Haley Thistle
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Werewolf Boyfriend: Max 4 (complete)
🕑 Added 2020-09-17 19:01:00 +0000 UTC
My old room is way too hot and stuffy. I’m at the mercy of my parents’ thermostat while I’m staying here. It’s hard to sleep at all, so I open my window and sit under it for a while to let the cold air wash over me. I have dreams about the night I left, about Max and being tenderly held in his embrace. My body reacted so naturally to him, and everything was so perfect. Then morning came, and I was pulled away by fear.
I haven’t touched my phone since I got home. Once again, the fear holds me back. But I also feel guilt. I know I would have messages from the girls, possibly even Max. I can’t face it. Tonight, though, I feel the pull of curiosity. I plug in my phone and turn it on, and find a ton of messages. But they aren’t what I expected. The girls are asking me how my trip is, sending pictures of Helene’s kids in their new dance costumes.
The only thing worrisome is a message from Clementine. “Dad has asked me to go stay with Helene during Christmas. Did he say anything to you about it? I was supposed to go with him to his doctor’s appointment, but he told me not to. I’m probably thinking too hard about it, but I was curious since you and him talked for a long time the other night.”
I’m not surprised that Max didn’t send a text. He only has a flip phone, after all. But I check, and I have a voicemail or two. The first few are nothing - telemarketers and doctor’s appointment reminders. Then, there is Max’s.
“I just woke up.” His voice is groggy low. “I wasn’t sure what to think when you weren’t here. I’m still not sure. I just know you felt strongly enough that you had to...” There is a long pause of silence, but I can hear him breathing. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m upset, but that’s just a normal response.” He sighs heavily. I can almost feel his shoulders sagging through the phone. “I feel that I need to explain myself. What happened last night was not just spur-of-the-moment for me. It was something building inside me, the same as it seemed to be building inside you.”
He takes a deep breath, and I can hear the bed creak and the sheets shift. “When I first met you, it was a punch to the gut. You smelled like Carlotta, and it made me apprehensive to be around you. When you had that fall, I realized why I took a step back, and it is what made me move closer. I was afraid. I have been for a long time. Afraid to open up, to let go of someone’s hand because I was powerless. Like with June, I dated, but I always found reason to let go before I was made to. I let loss control me. I had the idea that one true love was all I would ever be given. But that’s another fairy tale people have made up.”
I hear the floorboards groan as he walks down the hall away from my room. “A person can love and love all that they want. And Elisa, I could love you all I wanted. But loss permeated my every thought, as I am sure it does yours. I saw you weeping because of it that day in the hospital. I knew that I could not let myself fear death when it wasn’t even on me. Even loving you for a moment would be worth my time on this earth. Brief or long, it doesn’t matter to me. I am a fool that I didn’t let myself do that until last night.”
His voice breaks. He’s crying.
“I am a fool who didn’t believe that you could love me. Tiny tried to tell me. She knew better than anyone. She sees more than others can, I know.” He sniffles, then inhales. “The choice is yours, Elisa. I know all too well how a woman’s heart can be. I’ve known and loved five of them, six now. Take your time. I’ll always be here.”
I set my phone down as the message ends. The tears flow freely and my heart aches. I just wish I knew what to do.
That afternoon, I know. My phone chimes, and it’s a message from Clementine. “I know you’re probably busy with family stuff, but I thought you should just know, Dad is in the hospital.”
I move fast. I have nothing with me except my wallet and phone, but I get on another bus to Hearthway Hollow. The entire time I keep trying to call Clementine or Helene, but I can’t get through. They’re either busy or I have bad service. My phone dies by the time I get to the bus station, and from there I take a taxi to the hospital. I race inside to find one of the girls, but I don’t see them, and at the front desk the nurse says Max has already been discharged.
I take another car back to Max’s house, and before I am even out of the cab, Clementine is coming out the door. She races down the steps to meet me and I grab her up tight in my arms.
“What happened? Was it his heart? Is he okay?” I’m probably speaking in tongues at this point, because for the last four hours, I’ve existed as nothing more than a ball of raw, undulating anxiety.
“It’s okay! Come on in.” Clementine takes my hand. “He gave us a fright, but I think you’ll laugh.”
“Laugh?” I ask confusedly.
Max is in the living room with Helene, and the grandkids are on the floor playing with the old tea sets. He looks up at me and starts to stand, which is when I see his hand is wrapped and bandaged. “You’re here,” he says in disbelief.
Clementine joins the kids on the floor. “Old idiot shot his hand with a nail gun. I got a call from the police department! I wrecked on my way to the hospital.”
I could cry from relief. “You shot yourself with a nail gun?”
Helene wheezes with laughter as she reaches for her drink. “With the board attached too. The police had to cut him out.”
“Dr. MacAllister said he’s never had to surgically remove a two-by-four.” Max tries to laugh, but he still seems bewildered.
