milk and cookies and a play room of her own. Aria felt a wide grin stretch her weary face as gran worked her magic. It was like a weight lifted off Aria’s shoulders. She savored the sweet picture of Gran holding Faith’s chubby hand and guiding her toddling steps toward the homey kitchen table. Aria trusted Gran to keep her unflappable calm when the inevitable storm that had sent them running home finally broke. Based on previous experience and the quick-silver that hovered in her baby’s eyes it wouldn’t be long at all.

Aria dragged the heavy suitcase up the log stairs to the guest bedroom. The room was cozy, as it had always had been. The outer walls were solid logs, but the interior walls were all girl, and painted in delicate floral lace patterns. That was new. She could tell Gran had put some time into making the place nice for them. Sheer pink curtains floated on the breeze, and the bed was made with the fluffiest, most feminine quilt Gran owned. The one mom had made for Aria as a baby gift; the one that ended up being way too big and way too pink for tiny newborn Faith.

That quilt belonged in this room more than it had ever suited Aria’s apartment. A portable play pen stood in the corner. It was also pink, decorated with an adorable gray fox motif. A part of Aria sighed, grateful the foxes weren’t bears. If they had been, she’d have wondered anew at Gran’s intuition. Aria settled the case on the carved oak trunk at the foot of the bed, then dashed out the door and across the hall to check out Faith’s play room.

Gran had agreed to convert the study into a sturdy toddler play area, despite obvious misgivings and comments that ‘babies need their own bedroom, too’. Aria couldn’t take the chance of Faith changing unsupervised. At least all the toys in the play room were high quality. Mostly hardwood; blocks, a sturdy doll house with a matching family of wooden dolls, a desk and an easel. Faith wouldn’t want for anything as long as Gran had a say.

Not anything but a daddy,
Aria scolded herself.

A daddy, and someone to help her control her other nature. Memories of Ben flashed across her mind, but she shooed them away. Men who cared didn’t vanish into thin air for years. With a final glance of approval at the playroom, Aria shut the door and headed down stairs towards the kitchen.

Aria couldn’t help but pause in the wide doorway that set the dining area apart from the living room. Faith chattered away in baby talk. She was perched at the table, secured in a refurbished antique wood high chair. Gran had taken Aria’s ‘no plastic’ warning damn seriously from the looks of things, Aria certainly wouldn’t have to worry about splintered plastic hurting her babe. But then, Gran had always had a soft spot for natural furnishings. She’d had to, to raise two daughters and a son in this hand built cabin. Aria stroked the carved hardwood trim around the door absently as she watched Gran work her magic with Faith.

Gran sat beside Faith, portioning out a chocolate chip cookie between them. Aria’s heart warmed at the trust she already saw in her baby’s eyes. Gran passed Faith a toddler-sized bite of cookie, and on the count of three they dunked their cookie pieces into the cup of milk that sat between them. Drops of white splashed across the table to join an older set, indicating that this ritual had happened at least once before. Faith chattered nonstop, even after she’d jammed the soggy cookie into her mouth. Sometimes a recognizable word or two found its way into the flow of sounds, but the rest was pure Faith-speak. At least until she spied her mom watching.

“Mama. Me cookie. Me,” Faith grinned wide and held out a fistful of soggy cookie crumbs.

“Yes, Faith. You cookie,” Aria answered as she took a seat on the other side of Faith. Aria spied a dish towel hanging off the oak cupboard door behind her and snatched it up to wipe up the spilled milk. She couldn’t bear to let Faith ruin the last piece of furniture Gramps had made for Gran before he died.

“Mama, cookie.” Faith insisted and then shoved that fistful of soggy cookie at Aria’s mouth. Aria wasn’t quite fast enough at opening wide and the tot’s fist connected with a solid smack to her lip.

“Ouch, Faith.” Aria clamped her hand over her rapidly swelling lip. “Careful please. Mommy ouchies.” Aria repeated. Gran’s wide blue eyes were startled.

“Aria, you’re bleeding.” Gran said. Aria nodded, applying pressure as best she could to her injured lip.

“It’s not a big deal. Accidents happen.” Aria muttered past her hand.

“Let me get you an ice pack.” Gran suited action to words and in half a minute had passed her an ice pack wrapped in soft flannel cloth. The cool ice eased the pain and swelling. But the damage was already done.

Faith’s eyes were wide. Wide, and filled with quick-silver.

No way Gran’s going to miss that.

“Shhh, baby-girl. It’s okay. Momma’s alright baby,” Aria soothed. She ignored the pain talking caused and reached out to gently stroke the babe’s blond curls, hoping to sooth the beast that raged inside her child.

Please get it under control, baby,
Aria begged wordlessly as she continued stroking Faith’s hair and making shushing sounds. But it didn’t seem like it was going to be enough, the quick-silver wasn’t fading like it should.

Then Gran intervened. She gently removed Aria’s hand from the distraught babe with a silent, but firm, shake of her head. Then she turned the high chair to face her until Gran and Faith were eye to eye, practically nose to nose. Aria couldn’t believe that Gran wasn’t startled by the change in her great-granddaughter. But Gran was pure focus. Her bright blue gaze locked onto Faith’s silver one, and then she made the strangest sound Aria had ever heard an adult human make. It sounded like a cross between a yip and a bark, and Faith’s reaction was instantaneous. Her curls bobbed as she tilted her head first to one side, then the other. Her little mouth pursed, almost like she was blowing kisses to Gran.

