Sun Mote Copse Mixed feelings

Grateful that he hadn't startled her, he succumbed to her hug with ease, realizing only now how much that he, too, had missed her. As much as he had enjoyed his time with Niamh, he was glad to be home, back with Towhee. She would always be his rock, and he was lucky to have her. When they'd embraced for a good long while, he pulled back, searching her face and trying to read whatever was going on beneath the surface of her expression.

-Niamh told me about your visit with Raven. I'm so sorry, Towhee.- He didn't mention her promotion in the same breath, let alone his own good news, letting the silence fall between them (or with whatever words Towhee wanted to say). Right now he just wanted to be there for her, wishing he hadn't been gone when she'd gotten the news. It could not have been hard to tell others, especially when she had seemed so hopeful and cheerful about the prospect of birthing her own child.