Wapun Meadow the smell of home, like sour peaches and linen

He did not take her admission well at all. She watched in silence as Aves slid to the ground in defeat and hid his face. It was the reality check she needed. She was more tired than normal, she had been sick for seemingly no reason, even though she had tried to reason away her worry over it. Some part of her was still banking on the fact that they didn't know for sure yet; that part wanted to hang on to that for as long as possible. But who was she kidding? 

Arielle frowned at his question. What do you mean? she asked. There's nothing we can do, she told him quietly. I know there are ways to get rid of them but— She shook her head. I can't do it. It was a terrible time to have children, but there was no way she could cause them harm; they were a part of the bruin-jaw and of her. There was a time when she had thought more fondly of having his children. Maybe she could find her way back there. Maybe he could too. 

Maybe they are a gift from the bear, she told him. We have suffered so much; maybe this is meant to bring us some happiness. She watched him, her expression finally softening a little.