Hushed Willows Does it mean anything to you?

She tends to the wound upon Ibis' paw with all the love and tenderness in the world, and when she'd finished she made to pull Ibis close.  To feel the warmth of her daughter against her was the most rewarding gift she'd ever been given.

But even in this paradise, everything cannot be so.  Ibis' question causes her mother's ears to flatten, but she is quick to regain her composure.

She wants to say — "Oh baby, he does want us,"
to say — "Daddy will be here soon,"
to say — "It isn't so!"

But she could not lie!  If they had been good enough for him, Terance would have been here with them, like she'd asked.  If Terance had followed, they might still be in love.  Their family might be whole.  But Rannoch or the Sunspire had been more important to him, and there had never been a question about whether or not Terance would come.

He never would.  They'd never be good enough for him.  She gathers in a breath and licks the top of her little bird's crown once more.  To tell the truth now would save her daughter a world of heartache.  Daddy loves you, she says, for she knows that much to be true.  But sometimes, people make choices that .. don't have the best interest of other people in mind.  Daddy chose to stay behind with his best friend instead of coming with us.  It doesn't mean he loves you any less.  It just means his priorities aren't straight.  I'm sorry, baby girl, that I couldn't make him stay.