I watched the town watch us. It was the annual tree lighting ceremony in the middle of the park, and it was the first time since my mother died that I felt happy to go.

Charlie and I were standing to the side, the mayor, who was an older dragon wanted to keep up the tourist attractions and this was one of the ones everyone, even the locals loved.

"I like this." Charlie whispered to me and I just turned and smiled up at him.

"My mom loved bringing me here. We came every year. We would get here early and she would let me play at the kid park, and as we got older we would just hang out and watch the humans gather around." I told him with a shrug. "I stopped coming after she died." Charlie held me tighter at the admission and kissed my neck before humming lightly as the mayor finished up with his speech about the Canned Food Drive and Toys for Tots.

He moved to plug in the tree lights and pictures went off and I turned to watch Charlie, his eyes were on the tree, his mouth open and he looked like a kid in a candy store. It made me wonder if he was able to celebrate as a kid.

"Hey Yasmin?" I turned at the sound of Darcy's voice and saw her and her best friend Callie walking over to us.

"Hey." I nodded and I saw they wanted to ask as their eyes shifted between me and Charlie. "What's up?" I asked and Callie sighed.

"You're mates right?" She asked me and I nodded. "And you're staying in the area?" I nodded once again and she sighed and looked to Darcy.

"What?" I asked and Darcy gulped before looking shy.

"My sister is spreading rumors. Telling people you hooked on to Charlie. That you're leaving town on his dime and willing to be his-" she cut herself off and shook her head. "Most people she has told don't believe it, but all of her friends that are in town are trying to make a buzz about it. I'm sorry. She's also trying to convince the mayor that if you leave she should be able to buy your moms old shop." She told me and I felt Charlie's hold on my body tighten just a bit and I immediately started to look around for Claire and Jason.

"They're not here. Claire made him take her to New York... to find a new wedding dress." She told me and I took a deep breath.

"Thanks for telling me. I'll try and talk to the mayor and tell him she was lying about me leaving." I told them and they nodded.

"I was also wondering... it's very insensitive but I live with Claire. And ever since you told her no she's taken it out on me..." I winced at the meaning and I saw her almost stop but Callie nudged her shoulder.0

"Just ask me." I encouraged and just waited for her to take a deep breath.

"The store has a storage space above it right? I was wondering since you said you're not making dresses anymore if I could rent that out... from you?" Darcy asked and looked almost sure I was going to say no.

"How much can you afford?" I asked her and she gulped.

"Not that much, I have been saving up for getting a place of my own but I'll try and pay you-"

"Darcy, I will take whatever you can spare. It doesn't have to be a set rate." I felt Charlie kiss my neck and I rubbed a hand over his on my stomach and Darcy seemed to take a deep breath. "Pack up your things and tomorrow I will help clear out the space for you." I told her and she rushed to hug me.

"Thank you so much!" She whispered and pulled back before looking over her shoulder to Callie.

"How about 10am?" I asked and she nodded right away and Callie's smile grew a bit more. "I have to admit that it's not clean and I'll probably still have a lot of boxes in like a corner or something." I warned and she shrugged right away.

"I don't care as long as it's away from my sister before she gets back." She told me and I nodded yet again. "I'm going to start packing some things." She rushed off, pausing and waving at Callie.

"Thank you Yas." Callie smiled and moved to walk but paused. "Drinks on me whenever you want to come in." She pointed at both of us, and I could tell that she was happy for her friend.

I pushed my lips together and I smiled after both of them before looking up at Charlie. He was smiling softly but I could tell something was bothering him. "What?"

"Just what they mentioned earlier. About Claire." He told me and I nodded slowly before shrugging.

"They said most people weren't believing it, so I will answer all questions of me leaving-"

"Are you leaving?" I turned at the sound of the mayors voice and froze for a second.

"No sir. We were going to ask you about a couple appointments." I told him and he tilted his head before walking closer before waving us behind him. I saw the hot apple cider in his hand and I grabbed Charlie's hand to follow me.

"Now... let's get to talking." He told us as he sat beside his daughter but she smiled at us and moved to stand.

"I will get you two something to drink." Lyla nodded to her dad and walked off. She was 23, lonely, and raised under just her father since her mother died birthing her. I always felt bad for thinking about the loss of my mother. I at least got to know her. Lyla seemed sad all the time.

"My daughter Lyla, always the hostess." Mayor Domonic told us and watched her go off before looking back to us and waiting for us to start.

"Mayor, this is Charles Munroe. He's Yeti, and Jason's cousin." I introduced and I saw the mayor cock an eyebrow when I didn't claim him as mine. "He is also my mate." I declared and he smiled this time and nodded.

"It is very nice to meet you... and we are in private back here Yasmin. Call me Nick." He shook Charlies hand and I waited until he was seated to speak.

