Redhawk Caldera i'm searching for a song tonight.

Eljay's response was troubling. But what troubled her more was that she understood where he was coming from. Finley had been so distracted lately. There had been many times when she had wondered if Fin cared more about the firebirds than she did her own children. Liffey consoled herself with the knowledge that the puppies simply needed her more than she and her brothers. As of late, it wasn't as comforting as it had once been. These days it felt more like sticking a bandaid on an deep knife wound.

"Mom loves you, Jay," Liffey said in a tone she hoped would reassure him, "We all do. I do. And I don't think you need to be any better than what you are for me to love you." She felt almost shy as she moved to lick his cheek and nuzzle his chin. She knew that her love was not the one he was worried about, but she hoped it might make him feel better anyway.