The kitten was due any day, now. Somehow, there was whole week where the misery wasn't so bad. I made it outside and smiled and talked with everyone. I held Collette and Old Deuteronomy's new daughter, Victoria. She was the sweetest little thing and Quaxo was ecstatic. As a matter of fact, the entire tribe was currently in an ecstatic uproar. Both Jennyanydots and Jellylorum were pregnant, too. It was almost as if I had never left, the tribe was still growing and playing and being happy. Despite everything, everybody still had reason to celebrate.
The next day I went out, all the kittens surrounded me. They asked endless questions about me and my kitten. I really didn't like talking about it, but the kittens still managed to cheer me up a little. Thankfully, Bombalurina came and shoo-ed the kits away. She settled beside me, and I could tell from the look on her face that she wanted a serious conversation.
"So, uhm...what are you going to name it?" She was starting with an easy question. Well, easier question. I shrugged.
"I try not to think about that," I told her. She chuckled.
"That must be hard..."
"Yes."
"So... You have no ideas?"
"No." My sister sighed.
"Aren't you...a little excited, even?" I looked at her. "Sorry," she said after a moment, looking away. "I guess I can see why you wouldn't be."
"Munkustrap's excited. He tries not to show it, but I can tell."
"He's a very good friend to you, sis."
"Yeah, he really is."
We sat in silence for a few more minutes. Finally, "what are you going to tell the kitten?"
I let out a sigh. "I don't know. Probably just the truth. I mean, how would you feel if you ever found out the truth about your father was something you were never told about?"
Bumbalurina grinned at me. "You're going to be a good mother, Demeter." I shook my head. I didn't even want to be a mother. Not yet. And certainly not a mother to his kit.
Two weeks later, I was in the greatest agony I had ever known in my life. My kitten was coming. It lasted twelve hours. And then, all of a sudden, the pain was completely gone. Jennyanydots wrapped the thing in a towel and laid it in my arms.
I never knew you could love anyone as much as I loved this little queen in my arms. Her little eyes, her tiny lips, her small paws. I loved absolutely everything about her. I wanted to keep her in my arms forever and ever.
I allowed Munkustrap in two hours later. It was his den, after all. He couldn't hold in his excitement as he looked at the kitten, and he held her. He gave her back to me before placing a comforting arm across my shoulders. He squeezed them. He was happy for me. Proud of me. His best friend made it through. We stared at the sleeping kitten, letting our thoughts swirl.
We looked over at each other.
"She's beautiful," he breathed.
"She's ours." Our lips met, and the only thing keeping me from completely melting was his arm holding me up.
