Sun Mote Copse Baby mine.

Me neither, Towhee could only silently concur. There was, of course, historic precedent. And it wasn’t as though she’d conceived immaculately, so it had always been a possibility regardless of her own denials. Her fertility had always played guessing games with her.

Seal’s question was so direct, it surprised a laugh out of her. Her own eyes fell to the suckling babe for a moment as she marveled at how little he resembled either parent. Well, she supposed he’d inherited her colors, albeit in a nearly inverted pattern.

I do, Towhee said, deciding not to elaborate beyond, but he won’t be involved. Which is fine by me. I don’t need him. I have you guys.

And she was, of course, quite experienced at single motherhood. Towhee exhaled through her nostrils, her breath ruffling the top of the infant’s head and causing him to grunt. She didn’t notice the noise, of course, but she did see his little face scrunch almost indignantly.

She looked to Seal again and said, I didn’t think I could have children, back when I conceived your mother. And that’s what I thought this year too. My body likes to Lauren me, I guess. Anyway, I hope you enjoy having a baby for an uncle.