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"Today you are you! That is truer than true! ... There is no one alive who is you-er than you!"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Paperwork remained the bane of his existence.Will pinched the bridge of his nose at the stray thought.
Experience taught him that these quiet moments at work should be savored because they meant no one in his extended family suffered or needed help.
But he still hated paperwork.The intercom buzzed.
“Sir?”“Yes, Nathaniel?”“Someone to see you, Boss . . . if you’ve got a minute.”
Amusement threaded through the voice, drawing Will’s attention away from his paperwork.
The sound held a teasing note, something that indicated Nathaniel liked - or at least approved of - the person in question.
“Do I want to have a minute?”Now his adjutant laughed.
“Oh I think so.”
“Send them in.”He leaned back in his chair, eyes on the door as he mused over who might be dropping by his office at this time of day. Nathaniel’s tone limited the list to the family, but most of them wouldn’t bother with the double check at his desk - they’d have just waved as they sailed or stalked by depending upon the situation.
That narrowed his selection to around a double handful of choices - Marta, Casey, Scarlett, and several of the teenagers.
The smile came fast and easy as Hannah stepped inside, her own sweet smile beaming at him.
“Sorry to interrupt your day,” she began, closing the door.“You’re interrupting paperwork,” he corrected as he rose to direct her towards his office couch.
“That’s never a bad thing.”“Paperwork is evil.”“Exactly.”
Will sat down beside her.
“But I thought you planned to be at the Tower all day - something about last minute plans for next week’s party.”“That was the plan . . . and then I got the call from my mother.”“Is something wrong?”
His mind began flipping through potential scenarios and solutions so he could fix whatever problem his niece might be having.“Not unless you count Mama’s tendency to always forget a key component of . . . every situation?”
The rueful smile held a blend of fondness and exasperation.
“I adore my mother, but she will insist on handling things herself and then leaving something off the checklist so people have to scramble in order to cover whatever got missed.”“What did she miss this time?”“The hotel.”He blinked in surprise.
“She forgot they’d need a place to stay?”“Something like that?” Hannah winced.
“Really, Mama’s brilliant in her own way, but the day-to-day stuff . . .”
She huffed out a breath.
“It’s why Jack’s so perfect for her.
He’s the most down-to-earth guy - but he lets her have her way and…”
Her voice trailed off as she waved a hand in the air.
“They’re coming in on Friday with nowhere to stay.”“Exactly.”
She sighed.
“Do you have any idea where we can find a hotel that-?”“Hannah.”
His quiet admonishment stopped her in mid-question.
One hand cupped her chin as he gave her a chiding look.
“I’m going to pretend you weren’t about to ask that question.” She quirked an eyebrow at him and he shook his head, letting her go to sit back.
“You’re probably going to see them a lot while they’re here - take Benji to visit them?”“Yes?’
She drew out the word.“Those kind of visits that could end up lasting late into the evening?”“Well, maybe?
Though we did think of spending Saturday sightseeing.”
Excitement filled her face.
“Mama and Jack have never seen New York before either, so we’re going to see some of the highlights.”“Understandable.”
Security details began to come together in the back of his mind, but he kept his attention on the current situation.
“We’ve got a floor of the Tower that we keep for special guests or times when someone needs the additional space for some reason.”
She opened her mouth, but he held up a hand to stop her protest.
“Marishka has already talked to Stark - he issued the security clearances this morning.”“Really?”“She’s your mother, your family.”
The simple answer drew out her brilliant smile, the one Marishka called her best weapon.
“I should argue,” Hannah informed him, “but . . . I really, really appreciate this.”“Pozhaluysta.”*********************************************On the following Friday, Will stood at the bank of security monitors, eyes focused on a quartet of people sitting in some of the chairs in the lobby.
They laughed and talked even as their gazes moved from the receptionist desk to the elevators and then to the front doors.
An awareness gleamed in their expressions - one that most civilians didn’t possess.
Given Hannah’s calling - and the supernatural involvement of the Hunt couple, he supposed he shouldn’t be surprised.
While they didn’t have the same radar senses as the Grimm family, they wouldn’t be surprised easily.He approved - it meant there would be less of a chance of them giving away any secrets they might figure out over the weekend.Cara Riker, née Hayes, possessed the same warm smile as her daughter.
Her hands waved as she spoke and within moments she began pacing around her companions’ chairs.
Excitement and anxiety played across her face as she walked.
Like her daughter, she touched the others as she spoke, making that physical connection and highlighting her empathy.For a moment his mind drifted to the cathartic conversation he’d had with Hannah and how her touch had drawn more out of him than anyone other than Marina had ever managed.
Awe still pulsed through him at the memory - he would never have believed that a single hated cookie could lead to one of the most peaceful nights he’d ever had.
Her husband, Jack Riker, leaned back in his seat, eyes sweeping the room.
But his main attention remained focused on his wife. Will would wager that at any given point Riker could reach out and touch Cara without having to look for her position.
According to Jason’s files, Riker had been an Army pilot - and from what he could see, the man had kept his reflexes sharp.The third member of their group, Tala Hunt, sat still, but he could see her nostrils flare - taking in scents, he realized. Her movements reminded him of Dacia, and maybe of Ethan.
Of course, as a werewolf herself, that wasn’t a shock.
But something in her eyes, a look of aloof suspicion, reminded him of the Merry Murderesses - and that did surprise him.Chayton Hunt watched the entire room, his companions included, with an expression of quiet amusement.
The man looked dangerous, someone who might make normal folks feel nervous if they met him in a dark alley, but the calm serenity in his body language spoke of a gentler nature than people would expect.Hannah would be happy to see them and he needed to let her know they were here, but first he wanted to find his brother.
Odd as it seemed, this would be the first time Brian came face to face with his daughter’s mother - Barney’s time with her didn’t count.
With that thought in mind, Will strolled out of the security room and went to find Brian.
“Hannah’s family is here,” he informed his brother, keeping his voice low.
“They’re waiting in the lobby.”“Hell.”
The younger man went still for a moment. His shoulders slumped for a brief moment before he straightened.
“Let me get her and we’ll go down.”“Want company?” He watched the struggle play across Brian’s face - hints of pride and fear fighting with each other.
Will reached out and squeezed his shoulder.
“Come on, Bri - go get your girl and we’ll go down.”“Yeah, sure.”
Brian headed for the kitchen, but then he paused and looked back.
“Thanks.”“Anytime.”*****************************************“Mama!”Hannah darted out of the elevator as soon as the doors gave her just enough space to slide through.
Brian chuckled as he followed her, finally relaxing a little.
Will brought up the rear and watched as his niece threw her arms around her mother. The embrace was returned, just as fervently. Cara’s companions stood up, smiles breaking out over every face as they watched the reunion.
“Dad.”
Hannah brushed away happy tears.
Then she held out a hand to Brian before her eyes shifted to meet his.
“Uncle Will.
