Werewolf Boyfriend: Canvas Part Two

Part One 

Back in high school, I was over the moon about a boy. He was a goofy boy, a dumb boy, but he was my boy. He was overly skinny and gangly, the star of the swimming team. He had long blond hair, and that was part of what drew me to him. I sat behind him in English and would stare at the back of his head, wondering how his hair was so much prettier than mine.

Then, one day, he turned around to look at me. His bright green eyes made my adolescent heart shudder. “You know how to braid?” he asked me.

“Huh?” I gasped.

“You know like, hair?” He grinned at me. “Can you braid mine?”

I was a bit shocked. I had wanted to touch and play with his hair for so long. “Oh, sure.” 

“Thanks!” He leaned back so I could reach.

I got in trouble for not paying attention, but I got to play with his hair. It was heavy but soft, and he had a lot of it. I was used to playing with my Auntie’s hair, and I did a good job of braiding his.

“Sorry about that,” he told me as we stood in the hallway. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay, the teacher likes me so I’ll probably just get off with a warning.” My heart was pounding so fast. Did he know I had a crush on him?

“Let me make it up to you,” he replied brightly. “If you want, I’ll take you out for pizza after school.”

I couldn’t believe this was really happening. The boy I liked was actually asking me out. I agreed readily, excited by the prospect of spending the evening with him. Unfortunately, my dream date wasn’t what I expected. His two best friends tagged along - I was familiar with both of them, but they were not who I wanted to spend the evening with. I had known Adam since we were born, and Rowan - well, he was Rowan.

“Hey, everything okay?” the boy asked me quietly as Adam and Rowan threw ice at each other. “You’re being quiet.”

I smiled at him, wanting to enjoy my time with him while I could. “I’m fine, really.”

“She thought this was a date, idiot,” Rowan scoffed at him. “Any asshole could have seen that.”

The boy gasped. “Oh!” He looked at me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s alright, really!” I tried to brush it off.

“No, it’s not.” Rowan stood up and grabbed Adam by the nape of his neck. “Let’s go, Adam. I’ll drive.”

“Bye!” Adam waved as Rowan led him from the restaurant, leaving me and the boy alone.

We were both silent, awkward. The boy was uncertain and embarrassed, and I was mortified. I drank my soda until there was nothing left in the glass as I tried to distract myself from the fact I couldn’t say anything.

“I do like you,” the boy said. He looked at me with those big green eyes. “I was just nervous, you know?” He laughed nervously. “I thought I could impress you better with my friends.”

“With Rowan?” I scoffed. 

“Yeah, I know. I really don’t know what I was thinking,” he huffed.

I inched closer to him. “I like you too.” I placed my hand over his, and his long fingers entwined with mine.

“Really? Even with Rowan?” he smirked.

I nodded and brushed my hair from my face. “I’ll let it slide.”

We both giggled, and eventually we started talking more and more. We had a lot in common, and we started sharing things we didn’t. I talked about books I loved, and he shared his favorite hiking trails. When we walked out of the restaurant, we were caught in a sudden burst of rain. We ran to the playground, hiding underneath the equipment while the rain poured down. We shared our first kiss there, and many others after that.

I had to leave my boy behind when high school ended. It was tearful and painful, but we both agreed it would be for the best. I watched him in the rearview mirror as my Auntie drove me to college. We kept in touch for a while, but we drifted apart as our lives changed. 

Whatever happened to the boy? Well, he fell in love again one summer. He took the girl swimming, he courted her like all good werewolves do, and she loved him back. They got married on the lake where they fell in love, and they lived happily ever after. Luckily, that girl was me.

Canvas and I have been happy. Sure, we have the usual arguments like any couple does, but we always make up. We got married fairly quickly, having a small wedding on the lake just before the summer started and we opened Camp Wolfpun back up. We didn’t get a honeymoon, but out of nowhere, we received an invitation from Canvas’ father to spend the fall at his ski lodge in the off season.

Canvas didn’t seem enthused about it. He never had the best relationship with his dad. His father was always busy, always doing work, always traveling. For a large chunk of Canvas’ life, he wasn’t there, so for Canvas, it was easy to pretend he didn’t exist. More than once I had heard him call his father his ‘imaginary friend’.

I tried to broach the topic of going to the lodge with Canvas several times. I was pregnant, and before too long, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to travel. And I didn’t think it was fair to keep his grandchildren from my father-in-law. Canvas ignored the issue.

One afternoon, Canvas’ mom, Daisy, comes  over with a fresh batch of her handmade lye soap. She and Canvas’ father never married, and I never heard her talk about why they separated or why he was so distant. Today, I decide to muster up the courage to ask.

