Tuesday
Clare shifted slightly in her sleep, not wanting to get up yet.
"Clare, honey, I know you don't want to get up, but could you please move your knee?" Luke asked in a strangled whisper. Clare groaned and rolled off him and lay on her side on the bed. Luke kissed her temple and wrapped his arms back around her. Clare sighed softly and slept on. Luke lay watching her sleep until the twins began to fuss and he left to go tend to them. Clare woke a few minutes after he left to stretch and sit up. Marie shifted uncomfortably in her basket, her support, Lucas, gone. Clare stood from the bed and pick up the basket to pack it down stairs. The movement woke the young vixen and she whined in discomfort. Clare started humming as she set the basket in front of the hearth downstairs and rubbed the soon-to-be mother's stomach. Marie was left gasping when the pain subsided. Clare rubbed the Keaton's ears then went to brew up some tea. Luke came downstairs with the twins and glanced at poor Marie. Clare was absently drumming a soft melody with her fingers as she waited for the water to boil. Luke placed a kiss to her cheek as he warmed milk for the twins. Clare smiled and kissed his jaw then tended to the kettle.
"May want to grab the wheat bag..." Luke said quietly. Clare opened the top cupboards and reached for it but someone chucked it too far back, "I hate being short sometimes..." Clare grumbled as she went to get the stool.
"Angel, here..." Luke said offering the heated bag. Clare smiled to him, "Thanks." Luke returned the smile then went to the twins. Clare took the bag out to Marie. Marie had curled in on herself and was whimpering quietly. Clare put the bag down against her stomach gently. Marie hissed in pain the minute the bag made contact with her.
"Hmmm..." Clare hummed and took the bag off her. Marie whined and failed at finding a comfortable spot. Clare turned the Keaton over gently and rubbed her ears. Marie groaned quietly, "Try picking her up Angel, a different position may help." Clare sighed and picked the tiny yet heavily pregnant Keaton up. Marie shifted until she was on her back then sighed in relief. Clare sighed and walked over to the couch to sit on it. Luke smiled softly at her as he fed Flora and Miloh, "I don't think she gets on her back to relieve the stress on her sides..."
"I'll let her roll whichever way she wants..." Clare muttered. Marie shifted and winced as her entire litter shifted together. Clare sighed and rubbed Marie's ears lightly.
"I'm going to be...very glad when...this is over..." Marie said between groans. Clare smiled lightly, "This part anyways, the fun part is raising them." Marie sighed as her litter shifted again. Clare turned and laid down across the couch. Marie remained limp in her arms trying everything to keep her litter calm. Clare shifted and rubbed Marie's stomach gently. The young mother sighed and relaxed under her touch. Clare kept rubbing gently and calmly as she started humming lightly. Luke smiled as he burped the twins and tucked them into the basinet they set up downstairs. Clare kept humming as she closed her eyes. Marie yawned and settled down for a, hopefully, peaceful nap. Clare kept rubbing as her humming took a different tone. Luke lifted her head and set it in his lap as he sat down. Clare opened her eyes and smiled to him before shifting to the new position. Luke kissed her forehead as Marie began to slip towards the edge of the couch. Clare adjusted the Keaton to her stomach and kept her hands on her. One of Marie's many tails flicked as she settled. Clare reclosed her eyes and kept humming softly. Luke ran his fingers through her hair. Clare smiled lightly and halted her humming. One of Marie's kits shifted and Clare felt it move against her own stomach. The ninja smiled softly and kept rubbing the young mother Keaton's stomach.
"You're really good with her..." Luke whispered.
"I've heard that before..." Clare whispered in return cracking one eye open.
"Well you are..." Luke replied as he brushed his fingers against her cheek. Clare smiled softly and kissed his fingers gently.
"Do you want me to put her back in her basket?" Luke asked after Marie had settled.
"If you want..." Clare replied. Luke gently took Marie and after placing Clare's head back on the couch placed the young vixen back in her basket. Clare had to shifted again to make herself comfortable. Luke scooped her up and took her place with her lying on top of him. Clare smiled and snuggled into his chest. Luke ran his fingers though her hair and down her back. Clare smiled again and rested her cheek against his chest, near his heart. He placed a kiss to her forehead and he rested his hand in the small of her back. Clare sighed and closed her eyes lightly.
