Bearly Healed: Pacific Northwest Bears: (Shifter Romance) (13 page)

C
assie slowly came
awake with the feeling of a warm body behind her. Her hind brain told her anyone putting out that much heat had to be Cash. Knowing him, he’d probably shifted, and there was a big smelly bear in bed with her.

“Keep your damn hands to yourself. I mean it,” she grumbled, her voice sleepy and had a slight slur to it.

“Bitch, like I haven’t seen it all before. And I might add, I have never wanted to touch it.” The voice came from behind her.

Cassie came fully awake and twisted to see her very puffy best friend lying behind her. Her big belly was pushing against Cassie’s back, and she could feel the strong kicks from the little parasite like it was trying to say hello too.

Cassie was thinking up some saucy comeback and instead burst into tears. She rolled into her friend and let the tears pour out of her. Her body shook as Effie held on to her. Cassie wasn’t a crier, but today at this moment, it’s all that would come out.

“Shhh. Hey you big spaz, quit being such a fucking sissy. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a scratchy manger. You’re getting me all wet!” Effie groused.

“Shut your piehole,” Cassie blubbered into her friend’s chest.

“Fine, get it all out. You’re going to be dehydrated, though. Don’t blame me. And you better tell your mate that I warned you of the consequences of blubbering.”

“I…I don’t have a mate,” Cassie wailed.

“Oh yes, you do. Us humans can’t quite understand the depth of these guy’s affection. But to normal people they are obsessed, addicted, and paranoid.” Effie said, rubbing over her back.“Get it out now, because you can’t be the weak one in this relationship. I’m going to give birth soon. You have to be the strong one, or I’ll never get through this. Dude, I’m going to have a fucking kitten!” Effie said trying to sound offended.

“Hah, your kitty is going to have a kitty.” Cassie laughed through her tears.

“Dude, don’t call my pussy a kitty, it’s weird,” Effie scolded.

That made Cassie laugh even harder. “Pussy, kitty, classic,” she said.

“Just wait, I’ll think up some bear puns for you. Won’t be so damn funny then,” Effie warned.

“Fuck….” Cassie moaned, and rolled back from the only love of her life so far.

“Yeah…fuck,” Effie agreed.

“Well, you are using up all of your trouble points for the year, seriously. Tragic accident, horrible injuries, now you had to go and hook up with a damn bear,” Effie said, looking up at the ceiling.

That reminded Cassie. She leaned over and lightly punched her friend in the arm. “You didn’t tell me about the fucking bears. What the hell?”

“I couldn’t. It wasn’t my secret to tell. But you can see why I thought you would be safe here. They would have killed to protect you from anything. Plus, the Rochons are always good for lifting spirits. I just didn’t know the biggest, studliest bear was going to pick your scrawny ass to mate with. Had I known that, I would have kept you locked up at the vineyard. Believe me, this was not what I expected for you to have to deal with. Dax didn’t even tell me until this morning about you and Cash. I tried to kick his ass but lost my balance. Good thing he has those cat like reflexes or I would have been on my ass,” Effie said with a laugh.

“I was just starting to feel okay with being here. I mean I was feeling pretty damn sorry for myself. I can’t lie. But, Kenzi came over and helped me with my hair. I actually put some makeup on. I had big plans for this weekend to meet the rest of the family. Now, now I’m supposed to be part of the family? I don’t get that. WE are family, me and you. We let Dax hang out cause he gives you multiple orgasms and is rich. Okay, and pretty to look at. But we were okay, just the two of us,” Cassie said, looking at her sadly.

“I know, baby girl, but we had to grow up eventually. I mean, look I’m going to be someone’s mom! What kind of cosmic joke is that?” Effie asked.

Cassie looked at her best friend. She was still Effie. Today she was sporting a clipped poof at the front of her forehead. Her hair pulled back in a high pony. For Effie, that was the equivalent of tossing on a scrunchie.

She was wearing what looked like a trapeze style polka dot tunic with black leggings. Clearly to give room for her growing belly.

“You’ve always been a great mom to me,” Cassie said.

“Ahh, you’re so full of shit,” she said, fluffing Cass’s pink tips. “But we need to talk about you and Cash,” she reminded her.

“Don’t wanna,” Cassie pouted.

“Don’t care. So when did this happen?” Effie asked.

“Uh, last night? Hard to tell. I’m in denial,” Cassie said with a huff. She rolled to her back to stare at the ceiling.

“How does he kiss?” Effie asked.

“Oh, well… why would you ask that? You think I just let anyone kiss me? I have standards,” she declared.

“No you don’t, slut,” Effie shot back. “Hell, I let Dax go down on me right after we met. I mean
right after
. I’m no one to judge. I’m just curious.”