“I don’t mean to pry, Daisy.” I grunt as I sit down. The pup inside me is getting bigger by the day. “But, Canvas’ father invited us to spend time at the lodge this fall, and unfortunately, Canvas-”

“I see.” Daisy takes a deep breath. “I’m afraid that’s my fault.”

I furrow my brow at her. “What do you mean?”

“When I first met Will, he was this eager little twat wanting to buy South Paw from my folks. He had this dream of one day building an amazing resort and lounge here.” Daisy shook her head. “I simply liked him because my parents couldn’t stand him! We did it like bunnies in the beginning,” she giggles, staring off into her distant memories. “I wanted to impress him, so when my parents passed on, I let him do what he wanted to South Paw. He built the camp, although that’s not what he wanted.” She huffs. “Then, when Canvas was born, that was when things… changed.”

“What happened? Did he not want Canvas?” I gasp in horror.

“Oh no!” Daisy quickly shakes her head. “He wanted Canvas and babies more than anything. He was gung-ho on having a massive family.” A look of guilt washes over her face. “It was me,” she murmurs. “I never told him about-” She sighs and drops her head into her hands. “I never told him the Hearthway Hollow secret. He never knew I was a werewolf until Canvas shifted for the first time.”

“What?” I whisper.

“Will told me he was afraid of dogs!” Daisy laughs. “I didn’t want to, you know, scare him away.”

“Does Canvas know this?” I ask.

Daisy shakes her head. “We agreed not to tell him. Will was always so busy and he knew I could be there for Canvas. We decided to let him think what he wanted.”

“So Canvas has been angry at his dad all this time because of that?” I scoff. “That’s crazy! He has a right to know.”

“Will also failed,” Daisy replies. “He promised to be there for Canvas, but he was always letting him down. He let his ambition drive him rather than his desire to be a father.” She scowls, looking aside. “No one is innocent here, Winnie.”

“Canvas should still know the truth.” I place my hand over my belly. “We’re starting a family, and I want to be able to actually be a family. That includes Will. He’s going to be a grandfather, he deserves to know.”

When Canvas gets home, Daisy opens up and tells him the truth, how she hid the fact that she was a werewolf from Will. Canvas doesn’t react right away. In fact, he gets very quiet and still. He hugs his mom and sees her out the door when she leaves.

That night, he lays down beside me in bed, resting his head on my shoulder. “Let’s go to the lodge,” he murmurs. 

“Are you sure?” I ask him. “Will you be okay?”

“I’m not sure what to think,” he says. “On one hand, I know I should be upset with my mom, but in a way, I can’t blame her for what she did. All my life, my dad has been in and out whenever it suits him. I want to be mad at him, but is that even fair now? He reached out, he’s making an effort now, but-” Canvas stops and frowns. He hides his face in my hair and goes silent for a moment. 

“Hey,” I cup his cheek and kiss the top of his head. “I don’t know what it’s like,” I say. “But I do know that, despite all this, you’re going to be an amazing father.”

Canvas’ hand moves down to my belly.

“And I think, a good father will do what he can for his family. Even if it means he has to face a father who wasn’t so good. If you are unhappy at any point during this trip, or feel that there can be no change, we’ll leave.” I lift his chin. “But I think it will be very big of you to make the attempt.”

Canvas sighs, kissing me as he brushes his hand through my hair. “You’re right,” he grumbles. “I should at least hear my dad out.”

“Good boy,” I smile at him. I then yelp. “Oh, wow, baby is kicking up a storm.”

Canvas kneels down, pressing his cheek to where the baby is kicking. He chuckles and looks up at me. “It feels like they have six feet.”

“Oh god, I hope not,” I giggle. 

We make plans with Will the next day. Will sends us tickets for the plane, but every time we have a conversation with him, there is tension between him and Canvas. Will is distant when we talk, but there is always an edge in his voice that implies he has something more to say - and it’s the same with Canvas. 

Our trip is open-ended, and our stay can be as long or as short as we wish during the off season. Will has agreed to pay for our tickets either way. Already, the mountains where the lodge is located are white with snow. The air is crisp and cold, and I grow excited for the prospects of all the wonderful food and drinks we can have. Canvas is nervous. He’s become a touch withdrawn and quiet, especially on the drive up to the lodge.

As the car drops us off at the doors, Will comes out to meet us. I’m shocked. I always assumed Canvas took more after his mother, but upon seeing Will, I know where he gets his looks. Will is exceptionally tall and lanky, with ashy blond hair that’s cut short. He has the same green eyes as Canvas, the same nose, the same chin.

Will helps take out bags. “Glad to see you made it in one piece.” He does not share his son’s raspy, low-pitched voice. Canvas got that from Daisy. “How was the trip?”

“It was nice. Long, but-” I chuckle and touch my stomach. “Anything over thirty minutes is excessive to me these days.”

