"You're definitely Clayton's baby," Jane murmured when she felt yet another kick in the past two minutes.
And yet, she couldn't help but smile as he stroked her tummy. She just loved feeling the baby's little feet, imagining his little heartbeat as he floated dreamily in the darkness of her womb. The baby kicked again, this time against her hand.
"Sweet Satan, I have the feeling that you'll give us a hard time when you learn how to walk." Jane laughed, stroking her tummy. "Clayton will be delighted to take you riding with Bombproof. Don't be surprised if he tries to teach you how to ride before you even get the handle of walking, though."
Since Clayton wouldn't be back until later, Jane figured she could have some time for herself. She went to the nursery to sit in the rocking chair, humming a little song for her child. The song she and Clayton shared.
The unborn baby gently squirmed in reaction to the tune.
-Present time-
Striker didn't break down just yet. He was still in shock over what transpired a few hours ago. He merely say against the tree, cradling his newborn child to his chest as if he were the greatest treasure in the 7 rings. For Striker, he was. The impling was sound asleep as he suckled on his thumb, wrapped in Jane's shredded blouse. Being swaddled in fabric with Jane's smell reminded the baby of his mother's womb, so he remained blissfully calm.
At least until a neigh echoed throughout the cavern, startling him awake.
"Shhh, it's okay, little one. Don't cry, daddy's here." Striker whispered in a trembling voice as he wiped the impling's tears.
As Striker's finger happened to touch his baby's hand, the tiny tiny fingers instinctively grasped it. He couldn't laugh right now, but he smiled a bit at his son and started humming as he rocked the impling.
The baby soothed down as he recognized the tune. He couldn't remember where he heard it, only that he had.
Despite the tears running down his cheeks, Striker smiled as he watched his son go back to sleep.