Page 80 of Baby and the Beast

Casimir liked Zeke. Good man, but they seemed to have become particularly close because they were both humans mated to omegas. The helicopter landed, and everyone watched as the blades slowed. He saw Zeke get out and then help someone else, but couldn’t see who it was. He glanced at Nash just as Nash came to stand next to him and he slipped his hand in Casimir’s larger one.

The woman who stepped out of the helicopter was slight and gray-haired, taking Zeke’s arm as he helped her down. Casimir froze, his hand tightening around Nash's with enough force to make Nash wince.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart" Nash whispered, beaming. "I’m sorry your present is a couple of month’s late."

"It can't be," Casimir breathed, his voice barely audible over the fading thrum of the helicopter blades. "Margaret?Maggie?"

But, Casimir was moving, opening the door and crossing the distance to the landing pad with long, urgent strides. Nash followed quickly, Copper secure in his arms.

Margaret looked up as Casimir approached, her face breaking into a wobbly smile. "Casimir? Is that really you?"

"Maggie," Casimir's voice cracked as he stopped before her, uncertainty and disbelief warring in his expression. "How did you find me?"

Margaret reached out a trembling hand, hesitating just short of touching Casimir's face. "Look at you. All grown up." Her eyes filled with tears. "I never thought I'd see you again." She finally allowed her fingers to brush his cheek, tracing one of the scars. "Oh, my boy. What he did to you..."

Nash hung back, giving them space, but Copper had other ideas. She squirmed in his arms, reaching toward the newcomer with curious hands. "Papa! Papa!"

Margaret's eyes shifted to the little girl, widening with wonder. "Is that... do you have a daughter?"

Casimir turned, extending his arm to Nash, drawing him and Copper into the circle. "This is Nash, my mate. And this is Copper, yourgranddaughter." He turned to Nash. "This is my step-mom Margaret."

"Your family," Margaret whispered, her face alight with joy.

“Let’s get in out of the cold,” Nash said firmly just as Darriel reached them and flung himself into Zeke’s arms.

A few minutes later they were all tucked comfortably into one of the clustered seating areas. Margaret had wanted to meet as many people as possible, but Nash knew Casimir and his step-mom needed some time together. She’d taken some finding, and it had only been that Zeke knew so many people who ran human charities for abused women who had been able to find her living in a small complex just outside of Albany.

Zeke’s investigation also proved that Margaret was a kind woman, and then he’d finally gone to Albany himself to meet her, and assured Ryker and Regina their secrets would remain safe with her. He added that she was alone and struggling financially even though she was talented in all manner of crafts, especially sewing and weaving. Nash knew if they had any doubt she couldn’t be told, they would have still told Casimir and arranged visits, but she would never have been able to come here or meet Copper until she was older and wasn’t likely to spontaneously shift.

“Oh goodness,” Margaret said in wonder as a wolf pup streaked past followed by a bear cub. But she didn’t have any time to comment further as Copper pushed forward and lifted her arms in a silent demand. Margaret chuckled and lifted herup into her lap. “Nana,” Copper said firmly and curled up and closed her eyes.

Margaret pressed her lips together, tears swimming. Casimir shuffled closer to her and put one of his big arms around her. “I missed you so much. I’m sorry—”

But Margaret pressed her fingers to his lips. “No, you don’t. You are not responsible for his wickedness. Let’s leave the blame on him. Exactly where it belongs.”

Casimir grinned, but nodded his agreement, and looked over at Nash, he reached out his hand to take Nash’s. It had taken Nash’s love to teach him, but he was learning.

Later, with Copper finally asleep under Margaret’s watchful gaze—the two had bonded instantly—Nash and Casimir slipped outside onto the porch. The night air was cool and crisp, stars scattered across the velvet sky. In the distance, the mountains rose dark against the horizon.

"Thank you," Casimir said, pulling Nash close against his side.

"Everyone helped," Nash replied. "Zeke did most of the work."

"Not just for Margaret," Casimir clarified. "For everything. For finding me, even when I was lost to myself."

Nash turned in Casimir's arms, reaching up to trace the scars on his face—marks that had once symbolized shame but now were simply part of the man he loved.

"I think," Nash said, "somehow we were always meant to find each other."

Casimir bent to kiss him, gentle and reverent. "I'm starting to believe that too."

They stood together in comfortable silence, watching the stars. Inside, the sounds of the celebration continued—laughter, music, the murmur of conversation. Their family, both blood and chosen.

"Are you happy?" Nash asked after a moment, his hand resting protectively over his still-flat stomach where their second child grew.

Casimir's answer was immediate and certain. "More than I ever thought possible." He covered Nash's hand with his own, marveling at the miracle of new life. "A year ago, I was just surviving. Now..." He gazed through the window at Copper asleep in Margaret's arms, at the community that had embraced them. "Now I'm living."

Nash smiled up at him, amber eyes reflecting the starlight. "We both are."

From the mountains where they'd found each other to this haven they now called home, their journey had been unlikely, unexpected—and perfect in ways neither could have imagined. Casimir pulled Nash closer, breathing in the scent of him, of home and family and belonging.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges—a growing daughter, another baby on the way, the continuing work of building a life together. But tonight, under the vast Carolina sky, they had everything they needed.

"I love you," Casimir whispered against Nash's hair, the words no longer difficult to say.

Nash turned his face up for another kiss. "I love you too. Always."

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