Will gasps. “I had no idea!” He reaches out, then retracts his hand. 

“I thought it would be a nice surprise,” I chuckle. “It’s okay, you can touch.”

Will looks to me, then glances towards Canvas, who is standing silently behind me. “How far along are you, Winnie? 

“Eight months,” Canvas says.

“And you came here?” Will snaps. “What will you do if you go into labor?” He seems panicked. “Wouldn’t you rather give birth back home?”

“We already researched hospitals around here and got in touch with a doctor,” I say with a reassuring smile. “We have our bases covered in case anything happens.”

Will sighs and his shoulders slouch. “Well then, do you know what it is?” he asks gently.

“We’ve decided to keep it a secret,” Canvas answers stiffly. “We’ll find out who they are when they get here.”

Will nods then cautiously approaches Canvas. “Well, in any case, it’s good to see you.” He stretches out his hand for a shake, then adjusts his arms awkwardly as if to hug.

Canvas gives him an inch, going in for a hug. “You too, Pop.”

As they pull away, Will and Canvas look at one another. “How is, uhm… How is your mom?” Will asks slowly.

“Making soap,” Canvas says with a shrug. “She’s married, you know?”

Will nods. “To Douglas, right?” he asks. “He was always sniffing around her.” He chuckles nervously. “I’m glad to hear she’s doing well.”

We go into the lodge, which is eerily empty. “How accurate is The Shining?” I ask to break the tension forming around us.

Will chuckles. “Oh, nothing like that will happen here. We aren’t even haunted,” he attempts to jest. He clears his throat. “During the off season, I close down the lodge for personal use. I usually rent it out for high-paying parties, or lend it for charities. I don’t have anything coming up except a Girl Scout party later on in the season.”

Will has given us the luxury suite on the top floor of the building. The view is spectacular, showing off the mountains and snow that are all around us. There’s a lake that’s frozen over, but it has a gate surrounding it for protection.

“How are you?” I ask Canvas as he collapses onto the bed.

“Not sure,” he grumbles. “Everything feels so weird.” He lays on his back, gazing up at the ceiling. “I’m not sure what to even say to him. It’s been so long.”

“He seems nice,” I murmur.

“Yeah.” Canvas lays his arm across his eyes. 

I lay down on the bed beside him. “He’s making an attempt at least. He seems excited for the baby.”

Canvas huffs. “You don’t have to force this, you know? This isn’t your responsibility.” He moves his arm to look at me. “Your responsibility is to take care of the baby and yourself.”

I smile at him, giving him a thankful kiss. “I want things to work out. If it makes you happy in the long run, it’ll make me happy.”

Canvas cuddles up beside me. “I know.”

That night, we have dinner with Will at his place. At first, it is quiet and awkward. We sit around in the living room while dinner cooks. Will and Canvas sip on brandy, while I enjoy a warm cider.

“So, uhm, Winnie,” Will starts, “how did you and Canvas meet?”

I smile, excited to start a lighthearted conversation. “We were high school sweethearts, actually.”

A cute smile blossoms on Will’s face. “Really?”

“We broke up when I went to college,” I continue. “But when I moved back to Hearthway Hollow and we met back up, we couldn’t stay apart.” I gaze up at Canvas as his cheeks turn red and a shy smile escapes him.

“I got a job at the school, you see, and Canvas hired me to work at the camp during the summer.” I take hold of his hand. “He started courting me then and there.”

“Oh,” Will gasps. “So you know?”

I nod. “My family is the Locklears,” I reply. “I’m one of the few who isn’t a werewolf.”

“You’re related to Winona then?” Will chuckles. “I’ll tell you, that woman could scare paint off a wall.”

“I’m named after Winona actually,” I chuckle.

“How are you enjoying that, Canvas?” Will asks his son. “Being related to Mrs. Locklear must be something.”

“Yeah,” Canvas answers unsurely. “She’s, uhm… tough, that’s for sure. When she learned I was courting Winnie, she started sending me books on things like cooking and uhm… personal things.” His face is growing redder.

“It was all a joke,” I insist.

Canvas shakes his head. “No. No, it was not a joke.”

The doorbell rings and Will nearly jumps out of his seat. “Oh, they’re early.” He stands up from the sofa. “I was hoping to lead into this, but… I invited someone I wanted you to meet. Just… wait here.” He leaves to go answer the door.

Canvas grips my hand. “He’s seeing someone.”

“And?” I ask. “He just wants to introduce you.”

Canvas frowns, looking heavily perturbed. “What if it’s a kid?”

“What?” I lean towards him.

“What if he has a kid? Another kid?” Canvas grips my hand tighter. “I always thought that maybe he had another kid, and that’s why he never came around as much.”

