Bearclaw Valley I thought we might play catch, or... I dunno

It warmed Laurel's heart that she should raise such a cheerful child who seemed uncaptivated by the woes and throes of the world. He was truly her little sunshine, and surely his siblings', too. He made Laurel think that life might be worth it after all, and that maybe she could be happy too. After the belly nuzzle and Lucas stopped spinning he invited her to try it too. Laurel smiled lovingly at the child that reminded her most of herself -- not in demeanour, but in appearance -- as he gently pressed on her chest and looked up at her with so much trust and cheer in his eyes.

"I would love to try it, honey," she said with a voice so soft that she only used when speaking to her children. Laurel lay down on her back on the ground and then asked: "Okay, what do I do now?"