It's been 4 weeks now since Lilly and Kate got pregnant. Their stomach's had gotten much larger. Lilly had a radiant glow coming from her, which I loved. She had just gotton over the morning sickness a few days ago, along with Kate. We were asleep in our den when I awoke from the birds chirping and the sun creeping in.
We were sleeping next to each other, pressed together. I looked at Lilly's stomach and smiled, knowing we'd be parents soon. I put my hand on her belly and started rubbing it, making her smile in her sleep. I closed my eyes and kept rubbing her when I felt a bump against it. My eyes shot open and I looked down at it, but didn't see anything. I moved my paw again back over where I felt it and sure enough, a small bump hit my paw.
"Lilly. Lilly, wake up." I said in her ear. Her eyes fluttered open to see me laying next to her, smiling widely. "What is it, babe?" she asked, yawning. "Their kicking!" I said, excited. She quickly lifted her head and put her paw under mine, feeling it too.
"Oh my god, they are!" she said, tearing up. She looked at me and asked "When did they start?" "I first felt it just before I woke you up. I just woke up a few minutes ago." I said. I kissed her and said "I wonder how many there is."
"Me too. Let's ask Mom to check in a little while. She'll know how to tell." Lilly said, kissing me back. I sat up and yawned and started walking outside into the cool morning air to stretch. Lilly came out behind me and stretched as well. I looked at her standing there, stomach large with our pups and her glow emitting from her. She looked so beautiful. She saw me staring and giggled, saying "What are you staring at?"
"You. You look so beautiful, love." I said, nuzzling her. "When do you wanna go see your parents?" I asked. "Around noon. What do you wanna do until then?" she asked, sitting next to me. "I was going to hop in the creek real quick to wake up." I said. "Okay, sounds good. I'm gonna relax for a little while."
"Okay, love. Be right back." I said, walking to the creek and jumping in. The cold water woke me right up. I rinsed some dirt off and hopped out, shaking dry. I walked over to Lilly, who was laying in the new, growing grass. I laid down next to her, getting close. "Whatcha thinking about?" I asked, putting my head on hers. "Just about if I'm going to be a good mother." she said. "You will be, trust me." I said, comforting her.
"I don't know...What if I do something and hurt them? What if something happens to one of them?" she asked, getting sad. "Lilly, listen to me." I said, moving my head and looked into her eyes. "You will be a great mother. You are loving, nurturing and above all, you put others ahead of yourself. Don't worry about the "what if" questions." I said.
"You really mean it?" she asked. "Of course I do. I'd never lie to you." I said, rubbing her back. She smiled and said "Thanks, Cody. You're not worried about being a bad dad?"
"Actually, I am. But I'm determined to be the best father I can be. Nothing is going to hurt you or our pups. Ever." I said, licking her cheek. We suddenly heard a howl come from the feeding grounds. "It's Dad. Sounds like he wants to see us." Lilly said, standing up. I stood up as well and said "Well, better not keep him waiting." We walked off to their den and after a few minutes, got to the slope leading up to the entrance. He was sitting at the bottom, waiting for us.
"Wanted to see us, Dad?" Lilly asked. "Yeah, I did. Got a few things to talk about. Let's go inside." He said, walking back up the slope. We followed him up and inside and sat down. Eve was up and he sat next to her. "So what is it?" Lilly asked. "Let's wait for Kate and Humphrey. Family meeting." Eve said.
A few minutes later, they walked in and sat down next to us. "You wanted us, Dad?" Kate asked. "Yep. Now that you're all here, we've got some things to talk about." he said, making us four nervous.
"First off, Cody. Jake has stepped down from the hunting party. He personally asked you be given his position. I also ask you teach Humphrey a few hunting skills so he can provide for Kate." Winston said. I was in disbelief that Jake asked I take his place. "Wow, thank you! And don't worry, I'll handle Humphrey." I said. Humphrey sighed and said "Alright. We can start later today."
"Good. Second, Kate and Lilly. We'd like for you two to sleep here for the next few weeks until the pups are born. You guys are welcome to stay as well. We'd like for you two to be close when you go into labor so we don't need to worry." Winston said. "Sure, Dad." They both said.
He nodded and said "Lastly, we have some good news." We all looked at each other and Kate asked "What is it?" Eve smiled and said "I'm pregnant too!" Lilly and Kate were stunned that they'd have siblings younger then them. "Wow, Mom! Really!?" Kate yelled. Eve nodded and said "Yep! Just found out this morning!" Kate and Lilly hugged her and their Dad and Lilly said "Wow! This is great! I've always wanted a little brother or sister!"
