Beautiful Creatures Series

Gordon walked into Stanton’s backyard hand in hand with Mackenzie. It seemed they were the lasts to arrive. When they got there, they found Katelyn hugging Aurora. It looked as though they, too, had made up. They were welcomed by everyone, and Stanton tossed him a beer. For the past few months, Gordon had spent most of his time with the younger crowd. He no longer trusted the friends he had in his own age bracket, and he found Mackenzie got along better with his children than she did with others.

Ah, his children. It was surprising how much a man could come to love cubs that were not his flesh and blood. Though Aster was his only physically related child, the other had come to mean as much to Gordon as she did. He had known most of them since they were cubs, and they were his family regardless of the fact that he had not brought them into the world.

Gordon sat in a patio chair with a beer in one hand, watching Mackenzie interact with the others. He was the oldest person at the party by a minimum of twenty years, if not more. Watching the party, Gordon could practically see them all as cubs once more, causing trouble at community functions. He watched Mackenzie run her hand over the small swell of her belly absentmindedly.

Forty-five.

He was forty-five and expecting a brand new baby. He was too old to be changing diapers again. His daughter was in her twenties. By all rights, he should be done with child-rearing. Yet here he was expecting another. At this point in his life, the only infant he should be holding was a grandchild. He was too old to be starting over. Sitting here with all his cubs, he felt even older.

What was he doing with Mackenzie in the first place? Was he trying to hold onto his youth? He watched her and felt his heart skip a beat. He could not end it now. Not because of the baby but because he had come to love Mackenzie. His feelings for her had far out weighted any feelings he had once had for Melissa. He had married Melissa because it had been the right thing to do, so he had thought at the time. Mackenzie was different. He was with her because he could not picture life without her.

His gaze drifted to Darrell and Katelyn. He had thought they were crazy rushing into their marriage. He could not understand how Derrell could want to marry a woman he had only known a few months. However, since he had met Mackenzie, Gordon understood how it was possible to fall in love with a woman he had just met.

Love, such an intimidating concept, but it was love. It had to be. It could not be anything else. He loved her, but he had no idea how she felt. He could not tell her he loved her. When he suggested getting to know one another, she had run. There was no telling what her reaction would be if he dared to tell her how he truly felt about her.

After a few hours, Aster came to sit with him. Gordon had spent most of the party sitting and drinking, not really engaging anyone. He had spent his time contemplating his life. Gordon smiled as Aster took the seat next to his. “You are awfully quiet this evening?” Aster commented.

“Just thinking?”

“About?”

He shrugged. “Life in general, I suppose. It’s nice to see you all getting along with Mackenzie.”

“Turns out, she’s not that bad,” Aster chuckled. “She’s nice, and she’s infatuated with you.”

“I’m quite fond of her too.”

“Does she make you happy?”

“Happier than I ever remember being.”

“She treats you, right?”

“Better than your mother ever did.”

Aster sighed. “Then, I approve.”

“Do you now?”

want you

and giving it a squeeze. “Happier

you were

your mom. I should have left her a long

had grown up watching the abuse. She loved her mother, but she knew her mother was not a nice person. Gordon knew Aster was having difficulties accepting the divorce, but he knew that deep down, all his daughter truly wanted was for him to be safe and happy. With Mackenzie, he was.

the side of the house caught Gordon’s attention. Looking over, he groaned, his nose turned up in a scowl. Speaking of Melissa, she had just arrived. “I thought you said she was not invited,” he snarled, drawing Aster’s attention to her mother as Melissa was storming

party’s attention. Infuriated, Melissa walked right up to Gordon. As she reached him, her eyes began to glow, and her right hand became claws, and she smacked him across the face, her claws tearing the flesh of his cheek deep enough to require medical

his face. Looking down at his hand, he saw so much blood. He would heal, but it still hurt. Gordon was about to deal with Melissa when Mackenzie walked up behind her and tapped Melissa on the shoulder. Melissa turned, and Mackenzie balled up her hand and

“You bitch,” Melissa snarled. “I’ll tear you apart,” Melissa growled as her eyes began to glow once more, and her fangs descended in

was on the ground, Mackenzie kicked her

but maybe he should let Mackenzie get in a few

snapped at her father for letting the assault continue.

arm and pulled her out of range from Melissa. “Enough,” Gordon moved Mackenzie behind him, placing himself between the woman he loved and the woman that no doubt meant them both harm. Melissa awkwardly picked

me you

Why should I continue to support

haven’t worked a real job in twenty-five years. I have no skills.

I see, ok, I’ll help you… practice this phrase… Would

can’t live on minimum

longer my problem,” Gordon mocked her. “I’m done taking care of

you do this to me after

I was to you was a meal ticket

all the good times we

had any good

“You married me.”

seemed the

you saying you

and beer. You, I

dare you! You have always been

backed away with cowardness. “I am a very patient man, but I have reached the limit of my tolerance,” he growled. The whole party was backing away, terrified of this side of Gordon, a side they had never seen before. A frightening and dangerous side of a man who, up to this point, had the patience of Job. “One more outburst from you, and I will exile you.

confirmed

the party,” Melissa shot a hateful glare at Mackenzie, then she turned and stormed off, muttering to herself. Gordon turned to see all the shocked faces. Everyone was stunned by what

gathered around to enjoy the barbeque ribs Stanton had just finished cooking. As they talked, trying not to bring up what had happened, Katelyn whispered into Darrell’s ear. He smiled and then tapped the side of his beer bottle with his fork. “Since everyone we care about

you are pregnant?” Charlotte

weeks,” Katelyn announced.

proven it possible, we made an active attempt to get

months of my life,” Darrell grinned