Come meet my family.” Her warm smile lit the room as she introduced her mother, stepfather, and godparents.
Then she gestured towards the two men.
“Everyone, meet Brian and Will Grimm.”
Cara’s eyes narrowed on her daughter before shifting to Brian.
She scanned his face, caution gleaming in those hazel eyes.
“Brian?”“Yeah.”
His lips twisted.
Discomfort all but radiated from him, in Will’s eyes at least - and given how Hannah shifted closer, she saw it too - but he kept his head up, eyes steady on Cara’s. He drew in a deeper breath. “Who I used to be-.”“Hannah’s told me some,” Cara interrupted, raising her hand to stop him. “She gave me a few basic bits of information when she called me to tell me she was in New York instead of Dallas.
And to reassure me that she’d decided - on her own - to stay.”“Otherwise she’d have flown out here weeks ago.”
Hannah curled her hand around her father’s arm.
“Adult or not, Mama’s got a protective streak.”“Damn right.”“Mama.”“Yes, honey, I know.”
Amusement entered her loving gaze as it settled on her daughter. Then she shifted that searching look back to Brian.
“And she’s safe?
She and Benji are both safe from him?”“Fuck yes.”“Dad!” Hannah huffed out a breath.
“Honestly, both of you are doing this on purpose!”For the first time, her parents exchanged a quick grin and Cara lifted an eyebrow at Brian.
“She certainly didn’t get that from me.”“Pretty sure it’s not from my side.”“It does make you wonder just where that came from, doesn’t it?”Mischief began to glitter in Brian’s eyes, but his daughter elbowed him in the side.
“You two can just stop,” she ordered as she rolled her eyes.
She gave the others a quick glare.
“And you lot are not helping.”Jack stopped scanning the room to look at her, his eyebrows going up. “You need someone else to be wondering where you picked up that habit?”“Jack…”“Looks to me like you’re handling things, girl cub,” Tala shrugged, her cool eyes still watching Will and Brian..
“And parents are supposed to tease their children.”
Chayton reached out to flick Hannah’s nose.
“You’ve had years of only one at a time, but now you’ll find out what it is to be double teamed.”She stuck her tongue out at him.
“You’re not so funny, Papa Chay.”“I am very amusing, girl cub.”Will scanned them once more - Cara’s relaxed cheerfulness, Jack with his laid back watchfulness, the wary suspicion lingering in Tala’s gaze, and Chayton’s serene countenance. Then he spoke for the first time. “We should go up.”All gazes turned towards him and he watched as caution entered in the visitors’ eyes.
Again he considered how their reactions explained some of Hannah’s habits - the way she scanned rooms and watched the people who walked too close or stared too long at any of the family.
None of her reactions were overt or paranoid, but just watchful.
“You’re very dangerous,” Chayton noted, his expression still calm and accepting.“I can be.”“That’s the understatement of the century!”
Hannah started giggling. She slipped away from her father to give him an unexpected hug.
“Te quiero, tío.”A lightning flash of joyful surprise shot through him as he gave her a brief hug in return before meeting Chayton’s gaze once more.
“For all your preference for peace,” Will pointed out, “I doubt you’re a pushover.”“Most people think I’m violent,” Chayton noted.
“They see only the surface.”
His tone shifted to one of approval.
“You see deeper.”“People always give Papa Chay and Mama Tal a wide berth.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose.
“Always a good idea,” her godfather pointed out, lips curling up in amusement.“Sure,” she shrugged in easy agreement.
“But they do it for the wrong reasons - they all give you these wary looks and sidle away like they’re expecting you to rough them up or something.”Will and Brian exchanged a quick look.
“So why is it good for them to give space?” Brian asked.“Because Mama Tal doesn’t like to be crowded.”
His daughter tilted her head.
“And Tala’s the dangerous one.”Both Grimm men scrutinized the woman and she cocked a sardonic eyebrow at them.
“Yes?” The word drawled out in a tone that dared them to question Hannah’s assertion.
“They believe me, Mama Tal,” Hannah assured her.
“Trust me.”“That’ll be a first.”Brian gave her a full grin.
“Wait until you get to know Marina.”******************************************Music swirled through the air as they stepped onto the main family floor.
The bright energetic song came from the kitchen where Marina sung, probably finishing some preparations for tomorrow’s meals.
Most of the family had retired for the evening, not wanting to overwhelm Hannah’s family on the first night.
The party would be soon enough for a full crowd.“Deda!”Sadie came dashing across the floor at her best speed.
He smiled, stepping forward to catch her and swing her up in his arms.
“Hello, my little Bug.”
She giggled as he tickled her side.
“Are you having fun?’“Uh, huh,” she nodded.
“Nari’s telling a story!”“I know.”
He brushed his lips over her hair.
“Better go back so you can hear the ending.”“Love you, Deda!”
She smacked a kiss on his cheek before squirming to get down. He put her on the floor and she dashed over to the knot of teenagers and children in the far sitting area.“She’s lovely,” Cara began as she watched the little girl drop down near the edge of the group.
Then her words stopped and he followed her line of vision to see what had silenced her.Dacia stared at the newcomers, her eyes glinting red as she looked towards the visiting werewolves.
Will took a small step forward to draw her gaze.
Her glance flickered over and he shook his head at her.
She huffed, a pout coming to her mouth.
Then a large black nose pushed at her shoulder, prompting a laugh and the blonde grinned over her shoulder at the black wolf she leaned against.
He realized that Apache must have joined the party as soon as the word went out about the arrival of Hannah’s family.
“Your family’s wolf?”Tala’s voice had a bite to it, but Apache flicked an ear at her in dismissal, not even bothering to lift his head from the floor. His gold eyes closed as he let himself doze, but Will knew the wolf would be up and moving should anything threaten anyone in the room.
Dacia smirked at her before snuggling back down against the dark fur, flanked by Sadie and Katenka, as they focused on Inari and her story. “He’s his own wolf,” Will replied in a steady voice.
“I’d recommend you not pass judgement without full information.
Apache’s chosen to stay as my partner’s personal security.”
The music grew louder as the door to the kitchen area opened.
“Speaking of whom…”Marina came floating out of the kitchen, singing to the little boy on her hip.
Benjamin beamed at her with a sunny grin, one that Will fully expected to mirror his mother’s when he grew up. Happiness deepened in her beautiful eyes as she spotted the new arrivals.
“Look, my little volchitsa, look who’s here to celebrate your birthday.”
She turned the boy in her arms so he could see their guests.Mahogany eyes that matched his mother and grandfather lit up as he began to bounce on Marina’s hip.
“Gamma!
Gamma!”“Hello, bebé.”
The two women smiled at each other as Marina passed the baby to Cara.
She cuddled Benji to her shoulder, smiling and laughing as he pressed a kiss to her cheek and then began to tell her something about wolves and his mama.
