I was never too far away. I had learned to give her some space when she needed it. I know she felt large and uncomfortable. This is the first time body has gone through such a change, and it was expected that it would not be all roses. She had expanded and now held our pups- new life! I was overjoyed, beyond excited and I was thrilled to keep her fed. Although, I wonder if she despises the fact that I would bring her whatever food she liked and left some around just in case, with this potentially leading to increased weight. But I see nothing wrong with her size. I see only right. I see only life and love. I suppose it is easy for me to say as it is not my body that has to stretch, expand, and feel the kick of pups upon my bladder. Women were truly magical beings.

Regardless, I was letting her have some time, but I was only a howl and bark away. She had craved frogs recently and then...didn't. I wondered if the pups were coming soon. It just seemed like yesterday that we were chasing cranes at night to quell her immense hunger. I wonder if they are going to be large, fat pups as I roll in some spring moss. I lay on my back, my red belly up at the sun. It is spring. Isn't it time? They were conceived in early winter, this I know. I am perhaps a bit impatient. I know she has not control over it. I watch the blue sky as clouds roll on by between the trees. I take in a deep breath of air as I listen to the quiet of Iromar. My blue and lavender eyes begin to close as I lay on my back.

Suddenly I am brought out of my cat nap, my eyes whipping open at the sound of Aithne's howl...and the sudden breaking of the song. I flip over in a hurry, moss tangling in my silver threads as I scramble to my feet. That was the call. It had to be. I feel my very heart thrashing in my chest as my black legs whip me forward. I zip around trees and avoid high roots, go through paths dug by many years of wear and sometimes take short cuts. I was not far off- not far at all. It only takes me a few minutes until Aithne comes into view.

She is laying on the ground with the big blue sky above us. I rush to her side, feeling her in my very being and soul as the results of our union begin to enter the world. I come up from behind her but circle around to her front, my tail waving behind me with a smile on my face. I am a calm and collected on by nature- and yet my smile only had a touch of panic. Was she okay? Is she giving birth? Is anything wrong? I cannot seem to form words, my mouth almost hanging open when she speaks. They are coming!

"Aithne, they are coming!" I exclaim, my tongue reaching out to lick her forehead. He cared not if she growled and grunted at him as he did so. Honestly, he didn't even think of her needing to go to the den as the lay in the open, and her voice was very...determined to stay in one place. Who am I to argue? I will simply have to ensure that she and the pups are safe. I will stand guard, my eyes looking around immediately to see if there were any threats.

"It is okay, I will be here, it can take some time, I know you will know what to do, it is instinct I am told," I say almost sheepishly in my attempts to soothe her, not sure if I am really doing any sort of a good job as I sit next to her. I do not lay, especially out in the open. My eyes are peeled to ensure nothing crawls out of the trees in an effort to attack Aithne or the pups coming.

After a moment she seems to act different and my attention darts back to her. I find myself on my feet again as I look at her face, I see the pain and I am honestly not sure what to do. Yet something tells me to look her over as she strains, my eyes daring to look at her backside. I take a step, my nose lowering a bit as I witness the birth of the first pup. It is slimy, and Aithne grabs the pup and begins to lick her. I follow the pup closely as Aithne brings her to be groomed, my eyes fixated on the new little life as I witness her first breaths and cries. It is a girl, a beautiful girl and my eyes are melting with love at first sight. I am speechless as I simply lower my nose down to nudge the girl, giving her a lick in between licks from Aithne. I only lift my eyes to Aithne, meeting her eye to eye as she gives the daughter a name.

"Aster," he repeats, ""Aster, yes, Aster!" I say with growing excitement. My excitement is met with the reaction of Aithne, my head lifting again. More? I mean, I know she grew large, and that there must be more but I was just so enthralled with the black, grey, white, and red little girl that I had not thought that there may be more. I move to her behind, seeing the much smaller pup. His ears prick at her question and nudging, asking why he is much smaller.

I grasp the smaller pup with my jaws gently, bring him next to his sister and cleanse him a few times with my tongue, especially around the mouth and nose. The small boy makes his life be known, wiggling and breathing his first breaths as he lay placed next to his sister.

"There is nothing wrong with him, Aithne. He is just smaller. He still breaths, and his heart still beats. I do not think anything is wrong, as he has life," I say as my dark form lays on the ground, pups and Aithne before me with my tail brushing the ground behind me. Sure, my fur was a little messy, but I did not care as nothing but a grin was on my face.

"He may just need a little more help at first...Lazarus, I think, we can call him?" I say, lifting my brow as I look down at the little boy, so much smaller, and I am urged to protect him. His markings were different, white fur upon his belly and a little red splotch on his chest. I attempt to lick it away- until I realize it is a part of him.

"You did it, Aithne, look at them!" I say, my face perked as I am simply on cloud nine right now.