Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Erin's hands wouldn’t stop trembling as she rocked in one of the chairs on the sprawling porch of the old trailer in the Estate Mobile Park. Julian and the Whole estaters would be home any moment now, and she had some big news that made her feel giddy and faint all at the same time.

Julian's house had been demolished to nothing but a pile of rubble and glass. She’d been so scared that he would be heartbroken, but he hadn’t seemed to care one bit, and moving into the old singlewide trailer, 1010, in the Gray Back’s trailer park had been a seamless transition. Even Seb had taken up residence in Clinton’s abandoned trailer.

So much had changed since Julian’s father’s death. Erin had fallen unconscious for two days after Chlorine had left her body, and when she woke up, her world had been turned on its axis. She remembered everything Chlorine had done through her. And now, Chlorine's presence was gone from her life completely, taking the headaches, nightmares, and memories with her.

It was possible that Julian would rebuild his house at the top of his mountains, or perhaps they would live here for always, she didn’t know. But by God, it did her soul good to watch her mate thrive here.

Even in this old trailer, so different from his sprawling cliff mansion, he smiled constantly and filled their tiny house with the sound of his laughter.

She hadn’t ever imagined she could be this happy.

The sound of the trucks coming down the mountain switchbacks from the landing above perked her sensitive ears right up. The others, Ariana, her husband and the children came from the direction of the worm farm out back and stood by the bricked in fire-pit, waiting on their mates to return from a long day cutting lumber, as Erin waited for hers.

Julian was a logger again. He didn’t do it for the money. He did this job with the bears who had become a family to him because it made him happy. Because he was allowing himself to get close to the people he cared about now, instead of hiding away in his tower, protecting his heart.

As the lead truck came around the bend in the white gravel road, Willa whistled and called out, “A-team!”

With a laugh, Erin stood from her rocking chair and locked her arms against the porch railing as her heart rate kicked up to a gallop. Her Julian was almost home.

The procession of trucks was short, thanks to the boys riding together in the mornings. Julian slid out of the passenger’s seat of Creed’s gunmetal gray jacked-up Ford pickup and nodded his goodbye to the guys as they piled out. When his dark eyes locked on hers, she froze at how strikingly handsome he was.

He’d admitted that he’d worn the suits to hide the burn scars on his arms, but no more. A dirt-smeared white T-shirt clung to his muscular shoulders, and his jeans were frayed and had holes at the knees. His dark hair was mussed from being under a hardhat, and his shoes were no longer the polished loafers he used to wear. Instead, they were mud splattered work-boots. And damn, that bright smile nearly knocked her feet out from under her.

She mirrored his happiness with an answering smile and jogged down the porch stairs to meet him. He dropped his lunch pail and scooped her up, kissing her as if he hadn’t seen her in weeks. This right here, this moment, was her favorite part of every day.

Easing back, she rested her forearms on his shoulders and looked happily down at him. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Oh yeah?” He quirked his lips. “Is it meatloaf?”

Erin laughed and squirmed as he tickled her ribs. Swatting him, she muttered, “I’m serious, and no it’s not my famously bad meatloaf.” Leaning forward, she whispered into his ear, “I figured out why I haven’t been able to see visions and ghosts.”

Julian's arms went rigid around her backside. “Why?” he asked on a breath.

“Because we’re going to have a baby.”

Julian buried his face against her neck as his breathing went uneven. “Love, tell me it’s true. Tell me.”

“I took a dozen pregnancy tests. All positive.” She nuzzled her cheek against his hair. “Are you happy?”

Julian bit her collarbone playfully and eased back, stunning her with the emotion that pooled in his eyes.

“Happiness isn’t a big enough word. You’ve given me so much, Erin. Your heart, my mortality, and now this? A child?” He settled her on the ground and stood back, gripping her hips and staring down at her stomach. He sighed and shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe how lucky he’d gotten.

He didn’t see what she did, though. She had lucked into a life she hadn’t even dreamed of, and it was all because of him. Julian had saved her in so many ways, and now he’d given her this gift. He’d given her a child. He’d given her the chance to be a mate and a mother. He’d given her his unconditional love.

Her heart was so full, it was hard to speak. Forcing words past her tightening chest, she whispered, “We’ll get to raise our baby here in your mountains. Our child can protect your treasure when we’re gone.”

“Don’t you see it, Erin?” Damon murmured, lifting that beautiful, silver gaze to hers. “The mountains aren’t my treasure anymore.” His smile was slow and adoring as he brushed his thumbs over her stomach. “You are.”

"You and this wonderful baby of mine. I love you so much, Erin."

"I love you too, Julian Ferrari."

They shared a passionate kiss before Erin pulled away, smiling. She glanced up at him shyly.

"What?"

"Well... Jake and Feesh arrived at the mountains earlier this morning. They were very worried about me after they heard what had happened. I was hoping that you wouldn't have an issue with them showing up.. I know this mountain is very special and you..."

"Erin... I want to see them. They're my family."

Erin gave him a wide smile and pressed her cheeks to his beating heart.

"I heard the ferals are getting less and less outside here."  Erin said. Feesh had told Erin that when she had questioned them, worried about their safety.

"Marcus has been the originator of the ferals right from time. That is why they seemed to multiply every second. Now that he is gone, there will be little to none left. Humans can live in peace without needing out protection." Julian explained.

Erin sighed happily. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For this. Everything. You've given so much more than anything I expected to have."

"Well... I was thinking of giving you more, if you don't mind..."

"What else could you possibly give me?"

Erin watched as Julian slowly pulled away and went down on one knee, his head raised to her with a nervous as hell look on his face. "Erin Dexter, will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?"

Erin gasped, her eyes growing moist as she stared silently at him. She didn't know where the ring had appeared from but it was utterly beautiful. It sparkled in the soft sunlight and illuminated a golden light on the terrace.

"Oh, Julian... Yes!"

***