octave once he saw Hope wriggling in my tired arms.
“Bowden, Thurst, these are my friends,” Mia said while gesturing to us. “I was visiting with them and wanted to introduce you all. Besides, I know how much you love babies.” She smiled brightly at them.
The taller man, Thurst, bent over and looked at Hope with intense eyes. I waited for the inevitable wails to erupt from her tiny frame, but none came. Instead, she held out her hands for him to hold her.
“May I?” he asked.
“Of course,” I replied in a shaky voice. I was equal parts jealous and shocked by her immediate acceptance of him.
Huxley stood watch over all of us without saying a word, but Jacob quickly scrounged up some wood and got a fire roaring in the pit outside their tent. We all sat on benches as Thurst and Bowden took turns playing with Hope.
Bowden and Thurst complemented each other well, it was almost like they could speak telepathically. They moved in unison and anticipated each other’s needs.
“How did you two meet?” I asked. I wanted to know more about their relationship, and if there was room for Hope in their family.
“I was exiled from my camp. My brother won the leadership trials and decided I was too much of a threat to his position,” Thurst told me as Bowden grabbed his hand. “I never wanted to lead our camp, but I couldn’t argue. I traveled here because I heard rumors that they were accepting new members if they could fight”
“Naturally,” Mia interrupted, “our old leader had him compete against our best warrior, which at the time was Bowden.”
“At the time? I might be a bit older, but I can still kick your ass, Mia,” Bowden joked.
“It was the best fight I’ve ever seen! They were exact equals. Every movement. Every punch. It was incredible,” Mia said dreamily.
“He declared us both winners. And naturally, I gallantly offered to tend to Thurst’s injuries, because I’m selfless like that,” he said with a wink .
“I remember that. You sure took a long time in the medic tent,” Mia said with an eye roll.
“We’ve been together ever since,” said Bowden with a grin.
“Complete equals,” Thurst added.
I watched as they smiled at one another then directed their attention back to Hope. Bowden fed Hope with one of the bottles I brought as Thurst lovingly ran his fingers over her soft hair.
“Can I get you anything to eat?” Bowden asked while cooing at Hope. She soaked up his attention like a sponge and giggled back. It was so plain to see that the three of them were meant for each other.
“No, we actually must get back to Dormas soon,” I said with a sigh. The sleepless nights from the past week were wearing me down, and it felt like anvils were on my eyelids. I noticed Thurst and Bowden’s shoulders slump. They were truly enjoying their time with Hope.
“You all are welcome to come back anytime, and please bring Hope. You have such a beautiful daughter,” Thurst said. He gripped Bowden’s knee, and I saw how much they craved a family.
“Actually, I recently rescued Hope. Her mother passed away. We’ve been searching for a suitable family for her,” I said, hoping that they would both catch on to my hint.
Like flashes of lightning they both exchanged quick glances before speaking at once.
“Oh we would simply love— ”
“If you are still seeking a family— ”
They spoke over one another and started stuttering under the excitement. Hope giggled once again. Bowden placed a firm hand on Thurst’s knee and nodded.
“If you are still looking for a family for Hope, we would absolutely love the opportunity. We’ve been together ten years and think it’s time for our family to grow,” Thurst said with glistening eyes.
“I think Hope would love that very much,” I said with a tentative smile. Bowden leaped from the log he was sitting on and tackled me in a hug .
“Thank you, thank you,” he said over and over through happy tears. His sincere joy caused my own eyes to water, and I wondered what my life would have been like had a couple like Bowden and Thurst adopted me.
“I’d still like to be a part of her life, if you’ll have me of course,” I said shyly. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Huxley’s silent figure looming over me.
“Of course,” Thurst immediately replied while happily bouncing Hope on his knee.
We unloaded all of Hope’s clothes and