“I’m pretty sure he’s telling you about Sam,” Hannah laughed as the family gathered around her son, small hugs and kisses being shared with the little boy as he giggled at them.
“He’s a cousin, but he’s in Vegas with some of the others right now.
You’ll meet him Sunday.”
Then she turned a smile to her aunt.
“And this is Aunt Marina.”“Welcome to New York.”
Marina gave them all a warm smile after Hannah introduced her family again.
“We’ve already eaten our dinner, but if you’d care for something?”Cara shook her head even as she cooed over Benji and Jack picked up the slack.
“We had something on the plane,” he informed them.
“And picked up sandwiches in the airport.”
He put a hand on the small of Cara’s back.
“Despite her current burst of energy, it was a long flight - and we’ll want a good night’s sleep tonight.”“Jack,” Cara began.“You’ll have them all day tomorrow,” he interrupted.
She sighed and passed Benji over to Hannah.
“I know.”
Her voice held a reluctant acknowledgement.
“I guess we should go ahead and find our rooms.”“I’ll take you down,” Hannah nodded.
She pressed a kiss to her son’s head before passing him over to Brian.
“You’ve got a kitchen and dining area as well, so you can spread out if you want.
Just tell Shae what time you want to be up in the morning.”“Shae?”“It’ll be easier to show you,” she decided.
“I’ll introduce you when we get to your floor.”“Our floor?”Hannah’s laughter trailed behind them as they walked into the elevator.
“I think lebedyashka forgot to tell them something,” Will chuckled.
He cut a quick glance over to Brian.
“We’ve been a bad influence on her.”“I’m just glad this first parts over.”
Cuddling Benji to his chest, Brian gazed at the now closed elevator.
“That should be the worst of it.”
He frowned and gave them a questioning look.
“Right?”“The worst is over,” Will agreed as he curled an arm around Marina’s waist.
“Tomorrow will be filled with sightseeing and the party’s on Sunday.
The activity will keep everyone busy and moving, so there shouldn’t be too many more awkward moments.”“Slava boga.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Saturday morning found Hannah and Benji surrounded by their visitors, all of them pouring over maps of the city and discussing the sights they wanted to see.
She let the talk wash over her as she typed out a text on her phone and worked to keep Benji’s excitement under control.
Aunt Marina possessed reams of patience when it came to her honorary grandson, but even she wouldn’t be too impressed with flying food.“Taxis could get expensive,” Jack pointed out, drawing her attention back to the conversation.
“We won’t all fit in one anyway.”“We have a driver and vehicle arranged for you.”Hannah’s lips twitched as four surprised faces turned towards Will.
He didn’t even look up from the work on his tablet.“General,” Jack began.“Don’t even bother,” she interrupted with a quick laugh.
She spooned some cereal into Benji’s mouth.
“They don’t like me taking taxis . . . ever.”“But you told me you sold your car,” Cara pointed out.
“And I know you’re not hauling Benji around on public transportation.”“I get driven.”“Everywhere?” her mother demanded.“Somehow or another,” Hannah shrugged.
“No matter how busy everyone might be, I can usually get a ride within an hour or so to anywhere I want or need to be.”
Her lips twitched.
“One of the family or someone they designate always seems to have absolutely nothing better to do at that precise moment.”“Why?”“Good.”Tala’s approval all but drowned out the question from her mother and Hannah shook her head as the Grimm side of the family just smirked.“Like Uncle Brian would trust her to some city driver?” Rene chuckled.“Let alone Benji,” Blaine agreed as he watched Rey make a face at the little boy, prompting him to giggle.Alexis gave the visitors a bright smile as she spread her hands.
“My dad loves it,” she confessed.
“He encourages me to carpool with them whenever I can.”Will did look up at that point to give the redhead a pointed stare.
“If you need a ride somewhere, Krasnyy, you call us.”
He waited for her nod before turning back to his tablet.“They’re a little overprotective,” Hannah began, only to be interrupted as her new Pack burst out laughing.
“Yeah,” Dacia chortled.
“Like water’s a little wet!”“Or the sun’s a little bright?” Inari offered with a mischievous smirk.
“Or you’re a little stubborn?” Sam shrugged, his face a mask of mock seriousness.
Hannah tossed a biscuit at him, causing his brother to start choking on a bite of egg as Dean tried to swallow and laugh all at the same time.
“That’s enough out of the lot of you,” Marina chastised as she smacked Dean between the shoulder blades.
“Finish your breakfasts and get thee elsewhere if you’re already awake enough to stir up trouble.”“It’s a good Pack,” Chayton noted in approval.A brilliant smile curved Hannah’s lips.
“Yes,” she agreed.
“It certainly is.”When they finished breakfast, Brian and Natasha led a small group down to the garage where they found the promised vehicle waiting for them.
Hannah ushered her family to the window seats.
“You should have them,” she insisted.
“The rest of us live here and we see the city plenty.”“Are you sure we have time for everything?” Cara asked as they arranged themselves in the small bus. Brian shook his head.
“We’re not even leaving Manhattan.”
He helped Natasha get Svetlana into a car seat before moving to help with his grandson.
“So yeah, we should hit most of your highlights this morning.”“Liberty Island counts?” Tala’s eyebrows went up. “Yep.
Still part of the city.”
He held up a hand to forestall any questions.
“It’s how the natives call it - Manhattan natives, that is.”“So it’s true then?” Jack laughed.
“That some people have never left Manhattan?”“Probably.”“And no poking fun,” Hannah put in.
She leaned forward to pat Jack’s shoulder.
“You wouldn’t have left Texas if the army hadn’t sent you.”He shook his head.
“Hell, no.” “Language, please.”Laughter filled the van as she huffed at him.
That gave the journey a good send off as they headed south.
Spending the day acting like average tourists, they hit some of the hot spots of Manhattan - the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial museum before grabbing some pizza for lunch.
The group sat on the High Line, overlooking the city as they ate, before they went to see two of the most famous buildings in the city - the Empire State building and the Chrysler building.
Then came the drive through Times Square.“Are we getting out?” Cara asked.
Tala gave a small rumbling growl as she eyed the crowds, but settled as Hannah shook her head.
“Not this time,” she assured them.
“Next time you come to town, we’ll make sure we get tickets for a show.
You can see it when it’s all lit up.”“So where are we headed now?” Jack leaned over in the seat to eye the buildings as they drove past.
“It’s getting on towards evening.”“We’re meeting the Pack for dinner in Central Park,” Hannah replied.
She leaned forward from her seat beside her dad. “Hopefully including Nathaniel and Rachel this time.” “That sounds perfect,” Cara smiled.
“We can’t leave Manhattan without seeing the park after all.”“What are we having?” Chayton lifted his eyebrows at them.
“Hot dogs?”“He-.”
Brian gave a soft grunt as Hannah elbowed him in the side.
“Heck no,” he continued as he made a face at her.