"Go to sleep Angel..." Luke whispered.
"Okay..." Clare whispered and her breathing evened out. Luke smiled and kept watch over their growing family. The house was at a peaceful silence that was only interrupted by the various softly breathing going on. Luke kept an ear keen for Marie or the twins while he watched Clare sleep. Clare shifted slightly, curling in on herself slightly. Luke rubbed her back and sides gently, guessing the effects of her tea was beginning to wear off. Clare shifted again, this time rolling over. Luke smiled and shook his head. Clare stilled and slept peacefully. Luke placed both arms across her stomach and tucked her head under his chin. Clare sighed softly and refused to move anymore. Luke smiled softly and kissed the top of her head. Clare shivered slightly and wrapped her arms around herself. Luke removed one arm to pull the blanket off the couch and covered her with it before returning his arm to its previous place. Clare grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to her chin then relaxed. Luke smiled again and tightened his hold on her. Clare slept peacefully. Luke sighed unable to remain awake he joined his family. It was when the cramps were getting worse by the minute when Clare woke up with a quiet groan. Luke subconsciously rubbed her sides and stomach. Clare rubbed her stomach along with his hands trying to make the pain go away. Luke shifted and held her tighter, who knew what was going through his head. Clare shifted and just wanted to crawl into a hole for the rest of the day. Her shifting woke her husband quiet easily. Clare groaned and rolled onto her stomach.
"Do you want me to take you upstairs then make you a cup of tea?" Luke asked recognizing her behaviour automatically.
"Please..." Clare muttered softly. Luke gently scooped her up and cradled her against him. Clare laid her head on his shoulder, eyes closed and a slightly pained expression on her face. Luke felt bad for her as there was little he could do to help ease her pain. Clare rubbed her stomach gently. Luke placed her on the bed and covered her, "Do you want me to grab the hot water bottle as well?" Clare nodded slightly. Luke kissed her temple and hurried out of the room. Clare shifted slightly and rubbed her stomach again. As if things couldn't get any worse, a jolt of pain ran up her back and sides. Clare winced and whimpered lightly as she shifted. Luke pressed the hot water bottle against her back. Clare turned to give him a thankful smile but another jolt of pain raced up her back and back down, making her wince. Luke shifted so he could gently sit her up. Clare sighed softly and once she was up, rubbed her stomach again, "This sucks..." Luke kissed her temple as he placed the cup in her hands and held the hot water bottle in place with the other. Clare sipped delicately and slowly. Luke kept his hand against her stomach hoping to prevent any flares of pain. Clare finished her tea and had yet to feel any pain but that didn't stop the next one.
"Still hurting Angel?" Luke asked.
"Not anymore..." Clare whispered and sighed. Luke shifted her into his arms keeping the hot water against her back. Clare stretched and leaned against him. Luke placed a kiss to her cheek as he held her against him. Clare closed her eyes as she tucked her head under his chin. Luke sighed contently as he leaned against the headboard. Clare shifted slightly before stilling. Luke smiled a little as he carded his fingers through her hair. Clare settled contently. A peace settled over them, one they hadn't had since they first admitted they loved each other. The universe decided not to mess with them today. Luke toyed with her new bracelet as he continued to card his fingers through her hair. Clare shifted slightly, nuzzling his collar bone lightly. Luke hummed quietly as he closed his eyes and held her close. Luke's heartbeat kept Clare asleep. Luke sighed happily and fell back to sleep with a smile on his face. It was a few hours later, right around sun down when Clare shifted again. Luke had at some point shifted to hold her even closer. Clare shifted and rolled over, or at least tired to when a shot of pain streaked up her sides. Luke shifted her closer, his hands settling gently against her stomach, his warmth providing some relief. Clare sighed softly and nuzzled his chest. Luke laid his cheek against the top of her head as he slept with a soft smile on his face. Clare slowly drifted back to sleep. It was a cry from downstairs that awoke both of them with a start. Clare immediately scrambled off the bed, tripping yet still running out of the room. Luke was quick to follow. Clare got downstairs first and slid to a stop in the living room. Both the twins were awake and extremely unhappy.
"Oh...shh...mommy's here.." Clare cooed as she picked them both up gently. Luke sighed in relief, he had thought something was wrong. Clare rocked their twins gently and carefully. Luke placed his arms around her. She sighed and continued to rock the tiny, yet still upset children.
