Broken Antler Fen So I give you ten thousand reasons to not let me go

As Maia asked if Eljay would stay for a while, it felt like his heart was alight. Of course I'll stay, he said with a soft smile. He was just grateful that Maia allowed him to be a part of this at all, that he could help her and that he was allowed to be with her. Hunting could wait until tomorrow, or perhaps he could dig up a nearby cache if it was really needed. For now, all Eljay wanted was to be with Maia and their two babies. He leaned his head gently against Maia as he lay down beside her, and watched the pups squirm around. They didn't do much yet, but he already loved them so much.

Eljay smiled as Maia noted that one of them looked like him. Yeah, he agreed with a smile. Then he admitted with a soft and dreamy sigh, I already love them so much.