when the news of the man came, she grew at once worried for her family. and with the headstrong view of the very young, she ran to brecheliant at once. ships in the night; she did not stop for
@Kivaluk, but arrived breathless and tousled at the borders.
only a small hesitation and she crossed anyway, calling out for her mother and hoping
@Maia was close.
It hadn’t been long since Chickadee’s future husband came calling, and ever since that day Maia had considered making the trip to the mountain to speak to her daughter. It was hard to get away, but even more than that, she wasn’t sure if the whole thing would be an intrusion. It was such big news. Was there a reason she’d heard it from him?
Its not a big deal, Maia. All that matters is that she’s happy. Right? There’s plenty you never told your parents.. But she would have given anything to introduce them to Eljay. That was just… a bad comparison.
Fortunately her mind was made up for her when Chickadee called. It didn’t entirely have the tone of a social visit, so Maia went as fast as she could to meet her, arriving slightly breathless and extremely curious.
What is it?
she asked, not even acknowledging that Chickadee had crossed the borders. Perhaps it wasn’t proper, but as far as she was concerned, their children were welcome anywhere and anytime. This would always be their home, regardless of where they chose to go.
"oh, mama! there's — there's some guy just wandering around, i guess; he attacked a lady." her face was somber. "the moon villages are hunting him — oh, that's like, all the new packs since moonglow. they're run by daughters to kukutux."
"but i heard that, and i had to come here. i know i shouldn't have left right this second, i didn't even wait for kivaluk. i just needed to see you and see that everyone was safe."
a breath — she hugged maia tightly and then cleared her throat, eyes dancing. "kivaluk, um; he came to see you and daddy, didn't he?"
quicker one here to save her from the checker - going to really try and catch her up over the weekend <3
Maia embraced her tightly as soon as Chickadee initiated, trying to savor it as she attempted to parse what her daughter was saying. It was a lot, most of it to do with the Moon packs, something Brecheliant felt leagues removed from.
Everyone’s fine,
she reassured her, though she made a note silently that she’d keep an eye out. It had been a rough fall; she wouldn’t say as much in front of her daughter, but they were not in a place to handle a threat like that. In fact, aside from Ceridwen, Maia was likely their foremost defense. The thought was ice down her spine.
Thankfully the subject was quick to change. Maia tried to keep her thoughts from showing, but she’d never been great at doing so, so concern pulled at the edges of her expression.
He did. He said… you were going to be married?
All she wanted was her happiness, but it was so
fast. What if he wasn’t who she thought he was? What if he changed his mind, or she did? And if something went wrong, she’d be there, in his home… Maia shut the train down before it could derail into chaos.
She’s old enough. She doesn’t need you butting in. There was a melancholy pride in the realization.
<333
married! her heart tripped hard. "yes, mama," chickadee said in a soft tone, though her eyes were filled with the unmistakable glow of firstlove. "he's taken really good care of me, taught me lots of things. kukutux treats me like one of her kids. and i'm not far at all from brecheliant, or you, or daddy, or my brothers and sisters."
she could sense her mother's trepidation, and pushed forward into a closer hug. "don't worry, you'll have lots of time to get to know him. when did you know daddy was the one for you?" she asked, all in one breath as she pulled back to find maia's face.
she could see no future without kivaluk, no matter how hard she tried.
Like one of her kids. Maia hated how jealous that made her feel! It was an ugly feeling, one that she knew immediately was unfair and entirely selfish. She should be glad that Chickadee had such a warm welcome into his family, and a pack that took such good care of her. But clearly she’d flourished sharing all of these things with a new family, one with a mother who she could plan a marriage and a future with. It wasn’t right. She had absolutely no right to feel hurt by that.
She was going to be happy. You are way too old to be that petty, Maia. Knock it off.
I’m really glad!
She said, shoving an enthusiasm forward that she didn’t feel. She’d continue to shove it until she did feel it. I don’t think there was a single moment when I knew. It was a lot of little moments, until one day, I just couldn’t live apart from him any longer.
It had been more complicated than that, but the story wasn’t what was important. Chickadee wouldn’t have to feel torn between two homes; Maia would make certain of that.
As long as you’re sure, then it’s right. That’s all that matters, really.
