The Sentinels I've never wondered if I was afraid

He nodded immediately when she greeted him and asked if he could look after them, peering around her to where already the little ones were protesting her absence.  "Of course."  He could guess she was going stir crazy right now, whereas he was completely ready to take a load off and lay down for a little bit.

He gave an affectionate touch of reassurance for good measure, listening for any last-minute instructions she might give before slipping inside.  "Guess it's us for a while," he murmured, honing in on the one who had made it closest to the front.  Gently he touched her back, then picked her up to carry her the rather short way back.  They were industrious but still surprisingly ineffective little movers.

"Not mom but hopefully alright enough?" he said with a small smile, laying down and eyeing the bundles arrayed in front of him.  He hadn't even been around enough to know if distinct personalities were known, but two were definitely more vocal of the bunch.