“He’s a good kisser,” Cassie admitted.

“What else? Tell me about him. I know him, but only as a friend. What’s he like?”

“Tall, big, I haven’t seen it, but I’m guessing he has elephantitis of the dick. He brought me burritos,” Cassie said, looking at her friend.

“Wow, burritos. Was that before or after he knew who you were?”

“Before. He brought me cookies to my window night before last. We talked in the dark. It was nice because I didn’t have to worry about him seeing me or my scar. I started to like him in the dark. Then he came in because I woke up with a freaking bear on my chest!”

“Ahh, Maizy, that little scamp.” Effie laughed.

“Scamp my ass. Scared the shit out of me. I thought I’d lost my damn mind. Then Goliath came in and fucking dropped to his knees and started babbling about mates, and that he was mine, and I was his. I really thought I was nuts then,” Cassie whispered.

Effie shook her head in wonder. “You brought that big man to his knees,” she said quietly.

Cassie thought about that. He didn’t seem like the type to bend to anyone. But he did the moment he saw her. Fuck her, that was profound.

“But then he got all bossy and shit. Telling me I was going to start doing my exercises. And I was going to start letting him do things for me and to eat. Said I was too tiny,” Cassie scoffed.

“You are, but still he was saying he wanted you healthy? That he wanted to help you?” Effie asked.

“No, you aren’t hearing me, remember, bossy. He was all like, you don’t have to work, or you could start a knitting club. What kind of guy says you don’t have to work? I told him all I was good at was sitting on my butt. Do you know what he said?”

Effie shook her head with a grin.

“As long as I was sitting on his lap he didn’t care. Can you imagine? What, I’d just lounge around his house, and he’d be happy with that?” Cassie asked incredulously.

“Yup,” Effie responded.

“That’s not helpful,” Cassie hissed.

“Maybe not, but it’s the truth. You’ve seen Dax. What wouldn’t he do for me? Has he ever denied me anything? Thought I was being unreasonable? No, he just smiles and makes my world easy. Gives me the time to pursue my career. But only because I want to. If I wanted to lounge around the pool all day getting my nails done, he’d be just as happy. They
have
to take care of their mates. Your happiness is theirs. Imagine never being fully restful and content unless someone else was. They are totally focused on your needs.”

“All of them. I can’t imagine you with a bear, but I have no doubts about how well he can take of you. You deserve to not struggle, sweetie. You deserve to have something good in your life. Cash is the good you deserve,” Effie said quietly.

Cassie tried to imagine if her world wasn’t always so shitty. She’d always taken her knocks and never expected different. That’s why when shit happened, she wasn’t shocked anymore. Her motto had been keep your expectations low, and you won’t mind getting kicked in the teeth so much.

It had worked up until now.

Cinderella was a fairytale. Cassie wasn’t just from the other side of the tracks; she was from the bad side of the bad side of town. Cassie knew she would never introduce anyone to her family. She’d be embarrassed to bring Cash home.

Shit, was she thinking about this? How do you change a lifetime of pulling away from people? How the hell do you say yes? And even if she did what did that mean? Do they become boyfriend and girlfriend? Are they dating? She knew the whole mating and bonding thing for them was instantaneous. They went zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. They didn’t think it was too fast.

Every other shifter around them didn’t think it was weird either. Effie had told her about Kenzi and Conner. Kenzi was in love the moment she saw him. Conner was an ass, but even he admitted he loved her from the start.

Maybe Cassie could suspend her sense of reality and pretend she was in a paranormal world where true love, instant true love, was normal. What if she just went along with it for a while to see if it worked out for her?

“
D
o
you think he’d be willing to date?” Cass asked Effie.

“Hmm, they call it dating while they plan your future together. Remember Dax buying me a car? I heard Stryker did the same thing and freaked Libby out. They just don’t think that making their mates comfortable is something they should hesitate on. Cash will want you comfortable and happy.”

“So if that means lying on his couch eating bon bons until you are on your feet again, he’ll probably be the one feeding them to you. I know he’s a big scary guy, but he would never hurt you. It would kill him to do anything like it. Of course, emotionally they’re still men and will do some amazingly stupid things. Usually, they aren’t doing it to be malicious; they just get a little too excited anticipating your needs. Then they overstep. You smack them down and move on,” Effie explained.

“Me smack down that giant?” Cassie scoffed.

“You had that man on his knees with one look. Imagine if you put a little effort into it. Plus, we would see each other all the time. We are a couple hours plane ride away,” Effie said encouragingly.

