Mistake (completed)

One of the conditions of us living here was that we make sure to stay out of the way of the patrols. Unfortunately Gabriel is to little to care and every morning when they go by he distracts them. It's only for a few minutes but I'd rather us not burn this bridge. Cadence hasn't been able to rest for this long without worrying constantly since we got together.

We've been here for six months and it's been wonderful for Cadence. It's been a bit harder on our relationship because of my job but we make it work.

Alpha Alester pulled some strings and got me a great room in the city for next to nothing so that I don't have to spend eight hours a day driving. The only thing that isn't great about it is how much time I miss with Gabriel and Cadence.

Tonight starts our hybernation, we should be hybernating already but Cadence didn't want to go without me and I had to work later. My boss doesn't understand why I need so much time off every few months and I can't exactly tell him I'm a bear shifter.

Even though I'm a hard worker and probably his best worker, I know I'm fired as soon as I put in the request for my next two weeks.

When I pull up at the cabin Cadence let's Gabe outside. He goes down the stairs as fast as he can and runs over to me yelling excitedly that I'm home.

Goddess, he's getting so big. I feel like I miss out on too much. It makes my heart ache.

"You ready?" she asks me as I walk up to her with a happily screaming Gabriel.

"Yes" she replies.

Hand in hand and with Gabriel on my side we make the trek to the cave.

Two weeks later

"I'm so hungry I could eat a whole elephant." Cadence says dramatically.

"No you couldn't"

"Fine, a horse".

I chuckle at her. We're just on our way home from our sleep. Feeling refreshed and hungry we go home and hop into the shower. We bring Gabriel because it's faster and the rainfall shower head makes him giggle.

We're just making a huge breakfast when there's a knock at the door. Nobody ever comes out here except patrol and occasionally Luna Kylah so I'm worried.

I open the door "Luna is something wrong?"

She smiles and moves off to the side "Not at all".

"Cadence you're going to want to see this".

She slowly walks to the door and stops dead when she's sees them.

"Hey sis, how's it going?"

"Leon, Griffin!" she yells before she runs down the stairs and into their arms.

I'm still in shock seeing them standing there, "how?"

"She seemed so sad that they never had the chance to meet Gabriel. It's also been so long since you all have been together".

"Thank you. I have no idea how to repay your kindness".

"Don't worry about it. I know what it's like to be away from family. My family is pretty far from me too. The difference is I can go see mine whenever I want".

Gabriel walks over to the Luna and she picks him up and starts to play with him. Then Leon and Griffin catch his attention and he recognizes them from all the video calls we make.

Griffin see his excitement, "Hey Gabe buddy, you're getting so big".

Gabriel giggles and runs back inside.

Leon turns to Griff, "I think we're supposed to chase him".

"Go on then" Cadence tells them.

The three of them play while Cadence thanks Luna Kylah a million times.

"Don't mention it. Honestly your brother's are wonderful. Tell them to stay as long as they want. I am going to head back I just really wanted to be here to see your faces.

"You're the best. See you later." Cadence says to her and she shifts and runs off.

We go back inside and Leon is crawling around on the floor with Gabriel in his back while Griffin makes sure Gabe doesn't fall off.

I wrap Cadence in my arms and rest my chin on her shoulder. She turns and kisses me happiness radiating through the bond.

"Gabe sweetie, you still have to eat breakfast. Take your Uncle's to the kitchen." Cadence tells him.

"Smells good. You guys just woke up, didn't you?" Leon asks.

"We did".

We follow them to the kitchen to sit down and have a nice family breakfast.

The whole day is wonderful. Leon and Griffin brought Gabe tons of gifts and even brought Cadence a ring they found hidden away at her moms cabin. It's an amethyst ring and Cadence is overjoyed.

Unfortunately after Gabriel goes to bed I must head back to the city so I can be to work on time.

"Tony, I love you so much".

"I love you too sweetheart".

"We'll be here when you get back." Griff tells me.

"But only for a day. We don't want to intrude on to much of your time together." Leon chimes in.

"Stay as long as you want. We don't see you as much as we'd like." I assure them.

"bye".

I get in the truck and start the long boring drive back to the city.

Cadence

I wish he didn't have to go. We still have most of my savings, we could live well for a while and we could spend more time together but Antonio would rather work than spend my savings.

My brothers hug me before the go grab a few beers and we head out to the fire pit in the back.

Griffin and Leon sit down, "Do you and Tony need anything?"

"Like what?"

"Money." Griff says.

"No. We are fine financially Tony just worries about nothing. I think he just wants to make sure we have something if something were to happen to him".

"He's a good bear and I'm so glad you have eachother." Griff pats my hand.

"He's a wonder mate and father. Gabriel and I are so lucky to have him." I beam.

There's a long silence, comfortable but long I love being in their company again. They make everything feel so normal again.

"How's Dad?" I ask

"We don't really know. He doesn't come to work when we are there. He's still with Gale and she's nice but she doesn't know about dad or us or that he stabbed Tony at the bar." Leon explains to me.

"Does she make him happy?"

"Oh Cadence" Griffin says surprised, "you're far to caring".

I frown. He's still my dad even if everything he's done these last years has been crazy.

"Does he know about Gabriel?"

Leon shakes his head no "and let's pray it stays that way".

It hurts my heart that my baby boy has to grow up like this. Griff and Leon hug me and tell me that mom would be proud of me and that she'd be glad I have Antonio and Gabriel.

"You really think so?" I ask tears pricking the corners of my eyes.

"Yes. Tony loves you and Gabe and mom would want you to have what her and dad had all those years ago." Griff says as he hugs me.

"Thanks for coming".

"You're welcome" Griff says.

Leon joins the hug, "we miss you so much".