“Marina packed the meal.”Chayton nodded, prompting further amusement as he gave the driver an order.
“Drive faster.”The early dinner passed with plenty of laughter as the Pack spent most of the meal teasing and taunting each other, with the Winchester brothers being the worst - or best - of the lot.
Dacia and Alexis both vibrated with excitement as they talked about their new internships with the NYPD.
Alexis looked forward to working with Lanie Parish, one of New York’s medical examiners, while Dacia would be training under Mac Taylor at the crime lab.
After everyone congratulated the two women, Rene began to tell a story about his work with some of the veteran groups in the city. Hannah’s eyes narrowed as she realized one of her Packmates seemed to have become distracted.
“Dacia?”“Hmm?” The blonde’s inquisitive sound meant she heard her name, but Hannah knew that didn’t mean she wasn’t more focused on something else.
“Khrabryy,” she tried again, “what’s going on?”“Good question.”
Dacia stood up and walked away from the picnic, brushing off the seat of her pants as she stalked away.“That’s not an answer.”
Inari wrinkled her nose as she watched her sister.
The Fuchsbau didn’t sound worried, just curious.
“What’s got her attention all of the sudden?”“Now that is a good question.”
Hannah stood up.
“Dad, you got Benji?”“We’re good here, Stardust.
Go make sure our little wolf’s not about to start a bloodbath.”
“Dac wouldn’t . . .”
Rene let his voice trail off as he narrowed his eyes on his mate.
“You know what?
Never mind.”
He hopped up.
“I’ll go with Hannah.”“Come on then.”
She pressed a kiss to the top of her dad’s head before following Dacia.
The younger woman stood near a crowd of people gathered around some kind of commotion.
A woman with light brown hair and doe-like eyes stood crying as her husband passed around a picture. Hannah and Rene came up beside their friend even as her jaw tightened.“Their little boy is missing.”“Just now?” Hannah’s gaze swept the area.
“Or recently?”“Just now.”
With that, Dacia strode towards the parents to get a look at the picture.
Hannah and Rene watched in surprise as the couple flinched back from her.
But when their features woged, the Grimm pursed her lips in understanding. “They’re Wesen,” Rene muttered, surprise clear in his voice. “Mauzhertz, to be precise,” she murmured. He lifted a brow in an unasked question.“Mouse-like,” she replied.
“Generally pretty shy - the timid sort.”
Her lips thinned.
“And too many times they become prey for the meaner ones.”“Is it just me,” he frowned, “or have we been running into a lot of Wesen lately?”
Then he slanted a confused look at her.
“And why did I see them?”“People who aren’t Grimm or Wesen rarely notice them, but you’ve been exposed more often.”
She slid him a sideways glance, one corner of her mouth quirking into a tiny smirk.
“It just means you’re learning to see with different eyes.” Then she lifted one shoulder in a half shrug.
“Besides, with Belo and I both in town to keep things in check, they’re probably surfacing more - the peaceful ones anyway.” Amusement sparkled in her eyes.
“And really, it’s not like they live in caves or something.”He flushed.
“I didn’t mean it like that…”“I know.”
Hannah reached over to pat his arm.
“And there are a lot of sorts who prefer living in the country - like most of the Jägerbar I’ve ever met.”“Let me guess - bear-like?”“Yep,” she nodded. Dacia joined them at that moment.
“He’s five,” she announced without preamble.
“Light brown hair like his mom, but with his dad’s green eyes.
Name’s Timmy.”
Her nose twitched.
“I’ve got the scent - and they said they last saw him near the statue.”“You and Hannah head that way,” Rene ordered.
“I’ll get the rest of the Pack and we’ll join you.”The two women stalked towards the Alice in Wonderland statue as he strode in the other direction.
Both of them moved faster than most ordinary humans, but they worked to keep their pace just within the bounds of ‘normal’.
Hannah’s eyes did a quick scan of the statue as they approached.
“I don’t sense him,” she noted.
“I feel you . . . and more behind me, but no Wesen in front of us.”“Yeah, but the kid was climbing all over it,” Dacia muttered, her nostrils flaring as she drew in the scents around her.
Then she moved around the side.
“He talked to someone here . . . there’s another scent.”
She crouched, head tilting to one side.
“Male . . . Not the dad.”Hannah had spotted something else.
“Look,” she murmured, nodding towards the statue.
“Under the mushroom.
It’s a leash.”“Hmm.”
Lips pursed, Dacia bent close, examining it.
“It hasn’t been here long.” Her eyes skimmed along the length of the leash, but she never touched it.
“No dirt or dust or anything . . . and there hasn’t been any rain lately.”
Her mouth tightened.
“I don’t like this.”“What?”Both young women looked around at Rene’s voice.
The rest of the Pack clustered behind him, faces serious and eyes focused.
Hannah stepped back to let him move to Dacia’s side.
That put her close to the Winchester brothers.
A light flush flooded her cheeks as Dean gave her a tiny smirk, the merest hint of flirtation glittering in his eyes before he refocused on the quiet discussion between Rene and Dacia.
Sam sent a keen look her way, eyebrows lifting as her flush darkened and she could see amusement flickering under his serious expression.“The trail heads towards 5th.”She welcomed the interruption as Dacia made her announcement.
Yes, okay, fine, she had a small crush on the older Winchester brother . . . that didn’t mean she wanted to deal with the teasing that would inevitably follow.“Spread out,” Rene ordered as he looked over the Pack. “Keep in sight of each other, but move towards 5th and shout out if you see anything.”Thanks to their rather eclectic mix of skills and instincts, the Pack found the boy in short order . . . along with the man trying to lure him out of the park.
Most of them hung back, watching as the original Fearsome Foursome scared the man half out of his wits before letting Nathaniel take him into custody.“Good thing we’ve all got emergency ID’s from SHIELD,” Rachel mused.
“I’m certain we could have performed a citizen’s arrest had it been necessary, but they certainly do make things a bit easier, don’t they?”Alexis laughed. “I think Nick just wants to enjoy the chaos.”Dean and Hannah ignored the byplay as they focused on the little boy.
Timmy stared at them, features shifting in and out of woge as tears glistened in those green eyes.
The rescue had probably scared him more than the attempted abduction but she’d prefer him scared to gone.“Hey, little man.”
Dean crouched down beside the boy.
“Let’s go find your mama, okay?”
When Timmy nodded, he stood and swung the child up to his hip.
“Take Hannah with you,” Dacia advised as she walked over to them, rolling her eyes when their captive tried to escape only to get tripped and pinned by Sam.
“She’ll help reassure the parents.”“Even though she’s a Grimm?” Alexis frowned.“They’ve heard of her.”“Me in particular?
By name?” Hannah blinked, staring at the blonde in shock.
“I’ve only been in the city for six weeks!” “Word travels fast.”
Dacia’s lips twitched.
“You’ve been working, on your own and with Opa.
They all know him - and they know he’s one of the good ones.
