So I don't own any of this. All of it belongs to Tamora Pierce. A special thank you to Loten for inspiration and her beautiful stories.

Numair Salmalin sat in a chair near the open balcony watching the stars. In the distance, an owl's hoot could be heard. Raising his head slightly, he smiled, acknowledging his wife. Daine, the Wildmage of Tortall, was out stretching her wings before returning to the tower. After the Immortals War followed so closely by the Scanran War, leisure time was scarce. Daine and Numair had learned quickly to take advantage of any free time they had.

So distracted by the sky and his thoughts, Numair didn't realize the door behind him had been opened until the young dragon tried and failed to scramble into his lap. Glancing down, Numair chuckled and leaned down to scoop up an indignant Kitten.

"You know, you'll be too big for me to hold you like this soon." Kitten looked questioningly at the mage. "I saw your cousins, remember? They were all very young as well and much bigger than I am."

Kitten trilled a response looking very much like she could care less. Settling in Numair's lap with her head tucked under his chin, Kitten closed her eyes prepared to doze. Numair smiled lovingly at the moon, gently stroking the dragon's side and waiting for Daine to come home.

Naturally, any such peaceful moment is too good to be true. After just a moment more, a loud wail pierced the night. Jerking upright, Numair carried Kitten to his bed and set her down before continuing to the cradle where Baby Sarra laid squirming and crying. Stooping to pick her up, Numair thanked Mithros that she was in human form this time.

"Here now, little one. What is it?" Numair cooed, rocking her gently. He walked around the room for a few minutes proceeding to lull Sarra into a half-sleep. Finally, Kitten whistled softly from the bed. Walking over to perch on the side of the bed, Numair continued to rock with Kitten watching intently. Before long, Numair began to yawn. Where are you, magelet? Unknown to Numair, Daine had perched on the balcony watching mage, babe, and dragon lovingly.

Closing his eyes, Numair brought his legs up onto the bed nudging Kitten to the center. Numair rolled on to his side with Sarra tucked against his stomach. Kitten turned in a circle once before languidly situating herself on the baby's other side.

Daine quickly shifted back to human form, wrapping herself in Numair's black robe. Walking silently to the other side of the bed, she climbed in behind Kitten. Leaning over, she gently tucked a strand of wavy black hair behind, Numair's ear. She kissed him on the forehead before settling in for the night. Numair opened one eye to see Daine smiling lazily at him. Smiling back, Numair opened both eyes before whispering quietly, "There they are. There are all my girls."

At the sound of his voice, Sarra grabbed a tiny fistful of Numair's shirt gurgling happily in her sleep. Kitten's eyes flicked open before trilling quietly. Numair recognized it as the whistle she always greeted him with. Tkaa had informed him some time ago that that particular whistle meant Papa. Wrapping his arms around his family, he whispered quietly, "I love you, magelet. Thank you for my family."

"Our family. And I love you, too."

I hope you all enjoyed it! Don't forget to be kind in your reviews!