Connor's First Birthday

This cut scene from Bearly Tackled happens before the bowl game. 

Sometimes we writers have to take things out, even though we love what we've written. I went back and forth several times before realizing that it slowed the story down at the end and really wasn't needed. However, I couldn't let it go unseen. Besides, it's a celebration! So join the party happening at Griff's house on Shay Island very close to Christmas! I hope you enjoy it!

Cassidy

Blue and yellow decorations garnished every available surface of Griff’s house. He scowled as he took down the stockings hanging over the fireplace. “Tell me again why these have to come down? There's too many. I don’t see why everyone needs one hanging on my mantle anyway.”

Maddox threw one at him, hitting his face. “Stop being a Grinch. It’s because we want Connor to have his own celebration, not to have to share it with Christmas. It’s the curse of all December babies.”

A growl rumbled low in his throat, but he winked at her and continued his task.

Titus and Vaughn worked on taping the Happy Birthday banner across the doorway. They argued over which one of them was holding it too high, trying to get it perfectly straight. The smell of birthday cake wafted through the house, and Maya did her best to defend against anyone who dared to come near it with a wooden spoon.

Cassidy balanced Connor on her hip, marveling at all the activity. “We could have just used the Christmas decorations. He's only turning one. He won’t know the difference.” She bounced her growing boy up and down, and he clapped with glee.

Maya wiped her hands on her apron covered in bears wearing pink bows and put her arm around Cassidy. “Everyone should have a special day just for them. Besides, this is what we do best.”

Cassidy watched the Berenger family make a fuss, working overtime to make her son's first birthday special. She didn't know it was possible to have so much love for other people other than for Connor…and now Parker. But he and his family had become a part of her heart so quickly and easily that she didn’t know if she could trust it.

Tears pooled in her eyes, but she didn't want to lose her composure in front of everyone. Walking outside onto the back porch, she held on to Connor and leaned her head against his, allowing the drops to fall.

The door opened and Parker joined her against the railing, looking out over the back yard. He wrapped an arm around her and stroked his son’s red hair. "I think we'll be ready in time for your parents’ arrival.”

Cassidy's sniffed and wiped the wetness from under her glasses with her fingers. "I still can't believe you convinced me to invite them. Are you sure it's a good idea?”

Parker shrugged. "I wish I could take credit for it, but it was actually Mom's idea. And knowing her, I think it’s best we follow her direction. Besides, they’re your family, too, and we’re going to have to learn how to love each other. Even when it's hard.”

She nodded, but got lost in her own thoughts. It wasn’t too long ago that she’d stood in the same spot, watching the man she loved strip down and turn into a bear in front of her eyes.

Now way could she tell them the whole truth. Her parents would never be able to accept that side of her new family, but maybe she could at least get them to accept Parker as the fantastic dad that he was turning out to be. And if they had trouble doing that, maybe she could trust in the strange magic of Shay Island to help.

"I know you’re right. I just don't know if I can deal with their attitude and be able to celebrate at the same time.” She looked through the window at the chaos of effort going on inside. With a sigh, she kissed her baby’s head. “But with you and Connor, I think I can make it through anything.”

Parker grinned. "That's exactly how I feel, honey.” He fidgeted next to her. “Also, there’s something I've been wanting to ask you, but didn't know when the best time was to do it. And I wanted to choose a time when it was just the two of us, but—”

“There's never any time alone with your family,” Cassidy finished.

He let out a nervous chuckle. "No kidding. So I guess I should take advantage of it being the three of us out here alone. Right now.” Releasing her, he got down on one knee. "Cassidy Maeve O'Keefe, will you—”

She panicked and waved her one free hand at him, adjusting herself so that Connor was positioned between them. "No, no, no, no. You can’t do this. Not now.”

The look of utter disappointment in Parker's eyes hurt Cassidy's heart, but she knew without a doubt that she was right. She cupped his cheek and lifted his face to look at her. "Park, it's not that I wouldn't say yes if you were asking me that. But you've got so many things to focus on right now, I think it's best if you wait.”

Parker gazed at her with fire in his eyes. "I don't have to wait to know what I want. What I need. You are everything to me, Cassidy. You and Connor. I don't need anything else in my life but the two of you.” He stood up and hugged them with so much fierce passion that Connor squirmed.

Cassidy choked back another storm of tears. "I know. I feel the same way, too. But you've got the bowl game coming up and you need to concentrate on doing your best for that. I don't want to be a distraction.”

His lips broke into a cocky smirk. “Honey, if I'm not thinking of you, then I'm not living. I've learned to exist daily with you distracting me in more ways than one.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and pressed his stiff cock against her thigh.

“Are you seriously trying to propose to me with an erection?”

“It's only a proposal if you say yes, babe.” He looked at her with a mix of hope and mischief that only he could make sexy.

Cassidy marveled at her man and shook her head. “Then I'm definitely not answering any questions right now.” She giggled, and Connor joined her until he hiccuped.

Titus popped his head out of the door. “Hey Cass, your parents are here. You might want to tell my brother to stop hitting on you and get his act together.”

Cassidy’s stomach churned with panic, and she searched Parker's face for some sign that everything would be okay. In tune to her needs, he leaned down and placed his lips over the spot of her mark. They traveled up her neck, feathering her skin with light kisses, and landed on her mouth. The warm touch calmed her nerves at first. When he turned up the heat of the kiss, she gave in and sunk into it.

The embers that always seemed to burn inside her quickly sparked to flames. She’d never get used to how much she craved him or that the passion between them grew with every passing day. At this point, she’d happily burn into a pile of ashes from his kisses.

Connor placed his tiny hand covered in spit on her cheek and broke the mood. With reluctance and a side eye at her son, she backed away. She pecked the baby on his forehead and chuckled when he grimaced and wiped at the spot. 

Ignoring the butterflies stirring in her stomach, she steeled herself. “Here goes nothing.”

“You’ve got this, hon. And if it turns out you don’t, then you know we’ve got your back.” Parker high-fived Connor.

Handing him their son, she took a deep breath. He was right. She no longer had to deal with things on her own. If she got flustered, Parker and Connor would be there right beside her. And if she needed more back up, she had a team of Berengers on standby. She definitely had this.

 Cassidy headed inside to greet her parents and introduce them to the rest of the family and her future.