The Bear and I

by djinni14

This is a story about the Bear and I. It's a true story since i only tell true stories. Honest! It's all true, ... mostly. I never believed something like this could happen to me. I hope you enjoy my story, my life, my dream come true. Maybe it will live well past my years. I'd like to think so. - Now Complete

62. Chapter 62

Epilogue

CH62

Kate was in bed and had gone to sleep after making love to her husband wrapped up in his arms. Hours later Kate was squirming in bed as her eyes moved frantically under her closed eye lids.

Kate was outside; she was naked and it was cold now. There was a soft layer of snow already on the ground and it was still coming down heavily. She was doing her best to keep her children warm as she did her best to cover her clutch of eggs.

Her children needed to remain warm or they would die. She had a cache of 8 eggs that she was doing her best to cover with her body. She was also tired and in pain. She had spent the last 8-1/2 months walking around the house and even going into work for an hour feeling and looking like a house. Her belly was huge.

Then finally she went outside and stripped off all her clothes. She dug her nest and gave birth while screaming from the pain. Except instead of human babies she gave birth to 8 huge eggs that were easily the size of a bowling ball. The pain had been excruciating and she was sure she had passed out after the last one passed.

Now she had to keep them warm and protect them from predators. She cursed as the snow continued to fall and she herself was starting to freeze.

"MY BABIES!" And Kate gave up and collapsed and started to freeze.

Kate literally all but shot out of bed as she woke up and remembered her dream. Rick was missing though the sheets were still warm so he hadn't been gone long.

"If I give birth to 8 eggs that I have to keep warm for another 9 months, I'm so going to shoot you Rick. So help me God." She collapsed back onto the bed and twisted and turned and tried to forget her dream and go back to sleep. "You're a dead man Rick," she muttered in her sleep.

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Kate rolled over when she was awakened yet again, only the other side of the bed was empty and the sheets were a little cool. "So much for getting help this time," she groaned, not that Rick could help if it was the one thing that she was thinking it was.

She had been going into the office for about an hour just to be brought up to speed before going back home. "What the hell are you doing here? Go home and tend to your family," Elizabeth chastised her severely the first time. By the third time she just glared at Kate and said nothing.

She rolled out of bed but she still felt pain even if it had been a couple of weeks ago. She managed to stand and walked over to the bassinet. She looked down and felt her heart melt all over again just like it had the first time she had been handed her little girl immediately after giving birth to her. "And what has you awake this time? Hmm?" She scooped her up and held her close which got her to stop crying. She didn't smell anything and a quick peek told her that the diaper was still clean. "So you must be hungry this time. I can handle that and leave daddy to change the dirty diapers." She smiled remembering when she watched Rick change the first dirty diaper with practiced ease.

She gingerly sat down into the glider rocker that they had bought and put in their room just for this purpose. She also found that if she didn't nurse her little girl her breasts would fill up with milk and start to hurt in a new way. She opened a shirt of Rick's that she slept in. She had allowed him to have the other one back and took this one out of the hamper before it was washed. She liked the smell of the shirt; she was surrounded by Rick's scent. Besides she hoped that their little girl would get used to his scent faster this way.

Ava Lynn Castle. Kate had approved of the name once Rick explained what Ava stood for. "It feels like a more modern variant of Eve, but this name has been around for millennia. In Hebrew, Eve means "breath or life." But there's a version of Ava in Persian, which means "voice, sound," or in ancient German, which likely meant 'desired,'" he had explained and that had done it for her.

Kate felt Ava latch onto her nipple and start nursing. She held her baby girl in place tenderly and remembered when they had brought her home from the hospital. She was still very sore from having given birth and took her time getting out of Rick's truck with his help. He got Ava out of her car seat in the back seat and handed her over to Kate. She held the baby in her arms unwilling to let go of her. Alexis had hopped out and ran up the stairs to unlock and open the front door for her when she got that far. However when Alexis opened the door Midas and Maggie flew out and charged down the stairs to see Kate who hadn't been home in a few days. But before they reached her they both hit the brakes and began barking. Then all hell broke loose.

