The week wore on much smoother after the vet visit. Sam's heat had definitely diminished after their time in the shower, but I could still notice little changes in his behavior and a few extra long showers. He knew I was there for him if he really needed it but he stayed away more than usual. I knew why though, so I didn't mind. At least I told myself that as I stepped out into the crisp evening air and into deep snow. My heavy paws dug into the cold slush, sending a chill straight up to my overheating mind. Snap out of it, stupid bear. He's the one in heat, not you.

Jessica bounded past me as I thought with Coda hot on her heals. His diaper was already getting wet considering that the snow was up to his shoulders, but eh, he had fur and we could just change it later. I waited until Sam sauntered past me before reaching up and sliding the door shut. It was likely close to twenty degrees out but none of us seemed to mind as I ran over to where Sam was playing with the kids near the kennel I still had set up. Jess was plowing through the snow trying to climb on Sam while his own pup was stumbling through the large hills of frozen water, not heavy enough yet to sink into it for better footing.

I made my way over happily, my bear content and warm in the chilly weather with its dense layer of fur, and a tad of fat. While Jess seemed focused on Sam, I waddled over to Coda and cleared a small patch of snow so that he was able to stand and romp around as well. He wasted no time once he was able to stand normally and quickly pounced on my paws and legs, growling playfully as his tail swished against the frozen ground.

Even as we played, I couldn't help but find my eyes wandering to Sam. Over and over and over again. My bear wasn't helping much because each time I looked, it lifted its lip, trying to scent the pheromones being blocked by the collar. I knew they were there and somehow, my bear did too, but he couldn't figure out why he couldn't sense them. Also, he didn't understand why Sam wasn't keening for his attention. He was a capable male all-be-it a bit chubby, and mating when something was in heat was what his instincts told him to do.

It's okay, I'm confused as well, just not about the same thing you are Sir. Fuzzy Butt.

What I was confused about, was why I couldn't stop staring at him. He was a young man, as was I. And hell, right now he was a dog! We had shared something that shouldn't have happened and now I couldn't get him out of my head. Blinking, I felt something nuzzle at my nose and looked down at Sam. He turned in a circle and I had to seriously fight hard to keep my bear from trying to jump his bones.

For the love of god, he's just playing!

Grinding my teeth together, I began chasing him, glad that he was easily fast enough to avoid my slightly chubby bear. By the time he finally stopped over by the glass door, I was panting heavily and my bears libido had thankfully died with the exhaustive exercise. When we got inside I shifted, grabbing Coda and taking him to the bathroom to change his diaper. By the time I had him back in the living room Sam was dressed in a pair of loose pajama pants. The lack of shirt jerked something inside me but I shoved it to the back of my mind and smiled as I turned and went to my room to get dressed.

I didn't want to chance skin on skin contact at the moment, so I put on a light sweater, even though the heater was going strong, along with a pair of black sweatpants. Returning to the kitchen a minute later, I saw Sam handing Jess a small carrot he'd taken from the fridge. He then gave one to his son to chew at, leaving the kids to snack as I walked in to start an early dinner. Tomorrow was Monday so work was unfortunately needed but everyone had begun to get used to coming with me on most days. Whenever they didn't though, Sam managed to take care of them, each time getting better and better at it. He was already adept at changing diapers and his speech had gotten better, along with his motor skills.

"How are you feeling, Sam?" I asked as I got down a big pot and filled it with water to begin boiling on the stove.

Evidently reading my mind, he got down two boxes of pasta and set them by the stove before replying. "Pretty good. I think it will be ensing soon."

That was a relief. I took the pasta once the water was boiling and added it, then turned, leaning against the counter to look at him. His skin was pale from being outside in the cold for so long but it looked like it was beginning to regain some color. Since his legs were covered by the pants he'd tugged on, my eyes lifted back up, landing on his faintly blushing face. He knew what he was doing immediately and looked away at the floor but I couldn't help the sharp pull at my chest his blush brought up.

"U-um, well, I haven't noticed any worms in Coda's diapers so I think that last dewormer got rid of whatever might have been left."

Oh god. Why the hell did I just say something like that while standing in the kitchen cooking dinner?!

He thought Sam might make a face at him... which he technically was, but it soon broke down into a cheerful laugh as his shoulders shook and his face flushed with humor.

Gorgeous.

The doorbell chimed, snapping me out of my thoughts with a surprised gasp.

"I-I got it!" I stammered as I ran out of the kitchen, leaving Sam to tend the pasta. By the time I got the door open my face had a fake smile plastered upon it.

"Hello, how may I help you two?" I asked the couple standing on my doorstep that looked way too dressed up to live in my neighborhood. Are those real diamonds? On all six of those huge bracelets? Dear god, they must be loaded. But then, why were they here?

"Hello, we are the Giligan's and we came with a court order for our grandson."

A what for what?

I reached forward automatically when the paper was offered, eyes skimming over the words but not really reading anything but Sam's name. Realizing that this could seriously be bad, I forced myself to refocus and reread the document, frowning. It was definitely real and as I finished reading, it was apparent that Coda was in danger of being taken away from his own mother because of what Sam's damn parents had done to him to begin with. I was about to tell them to get off of my property, but then I noticed the police car sitting on the street in front of my yard.

Bastards planned ahead.

"This document says that he is not fit to take care of his child, with the statement about him ending up in animal control for support."

They both nodded, their expressions turning dark for a split second before brightening up back to their fake persona's.

"Nothing in here mentions that I signed a legal document adopting both him and his son," I stated with a small smile.

"The adoption has been voided as Samuel is not a pet animal but a shapeshifter."

Shit.

"He is eighteen, at least, so he should have a say in this."

Mrs. Giligan rolled her eyes and sighed. "The document states that he is eighteen, but he is unfit to afford his son's basic needs and thus is not able to care for him, while we are."

I didn't want to let them have Coda, but I couldn't do anything without speaking with a lawyer to understand what is going on and how I can claim Coda as an adopted son and not pet. If I could possibly get his pet adoption application switched over to something like a normal adoption application, perhaps I could officially adopt him without too many other issues. Until then, I bit back all the words I wanted to call the two people standing in front of me with smug grins and turned.

I was expecting to see Coda or Sam looking at me from the living room, but what I saw broke my heart in two. Jessica was staring out the sliding back door as it sat wide open and I'd bet all of my money that Sam and Coda were gone.