Redhawk Caldera hold onto your heart.

This is set for the 22nd :) I'll tag in the babies when it's time but for now, private for @Eljay <3

Fin had begun to second guess her decision only a day after agreeing to allow Eljay in the whelping den during the birth of her litter. At first it had been a matter of comfort. Having babies was gross and she didn't much like the idea of someone there to watch the show. It had also been the fact that it was probably going to be fairly terrifying for Eljay to witness, particularly since there wouldn't be much he could do to help her with the pain and the struggle of giving birth.

But the closer she came to their birthday, the more her reluctance became a different matter altogether. There was little room left in her heart now that she would survive to see her children for more than a few minutes. She had never known a sadness like this one with such a terrible fate looming over her, and in spite of her desire to be strong for her worried mate and already grieving son, she was simply too exhausted, too weak, and with too little of her own hope to be able to inspire it in others. And so her desire to renege on her promise became nothing more than the heartsick want for her son not to have to watch her die.

Fin was sleeping, and for once it was a nice dream she was wrapped in rather than a nightmare, as she'd been having the past few days. It was a cool Summer evening and she was lying at the mouth of her den beside Elwood while Eljay played with four happy, healthy young pups just a few feet away. Peregrine and Fox laid nearby too with their own brood. Raven and Nightjar were there, as well as Wildfire. And all four of the second litter of firebirds, cuddling happily in a pile of baby boys while their older siblings laughed about the adventures they'd had away from home. It was such a simple dream, but it was pure bliss to feel contentment after weeks of distress and misery. They were not hungry, they were not mourning. They were just alive, together, and happy, as they were unlucky ever to be in reality.

The Blackthorn awoke sharply as a stab of pain shot through her body. The dream was gone in that instant, as was even the memory of it as Finley stood with a gasp. With a frightened growl, she forced Elwood out of the den and proceeded to pace. The wait was not too long before the pain came again, and Fin grew certain that her time had come.

"Call Eljay," Fin barked to her mate through another contraction, her mind made quite suddenly to keep her promise to him since it could easily be the last she'd ever get to. She didn't listen as Elwood complied, simply continued to shift restlessly as her final hour began.