"What's got them so upset?" Luke asked as he gently stroked Flora's cheek.
"I don't know..." Clare muttered as her ears twitched lightly. After a few minutes the twins settled and Luke looked around, "Where's Marie?"
"I don't know..." Clare glanced around and saw the window open, "Oh no..."
"You don't think someone took her do you?" Luke asked, they both knew Marie didn't have the energy to move very far on her own.
"I can't tell...You have the nose here." Clare said holding her children close. Luke looked around the room and spotted large paw prints on the floor, "Wolfo..."
"Where's Bane when you need him..." Clare whispered as she shifted her twins, "I'll go get her."
"Be careful..." Luke said as he took the twins. Clare nodded and disappeared to get into her usual ninja clothes before leaping through the window to track down the Wolfo. About fifty yards from the house Lucas lay unconscious against a tree. Clare picked him up and poofed back home then poofed back outside to follow the tracks. A hundred yards from where she found Lucas she heard someone whimper but it was drowned out by a savage growl. Clare leapt after the growling and pounced on the Wolfo. Marie yelped as she hit the ground. Clare picked her up and ran away back home. Marie trembled horribly in her arms. Clare heard the Wolfo coming up behind her as she ran so she picked up speed. There was a sickening crack followed by a yelp, "You stay the hell away from my family, you dick!" Clare slid to a stop and looked behind her, absently stroking Marie's ears to calm her down. A very pissed off Anni stood behind her with her staff in hand and blood dripping off the wing tips.
"Uh...Anni..." Clare muttered hugging Marie gently.
"What?!" Anni asked as the Wolfo fled.
"...Nothing..." Clare said as turned to go home, "You can come by for tea..." Anni took a deep breath and let her staff disappear before following her aunt. Clare opened the door and let Anni in before going in, still calming Marie down. Anni sighed and pulled a small package out of her apron pocket.
"Luke..." Clare called as she kicked her sandals off.
"Is she alright, are you alright?" Luke asked as he darted over to her.
"I'm fine, I'm going to check out Marie and Lucas." Clare answered. Luke nodded then noticed Anni who placed the box in his hands and with a smile, left. Clare carried Marie to where she left Lucas and checked the two over. Marie was trembling but otherwise fine and Lucas had yet to come around though a few of his ribs appeared to be cracked. Clare set Marie on the couch and put her hands on Lucas's chest to allow her magic to heal her son. After a few minutes he came around with a groan. Clare was sitting with her hand on Marie's stomach, rubbing it gently.
"...Marie are you alright?" Lucas asked quietly as he gently nuzzled her temple. Clare sighed softly and rubbed his ears, "She's just a little shaken up?" Lucas tucked her head under his and she calmed feeling safe again.
"Call me if there's a problem..." Clare whispered as she stood. Lucas nodded as Luke walked over to the couch two collars dangling between his fingers.
"Who are those for?" Clare asked as she looked at the collars.
"I'm guessing those two..." Luke replied as he placed them in her hand. One was a delicate, looping embroidered gold, and the other a dark blue, chain like design. Clare crouched down and slipped the collars on the two keatons. Lucas wrapped himself around Marie, one could see he cared for her as more than a friend. Clare stood again and sighed, "I'm going outside..." Luke caught her wrist, "What's the matter?"
"I know monsters like the back of my hand...That Wolfo will come back...with its pack." Clare whispered so only Luke could here.
"Promise me you'll be careful..." Luke replied matching her tone as he pulled her into his arms.
"I promise..." Clare whispered and kissed his lips as she slipped her sandals on. Luke reluctantly released her. Clare smiled softly and stepped outside to face the forest where the wolfo's would come. She could hear them growling just beyond the tree line. Clare took out her kunai and waited. The one that Anni had clocked appeared first and it growled at her. Clare glared and waited for it to move first. The thing about Wolfo's is that they're stupid and left head on at her. Clare smirked and imbedded the kunai in her hand in its muzzle. The monster recoiled and snarled before lunging at her again. Clare grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and threw it at the trees. It's back snapped and it fell to the ground dead before the other pack members dragged it away to feast on its' body. Clare sighed, relaxed then turned to the ocean to wash her hand from the blood. Anni could be heard throwing people out of the Inn for the night. Clare went back to the front door and opened it. Luke pulled her inside and checked her over for injuries before hugging her tightly. Clare smiled and pocketed the weapon before hugging him back. Luke placed kiss after kiss to her skin. Clare patted his back gently and smoothed his hair back. Luke finally calmed and released her.
