Bear With Me

by Vanessa Devereaux

  “Welcome to the world,” said Bear.

  ****

  Hannah woke when she felt someone touching her shoulder. She looked up. It was Bear.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Did Melanie have her baby?”

  “Yep, a boy named Jacob Marc. You want to come see him?”

  “I don’t think I should. I mean…”

  He pulled her up. Sam woke too.

  “Hey, Sam, you want to come see Dane’s son and then I’ll drive you and your mom home?”

  Sam nodded and blinked. They followed Bear to the nursery and peeked through the window. Jacob looked exactly how Sam did when he’d been born. Shortest nose, wide jaw, and lots of dark curly hair.

  “Sam’s probably going to help Bridget and Jacob because now we know what problems they might encounter. Jacob’s needing oxygen just like Bridget did for the first few days.”

  “He’s fat,” said Sam.

  “He’s adorable,” said Hannah. Her own son had been and still was adorable.

  “Bear, you promise me you’ll help Sam?” she asked.

  “I’m going to treat him like he’s my own flesh and blood.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Was his relationship with Hannah over before it had even kicked into high gear? He hoped not. She was what he’d been looking for, what he’d been waiting for in a woman.

  He’d promised her a lot. That he was going to mend her son. He couldn’t let her down or any chance they had of reviving their relationship would be gone forever.

  Bear knew he had one huge hurdle to get over and that was a bear named Liam.

  He pulled up outside his workshop and saw the cars parked outside. Danny’s obsession had been motorbike’s that had eventually cost him his life. Liam’s was cars and he was a damn fine mechanic who could get anything working again. Bear walked inside hearing the music playing and saw Liam wiping his greasy hands on a cloth hanging from the waistband of his jeans. He glanced over at Bear. The black eye he’d gotten when they’d had their fight was still evident. A shifter could heal that on his own, but clearly Liam had chosen not to and obviously opted to wear it like the martyr he often was.

  “You come to hit me again?” he asked.

  Bear just barely heard him over the din of the music.

  “You mind turning that down so we can talk?” asked Bear.

  “What? Couldn’t hear you,” Liam said, putting his hand behind his ear.

  This was going to be tough, but for Sam’s sake he had to stick with it.

  Bear walked over to the CD player and switched it off.

  “Did I say you could do that?” asked Liam.

  “Give it a rest. For once in your sorry life take that chip off your shoulder.”

  Bear literally bit his tongue, remembering that a person caught more flies with honey than with vinegar. As a bear he should damn well know that better than anyone else.

  Liam glared at him. Bear expected a stinging comeback, but there wasn’t one.

  “So what brings you here today? You have a car that needs fixing or have you come to apologize for the other night?”

  “Neither of the above,” said Bear, pulling out a slip of paper from the back pocket of his pants. He unfolded it and walked closer to Liam. He handed it to him.

  Liam took it and by the way his nostrils flared and the glint of a tear forming in his right eye, Bear knew Liam had guessed who the photo was of, and seen the boy’s resemblance to Danny. Bear had snapped a photo of Sam while Hannah hadn’t been looking. He told her nothing about coming here to see Liam just in case it all went south.

  Liam cleared his throat. He’d been close to his brother. Loved him so much and Bear knew he’d only really gone astray and turned nasty since Danny’s accident that had taken his life.

  “So he really is Danny’s son?” Liam finally asked.

  “That’s why Hannah thought you were the guy who fathered him.”

  “Suppose she’s looking for money or something now that she’s tracked down Danny’s kin.”

  Bear shook his head. “She’s not that sort of woman, and she doesn’t even know I’ve come here or shared this photo with you.”

  “Ah, you want to collect money on her behalf,” he said, leaning against the car.

  “Nope, no money, just your time and some of your blood.”

  “Some of my blood?”

  Bear nodded. “The doctors think Sam is autistic, but I had my doubts. He can communicate through telepathy, read our minds, and we read his.”

  “But that’s almost a lost art since we arrived here,” said Liam.

  “I know, but he’s somehow inherited it from Danny. I think his problem is due to his mix of human and shifter blood. His brain and body are confused. He told me his body tingles and he can’t communicate verbally because of it.”

  “He needs to shift,” said Liam.

  Bear nodded. “I have this theory that if he gets some extra shifter blood he’ll be able to do it and it’s going to help him.”

  “You want my blood.”

  “You’re his closest living relative.”

  Liam looked at the photo. “I am, but he’s also half human and I don’t help them.” He took a step forward. “If you’re that worried about this kid, then why don’t you give him some of your blood?”

  Bear had thought about it and if need be he’d donate, but it could be risky. It wouldn’t be for a shifter, but for someone with human DNA, well, it could actually do more harm and send Sam into full breakdown. It might even kill him.

  “Do you really think this is what Danny would want you to do? Turn your back on his son?”

  “He didn’t like humans either.”

  “Maybe not, but he fucked one eight years ago and got her pregnant.”

  “Fucking and liking isn’t the same thing…not that I’ve ever dipped my cock into the human pussy pool.”

  Liam pushed Sam’s photo into his stomach until Bear was forced to take it back.