"We are not leaving, in fact, Charlie will probably need to be documented." I looked at both before straightening my back. "He and I have decided to use Jason's parents home, mansion, as a bed and breakfast." I told him and he seemed a little confused.

"Is the home in your name?" He asked Charlie and after a verbal confirmation he sighed. "I will have to dig out the original deed, see the will, get it notarized, and then we can go ahead with the business needs." He took a sip and looked at us before he set it down. "The government will need to get things like fire escapes, and occupancy numbers sent to you, permits for everything you will needs, and restaurant permits... it is a lot. When do you want to open by?"

"Next week." Charlie said quickly and I winced at the chuckle that came out of Mayor Domonick
"I can't promise it, but I will try and get everything pushed through. Are you going to be able to fill the spaces, have all the food you need-"

"I have things like that worked out, as long as we get approved, and Mr. Lukas Tackett has all the bed frames done." Charlie told him and sat up straight as well, looking to me and I gulped and wondered if this was all going to be okay.

"You two just need permits?" Domonic asked and looked between us and smiled. "Or are you going to need a marriage license and someone to officiate?" He smiled even wider when we didn't say anything. I hadn't thought about that, not in the least bit. I figured mating would be enough for us.

"I don't think that is what we had in mind." Charlie looked down at me quickly and I just shrugged before shaking my head.

"I was going to ask about letting someone rent the upstairs of my store... does that need anything?"

"Is it safe to live?" He asked and I nodded. "Has a way out incase of fire?" I nodded again. "Working water system somewhere in the building?" He asked and I nodded and thought about the one time I got all glued up, my mom magically made an entire bathroom with shower in the upstairs. Something a full fairy could do. "Is this long term of is it going to be month by month?"

"Month by month." I told him knowing that Darcy will not want to live there long term.

"Then I don't need to approve of anything. It's your property to do with as you wish, and I am sure no one will want to take that building form you once the Bed and Breakfast is open." He winked at me and I just nodded. "In fact, I have some family members who were thinking about visiting in a month or so... I will send them your way." He clapped his hands and smiled wide before nodding to his daughter who seemed to come back just when the important things were dealt with.

"Thank you." Charlie took the offered drinks, setting one down in front of him before offering me the other. I took a sip and realized it was her recipe. She had made the same delicious drink every year except last year. She had gone off with an older cousin for the holidays and someone else stepped up to make it, and it was not the same. Most people got a little sick from the spices someone added since they were spicy.

"It's delicious as always." I told her and she smiled and thanked me softly and her dad looked at her like she was the world.

"Do you cook?" Charlie asked and I felt a little confused as to why he was asking but his cup was now in his hand and half the liquid was gone.

"Yes. I learned early in life unless all I wanted was red meat and the odd chicken here and there." She laughed lightly and looked to her dad.

"Would you want a job?" Now I was really confused. He said he had someone in mind for the chef position.

"What kind of job?" She asked and I knew she worked mostly for the parks and the library and things that were open when she needed a new job.

"We're opening a bed and breakfast... and we need someone who is great, and loves to cook every now and then, and if you love it, you can have the entire job." Charlie looked at me and I still felt a little confused. "I have been learning about hiring local for jobs keeps everyone happy." He smiled at me and I felt this warmth inside, he had listened to me, and Luke, and he was doing more than I would have thought.

"That would be amazing." She covered her mouth and giggled a bit. "What would the menu be?"

"You can give us a couple ideas, things your comfortable making in large amounts, or things that you know how to make that are delicious. In fact, come over when we have everything set up in the kitchen... and you can get the feel of the kitchen." He waved his hands and I caught one before it touched the table and held it closer to my middle.

"Oh my god... thank you. Mr.-" She paused and seemed to wonder what she should call him.

"Charlie is fine." He told her and she sighed and nodded. "We were thinking about getting things together as fast as next week for opening, is that going to be okay with you?"

"Oh my... I can go home now and start thinking of things-"

"It's alright, it might take longer. Enjoy your evening. It's been very nice for my first tree lighting ceremony." Charlie looked down and over to me and I just held his hand tighter. Fighting a yawn before just giving in he smiled even softer. "We are going to head home... rest up for more deliveries tomorrow. Thank you Mayor... and Lyla?" He asked to make sure and I saw her blush before nodding.

"Good night." I waved as we made our way towards my house. They waved back and I looked around at the kids still running around. I wish I had that kind of energy. All day we had been cleaning and got the first kits for the room numbers and a couple books for signing in and some curtains that Charlie put up, and then we went home, took a shower together before coming back out here.

I was too tired to look at another mop. Luckily I wouldn't have to tomorrow. It was Sunday... there were no deliveries, and we probably would just check in with Luke in the woods to see the bed frames. And we could do that in the late afternoon. Meaning I could sleep in the for the first time in a week.

And this time I could sleep in with the mate of my dreams.