"All better now?" Clare asked lightly. Luke nodded.
"Okay..." Clare muttered and kissed his lips. A quiet whimper came from Marie.
"Let's go see how she's doing..." Clare whispered after she broke the kiss. Luke released her but followed her. Clare went over and crouched by the couch where she left Marie. Marie had bit down on her paw as not to disturb Lucas who had fallen asleep.
"What's wrong Marie?" Clare asked rubbing the Keaton's ears lightly.
"They're all sitting wrong, it hurts to breathe..." Marie whispered. Clare nodded and pushed against the young mother's stomach, shifting the kits one by one to a position that didn't hurt their mother. Marie sighed in relief when she could breathe painlessly. Clare sat back and smiled lightly but she rubbed her right shoulder. Marie made to stand so she could go back to her basket but she still didn't have the strength. Clare picked up the Keaton then stood, going to the basket by the hearth. Lucas groaned and pawed around for Marie. Clare, after setting Marie in the basket, retrieved Lucas and set him beside her. Marie tucked her head back under his, to keep calm but mostly for her need to feel safe and protected. Clare stood and rubbed her right shoulder again. Luke placed his hands on her arms, "Are you alright?"
"I think I pulled something...I don't remember Wolfo's being that heavy before..." Clare muttered. Luke took her hand and led her upstairs. Clare followed. Luke sat down against the headboard in their room and then motioned for her to sit in front of him. Clare sat in front of him and crossed her legs. Luke worked as usual, from her lower back to her shoulders and neck. Clare relaxed under his hands. And as usual, he found tight spots she didn't even know were there. Clare sighed contently as her muscles released. Now if only he can help the rest of her relax. Clare wrapped his arms around her waist lightly.
"Cramps?" Luke asked quietly. Clare nodded lightly. Luke kissed her temple as he rubbed her midsection gently. Clare sighed softly and leaned against his chest lightly. Luke gently applied a small amount of pressure as he continued to sooth circles. Eventually Clare turned her head and closed her eyes, falling asleep. Luke shifted them carefully as he laid them down. Clare kept her head on his chest as she shifted to get comfortable. Luke let her move to find the spot that worked for her. Clare eventually settled with her head on his chest and one arm draped across it with the other tucked against her stomach. Luke smiled and covered them. He listened for the twins sleeping in their room before joining her. It was at sundown again before Clare reawoke. The steady rise and fall of Luke's chest reminded her, he was still there. Clare smiled softly, listened for the twins; still asleep, then snuggled into her husband's chest. His hand shifted against her stomach, that warmth was enough to keep any flares of pain at bay. Clare sighed contently and closed her eyes but not going to sleep just yet. As things settled and she let her mind wander, she felt something coil around her stomach lightly. Clare opened her eyes and looked down. There was nothing there but she could still feel it. Clare raised an eyebrow in question as she patted at her waist. It floated around her finger before returning to her waist, it was keeping the pain at bay. Clare was very confused now as she looked at her waist again. And for a moment she saw a flicker of blue smoke. Clare 'oh'ed and relaxed. Luke shifted and there was a slight spark of pain. Clare groaned quietly and shifted to get comfortable. Luke pulled her closer as his magic washed back over her. Clare sighed contently and relaxed again. Luke buried his nose in her hair and settled. Clare yawned quietly then closed her eyes.
"Mom, mom..." Lucas whispered patting her arm gently.
"Hmm?" Clare asked opening her eyes.
"I can't get Marie to wake up and eat..." Lucas replied. Clare sighed and moved her husband's arms to crawl out of bed.
"I'm sorry but I'm worried about her..." Lucas said quietly.
"I'm not sighed about you or her Lucas..." Clare said as she sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed as pain flared up her sides and stomach. Lucas padded to the door. Clare winced slightly before standing and following her son. About the time she reached the stairs, a warmth started at her wrist and traveled to settle right where she needed it. Clare shook her head, knowing Luke's magic had stuck to her. Lucas waited for her at the bottom of the stairs. Clare picked him up and went over to the basket. Marie was sleeping quietly even if her breaths were shorter than normal.
