He didn't know how to read the emotions in her intelligent green eyes as she looked at him. Was she upset that he wouldn't take no for an answer? Was she surprised that he would need her? The dark mare had no idea how important she had come to mean to Cain. Each of his mares was special in their own way and Melisma was one of the strongest. She stood out in a way that he felt something missing every day when he was in the Desert and she wasn't there. He needed to know she was home and safe with their child. The stallion refused to have it any other way.
She barely seemed to manage words as she said the foal needed a name and he dipped his head in agreement, his soft gaze once more falling on the chestnut filly. She gave her suggestion, Phoebe, and he met her gaze again with an approving smile. "Phoebe....I like that." Lowering his head, he reached out his muzzle toward the foal. "Welcome to the world, Phoebe." As the filly turned her head toward them, Cain took in her two toned eyes with a surprised inhale. Where did the blue eye come from? He had brown eyes and Melisma had green. Perhaps a distant relative? Either way, she was gorgeous and he was already in love. When she squealed, he chuckled lightly, his eyes twinkling with joy as he watched her.
When Melisma spoke again, Cain turned his full attention on her. He could tell by how carefulyl she was selecting her words that it took a lot for her to say what she was saying so he paid extra close attention. His lips tugged into a smile that lit up his whole face as she told him how he changed her world. At least he was doing something right. She said she owed him and he shook his head. "No, dear Melisma, it is you that is owed. You were the one to carry and birth Phoebe. She is your gift to the world....your gift to me. I couldn't be more honored." When she said she loved him, he felt his own heart stop beating for a moment. He'd never been told those words before. In fact, they were still a little foreign to him. He'd only admitted the feelings aloud to one mare and it wasn't so long ago, either. His gaze met hers, searching her expression fondly before he took a breath and spoke.
"I know you don't know a lot about my beginnings in life. I just want you to know that your feelings are not taken lightly and I cherish the very thought of holding anything so precious as your heart. Love is a feeling I haven't known until more recently in life and it's still something I find hard to understand. I care about you deeply and you are the first to ever admit such feelings for me. It is a light inside me unlike anything I've ever known and I plan to make sure you never regret ever feeling such a way." His gaze continued to search hers, wanting to make sure she wasn't upset if he couldn't bring himself to say it back, at least not yet. He knew Melisma meant so much to him, but the word felt heavy in his chest, something he needed to be very sure of before he could bring his lips to speak it again.
Cain_stallion_7yo_Gypsy Vanner Mutt_16.3hh_black and white tobiano coat_white mane & tail_dark brown eyes_bound to none_Salem Desert
Father to: Akello(x Vihaan), Legolas(x Geneva), Paisley(x Primrose), Carbon(x Geneva), Zena(x Zubeia), Twinge(x Harlequin), Vulcan-adopted (x Berit), Enoch(x Berit), Ahimsa(x Vihaan), Sinai (x Berit), RouLette, (x Harlequin), and Phoebe (x Melisma)
photo by Mark Barrett @ YouTube ("Latcho's Tamborine")
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