“Fuck me, I’d have to move,” Cassie said. She hadn’t thought about that. She’d be away from Effie for the first time in years. That was a definite con on her list. Effie was right, with access to a private jet, travel wouldn’t be hard. They could visit each other. Talk on the phone. But it wouldn’t be like living together. Then again, Cassie was worried about becoming a third wheel when the baby came. But the baby would be the fourth wheel since she was there first.

“New place, new people. The Rochon girls are amazing. I haven’t met any of Cash’s family, but I’m sure they are just like the rest of them. Happy, friendly, warm, and loving. I would hate to be away from you, but knowing you were in their capable hands would ease some of my worry,” Effie said seriously.

“Think I can’t take care of myself? Dude, I have skills. Like nunchuck skills and bow hunting skills,” Cassie said seriously.

“All right Napoleon Dynamite, I know you’ve always taken care of yourself. Can’t you let someone else do it for a while? Someone that won’t ever consider it a burden; someone who will treat it as a gift instead. Imagine for a minute making him happy. You want to see just a smidge of what that means, just tell Cash you want to try. Not committing to anything. Just tell him you want to give him a chance. I guarantee you’ll have handed him the world.”

“Sounds too easy,” Cassie said, pursing her lips in an awkward duck face.

“With shifters, it is that easy. No stupid human games or bullshit. Real honest emotions all the time. For two jaded ladies like us, it takes some getting used to. Eventually, you’ll stop doubting him and just soak up the love. Try it,” she encouraged.

Cassie thought about it. If she said maybe, what would she get? Cash’s attention sure. His help in her therapy. Probably junk food anytime she wanted. Cuddles and kisses. Hopefully orgasms, although she still had her doubts about the logistics of having sex with him.

“Are you staying? I’ll say maybe if you’re staying for a bit,” Cassie offered.

“I’m staying until this little monster wants to come out. I really want Kenzi around. She’s been through a cougar shifter birth. I almost wouldn’t mind if Dax’s crazy mother showed up. That woman has done a one-eighty the likes of which no one has ever seen before. It’s like she’s been possessed, but in a good way.”

“I’m so glad. I want you here. I didn’t want to miss the birth. I’m totally taking pictures and posting the massacre on the internet. I’m guessing your kitty baby is going to claw its way out. Rawwrr.” Cassie made slashing motions with her hands.

“Dude, that is fucking nasty. What the hell? Why on earth would you wish my baby to Freddy Krueger my vagina? That’s a dick thing to say,” Effie said, holding back her laughter.

“I’m just anticipating the carnage. I mean seriously, don’t cats have litters? What if there is like seven or eight in there?” Cassie said dramatically.

“It’s very rare to have more than one. And they are born human, thank you. Apparently their shifter souls know they need to hold back. The babies don’t even shift right away; it takes a while. And I’ve been assured that they never shift while nursing, because damn, that would suck,” Effie said.

Cassie laughed back at her friend. How in the world did they ever get to the point that they needed to have these conversations? A year ago, it was whether or not they could afford to buy the good instant noodles. Now they had access to more money than they could ever want, private jets, and men that wanted to spoil them.

Effie started laughing, holding her huge belly with both of her hands to keep it from shaking.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Cassie asked.

“You, baby bears, haha, you think a little kitten is trouble. I’ve seen baby bears in action. They are maniacs,” she said continuing to laugh.

“Oh, no way. I’m not birthing no bears. Have you seen the size of Cash? Is there shifter birth control I can take? Like maybe a voodoo witch doctor that can keep me from breeding giant mutant mountain babies?” Cassie pleaded.

“I give you a week. A week of letting that man take care of you. Then you will be thinking of ways to repay his kindness. But I’ll let you in on a secret. The scales for us will always be unbalanced. We will think we never do enough, and they will wonder how we give them the world every day. When you open your heart to him, you’ll realize all he wants is you and a family. And when you can give him that family, it’s a little payback. Truth is, we keep track, they don’t. Dax looks at me like I handed him the world. Now that I’m pregnant, he looks at me like I created the universe.” Effie had a wistful look in her eye.

Cassie apparently was the only one on her side. She had a veritable army of Rochons and Hayes that thought she needed to get with the program. Sadly, she didn’t have too much fight in her left. If she was coming into the situation fresh, not injured, she could probably at least put up a token attempt at keeping her independence.

There was a part of her, though, that she usually ignored and kept locked away. A part that wondered what it would be like to have someone worry about her. Care about her, Hell even just think about her. Would that be suffocating or sensational?

Fuck her, it would probably be sensational.

“Fine, I’ll say okay. But that’s all! I don’t want anyone planning weddings or bites or any of that shit,” Cassie said, crossing her arms and sticking her lower lip out.

“Such a damn baby,” Effie said rolling to her back. She let out a low moan. “Damn, I have to pee again. DAX!...” she let out an earsplitting yell.