Sitting alone in the long meadow Alfred looks on off ahead, his eyes fixated on a spot off in the distance. The dot in the distance slowly moves towards him until it's clear to him that it's a lone feather dancing and twirling around in an unknown wind. It stops inches away from his face but the Omega doesn't dare reach out to take it feeling that if he does he'll be taken back to the world he left seemingly hours before. "Afraid baby?"
Alfred looks over to the woman now sitting next to him in the high grass. "No," he says as she takes his hand. "But it's peaceful here...you're here and I know in a few more days Mattie will be too."
She lets out a gentle sigh. Her meadow while granting his mind safety for the last few weeks has slowly drained away some of his memories. He can't stay with her for much longer in his state or else he might never wake up. "No sweetheart it doesn't work like that and what about your mates and little ones?"
"Little ones?" He racks his mind, puzzled by the thought. He knows on earth he's a mother of two but for a moment he can't remember their names. "Leon and Clara?" When his mother doesn't answer he cocks his head. "What?" For a second he's not sure if he was right until he follows her eyes downward. "Who is this?"
"You've spent too much time here already baby." Chenoa reaches out rubbing his swollen stomach. "Remember them."
"Remember?" He answers back looking down, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "Abel's?" He sees her nod. "Our kitten...kittens?" She watches as his eyes widen in realization, every lost memory flooding back to him in an instant. "Mom no, are they dead? There's two right? You said there were and I feel them kicking and oh no I have to get back!" He tries to stand but falls back into the grass. Every thought bringing him back to the Cheetahs and what they had done. "They tried to kill them!" His near frantic again trying to stand only able to get to his knees.
His mother takes his shoulder with a calm smile. "Shh, yes there are two, no they are not dead and I know." She kisses his forehead. "Their lives like yours still have a ways to go and while it was wonderful to see you for a few hours I hope the next time we see each other its in a dream by the light of the moon." Carefully she helps him to his feet, hugging him closely. "Now when the feather returns, you know what you have to do..."
Meanwhile Gilbert cradles the Omega in his arms as Abel walks in with a small jar of water. It's become a ritual between the three; they take turns watching over him with Yao checking on the Omega every few hours. Very little is said between them, each not willing to say what's on their minds but Abel knows they can't keep it up forever. "I think," he starts as Allistor lights a cigarette. "We should let the children see him."
"Not like this."
"He might be like this for another month or two and I'm done telling them that their mother is sleeping." Gilbert holds him closer to his chest, feeling that in his heart it'll be worse for his son to stay in the dark any longer. "They'll start to think their mother isn't going to wake up."
Abel nods as he soaks a cloth in the cool liquid. While it's hard to trust them, they all want the same thing. For their mate to wake up so while he still feels a burning hatred for what the Fox nearly allowed to happen he'll swallow his pride to be there for his lover. The snow leopard and her kind on the other hand will never be forgiven. "If he doesn't...it's her fault." He mutters out loud handing the cloth to the Wolf. It's something he's wanted to say from the very beginning.
Gilbert presses it to Alfred's forehead while Allistor sighs. "You can't kill her," Allistor says. He's made sure the Snow leopard has stayed away from both Abel and Natalia by having his brother in law keep an eye on her but; it'll be only a matter of time before either seeks revenge.
"I'm not saying I am," he says resting his hand on Alfred's stomach hoping to feel any movement from below. He can't feel anything and it tears at his heart. "If I was going to it would have been when I found him..." His voice lowers as he looks away.
"We don't blame yah." Allistor says after what feels like hours of silence. "They had you out numbered and from what Eliza said you were caught off guard. So yah did what you could and you let 'em know we don't fucking play around when it comes to our mate and family."
"Still I was too late and they fucking hurt him because I wasn't quick enough!" He feels a sharp kick below his hand and his anger quickly vanishes. "Shh, I'm sorry..." He whispers rubbing the spot in an attempt to calm the twins below who are now frantically kicking at his hand. "Fuck I'm still scaring them...first movement in days and I go and scare the shit out of them."
Gilbert gives him a smile. "Talk to them, I'm sure they want to hear your voice. It's why they're moving." For the first time in a long time he even manages a chuckle. "Leon would love it and even though Alfred would get annoyed a howl every now and again would always get my boy into a kicking fit."
"They want their mother's voice." Abel says never removing his hand not wanting to admit that his sons have missed him as well.
A weak voice answers, "They've...had my heartbeat...but I'm sure they miss your purr..."
Gilbert looks down in shock as Abel tries his hardest not to wrap the Omega in a bear hug. "Alfred..." Abel manages while Allistor flicks away his cigarette.
"Welcome back pet."
"We missed you," Gil says planting a soft kiss on Alfred's head before motioning for Abel to take the Omega out of his arms. He and Allistor will have their moment to reunite with their mate but for the moment the Neko needs it more.
Abel doesn't have to be told twice and instantly wraps his arms around the blonde. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be," Alfred says resting his head into the nap of the Neko's neck. "Can you purr for them...me?"
"Still tired huh?" Abel says starting to let out a low purr. When he's not answered he starts to rock the Omega unsure if Alfred will hear him or not. "I love you kid and I'll be here when you wake up...we all will."