The humid summer air, carrying hints of fresh water and wildflowers, had always been my favorite. It was especially fragrant here, in the field of golden grass I frequented. Even as I sat on the thick quilt I had brought along, I yearned for the feel of the grass beneath my feet. Rifling through my bag, I retrieved a cherry-almond croissant from my favorite bakery, still thriving under new management by a spirited girl named Scarlett, whose pastry experiments yielded delightful results.
This place had once been a secret, but as I watched children laugh and play, I couldn’t regret sharing it with them. It held some of the purest happiness I had ever known, a repository of countless cherished memories.
Six children, three boys and three girls, darted through the grass with wide grins. Some were missing baby teeth, others had scraped knees and dirt-covered clothes. The boys were boisterous and energetic, easily matched by the adventurous spirit of the girls.
I chuckled as Emma tackled her younger brother, both disappearing into the tall grass. “Nice try, sweet pea. I might be older, but my senses are as sharp as ever,” I teased Cassie, one of the youngest, whose eyes mirrored my own, though her brown was a shade lighter. Mud-slicked curly onyx hair sprouted from her ponytail.
Cassie pouted, crossing her arms. “Grandma, will you come play with Emma and me? Ariel won’t let us join because we can’t shift.”
Ariel, our granddaughter and the only daughter of Caden and Caleb, had recently completed her first shift, reveling in every opportunity to display her snow-white fur. She delighted in making flowers bloom and fruits sprout-a reminder of an old friend and a longing to see her again.
Meanwhile, her older brothers, twins Liam and Logan, neared the end of their Alpha training, spending every free moment roaming the forests in wolf form. They returned home at odd hours, raiding the kitchen for replenishment.
“I’m getting quite tired, sweet pea,” I gently replied, noting the gentleness in Cassie’s features, reminiscent of both her grandfathers and me. My joints ached from prolonged sitting. “I think I’ll head back to lie down with your grandpas’. Would you mind walking me home?”
“Emma! Grandma wants me to walk her back!” Cassie hollered, her voice echoing across the field.
“I’m coming too!” Emma’s soprano rang out as she joined Cassie, resembling her father with her golden hair and kind smile. Her younger brother, Andrew, bore a striking resemblance to her. Although more reserved than his spirited sister, Andrew eagerly joined her daily escapades.
“And where’s Amelia, your sister?” I inquired of Cassie.
“Amelia went back to the house to read,” she snorted, finding the notion entirely absurd. Cassie rarely sat still, much like our youngest daughter, Chole, who now saw a reflection of herself in Amelia.
Caden and Caleb had come first. Caden , untamed like Kieran, and Caleb, suave and charismatic, were followed by Violet, whose conception had worried me with the possibility of another set of twins. Violet possessed Kieran’s wild streak tempered by Chole’s independence, which took time to blossom. When Chole found her mate and wife, we welcomed her into our family without hesitation.
In my grandchildren’s eyes, I glimpsed traces of my children-their beautiful, unique personalities manifesting vividly. At times, memories flashed of Ethan and Kieran as young boys, their eyes twinkling whenever Liam and Logan burst into the house.
Cassie’s cocky grin reminded me of Ethan, while Ariel echoed Kieran’s fierce spirit, craving freedom and the exhilaration of shedding human constraints.
Surrounded by my children and their offspring, I had experienced both fear and joy. “Grandma?” Cassie’s soft voice interrupted my thoughts.
My mind wandered more frequently these days, drifting back to the past like an old movie reel-recalling those I had lost and those I longed to see again, friends and family waiting beyond reach.
Cassie’s curious eyes met mine, filled with the peculiar wisdom children seemed to possess-as though she knew I wasn’t fully present.
Across two hills of golden grass, which burst with vibrant midsummer flowers, stood our home-a testament to the twins’ craftsmanship for our tenth anniversary. The arched windows, hand-carved door, marble floors, and brick fireplace, once seeming excessive, now hosted visits from all our children and grandchildren. Once empty and silent, our halls now resonated with life and laughter.
Inside, as always, awaited my mates. Years had softened their features but left their charm and rugged appeal intact. Blinking, I saw my twins-memorizing their youthful appearance from years ago.
Ethan smiled gently, the overlay of age and youth blending like clear film. He understood where my thoughts often drifted, my attention wandering more with passing years. Kieran leaned on his cane, eyes as weary as mine.
“Your mom has always been too smart for her own good,” I remarked to Cassie, smiling softly as I nestled into the arms of my mates.