I shake my head. “No, I’m sure that’s not true.”

Will comes back into the room holding the hand of another man. Canvas goes stiff, as if waiting for the blow.

“Canvas,” Will starts. “This is my boyfriend, Robin.” He looks to Robin. “This is my son, Canvas, and his lovely wife, Winnie.”

“Boyfriend?” Canvas shoots up from the couch.

Will clears his throat. “Yes,” his voice cracks. “I didn’t know how else to tell you this, so I just decided to rip off the band-aid.”

“So you don’t have another family?” Canvas asks as he approaches.

“He’s tried,” Robin starts, and Will shoots him a look. 

“No, Canvas,” Will replies gently. “You’re my only child, even if I haven’t acted that way.” He takes a deep breath, and Robin puts his hand on Will’s shoulder. “I have been trying to figure out how to tell you this almost all your life, but I’ve been afraid that you would cast me out. So I hid, I cast myself out.”

“Dad,” Canvas scoffs. “All I wanted was you in my life. I wouldn’t have cared about this.” He looks at Robin. “I mean, I care, but… it wouldn’t have mattered. I just wanted you!”

The two embrace tightly. Robin walks over to me, handing me a tissue as I sniffle. 

The night after that feels like fresh air has finally been let into the room. Robin is charming, and Will is finally letting loose. They met when Robin was hired to train security for the lodge. The two started having an affair that soon evolved into something more. It turned out that Robin was also a werewolf.

“When he told me, I felt like a magnet,” Will laughs. “My ex, now Robin. I started wondering if all the people in my life were werewolves.”

“I’ve heard all about Hearthway Hollow,” Robin says. “I was shocked to meet someone who came from there. Honestly, for me, it felt like fate. Like your mom had prepared him for me or something,” he chuckles. “I’ve been dying to meet you, but William over here is a chicken.”

“I wished I had known about you,” Canvas says with a smile. “All my life I’d been thinking my dad had a secret family he preferred over me.”

“He has a scrapbook full of things about you,” Robin says. “I’ve caught him looking at it dozens of times. It wasn’t until Daisy called to tell him you got married that he got the balls to actually reach out and call you.”

“So it was Daisy who told you?” I ask.

“Anything big that happens with Canvas, she calls to yell at me,” Will huffs.

“Does she know about this?” Canvas asks. “Did she ever know you were gay?”

“In a way, I think so. But I’ve never outright said it to her,” Will grumbles. “Robin’s right, I am a chicken. But I knew I couldn’t be that way forever, and that’s why I wanted you here and to spend time with you.” He grins. “Not only do I have a wonderful daughter now, I’m also going to be a grandpa.”

“I’ll be an uncle. If anyone calls me Grandpa Robin, I’m throwing myself in the lake,” Robin warns as he sips his wine.

“What should I call you then?” Canvas starts to tease. “Should I call you ‘Dad’ too?”

Robin points at him. “I am Robin. Don’t you dare, young man.”

That evening, as Canvas and I get settled into bed, I see a smile of relief on his face. 

“You happy?” I ask as he cuddles up close to me.

“I think so.” He kisses me softly. “I’m just so relieved, you know? Knowing my dad like this, knowing he was scared, I don’t know, it makes me feel better. Less ignored. But-” He huffs and kisses me again. “I know it doesn’t make up for the time he wasn’t there, but it helps.”

“It’s a start.” I brush the hair from his face, touching the stubble on his jaw. “He told me before we left that he and Robin were looking for a house in Hearthway Hollow. I think he’s attempting to close the gap.”

Canvas touches my belly as the baby kicks. “I want him there more for this one than for me.”

“It’s a start,” I whisper, hugging him. “It’ll all be new from here on out.”

With the baby fast approaching, I’m not able to do as much as I would like around the lodge. The most I can do is get pampered, which is all well and good, except I love the snow and cold. Canvas is also being very protective, going through a sort of nesting phase. Being away from home is driving him crazy, because he keeps thinking of things he wants to do or have done at the house before the baby arrives.

I wake one night to find him furiously texting on his phone.

“What are you doing?” I mumble as I sleepily rub my eyes.

“It’s okay, I’m just talking to Adam and Rowan,” he whispers to me. “Go back to bed, you need your sleep.”

“Talking to them about what?” I grunt as I sit up, propping my hand against my lower back. “Couldn’t it wait until morning?”

Canvas whines a bit. “I had an idea, and I really didn’t want to wait until we got him in order to-” his voice slows and stops as I glare at him.

“What are you doing?” I huff.

“Just something with the cabinets in the kitchen! I also thought if we installed a gate, it would be better than the door. That way we’d be able to-” 

I cup my hand over his mouth. “I know you’re doing that thing that all werewolves do when they’re getting ready for a new pup. But we have everything we could possibly need taken care of already. Whatever you want done to the cabinets or the door, it can wait. If the need arises, we will do it, but for now, I think we can relax.” I move my hand away. 