  He wasn’t giving up. There was a nice, humane side to Liam and he was going to get through to it. He’d help Sam if he had to drag the dickhead, as Christopher had called him, to the hospital, drug him, and drain his blood.

  “I’m going to let you think about it,” said Bear.

  “I’ve thought about it, and it’s still no.”

  “Like I said, I’m going to let you think this over. You can call me any time to set up the appointment to give some blood. And if you want to see who you’d be helping, I’m teaching Sam and his mother to swim at the pool at Downward Facing Wolf tomorrow at two.”

  Bear was about to leave but instead walked over to the notice board where Liam had photos of vintage cars. He found a push pin and stuck Sam’s photo up next to the photo of a Rolls Royce.

  “That’s not going to change my mind,” said Liam.

  “I know, but I’m sure Danny would like to know that you had at least one photo of his son…your nephew.”

  ****

  Hannah knew she had to take a lesson from Sam and his bravery. He looked so confident making his way down into the deeper end of the pool with Bear holding onto him. Hannah stood, the water barely up to her waist, but she was scared she’d slip, make a fool of her herself, and worst still, drown. They headed back toward her. Sam had a huge grin on his face.

  “Momma, Sam’s swimming.”

  “I can see that.”

  “Sam, you want to sit on the side there because it’s your mom’s turn for her lesson.”

  Bear helped Sam up out of the pool and he sat in one of the plastic chairs with a towel wrapped around his shoulders.

  “Okay, Hannah, I’ll support you underneath so just lie on your stomach.”

  Her son had done it with no fear, no protest, so she had to as well.

  Hannah pushed out, water going up her nose and making her cough.

  “You okay?” asked Bear, pulling her into his body. He was hot and wet, that big strong chest of his pushing
against her breasts.

  “I’ve missed making love to you,” he whispered.

  In all honesty, she’d missed him too, having his arms around her, kissing her, touching her, doing things to her only he could.

  “Any chance you can forgive me enough, see past my fatal flaw about being a part-time bear, and let me make love to you again?”

  She looked into his eyes. Common sense told her not to be swayed by the physical side of a relationship, but her heart told her Bear was the real deal.

  “I guess so.”

  He leaned over and kissed her, almost knocking her off her feet.

  “Okay, swimming lesson,” he said. She pushed out and he held her hands and pulled her along through the water.

  “Do bears like water?”

  “We love it. Love going in to the streams for salmon.”

  “So you could catch some for free for the restaurant?”

  “Sure. Would that mean I’d find my way back into your good books?”

  “We’ll see.”

  One step at a time. One day at a time. His hand brushed her breast and nipple, and she couldn’t wait for him to make love to her again.

  He flipped her over, taking her by surprise, and that’s when she caught sight of Liam standing by the door, leaning against the jamb observing her and Bear. He then looked intently at Sam who was now spinning around and around with the towel spread out like he had wings.

  “Is he here to cause more trouble?” asked Hannah.

  Bear glanced over, obviously catching sight of who she was referring to.

  “No, just the opposite in fact.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Liam hadn’t stuck around. Hadn’t even said anything at the pool. He was a strange character and always hard to figure out, but the fact that he’d visited the pool had to be a positive sign.

  “What are you thinking?”

  Hannah touched the very end of his nose. He hadn’t been paying attention to her and that was wrong, especially since they were both naked and on top of her bed with Hannah straddling him.

  “I’m thinking just how good it was to be back like this. Our bodies and souls connecting.”

  Okay that was a lie, but now he was thinking that very thing.

  He slipped his hand down his body, easing it under her crotch and began massaging her clit with his index and middle finger.

  “Ummm, I like that.” She leaned over and kissed him.

  “I thought you might. Such a receptive clit,” he said.

  She bucked her hips a little, causing more friction between his fingers and her body. She slid back and forth, groaning louder on each move until she finally went still, her whole body shaking, her thighs trembling as Bear slipped his fingers into her pussy and spread them before tickling its walls.

  “Those are magic fingers,” she said, moving her hips again.

  “Really?”

  He tickled her some more, making her rock her body side to side until she came not once but twice.

  Bear reached over to the bedside table, took a condom, and handed it to her.

  Hannah ripped it open, pulled out the rubber, and like an expert sheathed him.

  “You ready to ride this bear again?” he asked her.

  “Should it be ride this Bear with a capital B?” She lifted her butt, him offering his cock so she could impale herself onto it.

  Soon they felt like one, her riding him, Bear pulling on her nipples as she closed her eyes and made strange little noises that made him want to laugh.

  “Do the wiggly cock thing for me?”

  “Wiggly cock things, that’s a new term for it,” said Bear.

  She leaned forward, placing her hands on his shoulders as he let his cock vibrate inside her.

  “That’s so good, because I feel it all the way from my toes to my butt.”

  They kissed before she dragged her teeth over his lips.

  “I’m about to come big time, but I have to be quiet because Sam will hear me.”

  “How about I do this?”

  Bear covered her mouth with his, drowning out the groan that escaped from her lips seconds later.

  Now it was his turn.

