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I never meant to hurt you or insinuate that I didn t want you to be the boys mother. I was just
afraid that the boys would forget Renee and I didn t want that to happen. You are the most beautiful
and amazingly caring woman I have ever met. I couldn t beg God for a better mate and mother for my
children. Will you please accept this as our way of asking you to be ours? His hand trembled as he
held up a small white box.
Kate reached forward and felt tears drip off her cheeks and run down her neck. She took the box
and opened it. She closed her eyes as her chest shook in silent sobs. Caleb and Bran stood. Caleb
took the box out of her hands.
See, it s an adjustable chain. It can be smaller when you re human and if you have to shift in a
hurry, the chain will slide and become larger to accommodate your wolf s neck. I got three charms.
They re birthstones, mine and the boys , so we ll always be with you. Caleb took the chain out of the
box, sliding on the three charms and handing it to Kate.
I got you something too, Katie Belle. I took for granted how we came together and I never took
the time to show you how much I thank Fate every night for sending you to me, even though I know I m
not good enough. You make me remember how to smile and laugh. Without you, I m empty. Bran
reached into his pocket and pulled out another charm. It matched the white-gold charms holding
birthstones that Caleb had given her. He took the chain from her shaking hands.
It s my birthstone. And later, when we have more children, we can add theirs to the chain as
well. He added his charm onto the chain and passed it back to her. Where s my birthstone? she
asked, looking at Caleb then Bran, tears in her eyes.
Katie, don t you know? Bran asked gently. Caleb stepped forward and placed a hand on her
cheek.
You re the chain, baby. You re the one who holds us all together, Caleb said.
Kate threw her arms around Caleb s and Bran s necks. She sobbed so hard she didn t think she
would ever be able to breathe again.
IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou! She wept as she held on as tight as she could. Caleb pulled away to
kiss her gently on the lips before turning her to Bran so he could kiss her as well. She smiled up at
them, her tears slowing. Behind them, she heard sniffles. Every single one of the old ladies was
crying. She heard more sniffles from behind the counter. Ashby, Nicholas and Rebecca had their arms
wrapped around each other and were boo-hooing.
That s so be-bea-beautiful! Rebecca finally managed.
Ashby and Nicholas nodded.
The library door swung open and Aleks, in his sheriff s uniform, strode in. He saw Rebecca crying
and raced behind the counter.
Becca, baby, what s the matter? I could feel you crying across town. He looked around and saw
nearly everyone except Caleb and Bran in tears, though their eyes were very bright.
What in the hell is going on! he demanded.
Rebecca continued to cry. It was so beautiful! I want you to be like Bran and Caleb, but you re
only one man and I love you and don t want anyone else, but it was so perfect. I love you! she
wailed.
Aleks eyes widened and he simply scooped Rebecca up and sat in her chair. From the looks of
things, he was getting used to her outbursts. He no longer got that panicked look on his face. Kate
knew that Rebecca s meltdown was part hormones and part of the feelings she had gotten through
their bond. She would have to apologize later. Kate smiled and brought the necklace up and fastened
it around her neck. She wiped her eyes and took both of her men s hands.
I want to go shopping! I have two sons now and I want to get some home furnishings that all three
of us pick out so Caleb feels more at home at the Pack house. Kate smiled up at them.
As long as we don t spend too much money, Caleb said, kissing her nose.
She rolled her eyes. She looked over to where Rebecca was down to tiny sniffles and wiping her
nose on her sleeve.
Meet you at the diner later for dinner? she asked the three. Ashby and Nicholas smiled and
nodded.
See you at dinner, Rebecca said, rubbing her eyes.
Later, hun, Kate said, winking. Rebecca smiled.
Walking away she let go of the men s hands and reached for her phone. Her fingers flew over the
keys in a text message to Rian.
Ri ~ I need nighties in the following birthstone colors. They need to be amazing my men just
hit a grand slam with their apologies ~ lurves K
She typed what colors she needed and it wasn t long before she got the reply.
Pulling out all the stop s- ur getting premium sexy package - don t worry I have your cc # ~
lurves R
She smiled. She really did have the best friends ever!
* * * *
Later that afternoon, Kate, Caleb, and Bran found themselves back in the diner. Bran and Caleb
collapsed into chairs across from one another. Kate was showing Ma her purchases. She d been
waiting until Rebecca got there, but Ma told her that, after the princely display that Bran and Caleb
had done at the library, Aleks felt the need to show Rebecca that even though he was one man, he was
more than enough for her. Evidently he had carried her out of the library caveman-style to the cheers
of Ms. Tully and her book club. Ashby and Nic said they had plans to go over to Alek and Rebecca s
later in the evening to make cake since everyone was craving it after talking about it all day.
I told you, Bran said, placing his head down on the table.
Caleb leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. I didn t believe you, but you re right. She was
like a demon possessed. Caleb shuddered.
I m so glad I don t have to do this alone anymore, Bran said, pretending to sniffle.
I have your back, brother. Caleb patted Bran on the head. They comforted each other like old
war buddies. Kate rolled her eyes.
Seriously you two are big babies. Damian and Rian could shop circles around you. We only went
to the mall and Babies R Us, she said as she showed Ma the tiny jumpers she had bought for
Landon and Lucas.
Bran lifted his head. We went into every store in the mall, some of them twice. My feet hurt! I
will never give you chocolate before shopping again! Bran exclaimed.
Do you need a burger? Your blood sugar must be low. You re getting cranky. Kate turned her
back on him to hold up two small leather jackets. Bran s mouth dropped and his eyes narrowed. He
was about to lean forward to speak when Caleb patted him on the arm and shook his head.
Just then Bran s phone started ringing. A second later, Kate s, Caleb s and Ma s phones also rang.
Everyone looked at each other and then frantically started pulling out their cell phones.
What! We ll be right there, Kate said, hanging up and grabbing the keys. Everyone in the diner
was silent and staring at Kate as she made her way to the door.
Everyone stay back. We re on our way, Bran said into his cell phone, following Kate.
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