Page 59 of Beary In Love

Pride swelled in his chest. "Look at you, brewing complex healing potions without even checking your notes."

"Well, I had a good study partner." She grinned, gesturing at the mess of failed attempts from their practice sessions that still decorated the walls. "Nothing builds confidence quite like turning half your boyfriend's workshop into a flower garden."

Logan crossed to her in two quick strides and pulled her close. "I liked the flowers. Made the place smell better."

"Better than bear?" She wrinkled her nose playfully.

"Watch it," He growled softly against her ear, enjoying how she shivered. "This bear might have to show you who's boss."

"Later." She pushed at his chest with a laugh. "We have work to do first."

He released her reluctantly, watching as she gathered her supplies. The change in her over the past week amazed him. Ever since she'd faced down Beatrice, that spark he remembered from years ago had returned full force. She walked taller, smiled more freely, approached each challenge with determination instead of doubt.

"You're staring at me again," she said without looking up from her work.

"Can't help myself. You're beautiful when you're in your element."

A blush colored her cheeks, but she didn't deflect the compliment like she would have days ago. Instead, she met his eyes with a confident smile that caused his bear to rumble with happiness.

Logan couldn’t help himself and wrapped his arms around Serena's waist again, pulling her against his chest. Her familiar scent of herbs and lavender mixed with something uniquely her filled his senses.

"You smell like home," he murmured, nuzzling the sensitive spot behind her ear. His bear preened when she shivered in response.

"Logan, we really need to get back to work," she protested weakly, even as she leaned into him.

He drank in the sight of her. Her gray eyes sparkled behind her glasses, and wisps of hair had escaped her messy bun toframe her face. His chest tightened with emotion - she belonged here, with him.

"Move in with me," he said, the words tumbling out before he could second-guess himself. "Here at the cabin. We could wake up together, work together. You could set up a proper lab instead of this makeshift workspace."

Serena's eyes widened. "That's... that's a big step."

"Is it?" Logan traced his thumb along her jaw. "You're here more than your place anyway. Half your potion ingredients have migrated to my shelves."

"True." A small smile played at her lips. "And your coffee maker is better than mine."

"See? Practical reasons." He grinned, though his heart beat erratically in his chest as he waited for her response.

"I'll think about it," she said finally, but Logan caught the excited gleam in her eye as she glanced around the workshop, likely already planning where she'd set up her equipment. His bear purred at the thought of having her here permanently.

"No pressure," he said, though everything in him wanted to convince her right now. "Just something to consider."

She nodded, that soft smile still on her face as she turned back to her work. Logan kept his arm around her, watching as she measured ingredients with calculated precision. He could picture countless days just like this - her working while he held her, both of them building something together here.

Later that night, Logan watched Serena chop vegetables, her movements quick and precise. The familiar domesticity of cooking together in his cabin's kitchen stirred something within him. His bear hummed as she worked alongside him, fitting perfectly next to him.

"Here, taste this." He held out a spoonful of the sauce he'd been perfecting. She leaned forward, and he couldn't resist stealing a quick kiss before feeding her.

"Mmm." Her eyes lit up. "Even better than I remember. Though you still use too much garlic."

"No such thing as too much garlic." He grinned, pulling her closer against him. "Besides, you love it."

"Do not." But she was smiling as she stirred the pot of pasta.

The spring evening beckoned them outside after the meal was ready. Logan carried their plates to the porch while Serena grabbed the wine. The sanctuary sprawled before them, peaceful in the golden sunset light. The scent of pine and wildflowers carried on the gentle breeze.

"Remember when we used to eat out here every summer night when we were teenagers?" Serena settled into one of the weathered chairs. "But back then it was just empty land."

"Now look at it." Pride swelled in Logan's chest as he surveyed his sanctuary. "Though I think recent improvements have less to do with the animals and more to do with a certain witch's touch."

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