Humphrey and I walked over and hugged them as well. "Congratulations!" Humphrey said. "Thanks, boys!" Eve said, hugging us back. We all talked about it for about an hour until Tundra came up to the den.
"Sir? The hunting party is ready to go." he said from outside. "Right. We need four caribou this morning. Good luck, Cody." Winston said. I nodded and kissed Lilly goodbye and walked out with Tundra.
"So, I take it you know of your new job?" he asked as we walked down the slope. "Yep. Winston told me earlier. Thank you guys for letting me join you." I said. "It's nothing. You're a really good stalker and have a lot of jaw strength. From now on, you always go for the throat. Let someone else get the spine." he said. "Got it, sir. Anything else?"
"Yeah, one. I said stop calling me sir." he said, slapping the back of my head. I laughed and said "Sorry. Force of habit." He nodded and we kept walking until we met up with the party. "Alright, guys. Four caribou this morning, two at a time. It will take a while, so I hope you got enough sleep." Tundra said as we walked up to them. We broke off into two groups, Tundra and I and Lena and Westin.
We went around to the other side of the caribou herd and silently got into position until Westin gave the signal. When he did, I jumped for the throat and bit down, feeling it's blood pour out. Tundra bit down on it's spine, making it fall. I held my jaws shut until it stopped breathing. The others took their's down as well and we pulled them to a hiding place. We went the direction the rest of the herd ran and found them grazing again.
We all got in position and jumped them. I got ahold of one's neck, but it started running, stepping on my leg and breaking it. I let go and howled in pain. The others got their caribou down and ran over to help me.
"Cody, are you okay?" Tundra asked, worried. "No, my leg's broken." I said through the pain. "Alright, just relax. I'm going to pick you up and carry you back to Eve's den. She'll help you." he said. "You two. Go get someone to help with the caribou. Now!" Lena and Westin ran off and Tundra pulled me onto his back, making sure not to touch my leg. He jogged back to the pack, making sure not to drop me.
We got to the slope and he yelled "Winston! Eve!" They came running out to see me on his back. "What happened!? Is he okay?" Winston asked, running over to me. "I'm fine, dad. My leg's broken." I said, wincing in pain. "Take him inside and lay him down in the back." Eve said. Tundra nodded and walked inside and laid me down. "I'm sorry, Cody. I didn't mean for this to happen." he said. "Don't worry. It wasn't anyone's fault. Shit happens." I said, smiling weakly.
We heard Winston howl for Lilly and they came back inside. Eve came over to check on my leg. "Yep, it's broken alright. You're going to be off it for around a month." she said. She touched my hip, making me scream in pain. "Sorry." she said. "It's...okay...Just really hurts." I said through the pain, breathing heavy. Lilly came running in a few minutes later and saw my in the back.
"Oh my god! Are you okay?" she asked, nuzzling my neck. "Yeah, just a broken leg. I'll be off it for around a month." I said, smiling. "Do you wanna go back to our den to rest?" she asked. "No, he's not going anywhere. He can't walk and I don't want him to hurt that leg anymore then it already is." Eve said. "Winston, can you go find a couple vines and a couple pieces of a log?" she asked. He nodded and walked outside to find them.
"What are the vines and log for, Mom?" Lilly asked, curious. "A splint. To hold his leg in one place until it heals." she said, sitting next to us. Winston came back in a little while later with some vine and wood in his mouth. He dropped it next to Eve and said "This should work. Looks like enough."
"Yep, it will. Thanks, honey." Eve said, kissing his cheek. "Now, Cody. This is going to hurt. Just stay calm and relax." I nodded and said "Do it and get it over with." She lifted my broken leg, making me groan in pain, and slid one piece of wood under it. She set it back down and put the other piece on top of my leg.
"Lilly, would you hold that there so it doesn't fall? Don't push down." she said. Lilly reached over and held it for her while she got the vines and wrapped them under my leg. "Okay, this will hurt much more. I need to tie them tight to hold your leg in place. Here, bite down on this." she said, handing me a thick piece of wood. I put it in my jaws and nodded. She quickly pulled them tight, sending a shockwave of pain through my leg. I bit down as hard as I could and snapped the wood in half.
"Oh my fucking god that hurts!" I screamed. She tied them off and said "There. All done. Do not put pressure on that leg at all or you'll be in even worse pain then that." I looked at her and said "Why do I highly doubt that?" She laughed and said "I know how you feel. I broke my leg once hunting as well. Now, if you can stand up without using that leg, lay down where ever you want."