What the hell is going on? What is Gran doing, and why?
Aria fought for calm, and tried to memorize every move Gran made. Whatever she was doing, it was working. The silver receded a sliver at a time from Faith’s gaze, until only the baby blue remained. Faith grinned a wide, cookie-filled grin.

“Sident,” Faith said softly. Then she looked over toward Aria and apologized. “Sorry, mama. Sident. Sorry,” she repeated.

Aria’s heart raced. “It’s okay, honey. You didn’t mean it.” She squeezed Faith tight in a quick one armed hug, still stunned. Aria had never been able to help Faith when she was on the verge of a change. The last time it happened in public, Aria had bundled Faith up in her baby blanket, made excuses to the day care lady and raced for the van. She’d struggled to hold the squirmy bundle of child and blanket, and thanked god the whole time that she’d had the foresight to buy a van with the darkest tint possible.

“Gran, how did-” Gran’s slicing motion stopped Aria’s question cold. The sharp glance that followed promised an explanation, and a long serious heart-to-heart to follow.

“Let’s get little miss Faith settled in her bed for nap time.” Gran ruffled Faith’s hair, then stood and grabbed a washcloth from the drawer. She wet the cloth in a sink and proceeded to clean up the chocolate covered toddler without further comment. Aria nodded in relief. She was surprised Faith didn’t fight Gran over washing up or nap time. But the child just held steady under Gran’s calm ministrations. Aria’s heart melted as Faith settled right into Gran’s arms. They headed upstairs for nap time. Blond curls bobbed with each step up the stairs, until Faith’s cheek rested solidly against Grans shoulder. Aria trailed after the pair, finally daring to hope for the future.

Maybe I’ll find the answers I need sooner than even I thought possible.

Gran’s lullaby trickled down the stairs after the pair, soothing the stress Aria had shouldered alone for so long. She couldn’t help but follow that siren song all the way into their room, and watched quietly from the doorway as Gran settled Faith into the play pen and kissed her forehead. Her girl’s eyes were heavy with sleep, and Aria was certain she’d be out like a light before she and Gran made it back down the stairs.

Gran’s tight smile and sharp gesture toward the kitchen suggested that Aria wasn’t going to like the answers Gran had. Aria sighed, resigned to accepting any answers, as she trudged back down to the dining room table. Gran’s feet barely made a whisper on the stairs as she followed close behind.

I just hope Gran’s answers are enough to get us by.
But still, she worried that nothing would be enough to keep her Faith safe.

CHAPTER TWO

“We need to have a serious heart to heart, Aria.” Gran’s voice was tight with tension. All Aria could do was nod and hope. Hope for help, for answers. If nothing else, hope for a shoulder to cry on. “Sit,” Gran said. She pointed Aria towards an antique rocking chair in the living room. The dark wood gleamed in the afternoon sunlight streaming through Gran’s open front door. Aria sat. She rocked absently as she tried to gather her nerves and her thoughts.

“So, she’s a shifter.” Gran never had been one to waste time when important matters were on the line.

“Depends what you mean by shifter,” Aria shrugged.

“Magic creature, changes shape at will.”

Aria nodded, trying to keep tears from welling up. Her hands trembled when she reached out to take the tall, cool glass of iced tea Gran passed to her. The weight of the cool glass grounded her in the moment. Aria took a small sip, relishing the simple pleasure of having someone understand. Her eyes followed Gran as she settled into the rocking chair beside hers. From the intricate design of the carvings, Gramps had made that one especially for her. The swirls and whorls etched into the wood matched the trim in the living room.

“Well, spit it out, then. What kind is she? And who’s her daddy?” Gran’s gaze was sharp, almost fierce when it met Aria’s. That fierce protectiveness was enough to divert Aria’s tears for now.

“Bear of some sort. Cute, fluffy white ball of fur.” Aria took another sip of tea to ease the tightness of her throat.
Damn, this is harder than I thought. Maybe just having someone else know isn’t going to be enough to convince me I can keep Faith safe in this world.
Then again, Gran had managed to avert a shift in progress. That was a first.

“Hmm. White bear, huh? Like albino white?”

Aria shrugged. She didn’t know enough about bears to say one way or the other.

“Is her nose pink? Or dark?”

“Dark. So are her ha-paws. And her claws.” Aria struggled with the terminology. She’d gotten so used to hiding the truth this past six months. It felt strange to be able to speak openly about her baby’s secret.

“Not albino. Huh.” Gran took a long sip of tea, and rocked steadily for a few moments while she studied the mantle above the rock fireplace. “Don’t know any bear shifters around these parts.”

“You’re one up on me, Gran.” Aria felt her smile waver. “I didn’t know there were shifters. Until Faith.”

Gran’s nod and soft gaze seemed to acknowledge the pain Aria felt. The gentle clasp of Gran’s hand around Arias felt like a silent apology, an acknowledgment that she shouldn’t have faced that panic and fear alone.