Redhawk Caldera Love like ours ain't a masterpiece

It surprised Eljay when Maia started about next year. It felt like such a long time from now. Eljay had thought recently about his position in the pack, and how maybe he should think about giving it a rest. If there was a good leader to follow up, of course... But he hadn't really included next year's plans in that. Honestly, it felt like so long ago to him; perhaps because he could feel age catching up with him more these days.

After the visible surprise fell off his face, Eljay looked thoughtful. It immediately occurred to him that Maia hadn't given her own opinion about it yet; whether she wanted any, to start with. What do you want? he asked her. I mean — you asked me what I wanted, but I also want to know what you think. I hadn't given it much thought myself yet, I suppose. And you're the one who has to, y'know, carry them, so... I just want to make sure you're comfortable before I form any opinions about it myself. If Maia didn't want more, that was kind of it for him anyway. He didn't want to force her into anything she didn't feel fully comfortable with, just because he enjoyed being a dad so much.