Page 58 of His Determined Bear

I was happy mom was home, so I could finally share this with her. Being pregnant made me feel even closer to my mom. And after having Graham there and spending weeks without him around, I couldn’t imagine how mom had done it by herself with me.

I knocked on the door, and Aaron was the one to answer it. “Cooper? What a surprise? Did your mother know you would be here?”

I shook my head. “Today is going to be filled with a bunch of surprises.”

Suddenly Aaron’s eyes widened and lowered to my stomach. Then his eyes flew back to meet mine. “Oh my, this is a wonderful surprise,” he grinned, then called out, “Kelly! Come here!”

“Whose at the door, my love?” my mother asked as she rounded the corner, her eyes widening at the sight of me. “Cooper!” She ran into my arms and pulled me into a hug, “You’re here for Christmas?” She pulled back and looked down at my stomach. A grin popped on her lips. “Oh my.”

I smiled at her sheepishly, “Surprise,” I said, but then I had to add, “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”

Mom shook her head and surprised me when she said, “Cooper, I’m your mother, and a mother knows these things.”

“You knew?” I wouldn’t put it past her. She’d always known when I kept something from her as a kid.

She shrugged. “Call it mother’s intuition, but we want to hear all about it.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the living room. As I sat down, I proceeded to tell her the story about Graham. She listened, and the smile on her face got wider and wider until she was beaming.

“Say something,” I said when my story came to an end.

“What can I say? I truly am happy for you, baby,” My mom said, her hand on her heart.

“And you’re going to be a grandma.” Her smile grew wider, if that was possible, and she pulled me into another hug.

Her voice was teary when she said, “The best Christmas gift you could have gotten me.”

When she pulled back, she swiped a tear from her eyes. “I’m so excited. I bet Graham is glad you’re here.”

I smirked. “I’m sure he will be once I get to him. I wanted to tell you about the baby before I got to see my mate. Plus, I figured we wouldn’t want to leave the house—”

Mom put up her hand to stop me even though she was still grinning, “Spare me the details, son.”

I chuckled and hugged her again, then I pulled back from the embrace and stood up from the couch. “I want to stay and catch up. I feel like I’ve not seen you in ages, mom, but I have to go.”

She nodded in understanding, “I know you do, baby.”

I sighed and pushed my hand into my chest, “I missed him terribly,” I sighed, “I can’t wait to see him. I hope he’s home.”

“I’m so happy for you, baby,” She clapped her hands to her heart, “Oh, it’s going to be the very best Christmas.”

I walked to the door and turned to look at Aaron and my mother. “It will. You guys have to come over.” I didn’t know what Graham had planned, but my mom and Aaron would be welcome. One thing I knew about my mate was that family was everything to him.

I put a hand on my stomach. We were lucky to have him.

I grinned and waved to them as they stood on the porch, Aaron’s arm around my mother’s shoulder. I was glad she had Aaron in her life, but now it was time for me to get to my alpha, and I didn’t want to wait a single minute.

My excitement grew as I made my way from Aaron’s to the Crazy Bear Ranch. I couldn’t help smiling at the name. I’d even teased Graham about it and that of his cafe. It was like they wanted people to know.

But he pointed out that most people thought of Goldilocks with his cafe.

As I drove into the estate that Graham shared with his siblings, I tried to imagine living here too, and it was surprisingly easy to do.

I pulled up in front of his house, and it felt like I could draw in my first full breath since I’d said goodbye to him at the airport.

His car wasn’t in the driveway, but maybe it was in the garage. I got out of the car and made sure my coat covered me properly. I wanted to surprise him. Then I walked slowly up to his front door and rang the doorbell.

Every inch of me was anticipating the moment he opened the door and pulled me into his arms. Instead, there was no answer. No one came to the door. I pressed the doorbell one more time, but no one came to the door.

“Dammit,” I muttered. I guess this was one of the hazards of a surprise. It seemed our reunion would have to wait a little longer. I tried not to stamp my feet. I wanted this reunion, now. I wanted to be wrapped in my mate's arms. I needed to Graham.

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