Sun Mote Copse Basket

@Colt @Bronco @Nellie

Niamh hadn't kept track of exactly when she was supposed to be due- but she was well aware of the fact that she'd been overdue for days now, at least. And when the full moon passed, she found herself becoming even more agitated (more so that usual, which she didn't think was entirely possible) and when she felt the muscles in her abdomen clench in a way that made her spew profanities at such a volume and with such unbidden abruptness she thought she might've given Colt a heart attack. The sensation only lasted for so long, though, so she was willing to shrug it off, and after muttering a few more comments, she settled back down, thinking it'd just been a twinge. 

But it wasn't. The feeling happened again, some time later, and again, with more severity. It lasted longer and they began to happen more frequently until she got the picture; the pups were coming. Ever attentive and wanting to do the right thing, Colt had wanted to help- but she'd turned on him with savage snarls and snaps- not meant to hit, just intended to make a point. Once she was able to form words, she snarled a vicious "Get out," and circled a few times in their den, trying to find a way to make herself more comfortable. 

She circled this way and that way, and would pause and groan when another contraction hit. Between contractions, she would often leave the den to pace outside, refusing to make eye contact with Colt or even talk to him, only nodding when he asked questions so that he knew she was doing alright, but that she wanted to do this on her own. She was sure that her howls and yowls probably concerned him- but if he tried to poke his head into the den to check on her, he'd be met with snarls and some language that she might later regret...And the sort of language she'd have to erase from her vocabulary once the kids were born. 

And while Niamh had no idea what she was doing, her body did. So when the time was right, she settled and allowed instinct to take over. And once both pups were born- first a little, dark Colt look-alike, and then a little golden girl, she finally relaxed. Her body told her that she was done, and that these two pups- both a decent size, and quick to begin yowling until she nestled them in to suckle- were healthy and happy. She tidied them up, fussed over them and set them side-by-side against her, and uttered a soft woof, one much gentler in tone and only a few note louder than the mewling of her babes to call her mate into the den to meet his two perfect children.