Kate instantly lost control of Ava as her beautiful baby girl shifted into the cutest little baby Amethyst dragon she had ever seen. She was up on all fours spreading her wings, snapping at Midas and Maggie who backed off and kept barking.

It took a lot of work and Alexis yelling at them from the front door to get Midas and Maggie to run back to Alexis. "Ava sweetie, you need to shift back for mommy. Please! I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." Kate was down on her knees and trying to get a hold on her baby dragon that was a lot bigger than she thought was possible. It took a number of soothing strokes and kisses before she had a naked baby in her arms again with a shredded onesie lying on the ground along with a diaper.

"Well, that answers that question," Rick commented as he did his best to keep from laughing. Kate, however, was very concerned that Ava would change when they had company. How the hell would they even begin to be able to explain that?

She had only made it as far as the living room when Johanna and Oscar showed up. Their sudden unexpected arrival had scared Ava, Kate guessed. Ava shifted into a baby dragon again and things only got worse when Johanna shrieked in surprise. That made Midas and Maggie start barking. Suddenly they had two dogs and a dragon running around the house!

The adults were chasing dogs, a baby dragon, and each other as Alexis just watched, laughing at everyone. None of the adults were making any progress when Rick made them stop for a minute. When they did and actually paid attention to what was going on they realized Ava as a dragon was chasing the dogs one direction only to have the dogs turn around, chasing her back the other.

Ava was out in front and rounded everyone and the furniture in the house with Midas and Maggie hot on her heels or claws only to disappear down the stairs. When they came back up Midas and Maggie were out front with Ava right on their heels or paws."That's our sweet girl!" Rick commented and began laughing. It took time to corral Ava and the dogs and get her to shift back into a naked baby girl. "You've certainly got your hands full Katie," Johanna said as she chuckled at the turn of events. Katie had kept her mom and her father on their toes since she was born, now it was her turn.

"We have our own announcement," Oscar said, practically bursting with joy as Johanna held out her left hand to show off the ring he had put on it. Kate's eyes widened as she held her mom's hand to look at it.

Platinum, 18K Yellow Gold prongs to hold the natural Ruby, Ruby and Diamond Engagement Ring, the center heated Mozambique ruby at 4.40 carats framed by two trapezoid diamonds at 0.88 carats.

"It's gorgeous Mom." Kate was actually happy for her. She had welcomed Oscar into her life because he was important to her mother and now he was going to be her stepfather. Kate would have gotten up to hug her but her arms were filled with Ava.

"Thanks sweetheart." Johanna couldn't express what she felt that her daughter could accept her marrying Oscar. "Though we have one more announcement to make." Now Kate was worried because of the look on her mother's face. Her heart fell into her stomach. Her mother was sick. She had breast cancer...ovarian cancer or something worse.

Johanna didn't know how to say it so she just blurted it out, "I'm pregnant." Kate knew her mouth had fallen open; she was shocked into silence. "Katie, say something," Johanna begged. Kate's mouth opened and closed like a fish as her mind tried to catch up. "Please Katie say something, anything. I know I'm too old to be pregnant." She simply stared at her mother as in her peripheral vision she saw Rick hugging Oscar and slapping him on his back and saying something. However she wasn't listening to what Rick was saying.

"Pregnant?" she finally croaked out. "About nine weeks," Johanna said quietly and sat next to her daughter. "Please say something. I'm so scared." Actually Johanna was petrified. Being pregnant at her age was usually fraught with complications, none of them good for her or the baby.

Kate felt Ava leaving her arms and turned her head to see Rick lifting Ava from her arms. She hugged her mom. "Pregnant," Kate whispered. She knew her mom and Oscar had gone to Rapid City during the day the restaurant was closed, she just didn't know why. Until now.

"You're really pregnant?" Kate asked while still holding onto her mother and saw and felt her mother nod. "I'm scared Katie. Women my age who get pregnant usually have problems and can lose the baby. I'm really scared." Kate could see tears streaming down her mom's face.

