HIS BABY TO BEAR - TWENTY EIGHT

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y E I G H T

"I'm not sure I like surprises any longer," Libby grumbled as she clutched Jerome's hand.

Her eyes were hidden behind a green scarf, and she couldn't see anything. Not only had Jerome insisted on keeping it on her for over an hour during their drive, but he'd also been a nuisance with hints and teasing throughout.

“Nonsense. Don't we love surprises, little man? " Jerome inquired, and Reid Andrew responded emphatically, "Yes! ”

Libby couldn't stop giggling. Fine. She could handle a little more excitement if both of her favorite men were with her. As they stepped up a stone incline, she squeezed Jerome's hand even tighter. She could smell the ocean and the forest, but she assumed this when they left Batangas for the north. She had no idea what Jerome could have been up to, and it drove her insane!

"Can we get rid of the mystery, Jerome?" she sighed, though the smile on her lips said otherwise. "I'm afraid you're leading me down a dangerous path!"

It's a blatant lie. He would never jeopardize her or Reid Andrew's health or safety. Even if she pretended that the countless times Jerome had saved her from harm wasn't enough, the last few months had taught her that much. She knew he'd go to any length for her and their son, and that feeling had only grown stronger over time.

Libby's life had taken a positive turn since disposing of The Arctics and finally discovering what Jonah had wanted her to keep safe. For one thing, she wasn't concealing her identity any longer. Jerome's employers had made it clear to The Arctics that everything they could have hoped to learn from her had already been discovered by them, and that the virus would never fall into their hands. There was no need to hide after that.

Libby had told Raven everything, and her friend had quickly and happily forgiven her, relieved to know that Libby and Reid Andrew were safe and that Jerome wasn't some psycho who had come to haunt their lives. Libby hadn't realized how much it meant to her to have a friend like Raven through thick and thin until she was faced with the prospect of losing her.

She'd returned to see her parents in Manila several times, and as she'd expected, they were just as happy to see her as she was. Reid Andrew was adored by her entire family! She hadn't figured out how to tell them he was a werebear yet, but the way he was scaling trees and furniture and Shiftasticly acting like a daring little bear cub should have given them a pretty good hint, right?

Jerome had also returned with her once. The look on her father's face when he saw the hulking ex-SEAL was worth the price of the plane tickets. The look of complete disbelief in her father's eyes had been both amusing and endearing. It was the expression of a father who was finally at ease, knowing that his baby girl was safe and sound. To her relief, Jerome got along just as well with her family as Reid Andrew had.

But that didn't answer the question of what they were to each other. She couldn't bring herself to call Jerome her "boyfriend," because it seemed so... well, she wasn't a teenager anymore, right? She'd preferred to think of him as her child's father, but it wasn't just that. She had feelings for him. She'd meant it completely the first time she said it that terrible night in Batangas, and the feeling had only grown stronger.

He still went on missions, or at least he did after he was released from his absurd probation, but whenever he was in the states and on leave, he was with her and Reid Andrew at the dingy little apartment they'd been assigned. The bond between father and son was also growing stronger, and Libby loved seeing Reid Andrew look up to his father. Seeing him try to imitate Jerome in everything he did was the sweetest thing.

Jerome was confident that it wouldn't be long before Reid Andrew began shifting inadvertently as well. Babies of that age who had strong role models were found to do so. When that started happening, she definitely wanted Jerome by her side!

Finally, Jerome came to a halt, and Libby followed suit, skidding to a halt.

“Are we here? " She inquired, her heart pounding with excitement.

"Yup," Jerome said, chuckling.

He gently untied the scarf behind her eyes and removed it. Reid Andrew, who was staring around in wonder when she looked at him, grinned back at her. They were standing in front of a beautiful two-story wooden house nestled in a patch of forest, with the smell of the ocean wafting in from the left. The house was adorable, and it appeared to be a haven from the cruel, harsh world. "What exactly is this?" "Libby inquired, her brow furrowed slightly.

"This," Jerome said, sweeping his arm across the vast area where they were standing. "This is our new home. And that's our new house," he said, pointing to the house.

"No," she exclaimed, putting her hand over her mouth. "You've got to be kidding!" ”

"I'm never not serious, honey," Jerome joked.

“Lies! " Libby laughed, her stomach churning with delight.

"All right, you got me there. But now I'm going to be serious. "I want us to spend the rest of our lives together, Libby," Jerome said solemnly.

He set Reid Andrew down, and the little boy, clutching his teddy bear, waddled eagerly toward the house. Jerome got down on one knee in front of Libby and pulled a black velvet box from his pocket. Her eyes welled up with tears, but they were happy tears. Jerome took her hand in his and held it while he opened the small box.

It revealed a stunning ring, a solitaire cut diamond that must have taken Jerome an eternity to save up for, especially given his position on top of the house. But she couldn't deny that it was breathtaking.

“Libby. Since that night in Manila, I've known you were the one. I was too stupid and stubborn to admit it at the time, but fate gave us another chance, and I don't want to blow it again. I adore you. I will always be in love with you. My bear and I will do everything we can to ensure that you and Reid Andrew are happy and cared for for as long as fate allows us to be together. I promise to always return to you. Will you be my wife, Libby? ”

She could hear his voice cracking slightly, and his expression was not the carefree smile he was known for, but the rigid, tense mask of battle. She was certain that his heart was beating as hard and as heavy as hers. She flung her arms around his neck and crushed herself against his broad, strong body, dropping to her knees. His arms instinctively wrapped around her, cradling her against him.

"Of course I will, Jerome," she said, her breath catching in her throat.

"We'll do it right this time," he said into her ear, kissing her neck softly. "I'll never abandon you, honey."

"I love you," she admitted, and she'd never taken anything as seriously as those three simple words on the grass in front of their new home.

Libby raised her head from the crook of Jerome's neck to see Reid Andrew running toward them, arms wide open and a smile on his face. He slammed into them, and both Jerome and Libby laughed as they picked him up and sat him on Jerome's knee.

"What are your thoughts, Reid Andrew?" Are we going to be content here? " Jerome inquired, kissing the crown of his head.

Reid Andrew paused for a moment before nodding enthusiastically.

“Yes!”

Libby, on the other hand, couldn't argue with that. Despite everything they'd been through to get here, she was overjoyed to have met this man, no matter what the circumstances. Their relationship had a rocky start, but she knew she now had a friend, a partner, and a lover for life, not to mention a protector. Yes, she could stand on her own two feet, but it was so much easier when she could lean on someone every now and then.

This was a fresh start to a story she was sure to enjoy. It would have its ups and downs, she knew, but she could rest assured that the man by her side was the one she'd always wished for. She was blessed with a family and a new beginning, and nothing could stop her from making the most of it!