"I can. I'll go by the entrance where it's cooler." I said, slowly getting up. I limped over to the entrance and carefully laid back down. Lilly laid down next to me and said "Looks like you're not hunting or swimming for a while."
"Yep...That's okay. I'll be with you more then." I said, leaning against her. She smiled and said "Even in pain, you can be sweet." I laughed and said "A little pain isn't going to stop me."
"Why don't you get a little rest? It might help your leg feel better." Lilly said. "Yeah, okay. I'm a little tired from the caribou we DID get." I said, rolling onto my side and laying my head down. Lilly got up and said "I'm gonna get some water. I'll be here when you get up." "Okay, love. See you later." I said, closing my eyes. I fell asleep after a few minutes, ignoring the pulsating pain.
I woke what seemed like a couple minutes later and it was getting dark. Lilly was laying next to me staring outside at the sunset. "Hey, love." I said, sleepily. She turned to look at me and smiled. "Hey, how's your leg?" she asked. "Hurts like hell. Not as sharp pain as earlier, but hurts none the less." I said, feeling dizzy all the sudden. I started swaying around and Lilly asked "Are you feeling okay?"
"No, I'm not. I'm really dizzy." I said, my head falling to the ground. My heart rate skyrocketed and my breathing came in huge gasps. "CODY!" Lilly yelled, jumping up. Eve heard her yell and came running over. Just as she got there, I blacked out. I dreamed about our pups and us playing in a field. We were laughing and having fun. It looked so peaceful, seeing them running around chasing each other.
When I came to, it was morning. Lilly was next to me crying. "L-Lilly?" I asked, my voice raspy. Her head shot up and she looked at me and yelled "Cody! You're okay!"
"Yeah, I am. What the hell happened?" I asked, not remembering. "You just got up from a nap after you're leg got broke. You started swaying side to side and your head dropped to the ground. You blacked out." She said, still crying.
"Any idea why?" I asked, coughing. "You were dehydrated. Sounds like you need some water now, too. Here." she said, sliding an empty turtle shell over with water in it. I drank it and said "Thanks. Much better."
"I was so scared when you didn't wake up! I've been up all night, waiting." she said, resting her head on my shoulder. "It's okay. I'm here. I'm not leaving your or our pups." I said, rubbing her back. "That reminds me. Mom, can you come over here?" she called to the back of the den. Eve got up and came over to us and asked "What do you need, honey?"
"Well, we'd like to know how many pups we're having. Would you mind seeing if you can tell?" Lilly asked. "Sure. Roll onto your side real quick." Eve said. Lilly rolled over and she started running her paw over her stomach. A couple minutes later Eve said "Looks like two." Lilly smiled and said "Really?" Eve smiled and said "Yep. I only felt two. There may be another one, but I can't tell exactly. We'll have to wait and see."
"Thanks, Mom!" Lilly said. "Mom, would you mind doing that for us, too?" Kate asked. Eve went over and counted their's and said "Three. Definately three." Kate smiled and said "Thank you, Mom!" "No problem." Eve said, laying back down next to Winston.
"Do you know how many you're having?" Lilly asked. "No, not yet. Still too early. I need to wait a couple more weeks." she said. "You look tired, love. You need some sleep." I said to Lilly. She looked at me and said "You're right. I'm really tired. I'll see you later, babe." I kissed her and said "I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere." She laid her head down on my chest and fell asleep almost instantly.
"You know, Cody. Even two pups is a lot of responsibility." Eve said. I smiled and said "I know. But you guys already know I'll do my best." Eve nodded and said "Yeah, we do. I'm just worried it will overwhelm you. When your leg heals, you'll be hunting for your family, taking care of them all and you probably won't get much time to relax."
"Just being with them will be relaxation for me." I said, putting my foreleg over Lilly. She smiled and started purring in her sleep. "If you think so. There will be times you want to run away from it all, believe me." Winston said. "While that may be true, I know I couldn't do that. One, because I love them too much to leave Lilly on her own. And two, because I know you two will rip me apart if I do." I said, laughing. Eve giggled and said "Yeah, there is that. I'd start with the wolfhood, then the legs, then the ears-" Winston put his paw over her mouth and said "He gets it."
"Krystal, stop it...Mommy's too tired to play..." We all looked at Lilly and she was talking in her sleep. I chuckled and said "Never done that before. Sounds like she already has one name in mind." Eve laughed and said "And it sounds like they're going to be energtic!" I smiled and said "I hope one of them is a boy. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a daughter, but I really want a son. Someone to teach everything I know."