And she certainly seemed sure! Brecheliant would always be here for any of them if things went sideways, but Maia didn’t feel like that needed to be said. She wouldn’t tarnish the joy in her daughter’s eyes by casting any more doubt on it.
something was off with her mom, something chickadee couldn't quite put her paw on. to all appearances, maia was welcoming, accommodating, kind, soft. but her daughter sensed something beneath all that.
or maybe she was only projecting.
"i think so. we've shared a den for months, mama. only recently did we have any kind of talk about — us, really. and he's always been so gentle with me. even if we weren't together, he'd be that, i think."
chickadee's heart raced to think of him, a tiny smile on her lips.
I told him that he had our blessing as long as he loved you. And as long as it is what you want. He seems like a nice man, and I can tell he cares about you.
Maia remembered that clearly from her conversation with him. She didn’t share that he’d told her he loved her daughter; it didn’t feel like something like that should come from her, though she was grateful that he had shared it.
She couldn’t help herself, pulling Chickadee into another tight hug. Your dad and I are always here for you, okay? No matter what. Your happiness is what matters to us. All of you kids.
It was the only thing. She could put up with the endless heartbreak of losing them if it meant losing them to better lives and futures of their own.
I’ll try to come visit sometimes. When I can.
She’d already told Kivaluk as much, but this time she silently resolved to make it there at least once when they’d settled in. The pack would be okay for a few days without her. Especially when summer arrived, or if spring came without children to watch. It would definitely be easier for her to travel than Chickadee, if Kivaluk’s comment about children came to be.
to know her mom could see kivaluk's care for her made chickadee blissfully happy, and she hugged maia back hard when she was embraced, closing her eyes. "come anytime, mama, and i really mean to be down here as much as i can. especially if we start a family, you know?"
"i want you to know them, all of you; i want you to tell them stories and daddy to teach them medicine. and i hope they all have blackthorn stripes," she said, suddenly sniffling with the force of her emotion and the sheer joy she felt at her mother's acceptance.
I’ll try, sweetheart.
Maia replied, not wanting Chickadee to put too many hopes on frequent visits. She was not needed here every moment but… she was more often than not. Eljay was getting older and less able to travel. Maia wouldn’t be able to easily leave him behind for such a long trip; certainly not more often than necessary.
She wouldn’t know them the way Chickadee’s new family would. She couldn’t.
We can’t wait to meet them, if things work out that way.
She added, focusing on the happiness with a soft smile. I’ll save all my best stories so they’ll have plenty to hear. It will be a quiet spring without any new siblings for you this year.
She couldn’t remember if she’d shared that with Ceridwin too, but it was easy to say. She didn’t regret that they wouldn’t be having more kids, especially with how subdued the caldera had been. It meant more time to focus on the family she already had; including Chickadee whenever she could visit. Grandchildren would be quickly spoiled - she and Eljay could certainly make sure of that!
chickadee was too enthused to see the pensiveness in maia's words, the slight lessening of expectation. they were both still golden with youth in her mind, the girlish thought of a young one who has not seen because she has not wished to see.
but this sentiment was tempered by maia's mention of new siblings, or rather, the lack thereof. a small frown creased her face, but disappeared as soon as it had come. "i bet dwin and i will have enough kids to fill the caldera," she joked, pretending as though dwin was definitely aboard with that idea.
Maia chuckled, shaking her head and waving the idea away. Maybe she would and maybe she wouldn’t! But Dwin reminded her so much of herself at that age. And Maia certainly hadn’t wanted children when she was similar. It wasn’t until she’d met Terrance’s children that she’d changed her mind, and while Dwin was an attentive and loving older sibling, she didn’t seem to love pups in the way that spoke of dreams of motherhood.
Maybe, if she found a mate… but Maia hoped neither of them would ever feel rushed on her behalf.
Brecheliant will be fine. It will be quiet, but we can be happy with quiet. It just means more attention for any that might visit.
Maia said, giving her daughter another affectionate touch on the cheek. Whatever happens.
Maia never thought she’d be the type who longed for her children to remain at home, and it was surprising to feel that way now. Growing up she’d had a close family, but more so with her siblings than her parents. Perhaps it was hearing Eljay’s stories about his family, and his relationship with his own parents, that made her yearn for something she’d not had. At least it came from a place of love, but it was a feeling she needed to watch. Don't make her feel guilty for finding happiness, Maia.
C’mon. Let’s find something to eat for you. Your dad is going to want to hear everything too.
Maia gestured, welcoming her to walk alongside her and venture into Brecheliant to find Eljay.