The young lady’s energy was infectious. Even with the uncertainty twisting within the adults, her innocence never failed to bring a smile to the knight’s face. Every moment of every day he knew those smiles and those moments made life all the more worth living. Through the storms and the screams, he knew eventually she would smile at him again. He watched mother and daughter together. A feeling of being whole and content settled on his shoulders.

Siobhan turned back to him and he was surprised by hard his heart pounded in his chest. He did not know when exactly this had started to happen, but the times it did took him off guard and he had to remind himself of his place in her life. You will never belong to her. You belong to yourself, and Roisin, Aislinn and Bj- He cut himself off, not knowing if his words would cause her more pain or twist the knife in his own heart more. The hard thud turned painful. He exhaled long through his nose, trying to steady himself. You belong to your family. I think she would understand that. He spoke, knowing full well he had taken great pains to explain to the girls that a family was whatever they had chosen that to mean and to include whoever they thought worthy to include. He sobered at the thought of reminding himself that. Even as she moved closer to him he let her scent wash over him. Closing his eyes he gently touched his muzzle to her’s at his shoulder. a brief touch, as innocently as the intimacy could allow. I am here for you. For all of you. Whatever you need. Basketcase or not.

A soft chuckle cracked from the stallion’s lips, breaking a little of the tension that had gripped him. Nor can I! They grow fast. Soon we will really need to worry about what they get up to. He looked over to where Roisin had run off to, straining to see and make sure she was still safely in the field of flowers. Once assured the filly was safe he turned back to Siobhan. If you want, I can watch them both for a while. You can take some time for yourself. I know the falls on the Crossing are beautiful. I know keeping the three of us in line is exhausting.

Her question took him by surprise. I do not. He thought about it for a time. Through his entire life he had been playful and a flirt but had never crossed a line with a mare though he had taken great joy in teasing them. A small smile quirked on the corners of his lips and his voice started to dance with his usual spirits. I guess my skills of seduction had always been subpar. He figured at this point she would know the truth of his nature and even if he had wanted children of his own it would never have been something he would have taken lightly or forcefully. Besides, remember, when you first saw me with Aislinn? Clearly I did not know how to care for foals and you tried to chase me away.