Morningside Cuesta daddy lessons

No matter the teasing in her words, Day could only close his eyes and fervently wish for this future to come true. That these babes would have a loving mother, and a good enough father in him and Akuti. He hoped they would be strong, that they would be kind to each other and as close as Akuti fortold. He hoped that they'd have time to turn his muzzle white, and that he'd die of a heart-attack long after they stopped needing him. He hoped he'd die like his father - in his sleep, and surrounded by the ones he loved.

This hope was something akin to agony in the sterling male's chest. It seemed so fragile and far-away, and he had not yet gotten used to the idea that life was what was happening right now, and not those big events that would happen in the future. Life still happened in-between.

"I know you're teasin', but I want all that so bad, 'kuti," he sighed, leaning into her touch. He hesitated to say what was on his mind, then, because he knew it would sound a lot like an accusation, instead of what it was - him baring his own insecurities. "Akuti - will you... will you promise me you'll stay? I know that you will. I know - but... but I need to hear it. Just one more time."

Because he'd done this, once, and he'd spent these last five months getting over a woman he'd never meant to love in the first place. Amber had left, and so had Adeline, and - and Khoe had left. She'd left her first family, no matter how vastly different that situation had bee. And she'd left him before, too.

"I just need you around," he said in a low voice. "I just... I need you."