(Thanks for your patience on this story. Have some cute... and Snowman got jealous that I kept posting Balue, so, Snowman.)

Richard-

The entire drive to Jordan's home was silent, on the outside. But on the inside, I was having a serious argument with my bear. He wanted Sam to come home with us and spend a long night in our bed with more than a few bottles of honey, though most of it wouldn't end up in my mouth right away.

Darn it. Get a grip. You have a daughter and he's young enough to almost be your son!

When we stopped at a red light I gave my head a good shake, drawing Sam's attention. Thankfully he didn't question me and we continued the last three blocks in almost-comfortable silence. By the time we pulled up it was pitch black, the only light illuminating the area was a streetlamp and the home pushed back from the road a bit.

Wow. Talk about money.

Of course, I had a feeling it was something like a pack house that wolves often had so I couldn't really assume that he himself was rich.

Stop talking to yourself and get out of the car.

Licking my lips, I slid from my seat after an SUV went by, then walked around to Sam's side and helped him out, even though he didn't need it. I then realized that the driveway was clear of cars, likely because of the huge garage beyond it, but of course I had parked on the curb.

Stupid.

I was going to chastise myself again but when I felt gentle fingers press against my palm my attention turned to Sam, then his hand awkwardly holding mine with a few fingertips, his pup in his other arm.

Of course he's nervous. Why are you worrying about your stupid thoughts when he's literally moving into a house full of lions with his baby?

I didn't know. Hell, I'd never been this nervous. Not even on my blasted wedding day. I felt like I was giving away my own child to be eaten by a pride of lions. My feet stopped abruptly, making Sam do the same when I squeezed his hand in my own. When he turned and looked up at me with questioning eyes I didn't have an answer for him. Thankfully, the front door opened a moment later, cutting off my spinning thoughts. Sam turned and we both looked up to see Jordan calmly stepping out onto the doorstep.

"Hey there, Sam. It's nice to see you again."

My bear wanted to roar and chase Jordan right back into his den, err, house; but I knew I couldn't do that. He was offering Sam a chance to keep Coda, something that I couldn't.

You have your adorable daughter waiting for you at home. Your job is to provide for her and love her.

"Hey Jordan, thank you again for doing this," I said, noticing that Sam hadn't replied yet. I squeezed his hand again, hoping to urge him to walk over to Jordan, but when two medium-sized lions suddenly bolted out of the door and ran up to him, I knew this was about to get much harder.

Sam growled immediately, baring his teeth as the cats bounded over. They weren't adults, likely only teens, if that, but that didn't mean Sam didn't see them as a threat to his baby, as he rightfully should. To keep him from getting into a fight, which appeared likely to happen as the lions romped around, I quickly scooped him up, his son still in his arms.

A deep, rumbling growl brought everyone's attention back to Jordan, who was now standing in the grass a few feet away. The lions, especially, took notice. They stopped abruptly, then tucked their tails and bolted back into the large mansion-like house. Jordan was shaking his head, fingertips pressed against his temples in agitation.

"I apologize. My sons are at their rambunctious age but they mean no harm."

I'm not convinced. And from the look on Sam's face, he wasn't either. Jordan seemed to understand that and took a moment to think before speaking again.

"While this isn't an offer I would normally extend, perhaps you would be more comfortable in the dog house in the backyard? We had intended to get a dog and got the house for it so that if it wished to be outside, it could do so. But the boys, as you can see, would have likely scared it to much."

I didn't like the idea of him sleeping outside when the week's forecast was seven days of straight snow. While I was against it, Sam actually seemed to relax a tiny bit in my arms.

"Sammy?"

He looked up at me, eyes wide but also a little tired. When he nodded my heart sank into the pit of my stomach. My bear grumbled repeatedly into my head that his pup wasn't going to be sleeping outside in the frigid weather tonight, but when Sam climbed down from my arms and hesitantly began to follow Jordan around to a side gate, I couldn't do anything but run after them to catch up. When we got to the massive expanse of the backyard I stopped, watching as Sam trudged through several inches of snow, trying to step where Jordan did to make it a little easier to move. By the time they got to the dog house I had my phone out and was calling the babysitter I had watching Jess.

"Hello?"

"Hi, this is Richard. Something came up like I thought it might. Are you still okay to watch Jess for the night?"

"Yes sir. I brought everything over just in case you needed me to stay till morning."

I heaved a quiet sigh of relief at that.

"Awesome. Is Jess already in bed?"

"Yes sir. She ate dinner and then went to bed after a short story."

"Great. Thank you for staying and I'll be home tomorrow morning."

The babysitter acknowledged that before we said our goodbyes and hung up. By that time I noticed Jordan walking back toward the dog house, two plates in his hands. He set them both at the entrance to the dog house, then turned and walked over to me.

"I'm going to assume that you wish to stay with him tonight?"

My face heated slightly as I slowly nodded.

"Alright. The house will be locked at night but if you need anything, just knock on one of the back doors. I brought food for both you and Sam and his boy. There's already water in the doghouse, as my sons sometimes end up in there for a night."

Smart man.

"Thank you, for everything. Maybe we can do another introduction with your sons tomorrow with better results."

He nodded and smiled, the grin nearly swallowed by his huge beard.

"I think that would be a good idea. Until then. Have a good night, Richard."

"You too," I added as we headed our separate ways. Me toward the doghouse and Jordan toward his home. When I got there I wasn't surprised to see Sam already in his dog form, his little stub tail wagging when I carefully maneuvered into the tiny house. Once I was comfortable I grabbed the two plates, which happened to be delicious smelling lasagna.

"Here you go boys, eat up." I said as I set the plate down in front of them. Coda pounced in the pasta right away, covering himself in sauce as Sam took big chomping bites. Neither plate had a fork, so I figured Jordan thought we'd both be in our animal forms tonight.

Can't really argue with his logic. My bear will be much warmer for myself, Sam, and Coda than my human self.

With a shrug, I quickly stripped out of my clothing and shifted.

Well. Now I know why they don't call these bearhouses.

My big, fuzzy butt was barely moveable in the close quarters. I nearly stepped on our food twice and smacked my head more than a few times before I was finally laying down comfortably, blocking the exit.

I'm not fat. Just fluffy. I told myself as I began to dig into the pasta like a starved, well, bear. The chill from the weather kicking up didn't even phase my thick coat as it blocked it out of the doghouse.

Soon we were licking our plates clean and Coda was out cold, his belly plump with food. I watched as Sam kicked the plates into the corner of the doghouse, then grabbed his boy by his scruff and carefully laid him down near my big left paw. I thought he might lay down next to him, and myself, but he shocked me by suddenly scrambling under my suddenly-way-too-tubby belly until he was snug beneath my left arm, his head resting right beside mine when I let it settle next to his.

I thought having his body mostly beneath my own would make my bear's instincts go crazy, but somehow he understood that now wasn't the time to try and claim his Sam. He did, however, lift his head and gently grab Coda, then place him against Sam's head. As much as I liked cuddling with him, both my bear and I agreed that keeping Coda as warm as possible was more important. With that thought my bear settled its head back down, snuggling against Coda until the pup was comfortable again.

When I was sure both of my boys were asleep, I stayed up for an extra few minutes, then followed after them with a content grumble.