Dragoncrest Cliffs If you could read my mind, love

I think it’s my turn (since Suzu’s asleep) but let me know if I’m wrong about that!

The baby’s eyes fluttered shut, her breaths going slow and deep. Meerkat continued to gently groom her, though she raised her head and looked over at Chacal when she spoke. Her brown eyes glistered with a thousand possibilities for her children’s futures.

Mercy’s like your boys, Meerkat said, pointing at them with her snout, that is, quite feisty. I could see her taking after her grandmother and becoming a warrior. Ray’s pretty vivacious too, though not quite as spicy. I can already tell he has a wonderful imagination. Fish is a little milder than the other two. He’s as sweet as can be, like his da…

She paused for a moment before continuing, But I think they’ll grow and change a lot over the coming months. Yours too. Whatever they want to do with themselves, I just want to be there to support them. Even if they end up doing the opposite of what I expect, that’s the kind of mother I want to be. You know?

Her warm gaze drifted back to Suzu, slumbering in her arms. Meerkat’s heart panged. Hers were already much more grown. She suddenly wanted to be with them. They were too big now to cradle like this, though they weren’t too old for cuddles, at least not yet.

I ought to get back to my own, if that’s alright. Did you want to take her? Meerkat asked softly, motioning toward Suzu but otherwise remaining still to see how Chacal wanted to handle moving her.