She hoped that they were done moving.  It had been hard enough for her to leave Sunspire behind (and the Sanctuary as well, although it'd been easier with the ever-present scent of cat urine).  She couldn't imagine how difficult things were for her beautiful children.

Ibis did not seem to be acclimating.  She knew that her baby girl wanted her father; she wished that they had been good enough — important enough — to make him stay.  But never would she let these feelings rub off on the moments she shared with her children.

She caught sight of her little sprite near the communal dens, in the rose-covered moorside and trailed towards her with a gentle smile, but it breaks as her beloved cries out.  Her pace quickens as she moves next to her babe, and her nose finds its way to the top of Ibis' crown. 

She's failed as a mother.  She knows it in her heart.  She's taken this beautiful singing child and ruined her.  Ibis doesn't even move to kiss her back!  Seabreeze's heart twists painfully in her chest but her countenance remains calm and steady.  Her children need nothing else to worry about.  Not now.  

She peers at Ibis' wound and licks the bottom of her paw.  It seemed that it wasn't too deep, and it was hardly bleeding anymore.  It didn't even really need treated, but she wanted her daughter to feel special... she wanted her daughter to feel loved and valued.

Do you want mommy to take care of it? she hums, pulling her head back to gaze lovingly at her growing baby girl.

She tends to the wound upon Ibis' paw with all the love and tenderness in the world, and when she'd finished she made to pull Ibis close.  To feel the warmth of her daughter against her was the most rewarding gift she'd ever been given.

But even in this paradise, everything cannot be so.  Ibis' question causes her mother's ears to flatten, but she is quick to regain her composure.

She wants to say — "Oh baby, he does want us,"
to say — "Daddy will be here soon,"
to say — "It isn't so!"

But she could not lie!  If they had been good enough for him, Terance would have been here with them, like she'd asked.  If Terance had followed, they might still be in love.  Their family might be whole.  But Rannoch or the Sunspire had been more important to him, and there had never been a question about whether or not Terance would come.

He never would.  They'd never be good enough for him.  She gathers in a breath and licks the top of her little bird's crown once more.  To tell the truth now would save her daughter a world of heartache.  Daddy loves you, she says, for she knows that much to be true.  But sometimes, people make choices that .. don't have the best interest of other people in mind.  Daddy chose to stay behind with his best friend instead of coming with us.  It doesn't mean he loves you any less.  It just means his priorities aren't straight.  I'm sorry, baby girl, that I couldn't make him stay.