"I know that feeling, son. I'm hoping one of our pups will be a boy, too." Winston said, nuzzling Eve. "Did you have any names in mind if one is?" Eve asked. I thought for a moment and said "Onyx."
"That's a great name. Especially if he looks anything like you." she said, smiling. "Thanks. I thought so too." Lilly suddenly shot up and looked around and saw us all looking at her. She was still half asleep and said "Where's Krystal!?"
"Lilly, calm down. You were dreaming." I said, putting my foreleg around her and pulling her to me. "What do you mean? Krystal! She was right here!" Lilly yelled, starting to tear up.
"Lilly! Calm down! Look at me!" I said, holding her. She turned her head and looked me in the eyes. "You're still pregnant. You were dreaming." She started to come back to reality and said "I could've sworn we were playing with the pups. Krystal was playing with you and suddenly disappeared!" She buried her head in my chest, starting to cry.
"Shh...don't cry, love. It was just a dream. I take it you picked our daughter's name already?" I asked. She pulled her head back and said "But I'm still pregnant. Shouldn't we wait until they're born to name them?" She was oblivious to the fact she kept saying "Krystal".
"I know that, but you kept calling someone Krystal." I said, rubbing her back. "I did? I don't even remember that." she said. "I know. You were still half asleep when you were saying it." I said, rubbing her back. "What would you think of the name "Krystal"?" she asked. "I love it. If we have a boy, I was thinking "Onyx". I said.
"I like it. When did you think of it?" She asked, smiling. "A few minutes ago actually." I said. "It's a great name." She yawned and laid her head back down and said "I'm gonna go back to sleep."
"Okay. I'll be here when you wake up." I said. She fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes. "Sounds like you two already have the names covered." Eve said, smiling at me. "Yeah. I like them. Winston?" I asked. "Yeah, son?" he asked, picking his head up. "Could you call Humphrey over here? I need to tell him I'm not going to be able to teach him to hunt right now." I said.
"I already took care of that while you were out. I asked Tundra if he could when he was free." He said. "Oh, alright then. Thanks. I hope Tundra goes easy on him." I said, smiling. "He said he will. Humphrey is an omega after all, so it will take a lot more effort from him to learn the skills."
"Good. I know when Mom was teaching me, It took me a while since I didn't go to alpha school. But she was patient and waited for me to get it." I said, tearing up. "Cody, are you okay?" Eve asked, conserned. "Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking about Mom is all." I said, wiping my eyes. "Just know that she'd be VERY proud of you right now. You're married to a beautiful girl who loves you with all her heart and you're going to be a father." Eve said.
Thanks. I know she would be. I can feel her with me most of the time." I said. Just then, Humphrey, Salty, Shakey and Mooch walked up to the entrance. "Come on in, boys." Winston said. "Thanks, sir. How's the leg, Cody?" Humphrey asked. "It's okay. I'll be off it about a month." I said.
"So, I guess that means you won't be log sledding with us for a while, huh?" Salty asked, looking sad. "Yeah, it does. Tell you what...As soon as my leg's healed and if the pups aren't born yet, I'll go with you guys again. Deal?" I asked. They all looked excited and Humphrey said "Sounds good! We're gonna hold you to that."
"Yeah, I know you will. So, what did you guys drop by for?" I asked. "Just to see how you were doing. Lilly told us about you blacking out. Feeling better?" Shakey asked. "Yeah, I was just dehydrated. Thanks, guys."
"No problem. Hey, H, did Tundra get to you yet?" I asked. He chuckled and said "Yeah, he told me he was going to teach me. Can't wait..." I laughed and said "It won't be too bad. Just don't be lazy and he won't hurt you."
"Gee, thanks...Well, I've gotta go get ready." he said. "What for?" I asked. "Moonlight howl's tonight."
"Oh, crap! I forgot about that." I said. "Don't worry about it. You weren't going anyway." Eve said. "Oh, yeah. Well, you guys have fun. Tell your girl's I said hi." I said as they walked out. "Alright, see you tommorow." Salty said as they walked down the slope.
"It was nice of them to stop by and see how you were doing." Winston said. "Yeah, it was. I'm gonna try to get some more sleep now. See you guys tommorow." I said, laying my head down next to Lilly's. "Okay. Goodnight." Eve said as they walked outside too and went to the howl.
"I'll see you later, too. I'm gonna go get ready." Kate said, walking out. "Okay, later." I said, closing my eyes. I put my forelegs around Lilly and pulled her closer to me, pressing us together. I could feel the pups kicking my stomach, making me smile as I drifted off to sleep