Canvas huffs. “I just want you and the baby to be as safe and happy as possible.”

“And we will,” I insist. “There is nothing that we haven’t already done. Besides, a lot of it won’t even be necessary until the baby starts walking.”

“Well, what if there are two of them?” Canvas scoffs. “Would we be prepared then?”

“There aren’t two!” I huff at him. “How would that even be possible?”

“Doctors make mistakes,” he grumbles.

“There are not two fetuses. That is for sure something they would have caught,” I scoff. “And what if there were two? What would change? We’d just have to pick up extra supplies, no big deal except we’re poorer than when we started.”

“But-”

“No,” I take his phone and set it aside. “I need you to be as well-rested as me,” I give him a sharp look. “Because when the time comes, you have got to be the sane one. Okay?”

“Okay.” He nods at me and then dips down, taking one last kiss. “We’ll be home by then and I will be able to relax much better.”

“Exactly,” I giggle as we lay back down.

In the morning, I’m having a bit of discomfort. But that’s a usual these days, so I brush it off. Will had been trying to find things we could do that could accommodate me and the pregnancy, activities that will let me move around with them. Today, Will has set up a movie and dinner for us. He puts up a big screen and projects the film onto it while he and Robin serve me and Canvas a romantic dinner.

Unfortunately, in the middle of the movie, the discomfort becomes a bit overwhelming. The pain comes in waves, and it soon occurs to me that I am going into labor.

“Winnie, are you okay?” Canvas rushes to my side after I double over onto the table.

“Yeah, but-” I start to wheeze. “I think the baby is impatient.”

“What?” Robin blurts from the other side of the room.

“It’s way too early!” Will rushes over towards us.

Another wave of pain washes over me, and I grip Canvas’s hand too tightly. “The baby doesn’t know that!”

“I’ll go call an ambulance,” Robin gasps, rushing off to find his phone. 

“Just breathe, Winnie,” Canvas whispers. “Just like the classes we took.”

I let out a yell, squeezing too hard on his hand again. “They said it would hurt! Why didn’t they say how bad?!” I start to cry.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Will comes up on the other side of me. “When Canvas was being born, Daisy changed her mind about pain meds. She was gonna do the all-natural blah, blah, blah, but her tune changed so fast.”

“She told me it was natural,” Canvas snaps.

I cry out again. “That’s not the point, Canvas!”

Robin comes rushing back in. “There’s a snowstorm,” he says urgently. “Ambulances are out all over town.”

“What?” Canvas shoots up.

“We have snow vehicles for emergencies. Not to worry,” Will says decisively. “Canvas, you go and help Robin get one from the garage. Keep trying to call the ambulances if possible. I’ll help Winnie get to the elevator.”

“I should stay with her,” Canvas insists.

“You’ll be of better use making sure the vehicle gets here and clearing a path on the sidewalk to make sure she can get to it safely,” Will commands him. “I can get her from here to the elevator, and Robin knows how to drive those things. Now hurry!”

“Winnie,” Canvas whimpers.

“I’ll be okay,” I pant. “Go on, he’s right.”

Canvas kisses my forehead. “I will be right back. I swear.”

I start to cry pitifully as more labor pains wash over me.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Will coaxes gently. “I’ve got you. It’s okay. Do you think you can stand up now, Winnie?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know,” I snivel.

“Deep breaths, Winnie,” he says calmly. “In and out. In and out.” He takes hold of my hand and braces his arm against my lower back. He helps me up, getting me over to the elevator door. “You’ve got this. We’ll make it. By the time we get downstairs, the car will be ready and we can make it to the hospital.”

The lights in the elevator flicker. “What does that mean?” I whine.

Will tightens his arm around me. “It’s okay,” he murmurs. “Nothing to worry about at all.” He squeezes my hand. 

The lights flicker again, and the elevator jerks. Will’s grip on me becomes more protective, and he wraps me up so I’m pressed against his chest. The lights go out completely and the elevator grinds to a stop.

“No!” I scream. I am no longer able to stand. Will eases me down onto the floor and places his jacket under my head.

“Winnie!” I hear Canvas screaming. “Winnie, can you hear me? Winnie!”

“We’re here,” Will says as he holds my hand. “We’re just above you, stuck between the first and second floor.”

“What do we do? Oh god! Winnie, is she okay?” Canvas panics.

I scream, squeezing hard on Will’s hand.

“It’s okay,” Will shouts to both of us. “I’ve got her. I will do what I can.”

“Canvas,” I start to cry. “I can feel the baby coming!”

