Redhawk Caldera you've got to lose to know how to win.

I was literally about to walk out the door to run errands when you posted -- CHANGE OF PLANS! <3

It was time.

Elwood had been awoken abruptly by Finley and promptly shooed out of the den. He was almost too bewildered to realize what was happening at first, but as he slowly gathered his senses, he knew. The moment they had been waiting for, seemingly forever and yet simultaneously only a short time -- it was here. Their children -- their miracle babies -- were on their way.

For the first few minutes, Elwood paced anxiously outside the den, his ears twisting to the tune of Finley's profanity. It would have been funny had the circumstances not been different -- had her pregnancy not been high-risk. He was worried. Could her body handle the stress of giving birth? Had they done enough to prepare her, to keep her healthy? He didn't know, and it was with a frustrated growl that he finally seated himself just outside the burrow.

He wrapped his tail tightly around his paws and leaned close, listening. Aside from the commotion inside their home, the only other sound he was aware of was the thundering of his heartbeat. He couldn't tell what was happening and it drove him crazy, but instinct demanded he remain outside the den.

When finally Finley's cursing ceased, he held his breath. He waited for thirty long seconds, and then he shifted, peeking inside. She hadn't invited him back in yet, but his gaze fell on the most beautiful sight -- his mate, looking tired and disheveled yet overjoyed, and at her side the tiniest, most perfect little bundle of grey fur. Elwood's heart melted immediately. He whined softly, requesting permission to join his family and meet his child for the first time.