Page 42 of Bear Creek Christmas
“What was so special about Erin? You seemed really interested.”
Knox answered without realizing how the information might be received.
“Bears can always tell when someone is pregnant. So when is the baby due?”
He could have thrown a hand grenade and done less damage. Erin burst into tears, seeking refuge in Todd’s arms. Ted and Peggy were stunned, Jett was confused, and Rachel looked guilty. Knox took in the scene and turned to his mate.
“Sorry, I figured you all knew!”
Levi pulled him aside, responding in a soft voice.
“They’ve been trying for months with no success but haven’t said anything lately. Let’s see if mom can straighten this out.”
Ted and Peggy followed the couple upstairs for a little heart-to-heart talk. Poor Knox didn’t understand what happened but knew that messing up their holiday wasn’t part of making a good impression. Levi noticed the dejected look on his face and took his hand.
“It’s all right, love. I don’t think they’re mad at you or anything.”
With Jett listening in, Rachel came over to encourage Knox.
“Levi’s right. I know it doesn’t look like it, but I’m pretty sure those were happy tears. Erin told me she was waiting to see the doctor before telling the family. It’s amazing that your bear could pick up the scent.”
Peggy called down and asked everyone to join her in the living room. Knox felt terrible but hoped his well-intentioned announcement wouldn’t ruin the day’s festivities. Upstairs, he noted that both couples were smiling, and as soon as they all sat down, Peggy made an announcement.
“Knox is right! Erin and Todd are expecting in July, and we couldn’t be happier!”
This time, the tears were accompanied by laughter and smiles. Erin noticed Knox’s worried expression and got up to give him a hug.
“I’m not angry; you just surprised me. We weren’t a hundred percent sure yet, so I wasn’t going to say anything. Thanks to your bear, we got to announce it a little early!”
Knox accepted the explanation with a friendly growl. Todd, however, had an interesting question for him.
“What exactly did you smell? Can you describe it?”
He’d never been asked that before and tried to explain it in terms they could understand.
“Well, each of you have your own scent, but because Erin is carrying a child, hers has an added... layer. It’s a mix of hormones and emotions mostly and smells a lot like flowers to me. The scent will keep getting stronger until the baby is born, and then Erin will only smell like herself. The baby’s scent will be a combination of the parents.”
They chatted for a while about the changes a child might bring to the family, and Levi began to think about parenthood. He intended to ask Knox his opinion when they were alone but hoped the man was open to the idea. Meanwhile, there were things to do in the kitchen so the meal would be ready on time. Peggy drafted the girls to give her a hand while Ted found a sports program to watch. Jett, still fascinated with Knox’s bear, pelted him with more questions.
Later, when they gathered at the table, Knox duly noted all the different foods—some he’d never seen before. Levi pointed out the sage dressing, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, and scalloped potatoes—with predictable results. The man went bonkers, shoveling in the interesting new dishes while rumbling with delight. Levi refilled his plate time and again, pleased to see Knox enjoying himself.
The rest of the family kept an amused eye on the bear shifter, tasking Ted with guarding the limited supply of dressing and gravy. There was nary a crumb to be found by meal's end, and Knox easily downed two pieces of pumpkin pie for dessert. He looked up to find everyone watching him.
“What? Bears like to eat. Mom, would you write down these recipes for me? I want to make them for us back home.”
Peggy gave him a warm smile.
“I’d be happy to! Levi could use more home-cooked food.”
Stuffed to the gills, the whole group waddled into the living room and found places to sit. Levi queued up some instrumental Christmas tunes while Ted began handing out gifts from the stash under the gaily decorated tree. Having no memories of family Christmases, Knox observed quietly while sampling Levi’s scent. His man smelled happy, content, and loved. Bringing him home for the holidays may have been the best gift Knox could have given his mate.
The room filled with expressions of joy, shouts of MERRY CHRISTMAS, and surprised exclamations amid the rustle of ripped paper. Thanks were exchanged above the overall din while snapshots were taken, preserving candid scenes for later reminiscing. While the happy couple planned to exchange their gifts back home, they received some from the rest of the family. Knox opened extra-thick socks, flannel shirts, a sampler of honey from around the world, and a set of brushes for his bear’s heavy coat. Levi, too, got a pair of winter socks, as did all the male family members, along with a biography of great Italian singers, several CDs, and a durable tote bag emblazoned with the slogan“LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC WOULD B FLAT”.
Using the gift list sent by Levi’s mother, he and Knox pooled their money to make the purchases. Peggy’s present, a pair of bear paw earrings, was found in a local artisan shop downtown. A baseball hall of fame documentary went to Ted, movies for Erin and Todd, a gift card for Rachel, and a pair of wireless earbuds for Jett. Once all the wrapping paper was cleaned up, Levi brought down the rest of the candies fromDelicious. Knox, eager for a good grooming, left the room and returned in ursine form, nosing the brushes he’d been given. Levi started at the top of his head and worked his way down while the pleased bear purred.
The rest of the afternoon and evening, except for a quick supper break, was spent playing games. Levi’s stomach hurt from all the laughter, and Knox got a crash course in the Green family personalities. With a promise to gather again for Sunday breakfast, the long, eventful day came to an end. Knox insisted on carrying Levi up the stairs, ravishing his neck and mouth until they were behind closed doors.
Tossed on the bed, Levi hardly bounced before Knox pulled off their clothes. The horny shifter set them up for a sixty-nine and proceeded to pull a protein snack from his tired mate while filling Levi’s mouth in return. Finally, they fell asleep, wrapped in each other and warm memories.