Her heart broke all over again for her. She crushed her mother in a hug and wished her hugs could do what Rick's hugs did. "It'll be fine Mom. I'll drive you to Rapid City every week. Lights and siren if I have to. You're going to be the healthiest person in this room. Is it a him or a her? ...Never mind you wouldn't know yet," she said as she smacked her own head.

She turned on Oscar ready to grill him. "We've already looked into getting a replacement cook for the restaurant so she isn't working herself to death. I intend to take very good care of her. I promise you Kate, I love your mother so very much," Oscar spoke before she could threaten him over her mother's health.

Kate was brought out her own mind and her memories. "Hi Mom!" Alexis walked in, stepped right up, then ran a hand over her little sister's head that was still latched onto Kate's nipple. "Hi Ava."

"Alexis, sweetie, you do know that I love you and I always will, don't you? Having Ava doesn't change that. I just need to spend more time with her because she needs me more now," Kate said anxiously. She didn't want Alexis upset with her or to resent the baby. "I know Mom, Dad told me." Kate started breathing again. One more thing to love Rick over. "Where's your father?" Kate questioned her. "On the phone downstairs. He said Elizabeth's name," Alexis told her. That told Kate that he was talking to the people at work, likely about her and the baby.

It was just as Ava let go of Kate's nipple that Midas and Maggie came into the room and stuck their noses into everything. She suddenly had a baby dragon in her lap who then leapt out of it and onto the floor. "OUCH, that hurt Ava!" Kate chastised her. Ava bowed her head like she understood her then burped loudly and ran off chasing Midas and Maggie. "I guess breakfast is over. I hope the house can withstand this," Kate commented wryly.

"Mom, why can Ava run as a dragon but can't do anything as a baby?" Alexis didn't understand that part. "Baby dragons are bigger and stronger than human babies. They have to be able to defend themselves from predators. Do you want to play with her? We can go outside and you can be a bear and play with your sister." Kate figured they were far enough from the highway and Ava wasn't much bigger than the dogs if you took away her wings. "CAN I!?" Alexis exclaimed suddenly interested. "Of course. Let her chase the dogs for a while, take a nap, get fed a few times, then you two can go out after dinner," Kate offered. She found herself being hugged by Alexis who amazingly felt like a mini version of Rick. "Thanks Mom!"

Alexis had been worried that she wouldn't get to do anything with the baby for years. Now she was going to get to play with her sister later! She was so excited! Alexis ran off to tell her dad. "You're welcome," Kate called after she was gone. Alexis made her smile.

Kate went downstairs and found Rick just getting off the phone. "What did she say?" Kate asked him. "They have everything under control," he told her. "I'm still going in for an hour," she told him. "Somehow I knew you were going to say that. Are we still driving to Casper tomorrow?" he asked knowing they had made plans. Kate was technically off on maternity leave for the next four weeks.

Because they had made plans to go to Casper, Amber had to make a choice: find a baby sitter for Sam or let her go with Rick and Kate. Kate had brought Ava into the office yesterday and kept telling her that she was safe and not to shift into a dragon. The women, including Amber, had cooed over Ava and even got to hold her. "I love babies," Rebecca announced while stroking her little head and giving it a light kiss. "You did good Kate," Amber informed her. Ava did her part and simply made adorable baby sounds to the women's delight.

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Johanna and Oscar were resting at home while Serena and Joanne were sitting with Rick and Kate after she got back while Alexis was out back playing with Midas and Maggie and Ava was sleeping upstairs. "You're sure this was the only way?" Kate asks knowing that it was already too late. "Our family talked it over for a while and came up with options. Even Joanne and I discussed more options on our flight out here. Fly and buy what we needed. Just i don't have any contacts in India, don't know who to contact to get what we want. Plus Joanne and hasn't had a lot of training or experience in killing someone almost hand to hand." Serena points out.

"Killing does change you i won't lie." Kate comments remembering the first person she killed. It was part of the job and she had to but it didn't make her feel any better about it. "Why didn't you take a commercial flight to the area and then fly as a Dragon?" Serena questions. "Paper trail mostly. We didn't want someone to come ask us questions even if they had no real reason to." Rick answers her question.

