Page 61 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
“I’ll get it started,” he said, reaching for a pair of sweatpants.
Sarah turned away, focusing on getting dressed instead of staring at his body. Her clothes felt slightly rumpled, but she smoothed them as best she could. At least she’d be home soon to change before Emmy returned.
Emmy. A wave of maternal love washed over her. How would she explain all this to her daughter? Not the bear part—that would remain their secret for now—but the relationship with Michael. Everything had happened so quickly, yet it felt like the most natural progression in the world.
Michael came to her and kissed her cheek before heading downstairs. In the silence of his bedroom, she sat down on his bed and took a moment to get her head around things. Was she ready for forever with Michael?
Yes. The single word thudded against her skull. There was no question as to whether they had a life together. To ignore the mating bond was unthinkable.
So, she would find a way to make it work. For herself and for Emmy.
The scent of brewing coffee pulled her from her thoughts. She followed it to the kitchen, where Michael stood barefoot and shirtless, measuring grounds into a filter. Morning light streamed through the windows, catching in his dark hair, illuminating the silver strands at his temples.
“You’re staring,” he said without turning around, amusement warming his voice.
Heat rose to Sarah’s cheeks. “Can you blame me?”
Michael glanced over his shoulder, his smile making her heart skip. “No more than I can blame myself for staring at you all night.”
“You did not.”
“I did.” He turned to face her fully, leaning against the counter. “I kept waking up, worried you might disappear.”
The simple honesty in his words touched something deep inside her. Sarah crossed the room and slipped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his chest. His skin was warm beneath her cheek, his heartbeat steady and strong.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she murmured.
His arms encircled her, holding her close. They stood that way until the coffee maker beeped, reluctantly separating as Michael reached for two mugs from an overhead cabinet.
“Cream? Sugar?” he asked.
“Just a splash of cream,” she replied, settling onto a stool at the small kitchen island.
Michael prepared their coffees, sliding hers across the counter before joining her. The domesticity of the moment wasn’t lost on Sarah. How comfortable it felt to be here with him, sharing this quiet morning ritual. One she hoped to repeat for the rest of her life.
“So,” she said, wrapping her hands around the warm mug, “what happens now?”
Michael took a sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving hers. “Whatever you want to happen.”
“That’s a very diplomatic answer.”
He chuckled. “I’m trying not to overwhelm you. Last night was a lot to take in.”
Sarah considered this as she tasted her coffee…perfect, just the right balance of bitter and smooth. “You’d think finding out the man I’m attracted to can turn into a bear would be the most overwhelming part,” she mused. “But honestly, it’s the mate bond that feels bigger.”
“Itisbigger,” Michael agreed, his expression growing serious. “The shift is just biology. The bond is...” He paused, seeming to search for the right words. “It’s cosmic. It’s forever.”
“Forever is a long time,” Sarah whispered.
“Too long?”
The vulnerability in his question made her reach for his hand. “No,” she assured him. “Just...significant. I have Emmy to consider. And my work. And we’ve known each other for such a short time...”
“But it doesn’t feel like we’ve only known each other for a short time,” Michael said, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Does it?”
“No,” Sarah admitted. “It feels like I’ve known you forever already.”
The truth of it resonated throughout her entire body. From that first moment at North Peak Pines, when she’d been searching for the perfect Christmas tree with Emmy, something had clicked into place. A recognition so deep it defied explanation. Now she understood why.