Then you started helping the Eisbiber bunch and, well, they’re not really good at keeping secrets.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I swear the bunch in this city are second only to the Fuchsbau in curiosity and gossip.”“We don’t gossip!”The Blutbad slid a sidelong glance at her siblings at the chorus of protest.
“Right . . . and I’m a Indole Gentile.”
Inari opened her mouth to argue, but her sister cut her off.
“Don’t think I don’t know exactly where Blaine and Sam found out about the sorority.”“That wasn’t gossip,” Rey argued, his lips twitching as he met his sister’s disbelieving glare.
“Then what was it?”Dean leaned towards Hannah.
“Come on,” he murmured, his breath brushing past her cheek.
She could feel her skin warming in response, but hoped he didn’t notice.
“Let’s get the kid back to his parents.”
Then he raised his voice as they turned to go.
“Somebody better take care of the trash - the city hates litter.”Getting the little boy back to his parents took a little more tact and diplomacy - and a few dozen questions from the police - before the Pack met up with the others once more.
Hannah spent at least fifteen minutes calming the Wesen parents down before she felt comfortable walking away.
“I’m going to need a second phone,” she muttered as they returned to the picnic site.“Especially if you keep giving out your number like that.”
Dacia shook her head.
“The Eisbibers and now the Mauzhertz?Rene gave Hannah a quick hug.
“Talk to Jason,” he advised.
“He could probably set something up.”“Are your days always this exciting?” Cara asked as they gathered their things.
“Well…”
Hannah scrunched up her nose as she considered the best way to answer question.
“Not . . . always?”Her mother pursed her lips before turning to Brian.
“I don’t want to know, do I?” “We’ll keep her safe,” he promised.“Nice dodge.” Cara shook her head.
“And . . . good luck?” Understanding and resignation blended with affection in the gaze she turned on her daughter.
“If something happens in her world, Hannah’s going to jump right into solving it.”“My job, Mom.”“I know, baby,” she sighed.
“Believe me, I know.”Brian curled an arm around Hannah’s shoulders.
“We will keep her safe.”“We’ve had practice with her father after all,” Natasha added.“Will’s worse than I am!” Brian protested.His wife lifted an unimpressed brow.
“Your point?”“Throw me under the bus, huh, Nat?” “Why throw you there?” A beatific smile curved Natasha’s lips.
“You tend to roll there on your own just fine.”“Thanks.”Hannah chuckled at the sarcastic note in her dad’s voice.
She pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Mom’s totally going to blame you for all my bad habits,” she informed him.
“Jumping into trouble, being stubborn . . . you name it.”“I’ll take it.” Brian returned the kiss, brushing his lips over her temple.
“You sap.”Later that night Hannah found herself staring at the ceiling as thoughts chased themselves across her mind. Plans for the party mixed and mingled with thoughts and concerns for her cousins still out in Las Vegas finishing their holiday.
They’d promised to be back in time for the party - and she knew they’d never miss it, but . . . well, that didn’t mean she could just shut off those worries.
Not until she saw them with her own two eyes.
She glanced at the clock, before covering her face with her hands. “I have got to get some sleep!”
The whining note in her voice annoyed her.
Thank goodness no one else could hear her.With Benji spending the night with his grandmother, she couldn’t even use checking on him as an excuse for being awake. After the fourth or fifth time she caught herself staring at the clock on her phone, she gave up.
Throwing on some of her ‘lazy’ clothes, she decided to go down to the family kitchen to scrounge up some leftovers.
Marina almost always made way too much food - probably just so there would be stuff left for her family to snack on.
Her and her need to feed everyone and anyone.When the elevator doors opened, she spotted a light gleaming in the common room. A soft smile curved her lips.
It looked like she wasn’t the only one unable to sleep at this late hour . . . and she could guess who her late night companion would be.
Her smile deepened when she walked further into the room only to be met by the expected mercurial gaze.“What are you doing up, lebedyashka?”“I couldn’t sleep.”
She gave him a rueful smile as she walked over behind him, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.
A quick glance took in files, paperwork, a bottle of whisky, and an empty glass.
“Why are you doing work at . . . one in the morning, Uncle Will?”Will chuckled as he glanced at the wall clock. "Sam and Skye's Jet is two hours out."“Ah, that explains that,” she sighed.
“Te quiero, Tio, but it’s time to put SHIELD away.”
Giving him a quick hug, she glanced towards the kitchen.
“I’m getting a snack and we can stick something funny and silly on the TV.”
With one more kiss, she headed across the room.
“You want anything?”“Not right now.”
She heard a sloshing sound as he poured himself a drink.
“Thank you anyway though.”“Your loss,” Hannah sang out as she opened the refrigerator.
She smirked as she pulled a dish off one of the general family shelves.
For a moment she let the amusement flow through her once more at the idea of a ‘reserved’ shelf, but that was Marina.
A special section of the refrigerator where she kept dishes specifically designated for specific people?
Totally her aunt’s way of doing things.
“I’m pretty sure this is the last of the sharlotka.”During the moment of silence that followed her announcement, she pulled down two plates.
The smirk turned into a full blown grin as he called out, “Dish me up a plate?”“Not a problem!” A few minutes later she walked back into the room, a plate of the apple cake in each hand.
One eyebrow flicked up at the paperwork still spread over the table.
“You were supposed to be putting that away,” she reminded him.
“SHIELD can wait a day.”“Nothing at SHIELD can ever wait a day.
That’s the problem.”“Should I call Nick?” she asked as she handed him a plate.
Her voice remained steady, but she put a light teasing note into it.
“Or wake Rachel and have her do it?”“Rachel is an ace in our hand,” Will reminded her.
“We only use her in a real emergency.”“Your well-being counts as that to me.”
Hannah sat down beside him, curling her legs underneath her as she cut off a bite of cake. Savoring the flavor, she licked a crumb from the fork before giving him a sidelong glance.
“And I could do it - Nick did say I could call him anytime.”He cocked an eyebrow at her, bite sitting on his fork as he watched her. "Remind me to talk to Nick about your 'call anytime' privileges."She giggled at that, but settled for taking another bite.
Both of them knew she wouldn’t call Nick unless it was a real emergency.
Still, it did sometimes take everyone aback at just how well Nick Fury got on with the older set of Grimm ‘kids’.
Swallowing the bite, she tilted her chin towards the papers.
“What is it anyway?”“Sam’s new orders.”“Does it include time home with the family?” she asked.
“Because if the trip to Vegas did him as much good as Skye’s texts seem to imply, you know Aunt Marina’s going to want to see that.”Will’s mouth softened as he nodded.
"He's gonna be a shooting instructor here at SHIELD for awhile. He needs to be home; he always laughs more when he's surrounded by the family and subjected to Marina's fussing."“Benji and Sadie will be over the moon.”Finishing her piece of cake, Hannah dug the remote out from underneath a ream of paper.
