A gentle rain fell upon the forest where Daphne the Delphox lived. Her home was a stone cottage covered by moss and sheltered beneath the towering canopy. She looked outside at her garden as she rocked with an egg in her arms. Her daze was broken as the door to the nursery opened. A Lucario stepped through offering a soft smile at the sight before him.
Daphne smiled back and looked to the egg in her arms. Her smile faded and her rocking ceased. Not shifting her gaze from the small life she held, she began to speak. "Is it over?"
There was a moment of silence before the Lucario responded. "Yeah. We're okay now. Don't worry Daphne. So long as I live no harm will befall our family." He rubbed her back with one paw while placing the on the egg. "Forget about the past. I'll take care of everything. What matters now is our future." He offered her a loving smile.
"Thank you Luciano. I don't know what I'd do without you." She still kept her eyes on the egg. As much as she wanted to be happy she couldn't help but feel worried.
All was quiet and peaceful at the little cottage. It was the first time in the past few years the couple could recall having a quiet morning. Luciano was reading a newspaper while Daphne sipped some tea admiring the beautiful spring morning.
Daphne set her tea down and began making some berry pancakes for breakfast. "How long do you think we have?" She asked quietly through the kitchen window.
Luciano put his paper down and looked up from his spot on the porch. The sun had started rising a mere fifteen minutes ago. "I give us five more minutes of peace and quiet before things start to liven up around here." To his surprise it was still quiet after his time limit.
They both had a concerned look. Daphne motioned him to get up and check on things. He got up and went into the house and down the hallway to the last door. He knocked lightly a few times and waited. Grumbles could be heard coming from the other side.
He opened the door to a light pink and yellow room. Walking over to a small bed he looked down at the little furball in it. A young Fennekin lay sleeping peacefully with a security blanket grasped tightly in her paws. A smile grew on his face as he knelt down and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Wake up sleepy head. Mom's making pancakes."
The little fox stirred for a moment, but still didn't awaken. Trying again he failed with the same results. She curled up into a tighter ball making it apparent she was in a deep sleep. Luciano was about to give up when he had an idea.
Clearing his throat he made sure he was loud enough for her to hear him. "Belle if you don't get up then the tickle monster is going to get you." He grinned as her ear twitched, but she still didn't move. A devilish grin grew wide upon his muzzell. He cracked his knuckles and got to work. "Alright little girl you asked for it!"
From inside the kitchen Daphne could hear squeals of laughter and surprise followed by a thud. Not long after Luciano came out with a very excited and wide awake Belle on his head. It didn't take too long after that for Belle to start making their morning more 'normal' with the her cheerful ruckus.
After breakfast Luciano left to go meet with the forest watchers. Daphne cleaned up and watched as Belle rushed about getting ready for her play date. Belle was five years old now and had always been very cheerful and curious, though when she wasn't at home she became very timid. It worried them. She had been having night terrors since she was a year and a half. Today was the first time in a long time that she had been able to sleep peacefully.
Bright blue eyes and a toothy smile made its way over to Daphne. "Mommy, I'm all ready!" Belle had her blanket that was given to her recently by her father's co-worker. She never left home without it, as she thought it would protect her. As she waited for her mother to speak there was a knock on the door. She wasted no time in racing to it and swinging it open.