"How are you feeling?"Joanne looks at Kate being concerned. "Still a little sick actually. Killing off Paladin cost a lot of people their lives. Those military vessels a little though it's those children who no longer have a future that haunts me the most." Kate admits. "Children that were being brought up to despise shifters. One or more of them would have taken over for their father when the time came." Serena counters. "There just had to be another way." Kate sinks into Rick looking for comfort and gets a hug while sitting next to him.

"You mentioned you two were getting married." Rick offers taking them off a topic that no one liked. "We are actually and I can't wait." Joanne took a hold of Serena's arm. "I'm still on her on where and when." Serena glares at her and only gets Joanne to smile back at her. "Tell us when and where and we'll be there." Kate brightens up. "Thank you Detective Beckett, that means a lot to me." Joanne was glad to have her. "It's Sheriff Castle now actually." Kate squeezed Rick's arm.

Their conversation was interrupted when the baby monitor showed that Ava was awake. "That's my que." Kate gets up gingerly, still feeling a little of the pain from giving birth and heads upstairs. "BABE IT'S A DIRTY DIAPER!" Kate yells down which got Rick to groan as he gets up and heads upstairs. They were both far enough away. "Kate has him well trained." Serena chuckles getting Joanne to laugh.

"Have you been watching the news lately?" Serena asks after they are both back. "Don't look at me." Kate holds up her hands. Only one missile corvette and one submarine had been her doing. She knew she had nothing to do with all the cargo ships that were being sunk over the last few months near India. Eight ships in total so far costing someone millions of dollars.

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"Everyone ready?" Rick asked as he got behind the wheel of the new SUV they had bought to accommodate their larger family and the dogs. Baby seat, booster seat and 2 dogs required more space than his truck could provide. Now they had a diesel 2002 Ford Expedition. Kate was in the center row making soothing sounds at Ava in her car seat to keep her calm, hoping she would sleep through this trip. Alexis, Sam, and the dogs were in the back. "Ready Dad." Alexis was excited about taking a short trip. "Ready Mr. Rodgers." Sam was happy to be going somewhere again. Even if it was to someone's house she had barely met earlier.

"Tell me again what Lanie said," Rick coaxed. Kate rolled her eyes. For some reason he loved what she'd said. "Lanie said, 'Get your skinny little butt out here girlfriend. I want to see my goddaughter or I'll hurt you,'" she told him again which made him chuckle once more.

It was normally a 2-1/2 hour drive. However with stops to let the dogs out and do their thing, a stop to let the girls out and into the restroom so they could do their thing, and a stop so Kate could feed Ava. "Babe could you stop again?" she looked at him apologetically. Rick got out with Kate and they both used the restroom before getting back on the road. It became an almost 3-1/2 hour drive making them late.

Rick parked in the street since Lanie's driveway was filled with cars, both Hondas. Kate knew from Lanie that she had gotten a 2002 Cadillac Escalade AWD. It was black inside and out with black rims; that told her Javi had talked her into something for him.

Kate was still thankful for what Serena had done as part of their deal. Espo had gotten the job as detective in Casper while Kevin had gotten a job as detective in Cheyenne. Jenny had applied and been hired in a law firm and was doing well the last she knew.

They had all barely gotten out of the SUV when the front door of the white 2-story house that Lanie had bought opened and out came Lanie, Javi, Kevin, and Jenny with Sarah Grace. The dogs hadn't seen any of them for a while and wanted to be petted first.

Kate said soothing words to Ava and hoped she was comfortable with everyone, since the second Lanie reached her she lifted Ava out of her arms and started cooing to her.

Kate got hugs from them all while Rick got to meet everyone again followed by Alexis and Sam. "Come on inside, I've got all your rooms all set up. And wait till you see what Oscar did to my kitchen!" Lanie's face lit up as she talked about her kitchen. Rick got the bags allowing Kate to step inside. "Kitchen nothing Lanie! What happened to the walls?" Kate looked around. She remembered what it looked like from the pictures. There was this small opening between the living room and kitchen while the kitchen was open to the dining room with all of the bedrooms upstairs.

