For the rest of the winter Todd and Vixey were euphoric, no longer would Todd imprison himself with sadness, but to realize what a blessing it was to have a someone like Vixey, and Vixey was now expecting kits to arrive for almost a month. To herself and her husband she was more peaceful than ever, Todd returned to the job of setting food before his wife and providing warmth for her and their coming children.

Every so-often they would trod along the snowy billows to explore and along the way make brand new friends with the rest of the forest creatures, who they would play with, invent games, and sometimes shelter together during a chilly night for everyone's' benefit. Soon and soon enough they would declare this to be a successful winter.

"Vixey?" Todd asked her before she took a nice rest for her carriage "What's spring gonna be like in the forest?"

"Oh Todd," Vixey giggled "You know I can't tell you, I don't want to spoil the surprises,"

"But couldn't you just tell me at least one thing I can expect?" he urged her.

"I'm sorry, you'll thank me later," she assured him.

And for the rest of the remaining winter they walked along hills to see the different views of the world around them while flakes sprinkled across the breadth of their gleefulness. Sometimes the sun would poke its head through the white canvases and smile down on the lucky few. While gazing at the rich landscape, Vixey gave Todd a lick on his cheek; soon they'd find their place in spring.

- But then came a day unlike any other. -

Where a thunderstorm invaded the forest and bombarded the territories that drove the animals to cascade everywhere in search of shelter. Todd and Vixey were about to return home when suddenly the lightning attacked them too, hitting many trees until they caught on fire and spread to the rest of the forest.

Quickly they ran to evade the flames that tried to grab hold of them, wherever they ran there were animals running all over and screeching, to Todd it was his nightmare coming true. He urged themselves to keep on running, they ran through the trees to make it to the frozen lake where they would be safe, when a burning tree nearly fell on them and cut-off their path.

The smoke grew as fast as the flames, making it difficult to see where they were going. But Todd and Vixey kept on until they spotted a cave in the distance, running as fast as they could to get to safety, but they weren't quick enough when the flames blocked the entrance. It looked grim for the foxes, Vixey herself couldn't take any more running and the smoke was getting to her.

"Todd, I can't go anymore," Vixey coughed.

"We can make it," he strongly encouraged her "Please, just a little farther,"

To Todd all he wanted was to get Vixey anywhere safe. So with the last few ounces of strength left in them they kept going for their children's sake, but it wasn't enough, the smoke was just too much for Vixey and she collapsed in the snow.

"T-Todd," she said weakly "I'm sorry,"

"Vixey, Vixey!" Todd shouted in pain.

Todd watched in horror at the sight around him as he stood before Vixey. It was no use in fighting for anyone, for a moment Todd had lost all reason within himself. The smoke began to get to him too, then for a last action he believed the prison of flames had heard him all his life.

"P-please," he cried despairingly "You've won, I-I give up, I c-c-can't take it anymore!"

Suddenly he noticed a dark figure appearing behind the flames in front of him. Todd expected only the worst to come next, and he buried his sobbing face on his mate, defeated.

"P-please," he sobbed quietly "please don't take her,"

Todd continued to sob even when a pair of boots stood before him and Vixey. But suddenly a hand fell over him, and stroked his mourning head. He looked up and couldn't believe his eyes.

"I always knew you would need me the way I needed you," said Widow Tweed.

Todd wore a tearful look of joy over this miracle. Feeling contempt as he felt her hand once more along his face.

"Let's get you out of here," she said.

But Todd innocently refused to move, when Tweed was curious as to why, she noticed the vixen that lay helplessly in the snow.

She immediately knew the situation and carefully picked up Vixey in her blanket that she had brought with her.

"Come along honey," Tweed said proudly. "My goodness you're a heavy little one,"

The kind human took Vixey to her car and sat her down gently next to her; Todd quickly set himself down where he last left. Only now he would be leaving the forest with Vixey at his side, still he worried about her and if their kits were sound.

"She'll be alright Todd," she promised him with an assuring expression "You've done more than enough,"

The forest continued to burn behind them, but Todd only cared that Vixey was with them now, tired from the traumatic experience he relaxed his head on his mate.