Chapter 2

Ari paced the floor several times. Sweat dripped from the top of his head to the floor. Thoughts were constantly running through his mind each one different from the last. It was silent except for Imani's panting that could be heard loud and clear.

"Oh my gosh it hurts!" she yelled.

Ari stopped and looked towards the den.

"Imani." He said quietly.

"Calm down Ari. She's going to be ok." Said a voice.

Ari turned around and saw one of the lionesses from his new pride. She was a beautiful lioness with creamy colored fur. Her eyes were two different colors but it completed her. The left eye and ocean blue and her right a luscious green. Her name was Stasie and she was accepted into the pride when Imani found her hurt one day as they traveled. Ari stopped, shook his head and stood next to Stasie.

"You're right. Imani is a strong girl. She can handle it." Ari said.

"That girl can handle anything. Pregnant or not." Stasie said.

While Imani was in the den in total pain that felt like it was never-ending, she blamed Ari for a bit, but then laughed in her mind. She knew this pain was a different kind of pain, a strange yet twisted, joyful pain. Today was 'the day', the day that her cubs were to be born, though she was in pain, she was excited to see how they looked like.

"Push Imani push!" said another voice coming from the den.

It was a lioness similar to Raffiki in talents. He knew how to heal wounds and care for animals. It was her specialty.

"I hope everything goes smoothly." Ari said.

"Hey my mom has got this covered. Your son or daughter will be fine and so will Imani." Stasie said with confidence.

Ari smiled at her enthusiasm. A little over a year ago when Ari and Imani first left the Pride Lands, Stasie was just a little cub when she was found. She was injured in an hunting accident and was hidden by her mother. Luckily, Imani found her just in time. They accepted the pride welcoming and were the first to join Ari and Imani's pride. But Stasie's bad day still haunts her for she had a bad scar lining half way around her back. Her mother healed it of course but it still causes pain in some areas. Just then Stasie's mother Katie walked out of the den with a tired Imani leaning in the side of her and a small patch of fur in her mouth. Katie smiled at Ari and set the cub down. Both Ari and Stasie walked over.

"Congratulations Ari, it's a girl." Katie said.

He looked over at Imani and smiled.

"Our beautiful little girl." Ari said. Imani smiled and laid down.

"What a tiring day, at least the cub is not asking for its milk yet, I am so tired, but so happy seeing Ari happy, and to see that my cub is okay, this is a special day alright!" Thought Imani as she smiled at her cute, little cub, then at Ari.

"What should we name our first cub, and Kira's first grand cub?" Asked Imani remembering her days with her mom till she left her, but not without having a proper goodbye, while sending quality time with her mother. Ari thought for a moment. Then he smiled and looked at the cub now in Imani's arms.

"Let's name her Jacie." Ari said.

Thank You to the reviewer Jacie for letting me use their name. Its PERFECT.