Now the kitchen was open to everything. You could see the dining room and kitchen from the front door. "Isn't it great!" Lanie beamed. "Wait till you see the bathrooms." Lanie was proud about those too.

Kate hadn't even noticed the furniture yet which was also brand new. "Come on I want to show you something." Lanie, who still had Ava, took Kate into the kitchen and showed her everything. She had a Wolf gas fired four burner stove with a grill in the middle, a Z Line stainless steel range hood, a Bosch dishwasher, and a giant Sub Zero side by side refrigerator/freezer. Her stainless steel double bowl sink with a pre-rinse sprayer was in the island. "What is this?" Kate ran her hands over the countertop. "Polished concrete," Lanie said. "Seriously!?" Kate knew her mouth was hanging open, but she was shocked. There were recessed lights and the island/breakfast bar that could seat four that had pendant lights hanging over it. Now Kate turned and looked out into the room. "This is nice Lanie, really nice." Kate was impressed. It wasn't her home but this was nice.

"How's work?" Kate changed the subject. Lanie laughed. "Would you believe I just got back yesterday and used the plane they bought just for me?" Lanie told her, grinning. "So you like your new job?" Kate asked her. "It's amazing actually. They send me everywhere, most trips are at a moment's notice. They call and I drive or fly either that day or the next. New York City it's not," Lanie chuckled and gave up Ava when Rick came get her so he could show her off to the others.

Lanie opened up the refrigerator, pulled out a wine bottle, and poured both of them a drink even though it wasn't lunch yet. Lanie was handing over Kate's glass when Kate grabbed Lanie's free hand. "Lanie Parish, what have you done!?" Kate saw the diamond on her finger. Lanie didn't blush often or easy, however she did now. "Javi proposed yesterday," she told Kate, still getting used to the idea. "JAVI PROPOSED!?" Kate was shocked. She was sure those two would dance around each other for the rest of their lives. Lanie was convinced that it was them moving away from New York that had got him to do it. Living out here had changed both of them.

Her outburst was heard throughout the entire house causing everyone to be silent. Jenny and Kevin hadn't noticed or heard the news even though they got there about 2 hours before Rick and Kate. "Trust me I'm as shocked as you are. He asked me out of the blue. He even had a ring in his hand," Lanie told them. "BRO!" Kevin hit him in the arm and then hugged him.

This brought out more wine and a few beers while the women talked to Lanie and Javi talked with the guys. They were still talking when they heard, "Are we going to eat?" Alexis asked softly. This was followed by Ava making her wants known. "You're first babe," Kate called out. He picked up the diaper bag and disappeared with the baby.

"How did you do that?" Jenny was impressed and jealous. "Skill Jenny, all skill," Kate laughed. "Which reminds me. Mom is marrying Oscar and she's pregnant!" Kate told them. "Seriously? How old is she?" Jenny asked not really sure of Johanna's age. "Mom's 50, and 51 in just a few days and she said she's scared," Kate said quietly. "Your mother has reason to be. Significant medical risks exist including the increased possibility for gestational hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia — a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and possible organ damage. Stillbirth, preterm delivery, growth restriction, and hypertension. And that's just your mother. The baby could have Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities," Lanie told her.

Kate was silent as she took that all in. "Not helping Lanie," Jenny whispered to her. "Just get her to see a reproductive endocrinologist. There's one here in Casper; I can make an appointment for her. If she's healthy, eats right and takes her vitamins, and doesn't exert herself, she and the baby have a better chance of being okay." Lanie tried to undo the damage she'd done. "Mom can't be up here for almost a week." Kate knew where she was at the moment and was worried about that too. Still Serena and Joanne hadn't mentioned any complications. "Just have her call me and I'll make an appointment for her. I'll even go with her if I'm here." Lanie was even afraid she'd get a call and have to leave tomorrow.

Rick brought in a fussy Ava and handed her off to Kate. "Your turn my love," Rick said. "Excuse me," Kate told them as she took Ava and got up. "Your room is up the stairs second door on the right," Lanie called to her back.