I swallow hard. “Is everything okay? When I got the message, I thought it was your heart or something.”
Max shakes his head. “Nothing like that. But that’s one reason I was kept overnight for observation, since it was a lot of stress.” He holds up his hand. “Some light surgery, stitches, x-rays and a lot of pain medication.”
I cautiously approach him and put my arms around him. I sniffle as I press my face against his chest. It feels so good to hold him again. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I hope I didn’t scare you,” Clementine says.
“It’s okay,” I hiccup. “It’s okay.” I look into Max’s amber eyes and smile. “I’m glad I’m back now.”
Later on Helene and Clementine take the kids, promising to be back with dinner that night. I go back to my room, finding that nothing has changed aside from the bed being made. I feel so exhausted from the rush that day, all I want to do is lie down. The note I left is still on the bedside table. I reach to read it when there is a knock on the doorframe.
“You should be resting.” I stand up as Max comes into the room.
“So should you.” He cups my cheek in his good hand and smiles. “I just wanted to make sure you were still here.”
I clasp his hand and nod. “I’m sorry about how I left.”
Max pulls me into his arms again. “Not now,” he whispers. “Not now.”
We lie together in my bed, drifting to sleep. I wake to feel his fingers combing through my hair, over the nape of my neck. I raise my head to look at him and take his bandaged hand.
“What on earth were you doing with a nail gun?”
“I was building something,” he chuckles. “Your Christmas gift, actually.”
I furrow my brow at him and sit up. “And what could that possibly be?”
“I can show you, but it’s not quite done.” He hefts himself off the bed and takes my hand. We go outside onto the screened in porch, and across the way I see that he’s building in one of the trees on the edge of the yard.
“It may not be Neverland like you planned it,” he chuckles. “But it’s all yours.” He squeezes my hand tight.
I hiccup, and the tears start afresh. “What if I didn’t come back?”
“Then it would be for the kids.” He smiles down at me. “Were you planning on not coming back?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. Not until I turned my phone back on.” I cover my face with my hands. “I’m so sorry I left. I wasn’t thinking. I just panicked!”
He kisses the top of my head. “I know. I felt the same way.” He lifts my chin up to look at him. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner.” He kisses me, and I stand on tiptoes to kiss him back.
“It’s not quite done, but let me show you.” He takes me out to the tree, helping me up the ladder. I climb inside, looking at the bare walls and studs. It’s a basic treehouse, but he’s got windows ready for it, paint, all to make it special. I see the spot on the wall where he had his accident, along with the dried blood on the floor. “Try to ignore that,” he chuckles softly.
“Why would you do this for me?” I whisper.
“Because of the story you told me. I couldn’t think of anything better to keep my mind occupied.” He puts his arm around me from behind. “I’m just an old fool, Elisa. What else could I do?”
I lean back against his chest. “I love it.”
“I love you,” he whispers into my ear. “I have from the moment I first met you. I was just too afraid to admit it.”
I turn around in his arms, kissing him again. “I love you too.” I press my forehead to his shoulder. “The werewolf thing didn’t frighten me at all. It was what I was, what I could turn into. That’s why I ran away.”
“Enough of that,” he whispers. “You’re here now, and I’m not letting you run again.” He kisses my forehead lovingly. “It’s cold out here. Let’s return to the house where it’s warm.”
I make Hearthway Hollow my permanent home, and even if the courtship didn’t go as planned, I accept Max as my mate. I feel bad that I don’t have anything to give him for Christmas, especially since he built me the tree house I always wanted. I’m able to pay him back, though, a couple of months later.
I have my usual doctor’s visit, but I am blindsided by the news from the blood test. I make the doctor read it to me over and over again. I race to the comic shop, unable to head home and wait for Max there.
Of course when he sees me, looking disheveled and my eyes bloodshot from crying, he is nervous, terrified even.
“Elisa, did you just come from the doctor?” He takes my hand then lays his palm to the small of my back.
I nod fervently. “I did. And...” I cup my hand around my mouth as I begin to cry again. I know I’m scaring him, but I don’t know how else to act. “I’m here, Elisa. I always will be,” he whispers. “Tell me, please.”
“Nine months,” I bleat.
Tears have already begun to pour down his cheeks.“That’s okay. That’s a lot of time.”
“Technically only seven.” I catch my breath and smile until it feels like my face would shatter. “It’ll be here in seven months.”
The look of disbelief that washes over his face, followed by more tears. “It?”
I guide his hand over my belly. “I guess you were very driven that night,” I laugh excitedly. “Max, I’m pregnant.”
Max takes me into his arms with the intent of never letting go. He immediately gets on one knee, and the only thing I can think of is: yes.
“The girls will be over soon,” Max pants as we shut the doors on the bedroom. He left the shop with his employees, rushing home with me as soon as possible. He kisses me, cupping my face between his palms. This urgency is familiar, just like that night.
