Redhawk Caldera But no one quite like I do

For @Hymnal! Since she's having more this year, I figured I'd throw a little
complication in the mix since she also was eating less <3

For the last week or so of her pregnancy, Maia was confined to the den. She couldn't really get up if she tried. It was like her entire body was a weight dragging her down and keeping her there. Her muscles just wouldn't cooperate.

For once, she could sense what it was. She was scared, obviously, but she didn't feel sick or like anything was wrong with the pups. Last year she hadn't passed out once during her pregnancy - this year she had a few times. It just felt like everything was more.

Eljay kept a close eye out and kept her fed, which helped. Despite knowing the pups were fine, Maia couldn't help the quiet anxiety that crept in when she was alone. She forced herself to eat everything he brought, even when she didn't want to and even when it felt like it would make her sick. It rarely did now, not like it had early on.

Maia didn't know how long had passed since Eljay found her and had to help her back here. It was hard to keep track, and she'd mostly slept, but currently she was listening to (and feeling) the shifting in her sides. I guess I could start thinking of names.

Hymnal had been working hard to help her dad care for Maia. While she didn't quite understand everything that was wrong, she knew her mother needed to rest most of the time in order for her and her younger siblings to be safe. As excited as she was to have little brothers and sisters, she was very worried about her mother. It was the first time in her life she had felt fear to such intensity. 

She had managed to catch a rabbit today; of course it had taken her all morning, but she had caught one and that was all that mattered. 

The meal hung from her jaws as she entered the family den. Hymnal set it down by her mom and nuzzled her cheek before taking a seat. How are you feeling, mama? she asked. She made sure to set aside time to spend with her mom every day. Being in here all the time had to get boring and lonely.

Hymn! Hey! Oh my gosh, did you catch that yourself?! Between you and your dad, these are going to be the best fed pups ever. Maia shifted to see better, letting out a breath as she did so. They were rowdy today and any little motion set them to squirming. She couldn't tell how many there would be this year, but she definitely guessed more than last. It had to be.

Here. Do you want to feel?

Maia hated to be in the position of worrying anyone, let alone Eljay or the other kids. It was hard to play off, but despite how she felt, the puppies she was carrying felt stronger than ever. It was re-assuring, in a way - if everything wasn't fine, then something would be wrong with them. Her own stuff, whatever it was, they could deal with after the new little ones made it into the world.

Hymnal smiled under her mother's praise. It took me a long time, but yeah, I caught it for you. As worried as she was, she liked that she was helping her younger siblings even before they were born. 

Her eyes lit up when Maia asked if she wanted to feel them. She hadn't even know that was a possibility. Yes, mama, I would love to. She trotted over and settled carefully next to her mom. How? she asked hesitantly. She didn't want to hurt anyone.

for some reason I mixed up April and may and jumped the gun on this thread LOL. Yay liquid time! I can update the time if we want though to be more accurate <3

She'd eat in a bit, but first she shifted slightly as her daughter settled in next to her. Maia couldn't get over how even that insignificant movement took so much. It was moving a boulder with a creek. Again she sent a silent hope that maybe they'd come early... she was so ready for them to be here and not here, inside her.

If you listen and feel here, they might move. If you talk, they might hear you. She hoped they wouldn't pick now to go shy. They'd been beating her poor organs for weeks now.

Luckiest kids in the world, to have her as a big sister. Just like Maia had been. Another quiet wave of sadness hit her, but it was slow and subtle and had a kind of peace about it. None of it was raw as it had been.

It had been close to a year, hadn't it?

nw! i didn't even realize if that tells you how unbothered i am by it LOL. but that works <3

Hymnal placed her paw gently on her mother's round stomach. There was no movement at first. Maia said they might be able to hear her if she spoke, so she thought she might give that a try. She felt a little awkward about it, though, talking to tiny babies in her mother's tummy that wouldn't be able to respond. 

She lowered her head closer to where he paw rested. Hey, she said softly. I'm your big sister, Hymnal. I plan for us to be the best of friends. She looked up to mama then with a hopeful expression and a second later, her eyes widened—she felt movement. I think they like my voice, she said, wonder in her tone.

Maia thought her heart might burst, hearing what Hymnal said to the siblings she hadn't even met yet. She managed to keep it in check but pregnancy brain definitely made her eyes mist up a bit at it, it was so hecking sweet.

She felt the movement too, as one of the pups seemed to respond and roll towards the noise. Maia didn't think she would ever get used to the alien sensation of something reacting, independently, inside of her. But it wasn't a wrong feeling, as strange as it might be.

Your voice is beautiful. I bet they are excited to meet their sister, too. I'm definitely excited for them to meet you. For a number of reasons. She was so ready to have these puppies.

I think there might be a lot of them. At least three. She couldn't tell for sure. I hope you're ready for that. Maia's eyes sparkled a bit, imagining the ruckus. She had loved having a bunch of younger siblings at home. She missed them a lot, despite how long it had been since she'd last seen them.

You think so? she asked; she really hoped they were as excited as she was. I can't wait, she said with a grin. I'm going to teach them to fish and maybe I will make up a story to tell them. She had always loved her mom's stories.

Three? she said, her face lighting up. I'm more than ready, mama. She settled down next to Maia. I already love them so much, she admitted softly. She could hardly wait for them to be here.

I'm so glad. She was so happy that both Hymnal and Sylvie were likely to be so involved in their smaller siblings' lives. One of Maia's regrets now was that she wasn't there for more of her own little brothers' and sisters' growing years, but when she thought about it, she also wouldn't have traded any of the time she got with Wraen or with Eljay. Sometimes things were just meant to be. And if Hymnal ever did decide that her world needed to be bigger than what they had here, Maia would support her wholeheartedly with that. Even if the mere thought threatened to make her weepy right now too.

Maybe you could tell them a story now? I'd love to hear one too. She didn't want to keep Hymnal for too long, but her daughter's company was such a ray of sunshine. It made being stuck here that much more bearable, and if she could draw it out a tidge longer, Maia leapt at the chance. Both for the company and to hear whatever story she might have to bring.

if you want to tell the story feel free! Otherwise we can also look to wrapping this <3 I'm fine either way!

sorry for the wait on this; i was trying to come up with a story but it seems my brain isn't on board :( so i guess we can just wrap up and try again later with the babies <3

I would love to, mama, she answered, eyes bright with excitement. There's a cave that Aunt Teya and I found. I named it the star cave because it's sparkly and reminds me of stars. I've been imagining that a princess lived there a long time ago, she started. Her story was still a work in progress, but she would spend the rest of the afternoon telling them of her made up world.

of course!!!

Maia enjoyed the story immensely and let it fill up her afternoon. She reacted in all of the ways she always encouraged - gasping in surprise, or exclaiming with wonder, anytime Hymnal threw something exciting or strange into the world. She was thrilled that her daughter shared her love of imagination and hadn't outgrown it, even though she was so nearly a defined adult.

She'd keep the discussion going as long as she could, sharing new additions and asking questions, until her tiredness had her dragging towards sleep. When she finally did drift off it was more restful than she'd had in a while - her daughter's company relaxing her and lending itself to a deeper satisfaction in her core. She was so happy and so, so, so proud.