“Don’t shift here!” I hear Robin shout. “What if the ambulances come?”

Will turns towards the door. “What’s going on down there?”

“Will!” I scream. “I feel something!”

Will moves into place, coaxing me to breathe and push. The elevator door rips open and I see Canvas’s hand reach through the crack. “Winnie! I’m here!”

I stretch out my hand, touching his finger tips before I start screaming. I would rather not share the bloody details. It’s awful, all of it is awful. Without Canvas, I feel so terrified. All I want is for him to be by my side, but he is just out of reach. Will is doing his best, encouraging me as I push.

I’m not sure how long it lasts, but in an instant, the baby is crying. Their little wails make the rest of the world fall silent, growing still and peaceful. Will lays the baby in my arms, still covered in goo and chunks. 

“Is it okay?” Canvas screams. “I hear them! I smell them! Is everyone okay?”

“Fine,” I laugh happily. “Canvas, you won’t believe this, it’s a girl! We’ve got a girl!”

Canvas laughs for joy. Will helps me closer to the doors so Canvas can put his paw on the baby’s head. “Is that her? Is that her?” he squeals with glee.

“Will,” I whimper. “Will, something’s wrong,” I whisper. “I feel… I feel strange.”

“Winnie, what’s wrong?” Will gasps.

“No,” Canvas shouts. “No, no, no. What’s happening? Is it the baby?”

Will takes the new baby girl from me as the horror starts all over again. I feel like Canvas has the right to make fun of me now. His worries, his concerns, all his extra planning and doubts - well, he was right. Sometimes, doctors make mistakes. Sometimes they don’t see the extra heartbeat, let alone the extra baby. Before I know it, I am holding not just one little girl, but two baby girls. 

Robin is able to get the emergency generator running for the elevator, and soon we are rushed to the hospital. When I wake up again, I can hear the babies screaming and fussing. Looking up, I see Canvas clutching both of them in his arms.

“There’s Mama, safe and sound.” He sits down beside me on the hospital bed. “Look.” He offers one of the girls to me.

“Is everything okay?” My voice croaks as I study my baby. I see she has slightly pointed ears, and there is a birthmark on the back of her right ear.

“Oh, they’re both fine,” Canvas chuckles. “You got the first-born there.” He kisses the top of my head. “Little number two over here is all mine.”

“I can’t believe it,” I huff dreamily. “You were right.”

“You need to learn to trust me more, love,” Canvas smirks. He places the second baby in my arms. “You did amazing. I can’t believe you did that in an elevator.”

“Yeah, me too.” I gaze up at him. “I’m still in shock!”

“I don’t blame you,” he chuckles. “I’d probably be in the same state if I discovered I had an extra stowaway in me.”

I sigh and relax, letting the nurses come in and go through the whole rigmarole about breastfeeding and so on. Eventually, one nurse turns to us and asks about names.

“Oh gosh,” I whisper. “We weren’t prepared for this,” I chuckle.

“We had a single name picked out. We weren’t ready for two.” Canvas takes hold of a baby, then looks at me.

“I have an idea,” I murmur. “Feel free to say no, but...” I gaze at little number one and smile. “How about Willa and Ella?”

“You’re not naming one of our babies after an elevator, are you?” Canvas asks quietly.

I scoff. “It’s cute, okay? And it matches Willa.”

Canvas glances down at the baby in his arms. “I have to admit,” he mumbles. “She does look like an Ella.”

“See?” I smile at Wiila. “Willa and Ella Lanterne,” I coo. 

Will houses us until we can safely return home. He and Robin have enjoyed taking care of the babies and getting time with them. When we are able to travel, they come with us. Once we reach Hearthway Hollow, I feel as though I can finally relax. I didn’t realize how much I needed to be there, and how anxious I was to get the girls there.

The gifts flood in almost immediately. Everyone has heard about our extra surprise, so clothes, toys, and everything have been coming to the front door. Billy even made us a brand-new crib to match the one he had already given us.

“It’s amazing how much this place has changed, and yet not at all,” Will says one day. “When I first came here, there wasn’t much to be seen. I wanted to buy South Paw and put it on the map. Guess it didn’t need me to do that.”

“I think your purpose in Hearthway Hollow was a bit different,” I chuckle. “You added something to it that it didn’t have yet.”

Canvas is asleep on the bed with the girls, his big wolf form curled around them while they sleep for once.

“I’m amazed, to say the least.” Will admires the scene before him. “I always wanted a big family. I thought I could never earn it back, and yet-” He smiles contentedly.

Robin comes in, holding a bag of greasy fast food in his fist. “That burger place somehow still exists.” He tosses the bag to Will.

“Thank you,” Will sighs, passing out hamburgers. “I used to love going to this place with Canvas when he was a kid. He could eat like five adult men when he was seven,” he chuckles. 