“How long?” I moan against his lips.
He chuckles as he presses more kisses to my face. “Not long enough.” He moves me to the bed, laying me down. I watch as he strips off his clothes, shifting before my very eyes. I run my hand up his chest, feeling his skin as it gives way to fur. He lowers himself over me again, kissing me, touching me. Once my clothes are gone, he looks down at me naked upon his bed, takes his hands and runs them down my body. I’ve never felt beautiful until this moment, looking up at the beast over me. Those amber eyes marvel at everything, and small tears collect at the corners. He’s beautiful too.
His hands rest on my belly, and the tears fall through the white fur on his cheeks. “I don’t know what to say,” he whispers. “I’ve always thought I was done having children. But here I am as excited and scared as the day I found out about Helene.” He kisses my belly all over and nuzzles his cheek to it. “I can’t thank you enough for all this love, Elisa.”
“Then come here.” I pull Max up to me, kissing him as I roll him onto his back. I climb on top of him, kissing down his chest. It’s unbelievable to think that this man is mine. Werewolf, man, fiancé, and father, he is mine.
“Go easy,” Max growls. He grabs hold of my hips.
I gasp for breath as I lean back, taking him inside me. I sit up and whimper as he fills me. Closing my eyes, I roll my hips, feeling every inch of him inside me. “Maxim,” I whisper his name. “Don’t let go.”
“I won’t. I promise.” He sits up to kiss me.
I don’t know how many times he’ll knock me breathless, but I suppose I have the rest of my life to find out.
As I’m getting dressed, Max reaches into his closet. He takes down a box, and from within it a smaller box. “I don’t have a proper ring yet,” he says. He takes my hand and puts on a simple gold band. “But for now, this will do.”
I look over the ring. It seems handmade, with little dents and divots in it. “What is it?”
“Something I fooled around with ages ago. A link off my grandfather’s pocket watch had broken off, and rather than toss it aside, I wanted to make something with it.” He kisses my knuckles softly. “It can be a placeholder until I get a decent engagement ring.”
I clutch my hand over my chest. “This is better. I much prefer this to some expensive ring.” I give him a soft kiss as we hear someone coming into the house.
Not everyone is a fan of the news. Clementine and Helene take it well, and they’re both happy for us. But they know me and have become my friends. Mary and Luisa aren’t as enthused. Mary is actually quite upset. Luisa is a bit shocked, but she’s able to accept it. It takes a lot of talks between Mary and Max for her to even approach me again, let alone speak to me.
“I don’t know what to do,” I say to Helene one day. “I know this is tough on her. But I don’t want her to end her relationship with her father because of this.”
“Mary was closest to our mother,” Helene explains. “She took her death hardest, especially since she wasn’t here when it happened. She’s never really let go, so to her, dad is still married.” She frowns. “And now this younger woman comes into the picture.”
I chuckle softly and shake my head. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I want dad to be happy, and I don’t think this is some usual middle-aged bullshit.” She pats my hand. “Just give it time.”
It isn’t until we find out the sex of the baby that Mary seems to have a change of heart. Max and I have the family over for dinner to reveal the news. He’s so excited he’s shaking, but Mary is taking her time. When she finally shows up and sits at the table, she waits patiently for the news. Out of all the girls, Mary looks the most like her father. They have the same color shifting eyes, the same sharp jawline, her hair has even gone white at a young age. I do not blame her and how she feels, but I want us to be on good terms.
“Are you ready, Max?” I ask him. “Go on, tell them.”
Max takes a breath while his grin widens. “You’re going to have a brother.”
Mary looks up, eyes wide. Her look of cold distance is gone, replaced by something soft and bewildered. She watches alone from her chair while her sisters get up to hug and greet us. I look over, seeing Mary quietly sobbing from her seat. I approach her and offer her my hand, but she doesn’t take it. Instead, she stands and hugs me.
From then on, she begins to let me in. Although it’s slow, at least we’re moving. Now that she’s accepting. Max and I decide to have a small ceremony before the baby is born. During the ceremony, I get thrown off, having forgotten Max’s name is a mile long. It was a shock to hear the pastor ask, “and do you, Jürgen?” instead of Max. I almost start laughing, and I feel terrible. I have to get better at remembering his full name.
Max and I have an argument about the name. He has at least six names to give our son, much like his own drawn-out one. I insist on three names, maximum, if only for the paperwork that’s going to take up a good chunk of our lives. Max agrees, and our son has his name: Elias Maximilian Carlo Hannekum. He’ll arrive in the summer, just around the time I first moved to Hearthway Hollow. Considering my health, we schedule a Cesarean section with a vaginal swab just a few days before his due date. I’m scared, but Max reassures me the entire time.