  ****

  Hannah offered Bear her butt. That’s what he seemed to like the most and she wanted to make everything up to him. He was a good guy. He slapped it before parting her cheeks and tickling her anus. She wiggled it some more until finally he pushed his cock deep into her pussy, pushing her flat onto the mattress. Lying on top of her but still keeping most of his weight off her, he drove in deeper with each thrust.

  Strange that now she knew he was different. That Sam’s father had been different, but it didn’t make any difference. What was inside a person mattered the most. He nipped at her earlobe, making her drool as he did his wiggly cock thingy before making her scream.

  “Momma” Sam banged on the door.

  “Honey, I’ll be with you in a…”

  She cried out again.

  “Momma.”

  “It’s okay. Momma got her finger caught in the drawer.”

  “I better hurry this along,” whispered Bear.

  He pulled out and flopped onto his back. Hannah put on her dressing gown and went to the door just as Bear’s phone rang. She hoped he didn’t have to leave to deliver yet another baby.

  ****

  Bear knocked on the door and then went inside, finding Emily and Trent waiting for him.

  “Sorry I’m late, but my last appointment ran over,” said Bear. “Okay, you all ready to see the baby for the first time?”

  “I’m both nervous and excited,” said Emily.

  “How you are you feeling after that rough beginning?” asked Bear, pulling out the ultrasound machine.

  “Better than I did, but I still feel queasy most mornings and I get dizzy too.”

  Trent stood by her side as Bear pulled up her examination robe and smeared her belly with gel.

  “Wow, that’s cold,” said Emily.

  “Sorry,” said Bear. “Okay, let’s take a first look.”

  He placed the wand on her belly. He’d suspected something different about this pregnancy when she’d come into the hospital that day with severe vomiting. He’d seen it many times before, however he wasn’t expecting to see this.

  “You guys will not believe this,” said Bear, turning the screen around for them to see the image he’d just witnessed.

  “Is it good or bad?” asked Trent.

  “Depends on if you feel you’ll need a bigger house or not,” said Bear.

  “Oh no. Is that what I think?” asked Emily, pointing.

  “Holy shit, there are three babies…we’re having triplets?” asked Trent.

  “You sure are. I thought maybe it was twins, but I wasn’t expecting to see three. You want to know their sex?”

  Trent looked at Emily who shook her head. “I guess we’ll wait for the big day. Honey, we are going to need a bigger place. A huge backyard. Three cribs, three car seats, three strollers…three of everything.”

  “Actually you can buy one stroller for three babies these days,” said Bear.

  “I’m going to need to start working double shifts,” said Trent.

  “Let’s plan on your coming to see me more often than average and that’s schedule a C-section.”

  “Geez, I never thought about that,” said Emily. “Does it hurt?”

  Bear shook his head. “You won’t know a thing, and you can ask Charlotte about it if you have any questions.”

  “This is all so much to take in,” said Trent.

  Bear stood, wiped Emily’s belly, and put the equipment away. “I’ll let you get dressed. Before you leave make an appointment to see me again next week, but in the meantime call if you have any questions or concerns.”

  He walked outside and down the hall to his office.

  “There’s a man in there waiting to see you,” said Mia.

  Bear opened the door to see Liam sitting looking at one of the
photos on his desk.

  “What can I do for you?” asked Bear.

  “My blood, you still need it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay then, let’s get this over and done with.”

  Bear smiled. “You know what would be a great thing? If you donated directly to your nephew.”

  Bear was pushing his luck with a guy like Liam, but he thought it would be good for both him and Sam to get to know one another.

  “I guess I have to meet him sometime, so when you want to do this?” asked Liam.

  “How about tomorrow around three?”

  Liam nodded. “And don’t go spreading this around, but I hate needles. In fact, they scare the shit out of me.”

  ****

  She’d said no, no, and no, when he’d broken the news to her that Liam would be donating his blood directly into Sam. She’d gone crazy, but what he’d said made perfect sense and so she’d brought along Sam and placed him in Bear’s hands, hoping she was doing the right thing.

  Liam had been cool to her when he’d arrived. She doubted they would ever be friends, but if he was just half decent to her son that was fine with her.

  “This is your uncle,” said Bear.

  “Hi, Sam. You look a lot like your dad, my brother.”

  “Father,” said Sam. He looked over at Hannah.

  “It’s okay, Sam, your uncle Liam’s going to give you something and it will make you feel better.”

  “No, Momma. Sam scared.”

  “I am too,” said Liam, but we’re going to lie down here and I’ll tell you stories about your dad. And don’t tell anyone, but I’m scared too.”

  “You want to come hold his hand?” Bear asked Hannah.

  “Sure.”

  Hannah grabbed Sam’s hand as Bear put the tourniquet around his bicep.

  “Momma.”

  “Honey, Bear won’t hurt you I promise.”

  She saw Bear slip in the needle while Sam was looking the other way.

  Next he went over to Liam and did the same thing.

  “Ouch, that hurt like hell,” he said.

  “Your nephew’s didn’t complain,” said Bear.

  Hannah watched as Bear set up the equipment and soon blood was pumping out of Liam and going into Sam.

  Bear knew what he was doing, right?