“Still can,” I chuckle in return. 

Will and Robin end up buying a house from Big Billy, but they have to go take care of the lodge as the busy season is starting. They will move in around spring, traveling back and forth between the properties. 

One cold night, the girls shift for the first time. They are being fussy and whiny, so Canvas brings them into bed with us. Canvas is already shifted, keeping all of us warm and safe. The next thing I know, the girls are straining at their onesies and yipping for food. They have the same colors as their father - gold fur with flecks of white - and they are so amazingly soft, all I want to do is nuzzle their little rubber-like bellies and kiss their little noses.

“Early shifters,” Canvas clicks his tongue. “We’ve got trouble.”

“We’ve got two of them,” I scoff. “Not only that, they were born on Halloween. I feel like fate is toying with us.”

“I’m okay with it,” Canvas murmurs. “If this is what we get for all the trouble, it might be worth it.” He grins my way.

I smile at him as the girls snuggle up, curling into fluffy balls on his chest. “Just adding to the Locklear population, that’s all,” I giggle. “If we’re lucky, they’ll turn out just like their Auntie.”

“Please, no. With her and Rowan being in the picture, I’m not sure how these kids are going to turn out. I want them to be nice. I want them to not trick me into getting my hand stuck in the peanut butter jar.”

“Rowan did that to you?”

“Both of them,” Canvas huffs. “Mrs. Locklear did it to me after we got married, remember?”

I snuggle up close beside him. “I think, as long as you are their dad, they will turn out sweet, wonderful, and full of love. Besides, I would never leave them alone with Rowan. That’s just asking for it.”

Canvas chuckles and kisses me. “Thank you,” he whispers. “You have no idea how grateful I am that you’ve given me all this.” Small tears glitter in his eyes. “I’m so happy you came back. I can’t express it enough.”

I kiss him. “Remember our first date?” I ask.

He nods. “I was so nervous, I asked Rowan and Adam to tag along.”

I giggle. “Right. You had me braid your hair in class and the whole time, I was just so awed that Canvas Lanterne was letting me touch his precious hair!” I look up into his eyes. “I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.”

“You thought I was cool or something?” He scoffs. “You were like, the valedictorian of our class! Always the smartest, always top of the class, just way too smart for some dumb blonde like me. Hell, you were a Locklear! You were literal royalty. I thought I was the lucky one.”

I try to keep my laughter quiet so as not to wake Ella and Willa. “I was a dork! You, Adam, and Rowan were like the princes of the school.”

“Are you serious? Rowan and I were the nerds, and Adam was too nice to get rid of. And honestly, even Adam was a goofus back then.” Canvas kisses the top of my head. “You were so cool and pretty. I thought there was no way in hell the smart girl would ever like me. You were supposed to be smarter than that.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “That’s why I was so nervous. I thought you’d wise up one day and realize I was just some goofy kid and you were… you were amazing.”

“I’m here now,” I murmur. “So what does that say? Either I’m actually quite dumb, or you are so much more than that goofy kid you see yourself as. You ripped open an elevator for me, for us,” I whisper. “You’re amazing.”

Canvas kisses me, and the girls start to whimper. We set them down between us, letting them curl up and start snoring again.

“I think I would have always found my way back to you, Canvas,” I whisper. “This was meant to be.”

A few months later, we are getting Robin and Will moved in to their new place. It isn’t too far from South Paw, so a quick walk through the woods will have them at our door in no time. We have the girls set up in their playpen while we move in boxes and furniture.

As we are moving a couch, there comes a yell from the playpen. Willa is shaking the bars and yelling. “Dada! Dada!”

Canvas nearly drops the couch on top of Robin. “What was that?” He quickly sets the sofa down and rushes over. “Did you hear that? Did you?” he gasps, half-panicked. “She said it!”

“Are those her first words?” Will asks in awe.

I rush over to Canvas as Willa lets out her version of a Tarzan yell. “Dada! Dada! Dada!” she repeats while flailing her arms.

Ella stares blankly at her sister, then starts laughing and clapping her hands.

“I’m her first word!” Canvas snatches her up from the playpen and hugs her tight. “I can’t believe it!”

“Where the fuck is my phone?” Robin snarls. “I’m missing my phone and this cute shit is happening!”

I pick up Ella from the playpen. “You gonna start chatting soon?” I ask. “She’ll see her sister do it, and then that’s all she’ll want to do too,” I laugh.

That evening, Robin and Will watch the girls so Canvas and I can go out for a date. “Well,” Canvas says as he takes hold of my hand. “Where should we go?”

I think for a moment as we walk down the street. “You know,” I murmur, “I could really go for a pizza.”

Canvas glances down at me. “All the things we could do tonight, and you want to go grab some pizza?”

