Chapter 21
Over the next few months, they expanded the den so that male, and female pups would have separate rooms. Leaving the smaller bedroom for toddlers that needed to be near their mother. Hakkaku even had them expand their bedroom so that it could have a nursery. He hadn't enjoyed her morning sickness but was thrilled when it ended. He watched his mate as her belly grew over time.
Hakkaku looked over at his mate that now needed help getting up, and often she needed support to walk around her stomach was so big at this point. She looked like she would deliver their pups anytime now. Today however he was taking her to a lake where the pregnant women tended to go to cool off. He was hoping the water would help ease her burden of carrying their pups at least for a little while. He knew that she was very uncomfortable by the way she looked. Ginta was busy preparing the nursery and making sure there were plenty of furs for her comfort and the pups. They reached the water's edge Hakkaku helped her into the lake settling her down where it was waist deep to help lift some of the weight she carried off of her. She smiled as some of the weight was lifted off of her body it felt good to have some of her burdens lifted even if it was only temporary. She felt Hakkaku sit behind her, and rub her back, and she sighed in contentment. She watched the midwife going from female to female checking each out before finally arriving at her. The midwife smiled saying, "I'm Mae it seems that you are my biggest patient I would guess you are carrying at least five pups. It also looks as if you will deliver anytime now so let me know when the time comes I will be there to help you deliver."
No sooner had she said that did Kimi go into labor grabbing her stomach and groaning in pain. Mae grinned she had hoped Kimi would go into labor as she looked so uncomfortable however she wasn't expecting it to happen that second. Mae placed her hand on Kimi's stomach paying attention to how quickly her labor was progressing. She was taken by surprise when the contractions were really close together so quickly. Mae looked up at Hakkaku saying, "You will need to carry her home or she will deliver here."
Hakkaku swiftly picked Kimi up and carried her back to their room in the den. Mae followed him watching as Ginta looked on in surprise. Hakkaku rushed into the bedroom making sure to make her as comfortable as possible. As soon as she was settled he grabbed Ginta, and then went out the bedroom door. He turned to Ginta saying, "You guard the entrance while I go get food Kimi will need it when her labor ends so that she can nurse our pups without taking away from herself."
Ginta nodded, and started pacing while guarding Kimi's cries of pain weren't helping any. He knew it was normal for delivery to be painful but it didn't help him feel any better about it. By the time Hakkaku returned he had several large deer over his shoulder, and the den was quiet. He panicked looking to Ginta confused about the quiet Ginta answered his unasked question by saying, "She finished delivering the pups the midwife is still in there while Kimi rests. She told me to wait here until you returned."
Mae finally stepped out of the room saying, "She's recovered enough to see you two now." She smiled at the two men that seemed really stunned by the announcement. Hakkaku dropped the deer in a safe place inside the den and then made his way to the bedroom. Upon entering he saw Kimi lying on the bed in true form with five pups nursing from her. Hakkaku approached slowly he looked at the pups, and then scented them. He found that three were his and two were Ginta's he smiled saying, "It seems I have three, and you have two."
Ginta approached slowly before scenting the pups he was thrilled he hadn't expected any as Hakkaku was stronger than he was. He was grateful that Kimi could carry so many otherwise he wouldn't have gotten any pups this time around. He smiled as this meant that they would truly be a family with all the children being raised together. Hakkaku was thrilled he had two sons and a daughter. Ginta had a daughter and a son. He knew that it would be a while before they added to their family again but he couldn't wait until they were older he wanted a den full of their pups. He couldn't be more proud at the moment he put an arm around Ginta's waist saying, "Let's meet our pups."
They each approach Kimi slowly carefully taking a pup at a time nuzzling each before returning them to their mother. Hakkaku was thrilled as he looked over Ginta's pups they were just what he had hoped for. His protective instincts in high gear he'd have to talk to Koga about how they could help the tribe without leaving their mate unattended for long. They both sighed in contentment as they watched their pups suckle from their mother. Neither regretted choosing her to be their mate, in fact, they both would do it all over again. Neither could imagine a life without her. They were only brought out of their thoughts when the midwife said: "It will be a while before she's healed enough for mating until then you two will have to take care of each other." She turned and left the den knowing her job was done.
Hakkaku grinned at Ginta saying, "looks like you will have to tend to me alone." Ginta shivered Hakkaku always had a higher sex drive than he did. He sighed knowing he'd have to sacrifice his body until Kimi could mate again. With five little ones to tend to he wasn't sure when she'd have the energy to the healing wouldn't take long so it would truly depend on her. Either way, they were now a true family, and they would tackle all challenges as they came as a family.