Hushed Willows tall tales, telltales

ariel had learned late of olive's delivery and its circumstances, having been delayed himself in his trip to the hollow. at the time he'd not been too concerned--olive wasn't supposed to be due until, well, about now, and even if somehow he'd not made it back in time, seabreeze would be here. understandably, upon learning the news, he'd been in somewhat of a tizzy, but all turned out okay; now olive was safely home and seabreeze and ariel were able to dote on her and the boys. tiny, amazing things, he thinks, watching them suckle at olive's belly. another trio (the irony is not lost on him) but so different already, not because of them, for infants are largely infants, he's learned, but because of olive and seabreeze. because he is where he is supposed to be, now.

of course, he can't help the small pang of jealousy he feels, getting to watch his wife feed their children, something he'll never be able to do. but she and seabreeze are good at easing those pains for him. sighing contentedly, he lays his head across olive's hip, glancing up as lily approaches, bearing a treat for the new mother. hi, he mouths, but doesn't speak, giving the moment to olive, who did the hard work.