“And now that you’ve gotten Sam situated and absolutely made Aunt Marina’s month, we need to find something fun to watch.”He chuckled, a fond smile on his face as he tugged on a lock of her hair. “Who said this wasn't fun?”“Paperwork is evil - you told me so yourself.”
She gave him a cheeky grin as she curled into his side.
“Besides, if the television can distract you that much, then you’re obviously beyond ready for a break.”“Do your worst.”“Let’s see what I can find.”
Flipping through channels, she had to laugh when she came across one of the old black and white Avenger classics.
“Well that’s appropriate enough.”
She dropped the remote back on the papers.
“Tasha would make a fantastic Emma Peel.”“And John Steed?”“Not Dad or Uncle Clint, that’s for sure.”He chuckled and she counted it a win as he put down the tablet.
She let herself get caught up in the fun of the old spy show.The sound of voices broke through the blackness of sleep and it took longer than it should have for Hannah to realize that she must have drifted off during an episode.
Somehow she’d ended up laying down on the couch with her head resting on her uncle’s thigh.
Her hand curled into the blanket over her as she tried to pull herself into something resembling awareness.“All good?”
That quiet voice belonged to her uncle.“Skye’s about passed out, so Grant’s tucking her in.”
And that sounded like Sam.
“Why’s Hannah down here?” “She couldn’t sleep,” Will replied.
She felt his hand rub a circle on her upper arm. “The party, her family, you and your sister being out . . . take your pick.”“I can handle myself . . . if Skye and Grant didn’t do it for me,” Sam pointed out, his humor clear despite the words.“We know.”
Hannah almost had to smile at Will’s tone.
Not even the slightest hint of apology colored those two words.
They would worry if they wanted to . . . not that she had enough energy to tease her cousin about it.“Here.” Sam gave an amused huff.
“I’ll take her up.”She wrinkled her nose, eyes slitting open by the tiniest amount as she felt hands beginning to shift her.
“Hmm?” “Go back to sleep.”
“Sam?”“Shh,” her cousin whispered as he picked her up.
“Sleep.
You’re going to be busy later.”“Mkay.”
Her eyes slid closed once more as she buried her face against his shoulder.
“Somebody set an alarm?”“We’ll take care of it, Bella Dama.”“I’ve got to-.”“Sleep.”
Sam ordered, the amusement clear in his voice.She tried to make a huffing sound, but it turned into a yawn.
“Bossy.”“Maybe,” he allowed.
Then she felt the kiss he pressed to her brow.
“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”Hannah surrendered to sleep, letting herself fall into that deep darkness, confident that her family would make sure everything fell into place.
The last thought that drifted through her mind was a brief hope that they hadn’t gone overboard on gifts.Though she kind of figured that was a hopeless cause.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Cara watched as her daughter backed out of the kitchen, hands held up in surrender even as she tried to stifle her bubbling laughter.
Hannah turned towards the room while the door closed behind her.
Aiming a wink at her mother, she turned her bright smile on her uncle and father.
“Aunt Marina kicked me out.”“You made the cake, lebedyashka,” Will reminded her. “As if Marina wouldn’t want her hands all over this?
You know better,” Brian smirked from where he sat playing with Benji and his younger daughter Svetlana.Watching him with the pretty little girl, she wished he could have had a role in Hannah’s upbringing.
Not only would it have meant so much to both of them, but she could have used the help.
Cara considered her daughter one of the most gifted individuals she had ever known, but trying to keep up with her . . . well, she still gave thanks on a regular basis for her mother’s presence in the girl’s life as well as Tala and Chayton.“Oh, I know,” Hannah acknowledged even as she perched on the arm of Will’s chair. "And the Baby Badass loses to the Badass Boss Lady,” Owen noted in a dry voice. “You're getting there though; eventually she'll let you stay in the kitchen for longer than five minutes."“Language,” she scolded, lips twitching.
“And she has let me stay in the kitchen!
Where do you think I made the cake?”Will chuckled.
“In your kitchen?”“No.” Tilting her nose up in a teasing manner, she folded her arms over her chest.
“She let me use hers.”
She paused, then relaxed.
“Of course, I did bribe her with Benji though.”“And she had you under guard the whole time, didn’t she?” Owen grinned.“You know how your aunt feels about her kitchen,” Will agreed with a small smile.She sighed.
“Well if people would quit blowing it up…”“Hey!”
The third of the brothers, Jason, shouted across the room.
“I’ve only done that twice!”“I’m not sure that doesn’t prove my point, Uncle Jason,” Hannah pointed out. He gave her an outraged look before turning it on his snickering wife Casey.
“You’re not helping.”“I don’t think you need my help in digging that hole.”Cara shook her head as her darling daughter continued her teasing, bright eyes snapping with delight as they played along.
Obviously Hannah’s ability to wrap people around her delicate fingers still held steady, even over these dangerous, vigilant men. Where had she gotten that ability anyway?
It certainly hadn’t come from her!Turning to look around the large family space they called the ‘Grimm Commons’ let Cara check on the rest of her bunch.
Jack had been pulled into an engineering conversation with Jason and another young man named Frank while Tala talked to Marina’s sisters.
How the shifter managed to keep an eye on the entire room - Ethan in particular - without going cross-eyed, Cara would never figure out.
Ethan seemed amused at the attention - though she supposed that could be more from the conversation he was having with Chayton.
Then she caught both of them giving Tala humorous sidelong glances and she had to bite back a laugh.
They’re bad.
Benji snagged her attention when he clapped his hands and giggled.
He bounced with excitement as he watched his cousins playing a game.
Warm approval filled her heart as she saw how carefully Brian held him, holding him back from the game and its little pieces.
She sent up a quick prayer of gratitude at how different Brian was now from the man she’d known.
Barney had been a rebellious choice that gave her the beautiful girl who brought a joy into her life she could never have expected, but he wasn't a man she wanted near her angels.“We’re here!”The bright voice introduced a set of newcomers that Cara hadn’t yet met.
A young woman led the way, her eyes sweeping over the strangers in the room before zeroing in on Will.
“Hey, Dad!” She darted over and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Hi, Hannah,” she continued with a hug for the other woman.“Welcome home,” Hannah greeted, returning the hug.
“Have fun?”As the as yet unnamed young woman began talking, Cara turned her attention to the two young men who had followed her into the room.
Both men scrutinized the room, giving careful attention to her group.
The dark haired man stood aloof, suspicious and alert as he pinpointed everyone’s location, but the blond offered a friendly smile that mostly reached his eyes. His lips parted as if to offer a greeting, but a loud squeal stole everyone’s attention before he could speak.“Woof!” Benji crowed as he toddled towards the door.
“My woof!”“Hey, little man! Happy Birthday!”
The blond man crouched down, arms held out for the little one to walk into.
He stayed low, letting the little boy clasp his face as if to hold his attention. “How are you doing?”Hannah started laughing as she watched her son babbling at the newcomer.
