Daniel Torres pulled the car up to the cabin, the very same one where he’d first taken Jenny after rescuing her from the cold, and his nearly nine-year-old son, Camden, immediately stated, “That’s it? This is the special cabin where you and Mom met. It’s super tiny.”

He smiled. Even though his clan leader had offered to paint or pretty up the place—especially once they’d extended the borders of the clan and secured them against any potential threats—Daniel had declined. It still belonged to the clan, but every year, to celebrate when he’d met Jenny, he took his family here.

Oh, he had some private time with his mate to celebrate their actual mating ceremony date. But their very first meeting had been the beginning of their family’s story, and he wanted everyone to enjoy it.

His six-year-old daughter Sofia bounced in her seat. “I like it, and the trees, and you said there’s a stream nearby, Daddy?”

He turned off the ignition and turned in his seat. “Yes, little one. But we’ll go tomorrow, when the sun isn’t about to set.”

His son sighed. “It’d be so much better to stay here in the summer. It’s warmer, and the trees don’t look dead, and more animals are around then.”

Jenny—who was six months pregnant with their surprise third child—did her best to put some dominance in her voice, like Daniel had taught her. “What did we agree on before coming here?”

Her son groaned. “Not the contract.”

Jenny nodded. “Yes, the contract.”

Daniel struggled not to laugh at his son’s overdramatic nature. His dragon spoke up. I agree with Camden. It’s stupid.

He likes to find each and every loophole there is, so we have to put the terms on paper until he grows out of it.

His beast sniffed. Still, summer would be a nicer time to visit.

But it wouldn’t be as special.

Since his dragon didn’t want to argue, he curled up inside Daniel’s mind and went to sleep.

Jenny’s voice brought his attention back to the car. “MirrorPeak is nice enough to let us use this place, so we should be grateful. Besides, in the summer, they need to use it as a base for search and rescue operations.”

Camden grumbled, “I suppose.”

Daniel jumped in. “I don’t know about you, but I want to go inside and build a fire. I might need some help.”

His son sat up taller in his seat. “Let me help, Dad. I want to try and do it by myself. You said I’m old enough for that, and to try and chop a small piece of wood.”

Sofia crossed her arms over her chest. “I want to do that too.”

Camden shook his head. “You’re still a baby, Sofia. You have to wait until you’re grown up, like me.”

“I’m not a baby!”

“Are too.”

“Am not.”

Camden pretended to rub his eyes and howl, like he supposedly thought babies behaved.

Sometimes it was hard not to laugh, but he most definitely couldn’t or he’d never live it down.

So Daniel clapped his hands, and his children fell silent. “You know your mom hasn’t been feeling too well, so let’s be on our best behavior, okay?”

Both kids looked contrite. Every time she threw up, they worried—both the human and dragon halves.

Sofia murmured, “Sorry, Mommy.”

Just as Camden said, “Sorry, Mom.”

Jenny smiled and blew each of them a kiss. “No worries. Now, let’s get inside. Sofia, you can help me get everything ready for s’mores while they build the fire.” She lowered her voice dramatically. “We might even have to taste test each ingredient, just to make sure they’re still good.”

Sofia bounced in her seat. “Yes, Mommy. Let’s do that!”

His son scowled, but didn’t complain. It truly was a testament to how much he wanted to build a fire.

His dragon said sleepily, He wants to impress you. So make a big deal of it.

Since when are you the expert on children?

I listen to Jenny. She told me before to remind you.

He glanced at his mate, struggling to get up from her seat, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Wait, let me help you.”

Daniel raced to the other side of the car, gently helped Jenny up, and wrapped her in his arms. “If we need to head back, just say so.”

She shook her head. “No, no, I’m fine. This is going to be our last child, though, Daniel. I didn’t have this much nausea or fatigue with the others. Plus, I didn’t get this fat.”

“You’re not fat, you’re perfect.”

She snorted. “Even my swollen, mammoth-sized ankles?”

He tilted her head up and let his love shine in his gaze. “Every single inch of you. I wouldn’t change a thing.” He kissed her quickly before adding, “Well, except maybe your keen eyesight. Then I could finally cheat and win someday.”

She laughed, lightly hit his chest, and replied, “No way in hell that’s happening.”

Camden giggled. “You said hell! You said hell!”

Jenny sighed, and Daniel somehow kept his face neutral. “Get inside and have everything ready to make a fire. Unless you want me to do it instead?”

His son dashed inside, still saying in a sing-song voice, “You said hell,” and their daughter followed him, telling him to stop.

Once they were alone, Daniel cupped Jenny’s cheek. “I love you.” He kissed her, and then helped her inside. And after Camden got the fire going—all by himself—and they all roasted marshmallows for s’mores, Daniel couldn’t help but smile at his little family. Their story had started in this cabin, and with each passing year, this place still added more memories and chapters to their lives.

And he couldn’t ask for more.