Page 52 of Stout Bear

They started back to the house. Through the front windows, Max could see his family trying to appear casual but clearly watching for their return. As they stepped inside, his parents and siblings gathered around. “What were you guys doing out there?” Liv asked.

“We’re engaged,” Laney said, holding up her hand to show the ring.

“I'm so happy for you two,” Quinn said, tears glistening in her eyes. “I've been waiting years to see this.”

Drew clapped Max on the shoulder, a silent gesture of approval that meant more than any words could express.

“When's the wedding?” Gwen asked, already reaching for her phone. “We need to start planning. It's going to be the event of the year.”

“Let them breathe,” Drew said, his deep voice cutting through the excitement. “They just got engaged five minutes ago.”

Max pulled Laney closer as his siblings debated potential wedding venues, budgets, and color schemes. The warmth of family surrounded them, the same warmth he hoped would define their life together. In that moment, with Laney by hisside and his family celebrating around them, Max felt more contentment than he had ever known.

Chapter

Forty-Four

Six months had passedsince Laney and Max had exchanged vows under an archway of flowers at the edge of the forest. The brewery had recovered fully from Flint's sabotage, her position at the Bright Institute continued to flourish, and their bond had deepened with each passing day. Yet something new stirred within her—a flutter of possibility that Laney had first dismissed. When the subtle signs persisted into the third week, she could no longer ignore them.

Her heart raced as she looked at the pregnancy test box on the bathroom counter. With a nervous sigh, Laney opened the box then carefully followed the instructions. After capping the stick, she set it on the counter and began to pace the small space. Max was still sleeping soundly after a late night at the brewery, and the house was quiet.

The mirror reflected her nervous expression as she checked her watch again. The test sat on the marble counter, the seconds dragging as she waited for the result to appear. Three minutes had never felt so long. When her timer went off, Laney stared down at the test. Two clear lines appeared in the small window.Positive. Laney gasped, covering her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes. A baby. Their baby.

Laney moved into their bedroom, sat on the edge of the mattress, and touched Max’s shoulder. She placed the test on the nightstand where he would see it when he opened his eyes. Max stirred at her touch, rubbing his eyes and blinking slowly awake. His gaze shifted from her face to the object on the nightstand, confusion giving way to dawning comprehension.

“We're going to have a baby,” Laney said.

Max's eyes widened, fully alert now. “Oh Laney!” He sat up and pulled Laney into a hug. This new life growing within her represented the ultimate manifestation of their bond and the love they shared. Max kissed her forehead, his touch reverent. “How do you feel?”

“Happy. Nervous. Everything at once,” Laney replied. “I never thought I'd have this—you, a family, a child.”

They settled in the kitchen twenty minutes later, sipping hot tea at the rustic wooden table that had been a wedding gift from Drew and Quinn. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows.

“Should we tell your parents?” Max asked.

“Maybe,” she said slowly. “Things have been a little different since the wedding. When my father learned I could shift, I think it changed something in how he sees me.”

“They would be happy, I think,” Max said carefully, aware of the complicated emotions Laney had about her family.

Laney nodded, remembering when her father made a stilted but sincere toast at their wedding. “I think they would be, buthonestly, Max. I don't need their approval anymore. I found my place here, with you and your family.” She smiled, the realization both liberating and bittersweet. “We can tell them, of course. I'd like our child to know their grandparents. But their acceptance... it doesn't define me anymore.”

“Should we tell everyone else?” Max asked. “My mother’s been pressing for a grandchild since she first learned about you.”

Laney smiled. “Let's tell your family this weekend. I want to see their faces when they hear the news.”

They spent the morning planning their announcement, deciding on a small gift-wrapped package containing a baby rattle. Laney found herself resting her hand on her stomach, marveling that a new life was growing inside her.

The weekend arrived quickly. They gathered with Quinn, Drew, Gwen, Liv, and Noah for a casual family brunch at the Bock home. Laney had wrapped a small gift box that held the baby rattle, tying it with a ribbon.

The dining table overflowed with homemade food—Quinn's famous cinnamon rolls, a frittata bursting with fresh vegetables, crisp bacon, and fruit salad glistening with honey. They waited until everyone had eaten their fill. Then, with a meaningful glance at Max, Laney retrieved the small package from her purse.

“We wanted to give you all a little present,” Laney said, placing the box in Quinn's hands.

Everyone watched Quinn carefully untie the ribbon and lift the lid. Her eyebrows rose in question, then her eyes widened in realization as she pulled out the tiny wooden rattle.

“A baby rattle? Are you two...” Quinn's voice trailed off, her eyes filling with tears as she looked from the rattle to Laney and Max.

The family exploded with excitement. Gwen leaped from her chair with a squeal of delight, rushing to embrace Laney. Liv clapped her hands together and began describing the perfect nursery design. Noah, practical as always, immediately began calculating baby expenses.

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