Dragoncrest Cliffs Windchime

She laughed through her nose and told him, You’re very poetic today, with all the fondness in the world.

Otherwise, Meerkat once more remained silent as she let her husband speak. She let herself attach to the feeling of hope as it buoyed her upward like a great big balloon, breaking through clouds and emerging in blue skies and sunshine. She chortled and blamed Njord when she noticed the elegiac nature of her thoughts.

I’m happy to hear that, she murmured simply, shifting closer and leaning into him.

That took care of one lingering worry in her mind. There was still the matter of resources. Even a pack as strong as Sapphique couldn’t support countless puppies. She still thought there was merit to the idea to split, though Chacal had distinctly said now was not the time. And she would have to defer such decisions to leadership.

Speaking of the boys, do you think we should talk to them about siblings in spring? I haven’t brought it up with either of them yet, Meerkat said, leaning away to look into Njord’s eye.

She’d avoided the topic because of her own internal conflicts and fears. But so long as Njord was here when the time came, Meerkat would stop at nothing for the chance to bear more children. She hoped her sons would embrace their younger brothers and sisters, thought what if Ray and Fish had qualms? It may not change their plans, yet she still wanted to acknowledge and include their older children as they continued to build their family.