A few days after Taisley and my 'night of romance', we arrive at the new paradise that Diego spoke of. He was very much correct. This new home is a paradise. I can see that quite clearly. This place will be a safe haven to my mate, kits, and every single member of my family. That's why I can't wait to explore. Considering how large my family is, I think it's time to finally find a cave of our own.
I go to Taisley and my parents. "I think it's time ta get a cave fer just us weasels, a li'l ways away from th' herd. It's getting too crowded in there. Besides, our kits are growing. Sharing a cave wi' th' herd won't work fer long," I explain.
"Well, we'll 'elp th' two of ya ta find a new cave, but don't ya want ta live by yerselves? I mean, you're mates. Ya might want ta be alone," dad points out.
I look down, my ears lowered. "I know, but…I just…I don't really want ta be alone…I didn't know ya fer most of my life. Now, ya don't want ta come wi' us?" I ask nervously. I feel the old feeling of betrayal start to seep into me.
Dad's eyes widen. "No, Buck! That's no' 't! I just thought that you'd want ta 'ave more time alone wi' Taisley an' th' kits," dad tries to explain.
I turn away from my parents, tears threatening to spill from my eye. "'t doesn't matter…" I trail off. I run away, with my parents calling at me to stop.
I find my way to the nearby river. I collapse on my knees, tears flowing freely from my left eye. I raise my paws to my face as I just break down. I begin sobbing, whimpering all the while.
I jump when I feel a paw touch my shoulder. I turn my head slightly to see Taisley and my parents kneeling beside me. It is my father's paw on my shoulder. I turn away quickly, wiping the tears from my eye. "Are ya alright, son?" Dad asks, worry clear in his voice.
I nod my head. "'m fine. I just…I don't want ya ta leave me. I've been left by so many that…I don't want ta be left by anyone else…" I sniffle, turning my face farther away from them.
"Buck, we won't leave ya, ever! We love ya!" Dad insists.
I look down. "Thanks. 'm sorry fer believing that ya would leave me. It's just…'m used ta bein' left alone. I 'ad no one fer so long," I whisper.
"I know, son. Just listen ta me. We won't leave ya alone. I promise," dad strokes my back with his paw.
I can feel tears gathering in the corner of my eye. "I…I can't tell ya 'ow 'urt I was when…when I was left alone…I…" I break off. I bite my lip and look away, holding back the tears that are close to falling.
Dad pulls me into a hug, one paw on my head and the other on my back. I try to struggle out of his grip. Dad refuses to let me go. "Go ahead, son. We won't laugh. It's 'kay ta cry. Just go ahead an' let 't out," dad whispers into my ear.
The tears that I've been holding back begin to fall. I bury my face into dad's chest as I begin sobbing. I feel dad stroking my back in soothing circles. I cling to dad tighter, crying louder. I'm whimpering, trying to stop crying. I hear dad's voice in my ear, trying to soothe me.
After a few minutes, the tears begin to slow down. I'm breathing heavily, trying to calm down. Once my breathing slows down to a normal rhythm, I pull away from dad. I swipe a paw across my face, wiping the tears away from my eye. I look up. I see dad, mom, and Taisley looking at me, worry in their eyes. I look down again. "'m sorry," I whisper, embarrassed.
"I told ya before, it's alright ta cry. There is nothing ta be ashamed of. Now, if ya really want us ta, we can stay wi' ya, fer a while, at least," dad replies.
"Ya would really do that?" I ask, hope shining in my single eye.
"Of course, son. But first, we'll need ta find a cave that can accommodate us an' give us plenty of space," dad suggests.
"Yer right 'bout that. Let's go an' look fer one, then," I get up from my position on the ground. Then, we go off in search of a new cave.
An hour into our search, we spot caves in the nearby rock wall. On closer inspection, we find that the caves are indeed empty. They look like the perfect home for all of us. Taisley and I choose the larger cave. This cave has plenty of room for both of us and the kits.
Mom and dad decide to stay in the cave to the left with my siblings. The cave on the right will be the home of my foster father, sister, and my three friends. Their caves, though slightly smaller, are still pretty large. This home is perfect.
Mom and dad watch the kits while Taisley and I go off in search of bedding. We return a short while with some moss and leaves. We lay the moss and leaves out to make five separate nests. One for each of the kits and one for Taisley and I. We carry a fair-sized block of wood to make a table in the center of the cave. It is just big enough for the six of us.
