Page 55 of August

Their group walked into the house. Ginny ticked off on her fingers the few areas she wanted packed and pointed to a few plastic tubs and cardboard boxes that August had grabbed on the way to the vehicles before they left the park.

Two hours later, the cargo vans were loaded with her things and Ginny was saying a tearful goodbye to her brother.

“I want to say I can come visit, but it’ll be a while before I can make it. But you can come visit here anytime, I mean it,” Cliff said.

“I’d love that,” Ginny said. She hugged her brother once more and then got into the second row of the SUV.

August turned and shook Cliff’s hand.

“Thanks for everything,” Cliff said.

“I was going to thank you for everything,” August said, chuckling. He glanced at his sweetheart in the SUV, then looked at her brother. With a low voice he said, “I know shifters don’t always get married, but gorillas definitely like it. Since you’re her surviving relative, I’d like to ask your permission to marry your sister.”

Cliff’s eyes widened, and then he smiled broadly and shook August’s hand one more time. “Hey, man, hell yes! Thank you for asking me. It’s my honor to give the family blessing. Let me know when the wedding is because I’ll do my damnedest to be there, or at least video call in if I can’t get away.”

“You bet,” August said. He thanked the male and got into the SUV. “We’re ready, Nathan.”

“Me too,” he said from behind the wheel. “It’s a long drive home, so maybe you can switch off with me in a while.”

“Sure thing,” August said.

Ginny put her head in his lap and yawned. “Wake me up when we get home.”

August smiled down at her and rested his hand on her waist. “You got it, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.”

“With you, I’ve got sweet dreams in spades.”

Nathan made a gagging sound, and August leaned forward and punched him in the arm.

“Ouch, shit,” Nathan said with a grumble. “Sorry. Just keep the sweet nothings to a minimum. Some of us haven’t found our soulmates yet.”

“Sorry, Nathan,” Ginny said with a chuckle that turned into a yawn.

“I’ll never stop,” August whispered. “But I will whisper them to you. Love you so much, sweetheart.”

“I love you too.”

August settled back in the seat with his sweetheart in his arms and his best friend behind the wheel and smiled.

They’d literally been through hell, but they’d survived and now Ginny was safe and the threat to her was put down for good. They’d never have to look over their shoulders and wonder if someone was going to come for her or their children.

Closing his eyes, he let his thoughts drift to the future.

To a finished carousel gleaming in the sunshine.

To a wedding.

To news of a baby.

There was so much he had to be thankful for, and he couldn’t wait to see what the next chapter of his life with Ginny held.

Six Months Later

Alistair woke Friday morning feeling antsy. He’d slept like hell and now his back hurt from the tossing and turning. His elephant was noisy in his head too, murmuring and grumbling.

But he didn’t know what was causing it.

On Fridays, he handled the norms, feeding and caring for them, and then he’d be shifting before the arrival of an elementary school class that was going on the safari tour, the small group of fifteen first- and second-graders split up among the blue camo-painted Jeeps.

---