Sun Mote Copse First light

The Sovereign woke to the peaceful hush of a fresh winter snow and she just knew. She was with child. There was no longer any question about it. It was like some sort of instinctive knowledge, though as soon as she unfurled from beside @Eljay, she took note of several things. Firstly, her underside was cold and tender, the result of thinning fur and swelling teats. Secondly, her belly looked slightly rounded, as if she'd enjoyed a very large meal. But her stomach's loud snarl declared to the world that it wasn't any kind of food baby; it was a baby baby, likely several.

Thrilled by these obvious signs of her pregnancy, Wildfire struck out a paw to tap Eljay. She froze at the last instant, her face suddenly growing contemplative. In another month or so, the two of them would be welcoming a litter, which they would raise together. This was really, actually happening. She sipped in a breath as the knowledge really sank into the marrow of her bones and she found herself peering down at his sleeping face.

She loved him. She wasn't entirely certain of the nature of that love, especially after spending so many years with another woman. But Wildfire realized that the idea of spending her life by his side, not just as parents but as partners, made her heart feel light. There was more to bond them than simply the pups growing in her womb, though certainly they would be the knot that tied the two of them together. That made Wildfire think of her recent conversation with Colt and how much a stable marriage contributed to her idyll of a family.

Finally, she reached out to him, but not with her paw. She set that back on the ground and bent forward to kiss Eljay awake.

Soundtrack. Set for tomorrow (Feb. 14) because I'm a sap. Tagging @Finley in the hopes it turns her into this: