My family has been living with us for a week, now, in the herd's cave. When Taisley and I first led them here, the rest of the herd was very welcoming. Ellie was the first to tell me how glad she was for me (of course, that was after my little crying episode. I was a little embarrassed about it). My family has been settling in well. Except for Thomas, that is. He still tries to cause fights. Whenever our parents aren't looking, Thomas will pull my tail, tweak my ears, and act generally immature. He says all sorts of hurtful things as well. I try to ignore it, but he doesn't really make it easy.
Marie is much nicer to me. She's sweet. She would, without a doubt, be the kind of big sister that I can look up to. She helps me out where Thomas is concerned. Marie watches my back. She also helps me whenever Thomas says the hurtful things he has been saying.
Lily and Timothy are about twelve years old. They are young and playful. Lily loves to look at the flowers that are scattered everywhere. Timothy kind of watches me more, especially when I'm practicing my knife tricks. I'm guessing that Timothy also wants to learn how to use a knife. Maybe I'll get him one when he's old enough.
Mom and dad are trying to get to know me. I may be their son, but we don't actually know each other. We want that to change. I tell mom and dad everything about me. I tell them of all of my favorites, about all the events of my life, and then some. In turn, mom and dad tell me everything about themselves.
Yesterday, I had introduced my parents and siblings to Shale, Raven, and Splash. I also introduced my family to my foster father and sister. My foster family are extremely happy for me. After that, my family and I know that we are fully at home.
Right now, though, I have a lot of other things running around my mind. Things like Thomas, unfortunately. He's making my life miserable. He upsets me all of the time. I try to hide my pain from my family. I manage to hide it from Taisley, but Marie notices my changing mood. That's why she drags me through the woods, far away from our family.
When we stop, Marie turns to me, paws at her hips. "Alright, now. Out wi' 't! I know something's botherin' ya! Is 't Thomas?" Marie asks.
I flinch at our brother's name. "Yes," I admit after a moment.
"Wot did 'e do?" Marie asks.
"It's no' wot 'e did. It's wot 'e said. 'e keeps sayin' things like mom an' dad were both glad ta be rid of me. 'e says I shoulda just dropped dead instead of comin' ta find ya," I whisper in a somewhat choked voice. I can feel tears pricking my left eye.
Marie places her paw on my shoulder. "Ya know, it's 'kay ta cry. I won't laugh. I promise," Marie smiles at me.
I shake my head, wiping the stray tears from my left eye. "No. 'm fine. I can't let 'im make me cry," I argue.
"Listen, cryin' isn't weakness. Now, go ahead. 'm no' takin' no fer an answer," Marie jokes while still holding a serious tone.
I look down, allowing the tears to flow from my left eye. Marie wraps her arms around me. I bury my face in her chest, my tears dampening her fur. She strokes my back, soothing me as I cry. After a while, I manage to stop crying.
I pull myself away from Marie, wiping the tears away from my eye. "Thanks. I…'m sorry…" I mumble.
"Don't be sorry. It's 'kay ta cry. Don't worry, though. I'll talk wi' Thomas an' make 'im stop hurting ya," Marie replies. I just nod my head in response. Together, we start heading back home.
A few days later, Thomas is the farthest thing from my mind. That's because I'm worried about Taisley. She has been getting sick recently. I don't know why. All I know is that she has been vomiting on and off. She just did this morning. Though Taisley insists that she'll be fine. I'm not so sure.
I see Taisley go off not long into my speculations. She isn't hurrying like she normally does when she's going to be sick. I decide not to worry about it. This time, I'm sure she'll be fine.
When Taisley returns, she takes me by the paw. "Follow me. I have something to tell you," she leads me away.
We arrive in a secluded clearing. "Wot is 't?" I ask.
"Well…you know how I've been getting sick recently? I went to the healer today. She told me something important. I…we…we're going to have kits!" Taisley announces.
