The trip improved dramatically the moment we arrived at the campground.

"Finally," I sighed, taking a deep breath of fresh air as I climbed down the RV steps, my baby curled in my arms, his bright eyes taking in his surroundings. "It's good to be on solid ground again."

"Remind me never to take you on a boat," Sinclair murmured, descending the stairs behind me. "If you didn't like that, you won't like this."

"Yes, sir," I replied passively, smiling down at the baby, who freed one arm and reached for a firefly flitting nearby. I didn't mention that I'd enjoyed the sea voyage to the desert far more, even with the less luxurious accommodations.

"What about this?" Sinclair murmured, joining me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. I leaned back against him, smiling. "Is the forest an improvement?"

I surveyed our secluded campsite, bathed in the grey and blue hues of twilight. I smiled, appreciating the cool air and the fireflies blinking lazily through the space.

"Yes," I said with a decisive nod. "This will do quite nicely."

"Good," Sinclair replied, kissing my cheek before moving to a lower luggage compartment on the RV. He opened it and began pulling out camping chairs, a cooler, bags of snacks, and bug spray.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, surprised. "We're very prepared!"

"Of course we are," Roger said, emerging from the RV with Cora. He reached the ground and flicked the switch to deploy Henry's little elevator. "We're always ready for glamping in this family."

I laughed at the term, settling into a chair Sinclair indicated, smiling down at the baby. "What do you think, Rafe?" I whispered. "Do you like glamping?" He cooed happily, and I laughed, grinning at his father. "I think that's a yes."

"Kid has taste," Sinclair said, winking as he continued working. We were all settled around the fire much faster than I expected, Sinclair and Roger setting up a grill to prepare dinner.

"They only cook outdoors," Henry whispered, leaning toward Cora and me. "Otherwise, they're not interested."

"Not true!" Sinclair protested, eyes still on the fire. "Absolutely true!" Roger chimed in, making us laugh. "If I'm making food, it's grilled. Otherwise, it's takeout."

"Guess your baby's going to eat a lot of hot dogs," I murmured to Cora.

"And egg rolls," she added, sighing. She looked at me. "You know I can't cook either."

I shrugged. "Maybe we can hire them chefs," I suggested. She raised her eyebrows, pleased, and we grinned.

The evening continued like this, the family gathered happily around the fire, talking about everything and nothing, discussing future plans without dwelling on any anxieties. We all knew they were there, but we chose to ignore them for now.

Tonight was about laughter, fun, and togetherness.

I moaned slightly as I bit into a s'more Sinclair handed me, the marshmallow perfectly burnt. "Oh my god," I murmured, closing my eyes. "This is so good."

"You're dripping," Sinclair laughed. "You're going to get marshmallow all over the baby."

"I don't care," I murmured, refusing to open my eyes as I took another bite.

Sinclair laughed and took Rafe from my arms. I let him, wanting to savor my s'more. Cora, Roger, and Henry joined in the laughter as Sinclair carried Rafe away, jokingly apologizing for my messiness. I waved him off, knowing he was teasing.

I finished my s'more and watched my family. Henry watched Sinclair and his grandchild while Cora and Roger sat close, clearly connected in the peaceful moment.

"It's nice out here," Cora said, wrapping her arms around herself. "I didn't think I'd like this so much."

"Something primal about it, isn't there?" Roger murmured, playing with Cora's hair.

"Yeah," she said, looking at the stars, then at Roger, beaming.

I smiled as I watched them. Then, seeing their connection, I knew what to do.

Quietly, I stood and sent a pulse through my bond with Sinclair. He looked at me, curious, and I nodded toward the RV, then toward Roger and Cora, who were talking quietly. My mate understood and nodded. He went to his father, whispering something.

Then, as quietly as possible (which wasn't very quiet, considering Henry's noisy elevator), the three of us and the baby returned to the RV, leaving Cora and Roger alone.

"What do you think they're talking about?" I asked Sinclair as he climbed in last, closing the door behind him, the baby still in his arms. I sat in the kitchen nook, peering out the tinted window at Roger and Cora.

"Isn't that their business, little spy?" he said, sitting beside me. Henry, perhaps wanting to give us privacy, rolled off to the bedroom, claiming he wanted to watch television (though we both knew he didn't).

"Yes," I sighed, looking up at my mate and reaching for the baby. "But you know I always want to know."

Sinclair laughed. "Do you know," he murmured, pulling me close, resting his chin on my shoulder, "I never cared about my brother's love life until you came along."

"Why not?" I asked, still watching them. "Roger's hot. He's probably had interesting girlfriend drama."

"Roger's hot?" Sinclair asked, stiffening slightly.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"You think my brother's hot?"

I burst out laughing, touching his face. "Dominic," I said, shaking my head. "Your brother is hot. It's an obvious fact—not my opinion."

"Still," he growled, pulling me closer. "I don't like hearing you say it."

"Oh?" I smirked. "What would you prefer?"

"That all men besides me are nonexistent. Or disgusting swamp creatures—"

I laughed again, tilting my head back.

Sinclair laughed, and I snuggled closer. "I promise," I murmured, kissing him, "all men besides you are disgusting swamp creatures. But for Cora's sake, I'm glad Roger's hot."

Sinclair hummed for a moment, then nodded. I tilted my head. "Do you think Cora's pretty?"

"What?" he asked, aghast.

I grinned. "It's a question."

"Ella," he said, shaking his head. "I've never even thought about it. I don't look at her that way."

"Really?" I asked, curious. "You don't look at other women?"

"No," he said, shaking his head seriously. "It doesn't even cross my mind anymore. My focus is solely on you. It doesn't matter."

"Oh," I said, surprised and pleased. I smiled. "That's nice to hear."

"You're it for me, Ella," Sinclair murmured, kissing me. "You're the only one who matters, ever."

"Same for me, my love," I whispered back, kissing him again. The kiss was intense. My heart raced.

"Shit," Sinclair sighed, glancing around.

"Dream state?" I suggested, grimacing. We both knew we'd prefer

"Yes," he sighed, rearranging the furniture to create a makeshift bedroom, grimacing at his father's twin bed. "Next vacation," he said, glancing at me, "we're going alone. And there will be doors."

"Agreed," I sighed. I spent the next few minutes getting the baby ready for bed while my mate worked, both of us regretting our promise to let Cora and Roger have the bedroom.