“He’s one of Benji’s favorite people.”Given her grandson’s happy giggles, Cara had zero doubt about that.
She could feel even more of her concerns disappearing as she scanned the room.
Every adult in the place kept an eye on the children, keeping them out of trouble without dimming their excitement.
Love filled the room – a love so strong she almost thought she could reach out and touch it.
More importantly to her, this family had folded her daughter and grandson into that warmth without any visible reservations - they might have been here for years, not just weeks.“Anyway,” her daughter continued, “Benji’s captive audience is another cousin, Sam Grimm.”
She tilted her head to the woman beside her.
“This is Skye Petrovka, Sam’s sister.”
Cara blinked at the different names, but Hannah just gave her a quick smile.
“And the stoic guy trying not to laugh over there is Skye’s significant other, Grant Ward.” Introductions filled another couple of minutes as Hannah introduced Cara, Jack, Tala, and Chayton.
Though polite, the three of them exhibited the same caution as the rest of the family . . . at least with them.
With Hannah?
When it came to her daughter, they showed no such reserve. “We saw Uncle Jason’s video,” Skye announced as she took a seat on the other arm of Will’s chair.
Her teasing gaze latched on Hannah.
“And I now know your superpower.” Hannah wrinkled her nose.
“I don’t have a superpower.”“Yes, you do,” her cousin insisted.
“Nobody else around here can hand someone their ass like that without cursing.”“Language…”“See? I prove my own point.”
She grinned.
“And you managed for a whole lecture!”Before Cara could get in a question about what lecture they were talking about, she found her attention snatched away as the rest of Hannah’s Pack piled into the room.
More happy greetings filled the air and she had to smile as Dacia threw herself at the aloof Grant. “Maulwurf!”He caught the young woman, sending her chortling as he spun her around.Chayton leaned forward.
“Seems to be a happy reunion.”“They’ve been out of town for a week,” Hannah explained.
“Out to party in Sin City.”“Speaking of which?”
Skye folded her arms over her chest as a wicked grin lit her face.
“Sam met someone in Vegas,” she announced to the room.“Oh, did he now?”Cara’s eyes narrowed at her daughter’s expression.
She recognized that mingled look of hope, interest . . . and concern - she’d seen it often enough at the start of her relationship with Jack.
Hannah wanted her cousin to be happy, but she also possessed a strong protective streak which wouldn’t be satisfied until she’d gotten a good look at the person in question. Not to mention as thorough a background check plus question and answer session that she could manage.
In Texas she’d bribed the sheriff to help her - God alone knew how thorough the girl might be now with all of her new resources.“Yes, he did.”
Skye grinned at her brother as he gave her a sharp look.“Skye.”
Sam’s warning voice did nothing to mitigate the interest and suspicion burgeoning in the eyes of his family.
“Hmm.”
Hannah pursed her lips as she glanced between the siblings.
A familiar mischief began to glitter in her eyes as she slipped to her feet.
Stepping behind Will, she placed her hands on his shoulders before leaning down to press a kiss to the top of his head.
“Keep an eye on them for me, Uncle Will?”For a moment Cara saw a bewildered joy blaze through those ever-changing eyes before he blinked back to his standard stoic expression.
He reached up to pat Hannah’s hand.
“I’ve got them, lebedyashka,” he assured her.“Wonderful.”
She snagged Skye’s arm.
“We’re going to go see if Aunt Marina and her current minions need any help with the party food.”“Hannah.”
Sam’s gaze shifted from sister to cousin.“Benji’s talking to you,” she reminded him as she blew him a quick kiss.
“And it is his birthday party.”
She pulled a now laughing Skye through the door and into the kitchen.“I’m in trouble.”Snickers filled the room as various family members reacted to Sam’s muttering.
Owen shook his head.
“Little slow if you're just now figuring that out.”“Shut up, Lucky.”
Sam looked up at Will from where he still crouched beside Benji.
“Bringing her home was a terrible idea.
She and Skye are ganging up on me!
I’m so screwed Dad!”Will laughed.
“And you love it.”“Not the point,” the younger man grumbled.“In order to keep Benji, we have to keep Hannah.”Glancing at the little boy, Sam made a funny face and grinned at the toddler’s loud giggling.
“Okay,” he admitted.
“Worth it.”The words didn’t bother Cara – she had heard the affection in his tone. Large gentle hands cradled her grandson to his chest as he rose to his feet.
Benji had always possessed an excellent sense of character, quick to fuss when he didn’t like someone, and she could see that he adored Sam.
A feeling the young man clearly returned.“Party time!”Marina’s entrance drew cheers as she walked into the room with a tray of finger foods.
Her helpers followed her out, each with a tray or pitcher in hand.
A free-for-all took over as the family converged on the table, waiting only long enough for the guests to go first.
Cara watched as Hannah shook her head with a laugh before she slipped back into the kitchen.
Her daughter returned a few seconds later with two loaded plates.
She put one in front of Sam, even as she nudged him with her hip.
“Should be enough for you and Benji,” Hannah told him.
“Or he can eat with me.”
Taking a seat, she put her plate down on the small table beside her.
Before he could reply, two little girls converged on them.
Sadie ran to Sam while Svetlana held her arms up to her sister.
Hannah hoisted the young girl into her lap as Sadie gave her dad a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Then she patted Benji’s head.
“Benji sit with you, Daddy.”
Her blue eyes solemn.
“’Cause it’s his birthday.”His lips curved into a smile.
“Oh? And where are you going to sit?”“I sit with Hannah.”So saying, young Sadie slipped free of the hug and moved to join the two sisters, grinning as she wriggled into the chair beside Hannah.
“Can I have a strawberry?”“Sure, sweetheart,” Hannah smiled.
“Plain or with chocolate?”“Chocolate!”“She did not inherit that from you,” she teased Sam as she handed the girl her fruit. Sam shrugged.
“I can’t help it.”“I will find a bribe one of these days.”“You keep right on trying,” he laughed.
“Everyone loves when you’re trying.”The next hour or so passed in good conversation, great company, and truly excellent food.
Cara got to help with the children and cake, always a wonderful experience in her mind.
Young Katenka even sat beside her and gave her a long synopsis of a family fairy tale and talked about how Inari - the author apparently - had decided Hannah might be added in a new addition as the Lady of the Lake.
Given the roles of the others, Cara might be able to see that.Then, just when they got the children all excited and sugared up, the time came for presents.It took Hannah helping on a couple of presents before Benji got the idea, but then paper flew, ripped and tossed in the air with the gleeful abandon as only a child could manage.
Everyone cheered at each present and laughed at Hannah’s rueful grumbling about them spoiling her son."You'd think you'd be used to it, lebedyashka.” Will tossed her a fond smile.
“You about had a heart attack at the trust fund."“That’s for college, Uncle Will,” she pointed out.