"How is Kate doing really?" Lanie could see something in her eyes. The problem was what Lanie saw was what she and her dragon had done. And Rick couldn't talk about that. "I'm not sure Kate has really adjusted to her mother being with Oscar or more likely it's her finding out her mother is pregnant again at her age. Kate worries about almost everything these days, I've noticed," he remarked.

"You should have seen her at the 12th. Kate was good at her job because she cared about the families she was trying to get justice for," Lanie commented. "But she's happier here than I've ever seen her. She really does love you Rick and I thank you for taking such good care of her. She's still my best friend," Lanie told him.

"I love her, too, Lanie. So very, very much. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had met her in New York years ago." In a way he wished he had met Kate before he ever met Meredith. Except that would mean he wouldn't have Alexis.

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Lanie stopped outside of the specialist's building having left Patch and Thor at her home. "She's Dr. Dana J. Roberson and she's expecting you." Lanie escorted Oscar and Johanna inside where they waited for her name to be called.

Johanna had been gone for a while. "I want to thank you for telling Kate about Dr. Roberson. Jo has been scared ever since she found out," Oscar told her. "I'm sure she'll be fine. Kate's tough and likely got that from her mother." Lanie was trying to be positive.

Oscar simply chuckled having found out how Johanna worked by now and still loved her or because of how she worked. It felt like a long time to both of them until Johanna came out. The smile that was on her face told both of them all they needed to know. "She gave me a brochure on what to eat and what to stay away from. I'll get my test results in a couple of days. I'm supposed to take it easy, take my list of vitamins, and see my OBGYN at least every 2 weeks if not weekly so he can watch for any problems," Johanna told them. "And his office is where?" Lanie asked. "Rapid City." Johanna scrunched up her face knowing he wasn't all that close.

"And?" Oscar asked her. "I'm perfectly healthy and she doesn't expect any complications though she does want me to discuss a possible C-section due to my age or possible size of the baby, but wants me to consult with my OBGYN and let him make that choice." Johanna said. She found herself in an Oscar bear hug; he had been scared too.

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Kate was carrying Ava while naked out the back door with Rick right next to her, Alexis not far behind. Kate and Rick felt funny about this but it was necessary if they didn't want to keep buying an entire wardrobe. Maybe a simple robe next time? It was dark out and she was hoping that was enough to hide what they were about to do.

She put Ava down on a blanket she had laid on the ground with Midas and Maggie next to her. "Okay sweetie, you can shift. We're going to go play as a family," Kate told her as she watched her naked human baby turn into a baby Amethyst dragon who took off after Midas and Maggie. "You're next pumpkin," Rick told her. Kate and Rick watched as a baby bear raced after the baby Amethyst dragon and a pair of Doberman Pinchers.

"Ready?" Rick asked looking at her. Seeing her naked had him thinking about making love to her when they got back. Would their next baby be another dragon or a bear? And if it was another dragon what color would it be?

"I love you Rick, so very much." Kate stepped into him to give and get a hug. She had come a long way since her days as a homicide detective in New York City. "I love you too Kate and I'm hoping for hundreds of years to prove it to you." He hugged her and soothed away her fears about the future.

He stepped back and shifted into a truly large Kodiak Bear and then took off after the others. Kate hesitated and went back to worrying. She was big and would only get bigger as she aged as well as become more powerful. She shifted into a juvenile Amethyst dragon and took off running to catch up to her family. In time she would teach her little girl how to fly.

What both of them missed that night on the international news was a monumental decision made by several major powers. Over the last year ships in the Indian Ocean had been sinking for an unknown reason and it was costing countries millions if not billions. Let alone the insurance companies and companies that were losing ships.

Several countries were sending warships into the area to assist the Indian Navy to combat the problem. The United States was sending 4 Arleigh Burke destroyers while China was sending 2 coast guard ships and the Russians were sending 2 Slave-class cruisers and 2 Udaloy-class destroyers. They didn't want to be outdone by the Americans.

Worst of all, survivors were few and far between. There was only one thing each survivor had in common and it was being kept a closely guarded secret. Each country had threatened the survivors' entire families if the survivors talked to the press.

Blazing red eyes that felt like pure evil staring at them and chilling their very souls. PURE EVIL!