Heron Lake Plateau searching

As usual, the boy hemmed and hawed a bit before answering; but his response was essentially what Elwood had been expecting. It opened the door to a series of emotions in Elwood. He wanted to see his son find happiness in a mate, but he worried about Eljay's self-confidence. Selfishly, Elwood wouldn't mind being a grandfather twice over (counting Liffey's litter) -- and, theoretically, he could be there to see Eljay's children raised among the Redhawks. But that was if he found a girl, and if she came to live with him here at the plateau.

While those concerns were valid, Elwood tried to focus more on the positive feelings that this conversation elicited. He smiled warmly. "You'll make an amazing father," he said emphatically, and each word was layered with truth. Eljay was caring and kind and had plenty of experience with children. His future offspring couldn't ask for a better dad.