"One of the kits might be sitting wrong." Clare said as she set him by the basket and bent down. Lucas placed his paws on the basket as he watched Marie. Clare rubbed the younger Keaton's ears lightly to see if would get a response. All she got was an ear twitch.
"Hmm..." Clare said rubbing Marie's stomach gently. Marie's litter was shifting quite a bit, which clarified things, Marie was trying to sleep though the discomfort.
"She's fine, she's just sleeping through the shifting, or at least trying to." Clare replied, smiling softly. Lucas sighed in relief and relaxed.
"Just wait until she wakes up on her own." Clare said rubbing his ears lightly before standing. Lucas nodded and curled back around her. Clare stood and a flare of pain ran up her back. Again the warmth settled where it was needed.
"I could get used to this..." Clare said as she walked to the kitchen to start dinner. Lucas settled his head across Marie's middle. Clare disappeared upstairs with two bottles. The second floor was quiet yet she'd heard the twins only moments ago. Clare curiously let her ear twitch. Then she heard Luke whispering to the twins as he walked the floor of their room. The ninja smiled and snuck in behind him, "Are they hungry?"
"Yeah..." Luke replied.
"Here, I brought the bottles." Clare said holding them up. Luke smiled and gave her Flora in exchange for one of the bottles. Clare smiled and fed her daughter. Both children suckled happily. Clare smiled and kissed Flora's forehead lightly. Luke burped Miloh and then cuddled him for a bit. Clare burped Flora and felt her daughter's arms wrap around her neck.
"I think they missed us..." Luke said as Miloh locked his arms around his father's neck.
"You think..." Clare said as she shifted Flora to her other arm. Luke chuckled and rubbed Miloh's back. Clare took the little girl out of the room and down to the kitchen. Luke smiled and gently worked Miloh loose. The tiny boy gave a whine and looked at his father confused.
"Shh...I'm not going to put you down..." Luke said gently as he cradled the little boy. Miloh settled but didn't go to sleep. Clare called Luke for supper. Luke shifted their son to go downstairs. Clare was bouncing Flora on her knees at the dinner table. Luke smiled and slipped into the room as he sat down. Clare smiled and sat Flora in her lap and wrapped the little girl in her arms. Luke kept Miloh cradled in his arms so the little boy didn't get upset again. Clare shifted Flora so she could start eating, "We should really get high chairs soon."
"I'll get on that soon..." Luke replied.
"Okay." Clare said smiling to him as she continued to eat. Luke finished long before her again. Miloh watched, already picking up dad's habits and Flora watched as Clare finished regally. Luke smiled and tickled his son. Miloh giggled and Clare picked up Flora and carried her upstairs. Luke chuckled and nuzzled Miloh's head before carrying him upstairs. Clare had disappeared into the conservatory to play with her daughter. Luke slipped into their room to cuddle with Miloh. Since Clare doubted Flora could hold a flute let alone a note, she just passed the ball back and forth. Flora yawned ten minutes later. Clare smiled and picked her up, "Okay time for bed." Luke was still in their room with Miloh. Clare peeked in the room. Luke was running his fingers through Miloh's hair, their youngest sound asleep. Clare smiled, "Psst..." Luke looked up and smiled. Clare smiled again and walked in, Flora asleep in her arms.
"Even when they're apart they're in sync..." Luke whispered. Clare smiled, "I guess they can sleep with us." Luke nodded and beckoned her over. Clare walked over and laid next to him, setting Flora between them. Luke placed one arm around her while still holding Miloh as the eighteen month refused to release his father. Clare smiled and smoothed Flora's hair back gently. Lucas came up supporting Marie. Clare looked over and smiled before tossing a pillow by the hearth. Lucas guided Marie over to the pillow and she promptly collapsed. Clare smiled lightly and snuggled Luke's shoulder. Luke kissed her temple. Clare smiled and sighed softly. Miloh yawned and snuggled into his father. Clare smiled and fluffed her son's hair before yawning, "I think I'll join the kids..."
"Sleep tight Angel..." Luke whispered and covered her. Clare smiled and kissed his shoulder gently before falling asleep. Luke managed to get Miloh to lie with his sister so he too could go to sleep.