It had been a long winter, and despite how excited he was about the children they had more or less accidentally created, he was selfishly excited to have his mate back to her old self. He missed the carefree, playful Haven he had fallen in love with, and while he understood that it was only hormones that had made her so short and irritable as of late he was eager to have her back. Today, as most days, he rested quietly at the entrance of their den, his white patched head resting atop his rather dainty black paws prepared to greet any family or friends who decided to stop by. Haven hadn’t been too keen on visitors in her condition so he could speak with them and send them on their way if she wished it.

While he lay there he began to doze, for nights lying beside his love had been more tumultuous as late, her small form shifting to and fro as she tried to get comfortable. More than once he felt guilt about having imposed this on her, for enjoying her too much and not stopping to think about the repercussions about the fun they were having. He hoped once it was all said and done she would forgive him and that they could continue building their life together. Her first cry from within is so muffled he almost doesn’t hear it, his large dark ears twitching instinctively as his one icy blue eye cracks open. Like radars they turn back toward the den, hearing the shuffling and huffing of his mate inside though he chalks it up to her typical unease these days until she yelps once more.

This time he is up in a flash, the fur on the back of his neck rising slightly in concern as he ducks into the den. “Haven?” he calls in concern as his eyes adjust to the dim light within. Finally he sees her lying in the back of the den, her sides heaving. A low whine left him in concern as he stepped toward her, nuzzling her cheek affectionately to let her know she wasn’t alone, he would always be here with her to help in whatever way he could. For now it seemed moral support was all he could offer, for there was nothing else he could do to ease her pain, no matter how much he wished it. He settled on the ground opposite her, concern sparkling in his two toned eyes as he could only listen to her heavy breathing as it filled their den.

His nose wrinkled as the coppery scent of blood tinted the air, eyes wide as he watched Haven reveal their first born child to him. “A boy,” he echoed in disbelief, gaze focused on the small bundle of brown and creamy fur squeaking quietly as he nuzzled around Haven’s stomach. Tentatively he reached his slender nose forward to investigate their son. Instinctively his tongue flicked out, continuing to clean the pup where Haven had left off until she moves another dark, blue black body beside him. A lopsided white marking covers a good portion of her face reminiscent of his own and it brings a huge grin to his dark features. “One who looks like you and one who looks like me,” he whispers, thinking that their little family was just perfect when he noticed she wasn’t quite done yet.

He was worried about the toll this was taking on Haven, he had heard stories of long, hard births and feared that it might be the same for her as she was surely tiring. Yet as she brought their last child into the world, her coat an intriguing blend of mahogany and cream silver hues, he knew everything would be okay. His head turned quickly to Haven as her tired words reached him, a playful smile covering his features. “They are perfect,” he said as his mates small form curled around their children. He rose and walked behind her, adjusting his gangly limbs until his dark form encompassed her own and in the middle their pups. Absentmindedly he ran his nose through her chocolate ruff, comforting her as her scent calmed him as well. “I like Moonstone, it suits her very well. How about Samus, for the dark girl?” he said finally, happy that at least one of them bore his resemblance, “maybe we will let the boy choose his own name.” There was humor in his voice, but honestly who would be surprised if they let their children pick their own names? Nuzzling his nose back into her soft fur he sighed contentdly, muttering "I love you too, baby, and I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else."