Sophia has a wide smile on her face as she spins around laughing softly to herself as she watches a squirrel scurry up a nearby tree, twitching its tail as its heart beats rapidly before it leans over the branch and starts to watch us in the safety of the height of the tree. She kicks up the leaves as they litter the forest floor and field mice scatter with squeaks in search of a new hiding place. "Having fun?" chuckling with amusement. She glances at me, covering her mouth as she giggles, "it's been a while since I've gotten to walk through the woods like this."

Raising my brow and crossing my arms as I step closer to her, she reaches out and snatches a leaf as it falls down towards the ground. She has a soft childlike side to her not many get to see. "You walk through the woods all the time at work." Sophia looks at me through a hole in the leaf as she holds it up and the image sticks in my mind as something that would make a great portrait. "That aint the same, Hotshot, that's work. Taking care of things or doing it because I have to. This is fun," she informs as her eyes close and her hand lowers as she inhales deeply, "everything is so fresh here. I'm getting to enjoy it." she tells me softly as her eyes slowly open and she looks up at me. "Can you smell it?"

"I can smell a lot of things, you'll have to be more specific," reaching out and taking the leaf from her hand she hums as she closes her eyes again.

"The leaves and dirt when you disturb them, the trees, the last of the crops being harvested in the farm lands," a smile grows more as she takes in the aroma of Autumn that swirls around us on the breeze as it gusts through, knocking down some of the last straggling leaves that cling to the trees. Soon a blanket of snow will encase them through the winter to wait for spring again.

New life and prosperity.

"At work I don't get the chance to take it in," she whispers softly as her gaze fixates on a chipmunk rooting around in a hole where she disrupted the leaves at the trunk of a tree. "I used to spend all my time outside when I was a kid, going through the fields. Even have my own horse at dads that I have ridden around his ranch since I got her. She's a real pretty mare," she looks back at me as a slight shine starts in her eyes as lightning flashes in them and her voice holds more of that southern twang I heard when we first met. I love the way her voice pitches and sweetens with her passion. I could listen to her read out of a cookbook like it was a classic with her voice like this.

"What's her name?" I ask as I step up closer and my arm wraps around her waist, smiling as I lean down closer for her, I want a taste of that sweetness.

"Roach."

I look twice at her as I stop leaning down towards her and I can feel the way my face cringes with aversion at the name but she only laughs at me, "are you kidding?"

"Nope! That's her name." she grins more and her eyes flash mischievously. "My uncle Nate and Aunt Cilla found her for me, she's a real pain in the ass for everyone."

"Is that why you named her Roach?" I can't keep the sour look off my face and she snorts, shaking her head.

"Conner suggested it actually from a book he liked," she tells me and I stand up straighter, "you let him talk you into naming your horse Roach." I make more of a face and she reaches up pinching my nose.

"Of course I did. As much of an ass as he can be, Conner and me grew up together. I don't hate him all the time, just most of it. Also pissed off my step mom at the time, she ain't into animals, so I thought it was very suitable for me and my situation. You won't be making faces or talkin' negatively about it.'' She gives me a stern look as her eyes brighten more and more and I merely nod my head before taking her hand and lacing it into mine as I tug her with me towards Grams home.

"I dunno about keeping horses but you know now you won't have to go so far to enjoy this. Only have to step out onto the back porch." looking back down at her she is already looking at me as those gray sea eyes dig into mine as the thought settles in. "I still have to go to work every day. I wouldnt get to just hang out as I wanted to."

"Could work in the pack," putting out the suggestion that's been on my mind since we had met.

Sophia only snorts at the suggestion, "pretty sure a vet isn't needed 'round here." her smile turns crooked in the corner of her mouth as she starts to tease, "critters are meals for y'all,"

"There is the medical clinic, could start there," my hand comes up to push away her hair from her face as the wind kicks up around us. Sophia's eyes dart back and forth as a nervousness starts to settle in them. "Cage, I don't know how I feel about that."

Taking her hands into mine and holding them firmly in front of us Sophia chooses to focus on them, not meeting my eyes as guilt starts to rise in her. "Soph, it's only a thought. Nothing you have to commit to, not now." A silence settles around us, only broken by the songs of nature surrounding us. Looking around, I tug her to follow me as I walk to a raspberry bush, plucking the last few berries from it; the deer must have missed these. They look ready to eat and I hold my hand out for her to take them. Sophia raises her brow cautiously taking one from my hand before smelling it and bringing it to her lips.

"They are perfectly fine to eat. Really think I'd feed you poisonous berries?"

Sophia lips tugs up at the corner again and she winks at me as she takes another, gradually pressing it past her lips and sucking her finger tip slowly in a show, "wouldn't be as fun if I wasn't giving you shit about it." Her finger reaches under my chin, pressing it closer as she nips her finger tip while pulling it from her mouth before she sidesteps around me to walk towards the cabin as it comes into view and I have to catch up with her.

Chuckling as I watch her look over the small cabin, walking towards the front of the house I go towards the back sliding door, whistling to her. She Gives me an odd look as she glances around. "You go through the back door?" she asks as she cautiously comes closer to me.

Laughing and shaking my head, "we are not guests. We come through the backway"

She narrows her eyes and I return it with a cheeky grin while stepping inside, "what if there are intruders? Don't you lock your doors?" she crosses her arms and I laugh more. "Nah, no need. I hear there's wolves in these woods." winking at her before tugging her inside with me. She presses in closer to me as I smell a slight nervousness settling over her. Leaning down while smoothing my hand down over her back. "Relax, she won't bite."

