Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
There’s my father-in-law, George, completely at peace in his sizable grizzly bear form, lying on the glistening snow, a bit of gentle snoring emanating from him. On his chest, Oreo is sprawled out with his eggplant clutched tightly between his little paws, snoozing in the sun, living the life of a king. It’s funny how a snub-nosed dog found such a perfect spot among the bears, but that’s just how it is in our family.
Beside them, equally serene, is Grant in his magnificent polar bear form. His chest rises and falls with each breath, a living, breathing landscape of white fur. Perched delicately on top of this is our five-year-old daughter, Winnie, nestled in her own adorable polar bear form. Her little paw twitches every now and then, lost in whatever dreamland young bears wander into.
This cozy tableau has become a daily ritual of sunbathing and naps under the wide sky with Grandpa George and Oreo. It makes my heart swell every time I see them together, this unexpected blend of our lives that feels so completely right.
Grant’s journey with his furniture-building company has been a wild ride, one that took an incredible turn after I stepped in as office manager. Building the website for his creations was supposed to be a small project, but it kind of exploded in the best way. Now, we’re fielding orders and shipping exquisite pieces to celebrities and high-end clients who appreciate the artistry and skill in Grant’s work.
I still remember the day when the first big order came through, our excitement barely containable as we celebrated late into the night. His workshop is a hive of creativity and craftsmanship, a place where wood and inspiration are transformed into heirloom pieces. Managing the business side of things feels like the perfect way for me to contribute, allowing me to balance family life and work seamlessly.
The screen door squeaks as I step outside, immediately surrounded by the comforting sounds of our backyard in early winter. Winnie stirs at the sound, her little bear eyes fluttering open. She shifts, turning her head toward me, her eyes twinkling with a mix of sleepiness and happiness.
“Hey there, sleepyhead,” I call softly, smiling at her tiny yawn.
She wiggles her way off Grant’s chest and toddles over to me, shifting back into her human form as she nears. I wrap her up in her soft pink robe and hold out her fuzzy boots so her human feet don’t get cold.
Her giggles wake Oreo. When he realizes his favorite morning activity is over, he scrambles down and trots over with his trusty eggplant toy in his mouth, looking for a treat.
“Come on, let’s wake up Daddy and Grandpa,” I suggest, setting my coffee down on the wooden patio table my mate made. Then I wander over and place a soft kiss on Grant’s polar bear nose.
Grant grumbles awake, shifting back to his human form, a sheepish grin spreading across his face as he stretches. He walks over to the table and grabs his sweatpants and hoodie. While bears don’t have a problem with nudity, I still find it a little disconcerting for my family members to walk around naked, so they all keep clothes close by to slip on.
Winnie clambers back up to give him a bear hug while Oreo inserts himself, trying to get all the attention for himself, and I can’t help but laugh at our messy, wonderful life.
“I love you, baby.” Grant slips his arms around my waist and gives me a little squeeze.
“I love you, too. And I can’t wait for you to take those clothes back off,” I answer back.
“My dad mentioned taking Winnie and Oreo to town for a treat.” My husband smirks down at me and wiggles his eyebrows while promising me, “As soon as they leave, I’m going to give you a little treat.”
“I can’t wait. I’m so lucky to have you,” I tell him. I thank my lucky stars every single day that the universe chose me as Grant’s mate.
“I’m the lucky one.” My mate kisses my lips while our daughter makes silly gagging noises. Grant glances over at our silly daughter and smirks down at me. “I hope she keeps that opinion of kisses well into her teenage years.”
“I have no doubt she will with her dad and uncles to keep boys at bay.” I laugh out loud as our daughter looks back and forth between us suspiciously.
These moments, I know, are what make all the hustle worth it. As our family gathers around for another day to unfold, I can’t help but feel grateful for this journey, the love we share, and the simple perfection of our everyday magic.