I smirk up at him. “Is that so bad?”

Canvas lifts up my hand, placing a kiss upon it. “I know just the place.”

The old pizza parlor hasn’t changed much in all these years. Canvas and I take a booth, but before we can even order, someone slides into the seat beside me.

“I thought I smelled you when you came in,” Rowan says.

“Leave them alone,” Caddy says as she comes to fetch her husband. “They don’t want to be bothered by you, of all people.”

“I’m beloved,” Rowan says with a smile. He then snatches the menu from my hand. “Besides, I’m ordering.”

“No, please, join us,” I reply. “Canvas and I would love the company.”

Rowan scoffs and tosses down his menu. “Oh crap, Canvas is here? Never mind, babe, let’s go.”

Caddy takes a seat beside Canvas. “How are the girls doing?” she asks.

“Willa said ‘Dada’ today!” Canvas says, fit to burst.

“Was it really that cute?” Rowan chuckles.

Canvas is beaming. “Almost too cute.”

“Uncle Rowan, scoot over,” Eve climbs up into the booth with us, holding her massive shake.

“Is Adam here too?” Caddy asks in surprise.

“Mama needed a nap,” Eve says with a shrug. “She also said if Dad doesn’t bring home a cheese pizza with olives and pork rinds, she’s calling the cops.”

“Smart woman,” Rowan grins with pride.

“How’s your mom doing with this pregnancy?” I ask.

“I dunno, she’s hungry a lot.” Eve says. She looks up, grinning as Adam comes to the table. “I found a seat, dad!”

“I can see that,” Adam smiles. “My favorite place too.” He takes a seat beside Caddy. “We’ve been coming here a long time. Since way, way, way before you were born.”

“That sounds sad,” Eve retorts.

“I love this kid,” Rowan laughs.

For a moment as we sit there, overcrowded in the booth, laughing, talking, sharing old stories of our heydays with Eve, I feel like that girl again. Young, awkward, and so enamored with the boy, she isn’t concerned with homework, or the pizza sauce on her face. She is just happy to be in that booth with him, sharing pizza, laughing, and holding his strong hand under the table.

Adam gets a call from home. Mabel has had her nap and is now hankering for her pregnancy-cravings pizza. We say our goodbyes, parting from our old friends. We’ll see them again sooner than later. Canvas and head into the woods, going to the overlook on the lake. We stretch out on the grass, lazing for a moment as a cool breeze passes over us. I think about the rain on that first date, and how we kissed under the old playground equipment, back when it was made from wood. I lay back against Canvas’s soft chest as we gaze up at the stars.

“What are you thinking about?” Canvas asks softly.

“Just reminiscing a bit. Thinking about that first date again.” I smile up at him. “Seeing Rowan and Adam, all of us together again, it was nice. Like our own private time capsule.”

“Hopefully, it won’t rain this time.” Canvas says. “I kept looking at Eve, thinking that one day, our girls are going to be that big. I remember when she was born, her first birthday. Now she’s, what… eight?” He sighs and shakes his head. “It made me wonder how fast the girls will grow up.”

“I miss them,” I murmur.

“I know. Me too,” he chuckles. “But let’s enjoy the evening. Who knows when we’ll get a night like this again?” He kisses and nuzzles my cheek, his tongue then laps down my neck.

We do end up taking advantage of the evening - a few times, actually. We end up going home later than we intended, sneaking in like a couple of high school kids out past curfew. As we are trying to close the door as quietly as possible, the light flicks on.

“Had fun, kids?” I see Will sitting in the corner, rocking Willa back to sleep.

“As a matter of fact, yeah,” Canvas scoffs.

I cover my face with my hands, hanging it low in embarrassment. “I’m sorry we were out so late. We lost track of time.”

Will laughs. “It’s okay. The girls have been great, Willa just got a little fussy.” He sighs, relaxing back in the chair as Willa snores. “I barely remember what it’s like to be young like that. Enjoy it.”

“Want me to take her?” Canvas offers, scooping up Willa into his arms.

Will goes back to bed with Robin, so Canvas and I take Willa back to the nursery. We tuck her into her crib, then go check on Ella to find her sleeping like an angel. 

“You think we should have more?” Canvas murmurs.

“Give me five years, big guy,” I huff. I glance at him. “You really want more than this? Or are you just kind of out of your mind?”

Canvas shrugs. “I mean, a boy might be nice to round out the set,” he murmurs.

“What if I end up having three next time?” We sit down on the floor between the cribs. “I am not ready to be traveling around with my own soccer team.”

Canvas nods. “Okay then, five years. If in five years the girls just aren’t enough for us, we’ll try for that soccer team.”

I laugh and rest my head on his shoulder. “Okay, sounds good.”