“He’s only one!”“Uh huh. Which means this birthday is more for us than him. Why else do you think your cousins rushed home from Vegas on a two a.m. flight to be here?”“Not the point, Uncle.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose at him.
The biggest hit came when Benji opened his last gift, the one from Sam.
He ripped off the dark green wrapping paper and began giggling as he saw the picture on the box.
“Woof!
Woof!” Turning a wide smile towards Hannah, he smacked the box.
“Mama! Woof!”“And a nice wolf it is, mi tesorito,” she chuckled.
“Anyone have some scissors?”“I’ve got it.” Owen moved through the crowd, pulling a knife out of his pocket.
He made short work of the box before lifting out the stuffed wolf.
“Here you go, boyo.”“Woof!”“Benji,” Hannah called.
When he looked at her, she pointed him towards the gift-giver.
“Tell Sam thank you.”The little boy pulled himself to his feet and toddled back over to Sam, dragging the wolf behind him.
“Ta, Woof! Ta!”“You’re welcome, little man.” Sam gave him a hug, pressing a kiss to the brown curls.
People began cleaning up wrapping paper and boxes or helping children find toys or games of their own.
The party vibe shifted from Benji’s birthday to more of a family gathering and she knew the time had come for her own little surprise.
She and the others had spent quite a bit of time putting it together for Hannah’ father. Brian would love it - she would have anyway.Tala and Chayton both nodded when she glanced at them.
Jack rose and walked over to the small table near the door.
Picking up the box on top of it, he handed it to her.
“Another present, Mama?” Hannah signed as she spotted it.
“Benji’s already got-.”“This isn’t for Benji.”
Her fingers brushed over the top as she smiled at her daughter.
Curiosity lit those beautiful eyes that she’d inherited from her father.
Speaking of whom . . .
Cara turned towards Brian and held out the box.
“It’s for you.”“Me?”
He stared at her, uncertainty in every line as he reached for the box.
“Why for me?”“Because it’s something you should have.”“It’s not a bomb or something, is it?” He frowned at the box, turning it around in his hands.
“Not that I’d blame you, but-.”“Just open it, please.”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes; he seemed determined to think she wanted to cause him trouble.
Instead she turned her gaze to Hannah.
“You see?
I told you the stubbornness came from him.”Marina began laughing.
“Grimms are nothing if not stubborn,” she agreed.
“Chert voz'mi.” Awe filled Brian’s voice, drawing everyone’s attention.“Dad!”
Hannah reached out to smack his arm even as she angled her head to see what was in the box.
“Language!”“Since when do you speak Russian?” Tala asked, her eyebrows going up in surprise.“I don’t,” the younger woman sighed.
“But I’ve heard enough in the last month to know cursing when I hear it.”Brian ignored the byplay as he reached into the box and pulled out the scrapbook Cara had spent a week putting together for him.
Two pictures of Hannah graced the front of it - one as a newborn and the second in her cap and gown.
His fingers trembled as they traced the two faces of their daughter.
His gaze locked with Cara’s.
“This is-?”“Yours.”Hannah stood up and slipped up to stand behind her father, hands settling on his shoulders.
“Seriously, Mama?”“Mine is still safely tucked away at home,” she replied, eyes still connected to Brian’s.
“But Brian should have a copy.”
Her lips quivered, both pity and sorrow reflecting in her face for a moment.
“He didn’t get the opportunity to see you grow up - so this is the best I can do.”
Silence filled the room for a long moment as Brian tightened his grip on the book.
Emotions chased their way across his face - sorrow, regret, surprise, understanding, and a slowly growing happiness.“There are discs as well,” Jack added.
“Discs?” Natasha asked as Brian seemed unable to speak.“Cara’s got a ton of videos - of Hannah growing up and Benji’s first year.”
Most of the adults focused in on him as he spoke.
Interest gleamed in the many pairs of eyes - interest that mingled with amusement as Hannah groaned and rested her forehead against her dad’s shoulder.
“Jack,” she groaned.
“You didn’t!”“Of course I did,” he laughed at her.
“I took the best of the videos and put them on discs so the rest of your family can see them.”“So much for my plan on hiding my awkward stage.”“Honey, you know darn well I’d have pulled it out the first time you brought anyone out to visit anyway,” Cara laughed. She shook a chiding finger at the mock scowl on her little girl’s face.
“This way your father can do the same.”Brian put the book on the table, opening it and beginning to slowly turn the pages as he watched his daughter grow up in pictures and stories and letters - all of them meticulously copied from Cara’s own scrapbook. He lingered over each one - sonogram, newborn, toddler pictures.
Pausing at one, he grinned at the picture of a little Hannah dressed in a blue and white dress with three yellow ducks in line across her chest.
“Look at that smile!”“Mama always had a copy of that picture in the kitchen,” Hannah grinned, leaning down to wrap her arms around Brian’s neck.
He lifted a hand, wrapping his fingers around her arm.
“Wait until you see the Halloween costumes.”“Looking forward to it,” he chuckled.
Then he glanced up to offer Cara a big grin.
“We made one seriously adorable kid.”Pride filled his voice, the same pride that had beat in Cara’s breast for the past nineteen years . . . and it drove out the last drop of her concern.
She could leave with a lighter spirit, assured of her daughter’s place in her father’s life and his heart.
Reaching out, she took Jack’s hand in hers and leaned against his shoulder.
Yes, they could return home, reassured and at peace. Hannah and Benji were safe, happy, and healthy - so all was right in Cara’s world.“Wait . . . adorable?” Sam shot Hannah a teasing grin.
“We are still talking about Hannah, right?”“Hush, baby,” Marina scolded, smacking him on the arm without looking away from the scrapbook.
“Or you can expect your mother’s inquisition much, much earlier than you would like.”
Her lips twitched.
“And I’ll have Hannah help me.”He grimaced as Hannah gave him a wide smile.
“Love you, Ma.”“Uh huh.
That’s what I thought.”“And just for the record? We are talking cute - seriously cute,” Skye chirped up as she joined in the teasing.
Grant covered his mouth, not that it did much to hide his smile.“Cute?” Hannah tilted her head, eyes blinking wide in her patented look of wicked innocence.
“Are we still talking about Sam?”Sam fell back in his chair, laughter spilling over.
“Burn,” he allowed.
“Solid burn.”“Take the delay,” Chayton advised him.
“Hannah’s relentless when she turns on her interrogation mode.”“And Mati’s ruthless.” Skye grinned at her brother’s grimace.
“This will be fun.”"Now, Ma," Sam began as he stood up and walked over to Marina. He wrapped his arms around her. "I thought you didn't hold with gossip?" His mother returned the hug with a cheerful smile. "It's not gossip if it makes you blush, baby.""Well, I'm doomed." He turned to Benji as laughter filled the room, picking up the little boy who still clutched his new wolf. "Happy Birthday, kid. I hope it was an awesome one.""Woof!"