We bring the kits inside of our new home. All four of the kits are excited. They love the caves already. They start running around with Talo in the lead. Taisley and I will have our paws full.
I look outside, noticing for the first time how late it's getting. I turn to the kits. "Alright. It's getting late. We'll get yer dinner ready. After ya eat, it'll be time fer bed," I tell them.
"'kay, daddy," the kits reply at the same time.
I smile. Taisley and I put dinner on the table. As soon as the kits finish eating, we tuck them in. It isn't too long before their eyelids begin drooping. They are asleep within minutes.
Taisley and I curl up on our own nest. I wrap my arm around Taisley and nuzzle her. "Goodnight, Tais," I whisper.
"Goodnight, Buck," Taisley whispers back before she falls asleep. Yawning, I close my own eye. I am asleep in seconds.
The next day, I am the first one to wake up. I turn to look at Taisley. I see her stirring as she begins to wake up as well. I am worried, though, when I see a look of discomfort cross her face. "Wot's wrong, Tais?" I ask, worried.
"I…I don't…feel so good…" Taisley moans, one arm wrapped over her stomach.
I feel Taisley's forehead. "Ya don't 'ave a fever…" I trail off, confused.
Taisley suddenly bolts up and runs out of the cave. I get up and run after her, while trying not to wake anyone else. I find Taisley out of sight of the cave, hunched over a bush, vomiting. I come up behind her. I place my paw on her back. I stroke her back in soothing circles as she continues to heave and retch.
When she finishes vomiting, I hand Taisley a nut cup filled with water. She drinks it to wash the nasty taste away. I turn her face towards me. "Do ya know wot's wrong? Th' last time that ya got sick without a fever was when ya were pregnant. Wait…yer no' pregnant, are ya?" I ask.
"No! Well, I don't really know. I could be, considering our little 'thing' a few nights ago," Taisley replies.
"Let's talk ta mom 'bout this. She might know," I suggest. Taisley nods her head. We start heading back to the caves to find mom.
Luckily for us, my parents are both awake when we return. We go over to them. "Mom, dad, um…I kinda think that Taisley's pregnant. She just threw up, but she doesn't 'ave a fever an' she didn't eat anything bad, so…" I explain.
Mom nods her head in understanding. "Yer wonderin' if I can see if she's pregnant, right?" She asks.
"Yeah, mom," I reply.
Mom goes to Taisley and begins to examine her. Dad and I wait outside for that to be done. In there is no place for males. A few minutes later, Taisley comes out. She has a new sparkle to her eye. "How do you feel about becoming a father again?" Taisley asks.
My eye widens. A smile begins to spread across my face. I take Taisley by her paws and begin to swing her around. "'ow do I feel? I feel great! I can't wait!" I laugh, excitement clear in my voice.
"Congratulations, son!" Dad claps me on the back.
"Thanks, dad. C'mon, Tais. Let's tell th' kits this news," I suggest.
"How do you think they'll take it?" Taisley asks, clearly worried.
"Don't worry. Everything will work out fine. It's betta ta tell them now rather than wait," I point out.
"Okay, then," Taisley replies. Paw in paw, we begin to head inside.
We find the kits just waking up. They come over to us. "Hi, mommy an' daddy!" They call at the same time.
"Kits, we 'ave something ta tell ya," I begin.
"Wot is 't?" Talo asks. All four kits look curious.
"Well, 'ow would ya feel 'bout having some younger siblings?" I ask.
Talo, Raska, and Frost are immediately excited. "Yay! I've always wanted little siblings!" Frost squeals.
Only Whisper looks nervous. I pick up on that quickly. "Wot are ya worried 'bout, Whisper?" I ask.
"Daddy, mommy's going to have kits, so…does that mean that you'll forget about us?" Whisper asks, eyes glistening with tears.
I kneel down beside Whisper. I take her into my arms. "Listen, Whisper, I'll nevah forget 'bout ya. I promise. Th' same goes wi' yer mothah. New kits will take a lot of our attention, but we will always love ya just th' same. Tell ya wot, when th' kits are born, do ya want ta 'elp us? We'd really appreciate it. Ya can be our li'l helper," I offer.
Whisper's face brightens. "Sure! Thanks, daddy!" Whisper hugs me.
"Yer welcome. Now, why don't ya go play wi' yer siblings. Run along, now," I watch as Whisper joins the other kits. Taisley and I sit and watch our kits, awaiting our near future with an enlarged family.