Free Shocked by Casey Harvell

sinks in. Mason .
    He walks towards me and the world seems to stop when he places a hand on my face. “Kat?” He asks. His voice is full of disbelief.
    I swallow hard. My love and relief is overwhelming. “Mason.” My voice is thick with emotion.
    He drops to his knees and wraps his arms around me, his head almost reaching my chest. “Oh, thank God.” He says. I stroke his hair gently. “I thought I’d lost you.” He stands back up and embraces me so tightly it may break a rib, but I don’t care. It feels so good to be in his arms again.
    “I thought I’d lost you, too.” I wipe a tear that runs down my face away and catch site of a shadow in the door. “Is that…?”
    Mason nods and releases me. He continues to hold my hand tight, like if he let’s go I’ll disappear. It’s a good thing he does because before we can move out the door a large bundle of fur almost takes my legs out. My heart almost explodes in joy.
    “B! Look at how big you got!” It takes some doing because he sure has grown, but I scoop him up in my arms and snuggle him close. “I missed you, B.” His nose rubs mine and his tongue licks my cheek. He must have missed me too.
    There’s no choice but to put him down. He’s not fully grown yet but he’s certainly on his way. I finally make it through the door to see Brie. She’s anxiously biting her nails. She looks good: healthy and… big ? Whatever, it’s no matter. Mason releases my hand and I rush over to Brie and embrace her.
    It’s now I notice Jared next to her. I offer him a smile and half wave because most of my arms are around Brie. Who really is big…what’s going-oh? Oh!
    I pull back. “Missed you.”
    She smiles through tears that mirror mine. “Missed you more.”
    Now that’s over and I really have to point out the huge pink elephant between us. I look down with a somewhat knowing expression on my face. She laughs.
    “Yes, you’re not imagining it.”
    “Phew!” I joke, “I didn’t want to have to point out that you’ve gotten bigger.”
    She releases me to smack my upper arm. “I’m preggers, dork.” Jared manages to look both proud and uncomfortable at once. Then she leans in closer. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”
    “Definitely.” I give Jared a quick hug, too. “Congratulations to both of you. We’ll catch up later. I think I have to go back inside and face the inquisition.” I roll my eyes and motion towards the door when movement catches my eye. Lucas!
    I walk over and grab him before he has a chance to disappear again. Mason’s eyes zone right into our clasped hands and he stiffens a little. I ignore his reaction and continue to pull Lucas forward.
    “Lucas,” I point at everyone as I go, “this is Mason, Brie, Jared and B, short for Baby Bear. Guys, Lucas helped me get here. I never would’ve made it without him.”
    I release Lucas so he can shake hands with everyone. Mason surprises me by going first. “Thanks for getting her back safely.” I hear the sincerity in Mason’s words. Still the two of them size each other up. They’re about the same height, but where Mason’s all sinewy muscles Lucas has more bulk. I actually have to clear my throat to keep them from seeing who can squeeze whose hand harder.
    Jared blessedly comes to the rescue and claps a hand on Mason’s back (sort of pushing him out of the way.) “Nice to meet you, man. Thanks for all of your help.” His smile breaks the ice and Lucas returns it.
    “Thanks. Nice to meet you all, too.” Lucas gives Brie a small wave, “And don’t let her fool you. Getting here was a team effort. If it wasn’t for Kat, the infection would’ve got me for sure.”
    Brie pipes up. “We’re glad you guys are here, no matter who did what. Has anyone showed you around yet?”
    “Not yet,” Lucas says lightly. “But I think we’re expected back inside soon.”
    Mason grabs my hand again. I never doubt he’ll come with me. This time his grasp almost feels possessive