"Cage, seriously. What if she doesn't like me?" she mumbles as her fingers start to tug and fidget with the edge of my jacket. Deep thoughts start to sink into her as she ponders all the negatives at the moment of what may happen. This is all a new experience for her and it is starting to consume her. Cupping her face she's chewing at her lip, tearing into it and I have to pull it free with my thumb before I can press a small tender kiss to it.

"Don't hide or be shy, just be you. That's the female I love and she will too, trust me."

I hear the floor creak as Grams comes closer wiping her hands on a dish cloth before hanging it on the stove door. "Well, don't stand out in the cold, come in and let me see ya," she says and I stand aside taking Sophia's jacket from her and hanging it before taking off my own while Grams steps up in front of her and her smile is kind and welcoming. "Sophia, this is my grandmother, Valorie. Grams, this is my mate, Sophia." I can't hide the surge of pride I have as my chest puffs out as I make the introductions between them. I have wondered and tried to picture how this moment would go.

Sophia slowly puts up her hand to shake and Grams laughs softly before tugging her into a simple hug, "so nice to finally meet you," she says, holding Sophia's arms gently, continuing to smile. Sophia tries to return the smile but it comes out forced. "You as well, Ma'am," she keeps her tone respectful and formal while trying to get a feel for the situation and Grams, but she isn't one to be felt out. Grams is who she is. Grams waves it off with her hand as she scoffs and tuts lightly, "no need for that, call me Val. Cage, get some cups and the tea will ya? '' she directs me while leading Sophia to the kitchen table, "now Sophia, why don't you tell me about yourself, Cage has done a terrible job. Too busy daydreaming, the perverted male." she tells her and Sophia giggles softly as she sits while I busy myself with the tea and cups. Grams' interrogation is smooth, Sophia doesn't notice a thing as she begins to slowly open up, little by little her shoulders relax and she tells her more with every encouraging question and fascination from Grams. A true expert. I also notice how Grams' voice holds that same slight southern accent to it the more they talk together and my smile is wide, holding it the whole time as I listen to them. Sophia lifts her cup to her lips as they start to get empty while we wait for the food to finish. "So, how has my grandson been treating you? Is he behaving himself?" Grams asks, pushing her empty mug away.

Sophia watches me over the edge of her mug as her lips curl upwards and her eyes flash with trouble on their horizons. I try to reason to them with my own so as not to get me in trouble. "I don't think he knows how to behave," she answers, taking her last sips.

"Yes, I have," I correct but I am scolded for interrupting. "Make bowls for us while we talk," Grams curls up her nose and shoos at me with her hand in dismissal while she looks back at Sophia with her smile, "as you were saying, dear," she motions for Sophia to continue and I can see the tip of Sophia's tongue touch her top lip before her teeth scrape against the bottom as she tries to swallow down the giggle bubbling up. I'll get her for this. Spooning the stew into the dishes, I walk them to the table but my steps start to slow the closer I get as I think on who to give to first. I have always been raised my mate above all but I was always taught to respect my elders and they always eat first. Which do I choose to give to first here? Feels like a lose-lose situation and I'm left standing holding the bowls to me as they both watch with mild confusion and Grams blue-flowered eyes hold a gleam of amusement at my predicament. Giving me no answers and only more questions as I go back and forth in my mind on who to serve. Looking at Grams, I always made the conscious effort to be respectful. Something long engraved in me by both of my grandparents but this is the first time I've publicly taken Sophia to a dinner as a wolf and mated couple. Something they also always drilled into me. Mates are eternal. I wonder if Pops ever had to do this. Glancing over them again with that thought in my mind my hands lower the bowls to the table at the same time and Sophia's touches first, followed immediately by Grams bowl. He always put her first, if he was sitting here with us right now, this would be the right choice to make and show. One isn't over another, mates are first and the elders are respected. Sophia thanks me quietly as she raises her brow slightly to me in question. Something we will have to talk about at another time. Grams watches me as she butters her bread with a toothy grin that I try to ignore as I sit with my own food to eat.

The food is filling and the company has been peaceful. Sophia compliments Grams as she thanks her kindly for the meal "I will have to get your bread recipe, I really enjoyed it."

"Not a problem at all, it's how ya make a house a home," Grams smiles. Sophia's face wears a bit but it quickly passes as she nods and smiles again.

"My father says something very similar," she tells her before quickly changing the subject back to food. "I've been growin' pumpkins in the small field on my property. Wanted to make some breads from it, maybe if it turns out well I can bring you a loaf, making it from scratch got that real good taste. That homegrown," she offers and Grams pats her hand with a small breathy laugh. "I would love to try it, dear," she tells Sophia as her eyes start to close slightly as sleep starts to seep into her. The night's excitement has worn down on her aged body and mind.

"I'll wash the dishes and clean up, Grams," kissing her cheek like always before collecting up the dirty dishes and bringing them to the sink, "why don't you rest up for the evening. Sophia and I were going to take a walk out to the pond." glancing at Sophia as she glances at me before giving her attention back to Grams as she presses her cheek to hers and hugging her tightly. "I am so glad I've gotten to meet you," she smiles as she pecks her cheek with a slight linger before standing up and slowly making her way to the stairs and holding the railing tight as she climbs them one at a time. Sophia watches with a frown before getting up and grabbing a towel to help me. "Is she alright?" she asks as we get to the last few, drying it softly and reaching to put it away. I have to take a moment as I stop to think about it before shaking my head as it starts to hang, "she's getting older. Been hard on her since my grandfather passed..." I let my voice drop. I know why Grams had held on these few years, now that she has seen and met her, she thinks it's time to finally let go. I'm not ready to let go of my security blanket just yet. Sophia's hand on my back brings me back to reality as it rubs up and down my spine fully to soothe me and her lips brush against my arm. Squeezing her other hand I tug her to leave before my emotions get the best of me.