Whisper's POV:
It has been a month since our return home. Shade and I are happy, beginning our lives with our newly adopted kits. Colby is beginning to move on from the loss of his mother. Though, he still cries from time to time. Mostly after he has a nightmare. Shade and I do our best to help him. I know I could never replace his mother, but I want to be the best foster mother I can be. His siblings are doing better, except Kay is a bit of a nest-wetter. She is only four, though. That's to be expected. Both Jayden and Lacey are a lot better off at the moment. They did their grieving in the beginning and have already moved on.
We are now getting ready for our wedding. As Shade heads over to grandma to get his tuxedo made, I go to mom for my wedding dress. She has been sewing it for a little over half a month. She is putting in the final touches today. When I arrive, mom shows me the dress. It is a standard white with lace rose patterns all over it. The veil is also lace. The top of that appears like a rose-patterned tiara. The dress is beautiful. Mom hands me a pair of white, high-heeled shoes and long white gloves. I try the ensamble on. They're perfect.
"Mom, this is beautiful! Thank you!" I laugh, hugging mom.
"You're welcome, darling," mom replies while hugging me back.
"Let's do this!" I smile at mom.
"Alright. Your father should be done with the decorations by now," mom replies. She leads me off to the room adjoining the wedding place. There, we wait for the music to start. That's when the wedding will begin.
I hear the music start playing. I begin walking down the aisle with dad walking beside me. I see only Shade waiting at the end of the aisle. Father walks me up to Shade and presents me to him. Shade takes my paw in his and walks me up to Father Joseph, the weasel priest of the village.
Father Joseph stands at the alter. He folds his paws together in front of his chest. "We gather here today to witness the union of this lovely couple: Shade and Whisper. Shade, do you take Whisper as your mate to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do," Shade answers while gazing deeply into my eyes.
"And Whisper, do you take Shade as your mate to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" Father Joseph asks.
"I do," I answer while gazing right back at Shade.
"Then, I now pronounce you mates. You may now kiss your mate," Father Joseph continues.
Shade captures my lips with his admidst the cheers and applause of both family and friends. As soon as we break away, we start leading the way to the reception.
Once at the river, where the reception is to be held, Shade and I cut the cake. Shade feeds me the cake while smearing most of it on my nose among general laughter. I do the same to Shade as a form of payback. We both laugh.
After the cake, it's time for the wedding gifts. Mom and dad give us theirs first. From mom, a baby blue and white embroidered dress for me and a snazzy silver shirt and pants combo for Shade. From dad, a pearl necklace, bracelet, and earring set for me and a pearl-handled dagger for Shade. Grandma, grandpa, and all my uncles, aunts, and siblings also give us all sorts of gifts. Mom and dad are thoughtful enough to give us gifts for our adopted children as well as my kits on the way. Those gifts consist of: a handsome red and white velvet outfit for Colby as well as a wooden train, a wooden sword and shield, as well as a cape (what I guess might be his first toys), an outfit matching Colby's for Jayden, a cute red rose dress for Lacey, a weasel doll for Kay, and a bunch of neutral-colored baby clothes for my unborn kits.
Colby is choked up when I give him his gifts. "Thank you…" He gasps, letting a wide smile spread across his face. Similar expressions are on his siblings' faces. I can tell that they're thrilled.
I hug my whole family, as well as Shade and our foster kits. "I love you all!" I smile softly.
"We love ya, too," dad replies.
Shade and I formally end the party as our foster kits are falling asleep on their paws. Actually, Colby, Lacey, and Kay are already asleep under a pine tree. He looks so cute curled up like that. I look at Shade before bending down and picking Colby up. Shade takes Jayden, who is also falling asleep. Mom and dad help us with Lacey and Kay. Together, we carry them back towards home.
As we are walking, Colby stirs. He opens his eyes and looks up at me. "Whisper? Would…would mom be okay with us staying with you? She wouldn't be mad, would she?" Colby asks.
"Oh, Colby, your mom would never be mad at you. She'd be glad that you're moving on. She would only want you to be happy," I stroke Colby's cheek.
"Whisper, can…can I call you mom? I mean, you're gonna take care of us, so…" Colby asks nervously.
"Of course you can, Colby. I know I can't replace your mother, but I will take good care of you and your siblings," I reply. Colby buries his face in my fur, his eyes closed. I hear his breathing even out as he falls into a more peaceful slumber. One more thing is also certain. As we draw closer to home, much more becomes clear. I'll be able to rest easy tonight knowing that I have a mate and four beautiful foster children. Everything is perfect.