My single eye widens. My mouth drops open in surprise. "Wot? We're gonna…'ave kits? 'm gonna…gonna be a fathah?" I gasp.
"Yes, Buck!" Taisley smiles and nods her head.
When the surprise drops from my face, I give off a wide smile. I take Taisley and swing her around, whooping and laughing all the while. "Taisley, I love ya!" I laugh some more before I kiss her. "We 'ave ta tell everyone!" I laugh.
"Yeah!" Taisley and I start heading back.
When we get there, we see my family and the rest of the herd standing outside. I go up to them. "Guess wot?" I begin.
"What?" Some of the herd asks.
"Taisley…she's gonna 'ave my kits!" I smile as I look back at Taisley.
I'm nearly blown away by the cheers of my family and fellow herd members. My dad comes up next to me. "Congratulations, son!" He puts a paw on my shoulder.
"Thanks, dad," I smile slightly. I look away, though, some nervousness showing on my face.
"Wot is 't?" Dad asks.
"Well, I…I just don't know if I'll be a good fathah…" I admit nervously.
"Buck, that's a normal feeling fer a new parent. I felt 't. 'm sure Manny 'as. Don't worry, though. Ya will be a great fathah," dad smiles at me. I smile back. Dad knows just what to say to help ease my nervousness.
"Thanks, dad," I say.
"Yer welcome. Now, Buck, why don't we celebrate! Yer mothah can make a cake! We can 'ave a party!" Dad suggests.
"Good idea! Wot do ya think of that, Tais?" I ask, turning to my mate.
"That sounds great! When should we have it?" Taisley asks.
"Probably tomorrow so we can get everythin' together, an' so we can invite some old friends of mine," I suggest.
"Sounds great! Let's get started!" Taisley goes off to help my mom get everything ready. I leave to gather some supplies and invite my friends. Tomorrow, the party will begin.
The next day, we are all gathered in the same clearing where Taisley told me about the kits. It's decorated with vines, leaves, and flowers of all different colors. In the middle is an overturned tree set up to act as a table. Food is piled on top of it. In the middle is the cake that mom and Taisley worked so hard to make. This party setting is perfect.
Shale, Raven, and Splash have made it here. They were thrilled to hear the news. They wanted to come to celebrate with us. They come towards us, their paws clutching a few presents. "Here! We wanted to get you something!" Shale says, handing us the presents.
Taisley and I open the presents. The gifts are little kit clothes of different colors. There is also a necklace for Taisley and a knife sheath and belt for me. The necklace is made of shiny blue gemstones with a red teardrop gemstone in the middle. My knife sheath is made of red snakeskin. It is a perfect fit! "Thanks, guys!" I hug them happily, thrilled by the gifts. I told them before that they didn't need to get us anything, but I'm glad to have such great friends.
"You're welcome, Buck!" They embrace both Taisley and I in turn. Taisley and I cut the cake and divide the pieces evenly among all of us. We party long into the night, singing and dancing, thrilled for the new editions that'll come in due time.
When the party ends, my family, the herd, and I return to the cave. The herd and my family decide to give Taisley and I some space. They head off to the far side of the cave. Taisley and I start heading towards our nest, exhausted from the party. We curl up beside each other. I look at Taisley. "Do ya really think that I'll make a good fathah?" I whisper, nervously, into her ear.
"Don't worry. Everything will be just fine. You will be a good father, just like I'll be a good mother. Our kits will be the best ever born," Taisley whispers back to me.
"But…will they like me, do ya think?" I ask. I'm still nervous about me becoming a father. I don't know if I will be able to be a good father. I'm afraid that I could cause our kits pain.
"Oh, Buck they'll love you! You'll be the best father that they could ever ask for," Taisley puts her paw on my shoulder. She smiles reassuringly at me.
I smile. I nuzzle the side of Taisley's face with my head. "Good night, Tais," I kiss her on the cheek.
"Good night, Buck," Taisley kisses me back. I hold her as she falls asleep. I close my eye. I soon follow Taisley in sleep.