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    I can''t argue with that. My heart soars as I picture summers spent here as a family; all of the memories, the joy andughter...


    Maybe more children will fill these walls, too. Although the thought of having more kids with Arthur makes me blush.


    After we unpack, a ranch hand offers to take us on a tour of the farm. Miles is beside himself with joy as we visit the chicken coop,


    the gardens, and the barn where a litter of kittens has recently been born.


    Watching my son''s face light up with each new discovery, I feel a lump form in my throat. This is what I used to dream about-


    bringing our children to this special ce, sharing our love of nature and simplicity with them.


    Back before everything fell apart, before Selina, before... everything.


    And now, against all odds, that dream is finallying true.


    "You okay?" Arthur asks quietly, noticing me discreetly wipe away a tear as Miles giggles at a chicken pecking near his feet.


    I nod, unable to find the words to express what I''m feeling. Arthur seems to


    understand anyway. He wraps an arm around my


    waist and pulls me against his side, pressing a kiss to my temple.


    "Why here?" I ask softly.


    Arthur is quiet for a moment before he responds, "You''ve been working so hardtely, and I thought... Maybe we both needed a


    reminder of where we started. Before all of this."


    I tilt my head.


    "I loved you before I knew you were a Willford," he says simply. "Before I knew


    you might be a werewolf. And I wanted to remind you of that, just in case you forgot." He grins. "Besides, Miles is still little, and I wanted to have our first family vacation before


    he has to go off to school."


    My throat tightens at the thought of Miles starting kindergarten soon. It''s a bittersweet thought, but I push it away for now, just wanting to focus on our vacation. I lean up to kiss Arthur and murmur against his lips, "Thank you for doing this."


    He returns the kiss, hands gently tugging me closer by the waist. When we pull back, I''m a little breathless, not necessarily from the kiss, but from how fast my heart is pumping with excitement. "Now," he says, "are you ready for our first official family


    activity?"


    "Depends. What is it?"


    "Follow me and find out."


    The ranch hand leads us to the stables, and I stop short when I see two saddled horses standing in the yard. I look up rthur in shock. He knows damn well I''ve never ridden a horse in my entire life.


    "Arthur..."


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    "It''s just going to be a gentle trail ride," Arthur assures me. "Perfect for beginners."


    I gulp as the ranch hand leads us into the stable, where I can get a better view of the horses. One is a calm-looking chestnut with a


    white ze down its nose. The other is bigger with a dappled gray coat.


    "This here''s Buttercup," the ranch hand says, patting the chestnut''s neck. "She''s


    as gentle as theye. Perfect for your first time, ma''am."


    I eye the horse warily. Even the "gentle? one looks enormous up close.


    "And this is Thunder," the ranch hand continues, moving to the dappled gray


    horse. "He''s one of our more experienced horses,


    good with kids. The President and your son will ride him together."


    I watch as the ranch hand exins to Miles how to approach the horse slowly and let it smell his hand. My son shows no fear


    whatsoever as he follows the instructions, giggling when Thunder''s velvety nose tickles his palm.


    Arthur lifts Miles up to stroke the horse''s neck, and my heart does a little flip at the sight of them together.


    But then I turn back to Buttercup, who stands at least a foot taller than me, with powerful muscles shifting beneath her shiny coat. She turns her massive head


    toward me and snorts, stamping her hoof, and I feel my legs turn to jelly.


    There is no way in hell I''m getting on that beast.


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