Sequoia Coast Is the love worth the pain?

His expression brightened at the information that he received; knowing that he had little nieces and nephews was quite a thing. And with four of them… well, Mordecai was amazed at the revelation. He could not keep down the smile that raised and spread across the length of his muzzle. Contained within it was the quiet thank-you that she had shared that much with him. Her offer was most appealing to him as well, as it was one thing that he hoped would one day be possible. But that day would be a long time off, he felt, as by the time the children were grown for any length of visits there would be a fair amount of wintry precipitation to deal with. And that was something he didn't feel inclined to bring them out into, at any desire.

“I thank you,” he said to her, also taking note of the topic she now skirted around. It was enough to plant the seed that gave him an inkling all was not well within their home, but he would not mention it. Her wording brought intrigue to him, but he dropped the thought just as quickly. “Perhaps some day we will have the opportunity to do that. I don't come this way often, but I would make the trip to meet them.” Of course, it went without saying that he made the trip for Verrine too. He had come this way a time or two before since their chance meeting.