Page 78 of Baby and the Beast

"And now?" Nash pressed.

"Now..." Casimir's hand came up to cup Nash's cheek. "Now I'm starting to think maybe the mountain wasn't my refuge after all. Maybe it was just waiting until it was time to send me to you."

A soft cry from the crib interrupted the moment. Nash smiled, pressing a quick kiss to Casimir's lips before slipping from the bed. He crossed to the crib, lifting Copper with practiced ease.

"Someone's hungry," he murmured, bringing her back to the bed.

Casimir sat up, wincing slightly at his sore ribs, and adjusted the pillows behind Nash as he settled back with Copper. The domesticity of the moment—Casimir's gentle attentiveness, Nash feeding their daughter, the quiet of the room—felt like a gift neither had dared hope for.

"I don't know anything about babies," Casimir admitted, watching with fascination as Copper nursed.

"You've done pretty well so far," Nash said with a smile. "Better than most."

"I want to learn," Casimir said, his voice taking on that determined quality Nash was coming to recognize. "Everything. How to care for her, how to protect you both."

Nash leaned his head against Casimir's shoulder. "We've got years to learn together."

And he was going to love every one of them.

One Year Later

"I still think we should have gone with the streamers," Ryker said, stepping away from the kitchen counter.

Casimir grunted, adjusting the banner that read "Happy 1st Birthday Copper" in carefully painted letters. "Too many streamers last time. Calvin got them wrapped around his leg and nearly took out the punch bowl."

"Fair point," Ryker conceded, moving to help Casimir secure the other end of the banner.

The main hall of the Blue Ridge Pack house had been transformed for the occasion. Tables lined the walls, laden with food prepared by Dinah and her team. Children's toys were arranged in one corner, and a special low table held Copper's birthday cake – shaped like a fox with copper-colored frosting.

"Hard to believe it's been a year," Casimir said quietly as they finished with the banner.

Ryker clasped his shoulder. "You've come a long way from that mountain hermit we met."

Casimir's mouth quirked in a half-smile. "Still miss the quiet sometimes." Casimir had decided to rent out his cabin and insisted on paying a fair share here, but had actually been offered a job with the park rangers a month after he decided to stay. They had practically salivated over his skills, and he loved getting back into the mountains especially when he could come home to his family every night.

"With a one-year-old? Good luck with that," Ryker laughed.

Outside, cars and trucks were arriving, bringing pack members and guests from the surrounding cabins. The celebration would include not just the Blue Ridge Pack but representatives from allied shifter groups – including Regina and her panthers, who had taken a particular interest in Copper's development.

Casimir slipped away from the bustle, heading toward the family quarters. He found Nash in their suite, attempting to wrangle Copper into a special dress while she squirmed and giggled.

"Need backup?" Casimir asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Nash looked up, relief washing over his features. "Yes, please. She's decided clothing is optional today."

Casimir crossed the room and knelt beside them. Copper immediately squealed with delight, her copper curls bouncing as she launched herself at him.

"Papa!" she cried, her favorite word these days.

Casimir caught her easily, his heart swelling as it did every time she called him that. "Hey, little fox. Giving your dad trouble?"

"Trouble is her middle name," Nash sighed, though his eyes were soft with affection. "She shifted twice this morning. Twice! And each time, goodbye clothes."

"She's ahead of schedule," Casimir noted proudly. Most shifter children didn't begin transforming until adolescence. Copper, with her mixed heritage, was proving exceptional in many ways.

"Here, let me," Casimir said, taking the dress from Nash. He held it up to Copper's eye level. "This is for your special day. Grandmother, Grandma, and Nana are coming specially to see how pretty you look."

Copper tilted her head, considering this with all the seriousness a one-year-old could muster. Then she raised her arms obligingly.

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