Elias is nearly ten pounds, quite the hefty little boy. The moment he’s put into my arms I am enchanted. Somehow, this person came from me. For those eight years I had grieved, it feels worth it to hold him.
I’m put on bed rest at home, and sometimes I wake to find Max sitting in his chair with Elias in his arms. His amber eyes are so focused on the sleeping bundle, and the smile on his face is so perfect. I love catching these moments. “I don’t feel so old when I hold him,” he says to me. “I look at him and I forget time exists.” He smiles broadly. “I felt the same way when I held my girls.”
“It’s remarkable.” I snuggle up beside him as he returns to bed. “I keep marveling at everything. It feels like a miracle to be here now.” I kiss the top of Elias’ head and breathe in that fantastic scent he has.
“Was it worth it?” Max whispers. “All of it?”
“Give him a few years,” I chuckle. “We’ll see.”
One sunny afternoon, I’m in the tree house with Elias and Clementine. Max is mowing the lawn while there is a breeze. Elias is cooing and marveling at a mobile that Clementine’s boyfriend, Joey, made for him. It has small rockets and stars, a dragon, and a big moon.
“Is there a dragon in space?” I ask.
“I asked Joey the same thing, and he said he just thought it was fun.” Clementine smiles at her baby brother and kisses him. “How have you been feeling?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Your father has been staying up nights with Elias.” I look out the window to see Max pulling up his shirt to wipe his face.
“I wonder,” Clementine coos to Elias. “What sort of wolf will you be?”
It hadn’t occurred to me even though it is so obvious. My son is a werewolf.
“I bet you’ll be a pretty white wolf like Papa.” Clementine singsongs. “You’re going to look like a little cotton ball when you shift. Yes, you are.”
“When do werewolves first shift?” I ask hesitantly.
“I didn’t shift until I was six. Luisa was ten. I can’t remember for Mary and Helene.” She tugs his little feet and makes him smile. “Sometimes they’ll shift early, but if that’s the case, it can be painful for them.”
“I hadn’t even thought about it until you mentioned it.” I scoop Elias up and hold him in my lap. “It’s not my natural instinct to think of my child being a werewolf.”
Clementine giggles. “Still pretty new to you, huh? Well, just a warning, teething is horrible. When I first started to shift, you could not keep me in clothes, and I was always naked. But that had nothing to do with being a werewolf, just me being a brat.”
The door opens and Max comes into the tree house. Elias’ face lights up and his chubby, toothless grin makes him look exactly like his father.
“Did you miss me?” Max sits down with us, taking Elias into his arms.
I inch up close to him. “Clementine says that teething for werewolves is horrible. Is that true?”
“Well, the natural urge is to chew, isn’t it?” He chuckles. “Helene used to chew on the arms of her baby dolls. Mary once gnawed a table leg when we weren’t looking. You girls gave us hell.” He flinches and looks at me. “I won’t let him chew the table, I promise.”
“Helene swears by those rubber pearl things.” Clementine yawns and leans back against the wall. “You should have prepared her for a werewolf pup better, dad.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about it.” I say breathlessly. “Not until Clementine brought up him looking like a cotton ball.”
“A cotton ball?” Max grins. “Oh! I don’t think he’ll be all white like me. I think he’ll look like you girls when he first shifts. They had the most beautiful grey fur, they looked silver in moonlight. I used to take them running through the woods. That’s how that dirt path got so worn in. I couldn’t keep them out of the creek. They so loved water.” He kisses Elias’ cheek. “I can’t wait to do that with you.”
That evening, we have a cookout with Clementine and Joey. Joey is so sweet, he’s been on the porch playing with Elias the whole time. He’s so tall and skinny, it makes me think of a stickbug with a pebble.
“He looks good with kids,” I say to Clementine.
“He has more siblings than I do. His youngest sister is five, I think,” she murmurs. “He’s actually looking for a place to move to. He asked me if I would join him.”
I smile at her. “That’s great!”
“Yeah, but...” She looks up at the house. “I’ll miss this place.”
Max sets the food down on the table, and Joey comes over with Elias chewing his finger. “I think he’s hungry.”
I take the baby and sit down at the table. Max makes my plate for me and feeds Elias while I eat. “This is nice,” Max sighs. “How is school going, Joey?”
“I’m busy. I’m trying to find a place, but between school and work, I haven’t had much time.”
Max looks down thoughtfully for a moment. “You know, there is room upstairs that is going unused. You shouldn’t have to worry about a roof over your head while you’re going to school. You can move in, but you and Tiny will have to clean and do all the work to get ready. My only stipulation.”
“Are you sure?” Joey asks.
“This house would be empty otherwise. It would be a waste. Elisa and I take up so little room, and even as Elias grows, this floor and the basement will be more than we could ever use. This house was meant for family.” He turns and smiles at me. “As long as you’re okay with this?”
I grin back. “It’s perfect.”
