Page 33 of Purrfectly Naughty

Warmth filled him as he realized the remarks the young Tiger had made were to test him. This was Pamela’s home, her Pride, and they cared and protected her. Yes, he saw that now, and he respected them all the more for it.

“Marriage is a big step, Paulie, but we are Shifters, you understand this, yes?” He waited for the cub to nod before he continued.

“We do things a little differently. You see, your mother is my fated mate. That means she is a part of my very soul, like my Bear. I love her more than anything, and since you are a part of her, that means I love you too.”

“You do?”

“Yes, sweet cub, I do. I would very much like to marry your mother, but I think I need your permission first. Would that be okay with you, Paulie, if your mama and I get mated and married?”

“Does that mean you would be my dad?” Paulie looked down at his hands, but Javier lifted his chin and met his amber stare that was so much like his mother’s it made his heart squeeze inside chest.

“I would very much like to be your dad,” he said and blinked back tears.

“Okay, but if you make her sad, you will be in trouble,” promised the little boy.

“Paulie,” Pamela ruffled her son’s hair and the boy looked up, giving her a wide smile.

Javier reached out and took her hand in his, keeping his place on the floor, he inhaled her cinnamon-sugar scent and spilled his guts right then and there.

“Pamela Brown, I have known since the first time I saw you that you were my fated mate. I have loved you since then and I promise I always will. Your safety and happiness, yours, Paulie’s, and whatever other children we have, will always be my first priority. I need you, kitten. I love you. Will you marry me?”

Pamela covered her mouth on a sob and he waited patiently while she nodded her head and wiped at the tears that streamed down her face. Javi grinned and stood up, cupping her face in his hands and bent his head. Then, suddenly, pain exploded in his right shin.

“Ouch!”

“Paulie!”

“You made Mommy cry! It’s my job to protect her,” the indignant boy said and looked at both adults with a confused expression.

“Oh, sweetie, no, I am not crying because Javier did anything wrong,” Pamela bent down and hugged her son, “in fact, I am crying because he made me very, very happy.”

“Oh! Like when I draw pictures for you and you hang them on the fridge and get all wishy washy?” he said then grinned mischievously and shrugged at Javier.

“Sorry, Dad!” he giggled and ran away and Javier stood there shocked.

“He called me ‘Dad’,” he whispered.

“Is that okay? I can talk to him if you’d rather-”

“It is more than okay,” he said and wrapped her in his arms, “come on, let’s go on our date.”

“Okay, I’d like that,” Pamela smiled up at him and he kissed her soundly on the mouth.

“Everyone make up?” Gerri came outside with a bundle in her hands and the newly engaged couple smiled widely at her.

“Yes, we’re going to go to dinner now,” he said.

“Wonderful,” she watched amusedly as they began to walk away, “but don’t you think you should put on some clothes first, osito?”

“Oh! Yes, uh, I will be right back,” he blushed and turned back to accept the package from his aunt with a sheepish grin, “thank you, please excuse me for a moment,” he said and ran to the restroom to throw them on.

“Well, dear?”

“Gerri, you were right, as usual,” Pamela laughed happily, “this Christmas is definitely going to be the best one I ever had!”

---